Sinn Fein has left the door open to coalition following the next general election if any of Sinn Féin’s 30 candidates are returned as TDs.
Speaking at today’s rally of Sinn Féin candidates and activists at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin, party president Gerry Adams said the real issue was not whether other political parties would go into coalition with Sinn Féin, but whether Sinn Féin would go into coalition with them.
"Some other parties have said they will not share power with Sinn Féin," Mr Adams said.
"Shades of the DUP - they don’t want to see a fenian about the place? But does anyone really believe that a Taoiseach-in-waiting will not deal with our party if we have enough TDs to make a difference.
"Does anyone believe that our support will not be actively sought? . . . And the real question is not, and never has been whether they will go into government with us.
"The real question is whether we would go into government with them."
Mr Adams also accused the Gardaí in North Kerry of conducting a "vicious campaign of harassment" against the Martin Ferris election campaign.
The objective of the campaign, he said, was to scare people away from giving transfer votes to Sinn Féin and "adversely effect our potential" in the general election.
"Let me be very clear on all this," he said.
"I am very proud of Martin Ferris. I am proud to have him standing for Sinn Fein in North Kerry.
"I am proud of the record of this party in standing shoulder to shoulder with communities threatened by the scourge of drugs.
"We have no apologies to make for this."
Mr Adams also said that Sinn Fein had no intention of interfering with the work of the Gardai in this respect and called for the establishment of a taskforce comprising of Gardai, statutory and voluntary bodies and community groups.
However, he also called for the establishment of an ombudsman to scrutinise policing.
" . . .introducing into the policing system here reforms to policing that make the Gardaí more accountable to the community it serves," he added.
"For example, the appointment of an ombudsman would be a constructive move forward."