Adams refuses to comment on retiring Ahern's 'parachutist' label
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has refused to respond to comments made by retiring Justice Minister Dermot Ahern that he (Adams) is a "parachutist" into the Louth constituency.
Mr Ahern also described Mr Adams action as an "abomination".
Dermot Ahern today announced his intention to retire from politics at the next General Election on health grounds.
Gerry Adams is to run a campaign in the Louth constituency at the next General Election.
"I wish Dermot Ahern well," said Mr Adams this afternoon.
Speaking at a press conference in Dublin today as Pearse Doherty arrived at Leinster House to take the Dáil seat he won in the Donegal South West by-election Mr Adams said: "The people of Donegal South West have clearly endorsed Sinn Féin’s proposals for a better, fairer way forward. They have signalled that the Government must go.
"This Government has no mandate to impose the terrible deal it has negotiated with the IMF and EU.
"The interest payments alone will cripple our public finances for years.
Sinn Féin has also announced that it is considering a constitutional challenge to the €85bn bailout deal agreed between the Government and the EU/IMF.
"Any new government should refuse to honour the terms of the IMF/EU deal and Sinn Féin will seek a mandate in the General Election to renegotiate it.
"Our intention in the short term will be to try and bring about a General Election as soon as possible. This Government must go."
Mr Ahern is rejecting the notion that Gerry Adam's decision to contest the Louth seat in the forthcoming General Election had anything to do with his decision to resign.
