Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald said her party is aiming to be in government in Ireland, both north and south of the border, in 2024.
Irish voters are set to go to the polls in June for European and local government elections, but there is speculation the next Irish general election will be held towards the end of the year.
At the last general election in January 2020, Sinn Fein finished with 37 seats – but Fianna Fail (38 seats) and Fine Gael (35 seats) were able to combine with the Green Party to form a coalition to govern.
In her new year’s message, Ms McDonald said her party will focus on electing enough Sinn Fein TDs to form a government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail after the next general election to “deliver real change”.
“The election is fast approaching and if the people give us the opportunity to lead,” she said.
“Sinn Fein 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.”
She also called for “step change in the north”, and urged the DUP to re-enter devolved government at Stormont.
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill has been entitled, as the leader of the largest party at Stormont since the May 2022 Assembly election, to become the next first minister when the institutions are recalled.
“It’s decision time for the DUP. It’s time to move forward and form the Executive. It is time for positive leadership. It is time for delivery,” Ms McDonald said.
Ms McDonald said her party’s number one priority is housing, adding they want 2024 to be the year they “turn the tide on the housing crisis”, adding: “I believe that will only happen with Sinn Fein in government”.
“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.”
