United Ireland 'inevitable' if we have peace, says Adams

The creation of a united Ireland is an inevitable consequence of the Northern Ireland peace process, Gerry Adams said yesterday.

In a speech at a republican commemoration of the 1916 Easter rising, the Sinn Fein president said that winning over Unionists to republicanism was not impossible. "There will be a united Ireland. And our task ... should be to prepare for reunification," he said at Carrickmore, Co Tyrone.

"I am not saying this to frighten or destabilise Unionism, but because I believe that many Unionists also recognise the change that is taking place.

"Consequently, their fears and worries of the future must be addressed in a comprehensive manner. We have to be prepared to give assurances ... and to commit to protecting the rights of every citizen, without exception. Winning Unionists over ... will not be easy, but it is not impossible."

The peace process stalled after the British and Irish governments delayed releasing their blueprint on the future of the agreement. They feared that a proposed IRA statement would not go far enough to satisfy Unionists.

Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein's chief negotiator, urged the British and Irish governments yesterday to publish their joint document on the future of the agreement. He said the IRA remained committed to the peace process. "They have played a central role in the creation of the opportunity to achieve lasting peace with justice," he said.

"They have shown courage, resilience and generosity in their actions in support of the peace process."

Meanwhile, Bertie Ahern, the Irish Prime Minister, said yesterday that the peace process faced a big problem. "This is not just about one group of people making one move and then everybody else sits down and says, 'That is great, we will do nothing'," he said. "It is about one group making a move – a significant move for them – and everybody else moving on their agenda very quickly.

"If that is not possible, then I think we have a big problem."