13 November, 2003

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Everyone deserves a home

Speaking at the end of a Dáil debate on a Sinn Féin Bill to enshrine the right to housing in the 1937 Constitution, Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin on Wednesday called on the Environment and Local Government Minister Martin Cullen and junior Minister Noel Ahern to resign over their handling of the housing crisis.

Photo: Newry Armagh candidate Davy Hyland and Cavan/Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin at a news conference to announce details of the Sinn Féin Housing Bill

Promoting the all-Ireland agenda

"No one can doubt that the all-Ireland political institutions exist because of the tenacity, determination and the substantial growth in support for Sinn Féin," West Tyrone candidate Pat Doherty told a Belfast press conference on Wednesday morning.

Photo: Pictured at the news conference to promote Sinn Féin's all-Ireland agenda were Pat Doherty MP (West Tyrone) and Pat O'Rawe (Newry Armagh), accompanied by Martin Ferris TD, Marylou McDonald and Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD

Good Friday Agreement will not be renegotiated

Edentubber Martyrs Commemoration 2003 - Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP delivered the keynote address at the annual Edentubber Commemoration in County Louth on Sunday afternoon. He said that republicans have good cause to be disappointed and good cause to be angry about the events of 21 October but "we must not allow this to cloud our political judgement.

Photo: Sinn Féin Assembly election candidates Davy Hyland, Caitríona, Pat O'Rawe and Conor Murphy

Sinn Féin demands right to housing be enshrined in Constitution

"The government's record on housing speaks for itself." These weren't the words of Sinn Féin's spokesperson on the Environment and Local Government, Arthur Morgan TD, rather they were the words spoken, without the slightest hint of irony, by the Government Minister of State with responsibility for housing in the 26 Counties, Noel Ahern. They were spoken during the course of a Dáil debate on Sinn Féin's Bill, which sought to enshrine the right to housing in the 1937 Constitution.

Photo: Newry/Armagh Assembly candidate Davy Hyland, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, Dublin EU election candidate Marylou McDonald and Arthur Morgan TD

Selective interests - Bloody Sunday Inquiry

After the treatment of Martin McGuinness by Lord Saville at the Bloody Sunday Inquiry last week, it might be interesting to muse a little on the objectivity of both the distinguished Lord in his manner of conducting the inquiry, and on that of the British media, which turned up in vast numbers for the first time at the Guildhall, Derry, on day 390 of the inquiry to pick over in minute detail the evidence given by Martin McGuinness.

Photo: Martin McGuinness, Raymond McCartney and Dominic Doherty pictured outside Derry's Guildhall last week

Positive response in West Tyrone

Pat Doherty says the party's election campaign in West Tyrone is progressing beyond expectations. "After the cancellation of the spring election earlier in the year, we did a political canvass in West Tyrone, an area we had targeted for growth, and we were very pleasantly surprised at the response. Since this election was announced a number of weeks ago, we have continued to be pleasantly surprised," said Doherty.

Growing confidence in Lagan Valley

Sinn Féin candidate in the forthcoming Assembly elections Paul Butler said he has been receiving positive responses from voters in the Lagan Valley constituency in the run up to the 26 November elections.

Photo: Dermot Kennedy, Martin McGuinness and Paul Butler hold up a Sinn Féin banner

Meehan and McGuinness on campaign trail

Martin Meehan, accompanied by Sinn Féin MP Martin McGuinness and a canvass team, launched his campaign to be elected for South Antrim on Monday 10 November at the Fitzwilliam Hotel at Aldergrove Airport.

Sinn Féin campaign officially launched - Martin McGuinness speaks to An Phoblacht

Sinn Féin officially launched its election campaign on Monday in Belfast. Afterwards, the party's chief negotiator, Martin McGuinness, spoke to An Phoblacht's LAURA FRIEL.

Photo: PIctured at the launch are Alex Maskey, Caitríona Ruane, Martin McGuinness, Kathy Stanton and Pat Doherty

Up and Running

Sinn Féin officially launched our Election Campaign on Monday in high spirits following reports from the hustings. The reception at the doorstep is very encouraging. The focus of the electorate is on the need for the political process to get back on track and get a locally accountable Executive up and running.