Sinn Féin says the next Irish government will have a minister for reunification if it’s part of the administration.

Addressing the annual Sinn Féin ard fheis (annual conference) in Athlone on Saturday evening, party leader Mary Lou McDonald told delegates “Be in no doubt – unity referendums are coming”.

“It’s time to plan and prepare,” she told party members.

“That means a green paper on Irish unity, a citizens assembly, a minister for reunification at the Department of An Taoiseach, a new government with a clear-cut commitment to holding referendums.”

The Sinn Féin leader also praised the restoration of the executive at Stormont but warned that the power-sharing administration needs more funding.

“The British government must now act to fund services, infrastructure, and progress,” she said.

“Casement Park must be delivered.”

Ahead of an impending Irish general election, Sinn Féin has faced questions about its position on immigration during recent controversies around an increasing number of immigrants arriving in the Republic of Ireland.

McDonald told party delegates that accommodation problems must not be imposed on communities.

“Community, fairness, and common sense must be at the heart of how we manage immigration. IPAS (international protection accommodation services) centres must not be located in working class communities struggling to survive. That’s not reasonable or fair,” she added.

On Friday, Sinn Féin vice-president and Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill told delegates at the conference that the “jury is still out” on the new UK government.

It is Sinn Féin’s first conference since O’Neill became first minister of the Northern Ireland Executive – the first Irish nationalist to hold the role.

Calling for a further devolution of powers to Stormont, she said the first actions of the new Labour government have been more “broken promises”.