SINN Fein candidates elected to the Dail will support political parties committed to "inclusive dialogue" in Northern Ireland, according to party leader, Mr Gerry Adams.
Publishing the party's manifesto in Dublin yesterday, Mr Adams refused to specify which party grouping would receive Sinn Fein support in a hung Dail.
"We stand quite clearly on our republican position and on our radical social and economic analysis." And candidates would transfer votes to "other parties on the context of our own policy and the context of their attitude towards us".
Asked if the republican movement did not intend to deliver a ceasefire until after the election because it expected a Fianna Fail rather than Fine Gael led government, Mr Adams said: "I haven't heard anything about that."
He said the focal elections in the North "showed the consistency, the validity and the popularity of our vote and this election, in the 26 counties, is going to show exactly the same." This election should "fit into the rebuilding of the peace process".
A party spokeswoman confirmed that any candidates elected to the Dail would take their seats.
Mr Adams, who had been canvassing with Dublin South Central candidate Ms Martina Kenna, said it had been "a very positive canvass". He said Sinn Fein was the only independent party fighting the election and it presented an alternative to "cosy cartels, scams and backhanders".
The Cavan Monaghan candidate, Mr Caoimhin O Caolain, said transfers would be given to candidates "who've shown clear commitment to an inclusive dialogue and inclusive process of negotiations, without preconditions".
The party is running 15 candidates in 14 constituencies and Mr Adams said he expected Sinn Fein to win seats.
Asked whether the party would support a government which included the Progressive Democrats, Mr Adams said: "We'll leave all of those issues in the broad policy context that I have outlined until the votes are counted and until whatever government is elected, and has taken up its position.
"We will certainly approach all of this very, very positively. We want to see the election in the context of this State, certainly, and doing the very best on social and economic issues. We also want the election to be seen as a positive step in the rebuilding of the peace process.
Asked about apparent divisions within the two political alliances on Sinn Fein, Mr Adams said the party had not "walked away" when the Labour/Fianna Fail government fell. "We will face up to the issue no matter who is in government."
He said there was a need for an "Irish solution to a British problem", and the party wanted to "see an Irish government facing up to a British government".
Mr O Caolain said the party had three main issues: peace, job creation and the fight against drugs and crime. He said the party would call for the "introduction of a minimum wage, removing the low paid from the tax net and reform of the tax system. We are also calling for current levels of social welfare to be increased."
He said the party had called for immediate treatment for drug addicts and the establishment of community drug teams made up of GPs, social workers, and voluntary and community agencies.
The party also had proposals on the fishing industry, forestry and opposed the building of a national incinerator, he said. Other proposals included: "measures to achieve equality of representation for women in political life and in appointments to all public bodies, supporting young people's social, welfare entitlements, the full funding of primary and secondary schools and a bill of rights ensuring equality of treatment for Gaelgeoiri".
