Sinn Féin cleared for coalition talks with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil

Sinn Féin delegates have voted to allow the party to negotiate with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil after the next election — despite insisting they still want to prioritise forming a “left-wing government” with other parties.

The decision was made during an amended motion on the first day of the party’s annual ard fheis in Belfast last night, which initially said the “only objective” of the party should be a left-wing coalition.

Speaking as Sinn Féin sources strongly indicated they are likely to ditch plans to table a no confidence motion in Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy if there are significant policy changes in the October budget, delegates backed plans to allow negotiations with all parties after the election.