On November 2, 1986, a pivotal Sinn Féin Árd Fheis (annual conference) took place, where delegates voted to amend the party's constitution, allowing elected members to take their seats in Dáil Éireann, the parliament of the Republic of Ireland. This decision marked a significant shift from the party's long-standing policy of abstentionism, which had been in place since 1922. The change was controversial and led to a split within the party, with some members forming Republican Sinn Féin. This move was a crucial step in Sinn Féin's evolution towards a more mainstream political strategy.
