Mary Lou favourite among the Sinn Féin delegates to take over as Adams announces impending retirement
SINN FÉIN deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald was the name on everybody’s lips last night as a jubilant crowd left Dublin’s RDS after hearing Gerry Adams confirm he is stepping down as leader.
Mr Adams, in a relaxed and playful mood, delivered a strong speech that drummed home Sinn Féin’s anti-Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael message, while keeping people waiting for the final confirmation of his well flagged departure.
Saying there would be a vote on Irish unity within five years, Adams announced: ‘Leadership means knowing when it’s time for change, and that time is now. I will not be standing for the Dáil in the next election. Neither will my friend and comrade Martin Ferris and I want to thank Martin, Marie and her clan for years of service to the Republic.
‘This is also my last Ard Fheis as Uachtaráin of Sinn Féin. I will be asking the incoming Ard Comhairle to agree a date in 2018 for a special Ard Fheis to elect our next uachtaráin.’
Mr Adams added: ‘I have always seen myself as a team player, as a team builder. I have complete confidence in the leaders we have elected this weekend and in the next generation of leaders. And I want to thank everyone who has welcomed me into their homes and communities and made me part of countless campaigns, countless elections and countless negotiations and I want to especially thank the people of west Belfast and the people of Louth for your unswerving support and solidarity.
‘I firmly believe that one person can make a difference and the first step in making that difference is believing that you can be that person.
‘One woman, one man doing their best. That’s what it takes. You don’t have to do as much as Martin McGuinness did but we all have to do our best and we have to do it together. That’s been the key to our successes so far. You are important. You are the nation builders. You are the makers of the future.’
Delegates had earlier voted in favour of a motion to hold a special ard fheis three months after the departure of the party president. The motion will allow for a leadership contest once a vacancy arises.
Deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Mail on Sunday: ‘This is a very, very big moment. Gerry is a giant in Irish political life. I think he’s the outstanding political figure of his generation, and we are all taking it all in. It’s a moment in time, and you can feel the deep admiration and love for Gerry. He is a singularly remarkable political leader and we’ll never see his likes again.’