Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education, Sorca Clarke TD, and spokesperson on Higher Education, Mairéad Farrell TD, have said that government must intervene now to make education genuinely free and accessible to everyone.
They were speaking ahead of a Sinn Féin motion on the issue, which will be debated in the Dáil on Tuesday, where Sinn Féin is calling on government to cancel its planned increases in student fees and to expand the Free Book Scheme to include secondary schools.
Teachta Clarke said:
“Education costs are an even bigger worry for many this year as the cost of living crisis continues. There are things that the government can and must do to ease the pressure on parents and students. They need to act now.
“Primary and post-primary education in this state is intended to be ‘free’, under constitution and legislation, but the reality is profoundly different.
“According to the most recent Irish League of Credit Unions ‘back to school costs’ survey funding back to school continues to be a challenge for parents, with 66% saying that covering the cost of back to school is a financial burden.
“School books remain one of the most expensive items for parents of secondary school children, with an average associated cost per pupil of approximately €210 per year.
“I am calling on government to expand the Free Book Scheme to include secondary schools to ease the financial burden on parents who are worried about back-to-school costs.”
Teachta Farrell said:
“Education must be genuinely free and accessible to everyone.
“Despite barriers to education continuing to hold back students at third level, the government, incredibly, intends to increase student fees this September.
“Cost should not be a barrier to accessing further and higher education - student fees should be phased out completely.
“But in the short term, I am calling on government to cancel the planned increase to student contributions charges and instead commit to reduce fees further in Budget 2024.”
First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill pledged today Sinn Féin will work together in councils with the other political parties, provide an open door, access and a voice to all communities in their council areas.
Michelle O’Neill was speaking after meeting with recently elected mayors and chairs from across local councils. She said:
“Today I met with newly elected Sinn Féin Mayors and Chairs from across councils in the north.
“The recent council election is indicative of the transformative change happening right across this society.
“I discussed with the Sinn Féin Mayors and Chairs our pledge to work collectively and in partnership with others to deliver for all.
“For Sinn Féin, the recent historic election results have created a huge opportunity to advance a progamme of progressive change, of inclusion, to deliver local services and make politics work for all sections of our increasingly diverse society.
“The electorate has given a ringing endorsement of this positive and progressive platform.
“It will be the priority of each Sinn Féin Mayor and Chair to lead this in their own council areas, to reach out to and represent all our people and all our communities.
“Local government works most effectively when local parties work together on the basis of power sharing.
“That is why Sinn Féin supports the fair and proportionate allocation of all council positions through the d’Hondt process, based solely on the democratic outcome of the election.
“Sinn Féin mayors will work together in councils with the other political parties, they will provide an open door, access and a voice to all communities in their council areas.
“That is my commitment and that is the commitment of our local mayors and chairs.
“The political landscape across this island is changing and Sinn Féin is leading that change.
“We are in a decade of opportunity, and people want new beginnings.
“Local government works best when it is working with a fully functioning power sharing Executive with locally elected and locally accountable ministers.
“I call once again on the two governments, and the one party which is still preventing a return to the Executive, to do all in their power to restore an Executive which will work to fix the problems in the health service and work with local councils to provide first class amenities and services to local people.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has welcomed proposals brought forward by the Communications Regulator to combat scam calls and texts that cost the economy and society an estimated €300 million per year.
Teachta Doherty called for other agencies to tackle the rising threat of financial fraud and scams with the same urgency and ambition, and for the Government to address fraud with an urgency that has been severely lacking.
The Donegal TD said:
“Citizens are increasingly concerned by the rise of financial fraud and scams.
“ComReg estimates that there were 365,000 cases of financial loss over the last 12 months through fraudulent calls and text messages.
“The regulator estimates the total harm caused to consumers and businesses is more than €300 million per year.
“ComReg’s proposals published on Friday are a welcome and significant intervention in tackling the rise of fraudulent calls and text messages.
“Among the proposals are plans for operators to block calls from spoof numbers, blocking calls from phone numbers that have not been assigned by ComReg and the creation of an SMS Scam Filter.
“These are welcome measures that would protect consumers and businesses from nuisance calls and texts while reducing financial loss to fraud.
“For too long mobile and telephone operators have shirked their responsibilities in protecting consumers who are targeted and defrauded through their networks.
“It is essential that these timely interventions are implemented.
“ComReg’s proposals present an opportunity for other agencies and sectors to tackle this growing threat with the same urgency and ambition.
“We know that citizens are also targeted by criminals and defrauded via online platforms such as Google and Facebook through fraudulent ads and communications by fraudsters.
“Action must be taken to ensure search engines and social media companies are taking appropriate action to remove and screen this fraudulent content.
“For too long the Government have failed to address the rise in financial fraud and scams.
“We are still without a multi-annual strategy to tackle fraud and scams, despite the fact it was a key recommendation of the Hamilton Report in December 2020 – more than two years ago.
“And despite repeated calls from the banking sector, we still do not have the legislation in place for the creation of a Shared Information Database to tackle fraud.
“While ComReg’s proposed interventions to protect consumers and businesses from fraud are welcome, much more is still to be done.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, has called on the Government to take urgent action to tackle record medicine shortages.
Teachta Cullinane said that while global supply constraints are part of the problem, this has been exacerbated by government failure to put in place a proactive medicines supply and management strategy.
He called on the government to start thinking radically about how the state manages and ensures a consistent supply of medicines.
He added that government has a responsibility to ensure that domestic supply chains and production, appropriately flexible pricing arrangements, and a rapid licensing process for substitute products are all in place.
Teachta Cullinane said:
“Urgent and strategic action is needed from Government to tackle the medicines shortage.
“In the immediate term, Government must review pricing arrangements for commonly out-of-stock medicine and ensure that a rapid licensing process for substitute products is in place.
“In the medium and longer term, Sinn Féin would prioritise the supply and management of medicines in the state as part of medical industrial policy.
"Not only would a strategic approach improve access to cost-effective medicines for Irish patients, but it would also boost the economy.
"There is already a significant pharmaceutical sector which can be built upon. We should be aiming to fill strategic gaps in global supply chains in a way that also benefits the HSE and Irish patients.
“Record medicines shortages have not come out of nowhere. Pharmacists and the pharmaceutical industry have been warning for years now that this situation was only getting worse.
"The lack of Government action has come home to roost as 289 medicines, including basics such as low dose aspirin packs, are now out of stock. Common antibiotics and medicines for blood pressure, cholesterol, and mental health conditions are all on the list of out-of-stock medicines. The list has grown by 50% in just six months.
“The medicines shortage being experienced today is, in large part, a consequence of a failure in planning and in industrial development policy. Global shortages play a role but these have been known for some time and have been coming down the tracks. Government has not reacted.
“The government has no strategy to secure domestic production and supply of medicines, to enable pharmacies to provide substitutes without repeat GP consultations or expand the number of licenced alternatives.
"We are below the EU average for licenced alternatives, meaning that we are overly reliant on single suppliers of vital medicines where there is the potential for multiple suppliers.
“Additional constraints exist on the HSE in the context of older medicines and medicines in particularly short supply where there is no purchase price flexibility.
"While this is not a favourable solution, it has been pointed out that pricing inflexibility in the context of global supply shortages means that the HSE is at a disadvantage.
“A proactive, strategic, and long-term government-led response is needed, which deals with each of the above to ensure that the state is capable of responding to medicine shortages.”
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has contacted the Department for Infrastructure requesting a review of all grass verges and hedgerows at road junctions and roundabouts to ensure optimal road safety, particularly in Randalstown and Antrim.
The South Antrim MLA said,
“I have become increasingly concerned about road safety at various rural road junctions and roundabouts in Antrim and Randalstown. Sight lines have been obscured by poor maintenance of grass verges and overgrown hedgerows. A number of constituents have contacted me directly about this problem.
“I fully support the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) policy of balancing the promotion of biodiversity with safe and effective maintenance of the road network, and I acknowledge the associated benefits for wildlife habitats.
“However, this balance has not been achieved at many local rural junctions. Overgrown grass verges and hedges are impeding sight lines and creating significant safety issues for motorists and other road users. With the warmer summer weather to date, this has become more of a problem in Antrim and Randalstown.
“I have therefore asked DfI officials to review the maintenance programme and urgently ensure all sight lines are maintained to an acceptable and safe standard. I have been reassured by Departmental colleagues that the necessary resources will now be applied to address this situation.” CRÍOCH/ENDS
European Parliament Regional Development Committee Chair Visits Western Rail Corridor In Tuam
Chair of the European Parliament Regional Development Committee, Younous Omarjee MEP, recently visited the disused rail line in Tuam at the invitation of Chris MacManus, Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands Northwest. Omarjee was visiting on a fact-finding mission to examine how the EU can play a positive role in addressing regional imbalance in Ireland.
MacManus and Omarjee met with representatives from West on Track at the rail line, who have led the campaign to reopen the Western Rail Corridor.
Speaking afterwards, MEP Omarjee said:
“I am pleased to be in Ireland this week at the invitation of my colleague, Chris MacManus, in my capacity as Chair of the European Parliament’s Regional Development Committee. I am here to meet with regional stakeholders such as West on Track, examine the positive role EU funding has played in the Northern and Western region, and to discuss how the EU can contribute towards addressing the decline of the west and northwest of Ireland.
“Investing in infrastructure is key to the development of any region, and the Western Rail Corridor is a prime example of an investment that would bring enormous benefits to the local community here in Tuam, and across the West of Ireland. I was taken aback when I learned of how large parts of Ireland’s rail network have disappeared over the past 100 years, particularly in the north and west of the country. It is clear that improving connectivity and delivering high-quality public services will be key to the future of this region.
MEP MacManus said:
“I am pleased to welcome Younous Omarjee to Ireland this week. He chairs a very powerful Committee in the European Parliament, which is especially important for us here in the west of Ireland given the need for European funding to address infrastructural deficits in our region.
“The benefits of the Western Rail Corridor, in terms of delivering economic development and reducing emissions by enabling more people to travel sustainably, are well known.
“A recent EU report found that the Northern and Western region is ranked 218th out of 234 European regions in terms of infrastructure. This places the region in the bottom 7 percent, alongside some of the poorest regions in the EU such as Romania, Latvia and Bulgaria. It is a stark statistic which demonstrates the extent of regional imbalance in Ireland today.
“Investing in infrastructure such as the Western Rail Corridor is absolutely critical to the future of our region and will play a key role in attracting investment and high quality jobs.
“It has been widely reported that the all-island rail review recommends partial reopening of the line from Athenry to Claremorris. I would urge Minister Ryan to get on with the publication of this review and ensure that’s its findings are implemented in full in the near future. ENDS
See attached photograph at the disused rail line in Tuam of (L-R): Louis O’Hara (Galway East Sinn Féin Representative), Cllr Gerry Murray (West on Track), Younous Omarjee MEP, Colman Ó Raghallaigh (West on Track), Chris MacManus MEP, Frank Dawson (West on Track)
European Parliament Regional Development Committee Chair Meets Northern and Western Regional Assembly Officials
Chair of the European Parliament Regional Development Committee, Younous Omarjee MEP, recently visited Ireland at the invitation of Chris MacManus, Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands Northwest. Omarjee was visiting on a fact-finding mission to examine how the EU can play a positive role in addressing regional imbalance in Ireland.
MacManus and Omarjee met with Northern and Western Regional Assembly Director Denis Kelly and Senior Planner Conall McGettigan in Stranorlar. Regional assemblies make decisions about strategic planning, EU funding and they help co-ordinate the work of local authorities.
Speaking afterwards, MEP Omarjee said:
“I am pleased to be in Ireland this week at the invitation of my colleague, Chris MacManus, in my capacity as Chair of the European Parliament’s Regional Development Committee. I am here to meet with regional stakeholders such as the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, examine the positive role EU funding has played in the Northern and Western region, and to discuss how the EU can contribute towards addressing the decline of the west and northwest of Ireland.
“It was very informative to meet with the regional assembly and discuss some of the challenges affecting the west and northwest of Ireland. I was aware of some of the challenges facing this region, as a recent report from my Committee found that this region is caught in a development trap, but nonetheless the statistics presented on the decline of this region were very stark. It is clear that urgent action is required. Addressing infrastructural deficits in particular will be key to the future development of this region. I will be continuing to work closely with Chris MacManus at European level to ensure that the EU play a positive role in addressing regional imbalance in Ireland.
MEP MacManus said:
“I am pleased to welcome Younous Omarjee to Ireland this week. He chairs a very powerful Committee in the European Parliament, which is especially important for us here in the west of Ireland given the need for European funding to address infrastructural deficits in our region.
“The Northern and Western Regional Assembly play a crucial role in the administration of EU funding and planning development in our region. They have consistently outlined the challenges that our region faces and the need for positive discrimination from our Government to address the decline of the West and Northwest.
“Our region has been downgraded by the EU to being one ‘in transition’. We have also been described as ‘lagging’ and caught in a development trap. The Regional Competitiveness Index, which was published in recent weeks, found that the Northern and Western region is ranked 218th out of 234 European regions in terms of infrastructure. This places the region in the bottom 7 percent, alongside some of the poorest regions in the EU such as Romania, Latvia and Bulgaria.
“These are extremely worrying indicators and should be setting off alarm bells in Dublin. Unfortunately the Irish Government appears to be indifferent to the decline of our region, with Leo Varadkar dismissing the challenges the region faces in the Dáil this week.
“Investing in infrastructure such as the Western Rail Corridor is absolutely critical to the future of our region and will play a key role in attracting investment and high quality jobs. I have been calling for Cohesion funding, State Aid flexibility, the billion euro allocation of the RRF and the Brexit Fund to be used to offer a ready-made investment package to provide for this.
“People in the West and Northwest should not be treated as second class citizens. The current approach to regional development needs to change urgently in order to ensure that this part of the country has a sustainable future. ENDS
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has described comments made by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as "completely out-of-touch from the acute financial pressure so many households face, as mortgage interest rates continue to rise".
The Donegal TD again reiterated his party’s call for the introduction of temporary and targeted mortgage interest relief to support struggling households.
Speaking today, Teachta Doherty said:
“Comments made by the Taoiseach today are disappointing but unsurprising.
“Remember, this is the Taoiseach who facilitated the sale of tens of thousands of mortgage loans to vulture funds.
“This is the Taoiseach who said these households would be no worse off once their loans were sold to vulture funds.
“These households are now facing interest rates as high as 8 percent, seeing their annual mortgage costs rise by thousands of euros.
“He was wrong then and he is wrong now.
“It is clear the Taoiseach has his head in the sand – completely out-of-touch from the acute financial pressure hundreds of thousands of households are now facing.
“We have been contacted by households that are seeing their mortgage rise by more than €8,000.
“The Taoiseach has described this as normal.
“Households are facing these interest rate hikes while in the grip of the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, with rising food prices and spiralling energy bills.
“The Taoiseach has failed to bring forward any ideas or policies to address the difficulties these households are facing.
“He has brought forward no proposals to address the difficulties faced by households whose loans were sold to vulture funds – sales that he supported.
“Households can and should be supported.
“Temporary and targeted mortgage interest relief should be introduced without delay.”
Dublin Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan has said that Greyhound Recycling’s decision to increase prices by a staggering 48% in the space of less than 18 months is motivated by nothing else but greed.
The Councillor for Ballyfermot-Drimnagh added that it is further proof of the need for domestic waste collection services to be brought back into public ownership.
Cllr Doolan said:
“This staggering increase will come as a shock to Greyhound customers. The monthly charge is to jump by 48% from €16.50 less than 18 months ago to €24.47 next month.
“This increase comes just two months after Panda started charging their customers for the brown bin collection.
“Today’s announcement by Greyhound is driven by nothing else but greed. None of the waste collection companies are struggling to maintain profits.
“In the midst of a spiralling cost-of-living crisis, this price gouging puts further pressure on families already struggling to pay for mortgages, food, gas and electricity.
“The solution is very clear. The domestic waste collection service must be brought back into public ownership.
“This would ensure that the householders are no longer the victims of companies whose only motivation is profit and greed.
“The argument that competition in the market benefits the customer is now firmly and truly buried.
“If local authorities took back waste collection services, costs would be hugely reduced, putting money back in people’s pockets.
“It is time for the government to step in, take control and introduce legislation that will allow councils to take waste services back into public ownership.”
“On behalf of the Sinn Fein leadership I wish to offer our sincere sympathy, condolences and solidarity at this time to the family of Claire McGill and her many friends throughout Tyrone and across Ireland.
“Claire was for many years a school teacher in Plumbridge before being elected to the Assembly representing the constituency of West Tyrone in 2007, and served until 2011. She also represented Sinn Féin for the Glenelly Electoral Area on Strabane District Council from 2001 to 2011.
“She was a very passionate and determined public representative who worked diligently and did not take no for an answer in getting delivery for her constituents on the ground and in the Assembly.
“Predeceased by her beloved husband, John, they were a devoted couple who gave so much to their local community in the Sperrins.
“I extend my heartfelt sympathies to Claire’s extended family circle and many friends. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.”
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker has written to the Education Authority to request that children with special educational needs are offered a school placement urgently.
The party's spokesperson for Children and Young People said:
“'I have been contacted by many families who have children with special educational needs entering nursery or P1 in September.
"Many of these families are still waiting for their child to be offered a school placement, despite the fact that we are approaching the end of the academic year.
“'It is an outrageous situation, and it is adding to the stress and anxiety of vulnerable children and their families. Children with special educational needs require the highest level of support in our schools to ensure they have the best start in life. They deserve to be treated fairly.
“'The Education Authority has a statutory duty to ensure every child has a suitable school placement, and children and their families rightly expect that.
“I have written to the Education Authority to request that children with special educational needs are offered a school placement urgently.
''Cuts to education funding, as a result of a cruel Tory budget, have targeted the most vulnerable children in our society.
"The Executive needs to be restored now, and the DUP must end its blockade so that local parties can work together to support our public services in the face of vicious Tory cuts.''
European Parliament Regional Development Committee Chair visits Ireland West Airport
Chair of the European Parliament Regional Development Committee, Younous Omarjee MEP, recently visited Ireland West Airport. Omarjee was visiting on a fact-finding mission at the invitation of Chris MacManus, Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands Northwest, to examine how the EU can play a positive role in addressing regional imbalance in Ireland.
MacManus and Omarjee met with Managing Director Joe Gilmore and Head of Finance Paula Roberts, and held a discussion on some of the key issues affecting the airport.
Speaking afterwards, MEP Omarjee said:
“I am pleased to be in Ireland this week at the invitation of my colleague, Chris MacManus, in my capacity as Chair of the European Parliament’s Regional Development Committee. I am here to meet with regional stakeholders such as Ireland West Airport, examine the positive role EU funding has played in the Northern and Western region, and to discuss how the EU can contribute towards addressing the decline of the west and northwest of Ireland.
“I was fascinated by the history of the airport and extremely impressed with the vision of Monsignor James Horan, founder or the airport. Its development into one of the four main airports in Ireland has been remarkable, with the airport expected to reach one million yearly passengers in the near future. It is a key driver of economic development in this region and I will be working closely with Chris MacManus at European level to ensure that regional airports are supported going forward.
MEP MacManus said:
“I am pleased to welcome Younous Omarjee to Ireland this week. He chairs a very powerful Committee in the European Parliament, which is especially important for us here in the west of Ireland given the need for European funding to address infrastructural deficits in our region.
“Ireland West is a critical driver of economic development and tourism in our region, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing over €180 million to the regional economy annually.
“Continued development of the airport is absolutely critical in addressing regional imbalance and ensuring international connectivity for our region.
“Joe outlined a number of key issues, such as potential funding restrictions should the airport exceed one million annual passenger threshold and the need to improve transport infrastructure in the region such as the Western Rail Corridor.
“In particular we focused on the need to prioritize development of the proposed 600-acre SDZ campus at the airport, which has the potential to create up to 6000 jobs and become a key economic driver for the West of Ireland.
“My Sinn Féin colleague and I will continue to highlight the importance of regional airports like Ireland West and work to ensure that they are supported by the State going forward. ENDS
See attached photograph from Ireland West Airport of (L-R): Chris MacManus MEP, Younous Omarjee MEP, Joe Gilmore (Managing Director) and Paula Roberts (Head of Finance)
European Parliament Regional Development Committee Chair Visits Sligo
Chair of the European Parliament Regional Development Committee, Younous Omarjee MEP, recently visited Sligo at the invitation of Chris MacManus, Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands Northwest. Omarjee was visiting on a fact-finding mission to examine how the EU can play a positive role in addressing regional imbalance in Ireland.
MacManus and Omarjee met with officials from Sligo County Council on O’Connell Street to view the results of the enhancement project on the Street, which was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). They also visited the site of the new AIM Centre in Sligo with its Director, Julie Dowling, which is still under construction.
Speaking afterwards, MEP Omarjee said:
“I am pleased to be in Ireland this week at the invitation of my colleague, Chris MacManus, in my capacity as Chair of the European Parliament’s Regional Development Committee. I am here to meet with regional stakeholders, examine the positive role EU funding has played in the Northern and Western region, and to discuss how the EU can contribute towards addressing the decline of the west and northwest of Ireland.
“I am pleased to see the positive impact that ERDF funding has had on O’Connell Street in Sligo town centre. It is a very positive example of the role EU funding can play in benefitting local communities and improving people’s lives.
“The AIM Centre is a very exciting project, which will advance manufacturing technonology and provide enormous benefits for companies across this region. Initiatives such as this are crucial for the development of regions, and I am hopeful that the new Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Programme, co-funded by the ERDF, can benefit and assist the AIM Centre in their work going forward.
MEP MacManus said:
“I am pleased to welcome Younous Omarjee to Ireland this week. He chairs a very powerful Committee in the European Parliament, which is especially important for us here in the west of Ireland given the need for European funding to address infrastructural deficits in our region.
“The O’Connell Street Enhancement Project has resulted in a number of changes being made in our town centre, which has made it more accessible to pedestrians and has reduced congestion. It has been a very important project and I’m pleased to see European funding having a positive impact in my hometown.
“The AIM Centre is an exciting, innovative project which involves the ATU and STEM sector working together, helping local businesses in our region to access new facilities and technologies. It will provide a major boost to the entire north-west, and is the kind of initiative that will be key in addressing regional imbalance. Crucially, it will provide graduates with an opportunity to live and work in our region.
“I would like to thank Younous Omarjee for taking the time to visit these very important projects. I will continue to work with him and others in the European institutions to ensure that the West and Northwest of Ireland receives it fair share of investment going forward. ENDS
See attached photograph at the AIM Centre site of (L-R): Younous Omarjee MEP, Julie Dowling (AIM Centre Director) and Chris MacManus MEP
See attached photograph from O’Connell Street, Sligo of (L-R): Younous Omarjee MEP, Brian Flynn (Town Regeneration Officer), Niall McGrath (Executive Engineer), Chris MacManus MEP
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan has written to the Education Authority for an urgent meeting about its heartless decision to cut hours for children attending nursery at the Arvalee Special School in Omagh.
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan said:
“I have met with the principal of Arvalee Special School in Omagh about the decision by the Education Authority to reduce the hours for nursery school children from four hours a day to two and a half hours a day.
“The school is clear that the reduction in the hours available to nursery children with special educational needs will be detrimental to the children’s development.
“This decision is cruel and heartless and another example of the impact of savage Tory cuts to education and the refusal by one party to get back around the Executive table to work with others to support children who need help the most.
“I have written to the Education Authority for an urgent meeting to support the school’s call for this decision to be reversed.”
“Final NRL text must achieve balance for nature and farmers” – MacManus
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has called for “balance” as a dramatic day in the European Parliament ended in unfinished business for the Nature Restoration Law. The Midlands Northwest MEP said he is hopeful that an amenable outcome for all sides can be reached as the voting session closed until June 27th.
Speaking from Strasbourg, MacManus said, “It certainly was a dramatic day in the parliament. It’s all still very up in the air right now. The Nature Restoration Law survived an early rejection amendment from the EPP. In my opinion, this rejection amendment from Fine Gael’s group was unhelpful and went against the spirit of constructive negotiation that had ensured a balanced ENVI resolution that addressed many concerns from rural stakeholders. I’m also baffled as to why they voted against funding for farmers.”
“Negotiation walk-outs and unrelenting refusal of even the most rural proofed compromises is certainly not the way forward. We’re here to get work done, represent our constituents and find workable solutions where possible.”
MacManus concluded by outlining the next steps for the Nature Restoration Law. “In this particular session the ENVI committee didn’t get through the vast vote list so the vote is now closed and will be continued on 27 June. I will be closely examining the outcome to see whether the final text achieves a balance for nature & farmers, leaving nobody behind while restoring our biodiversity.” ENDS
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Agriculture, Claire Kerrane TD, has called on Minister McConalogue to confirm that Farmers will not be penalised in cases where scorecards, required as part of ACRES, are submitted late by Planners.
Speaking today, Teachta Kerrane said:
"It is really concerning that Farmers will be penalised should their Planner, whom they have to pay themselves, fail to submit their ACRES scorecards on time.
"I have been contacted by Farmers in ACRES Co-operation zones who are now worried that, should there be a delay, they will face penalties, including financial penalties and exclusion from other scheme measures. Given the level of demand for the scheme and the pressure Planners will be under, it would not be surprising if these predicted delays do occur
"I submitted a query to Minister McConalogue last week, raising the worry of severe penalties for Farmers with him and to find out what he intends to do to reassure farmers regarding these potential penalties.
"His response gave no indication that he intends to provide flexibility for Farmers or additional resources to address the time pressures that have been flagged at this stage.
"It is really disappointing that the alarm has been sounded on this issue and apparently no action will be taken.
"This is not the way to start off a new scheme that the Minister himself describes as 'Ireland's flagship agri-environment scheme.' Farmers have bought in, they applied to this Scheme in huge numbers and now before it is even up and running, one of the first messages to Farmers is if your Planner is late in submitting your scorecard, you will suffer the consequences.
"Farmers have proven in the demand for ACRES that they are ready, willing and able to engage in environmental schemes, this is a very bad start.
"The Department of Agriculture need to be fairer to Farmers and where issues are raised, they need to responsive and be willing to make changes to assist Farmers, especially at the start of a new Scheme.
"I am calling on the Minister to take penalties off the table when it comes to this issue."
