Day 1, General Election 2011 – Gerry Adams says ‘There is a Better Way’

Sinn Féin TDs Pearse Doherty, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Arthur Morgan

SPEAKING on the first full day of campaigning in the general election as Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour all officially launched their campaigns, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said there is an alternative to the conservative economics of the Establishment parties:

For the first time in the history of this state there is the prospect of a Government not involving Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.

Sinn Féin is seeking a mandate for:-

• Root and branch political reform aimed at producing a genuinely open and accountable form of Government that ends the notion of political elites and empowers Irish citizens;
• The protection and creation of jobs;
• An end to the two-tier health and education systems;
• The proper use of Ireland’s natural resources for the common good;
• Continued support for the Peace Process and the Good Friday Agreement.

Sinn Féin is the only party to clearly say we would reverse cuts to public services and social welfare introduced in Budget 2011.

Unlike Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael or Labour other parties Sinn Féin would stand up to the IMF and EU and reject the shoddy deal aimed at saddling our people with massive debt to bail out bankers.

Sinn Féin will put an end to cronyism. Reform must start with the Dáil. That means cutting the wages and expenses of ministers and TDs.

Our political message is clearly resonating with the electorate.

Our campaign theme, ‘There is a Better Way’, encapsulates the message of hope that we are trying to convey. I am convinced about that — that despite the terrible state of the economy after years of bad government, things can be turned around. A real republic can be built.

In every constituency where we are standing, Sinn Féin is going out to win. Every TD elected for Sinn Féin will mean a stronger voice for working families, the unemployed and all those struggling to survive. The more Sinn Féin TDs elected the louder the voice for those they represent in the Dáil.  A vote for Sinn Féin is a vote for real change.

Responding to Mícheál Martin’s claim that Sinn Féin is a threat to the economyGerry Adams added:

This is rich coming from the leader of Fianna Fáil and a man who was part of all the major decisions which have bankrupted the state and imposed a terrible crippling burden on citizens.

Sinn Féin is focused on fixing the mess Fianna Fáil has made of the economy.