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Gerry Adams: Sinn Féin 'has a plan' for when he steps down

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said  the party "have a plan" for when he is to step down
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the party "have a plan" for when he is to step down Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the party "have a plan" for when he is to step down

SINN Féin President Gerry Adams has said the party "have a plan" for when he is to step down as leader.

The Louth TD said his departure will be part of a 10-year plan for the party, which would be the subject of consultation with members.

"Part of that will see a change of leadership, but we will come to this, it's a matter for the party, it's a matter of course in the first instance for myself whether or not I would allow my name to go forward," he told the Irish Examiner.

He added: "We are a party in transition, I have made it very, very clear so it isn't question of if I will step down, its a question of when I step down and we have a plan."

Speaking at a party 'think-in' in Co Meath, Mr Adams also said the party would be looking at the pay of its elected representatives, who currently take home the 'average industrial wage'.

The Sinn Féin leader has also said the party will be consulting with members who had recently resigned following the Daithí McKay controversy.

Eighteen members quit in North Antrim last month following Mr McKay's resignation as an MLA.

Among them was Paul Maguire, who alleged Mr McKay was forced to resign over claims he "coached" loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson before a Stormont finance committee hearing about Nama.

Mr Maguire, a member of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and former chairman of Sinn Féin in North Antrim, claimed other members are also considering their futures.

"I know there has been one further resignation and from what I can hear, or what I'm told, there will be more to follow," he told BBC's The View programme.

Mr Adams said: "We are going to engage with every single one of those former members.

"We hope that they will reflect and that they will come back into the party.

"At least one has already done so. I hope others will do so."