Republican News · Thursday 22 April 1999

[An Phoblacht]

Sinn Féin set for Euro gains

Sinn Féin officially launched its candidates for the forthcoming European Union elections this week. The party is confident of making major gains in June in both the European and local elections. The candidates, announcved at a press conference in Dublin on Wednesday, 21 April, are Seán Crowe in Dublin, Mitchel McLaughlin in the Six Counties, Martin Ferris in Munster, Seán MacManus in Connacht/Ulster and Arthur Morgan in Leinster.

Sinn Féin is the only political paty which will contest all five EU electoral areas in Ireland on 11 June. The party's position is one of engaging with the European Union and its institutions in a critical manner. For republicans, the question is about what kind of Europe we want and how best this can be achieved, particularly in relation to key policy areas - EMU, CAP, Agenda 2000, regional policy, the environment, and social inclusion. Sinn Féin is committed to:

  • Working for reform and restructuring of the European Union
  • Advancing national democracy and economic and social justice
  • Defending Irish sovereignty and maintaining neutrality
  • Opposing membership of the NATO-led Partnership for Peace
  • Promoting a 32-County political and economic identity in the EU
  • Forging political alliances with other like-minded parties and struggles in the best interests of Ireland

The EU elections come at a critical time both in the search for a lasting peace in Ireland and in the development of Ireland's relationship with the rest of Europe. Sinn Féin wants to see a Europe representative of its people and not the Europe of today that is dominated by the larger states and transnational companies in whose interests it acts.

Sinn Féin wishes to see Europe defending democratic rights not eroding them, a Europe that will promote equality across the EU in terms of the rights of women, children, the disadvantaged and the aged.

Sinn Féin's vision is to transform politics in Ireland. This means both the achievement of Irish unity and the replacement of the old, conservative politics that have dominated the political landscape here. This is the party's committment in the upcoming elections.

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