Sinn Féin has promised to raise the minimum wage and reduce the cost of insurance if elected to government.

The party is meeting in Co Derry on Saturday for its Ard Fheis.

Free public transport for children and an increase in local Gardaí are also some of the pre-election promises.

The countdown to an Irish general election and four by-elections top the agenda.

Brexit, Irish unity and a general election in the UK are also in the spotlight.

Around 2,000 delegates will also vote on the party's deputy leadership.

The party has outlined 166 motions to debate solutions for critical issues facing citizens across the island of Ireland.

Party leader Mary Lou McDonald will deliver a keynote speech later.

A fringe meeting will also take place to discuss the economic merits of a united Ireland with Seamus McGuinness, professor of economic research at the ESRI.

The Ard Fheis is also debating issues such as the cost of insurance, the cost of childcare, rents and the need to deliver a large-scale public housing programme.

Finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said addressing rising insurance costs will be a priority.

"Sinn Féin is the party that will end the insurance rip-off, we are the party that will take on this industry.

"We'll reduce costs by banning dual pricing that is hitting and hurting loyal, vulnerable customers with artificially high premiums.

"We're the party that will make sure that my Insurance Contracts Bill, that increases protection for policyholders, becomes law".