Sinn Fein Manifesto Launch Election 2017

Great to see you all here in this Berlin centre for our manifesto

launch. I think whatever way, when it comes to-of-ly election we say

this election is the most crucial, this is the most important election,

but I think that we honestly can't understate the huge importance of

this election. The political stakes are absolutely

very high, this is probably the most important election of a lifetime. It

begs the question why. Because it comes on the back of the March

Assembly election which saw people re-engage in politics through the

ballot box in the highest number since the signs of the good evening

agreement. Where people made it clear they will not tolerate

incompetence, financial scandals or crude bigotry, they made it clear

they will not be taken for fools and they deserve better.

That nothing short of true equal partnership Government between

nationalist and unionist is acceptable. Unfortunately, that

message has neither not Regged or being ignored by senior represent

televisions who continue throughout the course of this campaign, to

argue against these reasonable demands, which have all been

previously agreed. So they must here that message loud and clear from the

people, once again, on June 8th. This This election is of such

important importance because it was called by the British Prime Minister

Theresa May, they have no regard whatsoever for the people of the

north. For our interests or future. Who are intent onning us out of the

EU despite the majority voted to remain. So this is very much an

opportunity to tell both the Tories, and the DUP again, in the strongest

possible term, that we reject Brexit, that we reject any border,

that we reject any attempt to put hims on our freedom of movement. We

reject barriers to trade and agricultural, we reject Tory cut,

that we stand for rights, for equality and for Irish unity. Sinn

Fein will stand firm, to resist every attempt to unravel and destroy

the progress of the last 20 years. Brexit and the Good Friday Agreement

o are not compatible. We will not tell rate second class citizens. Or

a second grade economy and public services from the DUP and the

Tories. The recent Assembly election has

activated a transformation unimaginable to the founder of the

state. We have to keep that momentum going and to make our voices heard.

We are about making a difference, and improving the lives of people

and communities here, and I can tell you that we will not be letting them

down. I was proud to join thousands of people on Saturday, to March for

Irish language rights in Belfast City. Make no mistake about it, our

young people will not be denied, deterred, or defeated. We in Sinn

Fein are the for the whole of the Ireland of Ireland to stay within

the European Union together. This is possible, through special designated

status for the north. The issue has moved twond Westminster, and on to

the negotiationses between the British Government, and the other EU

member state, the other 27 member states. That is why last week I

travelled to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, to engage directly

with EU leaders on the impact of the Tory Brexit agenda and the impact it

will have on the island of Ireland. Last June the majority in the north

voted to Remain, Sinn Fein have been working with leaders across the

European Parliament to make sure that vote is respected.

We have the largest team of MEPs from Ireland in the European

Parliament. A team that, whos in the interest of all of the Ireland of

Ireland and a team that working to change the EU. We have put forward a

credible alternative to Brexit, that our case is being heard across

member states and we will send a clear message to Theresa May and her

Tory cabinet of millionaires, they have no man Tait here in Ireland

hand and that I do not speak for us. They want to ignore the result of

the Assembly election just as they I more the result of the EU

referendum. Referendum. They can't be allowed to succeed because Brexit

will be a disaster for o economy. I have no doubt this will another

ground-breaking election for Sinn Fein. The old certainty are gone and

a new era is opening up. Brexit and the Tory cuts demonstrate the

undemocratic nature of partition, Westminster should not be allowed to

dictate our political future. We must not let them do so. Irish unity

is firmly on the agenda and rights and equality have been put centre

stage of the political process. The choice for voters is clear. Vote for

party, that will set on the side of the English Tories and cuts and

Brexit, or vote for Sinn Fein, to safeguard your rights, agreements to

secure prosperity on our future in the EU with the rest of Ireland who

are anti-Brexit. APPLAUSE

I am happy to take questions now. I was thinking there when Michelle

was speaking, the term, it is a long road that has not turning, over 4400

years ago to Neils left Ulster and we know what has happened

subsequently. You never know what is going to happen in the future, so it

is great that Michelle O'Neill is here with us this morning, Michelle,

she is going to take questions, so yes, yourself.

What extent do you view Sinn Fein in Thank you. In terms of this election

is very much going to be an opportunity, if you like for people

to come out and voice their concerns again in relation to Brexit, we all

know and the arguments are well rehearsed about Brexit and the

implication Italy have for Ireland. I think it, you know the DUP are

siding with the Tories and I described it often as collateral

damage, that is how I believe we are being treated by the Tories. The DUP

are on the wrong side of the argument. The implication for

Ireland for trade, movement of people, for the factors that are

well rehearsed. It will be devastating. We have to do something

about it and respect the wishes of the people. Sinn Fein are putting

forward an alternative. We achieve a lot of traction across Europe and I

think that is testimony to Sinn Fein, the fact we have been able to

pass a motion at all, which supported special status, the fact

we are up in terms of the three negotiating party,ous peace process

is a key issue, that shows how effective Sinn Fein have been in

relation to Brexit. Is a good thing that so many people are tuned in to

democracy, that so people voted in the last Assembly election, a and

that does moo that people are considering their future. As

Republicans we want to get to stage where we achieve United Ireland, we

want to design that future and with all the people on this island. It

has opened up a new political debate. That can only be a good

thing and bodes well for the future. In relation to, the second question,

in relation to Jeremy Corbyn, I mean, I think history said Jeremy

Corbyn has been on the right side of history, Jeremy Corbyn was someone

who saw the dialogue, who engaged with Sinn Fein down through the

years and represented their democratic mandate when others

wouldn't. I think his track record speaks for itself in that regard.

Could you win six or seven seats? We are going out to maximise the vote

across the board. We want to retain our four seats we have and increase

our seats in other constituencies. And while I am not going to give you

a number, we are engaged on the doors and the campaigning is going

so well. People are positive. They know Sinn Fein are standing up for

their rights. This is very much about taking an anti-Brexit stance.

This is about taking an anti-Tory cuts and about progressive politics,

so I have no doubt we are going to do well many this election, I

believe the fact that so many people are engaged in politics. It bodes

well. People have a choice, they can vote for party that respects their

democratic wish, they can vote for a party that stands against the Tory

agenda. That I can vote for a party, Sinn Fein bring an all island

approach who are articulate in our views right across the board. I

think that is so important. People reek nice that and they though what

they are getting when they vote foreSinn Fein.

REPORTER: Is one of your biggest problems in this election the fact

that you are an extensionalist party. That's not the feed back

we're getting in terms of canvassing. We proud abstentionists.

We think all parties should do the same. The issue of abstentionism can

be used in the wrong way. All Ireland, Sinn Fein team who have

MEPs in Brussels, members in the Assembly, who have our MP

candidates, collective Sinn Fein team can deliver an awful lot more.

The fact that we are up in terms of the EU negotiating principles in the

top three is testimony to the Sinn Fein testimony. Other parties sit on

the benches and try to get the attention of the Speaker to ask a

question on a Wednesday, they haven't been effective. They haven't

stopped Brexit, the triggering of Article 50. So Sinn Fein can be

effective. That is in Brussels, in Strasbourg and Dublin. That's why I

think the people can understand and actually engage and want to vote for

Sinn Fein in this election because of what we can offer. We are going

to take one more question. We have to get back up to Stormont. There's

a wedding that you might be covering later on. I think that's why Alesha

is all dressed up. One more question.

REPORTER: The DUP seem to be (inaudible) You have investigations

into the cash for (inaudible) In what conditions would Sinn Fein go

back into the executive, would you say you would go back into the

executive with the two main parties? They say issues that you're

concerned about haven't been dealt W local issues can be addressed so

will you go back in Government? We have always been very firm that we

want to be in Government. That we want to serve the people well, that

we want to be the bulwark against Tory policy. We have been consistent

and firm. We want to be in the executive. We were always there

because we wanted to be. Unionism was there because it had to be. We

need to get back round the table. I want to lead our team back into

taking on the public service issues and everything else that we need to

tackle. Sinn Fein has been consistent on wanting to make the

institutions work. The recent election, the recent Assembly

election and Martin's stance in placing his resignation before the

public and gopg out to the public, they endorsed the position which

Martin took. They endorsed the position because they want an

executive to deliver. They want an executive that deliver quality and

rights for all our citizens. I think the public have spoken loud and

clear. They want the executive to work. They want it to be a good

executive. They want it to be an executive that delivers rights for

all our citizens. We've always been consistent in saying this. What

we're asking for is for the implementation of what has been

previously agreed. There is nothing new on the table. We can deal with

these issues, in one day, if the right political will was. There that

remains our position. I welcome the fact that Arlene has been engaging

with Irish language speakers. It's fortunate that there's a conflict of

opinion across the DUP, while she's doing that other people are saying

no. Thousands of people went on the streets in Belfast for irrights in.

Legislation they need their rights protected. We want to make the

institutions work. We believe we can serve the people well if we can get

back to good government that has integrity and takes good decisions

also equality at its core. I'll let Michelle do that in a minute. One

last very short question. REPORTER: I wonder, could we ask if

the party leader Gerry Adams has an opinion on the increased focus of

attention on Jeremy Corbyn's previous connection with Sinn Fein

and comments about the IRA? I think that Jeremy Corbyn was on the right

side of history. What he did was very modest. What he did was very

fundamental. He recognised the rights of the people who voted for

Sinn Fein. I think he was vindicated by subsequent events, because where

he led others followed. I think this is a complete distraction and I

think if Arlene Foster is lending herself to that distraction, then

she's trying to divert attention away from her party support for an

English Brexit, when she should be acknowledging the vote of the people

here in the north and standing up for their rights.

REPORTER: Do you think we're likely to see (inaudible) We don't know.

Thank you, folks. Order. Order. Order.

The Speaker of the House of Commons demands order, as things get a

little rowdy in