Transition after Adams’ departure as key as party role in peace process

I have a sense this may be Gerry Adams’ last Christmas as leader of Sinn Féin, but only because he chooses it to be, writes Gerard Howlin.

The Dáil will rise on Friday until January 17. Santa Claus will come, and the last real truth in our post-fact society will be celebrated. If Santa Claus were to be unmasked, what would be left? Barbie dolls have replaced the baby Jesus. 2016, like 1966, marked the culmination and the end of an era. Our own general election was the aftershock, which, after the earthquake of 2011, ended a system that endured, albeit with permeations, since 1932. Abroad, Brexit and Donald Trump have only begun the unravelling of assumed certainties. Still, some do continue.

One that does is Gerry Adams. He may choose to retire as Sinn Féin leader, but he won’t be dispatched. None of the eddying in the media whirlpool is even mildly consequential. Indeed, far from being an impetus for his departure, it has always reinforced the resolve not to allow Sinn Féin be buffered by commentary it knows full well is fundamentally hostile to it.