Election performance not a setback for reunification, says Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein leaders person insisted their party’s show successful Ireland’s General Election is not a setback for the run for Irish reunification.

Party person Mary Lou McDonald had vowed to present a measurement alteration successful the thrust for law alteration if Sinn Fein entered authorities and she became taoiseach.

The likelihood of either of those scenarios coming to walk pursuing Friday predetermination present look highly slim, with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael expected to re-enter different conjugation authorities successful Dublin, leaving Sinn Fein facing different 5 years arsenic the Dail’s main absorption party.

Fianna Fail won 48 seats successful the election, with Sinn Fein taking 39 and Fine Gael securing 38.

Fianna Fail besides took the astir archetypal penchant votes successful the proportional practice election, securing 21.9% to Fine Gael’s 20.8%.

Sinn Fein came successful 3rd connected 19%.

While Sinn Fein’s ballot stock represented a marked betterment connected its disappointing showing successful June’s section elections successful Ireland, it is inactive importantly down connected the 24.5% poll-topping stock it secured successful the 2020 wide election.

Ms McDonald and vice-president Michelle O’Neill, who is Northern Ireland’s First Minister, met Sinn Fein’s new-look squad of TDs astatine Leinster House connected Wednesday.

Afterwards, they were some asked by reporters if the predetermination effect was a setback for their Irish unity project.

“No, acold from it,” replied Ms McDonald.

“As a substance of fact, it was absorbing during the predetermination run the fig of parties that acceptable retired really precise ambitious targets and ideas astir reunification, the antiauthoritarian conversation. So, acold from it. I deliberation it’s inactive precise overmuch crippled on.”

Ms O’Neill added: “Absolutely, we conscionable present returned with 39 TDs, the largest ever squad of Sinn Fein successful the Dail.

“I deliberation that speaks volumes successful presumption of our task and what we privation to achieve.”