Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams

Adams Expects Further Success

He says the party's recent gains of two MPs, including himself for West Belfast, and subsequent success in local authority elections will be mirrored when the Republic of Ireland goes to the polls on June 6.

Mr Adams was speaking in Dublin where he was launching the Sinn Fein manifesto, along with Martin McGuiness, the MP for Mid-Ulster.

The Sinn Fein manifesto says, "The prize of peace has dividends for all of the Irish people". Earlier in the day, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Dick Spring caused Unionist alarm in Northern Ireland by saying a vote for Sinn Fein was "a vote for peace."

Commenting on the row over Mr Spring's words, Mr Adams said, "It is patently obvious that a vote for Sinn Fein is a vote for peace. It is up to Mr Bruton to clarify his position.

"What is required at this point is for all political parties, both in government or in opposition, to deal with Sinn Fein on the same basis as they themselves expect to be dealt with."