Mary Lou McDonald: 'People are fed up of broken promises from the Government'

The Sinn Féin leader said her party had 'forced the first cracks' between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael

Elsewhere, Ms McDonald called on the Government to do more on the question of Irish unity as the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement approaches in 2028.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called for €400 energy credits, a €500 disability payment, and a permanent cut in the USC that would give workers €500 back.

In her Ard Fheis speech to 2,000 party delegates in the ICC Waterfront in Belfast, Ms McDonald said that people are “sick of being ripped off. Fed-up of broken promises and not being listened to”.

She said that the recent protest was a “backlash against fuel prices, but also, something deeper”.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael believed they could buy-off workers with half-measures,” she said.

“That they had subdued the ordinary people of Ireland. They were wrong.

“People stood up. Challenged those in power. And put them on notice that workers and families can’t take anymore.” 

She called for an emergency budget, which would include a “substantial cut to excise, to make fuel affordable, including the complete removal of carbon tax on home heating oil and green diesel”.

It would also introduce energy credits worth €400, a €500 cost of disability payment, and additional support for social welfare, pensioners, child benefit, and fuel allowance.

“There must be immediate relief for taxpayers, for working people,” Ms McDonald continued.

“The USC – the Fianna Fáil tax, introduced when they crashed the Irish economy is a constant drag on your wages.

“We are calling for a permanent cut in this tax for every worker. Starting with putting €500 back in your pocket.” 

Ms McDonald said that people are “exhausted by rising prices” and “cutting back on heat, food, on the basics”, while being “left high and dry by a government that simply refuses to listen”.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s October budget of €9.4 billion left working people worse off, withdrawing vital cost-of-living supports,” she said.

“They took away energy credits. Piled costs onto struggling families – increased the price of petrol and diesel, property tax and rents, college fees.” 

Unity

Elsewhere, Ms McDonald called on the Government to do more on the question of Irish unity as the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement approaches in 2028.

She reiterated that she believes there can be a referendum by 2030 but warned that preparations must start now.

“Sinn Féin will bring forward legislation before the summer compelling the Irish government to publish a green paper – a detailed discussion on the process of Irish Unity,” Ms McDonald continued.

“And to convene a series of all-Ireland Citizens Assemblies to advance the discussion, the sharing of ideas, and planning for constitutional change.

“Keir Starmer and the British Government cannot hold back progress, cannot stop the march of this nation. They must honour their obligations to hold a unity referendum.” 

She also called for the Government to pass the Occupied Territories Bill in full, stating that there will be “no welcome for the Israeli football team” in Dublin in October as they take on the Republic Of Ireland soccer team.

The Sinn Féin leader also challenged Taoiseach Micheál Martin to hold a referendum on neutrality.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael may have survived Sinn Féin’s motion of no confidence, but they do not have the confidence of the Irish people,” she said.

“They have lost a Minister and a TD. Two men down.

“We were strong enough to take them on. And we forced the first cracks in this government.

“But we need to keep the pressure on. Because we need to get them out.”

• Louise Burne is Political Correspondant with the Irish Examiner