On Tuesday, Michelle O’Neill gave a speech at the Great Victoria Street Hotel, which was bombed 33 times during Troubles. He outlined Sinn Fein’s priorities for the upcoming elections, including the cost-of-living crisis and the “tough defense” of the Good Friday Agreement. “The facts are that the balance of power in Stormont has changed irrevocably and political unionism has to come to terms with the fact that the world is moving fast,” Ms O’Neill said. “So while DUP and TUV are trying to get us back, our message is clear, we are just moving forward.” Commenting on the choice of venue, Kenny Donaldson, a spokesman for Innocent Victims United, said: The most bombed hotel in Europe is at least brazen. “However, because of the intensity of the IRA’s bombing campaign – and that of other terrorists – few hotel rooms across Northern Ireland have been left unscathed.” TUV South Belfast candidate Andrew Girvin said the start of Sinn Fein’s campaign in Europa was a “grotesque spectacle” given the setting. “Here we had the political wing of the terrorist organization that repeatedly bombed the hotel where they met, daring to invoke democracy and respect the will of the people. “There is nothing anti-democratic in denying the functioning of the Belfast Agreement structures that could impose a First Minister for Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland. “The choice of venue for this democratic jumbo underscores the fact that no trade unionist should ever agree to take the post of deputy prime minister of Sinn Féin. “However, just a few weeks after the election, both the DUP and the UUP are avoiding this vital question. “Will they act as Michelle O’Neill’s bridesmaid? Why is there a reluctance to be open and honest with the public at this point?” DUP Gordon Lyons said Sinn Fein’s start to the election shows that their priority is to vote at the border and not to help families or rebuild the Northern Ireland economy. The party’s director of elections said: “The Sinn Fein rally was a show of strength for a border vote. “While the DUP has a five-point plan to build a better future for Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein wants to win the election to implement its plan for a cross-border poll. “There is a clear choice for people whether they want a future that focuses on fixing our health care system, tackling the cost of living crisis and replacing protocol, or focusing on a divisive border poll. “When Michelle O’Neill talks about storytelling, we know that these are not record levels of investment in our hospitals to which she refers. This is not a time for division and uncertainty. “That’s why these elections are so important.” Sinn Fein has contacted for comments. Speaking at the start of the election, Ms O’Neill said Sinn Fein would defend but not renegotiate Good Friday. The former deputy minister said that those “longing for the past must realize that there is no going back, only ahead.” Sinn Fein’s Stormont leader also described the DUP’s collapse of the executive branch as “political vandalism”, although her own party also ousted Stormont on the same Assembly mandate. He said: “When the North-South Assembly, the Executive and the Council of Ministers were restored in January 2020, it was with a common commitment to deliver public services, social reforms and the future that our people need and deserve. “It was ambitious to form a five-party executive alliance, but it was achieved by returning to the real distribution of power, and fortunately, because while everyone knew there would be challenges ahead, no one could have predicted that in a few weeks our executive would face a global pandemic that would have such devastating effects on every section of society, community and people’s lives and livelihoods. “It is in honor of all the ministers from the five parties that responded and worked with unity of purpose and unity of leadership in the last two years. “This is what the public wants to see more of – collaboration and tradition.” Ms O’Neill added: “Sinn Fein will defend itself, without renegotiating the Good Friday Agreement now or in the future.” Ms O’Neill said the May 5 election was “the most important in a generation”.
