LISTEN: Michelle O'Neill tells Ard Fheis the balance of power has shifted irreversibly in Stormont

By Q Radio News

Deputy First minister Michelle O'Neill has opened the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis  in Dublin this morning.

It is the first annual conference for the party in two years.

Ms O'Neill  told delegates "the balance of power at Stormont has shifted irreversibly, and the political unionist majority is gone."

She said: "This is now about those of us who want to work together to make the Assembly and Executive work, to deliver on health and education, to deliver progressive change taking on those who want to maintain the status quo and resist that change.

"The DUP roll back on political agreements, their continued denial of equality and rights is dead end politics.

"Their boycott of the North-South Ministerial Council has been declared unlawful by the High Court.

"Their futile stunt to provoke outrage is in vain.

"Harking back to a bygone era of Unionist rule is a lost cause too.

"The DUP has declared that a Sinn Féin First Minister after the next election would give unionism a real problem.

"Well, let me be crystal clear. The days of nationalists need not apply are gone. The days of denying abortion rights to women, to LGBT citizens, and Irish Language speakers are gone.

"It is for the people to decide the next First Minister, not the DUP."

The Sinn Fein Vice President also warned that the party will hold the Secretary of State's "feet to the fire" to ensure an Irish Language act is passed by politicians at Westminister.

She said: "In June the DUP reneged on its commitments to legislate for an Acht Gaeilge. Sinn Féin moved around them. The British government agreed to take the Bills through Westminster in October. I met Brandon Lewis this week who confirmed he is taking the steps to introduce the legislation.

"We expect these commitments to be honoured. And we will continue to hold his feet to the fire to ensure that this is delivered.

"Acht Gaeilge anois!"

(The Sinn Fein Vice President said her party would hold Brandon Lewis' "feet to the fire" on the Irish Language Act)

She also questioned if the British Government wants to reach an agreement with the EU on post-Brexit issues.

The Mid Ulster MLA said there is no “credible” alternative to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

“I reminded the British Government this week that a majority in the north see the protocol as the solution to their Brexit disaster,” Ms O’Neill told the Ard Fheis.

“Businesses in the north continue to access the single market. They want the protocol to work.

“They want certainty and they want solutions. However, the new red lines set out by the British Government begs the question do they want a solution at all?

“We will soon see.”

The deputy leader also criticised the British Government proposals to end all prosecutions for Troubles offences.

She accused the British Government of attempting to “hide” its role during the Troubles.

“Sinn Fein will stand with the families of all victims and lobby the EU and US in support of the Stormont House Agreement and against this universally rejected policy from Downing Street,” Ms O’Neill added.

(Ms O'Neill told delegates, the Protocol is the only viable solution to Brexit)