Sinn Féin has launched its election manifesto, titled “Choice For Change.”
The 180-page manifesto reads “in this general election, you have a clear choice. A choice between the disappointments and failures of the past or a future of hope and change with a government that cares about you and has the etailed plans to deliver for you, your family, your community and for Ireland.””This election is an opportunity to elect a government that acts in the interest of ordinary people.,” it reads.
The brief version of the manifesto says that the party will abolish the USC for those on the average wage, keep the right to retire at 65, increase the minimum wage and “commence the largest house building programme in the history of the state.”
Sinn Féin said they would abolish student fees and make housing more affordable, along with making access to mental health professionals easier.
On the topic of immigration, the party said “we would manage our borders better and more fairly” through what they call an Immigration Management Agency.
On climate, a topic the party hasn’t especially focused on, the party said they would let “every ordinary household” access retrofitting.
“For our planet, we would ensure that Ireland meets our climate targets in a way that is fair including targeting the carbon output of the wealthy; establishing a nature restoration fund; establishing a new €2.5bn Renewable Energy Investment Fund and overhauling the national retrofit programme so that every ordinary household can afford to access retrofitting,” the document reads.
The end of the preamble reads “Every election is a choice. But, in this election you will have a real opportunity, for the firsttme in the history of the state, after more than 100 years, to vote for real change.”
Drilling deeper into the manifesto, the manifesto makes no reference to a 4-day working week, someone that People Before Profit and the Greens have called for, no reference to the right to remote work or working from home, and the policy document fails to mention decriminalisation which Labour, the Greens, and Social Democrats have all discussed in their manifestos.
Housing is a major focus of Sinn Féin’s manifesto, with the party promising to build 300,000 new homes between 2025 and 2029.
The party said they would also make homebuying easier for first-time buyers as well as banning rent increases for three years.
On the referendum front, the party has promised to hold referendums on the right to water and housing should they get into power.
In terms of foreign policy, the party has pledged to continue Ireland’s policy of neutrality but did not commit to holding a referendum on the issue.
The full Sinn Féin manifesto can be read here.