Sinn Féin has launched its election campaign today, announcing the party will contest all twelve Dublin constituencies as well as other seats in the State.
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(L-R) Mr Pat Doherty, Mr Gerry Adams and Ms Michelle Gildernew. File Photo: Reuters
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Speaking at today’s launch in the Mansion House, party president Mr Gerry Adams rubbished suggestions that the main political parties would refuse to go into government with Sinn Féin, despite assurances from Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour that they will not enter a coalition with the party.
He said if a situation arose where Sinn Féin support was pivotal for a Taoiseach in waiting to form a government, he found it hard to believe that the party involved would refuse that support.
Mr Adams added he believed the ideological direction of the State’s main parties was not geared towards a welfare state, which would be a concern to his party if the formation of a government with another party were to be considered.
Sinn Féin has been tipped to win several seats in the General Election, two of which could be won in Dublin according to an opinion poll today.
Mr Adams said his party was a national party, and was transcending partition by running in the General Election and in elections in the North.
He stressed the party’s commitment to equality and a fair distribution of the country’s wealth. "The people of this city have the right to share in the wealth of the Celtic Tiger," he said.
The party manifesto said Sinn Féin would work towards full employment, tackle low pay, and support small and medium size businesses, which provide the majority of employment in Ireland.
It also promised to address the "rise in violent crime" and put more police on the streets.
Sinn Féin currently has just one member in the Dáil, the Cavan and Monaghan deputy Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caolain.
Additional reporting PA