Clare’s only elected Sinn Féin representative claims the government is being ‘contemptuous to the electorate’ by ruling out a coalition with the party.
At Sinn Féin’s Árd Fheis this weekend, it was decided that the party is open to being a junior partner in government but both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have ruled it out.
It comes as Sinn Féin prepares for a new President, with Mary Lou McDonald virtually certain to replace Gerry Adams.
Clare FM’s Gavin Grace reports:
Change is afoot in the Sinn Féin camp following the weekend’s Árd Fheis.
Gerry Adams is to step aside as party president after 34 years at the helm, a time which saw him guide Sinn Féin into power sharing in the North.
Focus is now turning to who will succeed the Belfast man as leader next year, with Mary Lou McDonald the early frontrunner.
Michelle O’Neill has ruled herself out, along with Donegal TD Pearse Doherty – but he believes it’ll go to a vote.
Aside from the change in leadership, the other big talking point from their Ard Fheis was a shift in Sinn Féin’s stance on being a junior partner in a coalition.
This represents a change in policy – previously, Sinn Féin had said it would only consider being a senior coalition partner.
However, whether it will amount to any real change seems unlikely, as both Fine Gael’s Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin of Fianna Fáil ruled out going into government with Sinn Féin.
Shannon Sinn Féin Councillor Mike McKee is hitting out at those parties for their stance.
