Sinn Fein federalism.

Sinn Fein are one of the most anti-EU parties in Irish Politics summed up pretty much by their numerous releases along the lines of Sinn Féin wants a Europe of equals not a federal superstate. But in the Irish context they had the Eire Nua document of a while back which with the rise of Gerry Adams became undone and abandoned in 1982. The idea was simply a parliament in each of the 4 provinces with the main parliament being in Athlone. (talk about decentralisation) and the organisation of the state along federalist lines. Now Sinn Fein policy now is for 1 parliament government ans not a federalist government. So the reply to the Greens blocking of developments in Monaghan was surprising.

“Minister Gormley has no mandate for this action. The Green Party candidate in the recent General Election stood on the basis of rejection of the democratic decisions of Monaghan County Council. He received just 3% of the vote clearly showing that his views are not supported by Monaghan people

Now the Mandate that John Gormley made the decision on was not done on the basics of the vote that the Green party got in Monaghan but the  mandate the government got in the  entire country. A mandate that includes the right to overrule  Monaghan  County Council on this matter.  The fact that Sinn Fein questioned this, citing the local election results indicate to me a possible rejection of the central government idea and a return to the ideas of Eire Nua. Maybe giving us a Nua Eire Nua? Possibly thinking that if divided correctly  for them  places like Connaught -Ulster would give them more power they would get in a General Election where most of Lenister and parts of Munster are Barren wastelands.  Indeed it might also allow them to re-try their power to the people mantra. Gaining votes by playing the more power closer to the people card. And this may very well work for them. If Dublin gets a Mayor many other places will be looking for similar powers and we may well end up with 3 others (Rest of Leinster, Munster  and  Connaught -Ulster) if the Sinners were in there first they might get some kudos from the electorate.

That are it was just a cheap dig of a throwaway statement that forgot the government got double Sinn Fein’s support in Cavan Monaghan.