Sinn Féin has said it will focus on the continuing crisis in public health services as its main priority for the new Dáil term.
Party leader in the Dáil Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said yesterday it would oppose plans put forward by Minister for Health Mary Harney to allow the development of new private facilities on the grounds of public hospitals.
He also criticised Fine Gael and the Labour Party for presenting as much of an alternative to the Government as "Tweedledum does to Tweedledee".
The Fianna Fáil party in Cavan and the Fine Gael/Labour Party in Mullingar were attempting to hide the fact that there was little difference between them.
As a priority in the new Dáil term, Sinn Féin would be "challenging the Fianna Fáil/PD Government on the continuing health service crisis, and on the plans of the Tánaiste to privatise hospital services".
Mr Ó Caoláin said the largest area of concern raised to him and most other deputies over the summer related to health services. People were not only concerned about waiting lists and A&E services, but also about issues such as MRSA.
There had been no improvement in the health services under Mary Harney and inequities between those who could afford to purchase healthcare and those who had to rely on public services had worsened.
He said Sinn Féin would also pursue the issue of securing representation for MPs from Northern Ireland in the Oireachtas.
Mr Ó Caoláin said people sometimes suggested that the party wanted Gerry Adams to be allowed to speak in the Dáil.
However, the party wanted to advance an all-Ireland agenda, and wanted to see all 18 MPs from across the political spectrum share their views with the members of the Oireachtas.
Sinn Féin also called yesterday for the immediate release of the so-called Rossport Five.
It said they were the victims of a conspiracy between the Government and Shell to deprive the people of valuable natural resources.
