Doolan - McDowell all slogans & no substance
Published: 5 March, 2005
Sinn Féin Dublin South East Representative, Cllr. Daithí Doolan, speaking at the the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis this morning, called on "Minister for Justice Michael McDowell to end his anti republican rantings and to concentrate on the job he was elected to do, that of administrator of justice, equality and law reform."
Speaking at the R.D.S. Dublin, Cllr. Doolan said, "Sinn Féin is totally committed to the peace process, much progress has been made over the last 10 years but we are in no doubt that the process is currently in crisis. Republicans will not be seen wanting when it comes to rising to the challenges that lie ahead for all those interested in seeking a lasting peace on our island. What is not helpful, are the current headline seeking attacks by Minister McDowell. He has become the Minister for Smoke and Mirrors, all slogans and no substance. He continues to throw out wild, unsubstantiated allegations about Sinn Féin TDs, makes scurrilous racist allegations about foreign nationals, failes miserably to tackle the rise in crime, oversees an unreformed and disgraced Garda force. This is all going while drug dealing remains rampant in our cities, racism continues to raise it's ugly head, communities cannot get a response to a 999 call and the peace process remains in near fatal crisis.
"It is now clear that Minister McDowell is in fact running the peace process on behalf of the government. But it is up to the Taoiseach, Bertie Aherne, to take back control and reclaim this lost ground before more serious and long term damage is done by the ranting minister. Sinn Féin fully realises it's responsibility to the future of the peace process. Our track record is second to none and beyond reproach. But we also realise the current attacks on our party have more to do with the rise in our popularity and the threat we pose to the cosy conservative coalition that exists amongst the larger parties in Leinster House. We will not be distracted, we will not become embroiled in a carnival of speculation. We have an agenda based on building an Ireland of equals, radical social change and uniting this country. This agenda will not change despite the attempts of our opponents on both sides of the border, we remain strong, committed and focused on the challenges ahead."
In conclusion Cllr. Doolan claimed, "Minister McDowell and his cohorts have failed in the past to isolate and criminalise republicanism and they will fail once again. He had better realise this and get on with the work at hand or he will be voted out of a job at the next election by the good people of Dublin South East." Ends
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