Now do you believe Fianna Fáil when they say they won’t do a deal with Sinn Féin?

Revelations that a senior Fianna Fáil TD has been acting on behalf of former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams in a legal case completely undermines Fianna Fáil’s insistence it won’t enter government with Sinn Féin, Minister Regina Doherty has said.

“I note with great interest the front page article in today’s Irish Independent headlined: ‘Revealed: FF TD’s work on legal case for Gerry Adams’.

“While making absolutely no comment whatsoever on the case in question, this report completely undermines the Fianna Fáil leadership’s denial that it will not do business with Sinn Féin.

“As recently as yesterday, Fianna Fáil’s Justice Spokesperson, Jim O’Callaghan, categorically ruled out entering government with Sinn Féin.

“At a press briefing, the Fianna Fáil frontbench candidate said: ‘It is very important that we be absolutely clear once again.

‘That’s because of the incredible damage Sinn Fein’s programme would cause and because of its continued refusal to respect victims by working to bring criminals to justice.

‘The fixed will of our party, Fianna Fáil, is that we will not enter government with Sinn Féin.’.

Minister Doherty said, “Yet, now we learn that Deputy O’Callaghan – who was a member of the party’s negotiating team after the last election – is providing legal representation to Gerry Adams.

“Voters can make up their own minds on whether they believe if Fianna Fáil will enter coalition with Sinn Féin or not.

“Prior to this, a host of Fianna Fáil representatives have indicated their willingness to enter a coalition with Sinn Féin. Now do you believe Fianna Fáil when they say they won’t do a deal with Sinn Féin?

“Only one party, Fine Gael, is resolute on this and will not consider for an iota any form of coalition or arrangement with Sinn Féin. Everyone has a choice to make tomorrow – continued growth, jobs and investment with Fine Gael or put the country’s future at complete risk with a Fianna Fáil/Sinn Féin arrangement,” Minister Doherty said.