Education
A freely available, accessible, high quality education system is a
human right. Sinn Féin seeks to create a system that informs,
enriches, enables and empowers. We hope to develop understanding and
tolerance among all our people. Education is an investment in the
future. It should encourage critical thinking and promote the quest
for knowledge.
Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Everyone is entitled to access to a quality health service. Health is
the cornerstone of our lives and those of all of our children.
Resources have be restored and increased to expedite effective health
and social services provision. The various forms of discrimination in
hospital provision have to be reversed. All-Ireland co-operation at
all levels will enhance the quality of the health service to the
benefit of all.
Finance and Personnel
There is an obligation to provide fair, co-ordinated government which
commands the confidence of all the people of the Six Counties. Policy
makers, staff and administrations must reflect the political,
cultural, religious, gender and racial diversity of the Six Counties.
The criminalisation and political exclusion of large sections of
Six-County society must be a thing of the past, over and gone forever.
Transparency, inclusivity and equality must be the new watchwords.
Enterprise, Trade and Investment
The transformation of the war economy of the Six Counties into a
productive and developed peacetime economy is central to Sinn Féin
policy. That cannot be simply legislated into existence but requires
fundamental change in the social and economic experience of our
people. That process must empower and be led by local communities. We
must promote the new concept of economic democracy. Sinn Féin believes
that economic, political, social, environmental and cultural aspects
of economic development in Ireland are inextricably linked. That is
why we strive to create a truly all-Ireland economy that can provide
sustainable and dignified livelihoods for all its citizens.
Social Development
Economic empowerment is crucial to the process of urban regeneration
and to the social and physical well-being of communties. All
regeneration strategies must be based on a clear commitment to
democratic accountability and community participation. The elimination
of poverty and the stigma of dependency can be achieved. All citizens
have the right to expect the state to ensure the provision of good
quality housing. The public housing programme needs to be directed at
individuals and areas where needs are greatest.
Culture, Arts and Leisure
Delivering a comprehensive and fully inclusive programme for the
provision of culture, arts and leisure will help to develop social
cohesion, individual and personal development, community empowerment,
identity, imagination and visions, creativity, health and well-being.
All these qualities are fundamentally important so that our children
can grow up to be confident, articulate adults as we create a new
society based on equality and respect.
Agriculture and Rural Development
Farming in Ireland is in crisis. Comprehensive all-Ireland policies in
consultation with rural communities are urgently required. Sinn Féin
wants to keep as many farm families on the land as possible. We
support diversification within agriculture. We see the benefits of
mixed and organic farming methods and we will work to create
alternative employment within the rural community to supplement farm
income.
Regional Development
The efficient development of our cities, towns and townlands must be
guided by transparent and measurable equality targets. Commitments to
inclusion must be established and backed up by effective research and
monitoring of social needs and must be regularly assessed. The
strategic planning of roads, railways, water resources, energy supply
and distribution, ports, airports and telecommunications all lend
themselves to an island-wide approach. This will ensure economic and
social development for the whole country and will eliminate
duplication and other damaging problems long recognised by the
European Union.
Environment
We need a vibrant, empowered system of local government. In Ireland,
local government is one of the most disempowered, neglected and abused
in Europe. As a party, we commit ourselves to the principle of a
sustainable development that does not threaten our own or future
generations. We support policies and legislation that seek to minimise
or eliminate the release of pollutants that may cause environmental
damage to air, water, earth or its inhabitants.
Higher and Further Education
Higher education plays a crucial role in personal development and in
the creation of an open and enlightened society. As economic activity
is increasingly skills-based, individual and community success depends
on access to adult educational opportunities. Opportunities have to be
widened to include sections of society traditionally excluded and
regions of the Six Counties under-represented by higher education
institutions.
Office of the Centre
Among the key attributes which are required to develop good government
are openness, accountability and transparency and allied to these are
the need for consultation and co-ordination between departments. These
principles must be promoted and implemented in the operation of the
Office of the Centre and the actions of the First and Deputy First
Minister.
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Openness, Accountability and Transparency
Sinn Féin has made a number of recommendations regarding the need for
openness and transparancey in government. The party says that all
minutes of meetings should be placed on public record and information
regarding the workings of government must be open to public scrutiny,
including that gathered ostensibly for security reasons. The
establishment of a scrutiny comittee for the Office of the Centre is
recommended. Sinn Féin also supports the establishment of a Department
of Equality with full government authority and dedicated resources,
but in the interim, the party proposes that the Equality Unit report
directly to the Executive.
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