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10 March, 2005 |
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Other News
This year's Ard Fheis, as usual, saw the attendance of many international friends and allies of Sinn Féin. Representatives from France, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Cyprus, Catalonia, South Africa, the Basque Country, Portugal, England, Sweden, Canada, the US and Scotland met with many of the delegates and attended many of the policy sessions during the three-day conference. Photo: Visiters from Friends of Sinn Féin USA Greetings from US labour leader 
Terry O'Sullivan is President of the Laborers' International Union in the United States, representing over 800,000 members. The Irish American trade unionist was a guest speaker at this year's Ard Fheis. Photo: Terry O'Sullivan Opening address buoys Ard Fheis delegates 
The buzz of excitement in the Ard Fheis registration hall last Friday evening was palpable. After months of listening to attacks on their party, it was clear, as Sinn Féin members picked up their delegate badges and visitor cards, that a weekend of positive messages and inspirational speeches was more than welcome. Photo: Martin McGuinness 
The all-Ireland agenda section, which came immediately before the Presidential address on Saturday, was a key section of the Ard Fheis. It dealt with the commitment of the party to advance the campaign calling on the Dublin Government to start building towards Irish unity and it dealt with resolutions endorsing the all-Ireland Agenda projects to initiate widespread consultations to engage communities in framing the New Ireland they want to achieve. Photo: Barry McElduff We need cutting edge legislation to fight discrimination 
In the wide-ranging Equality and Human Rights section of the Clár, delegates debated more than 30 motions covering such diverse subjects as the establishment of the Northern Human Rights Commission; racism and sectarianism, including anti-Traveller racism; equality legislation; parental rights; terminology; ageism; and the rights of women and same sex couples. Photo: Caitríona Ruane 
Opening the key debate on policing on Sunday, Sinn Féin's Policing and Justice spokesperson, Gerry Kelly, told the Ard Fheis that for generations the police force in the Six Counties had been a "partisan, political, Protestant and paramilitary force" which had been used as an "instrument of political repression, counter-revolution and terror". Photo: Gerry Kelly Status quo, stalemate not an option 
There were some recurring themes during the debate on the Peace Process. The spiteful vindictive bitterness of Michael McDowell, the 11th hour withdrawal and subsequent backtracking of the DUP from the negotiations last December, the failure of the British and Irish Governments to uphold and implement the Good Friday Agreement were the topics touched on often from the podium. Photo: Mitchel McLaughlin on one of the hall's televisions Reviewing the rules - updated Constitution passed 
Last year, Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty gave the Ard Fheis an interim report outlining the establishment in 2003, and work since then, of the Constitution and Rules Review Group. This year, Doherty was before the delegates again, this time asking them to vote on the revised and updated version of the party's constitution. Photo: Pat Doherty Call for Irish names for new estates 
The Culture, Heritage and Language section of the Ard Fheis Clar opened up with a motion from Monaghan calling on Sinn Féin elected reps to do everything possible to ensure new housing developments are given Irish names. Photo: Mícheál MacDonncha Support for Colombia Three family 
Ann O'Sullivan, from the POW Department, introducing the section of the Ard Fheis on prisoners. She said "it is important that we remember our imprisoned comrades in Ireland and abroad and those fighting extradition. We send solidarity greetings to them and their families. Photo: Toiréasa Ní Fhearaíosa, Ann O'Sullivan and Cristín and Orla McCauley pictured during the debate on prisoners at the Ard Fheis Collusion protest at British Embassy 
Upwards of 300 republican protestors held a protest outside the British Embassy in Dublin during the Ard Fheis weekend. Photo: Protesting at the British Embassy Government slammed for undelivered health promises 
The government's failure to provide a quality health service for all was the dominant theme of this year's health, special needs and childcare debate. Opening the session, Sinn Féin Dáil group leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said that tax paying workers deserve an equitable and efficient delivery of health services, but that the Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney disagreed. Photo: Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin 
The debate around Party Development proved one of the most interesting at this year's Ard Fheis, and this can be seen in the number of motions actually lost in the section. Delegates queued patiently, as one by one they argued points on elections, potential coalitions, Ard Fheis organisation, internal education, party officials, terminology and An Phoblacht. Photo: Margaret Adams Housing Minister should be sacked for incompetence 
The necessity for increased provision of social housing was a theme of many speakers during the housing section of this year's Ard Fheis. This comes as no surprise when you consider the fact that in the 26 Counties alone, there are 48,000 families on social housing waiting lists. The fact that housing is a key campaigning issue for Sinn Féin was evident from the wide array of housing issues covered in the clár including social housing, affordable housing, ground rents, house prices and the private rented sector. Photo: Arthur Morgan Smoke and mirrors minister under fire in justice debate 
The man leaving a bad taste in everybody's mouths last weekend, Michael McDowell, featured prominently in the debate on justice, community and drugs. Photo: Aengus Ó Snodaígh Ard Fheis rejects EU Constitution - By Eoin O'Broin 
"I want to begin by sending out international solidarity greetings to all those who strive for freedom, justice and peace around the world and to those who continue to suffer oppression and marginalisation - Sinn Féin stands with you." With these words, Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald opened the 2005 Ard Fheis section on EU, Neutrality and International Affairs. Photo: Mary Lou McDonald 
Following the votes in this section, Mitchel McLaughlin introduced the guest speaker, President of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) group in the European Parliament, Francis Wurtz. Photo: Francis Wurtz Ard Fheis rejects private public partnerships 
The Ard Fheis opened with resolutions on the Economy and Communications. Delegates endorsed a number of important resolutions, including Sinn Féin's opposition to public private partnerships and to the privatisation of essential services. Photo: Conor Murphy Agriculture needs all-Ireland approach 
Michelle Gildernew led off the debate on agriculture, rural development, tourism and transport, and there were many resolutions to discuss on each of these hugely important issues. The session began with agriculture and rural development, which are interdependent. Photo: Gerry McHugh 
Introducing the debate on Education, Dublin TD Seán Crowe focused on the issues of disadvantage and of the need for investment in special needs education He acknowledged that recent years have seen additional resources put in place. "They are most welcome, if long overdue and insufficient," he said. Photo: Seán Crowe 
Ag lainseáil an chláir do Shlogadh Shinn Féin, dúirt an Comhairleoir Chondae Piaras Ó Dochartaigh go bhfuil gníomhaithe na háite ag dréim go mór le himeachtaí na bliana seo. Beidh an Slogadh sa tsiúl i dTígh Jack ar an Ghlaisigh, Gaoth Dobhair Dé hAoine 18ú - 20ú Márta. Photo: Gráinne Mhic Géidigh 
Tá Colm Ó Ceannabháin roghnaithe ag Sinn Féin le dul san iomaíocht i dtoghchán Údarás na Gaeltachta i nGaeltacht na Gaillimhe. Tá Colm (30) ag obair mar innealltóir sibhialta faoi láthair, agus tá Máistreacht bainte amach aige i mbainistíocht tógála, réimse ina bhfuil taithí fairsing aige in Éirinn agus san Eoraip. Is as Doire Iorrais, Ros Muc é Colm, agus tá sé ina bhall gníomhach de chraobh Chonamara Theas de Sinn Féin. Photo: Colm O Ceannabháin |
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