Time right for a fundamental realignment of Irish politics

As I write this, the results of the EU and local government elections are not yet complete. However, one thing is very clear — Sinn Féin has a had a historic result, North and South.

Voters have endorsed Sinn Féin’s message that there is a fairer way to organise our economy and society which is rights-based and citizen-centred.

The island-wide election result is also an endorsement of Sinn Féin’s message of the need to reinvigorate the Peace Process and for an agreed, united Ireland.

Sinn Féin’s newly-elected MEPs will stand up first and foremost in the interests of Ireland and all our citizens, while our councillors will fight for genuine community interests which put the needs of citizens first.

Voters have very clearly rejected the austerity agenda of Fine Gael, Labour, and Fianna Fáil.

It’s very likely that this Government, not least as a result of these elections, will not see out its full term.

Although Labour and Fine Gael will hang in as long as possible, Sinn Féin begins fighting the next general election now.

Recent times have exposed serious failings in many of the institutions of Irish life. There is a great demand for real change in society, in the economy and in public life. But what is also clear is that politics in Ireland must change too.

Some combination of Fine Gael, Labour, and Fianna Fáil has been in government since the foundation of this State. The old way of doing politics, as practiced by these parties, has clearly failed.

The way in which ordinary citizens are still being forced to pay for the actions of bankers, developers and politicians is deeply unfair.

Banking debt, unemployment, emigration, a raft of new taxes, cuts to services and social supports are crushing the hope of Irish citizens and damaging the wellbeing of society.

Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil clearly do not have the answers to the problems this State faces in 2014.These parties have formed a damaging consensus for cuts and austerity.

What is now required and what Sinn Féin has advocated is a fundamental realignment of Irish politics.

Ireland needs new leaders, with new ideas and a new direction. The EU and local government elections can be the beginning of a real transformation of the political landscape.

The Fine Gael/Labour Government came to power in 2011 promising an end to cronyism and greater transparency and accountability. However, over the past three years, citizens have watched it implement the Fianna Fáil austerity agenda to the letter. They have also seen this Government adapt the worst of Fianna Fáil’s ways in terms of doing political business.

Citizens are incensed at the way Fine Gael and Labour made, and then broke, election promises.

The explanation for this was given by Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte, when he said: “Well, you tend to say things like this during an election campaign.”

That statement sums up what Sinn Féin seeks to change in Irish politics.

Over the past three years in the Dáil Sinn Féin has put forward realistic, credible, and costed alternative economic policies that are all about fairness.

We have been working hard to challenge and to change the deep-rooted, toxic political culture in this State which has led to the series of political scandals we have recently witnessed.

Sinn Féin’s approach is about making the necessary deficit adjustment without harming families or frontline services, by asking the wealthiest to pay more and by cutting waste from public spending.

Irish citizens fully understand the challenges caused by the economic collapse and are prepared to shoulder their share of the burden of readjustment.

What people rightly resent is the unfair way in which this is being done.

The property tax, water tax, the removal of medical cards, compulsory private health insurance, cuts to social supports, mortgage distress, and a lack of social housing have pushed families and citizens to the limit.

Nobody can say the removal of medical cards from seriously ill children is an acceptable political choice.

Sinn Féin seeks a society and an economy that is run in the interests of all our citizens, not vested interests or golden circles.

We also want to strengthen and reinvigorate the Peace Process and to build an agreed, united Ireland.

We seek a historic and inclusive accommodation between Orange and Green in a New Republic which respects all our people in all of their diversity.

Among our priorities are real jobs, fair taxation, investment in communities, more social housing, and far-reaching reform of politics and public institutions, including the justice system and the gardaí.

For Sinn Féin, politics is not a game or a career choice. It is about saying what you mean and meaning what you say. It is about changing the lives of citizens for the better.

One-party rule in the North has gone and two- and-a-half party rule in this State is going also. Sinn Féin is now a major player in both states on this island with policies, objectives, and an expanding organisation which transcends partition. People throughout this State are hoping for better representation. Increasingly they are looking to Sinn Féin. We intend to give those citizens hope for the future of this country.

Sinn Féin is not interested in winning seats for the sake of it. We seek political office only to bring about change in our country and in the lives of our citizens. We have a political vision and work to do to deliver a fairer, better Ireland.

For more in depth updates and analysis on the fallout from this year's election and access to our comprehensive results database visit our special Election 2014 section.