Sinn Fein Seeks Place in Gov’t

By Paddy Clancy

SINN Fein delegates made clear at their Ard Fheis (national conference) in Dublin last weekend that participation in government on both sides of the border in the short term is their priority aim.

The prospective of power-sharing in the North is just weeks away following the Assembly elections on March 7, and the party leadership is convinced that a role in government in Dublin cannot be far behind.

With polls showing they could hold the balance of power in the Republic, the party was clearly in buoyant mood at the conference. Any hint that Sinn Fein wasn’t interested in government was quickly stamped down.

TD (Irish Parliament) member Caoimhghin O Caolain spearheaded the challenge to a motion from a branch in Bandon, Co. Cork that sought to rule out coalition with Fianna Fail after the general election.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said there should be “no doubt” about the determination to hold Cabinet seats in Dublin and quickly, not just some day in the distant future.

“Sinn Fein wants to be in government in both parts of this island because that is a means to fulfill our historic mission to bring about a truly national republic and a truly national government,” Adams said.

He made intense efforts to remove lingering fears among undecided voters that support for Sinn Fein could mean a discreet nod and wink that violence might still be an acceptable weapon in the organization’s arsenal in pursuit of its ultimate aim of a united Ireland.

“The war is over,” he said. “The peace must be built. We are the peace-builders.”

He still paid the traditional conference tribute to IRA activities. “Our struggle is rooted in their sacrifice. But those heroes were always about the future,” he said.

The conference theme of preparation for government on both sides of the border was viewed by commentators as a mite optimistic.

But many Sinn Fein delegates repeatedly expressed the view that a share of government alongside the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in the North, a strong likelihood in the next few weeks, will generate increased support for the party in the south’s general election due by June.

On the North, Adams squarely placed responsibility for continuing progress of the peace process there on Ian Paisley and his DUP. They must decide whether they are prepared to share power with Sinn Fein on March 26.

Adams told delegates, “I hope they are. Irish Republicans have been enormously patient with the DUP, because we want them to be part of the process of creating a better future for all of our people.”

He added that what he described as Sinn Fein’s “strategic and tolerant approach” should not be mistaken for political weakness.

“Let me be absolutely clear. If the DUP refuses to join with the rest of us in the political process then the process will move on without them,” Adams said.

“They have no veto. They cannot stop the process of change. Ian Paisley asked for this election. He has a duty to accept the outcome.”

A major part of the “strategic and tolerant approach” mentioned by Adams included Sinn Fein’s decision less than six weeks ago to accord conditional support to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

There were attempts by some delegates to reopen the issue. Motions from branches of the party in Tyrone and Fermanagh committing the party to withholding any support for the police until Ireland was united, or least demonstrably close to it, were voted down by overwhelming majorities.

In all, seven motions opposed to the policy of support for the police were either voted down or withdrawn after justice and policing spokesman Gerry Kelly appealed for party unity on the matter.

“Having effectively put our political opponents behind the eight-ball, these motions would let them off the hook and give them a platform upon which to attack us,” Kelly said.

“After such an historic move by Republicans it would be foolhardy, to say the least, for delegates to let these motions go through.”

A multi-billion dollar financial carrot for the continued pursuit of democratic means towards a lasting peace has been dangled by both the British and Irish governments and Adams alluded to it at the conference.

He said negotiations on the amount and how it will be dispersed are due to open this month.

He said he and other party leaders expected to meet within weeks for talks with British Chancellor Gordon Brown, Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern and Dublin Finance Minister Brian Cowen.

A senior Irish government source confirmed, “Serious money, more than $1.3 billion, is available if a stable administration can be formed in the North involving Unionist and Nationalist parties.”