SF believes it can get 10 Dáil seats

Sinn Féin believes it can secure 10 seats in the general election scheduled for next year.

Speaking at a party "think-in" in Howth, Co Dublin, yesterday in advance of the new Dáil session, Sinn Féin vice-president and head of the its electoral department Pat Doherty said while it had targeted more seats it believed realistically that it could double its existing five seats.

Mr Doherty also revealed that for the first time in recent history Sinn Féin was planning to run candidates in the Seanad elections next year.

He said the party would contest seats on the labour and agriculture panels, and that it was also looking seriously at the university seats.

Mr Doherty said the party had already held conventions in 38 constituencies, and that a number of others were due to take place soon.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said the party was ready to face the electorate, and if the Taoiseach called the general election immediately he "would be doing the State some service".

He said Sinn Féin was ready for government but only on the basis of a programme for change.

"Our involvement in government will be based on two issues; one that we receive a sufficient mandate and two that the programme for government is about change, about equality, about public services, a united Ireland and about driving the peace process forward."

Asked whether there had been any approach made to Sinn Féin by Fianna Fáil about a deal after the general election, Mr Adams said he was not going to speculate on such issues.

He said Sinn Féin was an independent party which was seeking a mandate based on its own platform.

Mr Adams described the resignation of Mary Harney as leader of the Progressive Democrats and the possibility of Michael McDowell becoming Tánaiste as politically irrelevant.