Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has called on Labour and the Greens to join his party in "a new alliance for change" which would provide "an egalitarian alternative to the politics of greed, inefficiency, waste and corruption".
In his presidential address to the party's Ard Fheis in Dublin today he said: "I believe the time is right for a new alliance of all people and parties that want real and fundamental change."
The replacement of the current coalition by another arrangement, with Fine Gael as the main party, would be "like replacing Tweedledum with Tweedledee". He added: "In my view – and they will reach their own decisions - the Labour Party has a duty not to prop up either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael."
"Instead Labour should explore with us and others the potential for co-operation in the future."
"I want to invite all potential allies to come together to forge a stronger, more united progressive and democratic movement for our country - one that aims to meet the needs of all citizens."
"And I include parties like Labour, the Greens - if they can survive the fall-out from their participation in this government; other smaller parties ; the trade unions; the community organisations that are on the front line in the battle for equality; Gaelgeoirí; rural agencies and organisations, including farming bodies and fishing communities; women's groups; the students, youth organisations and especially those who speak
for the disabled, the poor, the unemployed, the homeless and the marginalised in our society."
"Sinn Féin is ready to join with all of those who want real change and who recognise that the road to real change requires unity of purpose, of ideas and of energy," Mr Adams said.
On the economic crisis, the Sinn Fein President outlined key points in his party's approach as follows:
* Establishing a three-year job-creation strategy, including support for small businesses;
* Creating jobs by investing in schools, rail infrastructure, in our environment and in our rural and fishing communities and disadvantaged urban communities;
* Growing the indigenous export market
* Ensuring that bank credit was available to sustain small and medium businesses.
He added: "And it means, and this is crucial, preventing the repossession of people's homes by the banks."
Turning to the North and the party's role in the powersharing Executive, he said: "The DUP is working with us - this is a party established to block civil rights, a party which opposed power-sharing and the Good Friday Agreement. The DUP is now working all-Ireland institutions."
"But this isn't to say that everything is rosy. (Addressing Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness:) That right, Martin?"
"No one should be under any illusions. Working with the DUP is very difficult. Our biggest challenge is Gregory (Campbell) or else it's an opportunity perhaps. And Sammy (Wilson) who believes that the earth is flat. But at least Sammy has a sense of humour. So holding the DUP to its commitments and ensuring that the equality agenda of the Good Friday and St Andrews Agreements is delivered is hard work."
"But Unionist politicians now know that if they wish to exercise political power they can only do so in partnership with the rest of us. It is a battle a day, every day, over education, the environment, Acht na Gaeilge and much, much more."
"But we have made progress in the transfer of powers on policing and justice, in tackling fuel poverty, in securing additional funding for economic investment and for tackling rural poverty, and in deferring water charges."
He continued: "This summer, Sinn Féin will host two major conferences in the USA and next year a conference in Britain. Our intention is to engage with the Irish diaspora and to marshal its political strength in support of a Irish Unity."
On the second Lisbon referendum he said: "All the signs are that the 'Yes' camp will attempt to foist the same flawed treaty on the people. They will try to link the current economic difficulties to last year's Treaty rejection. Such arguments are dishonest and spurious."
