Ráitis is déanaí

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Environment and Climate Action, Darren O’Rourke TD, has criticised the government for repeated delays in implementing the long-awaited tax on the obscene profits of energy companies. 

The Meath East TD was responding to proposals, brought by Minister Eamon Ryan to cabinet this morning, to split the legislation in two, separating the temporary solidarity contribution from the cap on market revenues and thus further prolonging the introduction of the latter.

Teachta O’Rourke said: 

“This is not good enough. The government has dragged their feet at every stage. They seem absolutely determined to continue to let energy companies off the hook.

“This legislation was announced all the way back in November. It is now mid June. Despite already going through pre-legislative scrutiny with a draft bill, we’re back to the drawing board.

“While the temporary solidarity contribution is apparently ready to go ahead, the cap on market revenues is not yet ready. 

“According to Minister Ryan, the split is required due to a ‘technical issue’ with the legislation. I will remind him that many other EU countries have already had these measures in place for months now, some for nearly a year. It makes you wonder just how committed they really are to this, if at all.

“Let’s not forget that the government only moved on the introduction of a windfall tax when the EU did so as a whole, having previously opposed and obstructed it at every stage. 

“And when it comes to the measures they have proposed, it is shocking but not surprising just how weak they are. 

“We must remember that wholesale gas prices were at their highest ever between April and August last year. At that time, renewable energy companies were getting paid the price of gas for their wind and solar energy. This is when the profits were at their highest, far outstripping any previously recorded levels.

“Due to the government’s failure to tackle these profits in the original proposed measures, the estimated proceeds were revised down from €340m-€1.8bn to €280m-€600m. This a revision downward by a factor of almost ten. That is outrageous. 

“Other EU member states have recognised the weakness of the EU regulation and moved to go beyond it to tackle energy company profits prior to December 2022. France and Belgium, for example, will do this by way of new tax measures.

“Sinn Féin is calling on the government to follow suit and strengthen the measures via the introduction of a windfall tax to redress some of the gross inequities that currently plague our energy sector. 

“There is a surging cost of living crisis. Energy bills remain sky-high despite repeated falls in wholesale prices. Energy poverty already stands at staggering levels and Winter 2024 is not far away. 

“The government needs to get their act together and start prioritising the needs of ordinary workers and families rather than continuing to dither and delay, effectively protecting the interests and profits of energy companies.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate and Energy, Darren O'Rourke TD, says the government is not doing enough to get to grips with the significant pressure data centres are placing on Ireland’s electricity supply. 

Speaking on new figures released by the Central Statistics Office today, the Meath East TD said: 

“The figures are stark. Today we learned that data centres have increased their power consumption by an astounding 31%. This means that they now account for almost one fifth of all electricity consumed here. Just seven years ago, this figure stood at 5%. That is totally unsustainable.  

“To put this into context - overall energy consumption has risen by 20% over the past seven years whereas for data centres, consumption has risen by an eye-watering 400% in the same period. This cannot go on. 

“The pressure that data centres exert on our failing electricity grid is enormous and there are very real concerns about its continued ability to cope. For example, an amber alert has been issued today. This is a warning signal that indicates that the amount of electricity currently available is lower than it needs to be to meet demands. 

“The situation we find ourselves in is the inevitable outcome of years of reckless mismanagement of our energy system by successive governments. Runaway electricity demand accompanied by a failure to deliver much-needed supply. Have they already forgotten the serious threat of blackouts we faced last Winter?  

“The risk is present and real again this year. It is fast approaching. And yet the government continues to drag their feet.

“Ordinary workers and families are already facing considerable distress at the thought of being unable to afford their bills. Soon they will have to worry about the lights going out too.  

“The government should take notice of the fact that while large energy users have increased their consumption, households have managed to decrease their energy consumption over the past two years. 

“They cannot continue to expect ordinary workers and families to bear the brunt of all of the crises we find ourselves in - the climate crisis, the energy crisis and the cost of living crisis - while those who are actually doing the most damage continue to carry on business as usual. Enough is enough.

 “Sinn Féin is calling on the government to urgently address this situation before it is too late. Rather than the Wild West-like scenario we find ourselves in now, we need a plan that is sustainable, manageable and fair. Sinn Féin is ready to deliver that in government to ensure that our energy system is affordable, sustainable and secure.”

Dublin City Council has voted unanimously to support Retained Firefighters in their struggle for decent pay and conditions.

Cllr Daithí Doolan said:

"This vote is a major endorsement of the Retained Firefighters union in their struggle for decent pay and conditions.

"Minister Darragh O'Brien must wake up to the impending crisis in this sector. Retained firefighters provide an essential and lifesaving service to the public. They have been left with no option but to issue strike notice to relevant parties. 

"It comes as no surprise that the Retained Firefighters Service is struggling to maintain adequate numbers to allow for this essential service to continue. 

"Retained firefighters earn a paltry 99c per hour.  They are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This can no longer continue and needs to urgently change.

"The National Retained Firefighters Association are simply asking that it's members receive a fair salary for a very difficult and dangerous job. 

"Strike action can be averted. But it requires Minister O'Brien to fully engage with the union and ensure retained firefighters are paid and treated with the respect they deserve."

Sinn Féin's motion: 

'Dublin City Council supports the Retained Fire and Rescue Service personnel and their continued struggle for improvements in pay, conditions and a decent work/life balance with agreed time off and call on the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Public Expenditure to provide the funding necessary to sustain and enhance the service now and for future generations.'

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Pa Daly TD, has today called for the new Garda control centre system to "put community service first" and "not compromise the strengths of local Garda stations".

Teachta Daly said: 

“Traditionally, people are used to calling up their local Garda station and getting a sympathetic ear and someone with local knowledge. Under the new Computer Aided Dispatch II (CADII) system, calls are now routed to a centralised control facility.

“For calls in County Kerry, calls are now handled through Cork City. I have heard from constituents of a number of incidents where they phoned a local station, only to be put through to the centre.

“These were constituents in rural areas in Kerry, where local knowledge is absolutely key and the service in these instances left something to be desired. Response times were long and these constituents were left frustrated. 

“Sinn Féin believe in reform of our policing service. The use and application of technology to maximise resources and increase efficiencies absolutely must be a part of that.

“However, there are some traditional strengths within local stations. Trust has been built up over time between Gardaí stationed locally and the community there.

“Time for the new system to bed in will be crucial, but community service must be at the heart of these new processes.”

European Parliament Regional Development Committee Chair visits Donegal County Council to discuss Riverine Project delays

Chair of the European Parliament Regional Development Committee, Younous Omarjee MEP, recently visited Donegal at the invitation of Chris MacManus, Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands Northwest. Omarjee was visiting on a fact-finding mission to examine how the EU can play a positive role in addressing regional imbalance in Ireland.

MacManus and Omarjee met with officials from Donegal County Council and Derry and Strabane District Council at the Donegal County Council offices in Lifford, to discuss the Riverine project, which has been delayed due to issues such as planning, in turn putting PEACE funding which has been secured for the project at risk.
Cllr Gary Doherty, who had raised these issues with MacManus, also attended the meeting.

Speaking afterwards, MEP Omarjee said:
“I am pleased to be in Ireland this week at the invitation of my colleague, Chris MacManus, in my capacity as Chair of the European Parliament’s Regional Development Committee. I am here to meet with regional stakeholders such as Donegal County Council, examine the positive role EU funding has played in the Northern and Western region, and to discuss how the EU can contribute towards addressing the decline of the west and northwest of Ireland.”

“The Riverine Project will involve the development of a footbridge between the towns of Lifford and Strabane, linking recreation and open space on both sides of the Foyle for all communities here to enjoy. When developed, it will be a very positive example of the role EU funding can play in benefitting local communities and improving peoples’ lives.”

MEP MacManus said:
“I am pleased to welcome Younous to Ireland this week. He chairs a very powerful Committee in the European Parliament, which is especially important for us here in the west and northwest of Ireland given the need for European funding to address infrastructural deficits in our region.”

“The Riverine project was initially awarded almost €9 million in funding under Peace IV, and will be an incredible amenity for the local area and in developing greater links between the communities of Lifford and Strabane.”
“However, there have been delays to the project due to issues such as planning and applications for foreshore and marine licences. As a result the project would not meet the current deadline for completion of works, which is 31 December 2023.”

“This means that the Councils would again have to apply for funding through PEACE PLUS, but there is no guarantee that they will again be successful in this application. This would be a huge blow to the local area and must be avoided at all costs.”

“Following this meeting, Younous and I have made it our priority to engage with the European Commission to seek flexibility on the deadline to allow this project to go ahead with the funding it has secured. We will be impressing upon them the benefits that this project will bring to the local area and are hopeful that the Commission will consider an extension.” ENDS

See attached photograph of Seated (L-R): John McLaughlin (Chief Executive, Donegal County Council), Karen Phillips (Director of Services, Derry City and Strabane District Council), Younous Omarjee MEP, Chris MacManus MEP. Standing (L-R): Brendan O’Donnell (Senior Engineer, Donegal County Council), Liam Ward (Director of Services, Donegal County Council), Cllr Gary Doherty, Shane Sweeney, (A/Senior Engineer Donegal County Council)

Sinn Féin Councillor for Ringsend and the South East Inner City, Daniel Céitinn, has welcomed cross-party support for a motion calling on Dublin City Council management to reject a proposed deal for the Poolbeg West SDZ in Ringsend, also known as the Irish Glass Bottle site, which risks much-needed affordable housing to rent and buy. 

The deal fails to provide for 15% of the units to be for additional public housing, above the mandatory 10% Part V contribution, despite this being a condition in the legally binding master plan for the site.  

The deal provides for just 25 affordable homes in phase 1, or just 4% of the units. The Council also called on the Government to transfer the NAMA interest in the site to DCC to enable the Council to deliver affordable housing on the site.

Councillor Céitinn said:

“Dublin City Councillors see that this is a bad deal. It falls far short of the expectations of the elected members of the local community, and far short of the agreed master plan, which stipulated that 15% of the units would be for affordable housing for rent and purchase.

“For seven years, the Irish Glass Bottle Housing Action Group and the local community campaigned to ensure that at least 15% of these homes would be affordable for working people.

“This was supported by all Dublin City Councillors, and it was included in the legally binding SDZ masterplan which was approved by An Bord Pleanala in 2019.

“That support has been reiterated this evening with the City Council members calling on the executive management to reject this proposal. If we accepted this deal, there is no guarantee that the 500 affordable homes on the site will actually be delivered.

“If the Minister for Housing is serious about delivering affordable housing for ordinary working families in Dublin, he needs to take the concerns of this Council seriously.

“The Council and Government must secure 15% of the units for affordable housing. To assist this, the Government should transfer NAMA’s 20% interest in the development to the City Council to enable the Council to deliver genuinely affordable homes for working people.”

Text of motion:

That Dublin City Council shall reject the proposed agreement for the development of the Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone which fails to secure 15% of the phase 1 development units for affordable housing, and further calls on the Chief Executive Officer of Dublin City Council to request that the Government and the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) transfer the relevant interest held by NAMA to Dublin City Council. 

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has said the Department of Health must step in to stabilise services and provide a plan to secure the future of Daisy Hill Hospital.

The Newry and Armagh MLA was speaking after he joined the Daisy Hill Future group in a meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, Conor Murphy said:

“Daisy Hill is a vital part of our health service and the department must step in to stabilise the current crisis at the hospital.

“Today, along with the Daisy Hill Future group, we met with Peter May, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, the Southern Trust and other senior department officials. 

“We made it clear that the issues causing the current crisis have been caused by the total mismanagement of the hospital and its staff by the Southern Trust. 

“There is now zero confidence among staff and the community in the Trust management. 

“I have told the Permanent Secretary that the department must step in urgently to stabilise services in the short term and provide a clear plan to secure services for the future.

“We need to have stability, security and certainty at the hospital so staff can be recruited to replace those lost by the Trust. 

“The best way to do that is to get the Executive reformed, get around the table with other parties and work together to tackle the issues in our health service.” 

Speaking at the launch of Sinn Féin’s “Priorities for Change in Child and Youth Mental Health,” Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, said that young people deserve health service that works for them. He said that multiannual workforce planning, capital investment, and accountability reforms are essential to delivering a better service.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, said that in Government, Sinn Féin would deliver a mental health service for children and young people aged up to 25 that would provide proper early intervention care. He said that the vast majority of life-long mental health conditions develop by 25, but that services currently fail young people in the critical 18-25 category. 

Teachta Cullinane said:

“Today we have launched a vision for transformative change in our health services for young people.

“We have set out achievable policies, grounded in reality and based on evidence, to deliver the ambitious change that is needed. Young people deserve a health service that works for them.  

“A Sinn Féin Government would take a fresh approach to delivering change in healthcare. We would prioritise multiannual workforce planning, capital investment, and accountability reforms to improve access and reduce wait times.”

Teachta Ward said: 

“Our youth mental health services are in crisis with waiting lists for CAMHS increasing by 112% since 2020. 4490 young people are waiting on first-time appointments for CAMHS and 752 are waiting for longer than 12 months.

“There is also a cliff-edge in our mental health services for young people at 18. There is inconsistent continuity of care, and many young people fall out of services or never access them.

“These failures mean that early intervention is passing our young people by. That is unacceptable.

“Sinn Féin are committed to developing a Child and Youth Mental Health Service to deliver high quality care for children and young people up to the age of 25. 

“This document today underlines our commitments to delivering real change for young people, workers, and families.”

The Priorities for Change in Child and Youth Mental Health document can be read here.

Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has written to the Department of Health for an update on cervical smears reviews and the current backlog of cervical cancer testing.

The party’s health spokesperson Linda Dillon said:

“I have written to the Department of Health seeking clarity on where we are with the current backlog of cervical cancer testing and for an update on the internal cervical smear reviews within each trust.

“The Department of Health and the Trusts need to put women’s health as their priority and ensure the backlog is dealt with as quickly as possible.

“Women need to know quickly if something is wrong, so that it can be identified, and treatment can begin as soon as possible.

“I have also asked how the Department is ensuring that women are aware of these reviews as it is essential, they are kept up to date and fully informed of their findings.

"We need an Executive up and running to invest and modernise our health service and make women's healthcare fit for purpose.” 

Speaking after four local universities penned a joint letter to the British Secretary of State raising the issue, Sinn Féin economy spokesperson Conor Murphy said:

“Reports from four local universities that student places are at risk of being cut due to a lack of funding will have dire consequences for the development of our young people and our economy.

"I agree with the universities that this would have ‘a fundamental and dangerous impact on our future’ causing long-term and irreparable damage to our society and economy.

“We already have 5,000 students leaving to study elsewhere every year, with only a third returning.

“It is shameful that our young people will be the collateral damage in a political conflict between the British government and the DUP.

“These savage Tory cuts are the direct consequence of the absence of the Executive.

“The boycott of the Executive by the DUP is itself an act of gross political negligence which must end. 

“There is an urgent onus on the two governments, the parties and not least the DUP to get the Assembly and Executive up and moving.” 

Sinn Féin TDs Eoin Ó Broin and John Brady have called on the Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien to take urgent action on the incomes and conditions of retained firefighters, and to protect the crucial services they provide.

With retained firefighters scheduled to escalate industrial action this week, Sinn Féin is calling on Minister O'Brien to stop paying lip service to the service’s recruitment and retention crisis, to increase the fixed incomes of firefighters, and to increase staffing levels in order to build and maintain a fit-for-purpose service. 

Speaking ahead of a Sinn Féin motion on the issue, to be debated in the Dáil on Tuesday, party spokesperson on Housing, Teachta Ó Broin, said:

“Urgent government action is needed to save the crucial services provided by retained firefighters. Without action on incomes and conditions, the future of these services are in doubt, putting lives at risk.   

“There has been a shocking lack of action and political leadership from Minister Darragh O’Brien and government to resolve these issues, which have led to the retention and recruitment crisis.

“We need these services to keep our communities safe, and retained firefighters deserve better pay and a better work-life balance.  

“It is time for the government and Minister Darragh O’Brien to stop paying lip service to retained firefighters, and to sort this issue now to ensure communities continue to have crucial fire services.”

Teachta Brady said:

“Recruitment and retention levels are beyond crisis point as confirmed in the government's most recent review, which found that 58 percent of retained firefighters said they were likely to leave the service within the next three years.

“The demands being placed upon retained firefighters and their families are unsustainable.

“The government must urgently engage with representative bodies acting on behalf of the retained firefighters to avert an escalation of industrial action.

“They must bring forward a financial investment package which allows for the creation of a new framework for service delivery for retained fire services, and provides for increased remuneration and better conditions for current and future members.

“Sinn Féin in government would urgently intervene to increase the fixed incomes of firefighters and increase staffing levels in order to build a fit-for-purpose service.”

Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has welcomed indications that the Irish Government is set to fund 250 student nursing places in the north.

Responding to media reports today, the party’s health spokesperson said:

“Reports that the Irish Government is set to invest €10 million to fund 250 student nursing places in the north is a hugely positive development.  

“Savage Tory cuts have resulted in hundreds of student nursing places being axed at a time when our health service is facing chronic staff shortages.

“This vital cross-border funding would ensure that we can train hundreds of nurses and midwives and provide a welcome boost to our local universities who would benefit from extra student places.

“I will be writing to the Department of Health in the south asking for confirmation on these reports.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Tourism Cathy Mason has said an Executive is needed to help realise the full potential of our local tourism.

Speaking after a new report published by the Economy Department revealed a number of challenges facing tourism, the South Down MLA said: 

"The Tourism industry is an important part of the North's economy.

"A recent report published by the Department of the Economy, however revealed a number of challenges facing tourism such as staff shortages and a spike in running costs.

"Such challenges are impacting hotels, restaurants and tour operators and the wider tourism industry.

"The Tourism industry currently employs 78,000 people in the north and Tourism expenditure brings in over £1 billion to the local economy.

"We want to build on this - including by realising our all-Ireland tourism potential.

"For example, we want to extend the Wild Atlantic Way; Ireland’s Ancient East; Ireland’s Hidden Heartland’s into the relevant parts of the north. 

“One party's boycott of the Assembly is blocking the political leadership our society and economy needs. Sinn Féin is ready to form an Executive today, and to work together to deliver for people.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has said that decades of underinvestment in the upkeep of inpatient mental health facilities by successive governments have led to a dramatic decline in facilities meeting minimum standards.

Speaking following the release of the Mental Health Commission’s annual report, Deputy Ward added that the HSE must properly invest in these mental health facilities and prioritise individual care planning.

Teachta Ward said:

“The Mental Health Commission annual report made several worrying findings, particularly regarding the inspection of approved inpatient centres, individual care planning, risk management and staffing.

"These four areas had compliance levels of less than 70%.

“The Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission, John Farrelly has described this as ‘simply unacceptable’.

“Decades of underinvestment in the upkeep of inpatient mental health facilities by successive governments are coming home to roost.

“These centres may lose their status as an approved centre if they do not comply and improve.

“If that happens, centres could close and whole communities could be impacted as we have seen recently with the threat of closure of the Owenacurra Centre in Cork.

“Only 27% of centres were compliant with regulations for premises, with others being described as ‘not fit for purpose’ by Mr Farrelly.

“This is a damning indictment on how successive governments view mental health care.

“Individuals in inpatient facilities deserve to have modern secure places to live. That is the minimum standard to expect.

“They also deserve proper treatment plans for their care.

“Over 30% of centres were non-compliant with the regulation around care plans for individuals. This is not good enough.

“Individualised care plans are central to the patients care and the report stated that in some cases the individual was not involved or had any input into their own care plan.

“Dr Susan Finnerty, the Inspector of Mental Health Services, has also called out the fact that larger centres are filled to capacity and that appropriately sized supported residences are not being sought.

“We have a dark history of institutionalising vulnerable people, and we cannot return to this.

“This report by the Mental Health Commission must be a blueprint of where there are shortcomings in mental health care - the government and the HSE must act immediately to bring services up to standard.

“With the publication of this report, the government has been warned and cannot say that they are unaware.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Community Development and TD for Dublin West, Paul Donnelly, has commented on a recently-released study, The Future of Public Service Delivery,  by the Community and Voluntary Sector, which has been released by think-tank TASC, in conjunction with The Wheel, the representative body for the charity sector.

Teachta Donnelly said:

“The issue of funding and pay parity within the charity and voluntary sector has been ongoing, especially since representatives from Sections 39, 56 and 10 organisations were excluded from the public sector pay talks.

“Charities and volunteers who work in our communities are the backbone of many frontline services including health, disability, family support, children, care of older people, homelessness and addiction. They deserve the same recognition and pay and conditions as those providing services in the private and state agencies. 

“While Fórsa and SIPTU members have voted in favour of the deal in relation to the pay agreement, this relates only to staff in community sector organisations funded by the Department of Social Protection. 

“We need to protect services provided by the charity and voluntary sector and those who work in them, we also need to make it viable for these services to attract and retain staff in the future. 

“I support the calls by TASC and The Wheel in this report, and in my role as spokesperson for Community Development, I will continue to advocate for the sector and call on the Government to provide pay parity and multi-annual funding for services to ensure their vital work can continue in communities.”

Sinn Féin Councillor for Ringsend and the South East Inner City, Daniel Céitinn, has called on Dublin City Council to reject the proposed deal for the Poolbeg West SDZ, which risks much-needed affordable housing to rent and buy. 

He called on the Government to transfer the NAMA interest in the site to DCC to enable the Council to deliver affordable housing. 

Councillor Céitinn said that the Sinn Féin group on Dublin City Council will be seeking a rejection of this deal by council management until 15% of the units are set aside for affordable homes as per the site master plan. 

Councillor Céitinn said:

“The proposed deal for the glass bottle site falls far short of the expectations of the local community, and far short of the agreed master plan which stipulated that 15% of the units would be for affordable housing for rent and purchase.

“For seven years, the Irish Glass Bottle Housing Action Group and the local community campaigned to ensure that at least 15% of these homes would be affordable for working people.

“This was supported by all Dublin City Councillors, and it was included in the legally binding SDZ masterplan which was approved by An Bord Pleanala in 2019.

“The proposed deal, as reported in the Business Post, provides for just 25 affordable units in the first phase of development. That is just 4% of the units. It also provides that these units might be sold on the open market if they cannot be sold as affordable units because of the Government’s failure to secure truly affordable prices. 

“This puts the delivery of the promised 500 affordable homes at risk. That is entirely unacceptable. These homes are needed in the local community, where housing prices have skyrocketed, and local families have been driven out by sky-high rents. 

“To ensure that affordable housing is delivered on the site as promised, we are calling on Dublin City Council to demand that this deal is rejected and improved.

“Council management must secure 15% of the units for affordable housing. That is the mandate set by the Council. The Government should transfer NAMA’s 20% interest in the development to the City Council to enable the Council to deliver genuinely affordable homes for working people.”

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said tonight that the British government’s release of its amendments to its fundamentally flawed and cruel legacy bill was cynical and was about slamming the door shut to due process for victims of the conflict. 

Gerry Kelly said:

“The British government’s timing of this release is a cynical response to the heavy critique of their fundamentally flawed Legacy Bill by the European Committee of Ministers today.  

“Its proposed amendments do not deal with the substantive issues in the critique covered by the European Ministers. The amendments are also not in full compliance with the British government’s obligation under the European Convention on Human Rights. 

“The proposed new timeframe for concluding inquests will make it more difficult for families to have this most basic investigation into the killings of their loved ones. The new amendment states that conflict-related inquests must conclude by May 1st next year. 

“This effectively closes the door in the faces of families looking to make progress in a large number of inquests, given the backlog in disclosure by the PSNI and the lack of resources for this work. 

“This amendment is particularly cruel as expectations had been raised among families that once inquests had been opened that they would be concluded.

“This move is cruel, heartless and unprecedented.

“Similarly families will be denied legacy and Police Ombudsman investigations which are similarly being closed down by May 1st next year. 

“These cases will be instead transferred to a new Commission, the ICRIR,  whose powers will be limited to reviews rather than Article 2 investigations as required under human rights legislation.

“Inquests which have not been concluded by May 1st next year will also be transferred to the ICRIR. This will deny victims and families the opportunity to have direct access and input into the process, deny them the right to legal teams which can cross-examine witnesses, obtain disclosure and relevant documents and provide legal advice.  

“This Bill is being rushed through both Houses to become law in six to seven weeks time before Parliament goes into recess on July 26th. It is a travesty, a perversion of the legal process and with the objective of ending citizens’ rights to access due legal process.

“The Irish government needs to stand up to this unilateral action by the British government and call for the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House by the two governments and political parties in 2014 to be implemented in a human rights' compliant manner.” CRÍOCH/ENDS 

Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy has said university students should be awarded their qualifications and called on Queen’s University to engage constructively on fair pay for workers.

The party spokesperson for Higher and Further Education said:

“Reports that students may not be able to graduate this summer has created stress and anxiety for many who need their qualifications awarded to move into employment or further study.

“Queen’s University and the Universities and Colleges Employer Association (UCEA) must engage constructively to deliver fair pay for workers.

“This delay is an outworking of the failure of university employers to engage constructively with staff on demand for fair pay and it must be resolved.

“Workers should receive the pay that they deserve and students the qualifications that they have worked so hard to achieve.”