Video – Sinn Féin ‘preparing for Government’, Gerry Adams says ahead of Dáil’s return

SINN FÉIN is “preparing for Government” and concentrating on getting a mandate to replace the Fine Gael/Labour Government “which is on its last legs”, Gerry Adams says.

Sinn Féin wants to be in Government “in this state to deliver on core republican policies”.

Speaking at a meeting of Sinn Féin’s Oireachtas team in Dublin ahead of Parliament’s return after the Christmas/New Year break, the Sinn Féin leader said:

“Whether the Government lasts until 2016 or not, the people have clearly given it notice to quit. The Government which came in with high-flowing promises has broken nearly every promise it has made.”

Fine Gael and Labour in Government, the Louth TD says, has brought unfairness and inequality.

“Touch any of the five-point plan issues – for example, the trolley count today stands at over 300, the A&E crisis, the difficulties around ambulance services in rural Ireland, the huge amount of people forced to emigrate, and all the other difficulties – the Government has not delivered.

“We are the lead party in Opposition and we will do our best to hold the Government to account.”

Asked about Sinn Féin’s preferred partners in a new Government after the next general election, Gerry Adams says this is a “secondary” issue.

“First of all, we need to get a mandate to be in Government and if we get that mandate then we have to negotiate a Programme for Government with others who may have a similar mandate.

“Our focus is on putting forward and developing our policies, preparing ourselves to be in Government and, most importantly, getting support for that idea, that big idea of Sinn Féin being in Government in this state to deliver on core republican policies.”