Sinn Fein wants 'unarmed police'

Sinn Fein said it wanted a new beginning to policing

Sinn Fein has said it will press for an unarmed police service and an end to all British army patrols on Northern Ireland's streets.

In its manifesto for the 26 November assembly election, the party said it would work with other parties, community groups, unions and individuals on the case for a united Ireland.

In the manifesto foreword, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said it would press for the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

He said republicans would also build on commitments secured during talks with the British and Irish Governments on policing and justice, ensuring powers are transferred from Westminster to Stormont.

Mr Adams said in the foreword: "We have continued to negotiate with the two governments and the unionists to restore the political institutions. We stand firm.

"Sinn Fein will continue with this approach to get the Agreement implemented, to secure equality, a new beginning to policing and further all-Ireland progress."

Party wants an end to plastic bullets

The manifesto was launched by Martin McGuinness. Mr Adams attended the launch for a time, but left because of the sudden death of his father earlier on Monday morning.

The main points of the Sinn Fein manifesto include:

Calling for the preparation and publication of a Green Paper on Irish unity by the Dublin government

Creating more cross-border implementation bodies on policing, justice, agriculture, rural development, the social economy, pollution control, mental health, further and higher education, communications infrastructure and energy

Securing representation in the Irish Parliament and voting rights for people in Northern Ireland in Irish presidential elections

Achieving a ban on the use of plastic bullets

Pushing for removal from the police of those who "colluded in loyalist paramilitary killings and also the withdrawal of the Joint Services Group which replaced the Force Research Unit"

Sinn Fein said it also wanted to establish a Department of Equality at Stormont and ensure the Single Equality Bill was rapidly progressed.

The party has pledged to restructure the Human Rights Commission and review its composition and appointments process.

Sinn Fein wants an all-Ireland policy for asylum seekers

The elimination of the differential in unemployment rates between Protestants and Catholics would be achieved through "timetabled monitored measures", with the introduction of a Bill of Rights based on an all-Ireland charter of rights.

The party is also seeking the establishment of an all-Ireland constitutional court.

Sinn Fein also advocates:

Increasing significantly, funding for education, with a sustained investment in early years education

Ending academic selection and creating "learning neighbourhoods" - building links between schools and the communities they serve

Setting aside £1.2bn from the public purse to modernise health services over the next decade

Amalgamating Belfast City Hospital with the Royal Group of Hospitals to "guarantee the future of acute services in the Mater and ensure health needs are met west of the Bann"

Developing an all-Ireland economy with one tax regime and currency, with Sinn Fein supporting the adoption of the euro north of the border

Redirecting resources earmarked by the British Government for the Army and police (£1.4bn) towards job creation in areas of high unemployment, the social economy and rebuilding communities affected by conflict

Demanding a new mechanism for determining the amount of Treasury money given to the Stormont Executive and the granting of tax varying powers to Stormont

Producing a long-term all-Ireland agricultural strategy and a strategy for rural economic development

Prioritising investment in key transport corridors

The party said it also wanted to secure more investment in water and sewerage services, but was opposed to the introduction of water charges.

It wants to see the appointment of a commissioner to oversee the promotion of the Irish language within government agencies and departments and an Irish Language Bill to give Irish equal status as the Welsh and Scots Gaelic languages.

The manifesto also calls for an anti-racism pledge for all political parties and the drawing up of an all-Ireland policy for asylum seekers, with responsibility for refugees being devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly.