Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
SINN FÉIN’S NATIONAL chairperson Declan Kearney has defended the party’s ethical record, highlighting recent media criticisms relating to bullying within the party.
He states that the party is governed by a charter of ethics.
“The discipline and behaviour of our membership is subordinate to, absolutely subordinate to, that positive ethos,” he told party members.
He said Sinn Féin members must hold themselves to the highest standards within the party and in wider society.
However, he did state that some join Sinn Féin for the wrong reasons.
Some people join our party for the wrong reasons some join and then they fall out with others because they don’t get their own way.
The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis voted to “reinvigorate” the National Councillors Forum and to roll out a series of training, education and policy briefings to elected representatives.
Going against Ard Comhairle
Delegates also passed a motion acknowledging that councillors or co-opted members are allowed to continue to work in other jobs, keeping their council pay, as well as take up work with the party and TDs.
Current policy prohibits councillors from holding other jobs within the party, or working for TDs. However, three cumainn called for the rules to be relaxed.
The motion, which Sinn Féin headquarters attempted to shelf, was passed at the party’s Ard Fheis this afternoon after a number of councillors spoke out against the rule.
Dundrum Councillor Sorcha Nic Cormaic, took to the stage with her ten-day old newborn baby in her carrier, to state that the “unwritten rule” makes “no sense”.
Sorcha Nic Cormaic joined by her newborn baby on stage to call for support for motion to allow councillors to have other paid jobs #SFAF17 pic.twitter.com/Axkpm5zPeI
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) November 18, 2017
She said the party was losing out on talented people who wanted to join the party.
The councillor said unless the ban is lifted the main loser will be Sinn Féin “a victim of its own daft policy”.
Sinn Féin councillor Mark Ward, who was co-opted when Eoin Ó Broin vacated his seat upon election to the Dáil, said he came under pressure to resign his council seat when he took up a job with the party.
During a debate on party governance at this year’s Ard Fheis, resulted in members endorsing the new rules and Constitution for the party.
The party also ruled out a free vote on abortion for TDs and senators, and voted to support Catalonia.
In a significant move, Sinn Féin voted to hold an extraordinary Ard Fheis within three months of the party president Gerry Adams stepping down – paving the way for the long time leader, who has led the party for 35 years, to step down.
Adams is due to make a speech about his future plans this evening.
Unlike other years, no embargoed speech has been provided to the media.
Instead the Sinn Féin leader is keeping his intentions under lock and key until 8.30pm tonight when his speech will be broadcast on RTÉ.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
The poor man I hope he makes a speedy recovery & gets the help he needs!
No doubt an addict stumbling across the road from merchants quay treatment centre. I’m forced to weave around one out of it on the road at least once a week there early in the morning each week. Hope he’s ok.
@thegreatdefector: still a human being.
@thegreatdefector: why do you have to contribute to the already existing stigma against addicts, it could of been anyone!!in any situation! from any walk of life, even someone who might of had to much to drink and fell. Be nice you pr*ck
@thegreatdefector: no you don’t hope he is ok , all you seem to care about is the inconvenience of weaving around some person in the morning once a week
@Patricia Mcnamara: well said Patricia. Because someone is an addict means they are suffering with a dreadful illness not that they are less human or expendable. There before the grace of God go I…. It’s someone’s son/daughter brother/sister.
@Trevor croft: Imploring someone to be nice while calling him a p*ick. Ironic that.
@thegreatdefector: Merchants quay treatment centre is open at 7am?
@JC: sorry jesus your right, I could of chose my words differently! Be nice you gobshi#te
@thegreatdefector: no doubt? How many of
‘ them’ have you heard of that actually fell in? In case you haven’t seen it, that bridge would need to be climbed or the person would have to have been ‘helped’ over it.The people who use that service have enough to struggle with in their daily lives without broad sweeping assumptions about them being thrown about as if they’re less than human.
@thegreatdefector: it’s the 65 thumbs up to your comment that’s frightening. May be maybe not a junkie but he is someones son.
@Thomas Claffey: I personally don’t like that word but it’s your mouth (or thumb in this instance) so fire away. My youngest brother, who died earlier this year, was an addict. You wouldn’t have been allowed to call him that in front of me without a dressing down I can tell you but your sentiment is correct. Everyone is someone’s son or daughter and entitled to basic respect. Will you please think about using that word to describe people? It’s hurtful to them and to those who actually know and care about them.
@Daff. Myers: sorry for your loss Daff. It’s a truly terrible illness. I hope he passed peacefully and is free of that demon now.
@Daff. Myers: it is what it is
@Daff. Myers: I am sorry for your loss. but I have walked in them shoes and was called that name .I was hooked on junk. Iam not someone that has not gone through it.
@Thomas Claffey: that makes it even more amazing you would use language that makes you appear to have no empathy. Why not use your life experience to educate and help? You’d be best qualified if you’ve lived through that and come out the other side.
@Mick Murphy: thanks Mick. We know where he is now and that nobody will ever hurt him again. And yes, at least he is free of the demon.
A sign of the times
Sad.. a sign of the times
have your say