Sinn FeinArd Fheis 1998

18/19 April 1998
Reconvened 10 May 1998


A broad view of the conference hall

The 1998 Sinn Fein Ard Fheis or annual conference was reconvened on 10 May for a special conference in the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) in Ballsbridge, Dublin. The original conference was held in the same location on the weekend of 18/19 April.

The Ard Fheis marked a landmark development in the Irish peace process, as delegates backed the outcome of negotiations in Belfast between the North's political parties and the Irish and British governments, despite reservations. The party made over a hundred policy changes in all, including a decision to contest local elections to the new northern assembly on the basis of participation in that assembly and related all-Ireland structures.

You can still take part in the debate in a number of ways:

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Political prisoners Hugh Doherty and Liam Quinn, recently transferred from England, were among the 27 serving prisoners who took part in the day's events.

Vote on the issues
before our delegates

We are looking to hear your voice on the issues that were before the delegates.

MOTIONS TO RECONVENED ARD FHEIS
 
MOTIONS TO ORIGINAL ARD FHEIS
  • Putting People First
  • Political Hostages
  • Justice & Equality
  • Putting People First (continued)
  • International Affairs
  • Constitution & Rules
  • Organisation
  • Environment & Health Policy Documents
    		•   TOWARDS A LASTING PEACE


    Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness

    The conference online
    as audio streams

    The result of motion 9, a critical vote which proposed to allow successful candidates participate in new local government structures for the Six Counties, is available here as a realaudio file or as a live stream.

    To listen to the audio stream, you will need to obtain the RealPlayer plugin.

    The concluding Address by Gerry Adams to the reconvened conference is also available as a RealAudio stream at this site, and also in text format.

    The Presidential address can be downloaded as a realaudio file or as a single live stream.

    International Guests

    There were a large number of international guests attending the 1998 Ard Fheis. These included: There were also representatives from the following embassies - United States, Japan, Romania, Germany, South Africia, Russia, France, Norway, Canada, Denmark, Holland, Mexico and Zimbabwe.

    Speeches to the Ard Fheis

    SPEECHES TO RECONVENED ARD FHEIS
    Opening addressby Sinn Fein Vice President Pat Doherty
    Introductory addressby Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams
    Proposing Ard Comhairle Resolution 9by Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle member Martin Ferris
    Proposing Ard Chomhairle Emergency Motion 13by Ard Chomhairle member Rita O'Hare
    Speaking in favour of Ard Chomhairle Emergency Motion 13by Dublin South-West delegate Sean Crowe
    Address on Ard Chomhairle proposalsby Sinn Fein negotiator Alec Maskey
    Presidential Addressby Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams
    SPEECHES TO ORIGINAL ARD FHEIS
    Opening addressby Sinn Fein Chairman Mitchel McLaughlin
    Presidential Addressby Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams
    Address on Stormont Negotiationsby Sinn Fein Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness
    Address on Justice & Equality Sectionby Ard Comhairle member Anne Speed
    Address on the Amsterdam Treatyby Sinn Fein TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
    Address on Middle East Peace Processby Ard Comhairle member Bairbre de Brun
    Closing Remarksby Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams

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