A chara, - Sinn Féin members recently held a special one-day conference, "Engaging Modern Ireland" to agree on our political priorities for the future - in particular, building the economy, community safety, climate change and new communities. We also set out an ambitious programme to expand our party leadership, rejuvenate the party from the ground up and deepen our roots in local communities.
Contrary to what was expressed in your Editorial of December 11th, it is the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle which is in charge of delivering on the political programme set out last Sunday week. This body is made up of people from the four corners of Ireland who are elected by their peers at our yearly Ard Fheis.
Sinn Féin's position on criminality is the same north and south and was well articulated by Martin Ferris and Alex Maskey. In my view your Editorial dealt unfairly with this issue. They were both unequivocal in saying that the the Garda and PSNI need the support of the community in the fight against crime.
I fully acknowledge that republicans need to present relevant, modern policies to meet the needs of Ireland in the 21st century and that the challenges we face in building our political strength in the South and in delivering in government in the North are significant. We are up to the task. Our record of innovation, facing up to challenges and showing leadership is widely acknowledged in this country and internationally, particularly in relation to the peace process.
- Is mise,
MARY LOU McDONALD MEP, Sinn Féin Head Office, Dublin 1.