Doherty calls for immediate introduction of mini-budget

Sinn Féin's Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty has used his keynote address at the party's Ard Fheis to call for the immediate introduction of a mini-budget.

Addressing delegates in Belfast, Deputy Doherty said: "Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael must introduce a mini-budget immediately. Not in October. But now."

"An emergency budget that cuts the cost of electricity by delivering energy credits to families", he added.

Deputy Doherty said any emergency budget should reduce the tax on fuel as well as delivering a tax cut that would put money back into workers pockets.

He added that an additional social welfare package was also needed for carers, older people and disabled people.

Yesterday, Tánaiste Simon Harris rejected Deputy Doherty's call for a cost-of-living package during Leaders Questions in the Dáil.

Sinn Féin members will debate and vote on 164 motions ahead of party leader Mary Lou McDonald's address, which will be televised live on RTÉ One, at 6.30pm tomorrow.

A Kneecap Lyrics workshop alongside discussions around the cost-of-living crisis and a united Ireland are among the events taking place at Belfast's International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The event will open with addresses from party MP for Belfast North, John Finucane, and deputy party leader Michelle O'Neill.

Sinn Féin is the most popular party in Ireland, according to the most recent IPSOS B&A poll in The Irish Times - which put the party on 26% of the vote.

This is ahead of the party's first preference share of 19% in the 2024 General Election but below the party's high watermark of 37% in opinion polls two years previous.

Read more: Sinn Féin hopes its time in government is about to arrive

Polls in Northern Ireland have showed a decline in the party's support ahead of next year's Stormont Assembly Elections.

Party figures will be hoping for an uptick in support off the back of the fuel crisis as they face into two bye-elections in Galway West and Dublin Central.

Sinn Féin topped the poll in both constituencies in the last general election - including with party leader Ms McDonald in Dublin Central - but a win in either bye-election is far from certain.

Sinn Féin is currently the second largest party in the Dáil with 39 TDs. It has six senators, two MEPs and 99 councillors.

The party is the largest at Stormont with 27 Assembly seats while it also has seven seats at Westminster which MPs do not take up under the party's long-held abstentionist policy.

DUP attempting to block progress, says O'Neill

Northern Ireland First Minister Ms O'Neill said progress in the Executive has been slower than she would like, and she said she shares people’s frustration.

"However, despite my best efforts, and those of Sinn Féin Ministers, there are quite simply some who do not want to work together," she said.

Speaking at the Ard Fheis, Ms O’Neill accused the DUP of wanting to turn the clock back adding that they are yearning for the days of Unionist misrule.

"They are attempting to block and delay progress on issues that would make a real difference to people’s lives," she said.

The First Minister pledged to reform the institutions of the Assembly - saying they must work for the people.

"I am giving a commitment that we will look at proposals to reform the institutions. Sinn Féin will work with all other progressive parties," she said.

Additional reporting Mícheál Lehane