Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams today called on all parties who support a united Ireland to work together to achieve it.
The West Belfast MP marked the 92nd anniversary of the Easter Rising urging political parties to drop their differences in an attempt to persuade unionists to support the cause. He told supporters in Dublin reunification was a work in progress.
"Irish reunification is no longer a far off dream but a work in progress. And that work must intensify now and in the time ahead. Republicans must re-popularise the ideals of 1916," he said.
"We need to especially engage with unionism about the benefits of unity and how we build a shared future based on respect for all traditions."
Mr Adams made the call at Sinn Féin's annual Easter Rising commemoration at the GPO in central Dublin. "I want to call on all of those parties who espouse the cause of Irish reunification, to set aside our political differences and to find common cause, around an agreed programme, to achieve the historic goal of reunification and independence, and to win unionist support for this," he said.
Mr Adams also said the party should look for support from the Irish community around the world. "We need to secure the practical backing of the Irish Diaspora that has been so important in the peace process. That support is there for the asking," he said.
"The commitment from Sinn Féin is very clear cut. We will continue to press ahead in the battle of ideas, building support for Irish unity and identifying the practical preparations that are needed. "We are about finishing the work of the 1916 Rising."
Mr Adams also said Sinn Féin would play a lead role in asking for a "No" vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
"There is no doubt that Ireland's place is in Europe, but that does not mean that we have to accept everything coming from the EU regardless of the consequences," he said.
"The Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal for Ireland. The Lisbon Treaty should be rejected. Ireland deserves better.
"EU leaders should be sent back to the drawing board and the three parties in government should be instructed to get a better deal for Ireland."
PA