[Sinn Fein]

15 April 1997

Adams welcomes calling of election

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams today welcomed the end to weeks and months of speculation regarding the calling of the general election in the 26 Counties and said ``Sinn Fein looks forward to contesting this election and are confident of not only increasing our mandate but returning representatives to sit in Leinster House.'' Sinn Fein are standing fifteen candidates in fourteen constituencies.

Mr. Adams said:

``We welcome the decision by John Bruton to set June 6th as the date for the upcoming elections. This general election could be the last of the twentieth century. It is an historic election which will set the pattern for government in this state as it enters the new millenium.

``Sinn Fein looks forward to putting our policies on a wide range of issues to the people of the 26 Counties. In contesting this election under the slogan `A New Opportunity for Peace, A Party for Change' Sinn Fein is committed to rebuilding the peace process. The achievement of a peace settlement will unlock the enormous economic potential which partition and decades of conflict have impeded.

``Sinn Fein is committed to strengthening local democracy and job creation. We are committed to halting the decline in rural Ireland through investment in infrastructure, agriculture and fisheries. We are committed to working with the community in the fight against drugs and crime.

``The return of two Sinn Fein MP's in the 6 County election, which has already had a very positive impact both nationally and internationally, can be matched by the return of Sinn Fein TD's in the 26 Counties.

``There is an alternative to the present status quo. There can be a peace settlement which benefits all the people of this island. There can be an end to the extremes of social inequality in our society.

``Sinn Fein seeks your support in our efforts to end conflict for good and to go into the next century with a prosperous Ireland united and at peace.''

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