Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)

I have the greatest respect for aspects of the ideology behind the motion that Sinn Féin has presented. I have no desire to see our public assets sold nor does the Labour Party. We do this with a heavy heart and with regret. The realities of government, however, and of a crisis such as this means we do not have the luxury of the Opposition parties in sticking dogmatically to our ideology. Sinn Féin knows well that ideology must sometimes be compromised when faced with political reality, as it demonstrated to its credit during the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrews Agreement.

Sinn Féin Members are sometimes criticised for the incongruous nature of their criticism of the Government in this jurisdiction, especially when compared to how their party colleagues are carrying out their duties in the North. Sinn Féin rightfully defends itself from such criticism by pointing out the Northern Assembly and Executive are forced to work within the budgetary constraints laid down by Westminster. Perhaps, Sinn Féin might recognise the Government here is similarly constrained both by financial and economic realities.

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