SF Launch 'Vision For Fair And Sustainable Recovery' Election Manifesto

Sinn Féin has launched its "vision for a fair and sustainable recovery", which it has said is an "alternative to the boom and bust policies of the current and previous governments".

Launching the manifesto, Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, said: "The Sinn Féin manifesto is a plan for change. It is a plan for a sustainable and fair recovery. We believe that citizens have fundamental rights which the Government has a responsibility to deliver.

"Instead of delivering a democratic revolution, Fine Gael and Labour have brought chaos to the lives of our citizens. Now Enda Kenny is committed to the reckless boom and bust policies of Fianna Fáil. He doesn't believe in a citizen-centred, rights-based society.

"In this election citizens have a real choice. They will decide whether a new government invests in building a just and fair society or whether it rewards high earners and the elites.

"We have a plan for a fair recovery that grows the economy and brings stability to the lives of individuals and working families. In Government Sinn Féin would abolish Water Charges and the Family Home Tax. We would take nearly 300,000 citizens out of the USC net.

"Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour have all sought to privatise our public health system. Sinn Féin's plan is to move from the two-tier, public-private system to a universal health service, free at the point of delivery to all citizens as a right.

"The current housing and homelessness crisis happened because Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour refused to invest in social and affordable housing.There are now 90,000 households on local authority waiting lists, 5,000 people homeless, including 1,500 children.

"Sinn Féin believes in the right to a home. We are committed to building 100,000 social and affordable homes and to guaranteeing rent certainty. Sinn Fein has a plan to deliver 250,000 jobs over the next five years.

"Sinn Féin also wants to see far-reaching reform of the political system. In the time ahead we will seek to deliver a referendum on a united Ireland. We will introduce northern representation to the Dáil, and extend Presidential voting rights to citizens in the north and the Diaspora. We will introduce a Green Paper on Irish Unity.

"2016 is a time to deliver on the promise of the 1916 Proclamation. Ireland is a small country – all 32 counties. It is a wonderful place to live in.

"The Taoiseach wants it to be the best place in the world to do business in. We are more ambitious for our people. We want Ireland to be the best place to grow up in, to grow old in, to enjoy life in.

"For the first time since the foundation of this State, there is an opportunity to elect a progressive, Sinn Féin-led Government which place the rights of citizens at the centre of Government decision making."

(MH/CD)