Mary Lou McDonald has said she is “only a young one” and has predicted she will be Taoiseach yet. 

Speaking in Stormont alongside Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O’Neill, Deputy McDonald admitted that the election in November had been disappointing for her party. 

Although Sinn Féin gained two seats, the party’s vote share plunged by over 5% and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were returned to Government in Dublin. 

“I’m only a young one,” she told Cool FM. 

“You need to go and read my biography; sure, I’m only getting started. 

“I’m only getting into my groove.” 

🟢🚨"I'm only a young one. I'm only getting started."

🗣@sinnfeinireland President @MaryLouMcDonald says she is not ruling out becoming Taoiseach one day.

⏳️She says Sinn Fein will be in government in Ireland but "just not this time."

📍She was speaking at Stormont as the… pic.twitter.com/NONqnRqeSX

— Cool FM News (@newsoncool) January 13, 2025

Deputy McDonald also said Sinn Féin remains in a position of “considerable strength” and that the party would win an election at some point in the future. 

“We have 39 TDs,” she said. 

“We will have a very strong team in the Seanad - which will include Conor Murphy. 

“We have a huge job of work to do… but we will be in Government in Dublin - just not this time.

“We remain absolutely resolute, confident and strong.” 

Mary Lou McDonald with newly elected Sinn Féin TDs . Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

In the meantime, Deputy McDonald said Sinn Féin would continue to strongly challenge the Government on the issues of the day. 

“We intend to use that strength to best effect,” she said. 

“To represent people well, to hold the incoming Government to account, to advance on things that matter in respect of housing and healthcare. 

“All the bread and butter issues that impact on people’s daily lives.” 

Talks on Government formation resumed today. 

Although Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was “hopeful” an agreement could be reach by January 22nd when Donald Trump will have returned to the White House, Newstalk’s Seán Defoe described such a timetable as “very tight”.

Main image: Mary Lou McDonald. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell / © RollingNews.ie