THE GOVERNMENT has no mandate to enforce the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) and should put the plan to the Irish people “in a general election situation”, according to Sinn Féin.
The party’s Dáil leader, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, told Sinn Féin’s think-in in Howth, Co Dublin, that voters also wanted an opportunity to pass judgment on the Coalition’s performance.
“This Government has no mandate to bring in Nama, absolutely no mandate whatsoever. And if they are to proceed with this proposal they have every right, duty and responsibility to put the detail of Nama to the Irish people and that can best be done in our view, in the context of all that we’re currently facing, in a general election situation,” he said.
“Let the people decide, let the people choose as to what the answer should be and who they believe should be at the helm of government in this State going forward into the coming years.”
Sinn Féin’s finance spokesman Arthur Morgan called for the immediate nationalisation of the “good parts” of Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks, which he described as systemically important financial institutions.
“Nama is a gamble. It is also the crime of the century. We will be opposing Nama with every tool available to us in this coming Dáil,” Mr Morgan said.
The think-in was attended by party workers and Sinn Féin Oireachtas members: its four TDs — Mr Ó Caoláin, Mr Morgan, Martin Ferris and Aengus Ó Snodaigh — and its only Senator, Pearse Doherty.
Some support staff attached to the party’s Assembly representatives were also present.
The Oireachtas members yesterday backed Mr Ferris’s collection from Castlerea Prison in July of the last two Provisional IRA gang members serving prison sentences for killing Det Garda Jerry McCabe.
Mr Ó Caoláin was asked if the party’s other TDs and Senator supported Mr Ferris’ action.
“Well of course we do. I mean we have to recognise that Martin had a direct responsibility, was in direct contact with the Department of Justice representatives for all of these years. That was an integral part of his overall responsibility as the Government very well knows,” he said.
Mr Ferris said that the department knew he was going to collect Pearse McCauley and Kevin Walsh, who had served more than 10 years of a 14-year manslaughter sentence.
Mr Ferris said that he was in contact with the department in the days prior to their release.
“The department was well aware that I was going to be there on the morning that they were being released,” he said.
Mr Ferris said that the men, who were released in July, were the last two qualifying prisoners under the Belfast Agreement and the public knew that he had acted as a spokesman for them for many years.
He added that he was there in that capacity, and also to try to ensure that the event would not become a “media circus”. This would have added further hurt and pain to Det Garda McCabe’s widow, Ann, and her family, “who are the victims in all of this as well,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Ó Caoláin acknowledged that the party had greater representation and support in Northern Ireland, but insisted that there was no strain within the leadership of the party as a consequence.
“This is a united leadership. I’ve been a member of the leadership of this party for a long number of years, as indeed has Deputy Martin Ferris, and we work collectively with each of our colleagues from our party president Gerry Adams down,” he said.
“There is no strain within the leadership of this party. We’re united and committed.”
Mr Ferris said an article by his daughter Toireasa Ferris in the newspaper An Phoblacht had prompted internal debate. Ms Ferris, an unsuccessful European election candidate, said it was unfortunate that many voters saw Sinn Féin as a Northern party.
“There’s absolute faith in the leadership. She’s my daughter and I’m part of the leadership, and I’m quite sure she has a lot of faith in me,” he said.
