Good nightpublished at 19:34 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
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Summary
Sinn Féin held its party's ard fheis (annual conference) in Dublin.
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald gave the keynote speech.
Deputy leader Michelle O'Neill addressed the crowd this afternoon and accused the DUP of refusing to return to power-sharing at Stormont because an Irish nationalist would be first minister.
Sinn Féin became the biggest party at Stormont after an election in May, meaning Ms O'Neill is entitled to be first minister.
The party is the largest in opposition in the Republic of Ireland, where recent polls have pointed to rising support.
Good nightpublished at 19:34 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
In conclusion...published at 19:31 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
To roaring applause Mary Lou McDonald is joined arm-in-arm by deputy leader, Michelle O'Neill, signalling the end of her address.
Key points from the speech:
- Ms McDonald started by declaring a "new dawn" was breaking on Ireland
- She said Russia must end its war against Ukraine, saying "the journey to peace must start now"
- Ms McDonald extended her sympathy to the people of Creeslough, County Donegal, where an explosion killed 10 people last month
- Praise for "the woman from Tyrone" Michelle O'Neill and said change cannot be stopped by the DUP "who refuse to accept the result of an election"
- Criticised the UK government for "dithering"
- Said the Conservative party have brought the UK "to the brink of financial ruin"
- Accused Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of being "so joined at the hip" that it doesn’t matter to them which leader is taoiseach (Irish prime minister)
- Called for affordable housing, a national health service and a push towards renewable energy
- Criticised the government in the Republic of Ireland for its response to cost-of-living issues
- Said that Ireland has three big opportunities this decade: the reunification of the country; the achievement of energy independence; and the power of the country's young people
'We will do it together'published at 18:57 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
Image caption, Mary Lou McDonald embraces Michelle O'Neill at the end of her speech
And finally, Mary Lou McDonald says there is a future worth believing in.
“I say we can do it.
“I say we must do it.
“I say we will do it.
“And, my friends, we will do it together.”
'Let’s build the nation home for all'published at 18:56 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
The party leader heads towards the end of her speech with a rousing call.
"Let’s choose courage, ambition, belief.
“Let’s be the generation that finally unites our country and our people.
“Let’s build the nation home for all.
“No one left out. No one left behind.”
'A new leadership with fresh ideas'published at 18:55 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
Ms McDonald says her party is ready to lead the transition.
“We need the right leadership. A new leadership with fresh ideas. “Sinn Féin is ready to provide that leadership, ready to lead government, north and south.
“We have the team, the policies, the energy to build that better future.”
'This is your place, this is your home'published at 18:54 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
The Sinn Féin leader wants to reassure those who fear change.
“Some are apprehensive about Irish Unity. I want you to know that in a new Ireland you will be cherished, included, respected as equal citizens.
"This is your place, this is your home. Be part of shaping its future.
“Others say yes to unity, but not now. They’re wrong. The time to plan for peaceful, democratic constitutional change is now.”
'The end days of partition'published at 18:53 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
Image source, Getty Images“We live in the end days of partition, on the cusp of an historic opportunity – the reunification of our country and our people.
"Shaping a future for everyone, moving forward in the belief that there is no ‘them’. There is only ‘us’.”
Ireland's 'energy revolution'published at 18:52 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
Image source, Getty ImagesThe party leader says Ireland must achieve energy security and energy independence.
“We can achieve this by harnessing our abundant renewable resources, building our capacity in wind, solar and green hydrogen.
"The state must make Ireland’s energy revolution a priority.
“Energy independence will be a game changer for Ireland, transforming our economy, creating new jobs, opportunity, prosperity.
“Central in turning the tide of climate change and achieving a just transition.”
People with mortgages have been 'walloped' by interest ratespublished at 18:50 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
She criticises the government in the Republic of Ireland for its response to cost-of-living issues.
“Government had to be forced into action by the opposition and by public pressure. Forced to curb soaring fuel, gas and electricity prices.
“Forced to introduce a winter eviction ban. Forced to provide relief for renters.
Image source, Getty Images“Now they drag their heels as mortgage-holders are walloped with massive interest rate hikes.”
Affordable housing and healthcarepublished at 18:49 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
The party leader criticises the government in the Republic of Ireland for its record on housing provision.
“Government after government has failed on housing, that’s the truth," she says.
"Targets set, targets missed. Deadlines set, deadlines missed. Big on promises, short on delivery.
Image source, Getty Images“Young people are calling this out, and we will work with them to deliver the biggest affordable and social housing programme that Ireland has even seen.”
She also calls for “a national health service for the whole of Ireland”.
Inclusion and equalitypublished at 18:48 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
Image source, Getty ImagesStaying on the subject of young people, Ms McDonald says “they know Ireland’s success must be driven by inclusion and equality".
“That there’s a seat at the table for everyone. For our traveller community, our ethnic communities, our citizens with disabilities, for our LGBTQ+ citizens.
“No words of hate from any pulpit or stage will set us back or divide this generation.”
Younger generation 'brimming with talent'published at 18:48 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
Ms McDonald speaks once more of the issues being faced by the younger generation.
“Our young people are brimming with talent, ideas, and energy. Yet those in their twenties and thirties will likely be the first generation worse off than their parents.
“That’s not right. We must renew the promise that if you work hard, you can get ahead and build a good life.”
Opportunitiespublished at 18:46 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
Ms McDonald says she believes the current generation has the answers to the big questions facing Ireland.
“Ireland has three big opportunities this decade: the reunification of our country; the achievement of energy independence; and the power of our young people.”
Conservatives 'have no right' to tell Ireland how to rulepublished at 18:45 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
The party leader says the Conservative government cares little about Ireland.
“They can’t run their own country without bringing it to the brink of financial ruin. They certainly have no right to tell the people of Ireland how to run ours.
“They attack the Good Friday Agreement - an agreement that has delivered 25 years of peace, a peace won and defended by our partners Europe, in the United States of America and beyond.
“They disgracefully seek amnesty for their troops and deny victims of the conflict justice.
“They attack the protocol - an agreement that protects livelihoods and our economy.”
'Political hokey-pokey'published at 18:44 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
Ms McDonald refers to the position of the governing parties in the Republic of Ireland as “political hokey-pokey”.
“Change can’t be stopped by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, now so joined at the hip that it doesn’t matter to them which leader is taoiseach (Irish prime minister), so long as it’s one of them.
“Leo leaves, Micheál goes in. Micheál leaves next month, Leo goes back in.
“In, out. In, out.”
UK government 'dithering'published at 18:42 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
Turning to the role of the government in Westminster, the Sinn Féin leader says “British government dithering must end".
"They must immediately bring clarity, a timetable for concluding negotiations with the European Union and the restoration of the executive.
“But whatever happens, be clear that a return to direct rule from London is not an option. Working together is the only way forward.”
Change 'can't be stopped by the DUP'published at 18:41 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says he will not change his stance on power-sharing until issues with the protocol have been resolved
Mary Lou McDonald says change “can’t be stopped by the DUP who refuse to accept the result of an election and prevent the formation of an executive”.
She says the DUP “left workers, families and businesses without support”.
“The people of the north deserve, need, demand a government that works for them," the party leader adds.
"This stalemate cannot continue."
A changing Irelandpublished at 18:41 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
The party leader says there is now no turning back and, once again, calls for change.
“There is now no job in the land off limits to anyone. The days of second-class citizenship are over.
“A new generation moves together, to a new Ireland where everyone has the chance to realise their dreams, to push the boundaries, to exceed expectations, to succeed, to change Ireland.”
'The spirit for change'published at 18:39 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
Mary Lou McDonald says the demand for change in Ireland is strong and growing.
She says that 100 years ago Ireland was traumatised by partition, divided by bitter civil war.
“A century on, we strive for a nation that honours and learns from its past but is not held back by it.
"This spirit for change was so powerfully expressed in May’s Assembly Election.
Image source, Getty Images“Sinn Féin emerged as the largest party. For the first time, a republican, a nationalist, a woman from Tyrone, was elected as first minister in a state designed to ensure that this could never happen.”
'The heartbreak of the empty chair'published at 18:38 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2022
The party leader expresses her sympathy for the people of Creeslough, the County Donegal village where 10 people died in an explosion on 7 October.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mary Lou McDonald visited Creeslough, in County Donegal
“In Donegal, following the tragedy in Creeslough, families face the heartbreak of the empty chair. We can only imagine the enormity of your loss. Know that you are not alone.
“The nation wraps its arms around you. The outpouring of sympathy for Creeslough stretched far beyond our shores in acts of solidarity and condolence from the Irish abroad.”