Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has said in her New Year’s message that the number one priority for Sinn Féin going into 2024 is Housing.

“We want 2024 to be the year that we turn the tide on the housing crisis and I believe that will only happen with Sinn Féin in government.”

Ms. McDonald said:

“2024 needs to be the year of change in Ireland and internationally. It needs to be the year that we turn the tide on the housing crisis, it needs to be the year when Michelle O’Neill becomes First Minister in a functioning Executive, it needs to be the year when Ireland truly leads on the international stage in working to secure peace in Ukraine and in Palestine, where more than 20,000 people have been killed in the Israeli bombardment since October 7th.

“2024 needs to be the year when our young people have hope in the future – hope of an affordable home, hope of building a life in Ireland and hope of having a real opportunity to return home, if they want to do so.

“2024 needs to be the year when an Irish government begins to plan for Irish re-unification, beginning with the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly so that the conversation can develop and preparations can begin.

“2024 needs to be the year of a step change in the north. It is now 19 months since the Assembly election, when Michelle O’Neill became First Minister elect. The endless two way discussions between the DUP and British government have ended and peoples patience has run out. It’s decision time for the DUP. It’s time to move forward and form the Executive. It is time for positive leadership and delivery.

“The election is fast approaching and if the people give us the opportunity to lead, Sinn Féin will make housing the number one priority of a new government – not only in words but in actions and in results. By reducing rents and delivering the largest social and affordable house building programme in the history of the State. That is the level of action needed to match the scale of the challenge people face.

“Our focus will be on electing enough Sinn Féin TD’s to form a government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil after the next general election so that we can deliver real change. But change starts at the local and European elections in June and Sinn Féin is focused on electing the largest number possible of Sinn Féin councillors and MEPs.

“Finally, I want to wish you and your family all the best for the New Year and I want you to know that from the very start of 2024, we will back working hard for you, to deliver real change so badly needed.”