A Government led by Sinn Féin without Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil is the “best outcome” for Ireland, according to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.
Giving the keynote speech at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis yesterday evening, Ms McDonald said the party’s “ambition is to lead Government in the south”.
“A new government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil for the first time in a hundred years – just imagine that,” she said.
“That would be the very best outcome from the General Election.
“Of course, the people will make that call - it’s your decision.
“We’ll work hard to win your trust, your support, and your vote to elect enough Sinn Féin TDs to form a government for change.”
Sinn Féin-Fianna Fáil coalition
Sinn Féin members have been asked several times if the party would be willing to form a Government with other parties.
In an interview with Sky News on Thursday, Ms McDonald said her preference is a Government without Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael – but she “also knows to form a Government, the numbers need to add up”.
A recent poll suggested that Sinn Féin would not be able to form a Government without support from Fianna Fáil as it predicted the opposition party would gain 67 seats in the next election, while Fianna Fáil will gain 35.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, however, said in September that his party’s policies are “incompatible” with Sinn Féin.
“They would not be our first choice at all,” he said.
"The people will decide in terms of the numbers, but we will stick to our policies and we will negotiate on the basis of our policy platform.”
Housing
In her address yesterday, Ms McDonald also said “home ownership had collapsed for an entire generation” under the current Government.
“House prices sky-high, rip-off rents, adults living with their parents into their thirties,” she said.
“We need a new government to bring energy, pace, and the plan to fix housing.
“Sinn Féin will build genuinely affordable homes, build enough of them, get the targets right, increase capital expenditure.”
