Mary Lou McDonald speaks on Waterford Airport and more during Dungarvan visit

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was joined by Waterford general election candidates Deputy David Cullinane and Cllr Conor McGuinness today in Dungarvan.

Earlier in the day, Ms. McDonald paid visit to Waterford airport, and told the media that a Sinn Féin government would deliver the project:

“It is fair to say that the south east has for a long time felt left behind” she said, “we were out at the airport earlier and the case has been made for investment in that airport and certainly a Sinn Féin government will make good on that commitment.

“In this part of the country for too long a promise is made and then withheld and it’s not the way to invest properly anywhere and it’s not fair for the south east, so we will certainly take a very different approach in that regard.” 

Whilst in Dungarvan, Ms. McDonald endorsed party colleagues David Cullinane TD and Cllr Conor McGuinness, saying:

“It is the time for a new government, a government with new purpose, new priorities, a government that is prepared and a government with the right talent and the right team.

“Obviously we have to convince people of our case, and we’re here in Dungarvan, in Waterford and in the South East to make the case for that change.

 “Waterford has had an incredible ambassador in my colleague and friend deputy David Cullinane. I want David to be Minister for Health in that new government.

“We’re here also with Cllr Conor McGuinness, who is a Dungarvan man, this is his town. For the change in government that we require, Waterford can play its part by returning not one, but two TDs.” 

She added, “The campaign is going very strongly and we feel quietly confident that we will make a breakthrough here."

Whilst speaking to the media, Ms. McDonald addressed a now deleted Facebook comment from party spokesperson on integration, Claire Kerrane. The Roscommon-Galway TD suggested in her comment that deportation be considered for any immigrant who commits a crime in Ireland.

Responding to the suggestion, Ms. McDonald said: “What Claire said is just a matter of plain common sense, it’s also a matter already in Irish law.

“Where someone is convicted of a serious violent offence, there is the option to return that person to their home state or their country of origin. That to me just makes sense.

She added: “We’re here in a place today where lots of people come to visit and they’re always very welcome here. This is a welcoming country and we need to make sure it remains that way.

“But the question that Claire was addressing was not that, she was addressing a situation where there is a serious crime, and what the sanction ought be."

Ms. McDonald was asked if Deputy Kerrane was asked to delete the comment, to which she replied: “to be honest I didn’t even see the post.” 

Ms. McDonald was also asked if she is ruling out entering into a coalition with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in the future:

“We want a new government beyond Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil" she said, "Our proposition could not be clearer to the people. After a century of government led by Fianna Fáíl and Fine Gael, we want a new government led by Sinn Féin without Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. That is the basis upon which we are running a record number of candidates.”