Sinn Féin pledges to be "route home" for Irish citizens abroad if elected

In a letter issued on Thursday, November 14, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald called on Irish citizens living abroad to make their voices heard in Ireland's General Election campaign.

In her letter, McDonald pledges that Sinn Féin in government would be a route home for Irish Citizens abroad. 

Sinn Féin says that "for over 100 years, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had relied to emigration as a safety value for their policy failures.

"Today another generation is joining them due to their housing crisis.

"In this election, there is an opportunity to change the government and elect Sinn Féin to lead."

Ireland will head to the polls for its General Election 2024 on Friday, November 29 after the Dáil was dissolved last Friday.

According to Irish Polling Indicator on Thursday, Sinn Féin has about 18.5% of public support, landing in third behind Fine Gael (23.5%) and Fianna Fáil (22.5%).

Ireland's last general election was held on February 8, 2020. Sinn Féin won the popular vote with more than 535k votes. The party won 37 seats, one less than Fianna Fáil (38 seats) and two more than Fine Gael (35 seats). With no one party clinching the 80-seat majority, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ultimately formed a coalition with The Green Party, landing Sinn Féin in the opposition.

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Mary Lou McDonald's letter to Irish citizens abroad reads as follows:

a Chara, 

As an Irish Citizen living abroad, you should have the opportunity to return and live, raise a family, and prosper in Ireland. A Sinn Féin led government is your route home. 

For over one hundred years, Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael have led the government in Dublin. Their policies have forced generations into emigration. A return to government by these parties will lead to more of the same.

Under Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, homeownership has become unattainable and rents unaffordable. Healthcare workers, teachers, gardaí trades, and young professionals have been left with no option but to emigrate. 

The election has been called for November 29th. It is time for a change of government.

A Sinn Féin led government will:

• Make housing affordable,
• Abolish USC for average-paid workers,
• Invest in education and provide childcare at €10 per day,
• End the Carers Allowance Means Test,
• Work to recognize qualifications and experience earned abroad,
• Extend Presidential voting rights to Irish Citizens abroad,
• Plan and prepare for Irish Unity 

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are depending on your silence. 

In this election make your voice heard. Ask your friends and family in Ireland to vote for a change of government and to vote for Sinn Féin. Share your hopes and views on social media.

In the coming weeks, we will be rolling out events and briefings for Irish Citizens abroad. Let’s keep the conservation going. 

Together we can build a new and united Ireland.

Is mise

Mary Lou McDonald 

President of Sinn Féin.