Fianna Fáil hypocrisy derided

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

BY WENDY LYON

 

Dublin South Central TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh opened Friday’s final session by speaking in favour of Motion 36, opposing mandatory minimum sentences.  He acknowledged the “frustration” that working class communities feel when drug offenders are let off lightly, but said that international evidence has proven mandatory minimums to be an “expensive failure”.  
DJ O’Driscoll from Bandon in West Cork proposed Motion 44 calling on Sinn Féin to “challenge the hypocrisy” of Fianna Fáil. O’Driscoll noted the responsibility of the self-styled ‘Republican Party’ for executions, hunger strike deaths and extraditions, as well as their surrender of Irish natural resources to Shell.
Another delegate spoke in favour of Motion 39, mandating the Ard Chomhairle to campaign for a border poll.  He said that there are more republicans now than in any other recent time.
Ógra representative Pádraig Toner asked delegates to support Motion 40 in favour of alliances with other left-wing parties and groups, and to oppose an amendment which would delete “parties” from the motion.  He said that Sinn Féin cannot take power on our own and will need other parties to form a left-wing coalition.  The amendment was ultimately carried.
Louise Minihan from Dublin South Central spoke in favour of Motion 34, calling for greater cross-border co-operation in dealing with sex offenders. She noted the ongoing failure of the Garda Síochána to protect children.
Armagh delegate Joe Crowley proposed Motion 42, to rename Merrion Road, home of the British embassy in Dublin as Bobby Sands Avenue.  He said that it would “redress the balance” of having British names all over the country.
Sheila Mhic Reamoinn from Wexford asked delegates to vote against Motion 43, which called on Sinn Féin to promote the national flag and the national anthem as symbols of unity of the people of Ireland.  While she had no difficulty with promoting the flag, she said that the anthem is not a symbol of unity and that promoting it would impede our aim of reaching out to unionists.
Fermanagh/South Tyrone candidate Councillor Gerry McHugh ended the session by speaking in favour of Motion 37, to allow children to remain in contact with both parents when the relationship breaks down, and of an amendment to add “when in the best interests of the child”. He said that children should not be forced to remain in contact with abusive parents.  Delegates voted in favour of this amendment, and of all the motions in this session.