rui

The Republican Unity Initiative represents a debate within post GFA Irish Republicanism as to where and how the republican project should develop to in a manner reflective of the real politik and our current collective strengths. The debate started informally amongst individual republicans but as the reality dawned it evolved into specific debates within organisations and from there into debate between the various organisations themselves. Naturally there was hesitation and mistrust but there remained a sense that 'something' must be done and the contacts between certain groups continued. The Policing Debate offered an opportunity to put some practical measures into effect and although that issue came very early on in the initiative tangible benefits were seen most notably in the Peggy O'Hara Election Campaign. The 32CSM introduced two documents (see above) as a means to channel the debate into further practical expressions and on a proposal from the IRSM a joint Bodenstown Commemoration was held which was well recieved within the broad republican church. These efforts are continuing with new proposals being actively considered and the 32CSM will keep republicans abreast of these important developments.