Fáilte romhaibh uilig a chairde.

Tá áthas orm a bheith anseo anocht.

It’s great to be back in Athlone.

A lot has changed since we last met.

This time last year the return of the power-sharing institutions seemed remote, if not hopeless.

But we never gave up.

Sinn Féin intensified efforts to ensure the election outcome and our electoral mandate was respected.

I am therefore proud to stand here today as First Minister.

My election was a moment of equality and progress.

For the first time in the history of the north, an Irish nationalist, a republican is First Minister.

What was unthinkable to my parents and grandparents’ generation is now a reality.

I said from day one that I would serve everyone equally.

That I will be a First Minister for all.

That all four parties of the Executive must deliver an ambitious agenda for change.

And standing here, I am more determined than ever.

Over the past eight months I have been working across key sectors and with local communities from Pomeroy to the Shankill Road, from Newcastle to the Bogside, to ensure their voices are heard in the corridors of power and that the Executive responds to their needs.

The four Executive parties are working with a unity of purpose.

We are determined to deliver the public services, good governance, economic growth and strong communities that we all depend on.

Our work aims to improve lives, build prosperity and create hope and opportunity.

It is welcome to have the return of the North-South Ministerial Council for vital All-Ireland cooperation.

In our first 8 months, we have:
Ensured fairer pay for public sector workers
Begun delivering affordable childcare
Produced a plan to protect and realise the potential of Lough Neagh
Published a draft Programme for Government
Launched a Plan to end violence against women and girls
Advanced the Strule Shared Education Campus in Omagh
And there is much more to be done.

Sinn Féin Ministers heading the main economic Departments allows us to drive economic change.

Economy Minister, Conor Murphy is building a stronger, fairer economy delivering well-paid jobs.

He is prioritising regional balance and investment in areas like the Northwest and he launched the Magee University Task Force to deliver its expansion.

Conor is:
Reforming Invest NI
Promoting the advantages of dual market access
Developing the all-Ireland economy
Promoting workers’ rights
And focusing on skills and apprenticeships
Our Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has prioritised fair pay for our public sector workers.

Caoimhe negotiated better funding arrangements for our future budgets.

And this will help us to provide public services that people expect, and people deserve.

She continues to fight the case for proper investment in our public services.

John O’Dowd in the Department for Infrastructure is improving the planning system, allowing us to deliver road projects including the Cookstown and Enniskillen by passes and the Newry Relief Road.

He has also recommended the commencement of the long overdue and much needed A5.

He is taking forward the All-Ireland rail review improving connectivity across the island.

And by decarbonising transport, John’s Department can assist transition to net zero.

The change of government in London offers an opportunity in Irish-British relations.

However, the jury is out on how this new British Government will live up to commitments set out in the Good Friday Agreement .

Their initial actions demonstrate more of the same, failed austerity and broken promises.

This is simply not good enough.

Cutting Winter Fuel Payments for older people is wrong and the Executive is united against it.

We will continue fighting for investment in public services decimated by fourteen years of British austerity.

This new British Government must contribute to how Devolution will evolve rather than retreat.

The financial limitations placed on the Executive restrict our ability to act.

Further financial powers are required.

Only through governing ourselves can we build a better future.

All powers and all decisions should be taken here on this island.

The Derry and Strabane City Deal is a game changer for the north west.

Derry, Strabane and Belfast, deserve these city and growth deals.

So too do Mid South West and Causeway Coast and Glens.

We are calling on the British Government to live up to their commitments and to invest in these areas to promote regional balance.

Casement Park should have been redeveloped in time for Euro 2028. We should have maximised the opportunity to create jobs, boost tourism, and showcase the great city of Belfast, the North and the island of Ireland.

A chairde. Let there be no doubt. Casement Park will be built!

This is an Executive and a Programme for Government commitment.

Both the Irish government and British government have committed to its redevelopment.

We will work with the GAA and both governments to establish a first-class stadium for Gaelic games in Ulster.

With Acht na Gaeilge now in place, we need implementation of an Irish language commissioner, and delivery of the Irish Language strategy.

Leanfaimis leis an obair sin.

The repeal of the Legacy Act must be delivered in full.

Our Ard Fheis welcomes the announcement that the Finucane Family have secured a public inquiry into the killing of their beloved husband and father.

We commend Geraldine and the Finucane family, including our friend and colleague John.

You have been unwavering in your determination and we will continue to support you in your journey for truth and justice.

Over the summer, there were racist attacks and intimidation on our streets.

This is totally unacceptable.

As political leaders we will continue to face down division, sectarianism and racism and will not be deterred from building an inclusive future for all who live here.

Hope will always win over hate.

Is ar scath a chéile a mhaireann muid.

We stand stronger when we are united.

I commend our activists for their continued solidarity with the people of Palestine. From our Ard Fheis we once again call on the international community to do more. To end the genocide. To end the humanitarian catastrophe. There must be a ceasefire now.

Earlier this year we fought a very successful Westminster election, electing seven strong Irish MP’s, making Sinn Féin the largest party in local government, the Assembly and at Westminster.

In politics, we know that things can ebb and flow.

In the lead up to the Assembly election, with many challenges and unpredictability, the political situation was very uncertain.

We refused to be defined by that. We rallied our support and communicated our vision. And a few weeks later we witnessed historic success at the polls.

This demonstrates that Sinn Féin can reaffirm our mission and that change can happen!

Sinn Féin is the catalyst for change across this island.

We are going into our Ard Fheis ready to fight the general election.

We have the ideas. We have the plan for how we will:
Make housing more affordable
Transform health
Deliver affordable childcare
Tackle the cost of living
Advance Irish unity
The process of change must and will continue.

Tapaímis an deis. Let us seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

Our goal is a united, inclusive Ireland where this country, and all of our citizens, can reach their full potential.

By our determination and the support of the people, we will turn that aspiration into a reality.

A chairde, it is time again to put our shoulders to the wheel.

It is Time for Change. Tá sé in am don athrú.

We must engage with communities about the change that Sinn Féin will bring.

We will deliver a government that will put people first.

That is needed now, more than ever.

Our commitment is to an Ireland that is stronger, fairer, and united!

A chairde. Friends. Together we will offer people real choice and a better future.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh!