Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has called on government to immediately reinstate the ban on no-fault evictions.
His call was made in response to the latest homeless report from the Department of Housing showing that 12,259 adults and children were officially homeless in April. This represents an increase of 246 people compared to the previous month.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“Today's homeless figures from the Department of Housing have reached a new and terrifying record. 12,259 people, including 3,594 children, were in Department of Housing-funded emergency accommodation in April. This represents an increase of 246 people on March.
“This is a very significant increase in homelessness in the first month since the ending of the ban on no-fault evictions. On the basis of what we are seeing in constituency offices across the state, homelessness is going to continue to rise at an even faster rate in the coming months.
“Today's figures confirm once again that the government's decision to end the ban on no-fault evictions was wrong. It also highlights the fact that they simply did not have the emergency measures in place to deal with the ending of the ban.
“The tenant-in-situ scheme is still moving too slowly. The output of social and affordable homes is too slow. No additional supply of social housing using emergency planning and procurement powers has even been initiated.
“Government must immediately reinstate the ban on no-fault evictions. They must increase and accelerate the delivery of social homes, including a significant number of high grade modular homes delivered with emergency planning and procurement powers. They must also provide councils with additional staff to speed up the processing time for the tenant-in-situ scheme.
“Failure to do this will see homelessness continue to rise in the coming months approaching and eventually breaching the 13,000 number. Government must change their approach to this ever deepening homeless crisis before things get even worse.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Agriculture, Claire Kerrane TD, has urged Minister McConalogue to set out details of his Department’s proposed scheme for Forgotten Farmers.
Teachta Kerrane raised the matter with the Minister in the Dáil this morning during Priority Questions and queried when details on the long-awaited scheme would be outlined.
Speaking today, Teachta Kerrane said:
“The cohort of young Farmers known as the Forgotten Farmers have been repeatedly told that a scheme is coming, yet they are still waiting. In recent months especially, we’ve seen kites flown that the details of what was on the table would be made known, this has not happened.
“The Minister had previously indicated that proposals would be made public in the first quarter of this year, that has now come and gone.
“Today, in response to me, the Minister stated that a ‘preliminary outline’ of the scheme to support Forgotten Farmers has already been prepared by his Department. He then went on to say that there are a number of options on the table.
“The Minister confirmed that he will be going back to his Department to seek an update on progress being made on this issue.
“When pushed for a timeframe, the Minister stated it will be a number of months. This is really unacceptable.
“I understand this is a complex issue and it is essential the Department get the details of the scheme right. Setting out the eligibility requirements and getting them right is critical.
“These Farmers have waited far too long for a solution and they are still waiting.
“These are Farmers who have already lost out financially, they have been left in limbo for years and they have been put in a really vulnerable position, with many left questioning whether they can hang on any longer.
“Details of the scheme must now be provided without delay.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, said that while she welcomes the government’s commitment to implement a scheme to assist businesses impacted by increases in the cost of kerosene heating oil, the exclusion of Liquified Petroleum Gas will be a "hammer blow to rural businesses".
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“For many months Sinn Féin has been lobbying for supports for businesses who use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and kerosene oil to meet their energy needs.
“Businesses with metered gas and electricity are able to make use of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) scheme to help with bills, however, businesses who rely on LPG or oil, instead of gas, are excluded from the scheme.
“Sinn Féin first raised this matter last year and called on the government to support rural businesses who were left at a disadvantage, due to the exclusion of some of their energy costs from the TBESS scheme.
“Thankfully, after months of lobbying, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment has committed to developing and implementing a scheme to assist businesses which have been impacted by significant increases in the cost of kerosene heating oil.
“While this is long overdue, it is brilliant news for SMEs and microbusiness, and should be roundly welcomed.
“However, there are still significant outstanding issues, namely the exclusion of LPG from the support scheme.
“The Minister gave a commitment to look at the development of a scheme for both kerosene oil and LPG given the dependency on these fuels by rural businesses.
“It is very disappointing that LPG has been excluded and it will be a hammer blow to many rural businesses.
“I would urge Minister Coveney to include LPG in the design of this scheme and ensure it is balanced in terms of its support for businesses, especially rural businesses, who are off the national gas grid.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has called on the Government to clarify if they plan to reduce the amount of CAMHS teams across the state from 73 to 50.
Teachta Ward raised this in the Dáil today with the Tánaiste, following a response from the CEO of the HSE at yesterday's Health Committee.
Teachta Ward said:
“At yesterday’s meeting of the Health Committee, Bernard Gloster (CEO of the HSE) stated to me;
'We do have a serious question to ask in relation to whether we continue to maintain over 70 partially staffed CAMHS teams or whether we reduce to 55 or 50 full teams'.
“I first heard inklings of this plan 2 weeks ago and I submitted questions to the Minister, but I have yet to get a response.
“Today I questioned the Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, in the Dáil if the Government plans to reduce the amount of CAMHS teams.
She responded; 'So we are exploring different avenues at the moment. We've 74 CAMHS teams all over the country. They are not fully staffed. We are looking at maybe should we reduce the numbers down and ask parents to drive a little bit further to make sure that the supports will be in place'.
“I asked a number of other questions which I did not get an answer to.
“Can the Government guarantee this will lead to better mental health outcomes for young people?
“Will this move reduce the waiting lists for CAMHS?
“At present we have a record high of 4,490 young people waiting on first time appointments.
“The Minister conceded today that waiting lists have doubled under her watch
“I also asked if this move reduce waiting times, as currently we have 752 young people waiting over a year for a first-time appointment
“Public confidence in this Government to resolve the crisis in young people’s mental health is at an all-time low.
“Parents and young people are rightly concerned about this.
“We need urgent clarification if there are concrete plans to reduce CAMHS or is this just another desperate attempt at kite-flying by the HSE and the Government."
Speaking at a Sinn Féin event in Dublin this eveningto mark 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement and the referendums North and South that gave overwhelming public support to the Agreement former Uachtarán Shinn Féin Gerry Adams called on the Irish government to begin the work of planning for Irish Unity.
Gerry Adams said:
“The Irish people have the right to self-determination. We have the right to determine our own future, without outside interference, peacefully and democratically. That is a central part of the Good Friday Agreement.
“There is growing evidence from a succession of elections, academic reports and opinion polls that support for the reunification of Ireland is growing. Last week’s local government election in the North is the latest example of this.
“The Good Friday Agreement created a mechanism for constitutional change through referendums. It was overwhelmingly endorsed in referendums North and South.
“There is a constitutional obligation on the Irish government – including as a co-guarantor of the Agreement - to advance the objective of unity. That means planning now and engaging in a process of inclusive dialogue that ensures that the process of constitutional change is democratic and seamless.
“The Irish government should establish a Citizen’s Assembly to begin the work of planning. It should agree with the British government a firm date for the unity referendum provided for by the Good Friday Agreement.
“I am not suggesting that this should take place immediately but the Irish Government should seek a date now which allows for inclusive preparation to begin. And that preparatory work should start now.”
Léirigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir Shinn Féin, a mhíshástacht le freagra ar cheist parlaiminte dá chuid a fuair sé ón Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta Darragh O’Brien maidir leis na treoirlínte atá geallta le fada an lá chun tacú le húdaráis áitiúil cás na bpobal Gaeltachta a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn sna pleananna forbartha acu.
Dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh:
“I mí Lúnasa 2021 – beagnach dhá bliana ó shin – d’fhoilsigh an Roinn Tithíochta Dréacht-Treoirlínte do Phleananna Forbartha nuashonraithe ag dheimhníú arís oibleagáidí údaráis pleanála i ndáil le forbairt na Gaeltachta.
“Rinne an Roinn scrúdú ar aighneachtaí a rinneadh mar chuid de phróiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí, agus gheall an tAire go bhfoilseodh sé na treoirlínte sa deireadh thiar thall “i Ráithe 1 sa bhliain 2022”.
“Os cionn bliain i ndiaidh a spriocdháta féin, tá an tAire anois ag rá nach bhfuil na dréacht-treoirlínte fiú críochnaithe, agus fiú tar éis go ndéanfar Measúnú Straitéiseach Comhshaoil agus Measúnaithe Iomchuí orthu, tá sé i gceist aige go bhfoilseofar dréacht arís ar mhaitheas le comhairliúcháin phoiblí eile a dhéanamh orthu. Groundhog Day atá ann don phleanáil Gaeltachta, nó fainne fí na moilleadóireachta.
“Ag an staid seo, níl aon duine ag lorg babhta eile comhairliúcháin nó dréachtanna nua athuair. ‘S éard atá ag teastáil anois, tar éis an comhairliúcháin go léir a rinneadh cheana féin, ná na treoirlínte deiridh, mar a bhí geallta roimh Cháisc na bliana seo caite, a fhoilsiú agus curtha i bhfeidhm.
“Tá géarchéim ar leith sa Ghaeltacht, agus líon na gcainteoir laethúil Gaeilge ann tar éis titim. Cuireann polasaithe reatha an Rialtais bac ar theaghlaigh Gaeltachta tithe a thógáil ar a dtalamh féin chun deis a thabhairt don chéad glúin eile fanacht sa Ghaeltacht agus clanna a thógáil trí Ghaeilge, fad is atá Béarlú na Gaeltachta agus bánú na tuaithe ag déanamh creimeadh ar úsáid na Gaeilge san áit. Teastaíonn práinn chun an géarchéim seo a shárú.
“Ag tús mí an Mheithimh na bliana seo caite, d’fhoilsigh Sinn Féin polasaí cuimsitheach don tithíocht agus don phleanáil Gaeltachta, agus 10 príomh moltaí leagtha amach ann chun dul i ngleic leis an bhfadhb.
“Anuas ar sin, rinne Comhchoiste Oireachtais na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta, agus Phobail Labhartha na Gaeilge, ar a bhfuilim mar Chathaoirleach, tuarascáil a fhoilsiú tar éis plé a dhéanamh leis an Aire O’Brien féin agus cúpla mí a chaitheamh ag éisteacht leis na saineolaithe agus na húdaráis cuí, ag leagan amach 22 moltaí don rialtas.
“Beagnach bliain níos déanaí, níl tuilleadh comhairliúcháin nó athdhréachtú nó plé ag teastáil. D’éiligh na húdaráis áitiúil féin soiléiriú ón Aire. Tá na moltaí agus éilimh go léir ag an Roinn ag an staid seo.
“Impíonn Sinn Féin ar an Aire Gaeltachta stop a chur leis an moilleadóireacht agus na treoirlínte geallta a fhoilsiú agus a chur i bhfeidhm chomh luath agus is féidir chun pobail na Gaeltachta a chosaint.
The Bill will establish an Agri-Food Regulator, a call from farmers and representative organisations for many years. Sinn Féin have long-called for the establishment of such a Regulator to provide much-needed oversight and transparency in the agri-food supply chain.
However, the Minister has refused to include crucial amendments on competition in the agri-food supply chain submitted by Teachta Kerrane and Teachta Martin Browne.
This represents a missed opportunity and ignores the calls from Farmers and farm organisations for the Regulator to have the power to investigate anti-competitive practices in the agri-food supply chain.
Speaking today, Teachta Kerrane said
“I welcome Minister McConalogue accepting key Sinn Féin amendments to this important Bill.
“My party colleagues Matt Carthy and Martin Browne have worked extensively on this Bill from the start, and have engaged with farmers to ensure they are represented as part of this process.
“The Minister agreed to our amendment increasing the number of farmers to be members of the Board of the Regulator. There will now be three Farmers out of the seven ordinary Members. We welcome this and the voice it will afford to Farmers.
“He also accepted our amendments which will ensure that the Regulator will have the authority to seek all the information from Businesses that it needs to carry out its role effectively, and to recognise the full breadth of the agri-food supply chain, from producer through to consumer, within the scope of the Regulator.
“However, while our amendments to this Bill will result in a better Regulator, the Minister refused to deal with the issue of competition in the agri-food supply chain.
“The Minister refused to accept our amendment to give the Regulator powers to investigate anti-competitive practices - this really is and has been the nub of the issue when it comes to the price the primary producer receives. This was the reason Farmers stood at factory gates back during the beef protests.
“The Minister insists that the Competition & Consumer Protection Commission already have the powers to investigate competition issues yet, clearly they have not done this. If they were dealing with these issues then Farmers and farm organisations wouldn’t have sought the Regulator to do the same job.
“We pushed this issue to a vote however, the vote was defeated. I think this is a missed opportunity.
“The Regulator of course, is new and we will wait and see what it does in the weeks and months ahead once it is formally established. It is going to have a really important role in shining a light on the agri-food sector, making it more transparent and fair and it will have a major responsibility to the primary producer, one which I hope it can meet.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social Protection, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, has urged Minister Heather Humphreys to urgently engage with her Department and consider extending the recent cost of living bonus payment to adult dependents.
Teachta Ó Laoghaire was speaking during a debate in the Dáil where he raised the matter with the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys.
Teachta Ó Laoghaire said:
“A week or two after the recent cost-of-living bonus payment was made to families, I started getting calls, primarily from pensioners, who were shocked and surprised that they had not received the €200 cost-of-living payment.
“These people are adult dependents on a social welfare payment. This seems grossly unfair because they were led to believe they would qualify as they get the Christmas bonus.
“Those who are affected by this are predominantly from low-income households.
“The precedent in respect of bonus payments, insofar as there are any, relates to the Christmas bonus, which has been paid for the past four or five years.
“Throughout that time, adult dependents got the Christmas bonus. There is no precedent for adult dependents not receiving a bonus payment.
“These people were led to believe, in the initial discussions that led to the payment, as I understand it, that they were to receive it. They had no sense they were not going to get it.
“Often, it is six of one, half a dozen of the other as to whether an elderly couple will go for two payments, or one as an adult dependent on another payment.
“The qualifying conditions do not vary greatly. People would have been expecting the payment and relying on it to put food on the table and pay bills.
“Why were they not included and why did they not get it?
“What I do not understand is the rationale for why it happened. There could be two couples living next door to each, number 3 and number 4 on Connolly Road for example.
“Those two elderly people could have individual payments and their neighbours, one as an adult dependent, and neither would have ever anticipated they might lose out on a payment such as this because they applied for that payment.
“There is a great deal of shock about this for those families and individuals who are affected. They came to expect the payment.
“Perhaps the Minister will say if this is not the case, but as I understand it, her Department was initially going to pay it to dependants also. Will the Minister make a comment on that? I do not believe it is too late.
“Will she look at this now and consider extending the payment to adult dependents?
“It is the right thing to do, it is not too late, and people are under enormous pressure. This €200 was expected. People had it allocated to a particular bill or set of shopping. They should get it too.”
Sinn Fein spokesperson on Workers’ Rights, Louise O’Reilly TD, has said the announcement that Facebook is to slash 490 jobs from its Irish workforce is a “crushing blow for employees” and called for the government to do all they can to support the workers.
Teahcta O’Reilly said:
“The news that Facebook is due to cut 490 jobs from its Irish workforce is a crushing blow for the workers, their families, and their communities.
“This is another shock for the tech industry in Ireland and sign of continuing volatility in the sector.
“As one of the most significant technology sectors in Europe this announcement is a worrying development for the tech sector and tech workers in Ireland.
“Twitter, Stripe, Intel, Dell, Facebook, Microsoft and Indeed are just some of the companies who have cut jobs and restructured their workforce.
“It is essential that Facebook engage quickly and in good faith with the workers and their representatives regarding this announcement and fair redundancy package.
“In addition to engaging with Facebook, the Department of Enterprise must work with IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to understand the skills profile of impacted staff and ensure that profiles are shared with client companies of all state agencies and state supported firms, who may be hiring or looking for similar skills.
“The volatility in the tech sector over the past year further reinforces the need for all workers to join, and be active, in their trade union. Workers need a strong voice in the workplace and the only way to achieve through trade unionism.
“I offer mine and Sinn Féin’s solidarity and support to the workers at Facebook in what is a very difficult time.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty TD has said that the government’s failure to bring forward a Multi-Annual Strategy to Combat Economic Crime and fraud is leaving consumers increasingly vulnerable to financial crime and fraud.
Speaking following a Finance Committee hearing, Deputy Doherty called for policy interventions to protect consumers against the rise in scams and fraud.
Teachta Doherty said:
“Financial fraud and scams continue to rise, with citizens being robbed of millions of euros each year by fraudsters.
“More than two years after the Hamilton Report, the government still do not have a multi-annual plan to tackle economic crime and fraud.
“Banks and An Garda Síochána still do not have a Shared Fraud Database that would allow industry to tackle fraudsters and protect consumers, despite banks repeatedly calling for it to be established.
“I requested that the Finance Committee undertake a series of hearings on the issue of Authorised Push Payment Fraud, with the first taking place today.
“Inaction from government is leaving customers increasingly exposed, with the Banking and Payments Federation today warning that the State is at risk of becoming a destination of choice for fraudsters as it falls further behind in addressing fraud.
“These scams are also being advertised online, on social media, by e-mail and text message.
“It is clear that online platforms and social media companies are not doing enough to tackle fraudulent content and the targeting of victims through their channels.
“It is time to consider whether these online platforms should compensate victims where they are targeted through their channels.
“We also know that payment service providers are not required to compensate victims of authorised push payment fraud - something that will soon be required in the North.
“And banks have no system to cross-check the name of the person victims send their money to against the account of the fraudster - an effective system to reduce fraud that is in place in the Netherlands and Britain.
“It is clear that the hovernment is failing to address the rise in fraud with the seriousness this growing crime demands.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has called on Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien to speedily implement the recommendations from the Residential Tenancies Board on illegal evictions.
Deputy Ó Broin has also questioned why Minister O’Brien has sat on this report since November 2022’ and ‘whether consideration of the recommendations formed part of the government discussions on ending the ban on evictions.
The comments were made following publication of the RTB report and cover letter by the Dublin Inquirer today.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“Last November, Darragh O’Brien received a detailed report from the Residential Tenancies Board on the issue of illegal evictions. The report had been requested by the Minister on foot of a number of high profile illegal evictions in 2020.
“The report, which had been completed in October 2021 but could not be issued to the Minister for legal reasons, contains five recommendations. A cover letter with the report dated November 2022 sets out four further recommendations made in light of subsequent illegal evictions.
“Today I have written to Minister O’Brien asking him to set out his response to the recommendations and a timeline for any legislation he intends to introduce on foot of the report.
“The recommendations by the RTB are eminently sensible. They include the need for trained illegal eviction facilitators at the RTB; inclusion of illegal eviction as an improper conduct by a landlord; issuing of significant fines for carrying out an illegal eviction; and powers to the Gardai to arrest without a warrant anyone participating in an illegal eviction.
“Darragh O’Brien must speedily implement the Residential Tenancies Board recommendations on illegal evictions. They will produce additional protections for tenants at a time when there is likely to be an increase in illegal evictions.
“Minister O’Brien must also explain why he has sat on this report since last November. Did this report form part of the government's considerations when ending the ban on no-fault evictions? Did they discuss the RTB recommendations before ending the ban? What decision was taken by government with respect to each of the nine recommendations in the report and cover letter.
“In addition to raising this matter in writing with the Minister, I will also be raising it with the Oireachtas Housing Committee in the coming weeks.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social Protection, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has urged Minister Heather Humphreys to provide an update on her Department's review of the extension of the Free Travel Scheme to people with epilepsy.
Teachta Ó Laoghaire was speaking during a debate in the Dáil where he raised the matter with the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys.
Teachta Ó Laoghaire said:
“This week is national Epilepsy Week. I am raising a very important issue which matters to people with epilepsy, namely, improved access to the free travel scheme for people with epilepsy.
“As the Minister will be aware, epilepsy is a complex individual condition. People living with it face a wide range of challenges.
“We are awaiting a final report from the Department on proposals Epilepsy Ireland made on this issue. Why has this report not been finalised? Will the Minister give a commitment on when it will be ready?
“As the Minister will be aware, there are 40,000 people living with epilepsy in Ireland. With the right treatment regime, 70% of people diagnosed with epilepsy can become seizure free but for 30%, their condition will be more challenging due to the nature and impact of uncontrolled seizures.
“Almost all diagnoses of epilepsy in adults come with restrictions on driving.
“This typically occurs without time to plan and prepare and can lead to major challenges and upheaval in a person's family, social and working life while he or she is learning to cope with a neurological diagnosis.
“Persons with epilepsy who hold a driver's licence and experience a breakthrough seizure will lose their licence for a further 12 months until they become one-year seizure free. Many of the people with long-term uncontrolled epilepsy, who make up 30% of diagnoses, will never be able to hold a driver's licence.
“The fundamental issue is that the State tells these people that they cannot drive, which is reasonable, and that they then get assistance with their transport. As the Minister will understand, the way to go about this is through the free travel scheme.
“The Minister stated she was hoping she would have the report shortly. 'Shortly’ can mean many things in these Houses. Can the Minister give us a better sense of what precisely it means in this case?”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, has called for the establishment of a forum on the technological surveillance of workers; especially surveillance using artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Teachta O’Reilly:
“The growing technological surveillance of workers is a worrying development, and it an issue I have been raising for over two years.
“In March 2021, I raised these concerns with the Minister for Enterprise only to be told that such matters are not covered in terms of employment rights law or employment terms law.
“This morning, the Financial Services Union (FSU) presented new research to the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment on the sophistication and scale of technological surveillance of workers.
“Surveillance of workers throughout their working day is not a new phenomenon, however, in the post-pandemic working world, the nature and scale of technological surveillance has increased significantly.
“Over the past number of years, there have been increased domestic and international reports, from workers and trade unions, of employers profiling workers’ electronic equipment as well using wearable technology to closely monitor workers.
“This surveillance has reached new levels with developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology.
“Reports of the use of AI and machine learning tools to monitor workers activity and body language through wearable technology and cameras in the workplace to deduce performance, attention, focus, whether they are sad, stressed, happy and so forth, and the data provided to managers, is beyond worrying.
“There is a need for the State to get ahead of developments in this area and legislate to protect workers from excessive technological surveillance, especially using AI and machine learning.
“The starting point for this should be the establishment of a Departmental forum, compromising experts in the area and trade unions representing workers whose employers use automated systems to monitor workers, so we can better understand how firms deploy automated technology for worker surveillance.
“This should be the starting point in a journey to investigating, reporting, and delivering legislative protections for workers.”
Sinn Féin’s Darren O’Rourke TD and Senator Lynn Boylan have today published proposals to empower local communities in climate action.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Action, Darren O’Rourke TD, said:
“The transition to a carbon neutral society will require radical change, not just technologically but socially too. We need to support communities in developing and recognising their hopes and aspirations for a sustainable future. We must empower them to be the authors of this change, rather than feeling like they have been left behind.
“Sinn Féin recognises that the transition must be inclusive and democratic if we are to bring people along the journey.
“Done the right way, with a genuine bottom-up approach, not only will community engagement help make the transition fair and democratic, but it will make it fast too. This is key to a just transition.
“To achieve this, Sinn Féin have put forward a number of proposals. They include increasing the resourcing of Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) as well as the introduction of a new Local Energy Action Fund to ensure that community groups are supported to make changes that will benefit both their communities and the environment, from reducing energy use to increasing renewable energy production.
“We know that the climate and economic crises are deeply interlinked. In order to build an economic model that is both fairer and more sustainable, we would establish a Community Wealth Building Fund and a Workers Co-operative Development Unit. These initiatives will empower ordinary families, workers and communities to control their own economic development, to ensure that wealth is added to their communities rather than simply extracted.
“Building from this, we want to raise the target of community and locally owned renewable energy projects to at least 10% of our renewable energy capacity. We would also double the funding allocated to them this year.
“This is because we firmly believe that benefits derived from Ireland’s energy transition should be shared equitably, rather than concentrated in the hands of a few.
“We would increase funding specifically for the development of innovative initiatives in renewable generation and prioritise funding for those projects that benefit local communities and prioritise local engagement.
“Furthermore, rather than paying lip service to a just transition like the current government has, we would establish a Just Transition Commission. This would bring together workers, communities, employers, and government in social dialogue to drive the concrete plans, policies and investments needed for a fast and fair transformation to a low carbon economy.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Justice, Senator Lynn Boylan continued:
“We firmly believe it is essential to nurture the link between local communities, the environment and nature. To do this, we’ve proposed a dedicated fund for public parks and native woodlands.
“Not only would publicly accessible woodlands deliver significant benefits to people’s health and well-being, it also can help sequester carbon dioxide, enhance air quality and protect our biodiversity. It’s a win-win for climate and the environment. We would also place the National Biodiversity Centre on statutory footing, enhancing the ability of local community groups to participate and to contribute their expertise.
“Finally, we want to improve opportunities and supports for local communities to engage in efforts to address the crises in climate and biodiversity. In order to ensure that these local voices are heard and that they can effectively contribute to decision making processes, we would double the funding to the Irish Environmental Network this year.
“Our proposals on Community-Led Climate Action would help to unleash its untapped potential. We believe that bottom-up approaches are critical to reaching our climate targets. They are also crucial for the delivery of tangible benefits for local communities, their economies and the environment. This is a necessary complement to state led climate action.”
Sinn Féin's 'Empowering Communities in Climate Action' proposals can be read here.
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus, speaking after today’s vote in the European Parliament’s Agriculture & Development Committee, said it rejected the European Commission’s legal proposal for the Nature Restoration Law in its current form because there was too much ambiguity on the impact it would have for family farmers such as in the midlands and along the west coast of Ireland.
However he added that it is a necessity that nature restoration and protection takes place but that it must be done correctly with the full participation and say of rural Irish communities and family farmers.
MacManus said:
“It really is a pity that certain sections of the European Commission and other stakeholders did not properly engage with those who have a clear understanding of rural communities including Irish family farmers in the west and midlands of Ireland.
“If they had done so, we could have had a Nature Restoration Law that would have been inclusive, unambiguous with realistic goals and measures. That would have led to nature restoration in an equitable manner with the support of local communities and farmers which I would have been happy to support. Differences in ambition, measures, objectives and scope could have been resolved.
“Everyone wants to see nature restored and protected, and there is still time for the Nature Restoration Law to be salvaged if rural concerns are taken on board, but there needs to be substantive consultation and engagement with local farming and rural stakeholders to try and bridge gaps and reach a mutual understanding on how the nature restoration law can work for everyone.
“There is still a chance to save it if the Environmental Committee takes this on-board, but MEPs that are vehemently opposed to the nature restoration law, no matter what form it may take, must also cooperate and be objective to ensure that the law truly reflects rural and farming concerns instead of rejecting it outright in the Environmental Committee and a full Parliament plenary.
“There is much anxiety from family farmers in Ireland around the Nature Restoration Law that must be addressed. Particularly the concerns around rewetting and the impact it could have on sheep and suckler farmers in my constituency along with the rest of the midlands and west of Ireland. It is of immediate concern for any farmer operating on peat soils. There must also be clarity on funding and property rights also.
“Sinn Féin supports a Nature Restoration Law that would reassure the fears of rural Ireland and family farmers. I hope the Environmental Committee takes this on board so the European Parliament can support a law that works. Forcing the Nature Restoration Law in its current form may indeed protect, restore and enhance biodiversity but there is too much ambiguity around the unintended consequences for family farmers and rural communities in the west and midlands of Ireland.
“Sinn Féin completely supports the need to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity, but EU policy makers and legislators must recognise that this must be done in partnership with farmers and rural communities not in spite of them, especially in Ireland. This is an opinion shared by Irish farming organisations who are the voices for many Irish rural communities."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Pa Daly TD, has welcomed moves to increase sentences for assaults on Garda and warned much more must be done to protect them on the frontline.
His comments came as measures were brought to cabinet today on increasing sentencing.
Speaking today, Teachta Daly said:
"Gardaí work on the frontline, protecting and serving communities. Recent high profile attacks on officers have exposed some of the appalling and unacceptable violence that they face in the line of duty.
"I welcome moves to increase sentences for people who assault Gardaí. This should be expanded to all service personnel to send a clear message that this sort of violence is not acceptable.
"However, this is only one aspect. We must ensure that Gardaí have the resources and staffing levels to do their jobs safely as well. Fine Gael have consistently failed to invest in the service over the course of the last decade, resulting in many Gardaí feeling demoralised and unsupported."
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus, speaking after today’s vote in the European Parliament’s Agriculture & Development Committee, said it rejected the European Commission’s legal proposal for the Nature Restoration Law in its current form because there was too much ambiguity on the impact it would have for family farmers such as in the midlands and along the west coast of Ireland. However, MacManus said it is a necessity that nature restoration and protection takes place but that it must be done correctly with the full participation and say of rural Irish communities and family farmers.
MacManus said;
"It really is a pity that certain sections of the European Commission and other stakeholders did not properly engage with those who have a clear understanding of rural communities including Irish family farmers in the west and midlands of Ireland.
"If they had done so, we could have had a Nature Restoration Law that would have been inclusive, unambiguous with realistic goals and measures. That would have led to nature restoration in an equitable manner with the support of local communities and farmers which I would have been happy to support. Differences in ambition, measures, objectives and scope could have been resolved.
"Everyone wants to see nature restored and protected, and there is still time for the Nature Restoration Law to be salvaged if rural concerns are taken on board, but there needs to be substantive consultation and engagement with local farming and rural stakeholders to try and bridge gaps and reach a mutual understanding on how the nature restoration law can work for everyone.
"There is still a chance to save it if the Environmental Committee takes this on-board, but MEPs that are vehemently opposed to the nature restoration law, in no matter what form it may take, must also cooperate and be objective to ensure that the law truly reflects rural and farming concerns instead of rejecting it outright in the Environmental Committee and a full Parliament plenary.
"There is much anxiety from family farmers in Ireland around the Nature Restoration Law that must be addressed. Particularly the concerns around rewetting and the impact it could have on sheep and suckler farmers in my constituency along with the rest of the midlands and west of Ireland. It is of immediate concern for any farmer operating on peat soils. There must also be clarity on funding and property rights also.
"Sinn Féin supports a Nature Restoration Law that would reassure the fears of rural Ireland and family farmers. I hope the Environmental Committee takes this on board so the European Parliament can support a law that works. Forcing the Nature Restoration Law in its current form may indeed protect, restore and enhance biodiversity but there is too much ambiguity around the unintended consequences for family farmers and rural communities in the west and midlands of Ireland.
"Sinn Féin completely supports the need and to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity, but EU policy makers and legislators must recognise that this must be done in partnership with farmers and rural communities not in spite of them, especially in Ireland. This is an opinion shared by Irish farming organisations who are the voices for many Irish rural communities."
Sinn Féin councillor Caoimhín McCann has called on the Irish Passport Office to accept Electoral ID cards for applications from the North.
Cllr McCann said:
"The Irish Passport Office should accept photographic Electoral ID for passport applications from the north.
“I have written to the Tánaiste making case for this form of ID to be accepted when applying for an Irish passport.
“Given that this is the only ID that many people hold, not accepting these cards creates an unnecessary barrier for people in the north wishing to access their right to an Irish passport.
"I would urge people to make the case to the Tánaiste to accept these cards by getting behind the online petition calling for a change to this policy.”
