3 May 2007 Edition
Ready for Government North and South
The 26 County general election campaign got underway this week. Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and other members of the Sinn Féin leadership are touring 29 constituencies across the state while Bairbre de Brún MEP is touring Gaeltacht regions.
Sinn Féin is putting its priorities for government before the electorate and will highlight its strong record in the peace process and in delivery for communities across Ireland.
Before the election is held Sinn Féin will be in government in the North and during the campaign Sinn Féin will ask the electorate in the 26 Counties for a mandate to be in government in the South also.
A vote for Sinn Féin in this election means:
• A strong and equal economy;
• An end to the two-tier health system – that means investing public money in the public system;
• 14,000 social and affordable homes built for every year of the next government;
• No primary school child is in a classroom of more than 20;
• Investment in suicide prevention and mental health;
• Rural regeneration and balanced regional development;
• Real preparations for Irish unity.
Investment in public transport will be another priority for Sinn Féin in government. There are critical problems in relation to transport difficulties right across the 26 Counties. These include poor planning, a lack of investment in public transport and insufficient rail capacity including the phasing out of rail freight.
The historic political developments in March which saw agreement between Sinn Féin leaders and the DUP on the formation of a Six County Executive, the huge endorsement given to Sinn Féin in elections in the North and the real prospect of Sinn Féin in government there, have demonstrated the strength of support for Sinn Féin’s republican message.
The relative prosperity evident in the 26 Counties over the past decade should have led to first-class services in health, housing, education, public transport and regional development. Instead, the Fianna Fáil/PD coalition has presided over deepening levels of social inequality.
Sinn Féin seeks to build an independent, united Ireland of equals. In this election Sinn Féin has prioritised the provision of public services for all on the basis of equality. The party wants to return the strongest possible Sinn Féin team to Leinster House so that, whether in government or opposition, these objectives can be furthered.
Sinn Féin is putting its priorities for government before the electorate and will highlight its strong record in the peace process and in delivery for communities across Ireland.
Before the election is held Sinn Féin will be in government in the North and during the campaign Sinn Féin will ask the electorate in the 26 Counties for a mandate to be in government in the South also.
A vote for Sinn Féin in this election means:
• A strong and equal economy;
• An end to the two-tier health system – that means investing public money in the public system;
• 14,000 social and affordable homes built for every year of the next government;
• No primary school child is in a classroom of more than 20;
• Investment in suicide prevention and mental health;
• Rural regeneration and balanced regional development;
• Real preparations for Irish unity.
Investment in public transport will be another priority for Sinn Féin in government. There are critical problems in relation to transport difficulties right across the 26 Counties. These include poor planning, a lack of investment in public transport and insufficient rail capacity including the phasing out of rail freight.
The historic political developments in March which saw agreement between Sinn Féin leaders and the DUP on the formation of a Six County Executive, the huge endorsement given to Sinn Féin in elections in the North and the real prospect of Sinn Féin in government there, have demonstrated the strength of support for Sinn Féin’s republican message.
The relative prosperity evident in the 26 Counties over the past decade should have led to first-class services in health, housing, education, public transport and regional development. Instead, the Fianna Fáil/PD coalition has presided over deepening levels of social inequality.
Sinn Féin seeks to build an independent, united Ireland of equals. In this election Sinn Féin has prioritised the provision of public services for all on the basis of equality. The party wants to return the strongest possible Sinn Féin team to Leinster House so that, whether in government or opposition, these objectives can be furthered.