27 September 2001 Edition
Ard Fheis Clár launched
On Tuesday, Sinn Féin Chairperson, Mitchel McLaughlin launched the Clár (programme) for the party's Ard Fheis, which takes place this weekend, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 September.
McLaughlin said that this year's Ard Fheis will be one of the biggest in recent years. ``At the weekend, more than 2,000 Sinn Féin members from throughout Ireland will meet for our annual Ard Fheis, making it one of the biggest in recent years. We will also have representatives from many embassies, including the US, Australian, South African and Russian embassies, as well as guest speakers from the ANC, PLO and the Basque Country.
``The theme for this year's Ard Fheis is ``Building an Ireland of Equals'' and the content of the clár both reflects the vibrancy of the party in local communities and the increase in our representation in elected chambers across the country,'' he said. Many sections of the Clár deal with a wide range of social and economic issues, including health, housing and education. Four Sinn Féin policy documents, on Health, Anti-Racism, Rural/Farming concerns and Arts, Culture and Leisure, will also be launched.
``On Sunday, there will be a particular focus on building political strength and on the options facing us regarding participation in government should we receive sufficient seats,'' McLaughlin said.
``One of the main debates of the weekend will be on the ongoing crisis in the peace process and what now needs to happen. The one central theme that will come from this weekend's Ard Fheis is the leading role that Sinn Féin is taking in terms of the peace process and building a credible alternative in Irish politics.''
McLaughlin said that this year's Ard Fheis will be one of the biggest in recent years. ``At the weekend, more than 2,000 Sinn Féin members from throughout Ireland will meet for our annual Ard Fheis, making it one of the biggest in recent years. We will also have representatives from many embassies, including the US, Australian, South African and Russian embassies, as well as guest speakers from the ANC, PLO and the Basque Country.
``The theme for this year's Ard Fheis is ``Building an Ireland of Equals'' and the content of the clár both reflects the vibrancy of the party in local communities and the increase in our representation in elected chambers across the country,'' he said. Many sections of the Clár deal with a wide range of social and economic issues, including health, housing and education. Four Sinn Féin policy documents, on Health, Anti-Racism, Rural/Farming concerns and Arts, Culture and Leisure, will also be launched.
``On Sunday, there will be a particular focus on building political strength and on the options facing us regarding participation in government should we receive sufficient seats,'' McLaughlin said.
``One of the main debates of the weekend will be on the ongoing crisis in the peace process and what now needs to happen. The one central theme that will come from this weekend's Ard Fheis is the leading role that Sinn Féin is taking in terms of the peace process and building a credible alternative in Irish politics.''