Sinn Féin launches 'significant intervention' on immigration with new policy

Mary Lou McDonald said Coolock is not a location that Sinn Féin would have chosen to open an accommodation centre as it is one of the most deprived communities in the country

At the launch on Tuesday afternoon, party leader Mary Lou McDonald said the party is not in campaign mode and the policy is simply an effort to clarify its stance for voters.

Sinn Féin's newly launched immigration policy has been billed as a "significant intervention" from the party but denies it is a pitch for votes ahead of the general election.

Following the local and European elections, Sinn Féin was criticised for its perceived mixed messaging around the issues of migration during the campaign. At the launch on Tuesday afternoon, party leader Mary Lou McDonald said the party is not in campaign mode and the policy is simply an effort to clarify its stance for voters.