Politicans quizzed at Summer Madness

Wednesday June 27th 2007

The Hard Gospel Project, in association with Summer Madness, is giving young people the chance to tackle two leading politicians about the road ahead for Northern Ireland.

At Summer Madness–Ireland's largest Christian youth festival — Ian Paisley Junior, (DUP MLA Junior Minister) and Caitriona Ruane (Sinn Fein MLA Education Minister) will debate the topic "Sharing the Future?" at Ireland’s largest Christian youth festival.

They will appear in the Kings Hall’. Balmoral, on Sunday July 1 at 5pm.

From opposing DUP and Sinn Fein perspectives, the two speakers will focus on;

• How do we share a future on the island of Ireland ?
• Do Protestants and/or Unionists have anything to fear from Sinn Fein?
• What vision of Unionism could attract people from the Nationalist /Republican traditions?

The BBC Northern Ireland journalist and presenter Conor Bradford will chair the debate, which will include a question and answer session with the audience.

More than 4,000 young people celebrating their faith will be camping at Summer Madness, which takes place from Friday June 29 until Saturday July 7. A further 2,000 day visitors are also expected to join in the festival, which is marking its 21st birthday this year.

The Hard Gospel Project was founded by the Church of Ireland to deal with the hard issues of sectarianism and to help stimulate new ways of building a shared future in the Ireland of the 21st century.

You can find more information about Summer Madness at www.summermadness.co.uk.