McDonald points to past failures of Taoiseach in speech

This speech was more than just a full-frontal assault on the coalition Government, the Sinn Féin leader also wanted to associate the high-flying Taoiseach Simon Harris with failure.

Mary Lou McDonald zoned in on his tenure as Health Minister, saying he broke promises to end the agony of children waiting for scoliosis and spina bifida treatment.

She also linked him to the ongoing saga of delivering the multi-billion-euro National Children's Hospital, stating Simon Harris greenlighted the project with the ballooning budget and no deadline for delivery.

It was no surprise whatsoever that he was also linked to that expensive bike shelter, and we can expect this approach to continue right up to election day.

In her speech, the Sinn Féin leader also wanted to present her party as having detailed policies which can deliver real change.

She said Sinn Féin is the party with a plan to end the housing crisis, to deliver affordable childcare, and to make Ireland's taxation system fairer by reforming the USC.

There was also a clear bid to claw back some of the support which Sinn Féin has lost in recent months.

She said centres housing people seeking International Protection should not be located in working class communities, as they are struggling to survive.

The same communities, delegates were told, would receive €1bn from the incoming Apple funds to improve infrastructure - under a Sinn Féin led government.

As well as confronting the Government over its record, Mary Lou McDonald also took the opportunity to give viewers of the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis an idea about who she is.

She referenced how she was one of four children raised by her mother, who worked hard to pay the rent and the bills.

Mary Lou McDonald framed her upbringing as instilling her with the determination to stand up for what is right - saying she is more determined today, than ever before, to deliver for the public.

Yet Sinn Féin also needs her to deliver for the party which has been on the ropes for most of the year and now faces a general election.

Sinn Féin requires Mary Lou McDonald, more than ever before, to connect with the voting public.

She declared this evening: "Sinn Féin is ready."

We are about to find out in the near future.