The political sparring is already in full swing as Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has come out and defended his party after the Tánaiste and Labour Party Leader Joan Burton attacked the Sinn Fein over its role in historical events .
Mr Adams has defended his party after the Tanaiste said Sin Fein were deliberately trying to hijack the history of Ireland, Mr Adams told a party conference in Cork last night that Ms Burton has nothing in common with men and women of 1916. The Sinn Fein leader told the conference: “Joan Burton’s remarks this evening encapsulate her schizophrenic approach to the 1916 Centenary. “The Tánaiste’s attitude is marked by a shallow and wholly self-serving approach to Irish history. “The men and women of 1916, including Thomas Kent who we will re-inter here in Cork tomorrow, engaged directly in revolutionary armed activity against British rule in Ireland.”
Mr Adams went onto say: “Unlike Joan Burton, Sinn Féin makes no apology for this. We salute their stand and will not attempt to re-write history to fit narrow party political objectives or to misrepresent the facts. “Joan Burton and the Labour Party leadership have nothing in common with the men and women of 1916 nor any intention of promoting the ideals of freedom and equality for which many gave their lives in 1916 and after. “Joan Burton knows that commemorating 1916 raises a myriad of contradictions for her own party and it’s actions in Government, not least their Partitionist attitude and failure live up to the egalitarian ideals of the Proclamation.”
He added: “The Tánsiste does not wish people to be reminded of the unfinished business of 1916 including the need to achieve a peaceful, united and socially just Ireland. “Sinn Féin will continue to pursue those objectives proudly and unapologetically.”