Wexford Fianna Fail TD pushes Sinn Féin policies

The Sinn Féin organisation in County Wexford has responded with surprise to a press release issued from Wexford Fianna Fail Minister for State Sean Connick, supporting several long standing SF policies for the county.

New SF member?

Deputy Connick has called for the Irish Sugar Beet industry to be re-established in County Wexford. He has also stated that this will allow for the completion of the New Ross By Pass and the reopening of the Rosslare to Waterford Rail Line.

Sinn Féin has been campaigning for these issues for some time.

Speculation is growing that Deputy Connick has filled out a Sinn Féin member application form from the back of last months An Phoblacht!

Times poll shows Sinn Féin surge holding nationwide

The surge in support for Sinn Féin is holding nationwide according to a new Irish Times survey.

The survey puts Sinn Féin on 15%, down 1% from the Suns Red C poll two weeks ago, but up 7% on the last Times poll taken last September.

The poll has Fine Gael on 30%, Labour on 25%, Fianna Fail on 17% and the Greens on 2%. It puts others, which includes independents and smaller protest parties on 11%.

This poll shows the dramatic rise in Sinn Féin support nationwide holding strong, despite a recent onslaught from the national media.

The poll has also revealed that Gerry Adams in the second most popular party leader in the nation on 28% behind Labours Eamon Gilmore,  but well ahead of Fine Gaels Enda Kenny and the Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Sinn Féin to hold over night vigil at Leinster House

Dublin SF is to hold an over night vigil at Leinster House on the eve of the budget.

Sinn Féin are the only party represented in Leinster House standing against the consensus for cuts.

Sinn Féin are calling for a suspension of the budget and an immediate general election.

Irish Independent predicts Labour/Sinn Féin government

Todays Independent has sensationally predicted that the next Irish government will be comprised of Labour, Sinn Féin and left wing independents.

The Indo, a traditional bastion of the Blueshirt movement has claimed that this coalition could win 87 seats in the next election.

Independent commentators have said that the weakness of Fine Gael in opposition and the desire of the majority of Irish people for real political change has led to a massive rise in support for Sinn Féin and other left wing candidates.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has ruled out coalition with Sinn Féin, but Finance spokesperson Joan Burton has refused to rule it out.

Government confirm record 32% deficit

The government has confirmed today that Irelands deficit for 2010 will be 32% -  the highest in the eurozone. This had been stated by Sinn Féin in their pre budget plan over a month ago, but at the time was denied by Fianna Fail and the Greens.

The true deficit of 32% is the result of the governments stubborn plan to recapitalise the banks.

Red C poll puts Sinn Féin ahead of Fianna Fail

A new Red C poll in todays Irish Sun puts Sinn Féin ahead of Fianna Fail in public support.

The new poll puts Sinn Féin on 16%, while Fianna Fail fall to 13%. With the Greens on 3%, this means that Sinn Féin now has as much support as the combined government coalition!

Full Poll

Fianna Fail   - 13%
Fine Gael     - 32%
Labour        - 24%
Sinn Féin     - 16%
Greens        -  3%
Independents/others  - 11%

Sinn Féin "poverty" survey to be delivered to Leinster House

Sinn Féin have put together a survey of their members and supporters in the greater Dublin area to ascertain the true extent to which families are struggling financially and are being pushed into the hand of money lenders.

Sinn Féin called for the reintroduction of the Christmas Welfare Bonus to stop families being forced to go to moneylenders, and to boost the local economy. They are also the only representative party in the Dail who oppose the introductions of mass cuts in the next budget.

The party has also surveyed Dublin dole queues and post offices over the past two weeks to get a fuller picture of the hardships being endured by ordinary families this winter.

The research findings will be presented at the gates of Leinster House this morning by Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Social Protection Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ferris slams reduction to minimum wage

Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris has condemned Fianna Fail's planned cuts to the minimum wage, and has suggested that excuses made by Brian Cowen for introducing the cuts are a "red herring"

Deputy Ferris said: "As Mark Twain once said there are ‘lies, damned lies and statistics.’ Comparing the minimum wage rate in this country to that of most EU states is a red herring. I wonder would the Taoiseach like to make a similar comparison between his salary and the salaries of most EU prime ministers or heads of state?