Sinn Fein
The Week in Review
07-13 February 2014

Sinn Fein Ard Fheis 2014 sets framework for a united, progressive alternative
Sinn Fein’s Annual Ard Fheis (Conference) took place in Wexford on 7-8 February 2014.
Among a wide range of debates, keynote speeches were addressed the key political and economic issues facing Ireland north and south. The full range of speeches can be found here.

Haass – time for agreement is now
In his keynote address Martin McGuinness spoke about his concerns that the peace process was `under attack and needed defended’. He said that that was `the job of every political leader in the Assembly’. He said he continued to `stand foursquare for the peace process, for the political institutions and for the rights of all citizens regardless of who they are or where they come from, to live free from sectarian harassment or violence. I stand against those elements, who wish to drag us back to the past, regardless of where they come from. I make no apology for that. They will not succeed.’
He said Sinn Fein believed `that support for a united Ireland must be built through engagement, persuasion and agreement throughout Irish society. This can only happen through peaceful and democratic means’.
On the Haass talks, he said Sinn Fein had approached them `as we have every other negotiation we have been involved in, with the clear goal of reaching agreement and seeing that agreement implemented. We always knew that agreement would require compromise on all sides’.
He added, ` The Haass proposals as they currently stand represent a huge missed opportunity, if they are not accepted by all the parties. There are parts of the final Haass document that we are uncomfortable with. That is the nature of a five party negotiation. We approached the discussions in a positive way. We want to resolve these issues for all in our community’.
He went on to say `the time for agreement is not after the May election nor after the marching season – the time for agreement is NOW’ and said he was `frustrated at the failure of political unionism to take that leap into a better future’, and that `the issues involved in the Haass Talks are not going away’ and needed to be resolved.

Viable policies to take on the conservative establishment
In his speech to the Ard Fheis, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said strongly criticised the failed promises of the current Fine Gael/Labour coalition government who had made cuts to living standards and vital public services, an unsustainable banking debt, cut supports for people with disabilities and seen unemployment at 12.4%, with 179,000 long-term unemployed and some 140,000 householders in mortgage distress.
He said Sinn Fein’s alternative was of job creation and for a national public health service and for support for all those `who are making a stand’.
He criticesd the `toxic political culture’ adding `many of the problems that Ireland faces today are a direct result of a toxic political culture, which arose from the counter-revolution that followed the 1916 Rising and the Tan war’. He said `the counter-revolutionaries who succeeded Michael Collins, like their contemporaries in the North, copper-fastened Partition and the two conservative states, which it created’.
He said `in this part of Ireland this toxic political culture led to the abuses of power in planning, in the banks, in Church and State-run institutions, and in the health service. An elite — politically represented by the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil leaderships, often supported by the Labour Party – oversaw a culture of corruption and golden circles. These are the same interests that collapsed the Irish economy six years ago.’
Speaking about the north, he added Sinn Fein were making a difference and had `shown what is possible with real political leadership’.
He said there remained issues to be resolved, such as the Irish Language Act and the Bill of Rights. Referring to issues of identity and contentious Orange parades, he said he there were obstacles, but that `change will not be stopped’.
He said he was `happy to meet with the Orange Order at any time to discuss these matters. I want to see the Orange Order treating its Catholic neighbours with respect. I want to see it treated with respect. I want to see it upholding law and order. Orange is one of our country’s national colours. The Orange Order of Ireland is one of our national traditions’.
Sinn Féin, he said `wants all our traditions freed up from sectarianism from any quarter, to live together in peace and respect and with tolerance from everyone for everyone. The tide of history is with those who seek to build a peaceful and inclusive future. And Ireland, north and south, is changing.’
He said the ‘Border Poll’ or referendum on Irish unity `threatens nobody and gives all citizens their say on the future’.

Social and economic equality
He went on to say that the Ard Fheis had discussed proposals to protect and promote the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender citizens. `This Ard Fheis has also discussed policy proposals to protect and promote the rights of workers’, he added `and other proposals aimed at bringing the political system in this state into the 21st Century’.
He added `If we are serious about changing this country, the Left needs to come together around viable alternative policies and take on the conservative establishment, who brought the economy to its knees and created the toxic culture that we are trying to break free from. The conservatives, the right wingers consistently unite around their issues. Those of us who have a different vision – a progressive, rights-based vision must do the same.’
The full text of Gerry Adams’ speech can be found here.

Political reform to end the toxic culture
In a speech on the need for political reform, Sinn Fein Vice President Mary Lou McDonald spoke about the `economic collapse, the failure of politics and the profound social damage that resulted’ and how `the root and branch reform promised by Labour and Fine Gael in the last general election has not been delivered’.
She said the current Dublin government, had to be `dragged kicking and screaming into doing the right thing – whether it is apologising to Louise O’Keefe, or to the women of the Magdalene Laundries – it is always an international judgement or a public outcry that is too loud to ignore that forces the Government’s hand’. She said they had yet to `acknowledge the survivors of the Bethany Home, or those who went through the Mother and Baby homes
She said the theme of the Ard Fheis – Putting Ireland First – `neatly summarises the challenge for Irish politics and politics and politicians at this time’ which meant `a change in direction’ and `for a Government that stands up for its citizens, at home and abroad’.

For growth, workers rights and public services – not cuts and austerity
Speaking on the economy, Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said recent years had seen severe hardship for working people and families: `cut after cut, new tax, after new tax have seen €30 billion ripped from the economy’ and with another €2 billion in cuts and taxes in the next year. He said `every step of the way Sinn Fein has shown that there is a fair alternative’.
He rejected as `spin’ government talk of recovery, and urged an alternative to austerity. Sinn Fein, he said, `stands for real recovery, fair recovery that is not based on taxing the roof we live under and the water we drink’. He said Sinn Fein’s wanted an alternative where `the tax of hard working people, is not wasted on consultants paid obscene amounts to implement those unfair taxes. People’s taxes should go into jobs; infrastructure and fit for purpose public services.’ He said Sinn Fein’s alternative `of reducing the tax burden on low and middle income families; of protecting public services; and investing in Jobs are the ingredients of a real recovery and a fair recovery, that leaves no family behind’.

A packed Opera House heard a range of speakers and debates over the weekend, including on the Economy and workers’ rights, including Decent Work for Decent Pay, Reducing the Tax Burden on Ordinary Workers, Protecting the Conditions of those in Work, and Economic Sovereignty. Motions dealing with the Peace Process, including Dealing with the Legacy of the Past, Building a New Future Based on Equality and Respect, Policing and Justice were debated, alongside substantive discussions on Investing in Transport, Health including Radical Changes Needed in Health Policy, Mental Health Must be a Key Priority, Tackling Drug and Alcohol Abuse; The Way Forward in Education, Protecting the Most Vulnerable in Society, Investment in Social Housing and tackling the Mortgage Crisis.
Later debates included International Solidarity and EU Affairs, Environment, Energy and Infrastructure, Listening to Communities – Opposing Pylons, A Ban on Fracking, Climate Change, Defending Rural Ireland, Real Political Reform and Ending Cronyism and Promoting LGBT Rights – where a substantial party document was also disucssed. A specific debate Towards a New Republic will include Time to Set a Date for a Border Poll, Promoting the Irish Language, and Importance of Arts and Sports. The key role of women and supporting women’s rights and equality was a common thread throughout the Ard Fheis, and a packed fringe event `No Ordinary Women’ heard moving speeches from historian and writer Margaret Ward, Sinn Fein’s Rita O’Hare and Seamus Drumm, chaired by Mary Lou McDonald, which spoke about the central and leading role of women in the struggle for Irish unity from the 1916 rising until the present day.
Guest speakers were heard from Basque country, Palestine and from the ANC, where a special tribute to Nelson Mandela was given, introduced by Sinn Fein MLA Pat Sheehan.

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