11 March 2010 Edition

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Lively debate on coalition and new model of membership

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin urged the party to retain its strategy on coalition and said that Sinn Féin would always remain an independent political force

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin urged the party to retain its strategy on coalition and said that Sinn Féin would always remain an independent political force

At one of the best attended Friday evening sessions in many years, a large number of Ard Fheis delegates queued to speak on motions on party development and constitution and rules. While many of the speakers spoke on the issue of coalition, a range of other subjects were also debated, including the need to campaign more effectively and the promotion of the Irish language within Sinn Féin. Delegates rejected a motion that would have seen the party refuse to allow councillors who left other parties to join Sinn Féin.
Also significantly, delegates endorsed a new model of membership that will open up new opportunities by making it easier for more people to become involved with the party.
The section was dominated by a debate on coalition, which garnered particular media interest. The debate centered on motions 18 and 19. Motion 18 stated “that Sinn Féin will not, under any circumstances, enter into coalition or any other electoral pact with Fianna Fáil before, during or after a General Election” while motion 19 stated “Sinn Féin will not to go into power with other parties in Government such as Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, as this would be incompatible with our politics and would damage the party.”
An amendment from the Ard Chomhairle to motion 19 reiterated the standing positions that any decision to go into coalition government would have to be decided by a special delegate conference and also outlined the fact that any such programme would have to be rooted in republican principles and would have to “advance Irish unity, pursue a new economic strategy based on creating sustainable employment and a fair taxation system and the provision of high quality public services.”
Speaking against the amendment to motion 19 from the Ard Chomhairle, Dublin Chairperson Eoin O’Broin said the agendas of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were contrary to everything Sinn Féin stands for and said that participation in any coalition led by these two parties would damage the party.  
He cited the fact that this happened to “Clann na Phoblachta in the 1950s, Democratic Left in the 1990s and the Green Party now”. Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin urged the party to retain its strategy on coalition and said that Sinn Féin would always remain an independent political force.
Senator Pearse Doherty, arguing for the Ard Chomairle amendment, told delegates that it was important for Sinn Féin to tell people what we were for, not just what we were against as well as setting out how we wanted to transform Ireland.   
While quite a number of other delegates spoke against the Ard Chomhairle amendment, when put to a vote the amendment was passed.

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