Watch: Mary Lou McDonald speaks at Sinn Féin Ard Fheis

Sinn Féin Party leader Mary Lou McDonald is delivering her keynote address at the party's Ard Fheis in Athlone.

The Ard Fheis has been discussing motions on housing, heath, the cost of living and planning for a united Ireland.

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.

Speaking to reporters, Ms McDonald said that the stakes were high in the upcoming general election, where voters will have to make an important choice.

She also said that her party was election ready, and that it would run a record number of candidates.

Despite recent election and opinion polls suggesting that Sinn Féin is facing into what could be a challenging general election campaign, Ms McDonald insisted that her party members remain confident.

When asked if she would rule out forming a government with certain political parties, Ms McDonald would only say that the best election outcome would be a government without either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.

At the Ard Fheis, Sinn Féin is making a pitch with policies that would see average workers no longer having to pay the USC.

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

It has also said it will strongly promote its housing strategy which aims to build more social homes than the Government's plan.