PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton.
Sinn Féin National Chairperson, Declan Kearney says he is looking forward to a debate with cop boss George Hamilton in the Waterside this week.
It comes amid a row over the IRA, with republicans furious at claims that the Provisionals are still active.
Mr Kearney will participate in a Gasyard Féile sponsored debate on the way forward, along with the PSNI Chief Constable, Victims campaigner, Alan Mc Bride and former Victims Commissioner, Patricia Mc Bride in Clooney Hall on Wednesday night.
“I congratulate the Gasyard Féile organisers on their initiative in hosting this “Uncomfortable Conversations” event in the Clooney Hall. I am looking forward to it,” said Kearney.
“Sinn Féin has been involved in many engagements and conversations aimed at promoting reconciliation and healing within our community.
“Through these encounters we have sought to engage the unionist, nationalist, loyalist and republican sections of our community on the need for reconciliation.
“This event represents another important opportunity to promote dialogue. All of the panelists will bring distinct and hugely important perspectives to this discussion.
“New and innovative forms of engagement involving all sections of society across the island, particularly reaching across the political divide between republicans and our unionist neighbours in the North are required if we are to maintain momentum towards reconciliation.
“This city is no stranger to such imaginative initiatives. The widely respected accord reached in the city over parading, based on direct dialogue between loyal orders, local residents and business interests, stands as an example of how to deal with contentious issues.”
He added: “The hurt experienced by all of our people; the existence of fear, both real and imagined which exists across our community; the legacy of partition, economic disadvantage and social inequality must all form part of these discussions. There is no alternative to dialogue.
“It is time that we seriously addressed how we begin to build genuine mutually respectful human and community relationships based on equality and understanding of our political differences whilst simultaneously constructing a new political, social and economic dispensation that will best serve all of our people.”
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