McDonald set for SF vice-president position

Mary Lou McDonald is to run for vice-president of Sinn Féin following Pat Doherty's decision to stand down after more than 20 years in the position.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams today said that following the last election, in which the party polled badly, the party has been engaged in major re-organisation and that as part of this, there would be a number of changes to the leadership at this year's ard fheis, which takes place next month.

As part of those changes, Mary Lou McDonald will be standing as vice-president of the party, while Declan Kearney will run for party chairman, Dawn Doyle for ard runai and Maurice Quinlivan and Rita O’Hare as joint party treasurers.

Ms O’Hare will continue in her role as the party’s US representative while Mr Adams, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin will continue and Martin McGuinness will all remain in the positions they currently hold.

Ms McDonald is a member of the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle and MEP for Dublin. She was an unsuccessful candidate in the Dublin Central constituency at the 2007 general election.

In an interview with the republican newspaper, An Phoblacht, Mr Adams said the big challenge for this year and in the next decade is to be nation builders and to encourage a national conversation about the type of society that best suits the Irish people.

“Over the last 18 months we have been engaged in a major re-organisation the party across the island. For some time and for very obvious reasons Sinn Féin’s main political strength has been in the North and the border counties. For the last number of years there has been a consistent, ongoing project to make Sinn Féin fit for purpose everywhere on the island and to make republicanism relevant to people in their daily lives and this has, in my view, seen considerable progress," said Mr Adams.

Mr Adams also took time to pay tribute to Mr Doherty who said he intended to continue to represent the people of West Tyrone as MP and MLA.

“Pat has served Sinn Féin in this office over twenty years. He has been a consistent part of our leadership in good times and bad since the 1970s. I have no doubt he will continue to play a leadership role, in particular on our United Ireland Taskforce," said Mr Adams.