Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has said that distraction politics by the DUP is causing a further erosion of public services and adding to the suffering and worry of businesses, workers and families across the north.
The party's Brexit spokesperson said:
“The DUP's ongoing intransigence around the Windsor Framework is hurting our communities which are enduring savage Tory cuts across education, health, infrastructure and other public services.
“The DUP's endorsement of proposals which have already been rejected throughout the EU -British Government Brexit negotiations is a futile exercise.
“It is designed to distract from their refusal to rejoin the Executive and work together with other ministers to support workers and families and deliver stable and reliable public services.
“The Windsor Framework provides us with a huge competitive advantage and has been endorsed and welcomed by all sectors across our economy.
“It is a pathway to prosperity for the north's businesses, providing access to the world's largest markets unimpeded. It is therefore reckless and irresponsible of the DUP to gamble with this unprecedented opportunity for our businesses and economy.
“The onus is on the DUP to return to the Assembly, the Executive and the north-south bodies so we put into action plans to maximise on the promise of the Windsor Framework; and in the more immediate term, take hold of the burgeoning crises across all of our public services."
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has called on the DUP to immediately end its blockade of the Executive and get back to work with other parties to tackle the challenges facing public services.
Responding to remarks by Jeffrey Donaldson at the Centre for Brexit Policy today, Conor Murphy said:
“Negotiations between the EU and the British Government are now over, the deal is done and legislation is enacted in Europe and Britain.
“It’s time to move forward, and to seize the unique opportunities now available to create jobs, strengthen the economy and to build a better future.
“The north has a competitive advantage that is the envy of economies the world over through the unique ability to trade in both the British and EU markets. Failure to utilise that advantage through a local economy minister because one party won’t turn up for work is not acceptable.
“What the public need to hear from the DUP leader now is when will his party end its blockade of the Assembly and Executive so that parties can work together to deliver for people.
“Families facing increased food, heating and housing costs, holiday hunger and uncertainty around their children’s education, can’t wait any longer.
“Sinn Féin is ready to get to work immediately to fix the chronic problems facing health, education and all public services as a result of cruel and savage Tory cuts from London.”
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said the findings of the Policing Board's investigation into the strip searching of children is concerning.
The Mid-Ulster MLA said:
"We welcome the publication of the Policing Board’s human rights review into the abuse of strip-search powers on children and young people in police custody.
"There are a number of concerning statistics in the report, such as most searches finding nothing illegal. And the overwhelming majority of searches took place without an appropriate adult present.
"Strip searching is one of the most intrusive interactions that occur between police and a child or young person.
"It is hard to figure out what would create the kind of urgency that you can't wait for an appropriate adult.
"We have consistently raised our concerns around these strip-searches. And we will keep this issue under review to make sure the recommendations and learning identified are fully implemented.”
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has said British Government legislation to impose visa restrictions on travel between the north and south of Ireland is offensive and potentially devastating to the tourist industry here.
Under the proposals, Irish residents without an Irish passport, or tourists who wish to visit the North from the south, would need to obtain and pay for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
The party’s tourism spokesperson said:
“Sinn Féin has directly and consistently challenged the British Home Office on this legislation because it is not only offensive and reckless but potentially devastating to the tourist industry.
“We met with local business yesterday, who along with tourism and hospitality groups, have also been very clear in their opposition to this legislation and the British government’s total lack of understanding about the damaging impact it will have on the island of Ireland.
“Despite claims by the DUP leader last year that this will have no impact on tourism here, that is not the reality being faced by the tourism industry who are genuinely anxious about the impact of this bizarre legislation.
“This part of our island has so much to offer in terms of tourism but any requirement for visitors to apply and pay for post-Brexit waivers will obviously cause huge damage to our potential to continue to grow this industry.
“More than half a million tourists journey across the island each year, spending £250 million in the local economy, and we cannot allow that to be jeopardised so these plans need to be scrapped.
“Sinn Féin will continue to directly challenge the British government on this absurd legislation and we also urge the Irish government to use all the influence at its disposal to oppose it.”
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has condemned the latest attempt by the British government in its infamous Legacy Bill to close down access to the courts and legal remedies for hundreds of people illegally and unlawfully detained by the state.
The North Belfast MP said:
“Last night the British government announced its intention to bolt on yet another amendment to its already fatally flawed Legacy Bill which would prevent hundreds of people illegally and unlawfully interned from seeking legal redress for wrongful imprisonment.
“This latest addition to the British government’s infamous Legacy Bill, which will prevent victims of the conflict and their families from accessing criminal courts, inquests, human rights compliant investigations and civil proceedings, makes an absolute mockery of justice and claims that this Bill can promote reconciliation.
“Interning people without trial in the first place was shameful and it was used initially to target only one section of the community.
“The British Supreme Court has ruled that the British government broke the law in illegally and unlawfully detaining hundreds of people during the early 1970s.
“When the state has broken the law there is an onus on that state both morally and legally to provide redress to those people who were unlawfully detained.
“Instead of righting this wrong, facing up to its legal responsibilities and accepting the judgment of its highest court, this British government is effectively tearing up the law, closing access to the courts while relentlessly pursuing amnesty for the actions of its forces in Ireland.
“The Legacy Bill is a travesty of justice, it should be scrapped. It has been rejected by victims and families, human rights experts, the UN, all the political parties on this island, as well as officials in the US and EU.
“The British government should scrap this legislation and get on with implementing the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House by the two governments and political parties in 2014 in a human rights' compliant manner.”
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has said the DUP’s continued blockade to the Executive and Assembly is heartless and condemns thousands of school children to going without much-needed hot meals during the school holidays.
The party’s education spokesperson said:
“The lack of an Executive and an onslaught of education cuts means that thousands of families will go without vital holiday hunger payments this summer.
“These payments are a lifeline for families that depend on free school meals and help ensure that children get a hot meal during the school holidays.
“Many families are already struggling with increasing mortgage costs, increasing food costs and rising utility bills, so stripping this payment away will only add to the hardship they are facing.
“The DUP’s continued blockade of the Executive is heartless and irresponsible.
“We need an Executive formed now and parties working together around the table to tackle holiday hunger, to support families and legislate to end the constant cliff-edge over these payments.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has expressed disappointment with government over reduced Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) bed capacity.
Teachta Ward was speaking after receiving a response to a Parliamentary Question, which stated that operational inpatient bed capacity in CAMHS was just 72%.
The Dublin Mid-West TD said:
“I am really disappointed with the current capacity figures for CAMHS beds.
“The response that I received from a parliamentary question this week confirmed that operational capacity for CAMHS beds is currently at 72%.
“There are 72 beds in four inpatient CAMHS facilities but only 51 of these beds are open at present.
“Staffing reasons, including having appropriately trained staff, has been cited as a main contributor in many of the national facilities.
“The panel system of recruitment operated by the HSE is not working and needs an urgent review.
“This is simply not good enough during a children’s mental health emergency. With waiting lists for CAMHS exceeding 4500 children waiting for psychology appointments.
“Over 15,000 children are waiting on primary care psychology, with almost 6,000 children waiting over a year for an appointment.
“72% CAMHS bed capacity is unacceptable and is another failure by government in children’s mental health.
“The government is not treating this emergency with the urgency that is required. Children and their families are being left behind.”
The response to Deputy Ward's Parliamentary Question can be read here.
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has said work to build more homes in areas most in need must not be jeopardised by savage Tory cuts.
Speaking after meeting the Department for Communities with MLAs Ciara Ferguson, Aisling Reilly and MP Paul Maskey today, the North Belfast MLA said:
“Sinn Féin met with the Department of Communities today on a range of issues facing people and communities right now, not least growing waiting lists for homes.
“We made it clear to officials that work to build more homes in areas most in need, like Derry, West Belfast and North Belfast, must not be jeopardised because of savage Tory cuts.
“Building more social and affordable homes and working to tackle homelessness must continue to be a priority for the Department going forward.
“Cruel Tory cuts on public services have attacked community services and left staff facing huge uncertainty, particularly as living costs continue to rise.
“We also raised ongoing issues with disability benefit assessment and the humiliating experiences that people have had, and the need to retain tribunal services in Belfast.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Higher and Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Mairéad Farrell TD, has given cautious welcome to the findings of the independent review of state supports for PhD researchers.
The report highlights insufficient financial supports, in particular the stipend, issues encountered by non-EU PhD researchers, and the need to improve prospects for PhD graduates.
Teachta Farrell stated:
“The issues faced by PhD students here have been raised for a significant length of time and I’m glad that we have one of the first dedicated reports on this.
"The government’s recent White Paper on Industrial Policy spoke about the importance of creating the jobs of the future and making Ireland a key for hub for research and development.
"PhD researchers will be key to this and there is a serious risk if the issues facing them aren’t addressed that we would be cutting the legs out from under ourselves.
“The report makes several key recommendations, and I am aware these don’t go as far as some of the organisations representing PhD students were calling for.
"For example, some were seeking recognition of employment status and access to PRSI. These are obviously important concerns but would require further examination from a legislative perspective.
“It has been recommended that the stipend be increased to €25,000, which if done, would improve the lives of many PhD students, who have a significant amount of their stipend eaten up by housing costs.
“However, a report is only a report. We now need to see the required follow through from government. Nice aspirations need to be met with concrete actions.
“The Minister has said that the actions outlined in the report would have to be met through the normal budgetary process, so all eyes will be on the government come Budget 2024.”
Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central and member of the Oireachtas Housing Committee, Thomas Gould TD, has today written to the committee requesting hearings on the Mortgage-to-Rent scheme.
The request comes following a response to a Parliamentary Question he received confirming that the pilot scheme has ended and a revised scheme is now open for expressions of interest from private, and not-for-profit, organisations.
Teachta Gould said:
“The Mortgage-to-Rent Scheme is a vital lifeline for families and individuals in mortgage distress. When operated properly, it allows people to remain in their home and become social housing tenants.
“When discussions were initiated on adding a private to-lease operator to the scheme, Sinn Féin raised concerns about this. Unfortunately these were ignored.
“I have also raised serious issues previously with the operation of the scheme as local authorities and AHBs took on less and less of these mortgages and it was instead left to a private, for-profit organisation to take up the slack.
“The new revised scheme needs to move away from the model of long-term leasing which sees local authorities pay the mortgage for a home but ultimately a private operator own the home after 25 years.
“This could also create a difficult situation for tenants who are not entitled to remain in their home after the lease ends. Long-term leasing represents bad value for money and is a system we must move away from.
“Alongside the process, serious concerns have been raised about the previous pilot scheme and issues with housing maintenance. These resulted in the suspension of the previous operator from the scheme. We have no clear indication of how serious these issues are or whether agreement has been made in resolving them.
“The Department of Housing must come before the Oireachtas Housing Committee and provide clarity on these issues and answers on the plans to resolve them.”
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley has said the family of murdered councillor Patsy Kelly are entitled to an inquest to uncover the truth about his killing.
The West Tyrone MP was speaking after the High Court heard that the Attorney General is to reconsider her decision not to order a fresh inquest.
The West Tyrone MP said:
“Patsy Kelly’s family has a right to the truth and an investigation to uncover exactly what happened to their husband and father.
“Given the findings of the Police Ombudsman’s report into how Patsy was abducted and killed, the levels of cover-up and collusion involved, and the RUC’s failure to properly investigate this brutal murder, it is clear that a fresh inquest is needed.
“Patsy Kelly’s family has shown huge courage, dignity and determination in their campaign for truth and justice over the past five decades since his death.
“They are entitled to a fresh investigation to uncover the truth about his murder.”
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has said local businesses need an Executive formed quickly to seize the huge economic opportunities available to us to create jobs and strengthen the economy.
Speaking after meeting with businesses leaders at Stormont today, the party's economy spokesperson said:
“Today we met with representatives from the local Chambers of Commerce and a wide range of business representatives on the current political situation.
“The clear and collective message from our local businesses is that they need the Executive up and running now to seize the economic opportunities available to us and to tackle the challenges facing businesses from rising costs.
“We now have access to both the EU and British markets – circumstances that are the envy of economies all over the world – that presents us with a major competitive advantage as a result of the recent Protocol deal.
“This huge economic opportunity can help existing businesses to thrive by creating jobs and expanding their operations, but also to attract more inward investment, particularly as the eyes of the world remain on the north as we celebrate 25 years of peace.
“It is clear we need an Economy Minister in place to grasp those opportunities, and to be totally focused on driving investment, creating jobs and strengthening the economy.
“One party’s blockade of the Assembly is hampering that work from getting underway, and as a result is having a negative impact on efforts by businesses to expand.
“Sinn Féin remains ready to form an Executive, to work with all parties and local businesses to strengthen the economy and immediately restore Government that will work for the people.”
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly has today welcomed the news that the new non-fatal strangulation laws have come into effect.
The party’s justice spokesperson said the law “is another important step forward in how the criminal justice system, and indeed wider society, tackles the scourge of domestic and sexual abuse, and violence against women and girls”.
The West Belfast MLA said:
“I welcome the news that the new offence of non-fatal strangulation has come into effect in the north of Ireland.
“The links between non-fatal strangulation and domestic abuse are well-established. We know that strangulation is used to control and terrify victims, and it can often cause serious physical and psychological injury, including fatal injuries.
"Non-fatal strangulation is widely believed to be a predicator of domestic homicide and it is vital our laws now reflect the seriousness of the offence.
"Strangulation is a vicious and deplorable act and it is right the PSNI now have the tools to prosecute perpetrators effectively.
"The creation of a new offence of non-fatal strangulation is another important step forward in how the criminal justice system, and indeed wider society, tackles the scourge of domestic and sexual abuse, and violence against women and girls.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, and spokesperson on Older People, Patricia Ryan TD, have said that action is needed to halt nursing home closures and build public capacity.
They were speaking ahead of a Sinn Féin motion, to be debated in the Dáil on Tuesday, that calls on government to develop a medium- and long-term plan to ensure the sustainability of the nursing homes across the state.
Teachta Cullinane said:
“There is a sharp and deeply worrying trend of nursing home closures that is causing enormous concern for older people and their families.
“Families' voices must be heard and that requires immediate action from government to halt nursing home closures and build public capacity.
“In the last three years, there have been 31 private and voluntary nursing home closures resulting in the loss of 915 beds. Without government intervention, this will get considerably worse.
“An increasing number of nursing homes are considering leaving the Fair Deal Scheme and contend it is not providing sustainable funding, while many more reported an operating loss in 2022 and are raising concerns about the viability of the sector.
“In the medium- and long-term, we need a plan that builds up public capacity and that shifts the burden of reliance away from the private sector.
“But in the here and now, we must halt the trend of nursing homes closing.
“The Dáil goes into recess next month and we simply cannot have a situation where the Minister for Health goes off on his holidays without putting in place a plan to address this crisis.”
Teachta Ryan said:
“Our older people need love, support and security in their golden years but instead an increasing number of them are being told that there is nowhere for them to go.
“This is causing incredible stress for them and their families, and cannot be allowed to continue.
“As a society we can and must be so much better than that, and we need a government that is better than that.
“The government must deliver and fund a collective pay agreement for workers in the nursing home and home care sectors to ensure a living wage and proper remuneration.
“They must also review public funding arrangements for long-term nursing home care to provide better pay and conditions for workers, quality of care for residents, and maintain viability in the sector.
“Failure to address the rapidly decreasing capacity in our nursing homes is an dereliction of duty from the government and Minister for Health.”
Sinn Féin's motion can be read here.
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has condemned attempts to intimidate an Alliance Councillor in East Belfast who spoke out against violent sectarian and Nazi symbols associated with a loyalist bonfire.
And he said that all forms of hate crime and intimidation are wrong.
The party’s policing spokesperson said:
“I extend my solidarity to Alliance Councillor Michael Long and his party colleagues at an office which was targeted with graffiti after he spoke out against displays of hatred at a loyalist bonfire.
“Intimidation and hate crime is absolutely wrong, whether it is associated with bonfires or flags being used to intimidate or mark out territory, or the destruction of prison service posters in Derry.
“Everyone in this society should be able to carry out their work free from intimidation and harassment and the PSNI must do all in its power to bring those responsible for hate crime and intimidation before the courts.”
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has said the destruction of posters is wrong.
The party’s policing spokesperson said:
“The destruction of prison service posters in Derry or political posters on bonfires, is absolutely wrong.
“Everyone should be able to carry out their work free from intimidation and harassment.”
Sinn Féin TD and chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Brian Stanley, has today formally proposed a hearing with RTÉ and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media next Thursday 29th June at 1.30pm.
Teachta Stanley said:
“As Chair of the PAC, I have called for RTÉ and the Department to come before the committee next Thursday for an immediate and full examination of the hidden and undisclosed payments to a senior presenter.
“We will be demanding that the executive board of RTÉ attend the hearing. What has happened under their watch is utterly unacceptable and yet another serious breach of trust between our national broadcaster and the public.
“Dee Forbes also has an obligation to come before the committee. We were told yesterday that Ms Forbes was on annual leave. Today we have been told that she is suspended.
“There is a serious credibility issue here. There is an onus and an obligation on Ms Forbes to attend and I expect her to be there.
“The PAC has been misled by RTÉ representatives, including Ms Forbes. What has occurred is a betrayal of trust and we are demanding a full explanation from those directly involved.”
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said a fundamental review of children’s services is long overdue.
The party’s social care spokesperson said:
“An independent review has found that over 4,000 children here are waiting for assessments and help from social care services.
“It’s clear that a fundamental review of children’s services is long overdue. Children’s services are facing increasing demand and staffing pressures, while dealing with the impacts of cruel Tory cuts.
“Pressure on budgets is adding more pressure to services that provide early support for families facing hardships at a time when families are already struggling with the rising cost of living.
“We will consider all of the findings in this report and hope that review will provide an opportunity to take stock of children’s services to ensure better services and outcomes for children and young people.”
