Sinn Féin party members have gathered in Howth in Co Dublin for an Autumn meeting of their elected representatives.
Opening the meeting, party leader Gerry Adams dismissed Mary Harney's decision to step down as leader of the Progressive Democrats as politically irrelevant.
Mr Adams also insisted that once it received a mandate, Sinn Féin would be ready for Government with any party whose aims were compatible with theirs. He said the issue of his party in office in the Republic was a question of when and not if.
With Fianna Fáil making overtures to potential partners, Mr Adams would not say whether Sinn Féin had been approached but he stressed that his party was an agent for change and had a radical vision for Ireland both north and south
He said there was real anger about the Government's handling of the economy and the health services.
Today's one-day session is centered on plans for the election and preparations for next month’s talks in Northern Ireland.
