In the tea room
By Laura Friel
Tommy from Castlebar
``As I was driving myself down to the Ard Fheis, I thought to myself,
`We can't expect this year's conference to be exciting. Last year was
historic and this year, well, the peace process has been stalled.'
But I was wrong; there's a real buzz here. Everyone is gearing up for
the local elections, and for once we have the space to reflect on
what Europe really means for us. The conference was relaxed and
confident. In Castlebar, the peace process has brought many more
people into the frame. Sinn Féin is enjoying a warmer reception and
people are really engaging with our political project. On the
doorsteps, decommissioning is a non-issue: people can see that the
IRA's ceasefire is holding and that's enough. I think there are
growing opportunities for Sinn Féin to build a strong party in the
South. Fianna Fáil are in crisis. There's space there now, more than
ever.''
Paul from Lisburn
``There's a sense of maturity about the Ard Fheis this year.''
Maureen from Navan
``I only understand conflict. When I became involved it was within the
context of the war. I'm not against the peace process; I just find it
difficult to evaluate. I don't know how to judge it. All my life I've
watched the news. Now I put on the news and it's as if there's no
news. When there was a successful IRA operation, it felt as if you
were hitting back. You don't get a sense of that now. It's a
different phase of the struggle - that's how I see it. We need to
develop different ways of understanding it. We need to go with it,
but it's hard to adapt. In Navan, there's more of an acceptance of
Sinn Féin, but it's superficial. Scratch deep enough and there's
hostility. I guess there's a kind of grudging respect for us. We held
on to something we believed in. For me, well, I look around and see
the faces of so many of our prisoners, some of them imprisoned for
over 20 years, and the fact that they're still here is good enough
for me.''
Tom from Belfast
``There's a sense that the party has arrived.''
Jackie from mid Monaghan
``I think the Ard Fheis is very upbeat this year. I came here thinking
it might be a bit of a downer with the crisis in the peace process at
the moment. But it's clear that Sinn Féin's activists are determined
that nothing is going to hold us down. We `re on target with all our
candidates in Monaghan. The peace process has definitely broadened
Sinn Féin's appeal. You can see it clearly on the doorsteps. The
peace process matters to people and they're looking towards Sinn Féin
as guarantors. Everyone wants to know if we think it will succeed.
Decommissioning is not an issue. People recognised that, despite all
the provocation, Sinn Féin has not walked away from the Agreement.
They admire us for that. We've persisted and now we're determined to
move the process forward.''
Marie from Kerry
``I'm disgusted that only one woman has been elected onto the Ard
Chomairle.''
Rosena from North Belfast
``I'm just glad to be here again. It's a great crowd: old faces, new
faces, loads of friends. I've seen people here I haven't seen for 20
years. Gerry was very professional and confident in the delivery of
his speech. Sinn Fein has come a long way, that's clear. It's
difficult when you've just got out jail. The movement has been very
supportive with the practicalities, but every newly released prisoner
will face changes in their personal life which are difficult to deal
with. I went into jail a mother of seven children, the centre of
their lives and needs. I came out and they're all grown up. They're
not my daughters as much as someone else's wives and mothers. It
makes you feel you're standing on the periphery of their lives. We
all suddenly have to renegotiate our relationships - all at once with
no time for them to evolve. It's difficult. I guess the peace process
has been difficult for some republicans, once in the thick of it, now
feeling on the periphery. But it's great to see the party in such
great shape. Some changes are clearly for the better.''
Francis from Poleglass
``I came to the Ard Fheis for the first time last year with Sinn Féin
Youth. There are over 70 of us here this year. The speeches have been
very interesting. When Gerry talked about Nato bombing the Serbians,
and Tony Blair finding no difficulty with that but trying to portray
the silent guns of the IRA as a threat to peace, that made a lot of
sense to me. He was talking about hypocrisy. The best part of the Ard
Fheis for me was Joe Cahill. When I think of Joe Cahill I think of
all the experience he has. At 14 years of age, I'm at the other end
of the scale. I think it's good that we are both pulling in the same
direction. Joe Cahill has the experience of the past, but I have the
responsibility for the future. Young people have a very significant
part to play in this struggle. We are the people of the future.''
Gerry from Belfast
``The main thrust of the Ard Fheis has been towards the elections.
It's important for Sinn Féin to maximise their vote, to get every
single vote out. In the past, particularly in the Six Counties, it's
been difficult for republicans to motivate themselves and see how
European elections affect them. But we need a strong voice in Europe.
The forthcoming elections give us the opportunity to show both
nationally and internationally that republicans have a mandate and
cannot be marginalised or ignored. The last time I was at the Ard
Fheis was 1976. It's great to see all the young faces here today.
After spending years in jail, it's great to come out and see the
vibrancy of the party, the confidence and the youth. We are the
radical voice of Ireland: there's no doubt about that.''
Kate from Dublin
``Everyone's overwhelmed - with the heat if not the speeches.''
Mary from England
``I'm here to represent the Troops Out Movement, so my main interest
is in the national question, but I've found the debate around the
broader issues inspiring. Many of the points of debate raised around
local government and the environment we should be discussing in
England too. Despite all the difficulties of the peace process, it's
clear that the Sinn Féin leadership are working hard to keep the
party on track. That's a sign of responsible leadership. I was here
last year and was so impressed by the contribution of young people.
That's been confirmed for me again this year. And they're not taking
a back seat. They're up at the front making wonderful speeches and
looking so young it makes you wonder if their mothers know that
they're out. I think the most wonderful thing about being here is the
tenacity of people; ordinary people living in their own communities
showing the world that they're ready for government. I wish we had
more of that in England.''
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