Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has called on the Labour Party to leave Government.

Speaking at his party's Ard Fheis in Castlebar, Mr Adams said that a real Labour party with principled leadership would not be in government with Fine Gael.

He said the only way to restore the economy is to break with what he described as the self-serving politics of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Labour.

Mr Adams brought the two-day Ard Fheis to a close promising delegates that Sinn Fein could provide a real alternative.

Attacking the performance of the current coalition of Labour and Fine Gael, and of their predecessors Fianna Fáil, Deputy Adams said they had failed the people.

Citing cuts to hospitals, schools, garda stations - and taxes on savings, homes and pensions, he vowed that Sinn Féin would “put manners on the elites and fat cats” and fight the property tax “tooth and nail”.

Mr Adams said that the deficit must be tackled but that those with the broadest shoulders should bear the heaviest load.

The Labour party came in for the sharpest criticism, with Mr Adams calling on it leave government and leave Fine Gael to implement Fianna Fáil policies.

Citing the need for a referendum on Irish unity he said it was time for a border poll.

Reaching out to Unionists, he told delegates they were not going away and Sinn Féin did not want them to.

Speaking about the need for a truth and reconciliation process he spoke about how lives had been lost on all sides.

He said his party has argued for the establishment of an Independent International Truth Commission and there can be no hierarchy of victims.

Mr Adams offered to meet with the victims of IRA violence in the Republic in the same way he has met victims in the North.

Earlier, delegates heard that Sinn Féin is the only party putting forward a sensible and coherent alternative to the failed politics of austerity.

Deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald attacked the new Croke Park proposals saying that they were anything but equitable and fair.

Ms McDonald told delegates in Co Mayo that it was time to put to bed the lie that public sector workers are somehow sheltered from the financial struggle.

She said the extension of the Croke Park agreement was another example of the Government dipping into the pockets of the low and middle earners.

Congratulating Frontline workers for speaking out against the deal, Ms McDonald said that they were at the end of their tether.

Earlier, the North's Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, said the party was the only one in the State putting forward a sensible and coherent alternative to the failed politics of austerity.

The party's Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty told delegates in Castlebar's Royal theatre that there is an alternative to the Government's statistics of shame on unemployment, on mortgage distress and on emigration.

Mr Doherty said that the party would force a Dáil vote on the property tax when it introduces its legislation on the issue in the coming weeks.

Justice spokesperson Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said the Government must lift the embargo on garda recruitment and reverse the closure of garda stations.

He said that 139 garda stations, mainly in rural areas, have been closed and gardaí have had to endure the loss of hundreds of experienced colleagues with no replacements.

Deputy Mac Lochlainn said that gardaí were asked to protect the public with fewer resources, often driving clapped-out vehicles to get around.

He said some gardaí cringe when they hear the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, say it is all about “smart policing”.

He also called for justice for the survivors of the Magdalene Laundries in the form of a proper redress system.

An address by Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, who has led the party for 30 years, will be broadcast live on RTÉ television tonight.