SF pledges help for first-time buyers

New proposals to help first-time home buyers get on the property ladder will be unveiled by Sinn Féin at its Ard Fheis this weekend, it emerged tonight.

As other parties make pre-election tax cutting pledges, Sinn Féin will woo voters with new policy ideas on housing, health, road safety and worker rights.

Trade union officials and the leader of the political wing of Spanish terror group ETA will share the podium in the RDS as guest speakers.

Sinn Féin aims to field candidates in most constituencies for the general election, expected in May.

Party MEP and Dublin Central candidate Mary Lou McDonald said today: “We will set out proposals to end the crisis in the health service, a new innovative housing policy document, a road-safety initiative and an extensive document on worker rights.”

“We will also discuss key motions relating to the restoration of the political institutions in Northern Ireland and preparations for Irish unity.”

This year’s ard fheis has been shortened from three to two days because supporters will travel to the North on Sunday for last-minute campaigning before the March 7 elections for the Stormont Assembly.

The event will be addressed tomorrow by Siptu president Jack O’Connor and Unison union official Patricia McKeown.

The leader of the Basque Batasuna party, Arnaldo Otegi, and ANC representative Ronnie Kasrils are guest speakers on Saturday.