Micheál Martin's insistence that Sinn Féin remains unfit for participation in a democratic republican government could be regarded as pre-election skirmishing. But it may have important consequences. Last month, Sinn Féin ruled out joining a government led by either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. This weekend, Fianna Fáil delegates will consider motions that reject entering government as a minority party and specifically one involving Fine Gael.
It was the virulence of his speech that attracted attention. Having ruled out the notion of propping up either Sinn Féin or Fine Gael in government some months ago, the Fianna Fáil leader used the 1916 commemoration event as a platform to launch a comprehensive attack on Sinn Féin. He accused the Provisional movement of attempting to falsify history and to claim legitimacy for its sectarian campaign of murder and intimidation through an association with the 1916 Rising that did not exist.
Sinn Féin had “failed to lift a finger” to address the widespread sexual abuse of children by IRA members, he said, and by claiming the murder of Jean McConville was a legitimate act of war, it rejected the settled view of the Irish people that had opposed violence. Even now, its leadership remained wedded to the approach that they could stand as judge and jury over everyone.
Mr Martin referred to Sinn Féin's efforts to undermine the authority of the Dáil by abusing its rules and he clearly regarded that party as the greatest threat to Fianna Fáil. By engaging in a pre-emptive strike, the Fianna Fáil leader may have been anxious to guard against a drift by delegates towards favouring an arrangement with Sinn Féin at the upcoming ardfheis. Some critics within the party have favoured an alliance with Sinn Féin and the idea attracts significant support, in contrast with any arrangement involving Fine Gael.
By staking out his party’s position in unequivocal fashion at Arbour Hill, Mr Martin has indicated a possible agenda for post-election negotiations.