The “jury is out” on whether the new UK government will live up to the commitments of the Good Friday Agreement, Michelle O’Neill has said.
Sinn Féin’s vice-president also told her party’s Ard Fheis that it is ready to fight the general election in the Republic, pointing to its historic success in emerging as the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The Ard Fheis is taking place in Athlone amid increased speculation that the Republic’s coalition government could be poised to call a Dáil election.
As it attempts to recover from a recent slide in the polls in the south, Sinn Féin will focus over the next two days on housing and supporting workers and families.
Delivering her keynote speech, Ms O’Neill things can “ebb and flow” in politics.
“In the lead-up to the (Northern Ireland) Assembly election, with many challenges and unpredictability, the political situation was very uncertain,” she said.
“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.”
Ms O’Neill pointed to her position as the first nationalist First Minister at Stormont.
She said: “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.”
She said the Stormont power-sharing Executive is committed to delivering an “ambitious agenda for change”.
She added: “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.”
Ms O’Neill said the change of government in London offered an “opportunity in Irish-British relations”.
She added: “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 14 years of British austerity.”
She said financial limitations restricted the Executive’s ability to act, adding: “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.”
Ms O’Neill repeated her insistence that Casement Park in Belfast would be rebuilt and said the Legacy Act must be repealed in full.
She also referenced a rise in racist incidents.
“Over the summer, there were racist attacks and intimidation on our streets. This is totally unacceptable,” she said.
“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.”
