PEARSE DOHERTY has described the Taoiseach’s statement that his golf round with Anglo Irish Bank boss Seán FitzPatrick just two months before the controversial bank guarantee in September 2008 did not discuss the banking situation as "beyond belief". The meeting was only revealed at the weekend.

The Taoiseach said he is "quite clear that no discussions regarding Anglo Irish... Free article

FINE GAEL AND LABOUR have been urged to back a Sinn Féin motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach, especially after revelations about a previously undisclosed meeting between Brian Cowen and disgraced former Anglo Irish Bank chair Seán Fitzpatrick in July 2008.

The Sinn Féin motion was tabled before the Dáil broke for Christmas.

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin... Free article

GERRY ADAMS has welcomed today’s statement by ETA of “a permanent and general ceasefire which will be verifiable by the international community”. The Sinn Féin leader urged the Spanish Government “to grasp the opportunity for a lasting peace and a new beginning in the relationship between the Basque people and the Spanish state.”

Speaking in Dublin, Gerry Adams said there have... Free article

By Sinn Féin Councillor Matt Carthy in Monaghan

ONE of the most bizarre aspects of being a Sinn Féin councillor is the Christmas cards and gifts you receive from senators from opposing political parties.

In years past I have received books, ties, pens, DVDs, diaries and chocolates from senators whose parties are in bitter battles with us in a crazy bid for a senate... Free article

Asset stripping and Bertie Ahern in the woods

By Matt Treacy

IN The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein described the “three trademark demands” which accompany IMF intervention in an economy as “privatisation, government deregulation and deep cuts to social spending”. We have already been given a taste of the third in the recent Budget; the rest are on the way.

The background for... Free article

THE death has occurred of long-standing Sinn Féin Athy Town Councillor Paddy Wright.

Paddy was first elected to both Kildare County Council and Athy Town Council in 1985.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has expressed his sincerest condolences to Paddy’s family:

It was with great sadness that I learned today of Paddy Wright’s death.

Paddy was a dedicated and committed... Free article

THERE are 33 people in a critical condition in the North from the resurgence of ‘Swine Flu’ but it seems that Health Minster Michael McGimpsey has ‘gone missing on the job', Sinn Féin vice-chair of the Assembly Health Committee has said.

Michelle O’Neill MLA said there were 33 people this week suffering from Swine Flu and last month there were 185 people being treated for... Free article

AN SDLP call for changing rules to allow the Assembly to sack a minister would mean handing unionists a veto over nationalist ministers, Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey has said.

The Belfast MLA said:

SDLP representative Conal McDevitt needs to get real if he thinks that nationalists in the North are about to stand by and watch him try and barter away hard-fought gains in... Free article

THE revelation by the Revenue Commissioners that 22 judges have refused to make voluntary contributions in lieu of paying the public service pension levy has been described by the chairperson of Dublin Sinn Féin as "a breath-taking decision by well-paid figures sitting in judgment on others".

Dublin West Dáil candidate Paul Donnelly said:

I hope that none of those 22... Free article