Martin McGuinness Quotes & Sayings

I do not think we can dismiss the contribution that people make, particularly when it is a very dangerous occupation to be involved in building support for the peace process. — Martin McGuinness

We've had a very consistent position down the years. Sinn Fein is not in favour of abortion, and we resisted any attempt to bring the British 1967 Abortion Act to the north. — Martin McGuinness

I don't think the majority of people - to be quite honest - care. I think they see me as someone who was at one stage of my life in the IRA, but they see me in the round, as someone who was able to make peace. — Martin McGuinness

If Britain votes to leave the European Union, then that could have huge implications for the entire island of Ireland and, given all the predictions, would run counter to the democratic wishes of the Irish people. — Martin McGuinness

I don't hate Peter Robinson, and I don't think Peter Robinson hates me. — Martin McGuinness

The people who were marching at Peggy O'Hara's funeral gave the impression they were associated with the INLA, which is supposed to be on ceasefire and to have decommissioned some of their weapons. I ask if they could have honoured her in a more dignified way. — Martin McGuinness

There is not much point in establishing an organisation like the independent commission for information retrieval, or the other organisations that we agreed to, if we do not encourage people to participate. — Martin McGuinness

You could count on the fingers of one hand the number of people in the north who said to me, 'When did you leave the IRA?' — Martin McGuinness

I am very proud I was part of the IRA in Derry and involved in repelling the designs of the British state forces against people who were being treated as second- and third-class citizens. — Martin McGuinness

We all have a responsibility to advance the process of reconciliation, and as a political leader, I am committed to leading from the front and to continue to take bold and significant steps. — Martin McGuinness

As a lad growing up in the Fifties and Sixties, I played both Gaelic football and soccer and loved them both. — Martin McGuinness

World War One is an important part of Ireland's multi-layered history during which tens of thousands Irish people lost their lives. — Martin McGuinness

Austerity is devastating these communities. The working poor, public sector workers, the disabled, and the vulnerable are the hardest hit by this bankrupt and ideologically driven policy. — Martin McGuinness

We don't believe that winning elections and winning any amount of votes will win freedom in Ireland. At the end of the day, it will be the cutting edge of the IRA which will bring freedom. — Martin McGuinness

My parents were very religious. My mother came from Co Donegal to work in the shirt factory in Derry when she met my father. — Martin McGuinness

Within loyalism and the UVF, there are clearly people who are not just aggravated by the issue around flags or parades. They're aggravated by me and Sinn Fein being in government. They're opposed to the political institutions - there's an inability of a minority within loyalism to accept the concept of equality. — Martin McGuinness

In fact, I would defend to the death their right to express a different point of view. — Martin McGuinness

Sinn Fein is the fastest growing party on the island of Ireland. — Martin McGuinness

When I went to the all-Ireland final - Kerry against Dublin - I couldn't get away for an hour and a half with people coming up and wishing me all the best. Not one of them said, 'Martin, when did you leave the IRA?' But every one of them knew I was in the IRA at one stage. — Martin McGuinness

I was proud to be a member of the IRA. I am still 40 years on proud that I was a member of the IRA. I am not going to be a hypocrite and sit here and say something different. — Martin McGuinness

Sinn Fein is committed to promoting and enhancing reconciliation, and in recent years, I and other members of my party have taken a number of significant initiatives aimed to advance this process. — Martin McGuinness

Commemorations can stimulate debate, which will ultimately lead to a greater understanding of the events of our 'through-other' history and to shape a better future. — Martin McGuinness

Sinn Fein is an Irish Republican party. We stood in the Assembly election to deliver a prosperous economy and jobs, to protect and enhance public services, support those most in need, and to progress Irish Unity. — Martin McGuinness

I haven't done anything that I'm ashamed of. — Martin McGuinness

On a number of occasions, I have made it clear that Sinn Fein policy was to argue for the establishment of an independent, international truth commission. — Martin McGuinness

I lost a lot of friends at the hands of the British Army. The person who actually introduced me to my wife, Colm Keenan, was murdered by the British Army. He was a member of the IRA, but he was unarmed. — Martin McGuinness

The task ahead of us will be extremely challenging as the Tory party continue with their austerity agenda and as we continue to resolve the issues of the past and build unity, reconciliation, and equality. — Martin McGuinness

Let us walk into the conference room as equals and not second class citizens. — Martin McGuinness

The fact is that a car used by Gerry Adams and myself during the course of the Mitchell review was bugged by elements within British military intelligence. — Martin McGuinness

I would describe myself as a practising Catholic. This is only my opinion; others may disagree. — Martin McGuinness

There are many things we can do with Scotland and, indeed, with others which would be hugely beneficial to both Scotland and to Ireland, so I'm absolutely up for all of that. — Martin McGuinness

It is amazing that you now have a bus company in Ballymena producing world class buses for Hong Kong, Singapore, London and Las Vegas. — Martin McGuinness

There are some discussions taking place in the United Arab Emirates about the prospects of a long-haul flight into Belfast. — Martin McGuinness

I never panic when I get a wasp at my ear. As soon as you strike out, they'll sting you. So just stay cool. — Martin McGuinness

Sinn Fein is the only political party on this island working to end that fracture in their nation and to achieving the Republic set out in the proclamation. — Martin McGuinness

Bill Clinton was one of the greatest presidents that we've seen. He was involved in the peace process in the very beginning, and he not only showed himself to be knowledgeable about Irish history and Irish-British relationships, but also he was very sympathetic to the idea of resolving conflict. — Martin McGuinness

In 2016, let us all join the Rising, and the only final message is this very clear: Up the Rebels. Up a sovereign and independent Irish republic. — Martin McGuinness

The sheer scale of what the Tories are attempting to do is staggering. But Sinn Fein will not agree to this ideologically driven austerity agenda. — Martin McGuinness

I think that Peter Mandelson, particularly in relation to the issue of policing, made a huge mess of it. He allowed himself to be manipulated by the securocrats within the British establishment. — Martin McGuinness

I don't know what caused my tinnitus, but I started to become aware of a very low ringing noise in my right ear, which is now constantly there. — Martin McGuinness

I have huge respect for Nicola Sturgeon and for the SNP. — Martin McGuinness

They were two very religious people. My father was a foundry worker and was a daily Mass attender, as was my mother. — Martin McGuinness

I'm not going to be reduced to the position of being the implementer of Tory cuts in the North. — Martin McGuinness

Let everyone leave all the guns - British guns and Irish guns - outside the door. — Martin McGuinness

I will work with whoever is leader of the DUP. — Martin McGuinness

There are no military solutions - dialogue and diplomacy are the only guarantee of lasting peace. — Martin McGuinness

The British government says that for Sinn Fein to be involved in talks the guns must be left at the door. — Martin McGuinness

I think people see me as someone very much associated with political agreement and, probably more than anything else, being able to build a relationship with loyalist leaders Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson. — Martin McGuinness

I'm not going to be known as the Sinn Fein Minister who did the bidding of a Tory administration which is focused on decimating the welfare state. — Martin McGuinness

If there is a vote in Britain to leave the E.U. there is a democratic imperative to provide Irish citizens with the right to vote in a border poll to end partition and retain a role in the E.U. — Martin McGuinness

British rule depends upon repression and collaboration and the Irish people should recognise that those who collaborate with Britain in exchange for a slice of the cake will implement British policy and remain silent when Irish people are murdered and oppressed. It is they who are responsible for prolonging the war in Ireland. Without the quislings, without the collaborators, we would already have reached freedom. — Martin McGuinness

I never talk about shooting anybody, but I do acknowledge I was a member of the IRA, and as a member of the IRA, I obviously engaged in fighting back against the British army. — Martin McGuinness

The engagements I had with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles were about reaching out and showing respect to the unionist people. I also recognised that when someone like her makes acts of reconciliation as she did do at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin, she is 100% behind the peace process. — Martin McGuinness

I am opposed to abortion on demand, and I am opposed to the 1967 Act in Britain being transferred to the north. — Martin McGuinness

War is terrible. There is nothing romantic about war. — Martin McGuinness

I carry out my full duties as Deputy First Minister and accept I have tinnitus but appreciate the hearing that I do have and that it does not limit me in a professional or personal capacity. — Martin McGuinness

I come from a very sporting family and played many sports as a lad. — Martin McGuinness

Obviously, Ian Paisley and I were regarded as very bitter opponents. When we decided in March 2007 to govern together, both of us understood that we weren't going to change our views but that we had to work with one another if we were to end the conflict and move forward. — Martin McGuinness

Let me put it like this: I am not prepared to officiate over on behalf of the British government what I think is a disastrous strategy which will impact on some of the most vulnerable and poorest people within our society. — Martin McGuinness

I want to work with Peter Robinson as first minister in a positive, constructive way and leave the elections to the electorate. — Martin McGuinness

I'm still an Irish republican; I absolutely believe in Irish unity and am working to achieve that. But over the course of 15 years or more, people like myself and others have been working to end the vicious cycle of conflict. — Martin McGuinness

I am very sure of the ground I stand on. I am also very sure that it is the path shared by republicans across this island genuinely interested in building a new agreed Ireland: republicans who put Ireland before ego, criminality, and self-gain. — Martin McGuinness

That's healthy and good for us that there are people who are prepared to question what we are doing. — Martin McGuinness

But the fact is that the vast majority of Republicans support the Sinn Fein leadership. — Martin McGuinness

Unlike the Tory millionaires, I live in the heart of the proud working-class community of the Bogside in Derry. — Martin McGuinness

Well I think it has always been a mistake to reduce the peace process in Ireland to a decommissioning process. — Martin McGuinness

Sinn Fein will not do Tory austerity. — Martin McGuinness

I remember vividly as a 15-year-old, in 1964, seeing Derry play Glentoran in the Irish Cup Final at Windsor Park in Belfast. Glentoran were one of the two big Belfast teams, along with Linfield. Any rural team playing them was up against the odds. — Martin McGuinness

I believe a united Ireland is inevitable. I have never put a date on it. — Martin McGuinness

My ultimate dream would be for Derry City to become champions of an all-Ireland league in a united Ireland. — Martin McGuinness

A lot of Labour people are telling me Labour is in poor shape. — Martin McGuinness

As a former member of the IRA, I accept all the responsibilities that are due to me. But in terms of the individual circumstances, I don't comment on that. — Martin McGuinness

It is Cameron's cabinet of millionaires who are the real spongers given free rein to live out their Thatcherite fantasies at the expense of ordinary, decent communities throughout these islands. — Martin McGuinness

The Good Friday Agreement was an incredible breakthrough. But it's my view that the Hillsborough Agreement could see politics in the north come of age, and see us all move forwards on the basis of equality and partnership. — Martin McGuinness

In my view, a united Ireland is inevitable, and it is certainly more likely than a voluntary coalition which doesn't include Sinn Fein. — Martin McGuinness

Whenever people reach out the hand of friendship towards me, I am not going to refuse that hand. — Martin McGuinness

The position is clear - there is no ambiguity in Sinn Fein's position. We, along with all the other parties, have signed up to a reduced rate of corporation tax of 12.5 % by 2018. — Martin McGuinness

I know who Queen Elizabeth represents. I know she's the head of the British state. I know she has all sorts of titles in relation to different regiments in the British army. She knows my history. She knows I was a member of the IRA. She knows I was in conflict with her soldiers, yet both of us were prepared to rise above all of that. — Martin McGuinness

The spirt of 1916 is as relevant and inspiring today as it was a century ago. — Martin McGuinness

I do have a very deep sense of regret that there was a conflict and that people lost their lives, and you know, many were responsible for that - and a lot of them wear pinstripe suits in London today. — Martin McGuinness

If the British government is prepared to say that the Unionists will not have a veto over British government policy and that guns, vetoes and injustices will all be left outside the door, then there is no good reason why talks cannot take place in an appropriate atmosphere. — Martin McGuinness

The British government needs to bring its system in Ireland under control. — Martin McGuinness

I would have felt ashamed if I had not been part of the resistance and part of fighting back against the forces of the state. — Martin McGuinness

Tony Blair has made a good contribution to the cause of peace in Ireland. He has made a great effort to understand it. He has great empathy with the need to resolve the conflict. — Martin McGuinness

The reality is that the people that we represent are no longer going to be second-class citizens in their own country. — Martin McGuinness

I don't cheer when people lose their lives. — Martin McGuinness

We have to govern by treating every single citizen equally. — Martin McGuinness

The most important thing to say is that Sinn Fein isn't going back to anything. We are a party on the move. — Martin McGuinness

I believed that, in a situation where the community that I came from were being treated like second- and third-class citizens, that I had a responsibility to fight back against it. And I don't apologise to anybody for having done that. I think it was the right thing to do. — Martin McGuinness

Ireland's place north and south is in Europe and leading change in Europe. — Martin McGuinness

I will not be silenced or deterred. — Martin McGuinness

What's important is that, when you're tested, you stand firm against the violent activities of those who would try to plunge our people back into the misery of the past. — Martin McGuinness

Our ability to make a decision about the declaration is hampered by the British government being reluctant to give us the clarification which we require. — Martin McGuinness

Obviously everybody is accountable for their own actions, and everybody has to make judgments based on their own conscience as to whether or not they believe what they were doing is right or wrong. — Martin McGuinness

I think that what is happening now in terms of the Brexit vote does represent a serious undermining of the Good Friday Agreement. — Martin McGuinness

As a young man on the streets of Derry, I saw Ian Paisley as an immortal opponent of everything to do with equality, justice, fairness, and respect for Irishness. — Martin McGuinness

Remembering the loss of those Irishmen from all parts of the island who were sent to their deaths in the imperialist slaughter of the First World War is crucial to understanding our history. It is also important to recognise the special significance in which the Battle of the Somme and the First World War is held. — Martin McGuinness

Our visits to the United States have brought huge benefits by helping attract foreign direct investment on a scale not previously seen in the north of Ireland. — Martin McGuinness

The last thing we want to see, given the success of the peace process, is the return of installations along the Irish border. — Martin McGuinness

As anyone who has tinnitus knows, it's not something that you can ignore, and you have to deal with it on a daily basis. — Martin McGuinness