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Sinn F\u00e9in president Mary Lou McDonald has used her Easter Rising oration to honor frontline and health workers.<\/p>\nSinn F\u00e9in president Mary Lou McDonald has used her Easter Rising oration to honor frontline and health workers.<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald paid tribute to staff working in hospitals, as well as those working in shops and delivery services, during the coronavirus health crisis.<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald, who led Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Easter Rising commemoration, said those working on the front line put their lives at risk.<\/p>\n
The party held the event online because of the coronavirus restrictions.<\/p>\n
It was streamed across social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook.<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald said: \u201cOn the morning of Easter Rising, many volunteers would have held their loved ones close, kissed their children and in a quiet moment reflected on the enormity of the task ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the stuff of human heroism. It is this heroism that we call on again today.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryday, frontline workers and our health workers in particular leave the sanctuary of their homes knowing that they will face trauma, sorrow and pain, knowing that they face the possibility of a coronavirus infection.<\/p>\n
\u201cYet they still do it. They walk into that storm, they put themselves at risk to help others.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marking the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, Ms McDonald said she sent greetings to the \u201cfamilies and friends of our patriot dead\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year we remember them in a different way, but with the same sense of pride and gratitude and admiration,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In an online broadcast, Ms McDonald added: \u201cWe gather together online, all over Ireland and across the world, to pay tribute to them all.<\/p>\n
\u201c104 years ago history was made. Irish separatists, republicans, socialist feminists, and Irish language activists, coalesced in a great revolutionary effort to liberate Ireland, to establish a democratic republic on this island.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald also said that Ireland\u2019s values are seen in cities, towns, and villages throughout the health crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur people look beyond the concern for themselves to the safety and the wellbeing of others,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to express my admiration and my thanks to everyone who takes time to check on the elderly and others at risk in our communities because nobody is safe, unless we are all safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery act of selflessness, no matter how small, helps in our fight against this virus, every act of kindness brings us closer to the shore.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should never forget the lessons we have learned in these weeks, that unequal societies are vulnerable societies, economically, as well as socially.<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald also said that the Covid-19 crisis highlights the \u201cnegative impact\u201d of partition.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cIn the North, Sinn F\u00e9in ministers are delivering for the community. We worked hard to see the establishment of an Executive in the North, and our ministers are now to the fore in creating new politics, working with their ministerial colleagues from other parties to protect lives and livelihoods.<\/p>\n
\u201cI welcome the recent Memorandum of Understanding agreement between the Northern Executive and the Irish Government to tackle Covid-19 and to protect the lives and welfare of everyone on our island.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis agreement commits health services, North and South, to developing agreed, public health measures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is essential work. This deadly virus doesn\u2019t recognize borders and working together in common action is in everyone\u2019s interests, and is vital now and in the time ahead to save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in deputy leader Michelle O\u2019Neill said that Easter is a \u201cvery special time\u201d for Republicans.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, we remember the sacrifices of the men and women of 1916, and every generation since who have played their part in the cause for Irish freedom,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n