Tipperary delegates attend 2023 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis

The annual Sinn Féin Ard Fheis took place last weekend in the International Arena on Athlone Institute of Technology campus.

Over 2,000 delegates descended on the venue for a weekend of lively debate, where motions put forward by local structures were debated and voted on by delegates.

Successful motions form the basis of party policy.

Tipperary were well represented with delegates from across the county, debating and voting on motions on the numerous sections on the agenda.

These include supporting rural communities, tackling crime, investing in the future, planning for Irish unity, building a better health service, deliver better public services, delivering the homes that are needed, tackling the cost of living crisis and neutrality.

Thurles Sinn Féin delegates had a number of motions up for consideration.

Local area representative Dan Harty said:

“I’m delighted that my motion on housing provision was passed and will now become party policy.

“The motion was based on the work I have carried out this year in terms of a submission to Tipperary County Council on the Thurles Local Area Plan.

“I identified areas of the National Planning Framework’s Housing Need and Demand Assessment that is used by local authorities to estimate local housing need.

“I have called for the inclusion of those adults over the age of 18 living at home, and those classed as hidden homeless to be fairly and adequately accounted for in all housing and demand assessments.

“Recently released CSO data reveals that there are nearly 1200 adults in Thurles living at home, and by the end of the lifespan of the Local Area Plan an additional 870 adults will find themselves in the same situation.

“These people need to have their housing needs met, and anything less is unacceptable.”

Mr Harty continued:

“A second motion from Thurles that was passed calling for a solid legal footing through legislation to ensure that cash is accepted as legal tender where a citizen so chooses by all public and private bodies, and commercial entities where the transaction is occurring at a physical point of sale.”

Mr Harty concluded:

“This year’s Ard Fheis was a fantastic event and was a great opportunity for members to meet and chat with party leadership figures, network with other activists and gain new friendships with comrades from all across Ireland.

“The event was closed with a powerful speech by party president Mary Lou McDonald that was aired on RTE television.

“Mary Lou took the opportunity to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, call for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Ireland and outlined the party’s intention to put a motion before the Dáil this week urging the Irish government to refer Israel to the

International Criminal Court for the continued breaches of international law, war crimes and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.”