Sinn Féin TD for Louth and East Meath Imelda Munster has welcomed the news that her amendment securing priority for border counties in the allocation of Brexit supports has passed into law.
Speaking after the amendment to the Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill 2019 was passed this morning, Deputy Munster said that he is “happy that the counties on the border will be prioritised in terms of business supports ahead of Brexit."
Deputy Munster said:
“My own home town of Drogheda is a prime example of why this is required.
“Drogheda has fantastic potential. It’s located on the Dublin-Belfast corridor, its population is highly skilled and it has a dynamic business community. In fact, the Financial Times has identified Drogheda as one of Europe’s Top 10 emerging micro-cities.
“It’s very frustrating that the government doesn’t see this, as Drogheda gets overlooked time and time again when it comes to business and development opportunities. We got nothing in the National Development Plan, we lost our town council and borough status under the last Labour and Fine Gael government.
“Investment opportunities seem to go elsewhere. There were media reports some months ago suggesting that foreign businesses who were seeking to locate in Drogheda were advised to go elsewhere.
“This bill that the government presented today did the bare minimum. It doesn’t address the serious concerns that the business community have expressed regarding the Brexit loan schemes, which are not targeting the right businesses, it doesn’t addressed workers rights concerns in terms of safeguarding jobs and the supports in the bill are limit.
“That being said, I am happy that I was able to improve the bill and ensure that Drogheda, as well as other towns along the border like Dundalk, will be first in line for the Brexit supports that are provided for in the bill and it won’t be so easy for the government to pass over us in this regard.”
Sinn Féin MLA Catherine Kelly has said new figures released by NSPCC showing a 34% rise in sexual offences against children are ‘staggering’.
The West Tyrone MLA said:
“New figures released by NSPCC reveal that over 2000 cases of sexual offences against children were recorded by police in the north over the last 12 months.
“These numbers are staggering and represent more than five crimes cases every day.
“These figures show the importance of the Gillen Review into Sexual Offences and the recent Department of Justice consultation on Child Sexual Exploitation. This work must be progressed rapidly and effectively to properly support and safeguard children.
“We worked with Judge Gillen, the DOJ and the NSPCC and others on this work. Sinn Féin recommended modernising the law and improving support to protect children from this horrific abuse which often leaves long and lasting damage on the victim. They should never suffer in silence.”
“A key element of the figures is the grooming of children online. I am renewing calls on parents to carefully monitor children’s use of chat rooms and other social media platforms.
“I will be meeting with the NSPCC in the coming days to discuss these figures and the need for renewed action to protect our children and young people.”
Minister Bruton paying lip service to carbon emission targets - David Cullinane TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson for climate change David Cullinane TD has criticised the government for failing to reach carbon emission targets for the second year in a row, showing a systemic political failure to take this issue seriously.
Deputy Cullinane said:
“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today published a report that the Irish State exceeds its emissions budget by 5 million tonnes in 2018, and is moving further from its climate commitments.
“This exposes the spin and bluster from Minister Bruton and this government on this issue.
“Sinn Féin has been saying for years that we need a paradigm shift in state investment in public transport.
“Instead, Fine Gael is selling off the network and continues to neglect investment in new rail lines, particularly outside Dublin where they are most needed.
“The shift in agricultural policy in 2015 to encourage dairy and milk production has added to emissions.
“Afforestation is also missing its targets, and has been falling since 2016.
“The sole response by the government is to introduce a regressive carbon tax, even though the alternatives are simply not there.
“Unlike this government, Sinn Féin takes climate action seriously.
“We understand it requires a systemic shift in public investment, one that Fine Gael is incapable of providing, as the EPA report shows.”
Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson has called for the full implementation of the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House in 2014.
Martina Anderson was speaking after hosting Seamus Finucane, brother of murdered Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, in Strasbourg.
“I hosted this delegation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg this week to raise the Finucane family’s continued campaign for truth and justice.
“In February this year, the British Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the British government did not fulfil its Article 2 obligations to human life in the case of Pat Finucane.
“We used the meeting with the Human Rights Commission to press the EU on the need for independent and international scrutiny.
“For almost five years, the British Government has dragged its heels and failed to implement legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House. It’s unacceptable. Families have been waiting too long.
“Sinn Féin will continue to support the Finucane family and relatives of victims of state violence in their campaign for truth and justice.”
The Sinn Féin President has put a series of questions to the Taoiseach today on the boil water notice issued to 600,000 homes in the Greater Dublin Area.
Deputy McDonald said:
“The people affected by this boil water notice need answers. I have particular concern for families with small children, older people and those with illnesses for whom this is not simply an inconvenience but a matter of health.
“This is the single biggest boil water notice ever issued in this state and it is not yet clear exactly what happened. What we do know is that an EPA report on the same plant published in March of this year found serious operational failures that could have led to contamination.
“The report issued eight recommendations and stipulated that Irish Water should submit a report to the agency ‘within one month of the date of this audit report detailing how it has dealt with the issues of concern identified during this audit.’
“We need to know if the most recent incident is related or if it is a repetition of that which occurred in March. Did Irish Water respond to the EPA report and implement its recommendations? Crucially we need to know if the plant at Leixlip, and its private contract, is fit for purpose, reliable and has the ability to protect our water?
“It is not acceptable to keep families in the dark. They need answers. They need to know their water is safe.”
Sinn Féin councillor Ruairí Ó Murchú has welcomed news that Sruthán House respite service is to remain open.
The Louth General Election candidate was speaking at a specially convened HSE meeting to discuss the outcome of the consultation on the Sruthán House respite facility in Dundalk.
“I have met many service users of Sruthán House over the past four months since the HSE announced the closure of the service.
“All of the people I met with with spoke so highly of the service received at Sruthán House and they unanimously wanted it to remain open."
“Sruthán House provides a very high standard of care for service users and it provides a home from home atmosphere.
“I understand that there are a number of actions which the HSE will now undertake to ensure that Sruthán House is providing the optimum service and value for money
“I look forward to working with the steering group which will now be established and I will do everything I can to ensure that all of the users of Sruthán House continue to have full access to this wonderful facility.”
Sinn Féin TD and spokesperson for Dublin Denise Mitchell has called on the Government to establish a Child Maintenance Service, saying that “the current child maintenance system is not working for lone parents or for children”.
Speaking during a debate that Sinn Féin had brought forward last night, the Dublin Bay North TD said:
“Lone parents make up a substantial demographic in society. There are almost 220,000 lone parent families in the State. Child maintenance contributions are a vital financial support that is necessary to provide children with the best developmental opportunities. The current child maintenance system is not working for lone parents or for children in need of critical financial support. It is responsible for lone parent families being five times more at risk of experiencing poverty than a two-parent household.
“The absence of a State body or agency to provide assistance to these families and ensure that child maintenance is being paid is hurting vulnerable children and lone parents. Lone parents have effectively been abandoned by the State. Forcing them into court to have maintenance paid is increasing stress and causes conflict between custodial and non-custodial parents. Even after court cases are heard, maintenance is still not being paid in too many cases. This damages all parties, especially the children involved, and proves that the current system is not working.
“We need a child maintenance service. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection recognises the importance of child maintenance payments, which can determine whether welfare supports are paid or not and at what level. Some 220,000 families need a child maintenance service that will support them. This is one of few western states that do not have this service in place. The United Nations has called on Ireland to establish such a service.
“Guidelines from a Minister are not good enough. This is a sensible, workable solution and those who need it, vulnerable lone parents and their children, as well as advocacy groups, are demanding that we introduce it."
“Barnier confirms that EU will not accept Unionist veto” - Matt Carthy MEP
Sinn Féin MEP, Matt Carthy, has welcomed confirmation from European Commission Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, that the EU will not accept any further dilution to the agreement reached with the British government last week.
Mr. Barnier was responding to direct questions from Matt Carthy and his colleague Sinn Féin MEP, Martina Anderson, during a dialogue with the Left political grouping in the European Parliament on Tuesday evening.
In response to issues raised by the Sinn Féin representatives Michel Barnier was unequivical, stating “There will be no veto - we will stay tough on that”.
This was just a short period before the House of Commons voted in favour of the withdrawal agreement but against the time-frame laid proposed by Boris Johnson. It appears that the EU is now set to grant an extension of a further three months to the Brexit process.
Midlands North West MEP, Matt Carthy, said that this is the right move from an Irish point of view, saying “Prolonged uncertainty is always better than certain disaster. And a no deal scenario would be certain disaster for Ireland and particularly the border region.
Speaking earlier on Tuesday in a European Parliament plenary debate in Strasbourg Matt Carthy told fellow MEPs that the border in Ireland is already too hard.
He said:
“The border has frustrated economic, social and political development in our country and it resulted in a conflict for which too many paid too high a price.
“The Good Friday Agreement and our shared membership of the EU have, together, been the instruments that have allowed us to undo some of the damages of partition over the past two decades.
“That is why Brexit has been such a dangerous development. It has risked our peace process and our all-Ireland economy.
“Even the deal negotiated last week will create new problems relating to the border in Ireland. We support it because it is better than the alternative.
“This deal cannot be further diluted. There can be no veto, no opportunity for any one party to hold every business, every farm, every worker, every community across the island of Ireland to ransom. To suggest that such a veto would represent ‘consent’ is absurd and is a ludicrous misreading of the Good Friday Agreement.
“Of course, the best way to protect our country from the dangers of Brexit is through Irish Unity. The EU can play a role in supporting the peaceful, democratic pathway to that objective.
“I hope this house is ready and willing to be part of the big constitutional conversation coming our way” he concluded.
ENDS
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Employment Affairs & Social Protection John Brady TD has strongly criticised the Governments’ decision to abstain on his party’s motion calling for the establishment of a statutory Child Maintenance Service, based on international best practice.
Speaking following the debate, Teachta Brady said:
“It is deeply disappointing that the Government have chosen to abstain on this Motion which had the full backing of both lead lone parent organisations One Family and SPARK.
“This motion was brought forward with sensible and well-thought out proposals on how best we can support sand assist lone parent families in seeking maintenance payments.
“Minister Finian McGrath, who stood in for Minister Doherty in her absence read a speech that has angered many lone parents, seemed more concerned with the lack of recognition for 'the substantial work already done to support lone parents' than the actual issue of maintenance.
"Given that it is the Governments’ own policy decisions that have condemned so many lone parent families to poverty, Minister McGrath had some neck to make such a statement.
“The Government abstained because they believe that they are already doing the necessary work when it comes to tackling issues around child maintenance. Yet, up until September of this year, not once did Minister Doherty agree to examine the current process in place in order to seek maintenance.
“Minister Doherty has done nothing to date, to tackle issues faced by lone parents when it comes to maintenance. That is a fact.
“In relation to the funding announced as part of Budget 2020 for research into child maintenance, it appears to me that the purpose of this is to establish guidelines and not, a statutory service which is what is actually needed.
“Despite the Government abstaining on this motion, we had the necessary support to see the motion passed. We will now hold Minister Doherty to account on ensuring that the research she undertakes as part of the Budget 2020 commitment will include consultation with stakeholders and the establishment of a Child Maintenance Service. Anything less will be an insult to lone parent families.”
Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has responded to news that 320 jobs are to be lost at Novartis in Ringaskiddy, Cork, saying that it is devastating and shocking news for workers and their families.
Speaking from Cork today, Deputy Ó Laoghaire has called on the government and the Department of Social Protection to take all steps possible to save as many jobs as possible, and to ensure Novartis workers have all possible assistance available to them
"Novartis are a major employer in Ringaskiddy, for over two decades, employing 500 people from right across Cork.
"This is devastating news for workers at Novartis, who have played a crucial role in building Novartis in to what it is today; an enormously profitable company, and is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.
"I have spoken with workers this morning and they are deeply worried for the future.
"The government need to be proactive here. I note that the Minister for Enterprise is in Shannon today, following job losses there. I hope she will do the same for Cork, and examine whether there are ways to save as many jobs as possible here.
"I hope that workers representatives can obtain the best possible conditions for workers where this is not possible.
"Government Departments need to stand ready, prepared to engage with the workers on the ground and support them. That includes the Department of Social Protection and Department of Entreprise.
"The Minister also needs to immediately begin the process of seeking funding from the European Globalisation Fund to assist workers who are made redundant in seeking new employment. This funding is there for situations like this, it needs to be used.
"This is shocking news, devastating news that will have a massive impact on people, and their lives, future plans potentially scuppered.
"Novartis internationally, are a company that is thriving. New drugs that have been launched recently by them are performing better than expected.
"I hope that Cork workers and their families are not paying the price for the desire of multinational companies to simply increase their profit margins, that would be reprehensible."
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has welcomed progress on pensions for victims of the conflict but said that this must be brought forward as part of the package of legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House.
The party’s victims and legacy spokesperson said:
“I welcome progress on the pensions issue.
“Many people seriously injured in the conflict have been waiting decades for appropriate support and they have campaigned vigorously on this issue.
“However, I’m concerned that the pension does not cover all those injured as a result of the conflict.
“The Westminster legislation has moved away from the legal definition of a victim.
“It remains Sinn Féin’s view that all victims should be able to access the pension on the basis of need.
“The pension for victims of the conflict was one of a range of commitments made in the Stormont House Agreement.
“The British government continues to stall on the implementation of the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House.
“The families of victims have waited too long for truth and disclosure about the killings of their loved ones.
“That is unacceptable.
“The cover up and foot dragging by the British government of the role of their military and intelligence services in the conflict must end.”
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD’s bill that provides for the establishment of a latent defects redress scheme to assist homeowners has passed first stage in the Dáil this afternoon.
This Bill creates a redress scheme which provides a resolution to homeowners who bought their homes in good faith and who should not be held liable for the costs of remediation caused by the incompetence and/or negligence developers.
Deputy Ó Broin said:
“The Latent Defects Redress Bill 2019 that I have introduced today establishes a latent defects redress scheme to assist homeowners in remedying issues, such as fire safety and other structural defects that have been uncovered in their homes.
“This scheme will lay out a number of solutions, which will include an information and advice service for homeowners. A mediation service will be offered to disputing parties to see if a resolution can be found between the developer/builder and the homeowner. If mediation is not an option, the scheme will issue legally binding adjudications on cases.
“Where builder/developers are still trading, the original developer should pay for the remediation works. However, in cases where the developer is no longer trading, the scheme will administer a compensation fund for homeowners that will be paid for by a levy on the construction industry and will be matched on a euro-for-euro basis by the Exchequer.
“Under the scheme, a programme of risk assessments for latent defects including fire safety and water ingress and related structural defects will commence. The scheme will also conduct a review of the existing sanctions for developers/builders who breach building and fire safety standards.
“In the first instance, the original builder/developer should be held liable for defects for which they are responsible. However, the government also has a responsibility as the poor building regulations in place during the boom did not tackle the bad building that was happening.
“I hope this piece of legislation will have cross party support.”
Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has today voiced his long standing vexation with the failure of previous Governments to heed Cervical Cancer warnings.
Teachta Ó Caoláin and other opposition spokespeople for Health had highlighted the risks of moving the laboratory processing of cervical screen tests to the United States and elsewhere over a decade ago.
Deputy Ó Caoláin stated;
“I want to welcome today’s apology by An Taoiseach on behalf of the State to the ‘cervical check’ women and families who have suffered so grievously.
“I hope that it brings some measure of comfort and recognition to the thousands of women and their families who suffered because of a State that was unlistening and unresponsive.
“I would ask the Minister for Health if he is confident that when members of the Dáil and citizens raise their voices in genuine concern, that they are being listened to and heeded. He may say he is, but I am definitely not.
“While the full impact of this outsourcing debacle came into sharp media focus with the passing of Emma Mhic Mhathúna and other women, this controversy goes back more than a decade.
“The very same State that is apologising in the Dáil today was either well aware or was made aware of the risks involved in its move to privatisation under the then Minister for Health Mary Harney.
“I raised those serious concerns with Minister Harney in the Dáil chamber back in 2008.
“Addressing her directly I told her that she would rather ‘listen to corporate executives in the private health business’ and that her HSE had awarded the contract for cervical cancer tests to “Quest Diagnostics, a US company that has an unacceptably high rate of errors.’
“She wouldn’t listen. Innocent citizens have paid a terrible price as a consequence.
“Others such as Dr. Gibbons and the Well Woman Centre also expressed concern at the practices of these laboratories.
“Has that same culture of subservience to the market forces that drive the private health sector really changed?
“While apologies can serve to recognise the pain and suffering of the affected individuals and their families, sincere contrition should include evidence of a commitment to change.
“This change should be obvious and visible to those impacted by the scandal. Such evidence would, I believe, provide meaningful solace to all those caught up in this dreadful and disgraceful scandal.
“Sadly, there is no obvious change, only the continuing mistakes and arrogant ignoring of passionate, informed voices crying out for health justice for all.
“This is not a happy day. It is just another day in a long saga of sad days that appear to have no end”.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Jobs and Workers’ Rights Maurice Quinlivan TD today called on the Minister for Business to step in and assist the 500 Molex workers who are to be made redundant over the next year after the company’s decided to close its Shannon based factory.
Speaking from Leinster House today, the Limerick TD said;
“This is devastating news for the 500 workers at Molex, many of whom have worked with the company in Shannon for decades.
“Molex is now one of the biggest employers in the area and has been operating in the Shannon Free Zone since 1971.
“This will be the biggest loss of jobs in the mid-west since the Dell plant closed in 2009. Combined with job losses at Roche and Moneypoint, it’s clear the mid-west needs far greater State support when it comes to jobs and employment opportunities.
“The job losses announced today are devastating, but also deeply concerning is the number of indirect jobs in local businesses which will also be affected by this news.
“The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, must ensure the workers affected are supported and offered re-training, further education and help finding new employment.
“I am also calling on IDA Ireland to focus on attracting new businesses to locate in the Shannon Free Zone, preferably from the same sector, which may alleviate some of these 500 job losses.
“This is very difficult news for the 500 staff affected and it’s vital they are supported by the social protection system in the short term and by the employment services and jobs agencies going forward.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Employment Affairs & Social Protection John Brady TD will introduce a Dáil motion calling for the establishment of a Child Maintenance Service this evening.
Speaking this morning, Teachta Brady said:
“This evening, as part of Sinn Féin’s campaign for the establishment of a Child Maintenance Service, our Dáil motion on this issue will be debated.
“I welcomed Minister Regina Doherty’s recent comments which indicated that she intended to change the current process of seeking maintenance payments through the courts.
“However, an allocation of funding announced in Budget 2020 to research child maintenance to establish guidelines which in the Minister’s own words will ‘hopefully’ be put on a statutory footing falls far short of what is required.
“Single parents are obliged to seek maintenance in order to qualify for the One Parent Family Payment and Jobseekers Transitional Payment and in many cases, this leaves them with no other option than to take their former partner to court.
"This puts lone parents in a very difficult position as well as the process being very daunting and time-consuming. After going through the court process, there is no guarantee that maintenance will actually be paid.
“We need to take child maintenance out of the courts service and into a statutory child maintenance service that will for the first time, support and assist lone parent families. This service will also play a key role in reducing conflict among families and as has been proven in other countries - including in England - will help to reduce child poverty.
“I am calling on all parties and none to support the motion before the Dáil this evening to ensure that this State does better for lone parent mothers and fathers and their children.”
Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O'Neill MLA said if the DUP applied the same creativity and imagination into restoring the institutions as they have in denying rights the Assembly would be functioning.
Michelle O'Neill said
"The DUP’s stunt in the Assembly today was pointless, and achieved nothing other than to bring the political institutions into further disrepute and further undermine public confidence.
"It is not lost on the public that the first time the DUP recalled the Assembly was yet another attempt to deny a section of our community rights.
"If the DUP applied the same creativity and imagination into getting the institutions up and running as they have in denying rights we would have a functioning Assembly.
"Sinn Féin welcomes the end of the denial of the right of our LGBT brothers and sisters to marry the person they love.
"We send our solidarity to all those who campaigned and worked to get this most basic human right over the line.
"Sinn Féin also welcomes the end of the archaic law criminalising women.
"There is a clear need to legislate for modern compassionate health care services for women.
"We will now respond to the consultation on the future of women’s health care and make the case for the harmonisation of law across the island.
"Sinn Féin believes these rights issues should have been dealt with by a functioning Assembly and Executive.
"That has not been possible as the DUP have not engaged in meaningful negotiation since it walked away from a deal and talks in February 2018.
"The DUP's denial of citizens’ rights, the negative impact of its toxic pact with the Tories and the British government’s abandonment of the impartiality required under the Good Friday Agreement have prevented the restoration of the institutions.
"Sinn Féin wants those institutions to be up and running on the basis of genuine power-sharing, of equality, rights and integrity and legislating for all.
"The next time we enter these institutions it should be to do real business with an Executive up and running and getting on with the serious work of government, on health, housing, education and the economy."
