The issue of whether or not she was standing for the Dáil in the next general election was a "red herring" introduced by her opponents, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin, Mary Lou McDonald told a news conference in Dublin today.
"The same people spent almost a year running about saying that I would contest in a byelection," she added, pointing out that the Dublin Central byelection had now been called and she was not a candidate.
Ms McDonald, who is running for re-election to the European Parliament, also rejected criticism of her attendance record in Strasbourg. She said "inaccurate figures" were being deliberately put about and that in fact her attendance was comparable with that of her main rival, Fianna Fáil MEP Eoin Ryan.
She said she had been attacked initially for non-attendance when in fact she was on maternity leave: "I have no apology to make for myself as a mother, as a woman in politics or a working parent."
Her attendance level last year was affected by her deep involvement in opposing the Lisbon Treaty in the referendum here at home. "I took the decision that my big responsibility to the people of this city and this state was to be here in Ireland, vocal and active, to ensure that there was a debate on that Treaty," she said.
At the same time the "political establishment" was asking the Irish people to be a "rubber stamp" for Europe. "It was the likes of me and Sinn Féin and others who ensured there was a full debate."
She added: "That Lisbon Treaty debate was the big issue in our five-year tenure as MEPs and the question has to be, 'Where were the others?'"
She said she had also brought forward and had secured ratification on April 10th, 2008, "a significant piece of European policy setting a deadline for the elimination of street homelessness by 2015".
"So you might ask the other MEPs, who were in the institutions of Brussels, signing on for their expenses, what precisely is it that they delivered for the people of Dublin and Ireland in 2008."
Pressed on the issue of possibly running for the Dáil, she said: "Look, I haven't even considered that matter. And I want to be very upfront with people because I have said, very clearly, that at some stage I would like to play a part in the Dáil. But at this point in time I am putting myself forward for election to the European Parliament to continue the work that I have done in the past five years.
"I believe I have been effective, I believe that there's lots more to be done and that I can do and, to be frank with you, you can only run one election campaign at a time."
Asked if the voters would elect Ms McDonald and end up with one of her designated substitutes, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said: "Our party is compelled to put forward a list of substitutes."
He added: "Fianna Fáil are fighting a dirty campaign here in this city." The conduct of the main government party in the Dublin European election was "despicable".
Sinn Féin launched its European Election manifesto which opposes a re-run of the Lisbon Treaty; favours "a new treaty for a new time" and opposes integration of foreign and defence policy among member-states.
In a statement this afternoon, Eoin Ryan MEP rejected the Sinn Féin president's claim that Fianna Fáil was engaging in dirty tricks.
"My campaign is focused on what I can deliver in Europe in terms of creating jobs for the people of Dublin. This is in stark contrast to the campaign of Sinn Féin which will offer nothing in terms of
job-creation," Mr Ryan said.
“It is factually the case that Gerry Adams’s candidate, namely Mary Lou McDonald has the lowest attendance record in the European Parliament of all Irish MEPS.
“Sinn Féin is running an anti-Europe campaign. This is the last thing that the economy of Dublin needs at this very difficult and dangerous time for Ireland.
“The Sinn Féin campaign on Europe will bring nothing positive to the people of Dublin. A vote for Sinn Féin is a vote against Europe,” Mr Ryan said.
