Sinn Fein leader defends immigration policy as part of North West visit

The Sinn Fein Leader has defended the party's stance on the location of asylum seeker accommodation centres.

The party believes it should be focused on "affluent areas".

Sinn Fein is also proposing to introduce a new immigration management agency, which would have responsibility for processing, enforcement, registration and accommodation.

It comes as Mary Lou McDonald has joined the campaign trial in the North West today, firstly in Manorhamilton and is due in Sligo this lunchtime.

Speaking to reporter David O'Connor in Manorhamilton this afternoon, Mary Lou McDonald says they also want a shift from relying on the private sector for such accommodation: