Adams success could ‘boost DUP’
First Minister Peter Robinson says Sinn Féin’s best ever poll result in the Republic of Ireland could act as an electoral boost for the DUP in May.
Mr Robinson was unveiling the party’s 44 candidates for the forthcoming Assembly election, two days after Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams topped the poll in Co Louth in the Irish General election.
Adams’ success reflects that of the party across the Republic, with Sinn Féin now on course to treble their representation in the Dáil with 14 seats.
Mr Adams believes the party will eventually be in government north and south of the border.
“Sinn Féin will be in government, I’ve no doubt about that whatsoever. But there’s no point to be in government just to be the mudguard of some conservative party, we want to be the vanguard… We’re in government in the north and let me be quite assertive about this, we will be in government in this jurisdiction also”, he told UTV.
At Stormont, the DUP leader said it was up to unionists to stop Sinn Féin’s all-Ireland strategy.
Mr Robinson said: “I listen to what the pundits say, and clearly there will be something of a bounce for them (Sinn Féin).
“But the pundits are equally saying that there will be a bounce for us because people will want to ensure that they stop Gerry Adams in his tracks with his all-Ireland plan.”
Mr Robinson said Sinn Féin’s surge came from a protest vote by an electorate that was angry over Fianna Fáil’s mishandling of the Republic’s economy.
“They will end up being something of a contradiction. It will be very difficult for them to take the irresponsible role that oppositions often take in the south, and to take the responsible role that governments have to take in Northern Ireland,” he said.
Both the SDLP and the UUP have called for a similar protest vote in Northern Ireland at the detriment of both Sinn Féin and the DUP.
Talks are underway in Dublin to form a new coalition government between Fine Gael and Labour.
Taoiseach-designate Enda Kenny and Labour chief Eamon Gilmore met face-to-face in private in Leinster House on Monday in the first phase of hard bargaining on portfolios and policies.
Mr Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have congratulated Enda Kenny on his party’s success.
Mr Robinson said: “I look forward to working with Mr Kenny over the coming period. I will be watching closely developments in the Republic as the new government sets about its difficult task of rebuilding a stable economy.”
Mr McGuinness said: “The election result has significantly changed the political landscape and over the coming weeks and months we will look to build and strengthen our relationship with the new government in the South. It is clear that there are many areas where we can work together constructively for the betterment of all the people of Ireland.”
