The beginning of the end of the GFA

[HanleyS]

Personally I believe the way forward is for SF to engage with dissidents and take on board some of their concerns as much as they can. This would go a long way towards diffusing the tensions that are currently built up. Ignoring all of the dissidents concerns, and any more McGuinness style 'traitor' comments uttered will be extremely counterproductive and will only serve to make the intra republican rift even wider.

This is what I don't understand. Why don't the dissidents seek a popular mandate for their views if the really believe that they are so in tune with what the electorate want? They don't need Sinn Fein to speak for them.

[IrishConservative]

Yeah it is predictable and it is the same old same old, but its hardly b*llox. Just the plain facts.

[Breadan O'Connor]

Better the DUP inside rather then outside trying to destroy it.

I agree. In fairness, both McGuinness and Robinson reacted calmly and responsibly to the recent murder provocations. I hope they continue like that.

UI is on its way and now its just a question of time.

I'm not so sure about that, but the most important thing in the foreseeable future is to implement the GFA fairly and avoid sectarian slideback, which could happen, God forbid.

[Catalpa]

This is what I don't understand. Why don't the dissidents seek a popular mandate for their views if the really believe that they are so in tune with what the electorate want? They don't need Sinn Fein to speak for them.

What kind of a popular mandate would they need to get?

The GFA recognizes the Unionist veto and therefore rejects the right of the majority of the People of Ireland to decide to the unfettered control of Irish destinies.

The GFA should never have been signed.

BLD I voted NO.

[Tiernanator]

Thats a fair and reasonable assessment. Maybe Factual will take note and learn theres more to being a party hack (if he actually is one, and not some sort of wind up) than blindlingly agreeing with every single detail and word coming out of the party leaderships mouths, and all aspects of every agreement ever struck since the beginning of time.

Personally I believe the way forward is for SF to engage with dissidents and take on board some of their concerns as much as they can. This would go a long way towards diffusing the tensions that are currently built up. Ignoring all of the dissidents concerns, and any more McGuinness style 'traitor' comments uttered will be extremely counterproductive and will only serve to make the intra republican rift even wider.

I agree with trying to bring people into critical support for a strategy to acheive unification. I do think that not everyone who is critical of Sinn Féin and the GFA wants a return to violence. It would be good to try to keep communication lines open. Perhaps people such as I who tactically support GFA might have some influence both ways. I only hope so. Any return to the violence will be met with terrible repression.