Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill has revealed that she is planning to put herself forward to become the deputy leader of the party. The new leader and deputy will officially be elected on February 10. The party's national chairman Declan Kearney MLA said the nomination process for deputy leader will close on Monday January 29. Mr Kearney also said with a new leader and deputy leader Sinn Fein "will face into the next general election offering the electorate an opportunity to elect a new government committed to tackling" the crises in health and housing. However, speaking to Clare FM, Mr Varadkar says he is not convinced Sinn Féin could run the country well, given their past performance in Northern Ireland.

Source: Irish Examiner January 21, 2018 21:33 UTC