Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said she intends to remain at the helm of the party following the next general election, reports RTE.
Speaking at her party’s Ard Fheis in Belfast, Ms McDonald told reporters that Sinn Féin is united, strong and determined to “motor on”, reports RTE.
She said party members elect the leadership at each Ard Fheis and that both she and Michelle O’Neill are set to be re-elected today.
She added that she plans to lead Sinn Féin into government without including either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, reports RTE.
Ms McDonald said the current Government is under pressure and is now down both a minister and a TD.
Last night, party members went against the position of senior Sinn Féin figures by voting in favour of a ban on fox hunting, raising concerns about potential impacts on rural support, reports RTE.
The vote was closely contested following a lengthy and at times heated debate, which was briefly interrupted when Belfast’s International Convention and Exhibition Centre had to be evacuated due to an alarm.
Sinn Féin TDs for Monaghan Matt Carthy and Cathy Bennett spoke against the motion, while Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan and Kildare North TD Réada Cronin were among those who supported the ban, reports RTE.
Ms McDonald rejected claims that the leadership was losing control of the party.
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She said the outcome demonstrated Sinn Féin’s strength and highlighted that members are responsible for shaping party policy, reports RTE.
“I know that makes us different from other parties,” she said, reports RTE.
Sinn Féin is set to outline its strategy to address the cost-of-living crisis as its Ard Fheis continues in Belfast today.
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald will deliver a keynote address to delegates this evening, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ One at 6.30pm, reports RTE.
Her speech is expected to focus heavily on the cost of living ahead of two Dáil by-elections next month, including one in her Dublin Central constituency.
On Friday night, party finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty called for the immediate introduction of a mini-budget, arguing that the Government must act quickly to support households, reports RTE.
Ms McDonald and First Minister Michelle O’Neill also met with the family of murdered Derry GAA official Sean Brown at the Ard Fheis, stating afterwards that they “will continue to press the British Prime Minister to establish a public inquiry into Sean Brown’s collusive and devastating murder without delay”.
Delegates will also consider proposals aimed at strengthening public services and preparing for Irish unity, reports RTE.
Sinn Féin entered this Ard Fheis as the most popular party in Ireland according to opinion polls, though still below its peak levels of support seen in 2022.
A recent poll also showed the party at its lowest level of support in Northern Ireland in five years, ahead of next year’s Stormont Assembly elections, reports RTE.
Michelle O’Neill told delegates that progress within the Executive has been slower than she would prefer and acknowledged that she shares public frustration, reports RTE.
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