Sinn Féin’s Padraig Mac Lochlainn is not ruling out any options in the formation of the next government.
Looking at the steadfast support for Sinn Féin in Donegal, Mac Lochlainn said the demand for change is evident. Despite his party’s preference for a government without Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, he said he is keen to deliver that change.
He told Donegal Daily: “We are not ruling out talking and engaging. For us, it’s about can we implement policies on housing, improving our health services and on the cost of living. Obviously in Donegal 100% redress is absolutely key. These are all doable, I think Fianna Fáil in particular will have a big decision to make.”
Today’s tally count has put Mac Lochlainn top of the poll in Inishowen and Sinn Féin far out in front with 42% of first preferences from the Donegal electorate.
Pearse Doherty will top the overall poll and Mac Lochlainn took 9,879 first preferences in the tally.
Mac Lochlainn said the results from Inishowen, the epicentre of the defective blocks crisis, show the people’s belief in Sinn Féin’s housing policy.
“I thought it would be a tall order to get the same vote we got the last time, with this issue in play, but people obviously see that Sinn Féin, if we get into government, we can deliver 100% redress.”
