SINN FÉIN HAS released explanations for where their leader Gerry Adams was on days in which he was marked absent from the Dáil this year.

Michael Brennan of the Irish Independent reported this morning that Adams had one of the worst record of attendance at sitting days of Dáil Éireann between January and July of this year. He attended just one in four of days in which the Dáil sat – that is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and around one Friday sitting a month.

Adams is TD for the Louth constituency and resigned both his Westminster seat and his seat in the Stormont Assembly when on the campaign trail for the last general election.

Sinn Féin has issued a press statement today saying that if the report had included the month of July, it would have recorded that Gerry Adams was present for each of the 11 sitting days of the Dáil that month.

The party released these excerpts from Adams’s appointments diary to explain the 17 days in which he was recorded absent from the Dáil:

• Thursday, 13 January – Northern Assembly Away Day Ti Chulainn Armagh
• Thursday, 19 January – Was in Dáil but did not sign in. Mr Adams will complete the necessary Attendance Reconciliation Form.
• Thursday, 26 January – Meetings in constituency.
• Wednesday, 1 February – Was in attendance at a family wake and funeral in Belfast.
• Thursday, 2 February – Was in attendance at a family wake and funeral in Belfast.
• Friday, 3 February – Meetings in constituency.
• Friday, 2 March – As part of Sinn Féin’s Rural Ireland campaign, the Sinn Féin leader was in Mayo.
• Wednesday, 21 March – The Sinn Féin president was in the USA attending St Patrick’s Day events, including meeting senior senators and Congress members and the US President.
• Thursday, 22 March – The Sinn Féin president was in the USA attending St Patrick’s Day events, including meeting senior senators and Congress members and the US President.
• Thursday, 3 May – Rossport, Mayo: Corrib Gas issue. Longford – Rural Ireland campaign.
• Thursday, 10 May – Roscommon, Leitrim & Sligo – Rural Ireland campaign.
• Friday, 11 May – Cavan and Monaghan Rural Ireland campaign & canvass for referendum.
• Thursday, 17 May – Rural Ireland campaign, Co Clare.
• Thursday, 24 May – Ard Fheis preparation. The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis commenced the following day in Killarney.
• Friday, 8 June – Was attending meetings in the constituency.
• Wednesday, 13 June – Hospital – personal injury.
• Thursday, 14 June – Hospital – personal injury.

Deputy leader of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald, generally takes Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil on behalf of Sinn Féin on Thursdays, the party said.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin councillor John Hearne came out with fighting talk on Waterford local radio this morning where he jibed:

2016 will see not only the anniversary of the 1916 Rising but also see 100 years of the Irish Independent having never said a good word about Sinn Féin.

- additional reporting by Ger Leddin (picgerphotography.c0m)