SF Ard Fheis to debate, housing, health, cost of living

The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Athlone will debate motions on housing, heath, the cost of living and planning for a united Ireland.

Party leader Mary Lou McDonald will deliver her keynote address at 6.30pm.

Sinn Féin is aiming to send a clear message from the Ard Fheis that the party is offering voters a clear and very different alternative to the current Government.

It will make a pitch with policies that would see average workers no longer having to pay the USC.

Sinn Féin will also pledge to significantly cut childcare costs along with measures to tackle the cost of living.

It will also strongly promote its housing strategy which would build more affordable and social homes than the Government's plan.

However, Ms McDonald will have to motivate the party in the main speech of the evening, given its showing in both recent elections and opinion polls.

Last night, the delegates voted to give members a greater say in determining the party’s position on any future constitutional referendums.

It followed criticism over what was described as a failure to listen to party members’ views on the Family and Care referendums.