Sinn Féin ‘not selling out’ in pitch for power

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has insisted her party cannot be ignored by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, and must be considered a genuine potential coalition partner whenever the next election is held.

Ms McDonald made her pitch for power as she moved to assure left-wing voters that Sinn Féin is not turning into “some sell-out outfit” and will only enter coalition if it can be sure its policies can be introduced.

In a keynote speech on Saturday night, during her first ard fheis since replacing Gerry Adams as Sinn Féin leader earlier this year, Ms McDonald said that, after the next election, “Sinn Féin will talk to all political parties and Independents”.