Gerry Adams says Sinn Féin expects to win three seats in the forthcoming general election and win or lose others by a handful of votes. "We are fighting every seat to win. Let's see how the campaign plays out," he said. Adams was speaking at the launch of the party's general election campaign at the party's head office in Dublin on Monday, 29 April.
Adams was accompanied by Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central), Mairéad Keane (Wicklow), Director of Elections Lucilita Breathnach, Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin West), Seán Crowe (Dublin South West) and Arthur Morgan (Louth).
When asked by journalists about Bertie Ahern's negative comments about coalition with Sinn Féin, Adams said that no one believed Ahern or any other Taoiseach-to-be would not come looking for Sinn Féin's support "if it comes down to it and if we have that mandate". He added that Ahern had also said the government's greatest single achievement had been the Good Friday Agreement and "no one underestimates the role played by Sinn Féin in that, so the Taoiseach's position is not credible".
"The big difference between this and previous election campaigns is the Sinn Féin challenge to the other parties," he told reporters. "Sinn Féin has been central to the agenda for change on this island."
"We are now the largest nationalist party in the north, the only all-Ireland party on the island, and we are standing 37 candidates in 34 constituencies in this election," said Adams.
"Sinn Féin is now poised to make a significant breakthrough and translate our potential into political strength in Leinster House.
"We are contesting this election as part of our effort to strengthen the peace process and under the banner 'Building an Ireland of Equals'.
"The issue of equality is central to what we believe in and we will be challenging all of the other parties and putting this issue centre stage during this campaign.
"So far this election has been dominated by bickering and posturing between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Their manifestos are classic examples of the politics of election promises. But in between elections over the last ten years Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, along with their surrogates in the PD and Labour parties have managed to widen the gap between the rich and the poor.
They have invested in the wealthy, instead of health, education and infrastructure. They have had their opportunity and they failed.
"All of this needs to be changed. Everyone needs to be treated as equals.
"So Sinn Fein will be seeking support for:
- Our peace strategy
- The full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
- A peaceful and democratic strategy for Irish unity
- Complete reform of the health service and education
- Provision of quality, affordable childcare
- Radical action to solve the housing crisis
- A policy of positive neutrality
- Uphold the Nice Treaty referendum result
- A strategy for rural development
"Clearly, if there is to be the type of fundamental changes that are required; if a fair and equal society is to be created, then there needs to be an alternative to those conservative parties which have dominated politics in this state since partition.
"That alternative has to bring together all those progressive elements, which want to shape an Ireland of equals.
"Many people are disillusioned by the way politics have been conducted here, by the revelations of corruption and the increase in poverty. Others are active in the community and voluntary sector. Some are part of the other political parties. All of us must find some way of coming together to transform this island, to share the wealth and to uplift the disadvantaged and the deprived.
"Sinn Féin does not pretend to have all of the answers but we do want to be the lead party in offering an alternative vision and we are committed to help bring it about. That is what Irish republicanism is really about.
"So our project in this election is about building the peace process, building Irish unity, while at the same time shaping the agenda so that this society can go forward on the principles of social and economic equality.
"I have no doubt from the response I and my colleagues have been receiving that there is huge goodwill towards Sinn Féin. Our task in the next few weeks is to convert that good will into votes. I am confident we will do that."
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