Gerry Adams says he will stand for leadership of Sinn Féin

Gerry Adams has confirmed he will stand for the leadership of Sinn Féin again.

The party president said he has put his name forward and it will be decided by the ardfheis at the end of the month.

Mr Adams has been leader of Sinn Féin for 33 years and there had been some speculation he would step down to allow for a new leader to be elected.

However speaking on Wednesday Mr Adams said: “My name has already been put forward.”

Mr Adams also said his party will not be proposing him for taoiseach in the Dáil vote to take place on Wednesday.

He said the 23 Sinn Féin TDs will vote against the acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

The party will abstain in the vote for Anti-Austerity-People Before Profit Alliance TD Ruth Coppinger.

Mr Adams said Sinn Féin will not participate in the “charade” being staged today.

He said: “Enda Kenny cannot be elected as taoiseach, neither can Micheál Martin and neither could I.

“It is a charade and a continuation of the game playing that we have seen since the election. Sinn Féin will have no part in that charade.”

Mr Adams also confirmed he is willing to speak to the two main parties about the formation of government.

However he said the party does not have the mandate to enter coalition as a junior party to either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.