Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has defended criticism of the party’s ‘flip flop’ attitude towards migration, saying policy has always been clear. 

The main opposition has been accused of ‘flip-flopping’ on its policies in order to maintain support, including accusations from Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh. 

Ms McDonald said the party’s “position on immigration has been clear and articulated for a very, very long time”. 

“I've been setting out our stall on this as far back as 2006 and 2007,” she told The Pat Kenny Show. 

“You need a system where decisions are taken efficiently and quickly, you need a system that is fair and respectful to individuals and to communities, and you need a rule book and rules that are actually applied and enforced.” 

McDonald on migration pact

Sinn Féin has been specifically criticised for opposing the EU Migration Pact. 

Ms McDonald said the party opposes the Pact due to sharing a Common Travel Area with the UK. 

“We need the flexibility to be able to respond to our particular circumstances,” she said. 

“In any event, I think decisions on something as important as immigration are best taken here domestically by people who are elected by the Irish.” 

Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire previously said the party was against “open borders”, which was labelled as a ‘dog whistle’ by politicians. 

Ms McDonald denied that her party is in favour of stronger border control between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. 

“What had come up was the question of cooperation between the PSNI and Gardaí,” she said. 

“To be clear, there can be no question of a remilitarisation of that border.” 

Sinn Féin polls

Support for Sinn Féin has been dropping in recent polls, including an Irish Independent poll that found equal support for Sinn Féin and Fine Gael. 

Ms McDonald said her party still has “very strong support out on the ground”. 

“For some people, there is now an impatience for change, and almost in some quarters, a weariness and a question mark,” she said. 

“Will change ever actually happen? 

“It boils down to this, when all of the noise is removed, whether you choose for Sinn Fein and a Government led by Sinn Fein that then has to deliver or another five years of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.” 

She also noted that ahead of local and European elections, independent candidates will poll higher, possibly taking numbers from Sinn Féin.