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Meáin Náisiúnta Seirbhíse Poiblí na hÉireann

The Sinn Fein party leader once said that she wanted to become the leader of the Sinn Fein party government, which will put workers and families first.

Speaking to Ard Fheis of her party in Dublin, Mary Lou McDonald also stated that now is the time to start planning and preparing for the reunification of Ireland.

Ms. MacDonald promised to build a fair and resilient economy. If Sinn Fein came to power, companies and workers hit by Covid could recover.

She said the party will build houses on a large scale and freeze rents for three years to solve the housing crisis.

She also reiterated Sinn Fein’s commitment to allow people to retire from the state pension at the age of 65, calling this a basic decent behavior.

Ms. MacDonald called for the abolition of the carbon tax increase, but said that people should be provided with incentives to reduce carbon emissions.

Sinn Fein Party leader Mary Lou MacDonald called on the government to cancel the carbon tax increase because it "will further push up the bill and push more families into poverty" | | Read more: https://t.co/hNKJPLEiXJ pic.twitter .com/nlFc6DdnzV

She also accused Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of joining forces to prevent change.

Sinn Fein party leaders stated that more doctors, nurses and beds are needed to realize basic health care rights.

She also promised to unite the country and said it was time for Ireland to reunify. She added that planning and preparation must start now, and the citizens' assembly is imminent.

Earlier, the party passed a motion to support the use of non-jury courts in very special circumstances.

A few speakers opposed the bill and urged the party not to bow to the pressure of the "establishment".

The bill also calls for the establishment of a single reform of the modern criminal justice and court system, which has received strong support from high-level party members.

Before the vote, Ms. MacDonald stated that it was “crazy” that Parliament was renewing its emergency powers every year.

Currently, non-jury trials only occur in cases involving terrorism or organized crime, and only in special criminal courts that Sinn Fein has always opposed.

This court was previously used to prosecute and imprison members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army.

Due to the scale of its power, the legislation supporting it must be updated annually by Oireachtas.

Ms. MacDonald said at the opening ceremony of Ard Fheis that there is no emergency and the Good Friday Agreement envisages the end of this process.

Ms. MacDonald stated that there must be a permanent system with proper judicial supervision to combat criminal gangs.

She said this may include situations that threaten the jury.

Ard Fheis is being held in Helix, Dublin. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of participants is limited.

The party stated that the overall theme will be "time for change" and the bills discussed include housing, health, Brexit and climate change.

Approximately 72 motions will be debated as a whole-including motions on non-jury courts.

Solving the cost of living and solving the problems in medical services and the unified planning of Ireland are other issues that will be discussed later at Sinn Fein University.

The party is also preparing to provide 100% compensation for houses damaged by mica and pyrite.

It's time to plan for change-O'Neill

Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein’s vice president, told Ard Fheis’s representatives that it’s time to make a plan for change.

The party proposed major changes to the way housing and medical services are provided.

The party’s housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said that due to decades of poor housing policies, more and more people are unable to enter their houses.

He said the party will set a date for ending homelessness in the lifetime of the Sinn Fein government.

The Dublin Midwest Transport Agency said it will also write housing rights into the Constitution within one year of taking office.

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