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14 April 2011

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THE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS | THE PEOPLE’S ISSUES

Delivering effective representation

Sinn Féin’s Mickey Brady, Cathal Boylan, Martina Anderson, Alex Maskey and Mary Kate Quinn, the party’s youngest Assembly candidate

AN PHOBLACHT asked some of Sinn Féin’s Assembly election candidates what are the issues coming up in the campaign.

Martina Anderson,

Derry City
THE FOYLE, for far too long, has been represented by a brand of nationalism that is content to accept crumbs off the table and happy to sit at the back of the bus. Those days are over.
The big issue on the doorsteps is the decision to deny Altnagelvin Hospital a radiotherapy unit by the outgoing UUP Health Minister Michael McGimpsey.
The decision is regarded as commensurate to the 1968 decision to locate a university at Coleraine rather than Derry. It smacks of a sectarian agenda and feelings are running predictably high in the face of that.
The UUP response has been to run away. Their candidate pulled out at the last moment and they couldn’t find a replacement. I’ve challenged Michael McGimpsey to debate the issue but he’s too afraid to face me and the people of Derry.
In 2007, Sinn Féin asked the people of Foyle to vote for real change and positive leadership. We promised to ‘Stand up for Derry’ and I feel we’ve kept that promise.
In Derry, two new schools have been built, there has been investment in infrastructure with the construction of the Derry to Dublin motorway and commitment to the A6 route to Belfast.
We’ve been instrumental in delivering the Social Investment Fund targeting the most disadvantaged communities, introduced free primary school uniforms, restored free prescriptions and protected households from the imposition of water charges.
We’ve had 50 years of one-party rule, 30 years of direct rule and for the first time, four years of representative governance and, even in that short period, we’ve got things done.

John O’Dowd,

Upper Bann
THE CAMPAIGN has been great. As well as a core of experienced canvassers we’ve had a lot of new supporters coming out to help. There’s a determination to ensure Sinn Féin’s political message and record of delivery is heard throughout the constituency, loud and clear.
On the doorstep, the issues range from local to global - from the need for better access to broadband internet to the impact of the financial crisis worldwide. There has been a particular focus around the Peace Process.
People have expressed a determination to build on progress already made to ensure there can be no slide backwards. Clearly those micro groupings who wish to drag us into conflict for their own selfish ends have no mandate.
In rural areas, the main issues are around equality of access, to transport, to public services, to community facilities.
In Craigavon, it’s about challenging sectarian discrimination, the need for strong representation and the delivery of services on a basis of equality.
Sinn Féin has demonstrated that politics can work. We’ve delivered progressive change and made a difference. Unlike any other party on the island we have an All Ireland strategy and a pathway to reunification. Across the 32 Counties Sinn Féin is standing up for communities and people are voting for us.”

Pat Sheehan,

West Belfast
A former hunger striker, Pat is no stranger to testing times but as the candidate earmarked to replace Gerry Adams as MLA for West Belfast. He’s in no doubt of the challenge ahead. As one local wit put it, it’s like being asked to take the microphone after Frank Sinatra.

THE RESPONSE to my standing in Gerry’s constituency has been very positive. A lot of people were sorry to see Gerry go but they understand the reasons behind the party’s decision.
I’m canvassing in Ballymurphy and Turf Lodge and these are highly-politicised communities. They know Sinn Féin’s project is all-Ireland and share in that republican objective.
The personal support I’ve encountered has been terrific and many people have been kind enough to acknowledge that, as a former Hunger Striker, my candidacy is particularly appropriate this year, falling as it does on the 30th anniversary.
Constituency issues are the bread and butter ones of jobs, public services and the quality of the housing stock in the area. There is also some concern around community safety and anti social behaviour.
I was initially co-opted into the seat and so although this is my first election as a MLA candidate I’ve already been working in the community over a number of months. And I can tell you now, I will be proud to represent the people here.

Oliver McMullan,

East Antrim
WE’VE BEEN OUT canvassing across the constituency from Cushendall to Newtownabbey and it’s been great and we’ve encountered a great deal of goodwill.
In Larne, where Sinn Féin has been doing a lot of constituency work, people are clearly impressed by the effective representation we offer.
The main issues we’re encountering on the doorstep are community infrastructure, especially youth provision within the constituency, and fears of economic recession and unemployment following the banking crisis.
People are very concerned about the potential impact of Tory cuts but I’ve been able to reassure them that we’ve already identified £1.6billion of new finance and ensure this was included in the latest Budget.
Our intention in the next Assembly is to focus on job creation and retention, particularly within the construction industry. We must work our way out of recession by providing employment and opportunities for our young people.
Sinn Féin’s outgoing Minister Conor Murphy has already approved the Belfast to Larne A8 road scheme which will reduce journey times and act as a catalyst to the local economy.
With a beautiful coastline and glorious glens, tourism offers great potential for growth but equally important is ensuring protection of the rural community by balanced development.
There’s a substantial Asian community within the constituency and Sinn Féin’s record of challenging discrimination in all its forms, our commitment to equality and focus on supporting communities has been well-received.

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Contributions from key figures in the churches, academia and wider civic society as well as senior republican figures

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