SINN FÉIN HAS tabled a motion of no confidence in Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, the party announced at a meeting of the Sinn Féin Ard Comhairle today.

Party president Gerry Adams was critical of the government’s continued support for banks, saying that “this week the Fianna Fáil/Green government recommitted itself to a policy that sees ordinary working families punished to save the banks which have brought economic ruin to this state.”

“Sinn Féin has tabled a Dáil motion of no confidence in the Finance Minister Brian Lenihan. Fine Gael and Labour, if they are serious about bringing down this government, should support that motion,” Adams added.

He went on to call on people around Ireland to voice their opposition to the government’s planned budget cuts, also revealing that his party will launch an alternative budget in November which will argue for an economic stimulus package.

“Unlike the government parties as well as Fine Gael and Labour, Sinn Féin doesn’t accept that cutting €3billion from public expenditure in December’s budget is a good idea. This will merely deepen the recession and lead to further job losses” said Adams.