IRELAND could see another bank holiday added to the calendar from this year if Sinn Féin is elected into government.
The party has pledged to create an annual day off work and school to commemorate the Easter Rising.
Party president Gerry Adams launched Sinn Féin’s political manifesto yesterday ahead of the election on February 26.
And adding a 10th bank holiday into the Irish working calendar in memory of the Rising was one of the points that Sinn Féin have pledged to pursue.
This would put Ireland ahead of Britain with regards to the number of bank holidays - both countries currently have nine annually.
It is not the first time the party has attempted to bring in an annual day of remembrance for the Easter Rising.
In 2013, Sinn Féin brought legislation to the Dáil to establish ‘Lá na Poblachta’ (Day of the Republic) but their quest failed.
If elected into power, the party pledged to refresh their efforts in this regard, as well as promising 250,000 new job creations and scrapping the taxes on water and property.
“2016 is a time to deliver on the promise of the 1916 Proclamation. Ireland is a small country – all 32 counties,” Mr Adams said.
“For the first time since the foundation of this State, there is an opportunity to elect a progressive, Sinn Féin-led Government which place the rights of citizens at the centre of Government decision making.
“Tá sé in am vótáil do Shinn Féin.”
