THE Sinn Fein president has criticised the Taoiseach for "inconsistent" handling of the peace process and has indicated his party would prefer a Fianna Fail led government in office.
At his party's final campaign press conference yesterday, Mr Adams said his party would work with whichever government was elected, but he said: "It was a Fianna Fail Taoiseach and a Fianna Fail led coalition which made the contribution to the whole process that led to the cessation in 1994.
"There is a broad feeling that the present Taoiseach has been entirely inconsistent in his handling of the search for peace. We would look for a government that has a more consistent attitude, had an instinct for the issue and would be prepared to put the issue of peace at the very top of the agenda."
Sinn Fein is running 15 candidates in 14 constituencies in the election. Its best prospect of a seal is Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain in Cavan Monaghan. Mr Adams said he did not take seriously Fianna Fail statements that it would not deal with Sinn Fein in the event of a hung Dail. "If it comes down to any of the parties being caught in a hung situation, they'll be looking for our party if we ... get TDs elected."
In such a situation Sinn Fein would have a list of the needs of the constituencies they represented the party's view on social and economic matters, in particular the elimination of poverty a "consistent, inclusive approach to the search for peace", and the need for stable government.