One small step by Sinn Féin - a giant step for Republican Ireland

Just a little short of twenty-three years ago Sinn Féin secured the election of its first non-abstentionist TD since the imposition of partition. Eleven years had passed since the party took the decision to enter the Dáil. General Elections were fought without success in 1987, 1989 and 1992. Sinn Féin candidates had to contest those elections with at least one hand tied behind their backs.

With the lifting of the Section 31 censorship ban Sinn Féin election candidates were able, for the first time since its introduction, to compete on a more level playing field. The electorate could now for the first time see and hear Sinn Féin representatives on television and radio. They now had the chance to see and hear their local Sinn Féin candidates put forward their republican platform and to debate with show presenters and other candidates. They could now evaluate and judge for themselves the validity of the republican analysis and the reasonableness of Sinn Féin’s policies.

And they responded.

From a core first preference vote of 4,500 over the preceding three elections, the Sinn Féin candidate in Cavan-Monaghan saw his first preference vote rise to over 11,500, a seven thousand increase. Other Sinn Féin candidates recorded marked improvements in other constituencies.

I was that first Sinn Féin TD. While I faced a Dáil term of five years as the sole Sinn Féin voice in that 28th Dáil, I knew always that I was never alone, never on my own. The rousing cheers of countless friends and comrades stayed with me throughout that first term and into the following Dáil term when I was joined by four colleagues, Deputies Arthur Morgan, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Seán Crowe and Martin Ferris.

• 6th June 2002 First Day Back In Leinster House: Caoimhghín is joined by newly elected Sinn Féin TDs Martin Ferris, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Arthur Morgan and Seán Crowe

Throughout those first five years, and for seventeen years of my Dáil service, I was ably assisted and greatly supported by my long-standing friend and comrade Mícheál Mac Donncha who was later elected as a Sinn Féin member of Dublin City Council and served a term as Ardmhéara Átha Cliath, a very deservedly won post of responsibility.

Looking back over the many changes that have taken place, not least, our electoral advances in this State in 2011, in 2016, and now again in 2020, I am greatly heartened by the never weakening resolve of our membership to keep focussed on the real prize. This is our primary goal of Irish reunification and the establishment of a truly inclusive and pluralist republic worthy of the name, an all-Ireland republic that will deservedly have the allegiance of all the people of this island. 

That is what inspired me to join our ranks decades ago and it is that strong belief that has sustained my contribution and service over these past 35 years as a Sinn Féin elected representative and over those years prior to our 1985 County Council success. It is because Sinn Féin remains the primary vehicle for the achievement of our republican goals that I will continue to be a fully committed party activist over whatever time lies before me.

The most important role I can now play is as a support, a resource, for those who come after me. In Cavan-Monaghan, we are delighted with the success of our 2020 General Election campaign that saw the election of my two successors, Deputies Matt Carthy and Pauline Tully. This was a mighty achievement and I am so very proud of them both.

There is a striking similarity between the establishment reaction, both political and media, to that 1997 breakthrough election and the result of the February 8th 2020 contest.

In 1997 I was vilified repeatedly and subjected to a barrage of abuse both inside the Dáil chamber and in other fora, including the media. That continued for some considerable time and it never ceased from some.

That same spew of abuse has been pouring out in recent weeks from all the predictable quarters, Mícheál Martin out-performing Leo Varadkar in his anti-Sinn Féin outbursts in the Dáil and in television and radio studios. 

Whole newspaper groups are in an anti-Sinn Féin frenzy. But it is among the presenters in our so-called national broadcaster where the worst offenders reside. Paid for in part by our licence fee, these grossly overpaid RTÉ broadcasters have, in the immediate run up to the General Election and in an even more naked and vicious reaction since the election result unfolded, endeavoured to influence public opinion in a most partisan effort to dislodge support from Sinn Féin. Their disgraceful abuse of their positions merits serious examination by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

To the 37 Sinn Féin TDs, and the Senators who will soon join their ranks; to the very talented and dedicated support staff who will serve them over the term ahead; to our party membership and very especially our activist base across the island of Ireland; I will make a very simple plea. Stay strong and keep focussed on the prize. They couldn’t break our will in 1997 and they won’t break it in 2020.

In 1997 we took one small step. This proved to be a giant leap forward for Republican Ireland.  

Let’s keep in step.  A great day awaits. Slán tamall.

• Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin was the Sinn Féin TD for Cavan Monaghan from 1997 to 2020