Writing in An Phoblacht, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD - in her New Year's message - has said that the coming year marks the beginning of a new decade that brings with it the opportunity to write a new chapter in our country's history.
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD said: "This should be the decade in which the people of Ireland are afforded a vote on the reunification of our country to end the historic wrong of partition. This is a decade in which to achieve an equal and fair society in which the wellbeing of the many is prioritised over the enrichment of wealthy elites and corporate interests. Over the coming years we need to see the largest public housing programme that Ireland has seen."
In relation to current negotiations to restore the north's political institutions, she has said: "We have spent three years searching for agreement to re-establish the north’s institutions and we got there in February 2018 but the DUP walked away from that deal. We cannot have that scenario again. The choice is now for agreement, or elections, but the current situation cannot continue.
McDonald added: "It is in the interests of all our people that we establish good government and real power-sharing based on equality and respect. The outstanding issues can be resolved. The time for acrimony and division is over, and the time for slogans and soundbites is over. The test now for every party that has talked up getting back to work is to go back to the Executive table and deliver."
