The Deputy Leader of Sinn Féin has challenged the Tánaiste to a head to head debate.

Mary Lou McDonald claims the Tánaiste challenged her to a debate, but that after TV stations offered to host it, Joan Burton changed her mind.

A Labour spokesman has dismissed the claims, saying the two women debate each other every Thursday in the Dáil.

But Deputy McDonald says she's up for a debate and also issued a challenge to the Labour deputy leader Alan Kelly:

McDonald also said the party is preparing for government and will lead a coalition of those who share their views, and that they will not make false promises to the public to grab power.

Earlier, Sinn Féín's finance spokesman says Fine Gael and Labour can't be trusted to lead an economic recovery.

Pearse Doherty says the government parties have introduced a series of unjust budgets.

He's told delegates that voters should not believe Fine Gael or Labour when they say they believe in fairness:

The Ard Fheis also heard that any sale of Aer Lingus should would be a sell-off of our future.

It was said that Ireland will suffer if the sale to Willie Walsh's IAG will go ahead.

Transport spokesperson Dessie Ellis says Mr Walsh "will say anything" to get his hands on the Heathrow slots.

The Dublin North West TD told the gathering in Derry that it's hands off Aer Lingus as far as the party's concerned: