Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that the countdown is on to the general election.
In her keynote address to the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis she launched a blistering attack on the Taoiseach who she accused of breaking a promise made seven years ago to cut waiting times for children awaiting spinal surgery.
Mary Lou McDonald said too that Simon Harris had greenlighted the contract that is costing the taxpayer billions for the most expensive hospital in the world and presided over a security hut for €1.4 million, and the infamous bicycle shelter.
The Sinn Féin leader reiterated the party's pledge to deliver 300,000 new homes, cut rents, and to reduce childcare costs to €10 per day.
There was also a new commitment to abolish the means test for carers.
"To Ireland’s carers, we see you, we hear you, we recognise you, but above all else, we thank you," she said.
On the fraught issue of immigration, Mary Lou McDonald said that community, fairness, and common sense must be at the heart of how it is managed.
"The system must be resourced, applications dealt with quickly and fairly.
"IPAS Centres must not be located in working class communities struggling to survive. That’s not reasonable or fair," she told the Ard Fheis.
Preparing for Irish unity was a key theme during this two-day gathering and if elected to government the party would establish a Citizens Assembly, appoint a Minister for reunification at the Department of An Taoiseach, along with a clear-cut commitment to holding referendums.
