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3 March 2015

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Mary Lou to Tánaiste – 'Bring it on'

Mary Lou McDonald TD at the launch of the Clár for the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis 2015

MARY LOU McDONALD TD says she'll debate Tánaiste Joan Burton "anytime, any place" after the Labour leader challenged her to a debate on the economy in a speech at the Labour Party's annual conference in Killarney.

Speaking to reporters at Buswell's Hotel to launch the Clár for Sinn Féin's annual Ard Fheis – which takes place at the Millenium Forum in Derry this weekend – Mary Lou McDonald hit back at the Labour Party. She described Labour's role in power as "collaborators and facilitators of a Fine Gael agenda that has been very damaging to families and communities". 

Mary Lou added:

"It's a terrible shame that Labour put being in Government and pandering to Enda Kenny above the basic needs and expectations of the constituency they claim to represent.

"A lot of ordinary people are deeply bitter and disappointed at what they see as a betrayal by the Labour Party."

Describing the heavy focus on Sinn Féin at the Labour Party Ard Fheis, Mary Lou said much of the commentary was "silly and politically mischevious".

Responding directly to Joan Burton's accusations of populism and her direct challenge to Mary Lou to a debate on the economy, Mary Lou said:

"The Tánaiste is no stranger to exaggeration herself and has strayed very, very far from the election promises that were made in 2011, and she knows that full well.

"I would welcome a debate – at anytime, any place."

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