:00:19. > :00:26.Great to see you all here in this Berlin centre for our manifesto
:00:27. > :00:30.launch. I think whatever way, when it comes to-of-ly election we say
:00:31. > :00:34.this election is the most crucial, this is the most important election,
:00:35. > :00:37.but I think that we honestly can't understate the huge importance of
:00:38. > :00:42.this election. The political stakes are absolutely
:00:43. > :00:46.very high, this is probably the most important election of a lifetime. It
:00:47. > :00:52.begs the question why. Because it comes on the back of the March
:00:53. > :00:56.Assembly election which saw people re-engage in politics through the
:00:57. > :01:00.ballot box in the highest number since the signs of the good evening
:01:01. > :01:08.agreement. Where people made it clear they will not tolerate
:01:09. > :01:11.incompetence, financial scandals or crude bigotry, they made it clear
:01:12. > :01:16.they will not be taken for fools and they deserve better.
:01:17. > :01:18.That nothing short of true equal partnership Government between
:01:19. > :01:24.nationalist and unionist is acceptable. Unfortunately, that
:01:25. > :01:26.message has neither not Regged or being ignored by senior represent
:01:27. > :01:30.televisions who continue throughout the course of this campaign, to
:01:31. > :01:34.argue against these reasonable demands, which have all been
:01:35. > :01:40.previously agreed. So they must here that message loud and clear from the
:01:41. > :01:46.people, once again, on June 8th. This This election is of such
:01:47. > :01:49.important importance because it was called by the British Prime Minister
:01:50. > :01:55.Theresa May, they have no regard whatsoever for the people of the
:01:56. > :01:59.north. For our interests or future. Who are intent onning us out of the
:02:00. > :02:04.EU despite the majority voted to remain. So this is very much an
:02:05. > :02:08.opportunity to tell both the Tories, and the DUP again, in the strongest
:02:09. > :02:12.possible term, that we reject Brexit, that we reject any border,
:02:13. > :02:18.that we reject any attempt to put hims on our freedom of movement. We
:02:19. > :02:22.reject barriers to trade and agricultural, we reject Tory cut,
:02:23. > :02:26.that we stand for rights, for equality and for Irish unity. Sinn
:02:27. > :02:31.Fein will stand firm, to resist every attempt to unravel and destroy
:02:32. > :02:40.the progress of the last 20 years. Brexit and the Good Friday Agreement
:02:41. > :02:45.o are not compatible. We will not tell rate second class citizens. Or
:02:46. > :02:49.a second grade economy and public services from the DUP and the
:02:50. > :02:53.Tories. The recent Assembly election has
:02:54. > :02:56.activated a transformation unimaginable to the founder of the
:02:57. > :03:00.state. We have to keep that momentum going and to make our voices heard.
:03:01. > :03:04.We are about making a difference, and improving the lives of people
:03:05. > :03:09.and communities here, and I can tell you that we will not be letting them
:03:10. > :03:13.down. I was proud to join thousands of people on Saturday, to March for
:03:14. > :03:18.Irish language rights in Belfast City. Make no mistake about it, our
:03:19. > :03:23.young people will not be denied, deterred, or defeated. We in Sinn
:03:24. > :03:28.Fein are the for the whole of the Ireland of Ireland to stay within
:03:29. > :03:31.the European Union together. This is possible, through special designated
:03:32. > :03:35.status for the north. The issue has moved twond Westminster, and on to
:03:36. > :03:38.the negotiationses between the British Government, and the other EU
:03:39. > :03:44.member state, the other 27 member states. That is why last week I
:03:45. > :03:47.travelled to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, to engage directly
:03:48. > :03:52.with EU leaders on the impact of the Tory Brexit agenda and the impact it
:03:53. > :03:57.will have on the island of Ireland. Last June the majority in the north
:03:58. > :03:59.voted to Remain, Sinn Fein have been working with leaders across the
:04:00. > :04:03.European Parliament to make sure that vote is respected.
:04:04. > :04:06.We have the largest team of MEPs from Ireland in the European
:04:07. > :04:10.Parliament. A team that, whos in the interest of all of the Ireland of
:04:11. > :04:16.Ireland and a team that working to change the EU. We have put forward a
:04:17. > :04:19.credible alternative to Brexit, that our case is being heard across
:04:20. > :04:23.member states and we will send a clear message to Theresa May and her
:04:24. > :04:26.Tory cabinet of millionaires, they have no man Tait here in Ireland
:04:27. > :04:30.hand and that I do not speak for us. They want to ignore the result of
:04:31. > :04:33.the Assembly election just as they I more the result of the EU
:04:34. > :04:38.referendum. Referendum. They can't be allowed to succeed because Brexit
:04:39. > :04:41.will be a disaster for o economy. I have no doubt this will another
:04:42. > :04:48.ground-breaking election for Sinn Fein. The old certainty are gone and
:04:49. > :04:51.a new era is opening up. Brexit and the Tory cuts demonstrate the
:04:52. > :04:55.undemocratic nature of partition, Westminster should not be allowed to
:04:56. > :05:01.dictate our political future. We must not let them do so. Irish unity
:05:02. > :05:05.is firmly on the agenda and rights and equality have been put centre
:05:06. > :05:11.stage of the political process. The choice for voters is clear. Vote for
:05:12. > :05:16.party, that will set on the side of the English Tories and cuts and
:05:17. > :05:20.Brexit, or vote for Sinn Fein, to safeguard your rights, agreements to
:05:21. > :05:22.secure prosperity on our future in the EU with the rest of Ireland who
:05:23. > :05:34.are anti-Brexit. APPLAUSE
:05:35. > :05:39.I am happy to take questions now. I was thinking there when Michelle
:05:40. > :05:45.was speaking, the term, it is a long road that has not turning, over 4400
:05:46. > :05:48.years ago to Neils left Ulster and we know what has happened
:05:49. > :05:52.subsequently. You never know what is going to happen in the future, so it
:05:53. > :05:56.is great that Michelle O'Neill is here with us this morning, Michelle,
:05:57. > :06:00.she is going to take questions, so yes, yourself.
:06:01. > :06:26.What extent do you view Sinn Fein in Thank you. In terms of this election
:06:27. > :06:29.is very much going to be an opportunity, if you like for people
:06:30. > :06:33.to come out and voice their concerns again in relation to Brexit, we all
:06:34. > :06:36.know and the arguments are well rehearsed about Brexit and the
:06:37. > :06:41.implication Italy have for Ireland. I think it, you know the DUP are
:06:42. > :06:45.siding with the Tories and I described it often as collateral
:06:46. > :06:48.damage, that is how I believe we are being treated by the Tories. The DUP
:06:49. > :06:53.are on the wrong side of the argument. The implication for
:06:54. > :06:56.Ireland for trade, movement of people, for the factors that are
:06:57. > :07:00.well rehearsed. It will be devastating. We have to do something
:07:01. > :07:04.about it and respect the wishes of the people. Sinn Fein are putting
:07:05. > :07:08.forward an alternative. We achieve a lot of traction across Europe and I
:07:09. > :07:12.think that is testimony to Sinn Fein, the fact we have been able to
:07:13. > :07:18.pass a motion at all, which supported special status, the fact
:07:19. > :07:22.we are up in terms of the three negotiating party,ous peace process
:07:23. > :07:25.is a key issue, that shows how effective Sinn Fein have been in
:07:26. > :07:30.relation to Brexit. Is a good thing that so many people are tuned in to
:07:31. > :07:34.democracy, that so people voted in the last Assembly election, a and
:07:35. > :07:37.that does moo that people are considering their future. As
:07:38. > :07:42.Republicans we want to get to stage where we achieve United Ireland, we
:07:43. > :07:47.want to design that future and with all the people on this island. It
:07:48. > :07:51.has opened up a new political debate. That can only be a good
:07:52. > :07:57.thing and bodes well for the future. In relation to, the second question,
:07:58. > :08:00.in relation to Jeremy Corbyn, I mean, I think history said Jeremy
:08:01. > :08:05.Corbyn has been on the right side of history, Jeremy Corbyn was someone
:08:06. > :08:08.who saw the dialogue, who engaged with Sinn Fein down through the
:08:09. > :08:11.years and represented their democratic mandate when others
:08:12. > :08:27.wouldn't. I think his track record speaks for itself in that regard.
:08:28. > :08:33.Could you win six or seven seats? We are going out to maximise the vote
:08:34. > :08:37.across the board. We want to retain our four seats we have and increase
:08:38. > :08:42.our seats in other constituencies. And while I am not going to give you
:08:43. > :08:45.a number, we are engaged on the doors and the campaigning is going
:08:46. > :08:49.so well. People are positive. They know Sinn Fein are standing up for
:08:50. > :08:53.their rights. This is very much about taking an anti-Brexit stance.
:08:54. > :08:57.This is about taking an anti-Tory cuts and about progressive politics,
:08:58. > :09:02.so I have no doubt we are going to do well many this election, I
:09:03. > :09:06.believe the fact that so many people are engaged in politics. It bodes
:09:07. > :09:10.well. People have a choice, they can vote for party that respects their
:09:11. > :09:14.democratic wish, they can vote for a party that stands against the Tory
:09:15. > :09:19.agenda. That I can vote for a party, Sinn Fein bring an all island
:09:20. > :09:22.approach who are articulate in our views right across the board. I
:09:23. > :09:24.think that is so important. People reek nice that and they though what
:09:25. > :09:28.they are getting when they vote foreSinn Fein.
:09:29. > :09:36.REPORTER: Is one of your biggest problems in this election the fact
:09:37. > :09:41.that you are an extensionalist party. That's not the feed back
:09:42. > :09:45.we're getting in terms of canvassing. We proud abstentionists.
:09:46. > :09:50.We think all parties should do the same. The issue of abstentionism can
:09:51. > :09:54.be used in the wrong way. All Ireland, Sinn Fein team who have
:09:55. > :09:58.MEPs in Brussels, members in the Assembly, who have our MP
:09:59. > :10:02.candidates, collective Sinn Fein team can deliver an awful lot more.
:10:03. > :10:07.The fact that we are up in terms of the EU negotiating principles in the
:10:08. > :10:10.top three is testimony to the Sinn Fein testimony. Other parties sit on
:10:11. > :10:14.the benches and try to get the attention of the Speaker to ask a
:10:15. > :10:19.question on a Wednesday, they haven't been effective. They haven't
:10:20. > :10:27.stopped Brexit, the triggering of Article 50. So Sinn Fein can be
:10:28. > :10:30.effective. That is in Brussels, in Strasbourg and Dublin. That's why I
:10:31. > :10:34.think the people can understand and actually engage and want to vote for
:10:35. > :10:37.Sinn Fein in this election because of what we can offer. We are going
:10:38. > :10:41.to take one more question. We have to get back up to Stormont. There's
:10:42. > :10:45.a wedding that you might be covering later on. I think that's why Alesha
:10:46. > :10:53.is all dressed up. One more question.
:10:54. > :11:03.REPORTER: The DUP seem to be (inaudible) You have investigations
:11:04. > :11:08.into the cash for (inaudible) In what conditions would Sinn Fein go
:11:09. > :11:12.back into the executive, would you say you would go back into the
:11:13. > :11:16.executive with the two main parties? They say issues that you're
:11:17. > :11:22.concerned about haven't been dealt W local issues can be addressed so
:11:23. > :11:25.will you go back in Government? We have always been very firm that we
:11:26. > :11:31.want to be in Government. That we want to serve the people well, that
:11:32. > :11:35.we want to be the bulwark against Tory policy. We have been consistent
:11:36. > :11:40.and firm. We want to be in the executive. We were always there
:11:41. > :11:43.because we wanted to be. Unionism was there because it had to be. We
:11:44. > :11:47.need to get back round the table. I want to lead our team back into
:11:48. > :11:49.taking on the public service issues and everything else that we need to
:11:50. > :11:53.tackle. Sinn Fein has been consistent on wanting to make the
:11:54. > :11:58.institutions work. The recent election, the recent Assembly
:11:59. > :12:02.election and Martin's stance in placing his resignation before the
:12:03. > :12:07.public and gopg out to the public, they endorsed the position which
:12:08. > :12:11.Martin took. They endorsed the position because they want an
:12:12. > :12:14.executive to deliver. They want an executive that deliver quality and
:12:15. > :12:16.rights for all our citizens. I think the public have spoken loud and
:12:17. > :12:20.clear. They want the executive to work. They want it to be a good
:12:21. > :12:25.executive. They want it to be an executive that delivers rights for
:12:26. > :12:29.all our citizens. We've always been consistent in saying this. What
:12:30. > :12:31.we're asking for is for the implementation of what has been
:12:32. > :12:35.previously agreed. There is nothing new on the table. We can deal with
:12:36. > :12:39.these issues, in one day, if the right political will was. There that
:12:40. > :12:43.remains our position. I welcome the fact that Arlene has been engaging
:12:44. > :12:50.with Irish language speakers. It's fortunate that there's a conflict of
:12:51. > :12:55.opinion across the DUP, while she's doing that other people are saying
:12:56. > :12:59.no. Thousands of people went on the streets in Belfast for irrights in.
:13:00. > :13:07.Legislation they need their rights protected. We want to make the
:13:08. > :13:11.institutions work. We believe we can serve the people well if we can get
:13:12. > :13:18.back to good government that has integrity and takes good decisions
:13:19. > :13:22.also equality at its core. I'll let Michelle do that in a minute. One
:13:23. > :13:27.last very short question. REPORTER: I wonder, could we ask if
:13:28. > :13:31.the party leader Gerry Adams has an opinion on the increased focus of
:13:32. > :13:41.attention on Jeremy Corbyn's previous connection with Sinn Fein
:13:42. > :13:45.and comments about the IRA? I think that Jeremy Corbyn was on the right
:13:46. > :13:50.side of history. What he did was very modest. What he did was very
:13:51. > :13:57.fundamental. He recognised the rights of the people who voted for
:13:58. > :14:01.Sinn Fein. I think he was vindicated by subsequent events, because where
:14:02. > :14:06.he led others followed. I think this is a complete distraction and I
:14:07. > :14:10.think if Arlene Foster is lending herself to that distraction, then
:14:11. > :14:14.she's trying to divert attention away from her party support for an
:14:15. > :14:16.English Brexit, when she should be acknowledging the vote of the people
:14:17. > :14:25.here in the north and standing up for their rights.
:14:26. > :14:35.REPORTER: Do you think we're likely to see (inaudible) We don't know.
:14:36. > :14:58.Thank you, folks. Order. Order. Order.
:14:59. > :15:00.The Speaker of the House of Commons demands order, as things get a
:15:01. > :15:02.little rowdy in