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I watched this on the BBC Parliament Channel yesterday and thought it a great speech, well worth reading. Here's a snippet.If ever Ireland needed leadership it needs it now. Leaders from throughout our communities. Leaders who will make a stand. We need leaders who will give voice on the ground and from the ground up, to the belief they have in their hearts, so that hope and networks for change can be built.

We need leaders to ensure that no banker will evict a family from their home. That no farm of land will be sold off over a family’s head. That no worker will be victimised. We need leaders to ensure that no community will be robbed of its social entitlements.

But let me be clear about this. I am not talking about leaders coming down to us from on high. I am talking about everyone who is prepared to stand against corruption, greed and injustice. Every woman, every man, every citizen who makes such a stand is a leader. Every little act of resistance, of rebellion, of protest, makes change possible.

Most struggles aren’t won by single actions. Or by iconic leaders. Though they have their role. They are won by people, taking individual actions, which accumulate into irreversible change. It was true of the suffragettes. It was true of the anti-apartheid movement. It was true when Rosa Parks wouldn’t give up her seat and it is true here in Ireland.

When the Celtic Tiger economy was at its height, and when the surplus of wealth was the greatest in the history of this state, the establishment refused to distribute the wealth in the common good and to secure the future. They would not nationalise the wealth. But now they are happy to nationalise the debt.

There is talk of a Cabinet reshuffle. This government doesn’t need a reshuffle. This government needs to go. Do they really think the people are amadáns. Do they really expect the people to foot the bill for the bankers, the developers and their political cronies? The people need to send them a message. The people need to tell them to get lost.

Don’t wait until the next election. Make a stand now. Be a leader. Don’t wait for anyone else. That’s the main thing, to stand up for ourselves. And for others. That is what happened throughout our history. In our homes. On the streets. On lonely hillsides. By glensides. In the prisons. This is what happened in the history of human kind. It’s what is happening across the globe.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams' Speech to the 2010 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis | Sinn Féin

It's funny-that former terrorist Nelson mandela will probably be remembered as a great statesman with those who condemned him as pale shadows in comparison. Wonder how gerry adams will be remembered.

They would not nationalise the wealth. But now they are happy to nationalise the debt. That's a good way of putting it.

There'll be tremors across Ireland at today's announcement.Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is to step down as an MP and Stormont assembly member to stand for election in the Irish Republic. He said he hoped to contest the Louth constituency, near the Irish border. He said his Stormont replacement would be chosen this week, while he would remain as MP for West Belfast until the Irish general election is called.

Mr Adams said the main reasons for his surprise decision were the economic crisis and the need for new ideas.

BBC News - Gerry Adams to run for seat in Irish parliament

I have to declare an interest here, in another life I served in NI at the height of the troubles so that certainly does colour my view and will also colour the view of some who read this but it is what it is.

How will he be remembered? As someone with blood on his hands that's how. To equate this man with Nelson Mandela who very early on in his struggle advocated against violence because he realised it didn't work is a stretch by anyones imagination. Also as far as I know Mandela has never denied being in the armed section of the ANC. To this day despite overwhelming evidence including the testimony of colleagues Adams denies he was ever involved in the IRA.

I don't really care what he says in his speeches but a united Ireland has always been his goal and this would move him one step closer. Let him go south I say and while he is at it he could take the other great "peacemaker" Martin McGuinness with him.

dchistoryman;1343886 wrote: I have to declare an interest here, in another life I served in NI at the height of the troubles so that certainly does colour my view and will also colour the view of some who read this but it is what it is.

How will he be remembered? As someone with blood on his hands that's how. To equate this man with Nelson Mandela who very early on in his struggle advocated against violence because he realised it didn't work is a stretch by anyones imagination. Also as far as I know Mandela has never denied being in the armed section of the ANC. To this day despite overwhelming evidence including the testimony of colleagues Adams denies he was ever involved in the IRA.

I don't really care what he says in his speeches but a united Ireland has always been his goal and this would move him one step closer. Let him go south I say and while he is at it he could take the other great "peacemaker" Martin McGuinness with him.


I also served in N.I. '77 Jubilee year. I certainly agree that McGuiness and Adams are a country mile from being the statesmen that Mandela certainly is. He was tried for sabotage and not murder and it's important to remember the great speech he made in the dock at his trial.

Its also important to recognise that Adams and McGuiness played their part in the peace process whether it sticks in the craw or not. Yes hes less than honest about his past, maybe even ashamed of some of it but without him the Good Friday Agreement might not have been ratified.

Truth is, to gain peace, you have to speak to your enemy. Without pressure from those at the forefront of Sinn Fein, the IRA would never have given up their armed struggle