Sinn Féin’s deputy Dáil leader Pearse Doherty TD has this morning published the clár for the 2019 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis taking place in Derry this weekend (15/16th November).

Speaking in Dublin this morning, Teachta Doherty said;

“This Ard Fheis comes at a critical time for our country. 

“We are on a countdown to a general election in the 26 Counties, with four by-elections also happening on 29th November, as well as a Westminster election taking place in December; with Brexit looming shortly afterwards.  

“The motions on the clár for the 2019 Ard Fheis reflect all of this.

“We will discuss and deliberate 166 motions across all policy areas and lay out solutions to the critical issues facing citizens across the island.

“These include planning for Irish reunification, the need to deliver a large-scale public housing programme and a range of measures to improve the financial situation of workers and families, from reducing sky-high rents and ending the insurance rip-off to major proposals in respect of reducing the cost of childcare. 

“There will be a number of emergency motions in relation to Brexit and the Ard Fheis will also be addressed by the President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Gerry Murphy, as well as by representatives from Palestine, Cuba and the ANC. 

“More than 2,000 Sinn Féin members have registered to attend over the course of the weekend and Mary Lou McDonald will deliver her Presidential address at 8.30pm on Saturday evening.

“The Ard Fheis comes at a time when the debate surrounding Irish unity is centre stage and, as the only party seriously committed to Irish reunification, planning for unity will feature prominently over the course of the weekend.

“There will be a fringe meeting on Saturday afternoon that will discuss the economic merits of a United Ireland with Professor of Economic Research at the ESRI, Seamus McGuinness, and we will publish a paper that outlines the facts surrounding the British subvention to the north and challenges some of the myths that are regularly peddled in that regard. 

“I look forward to welcoming people to the North West for the 2019 Ard Fheis.”