‘Sinn Féin will deliver positive change’ – O’Neill

SINN Féin say the ‘wreckless behaviour’ of the DUP in walking away from the Executive will not deter its desire to ‘delivering positive changes’ for the people of the North.

Speaking during a visit to Omagh on Friday, Sinn Féin Vice-President, Michelle O’Neill, said there is ‘no alternative’ to the power-sharing institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement.

However, party leaders look set to take a hard line on any change to the name of the Office of First and Deputy First Minister if they emerge from the May election as the largest party.

There has been speculation that the titles could be changed to ‘Joint First Minister’ in a bid to encourage Unionists to rejoin any new Stormont Executive following the poll.

Both the DUP and Ulster Unionists refuse to say whether they will join the Executive under a Sinn Féin First Minister as polls consistently indicate that the party will become the largest in the Assembly.

“The titles are the titles,” Ms O’Neill told the TyroneHerald.

“It’s good enough for me to hold the post of Deputy First Minister, it was good enough when these titles were agreed under the Good Friday Agreement.”

She added, “We will go to the election in May – if not sooner – and we will ask for the support of the public.

“We want to come back as the largest party because we believe we can deliver the positive changes that people want.

“It’s time for change and Sinn Féin are up for leading that change across this island.”

The Tyrone-based politician
and the party’s President, Mary
Lou McDonald, held a series of events in West Tyrone on
Friday.

They visited Dean Maguirc College in Carrickmore and the Arvalee School and Resource Centre, as well as meeting party representatives and activists.

Their visit came as DUP leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, expressed doubt that the Stormont Executive would be reformed without change to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

But Ms O’Neill said there was ‘no other alternative’ to making Stormont work.

“I hope it (Stormont) will return and I’m working on that basis. I believe in the power-sharing institutions and I believe in making politics work here. I know there is no other alternative.

“Those of us that seek election need to be able to work together – we will be willing partners
with others who share the same views as ourselves in terms
of good public services, delivering for and tackling the issues weighing heavy on people’s
minds like the cost of living and health.

“All that is being put in jeopardy by the wreckless behaviour of the DUP in walking away from power-sharing.

“I worked with Paul Givan for eight or nine months and we had a good working relationship.

“I will work with whoever is the leader of the DUP, I will work with whoever is my joint partner in government, regardless if it’s Paul Givan or anyone else.

“But I expect that relationship to be one based on respect.”