Sinn Féin leader:Sinn Féin will begin to consider its post-election coalition options at a meeting of senior party advisers today, party leader Gerry Adams said yesterday.
Asked if the party had set up a coalition negotiating team, Mr Adams told journalists: "We are meeting in the morning at nine o'clock. We met last week." The party's ardchomhairle would meet "in the coming days".
"It is looking, in the first instance, at the outcome of the election, and how we can best use any mandate that we receive."
Despite declarations by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael that they would not enter coalition with Sinn Féin, Mr Adams said attitudes would change after the election: "They want the cosy cartel to continue. It [the election] comes in two halves. The first half will end when people cast their votes, and the second half will commence when those votes are counted.
"And then it is down to real politic and trying to work out a programme for government."
He added: "If we get a mandate for government, we will use our mandate wisely to bring about the maximum effect and bring about the end of a two-tier health system."
During Sinn Féin's final press conference, Mr Adams said: "I want to appeal to all voters, particularly the disadvantaged and first-time voters. I understand why some people feel they shouldn't vote, or what's the point? There is every point."
He said Sinn Féin candidates had met with "a huge amount of goodwill" in all constituencies.
