Manifesto for a vital election
Speaking at the launch of Sinn Féin's manifesto on Wednesday 17
June, Gerry Adams said ``While all elections are important, this
one has added significance given the strong endorsement of the
Good Friday Agreement and the sense of hope which is evident
throughout Ireland. The challenge now is to translate that vote
for change into support for those parties who can deliver real
change''.
He added: ``Irish Republicans are proud to be at the forefront of
the changing political landscape of Irish politics. It was Sinn
Fein's peace strategy which created the present opportunity for
peace and it will be our presence in the Assembly, in the
executive and on the all-Ireland Ministerial Council which will
make the difference in delivering real change. Sinn Fein intend
to push the Good Friday Agreement to its limit and beyond.
``We intend to maximise the all-Ireland dimension, to pursue the
establishment of a new policing service, the release of all
political prisoners, equality and funding for the Irish language,
a new judiciary and civil service which respects all citizens.
This party is ready for government.''
Other priority issues include: A comprehensive programme to
tackle the rising drugs problem, environmental strategy which
encourages recycling and re-use, a major investment in the health
service to modernise our hospitals and upgrade their services,
greater resourcing of youth services and provision of proper
services and funding for carers.
Talking of the establishment of the Assembly and the all-Ireland
ministerial council, Gerry Adams said: ``We want to turn the new
institutions into power houses which will shape a new political
future''.
Sinn Fein international department director and West Belfast
candidate Bairbre de Brun added that Sinn Féin was the party that
counted the most women standing for the Assembly elections.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)