Published: Thursday, 4th February, 2010 2:43pm

No return to Orange rule

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Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew has said her party "will not tolerate any return to Orange rule" and that any precondition on parades ahead of the transfer of policing and justice powers will "simply not work."

The Fermanagh/South Tyrone MP was giving a political overview to a packed hall of activists at Sinn Fein's Annual General Meeting at the Clinton Centre, Enniskillen last Thursday evening.

"One thing is for certain", said Ms Gildernew, "the current attempt by the DUP to act as proxies for the Orange Order is going to fail. The nationalist people of the six counties have suffered too much at the hands of Orangeism and Sinn Féin will not tolerate any return to Orange rule."

Before introducing Ms Gildernew, out-going Chairman, Sean Lynch, who has been replaced by party activist Debbie Coyle, first outlined a report on the re-organisation and strengthening of the Party in Fermanagh over the last year.

Ms Gildernew said that Sinn Féin wanted the Assembly to continue but only on the basis of partnership. "We have spoken with both the British and Irish Governments and they are fully aware of the undertakings given at St Andrew's and in the Good Friday Agreements. Sinn Féin wants to see these agreements honoured," she said.

Guest speaker on the night, was high profile republican and Chairperson of Belfast Sinn Fein Bobby Storey, who gave a short address to the meeting on the significance of the forth-coming election.

"The Westminster election must not only secure this seat for Nationalism and Republicanism, it must send a message right across Ireland that Sinn Féin, together with our values and beliefs, is here to stay."