Adams: Government has 'lost its mandate'
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has said the Fine Gael/Labour coalition government has lost its mandate.
Addressing a party conference in the Red Cow Hotel in Dublin today, Deputy Adams said the government is in crisis and has broken most of the promises it made during the general election in 2011.
“The Government is in deep crisis," he said.
"As each day passes it is clearer that it will struggle to stay in office until the end of its term.
“The support enjoyed by Fine Gael and Labour in 2011 has been eroded beyond the point where they no longer have a mandate for what they are doing."
He went on to call for mobilisation for the upcoming water charges rally on December 10.
“This Government's Frankenstein creation - Irish Water, has been characterised by excessive spending on consultants, bonuses and cronyism," Deputy Adams said.
“Sinn Féin is part of the Right2Water campaign.
"I am calling for the biggest possible mobilisation on December 10 to demonstrate the continued widespread opposition to water charges.”
Deputy Adams also used his speech to hit out at the Ceann Comhairle, saying he has "no confidence" in Seán Barrett and that his treatment of Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald in the Dáil on Thursday was "unfair and petulant".
Deputy McDonald staged a sit-in in the Dail chamber, refusing to leave, despite being suspended from the house by the Ceann Comhairle.
Addressing hundreds of party members this afternoon, Deputy Adams described the Ceann Comhairle's behaviour as "silly and bizarre".
"She asked questions - legitimate and appropriate - and his refusal to return to the Dáil chamber until Mary Lou has left was silly and bizarre, especially when she decided to sit tight."
Today's Sinn Féin internal party conference is behind held to discuss preparations for the next general election.
