Voters must count cost of claims

TODAY’S analysis by the Irish Examiner of Sinn Féin’s economic policies represents the first serious study of its kind aimed at assessing the impact on the Exchequer of the republican party’s vision of Ireland.

The political landscape has changed profoundly since the party's popularity surge in the local elections and it looks set to make major Dáil gains in the next General Election.

As long as it retains a private army, there should be no question of Sinn Féin entering government. But it would be foolhardy to deny it could yet be a key player in a future coalition arrangement, arguably with Fianna Fáil. For this reason, it crucial to put the cost of Sinn Féin's political programme under the microscope.