Introduction
The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis kicks off this evening at 6pm in Athlone with TDs, MLAs, MPs and a heap of Councillors making their way to the middle of Ireland for the annual assembly.
Around 190 motions will be proposed and voted upon over the two days, before the Ard Fheis draws to a close on Saturday evening with the Presidential address from party leader Mary Lou McDonald.
What’s the context?
Sinn Féin go into their Ard Fheis in a position of strength both North and South of the border. The latest Lucid Talk poll shows the party has maintained its position as the most popular in Northern Ireland with 31% vote share, although the DUP have closed to within three points recently.
In the Republic, things are looking even better, with a Red C poll showing Sinn Féin’s current share of the vote at 32%, however the party lies a full 12 points ahead of closest rivals Fine Gael.
According to Politico’s ‘Poll of Polls’, support for Sinn Féin has wavered by two points from this time last year in the Republic, and according to Lucid Talk by one point North of the border.
This stability at the top of the popular vote puts them in a very good place ahead of the next Irish general election which must be held before March 2025, but is expected earlier.
Focus is likely to be on the Republic at this Ard Fheis with local and European elections on the horizon.
Business from the Clár
The Clár reinforces Sinn Féin’s intention to lead the Irish Government following the next general election. It lays out plans to deal with the crises in housing, addiction, and the cost-of-living.
First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill MLA will make her keynote speech at 6.50pm on Friday.
Within the Clár, Sinn Féin commits to pursuing the expansion of Magee University, improving infrastructure links and making access to the North West easier.
Elsewhere in infrastructure, the party has reaffirmed its commitment to the Narrow Water Bridge project, recognising the positive impact on tourism in South Down/North Louth.
The crisis in Legal Aid funding in Northern Ireland has been noted by the Ard Fheis as an ongoing challenge to access to justice.
There’s a call for a review of the Housing Growth Indicators 2016–2030 to adequately reflect the housing needs of the North and take account of Sinn Féin’s ambition to see 100,000 plus homes delivered over 15 years.
Key Moments in Ard Fheis Agenda
Friday Evening
18:00 Opening Address – Sorca Clarke TD
18:50 Keynote Address – Michelle O’Neill MLA, Leas-Uachtarán
20:00 Keynote Address - Pearse Doherty TD
Saturday Morning
10:00 Investing in the Future: Climate Action and Energy Security (Motions 78-95)
11:00 A Better, Fairer, Stronger Country: Planning for Irish Unity (Motions 96-102)
Saturday Afternoon / Evening
12:00 Time For Change – Keynote speeches carried by RTÉ
18:30 Presidential Address – Mary Lou McDonald TD, Uachtará
On the Economy
At a recent Sinn Fein business breakfast in Cookstown, likely incoming Economy Minister in the North, Conor Murphy MLA, stated that SF had 4 objectives for the Department for the Economy - Good jobs; Promote regional balance; Raise productivity; Reducing carbon emissions.
He also outlined what he called their ‘Comprehensive Policy Framework’ which would include the likes of:
New network of regional offices of Invest NI
Working better with startups and Further Education colleges
Need to do more to address shortages of workers and skills
High cost of childcare - developing a scheme
Skills academies - more / better careers advice connected to local businesses
Wider remit for InterTrade Ireland
Greater focus on cluster development across a range of businesses
Taking advantage of post Brexit dual access All-island economy