LAST UPDATE | 13 Jul

SINN FEIN LEADER Mary Lou McDonald has claimed that the party diverged from what its supporters wanted in the family and care referendums and on the issue of immigration. 

She admitted her party fell short of its own expectations in the recent election and said it had “lost the trust” of its regular supporters. 

McDonald was quoted in a statement from Sinn Fein this afternoon which claimed the party has diverged from “where most people are” on immigration. 

She also admitted that the party “got it wrong” in regard to the recent family and care referendums.

McDonald was speaking following a meeting of the Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle which discussed the findings of a review after the local and European elections results.

“Sinn Féin had a disappointing outcome in the recent local and European elections.

“Despite making slight gains, we fell significantly short of our own expectations.

“Having listened to our party grassroots, and equally to the electorate, we will now take decisive steps to prepare for the upcoming general election, whenever it may be held.

“We must define opportunities for families, workers, and communities that people can have trust and faith in again,” she said. 

McDonald said that Sinn Fein were committed to its Republican stance and that they are “firmly of the left” but admitted that the party’s supporters may have different views. She said they “must do better”. 

“But we – and I as the leader of this party – must acknowledge that, for a sizeable section of our supporters, they believe we failed to have their backs and that we didn’t listen to their concerns.

“It is evident that in the local and European elections, we lost trust, and we lost support.

“I have listened, and we are going to go listen – every single day – to what those who rely on Sinn Féin are telling us. That has always been on of our big strength,” she said. 

She said that they must listen “to the concerns of those we are proud to represent”.

McDonald said that the party settled for “second best” in the family and care referendums. 

“On the issue of immigration, we have also failed to reflect where most people are at. Sinn Féin stands firmly against racism. So too do the Irish people.

“We are a modern, European country with a strong economy. We depend on migrant workers in many areas of our society, not least our health service.

“Everyone must be treated with respect, dignity, and in accordance with human rights standards. This is not in dispute,” she said. 

But then changed tack and said that the State “must have an immigration policy that makes sense to people”.

She said it must be “transparent, fair and that works”.

“At present, this is not the case. We need a system that ensures applications are processed swiftly, has clear criteria for determining who can come here, whether they can work, and what support they may receive,” she added. 

McDonald added that the party would set out its “vision, priorities and policies to regain the trust and support of those who feel we have left them down”.

The Sinn Féin leader said that the party must be “the most effective Opposition in the history of this State”.

“To being a voice for good, and the voice for those who are not currently being heard in the corridors of power,” she added. 

As reported by The Journal previously some grassroots members had accused the party leadership of “not listening” to them on key issues over recent months as the party has continued its slide in the polls.