Mary Lou referred to the DUP as a "toxic, backwards looking bubble" in a radio interview this morning.
The Sinn Féin president feels that an early Stormont election is needed to properly represent the people of Northern Ireland, saying there is a massive different between unionism and political unionism.
She criticised DUP MP Sammy Wilson's comments about the need for 'normal politics', saying that any fair minded person would find his contribution depressing.
"When you listen to the political stance that's being articulated by this section of political unionism, and just particularly for a southern audience, it's very important that distinctions are made and understood between the Unionist population in its totality and then political unionism in its various strands," she told RTE.
"The DUP look back to the past and they lament the fact that there is no going back there. When Sammy talks about what he calls 'normal politics' in the North he's not really talking about respect and dialogue and all of that good stuff.
"What he means is a Unionist veto and the DUP getting it their own way. Politics has changed in the North."
"The truth is a majority across the North understand that the protocol is because of Brexit and understand why there had to be special arrangements for the island of Ireland.
"We also understand that the protocol has to work. We're not stupid people. We're not fools.
"Of course those difficulties have to be recognised and addressed.
"An infinite amount of work has been done and continues to be done.
"When it comes to matter of our physical and mental health irrespective of your politics- we are all made of the same stuff and we are all entitled to quality care."
She says that an election needs to happen as soon as possible and was not complacent that Sinn Féin would come out on top.
McDonald assured listeners that Sinn Féin would listen to the people of Northern Ireland and work hard for votes in said election.
She said: "I think the people of the North deserve better than a toothless staggering because the DUP has pulled the plug.
"The assembly will meet and size up, get the important legislative matters, go to the people and let them have their say. Then on the far end of that, we need a functioning, health, representative and diverse Executive including all strands of opinion.
"Nobody gets to have a veto that is undemocratic. As we navigate the coming years, the rulebook is set out in the Good Friday agreement and we all have to play by that.
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