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Senator Conor Murphy, is currently leading a Sinn Fein delegation in Australia, a visit that will see him meet with political figures, diplomats, business leaders, trade unions and sporting and cultural organisations across the country.Currently the group are in Perth and plan to visit Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra during the fortnight-long trip.
Senator Murphy is accompanied by Sam Baker, Sinn Féin General Secretary, and Barry Corr, the party's Australian representative.
Speaking ahead of his departure, Senator Murphy said he was looking forward to the visit and to "further cementing the historical bonds between Ireland and Australia". He explained that the delegation would be consolidating relationships with political representatives at state and federal level, as well as engaging with the diplomatic corps, business sector, trade union representatives and community, cultural and sports organisations.
The Senator said Ireland is changing and that discussion about new constitutional arrangements is "gathering momentum across all sections of society". He stressed that Sinn Féin believes the global diaspora has "a vital role to play in helping shape the future" and must have the opportunity to participate in reunification discussions.
Senator Murphy said he was keen to speak with Irish people in Australia and understand why they emigrated, adding that "in a country with an economy as buoyant as Irelands no one should be forced to emigrate due to the government failures in housing provision".
He noted that on the day citizens in the southern 26 counties go to the polls to elect the 10th Uachtarán, he will be in Sydney meeting with community organisations that work with thousands of people across the Irish Australian community. Senator Murphy called for an end to the denial of the franchise to diaspora members and northern citizens, saying "this must be the last Presidential election which denies the Irish citizenship of people in the north and across the world."
