Adams blasts Dail opposition

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has accused Fine Gael and the Labour Party of being involved in a “cosy political consensus” with what was probably the most unpopular Government in the history of the state.

He said only Sinn Fein offered an alternative way forward.

Congratulating Pearse Doherty on his selection as candidate to contest the Donegal South West by-election, Adams told several hundred delegates gathered in Gortahork that the Sinn Fein Senator was “part of an emerging, young and dynamic leadership of Sinn Fein in the 26 Counties constructing a radical republican alternative to the failed politics of the establishment”.

“Probably the most unpopular government in the history of this state is now implementing policies for which it has no mandate”, Gerry Adams said.

“This Government is now putting the final touches to a budget focused primarily on making up the exchequer deficit by cutting public services. This will only make the country’s current difficulties worse.”

The Sinn Fein leader said that those who led Ireland into the current economic crisis are not the ones to lead people out of it.

“This tired Government has no vision for Ireland’s future. It is a discredited administration, no longer fit for purpose”, he said, adding:

“Fine Gael and Labour will make the exact same cuts to public services and infrastructure spending that the current government is planning. Someone needs to shout stop.”

Mr Adams made his comments amid suggestions by the Green Party that the mainstream 26-County political parties could arrive at a consensus for a shock four-year budget plan to almost completely eliminate Ireland’s budget deficit by 2014.

The government-by-consensus plan has added to a sense of confusion over the intentions of the embattled coalition government.

Adams said Sinn Fein offered a political alternative to the cosy consensus that now exists between Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour, “all of whom think it is a good idea to cut 3 billion euro” from public expenditure in December’s budget, which he said would merely deepen the recession and lead to further job losses.

He said Sinn Fein would launch budget proposals next month as an alternative to the policy of “slash and burn”.

“We are arguing for a stimulus package to create jobs and help ordinary people.

“Sinn Fein is also calling on people across Ireland to take to the streets of Dublin on 4th December to pressurise the government in advance of the budget.

“It is time to make a stand”.

Meanwhile, Senator Pearse Doherty is preparing for a legal challenge against the Dublin government’s refusal to hold the Donegal South West by-election.

The challenge is expected to go before the High Court in Dublin on October 18th, if the date for the Donegal South West by-election is not officially set by then.

“For too long Donegal has been abandoned by politicians, government and big business,” said Doherty, accepting the nomination.

“To add to that abandonment, the government has refused, for over a year now, to grant full political representation to the south and west of the county.

“For a political party to suspend democracy on the basis of opinion polls that don’t suit them is a scandal.

“For this reason that I am proceeding with my legal challenge to force the government into giving us our election.

“My message to Brian Cowen is this - call the date or I’ll see you in court.”

Urgent Appeal