Limerick Sinn Féin TD, Maurice Quinlivan, has called for more action from the government to expedite the construction of additional bed units at University Hospital Limerick.
The Sinn Féin Deputy made the call following confirmation by University Hospital Limerick that the hospital’s Full Capacity Protocol had been used for 118 days in 2023 until the end of April which means it wasn’t in operation for just two days.
Deputy Quinlivan stated:
"The details provided to me in response to a Parliamentary Question outline that as of the 30th April, the Full Capacity Protocol had been utilised for 118 out of 120 days in 2023. That means that there were only two days in 2023 when the Full Capacity Protocol was not implemented. The Full Capacity Protocol (FCP) is supposed to be an emergency measure to deal with overcrowding. It is not supposed to be used almost every day or to become the norm. It means cancelling elective procedures and aggressive discharging.
"This Protocol should be a measure of last resort for a hospital to control an unexpected spike in presentation. Its perpetual use demonstrates just how overcrowded the hospital is and how the Minister for Health has utterly failed at UHL.
"In 2022 we had over 18,000 patients treated on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick and already this year there have been 7,463 people treated on trolleys. There are not just statistics, each of these are people already anxious about attending hospital and are faced with the indignity of spending their time at the hospital in corridors with little to no privacy."
The Sinn Féin Deputy continued:
"The capacity crisis doesn’t just impact those presenting at the Emergency Department, but it has a knock-on effect on other services including inpatient and outpatient appointments. Figures recently released also show that 2,520 appointments at the hospital have been cancelled since the beginning of the year. The dysfunction in the health service and the capacity challenges at UHL are creating a cycle of overcrowding, cancellations and waiting lists. We, in Sinn Féin, have called for a multi-annual plan to expand hospital capacity and develop a sustainable workforce.
"The staff at UHL continue to do an incredible job but they too have their limits. Last Friday nurses at the ICU at UHL began a work-to-rule industrial action. They initiated this action because they have only 75% of the necessary nurses to fill the ICU roster while 100% of ICU beds remain open."
Concluding his remarks, Deputy Quinlivan stated:
“We need to see steps taken by the government to expedite the construction of new bed units and address the staffing issues at the hospital. Sinn Féin in government will invest in the health service to ensure patients get the quality, timely care they need."
MacManus visits Carrigallen Vocational School
Sinn Féin MEP for Midlands Northwest Chris MacManus recently visited Carrigallen Vocational School in County Leitrim and held a discussion with students. Carrigallen Vocational School participate in the European Parliament Ambassador School Programme, an initiative which aims to increase students' awareness of the European institutions and the role they play in our democracy. MacManus commended the students for their excellent questions on a range topics including climate change and Irish Unity and thanked the staff there for facilitating the visit. ENDS
Pictured are Chris MacManus MEP and Carrigallen students
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health Mark Ward TD has called the government’s failure to resources Early Intervention Psychosis as a blatant disregard of their duty of care to those experiencing mental health difficulties.
Information Teachta Ward received from the HSE stated that there is no new funding for Early Intervention Psychosis team development in 2023.
Teachta Ward said:
“Each year in this state, an estimated 1,500 people develop a psychotic disorder for the first time.
“Psychosis is associated with the most serious and disabling conditions treated in mental health services. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, delusional disorder, drug-induced psychosis and severe depression are the key diagnoses seen in Early Intervention Psychosis Services.
“Psychosis is a serious mental illness. However, early intervention in psychosis research internationally have demonstrated that people recover with the right specialist help.
“Information I received from the HSE stated that 'there is no new funding for early intervention psychosis team development in 2023'.
“This is a blatant disregard of the government’s duty of care to those experiencing mental health difficulties.
“In the Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan 2022- 2024, published by the Department of Health last year, the key milestone for Early Intervention in Psychosis for 2023 is for three new Early Intervention Psychosis teams.
“With no funding in 2023, there will be no new teams in 2023.
“Sharing the Vision states that we need about 20 more Early Intervention in Psychosis teams in Ireland.
“However, at the current rate of investment of €408,000 per year since 2015 it will take more than 60 years to roll out Early Intervention in Psychosis teams nationally.
“This will be 50 years after Sharing the Vision has expired.
“Psychosis is a serious mental illness. However, early intervention in psychosis research internationally has demonstrated that people recover with the right specialist help.
“There needs to be more parity of care for physical health and mental health.
“People, typically young people with this serious but treatable mental health condition deserve better.
“The HSE states that every €1 invested in Early Intervention Psychosis results in €18 saving to the health service by reducing admissions, reducing relapses, reducing crisis presentations and increasing retention in employment and education.
“We all know that early intervention is key in order to recover from mental ill health but the response I received from the HSE said that 0% of children have access to Early Intervention Psychosis.
“Failure to invest by this government makes no sense on a human or economic level.
“Sinn Féin in Government will commit to the full delivery of the Early Intervention Psychosis Model of Care and the full delivery of the additional 20 teams that are required in five years.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, has called on the Minister for Health to set out clear funding to deliver equitable neuro-rehabilitation services across the state in the Budget for 2024.
The TD for Waterford said that there is currently no funding for teams in CHO areas 5, 8, and 9 which cover the south-east, midlands, and Dublin north city. He said that there was also a need for 70 additional specialist neurology nurses to support hospital-based services.
Teachta Cullinane said:
“There is a shameful disparity in the availability across the state of neuro-rehabilitation services for people with acquired injuries and disabilities.
“These are people often with life-long conditions who need multidisciplinary care and support in the community close to where they live to avoid unnecessary deterioration and repeat hospitalisation.
“There is currently no funding for teams in CHO areas 5, 8, and 9 which cover the south-east, midlands, and Dublin north city. Services are also stretched where teams do exist.
“This is placing an unnecessary and avoidable burden on hospital-based services, which are also understaffed and in need of 70 additional specialist nurses. There are tens of thousands of patients waiting on neurology waiting lists as a result.
“The neuro-rehabilitation strategy is yet another example of a good strategy that has failed because of a lack of resourcing and a lack of political will. This is causing unnecessary and avoidable strife for people who are just trying to get on with their lives.
“Funding in the region of €12 million is needed to deliver the much-needed teams in the areas which are not covered, and to ensure that the existing teams are fully staffed.
“In the context of the health budget and taking into account the savings and efficiencies that this investment would return by keeping people out of hospital, this is a very reasonable amount by any cost-benefit analysis.
“That is not to mention the significant improvement this would deliver in people’s lives. It is inexplicable that the Minister for Health has not made this investment in neurorehabilitation.
“The Minister for Health must set aside funding to deliver these services in the Budget for next year. He must also set out a workforce plan to develop, train, and retain this workforce to provide a sustainable service. These specialists will not appear out of thin air, but will need to be trained and attracted into the health service.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Pa Daly TD, has warned that the Gardaí are experiencing a recruitment and retention crisis that must be addressed.
His comments follow the release of figures from the Garda Representatives Association that show that An Garda Síochána failed to reach a target of 225 recruits in the latest recruitment drive.
Speaking today, Teachta Daly said:
“The Garda Representative Association has revealed that the target of 225 Garda recruits was missed. Instead, just 154 entered Templemore this week.
"This follows just 134 recruits entering training in the January intake, despite the overall target then being 200.
“It has been clear for some time now that An Garda Síochána is suffering from a significant crisis in recruitment and retention. Despite this issue being highlighted repeatedly, the Government has failed to show the urgency needed to get to grips with this crisis.
“I am concerned that the police service is understaffed and am worried that this affects the ability to perform duties safely.
“Communities deserve to feel safe and protected, but too often they worry that when a crime is committed Garda shortages will mean that they won’t get the support they need.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs & Defence, Matt Carthy TD, has welcomed the government’s announced reforms to the command structure of the Irish Defence Forces.
Deputy Carthy said that while this was one important aspect of the Commission on the Defence Forces (COFDF) it is imperative that government follow-through with the implementation of other key recommendations of the commission report.
This week’s government proposal will establish a new position of Chief of the Defence Forces (CHOD) with additional powers to the current Chief of Staff.
Teachta Carthy said:
“I broadly welcome the announced reforms to the command structure of the Defence Forces and will engage constructively with legislative proposals in this regard. However, it must be followed by the implementation of other key recommendations of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces.
“Sinn Féin stand ready to work with government to deliver on recommendations from the Report of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces, and we will be bringing forward our own proposals in terms of capital investment, reform and development of international security policy which must be centred upon our position as a neutral stateand our commitment to peacekeeping missions.
“That said, government should note that any reforms or capital investment will be pointless unless it is coupled with immediate measures to address the recruitment and retention crisis within the Defence Forces. As a first step government must ensure the prompt implementation of the Working Time Directive.”
Sinn Féin TD John Brady has expressed disappointment in the government decision to refuse to support his legislation designed to compel the Irish Strategic Investment Fund to divest itself of all current assets, and prohibit future investments, in any companies included on the UN Database of companies operating within the illegal Israeli settlements.
Government has made much of the humanitarian credentials of ISIF, and the Wicklow TD accused them of adopting the same arguments against the UN Database as the Israeli government has in the past.
Rather than support the Sinn Féin bill, the government has opted to bring forward an amendment in an attempt to kick the issue down the road for nine months.
Teachta Brady said:
“Once again, we witness this government delaying and disrupting important legislation through a strategy of obfuscation as it seeks to undermine the veracity of the UN Database on which the legislation is based.
“The human rights council resolution which established the UN Database clearly provides ‘for a database of all business enterprises involved in [settlement activities] to be annually updated’.
“This is the language of the UN resolution. There is absolutely no ambiguity about this being a living database. It is clearly not a one-off database, when the resolution that created the database has inbuilt text that mandates annual update.
“The fact is that this bill is premised on the necessity of Ireland to abide by the rules of international law – it is a matter of justice for Palestinian people.
“And when justice is delayed - the government in this instance - justice is denied.
“How many Palestinians must be displaced by illegal Israeli settlers while this government refuses to give support to a piece of legislation that is intended to remedy a moral wrong?
“It is immoral that the Strategic Investment Fund invests Irish taxpayers’ money in companies operating in the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“Other countries have used the database to divest from companies contained in it. In Norway, five regional councils and nine municipalities, including the Oslo Municipality, have banned the procurement of goods from illegal settlements.
“In July 2021, the Norwegian pension company KLP divested from 16 settlement companies on the grounds that there is ‘an unacceptable risk that the excluded companies are contributing to the abuse of human rights in situations of war and conflict through their links with the Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank’.
“Norwegian asset manager Storebrand has divested from over 23 settlement companies, publicly stating that ‘investors cannot fuel the conflict by investing in companies that contribute to the occupation regime and the expansion of illegal settlements’.
“In the past year the Government Pension Fund Global (Norway) has divested from five settlement companies, because of the ‘unacceptable risk that the companies contribute to systematic violations of individuals’ rights in situations of war or conflict ...based on the companies’ activities associated with Israeli settlements on the West Bank’.
“It is very clear that the government's arguments to shelve this legislation do not add up. They know that outright opposition will earn the anger of the Irish people, who are rightly outraged at the actions of the ISIF in their name.
“There is nothing in the legislation that cannot be dealt with at committee stage. I call on the government in advance of a vote on the legislation tomorrow to drop their opposition.”
Sinn Féin Senator Fintan Warfield has called on the government to honour their commitment to disregard the criminal records of gay men who were convicted of historic offences prior to the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
Senator Warfield said:
“On Wednesday, Sinn Fein will dedicate our Seanad Private Members’ time to ensure that the government honour the commitments they have made to disregard the criminal records of gay men who were convicted of historic offences, prior to the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
“The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a scheme for the expunging of criminal records for gay men convicted of historical offences.
“In 2018, on the 25th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality, the Taoiseach issued an apology to the LGBTQI+ community on behalf of the State.
“Subsequently, the Department of Justice set up a ‘Working Group to Examine the Disregard of Convictions for Certain Qualifying Offences Related to Consensual Sexual Activity between Men’.
“The report of this working group is imminent.
“Government must be drafting legislation as we speak.
“Sinn Fein are calling for a clear timeline to be set out for the introduction of this legislation and a scheme that would disregard these historical convictions.
“The laws repealed by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 were discriminatory. They were contrary to human dignity. They infringed on people’s right to privacy.
“It is now thirty years since homosexuality was decriminalised. It is forty years since the ‘March from Liberty Hall to Fairview Park’. We also mark the 50th anniversary of the Sexual Liberation Movement, established in Trinity College in 1973.
“As we mark fifty years of LGBTQ activism in this state, the records of gay and bisexual men who were criminalised should be disregarded and a process of memorialisation and commemoration should begin to recognise the wider harms of these laws.”
Minister Ryan’s N17 comments ‘Deeply Concerning’ - Chris MacManus MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has described Minister Eamon Ryan’s comments regarding funding for the Knock-Collooney N17 project as ‘deeply concerning.’ The Midlands Northwest representative has called on Government Ministers to immediately clarify that this vitally important project will be delivered on schedule.
MEP MacManus said:
“Comments from Minister Eamon Ryan that no funding will be available for the Knock-Collooney N17 project, are deeply concerning.”
“He has decided to ignore national planning policy, the importance of the Atlantic Economic Corridor initiative and the need for regional connectivity by dismissing this very important project.”
“This will also anger many landowners who will be stuck in limbo for years to come.”
“In the same meeting, Minister Ryan also outlined that there will be no railway line north of Claremorris in the medium term. It appears that as far as he is concerned, there is no need whatsoever for infrastructural investment in the West of Ireland.”
MacManus concluded, “Government Ministers must immediately clarify that this vitally important project will be delivered on schedule. This would not be tolerated in any other part of the country and must not be accepted here." ENDS
Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Bay North Denise Mitchell has raised concern as almost 5,000 appointments at Beaumont Hospital have been cancelled since the beginning of the year.
She has said that dysfunction across the health service is driving a vicious cycle of overcrowding, cancellations, and long waits, and that a multi-annual plan is needed to expand hospital capacity and develop a sustainable workforce.
The data was released by the HSE to Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD.
Teachta Mitchell said:
“Information released to Sinn Féin Health spokesperson David Cullinane TD has revealed that more than 85,000 hospital appointments have been cancelled so far this year across the state, including more than 24,000 in April.
“This includes 4,935 cancelled appointments in Beaumont Hospital.
“It is clear that there is a vicious cycle of overcrowding, cancellations and long waits in the health service. A multi-annual plan is needed to expand hospital capacity and develop a sustainable workforce.
“This is happening because Government has not made the necessary investments in hospital care or in community care.
“There is a deficit of 1,000 acute inpatient beds in hospitals, and there are now more than 6,000 people waiting for home support across the state.
“There are hundreds of delayed discharges every year because of the lack of community recovery beds and home support.
“The health service is not delivering the right care in the right place at the right time. We are seeing this across primary care now, with longer waiting times for GPs and dentistry, which will lead to worse health outcomes.
“Waiting times are rising across the board. All of this dysfunction is leading to more emergency presentations which is leading to more cancellations. It is a vicious cycle which has not been broken.
“In the meantime, patients in Dublin Bay North are forced to pay the price for the government’s failure to get to grips with the crisis in our health service.
“Sinn Féin in government would invest in the health service, to ensure patients get the high quality, timely care they need.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has received startling figures from the HSE that shows a year-on-year decrease in the number of referrals for children to CAMHS who are being accepted for treatment.
Teachta Ward said:
“Information I received from the HSE through a Parliamentary Question shows an annual decrease in children being accepted for treatment with CAMHS after a medical expert made a referral.
“In 2020, 72% of all referrals to CAMHS were accepted nationally. This decreased to 65% in 2021 and further to 60% in 2022.
“The latest figures I have state that only 56% of referrals were accepted so far in 2023.
“The trajectory only seems to be going one way.
“There is also an element of postcode treatment in the provision of CAMHS services.
“In CHO Area 1, which includes Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan 72% of all referrals were accepted.
“However, in CHO Area 9, which includes Dublin North, Dublin North Central, and Dublin Northwest, only 49% of children referred were accepted for treatment.
“Treatment should be based on need, not on location.
“There are a number of reports into CAMHS being conducted at present and they must investigate if there is uniformity across all CHOs on how the operational guidelines for acceptance for CAMHS are operated.
“The very first operational guideline for CAMHS states it aims to ‘provide consistency in the service delivery of CAMHS throughout the country’.
“This is obviously not happening, and these operational guidelines also need to be reviewed.
“I have asked the Minister to publish the reports into CAMHS and to put in place all the recommendations
“Even when a child is accepted for treatment, they will join a record high of over 4,000 children waiting for an appointment with CAMHS.
“There also needs to be emphasis on resourcing primary care mental health for young people, because if they are unable to access this treatment when they need it, they are more likely to be referred into CAMHS.
“There needs to be changes within youth mental health, from top to bottom. Young people are being let down and left behind by Government and this cannot be allowed to continue.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Agriculture, Claire Kerrane TD has called on Minister McConalogue to clarify whether farmers will be able to cut turf on commonage lands if they are participating in the new Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).
Currently, the rules are unclear on whether farmers participating in the scheme can continue to cut turf on commonage, causing significant concern.
Teachta Kerrane recently queried the issue with the Minister. In response, Minister McConalogue stated that he will ‘examine’ the impact of turf cutting on commonage on farmer payments under ACRES. However, no update has been provided to date.
Speaking today, Teachta Kerrane said:
“I have raised the potential impact of turf cutting on commonage on farm payments under ACRES with the Minister.
“The issue has come to light recently and presents a significant issue with regard to the rules farmers must comply with under the scheme.
“I have been contacted by concerned farmers in my constituency and beyond, who are worried that they cannot cut turf on commonage under ACRES rules, and that doing so could affect their payments.
“Minister McConalogue stated that he will look at this issue however, it is important that he confirms that turf cutting on commonage is allowed under ACRES as soon as possible. Farmers still do not know if they will be penalised for cutting turf or not and the turf cutting season is already well underway.
“This lack of assurance only serves to cause stress and uncertainty for farmers participating in schemes. It is crucial the Minister provides clarity and certainly without delay.”
Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has said news that a number of medical staff have left Daisy Hill Hospital is deeply concerning.
The Newry and Armagh MP said:
“Reports that a number of medical personnel have ‘ended their tenure' at Daisy Hill Hospital is deeply concerning.
“More concerning is the claim that one of the reasons behind these exits is that doctors feel they do not have proper supports in place to carry out their work safely.
“We will be requesting an urgent meeting with the Southern Trust to find out what they are doing to not only recruit sufficient staff into Daisy Hill but to retain them as well.
“We acknowledge the very real challenges facing the Trust amid savage Tory cuts. However the Trust must ensure that staffing levels are maintained to a proper level to ensure doctors can treat patients safely and with confidence.
“The difficulties in recruiting people to work and to stay in our health service, is one of the very real consequences forced upon us by 12 years of Tory cuts to public services.
“One party’s refusal to form an Executive has blocked a three-year budget and further investment in the health service to hire more doctors and nurses. This collapse of the Executive has left health workers and health and social care services at the mercy of cruel Tory cuts.
“We need an Executive formed now and all parties working together with a local health minister to prioritise health and fix the problems.”
BBC management should immediately engage with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) to seek a fair resolution to the industrial dispute involving journalism staff across the North, Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has said.
The party’s spokesperson on Workers’ Rights was commenting as NUJ members prepare to go on strike next Friday 19 May.
Declan Kearney said:
“We fully support the decision by BBC journalists to engage in industrial action to protect jobs and services.
“The BBC has already slashed programming within Radio Foyle and more jobs and schedules are now under threat across the North.
“There are very real concerns as to what these plans will mean for staff and services and I have written to the BBC Director to highlight these concerns.
“I have also urged BBC management to immediately engage positively with the NUJ to seek a fair resolution to the dispute that addresses the concerns of journalists and the wider public.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, has said that the burden of overcrowded emergency departments is being shifted onto waiting lists through increasing cancellations of appointments and procedures.
Data released by the HSE to Teachta Cullinane shows that there were more than 85,000 appointments and procedures cancelled in the first four months of the year. There were more than 24,000 appointments cancelled in April, the worst month so far, which is nearly 70% more than were cancelled last April.
The TD for Waterford said that dysfunction across the health service is driving a vicious cycle of overcrowding, cancellations, and long waits, and that a multi-annual plan is needed to expand hospital capacity and develop a sustainable workforce.
Teachta Cullinane said:
“More than 85,000 hospital appointments have been cancelled so far this year, including more than 24,000 in April.
“The health service is shifting the burden of overcrowded emergency departments onto waiting lists by cancelling procedures on a regular basis and at an increasing rate. The consequences are longer waiting times and delays to patient care.
“This is happening because the government has not made the necessary investments in hospital care or in community care. There is a deficit of 1,000 acute inpatient beds in hospitals, and there are now more than 6,000 people waiting for home support.
“There are hundreds of delayed discharges every year because of the lack of community recovery beds and home support.
“The health service is not delivering the right care in the right place at the right time. We are seeing this across primary care now, with longer waiting times for GPs and dentistry, which will lead to worse health outcomes.
“Waiting times are rising across the board. All of this dysfunction is leading to more emergency presentations which is leading to more cancellations. It is a vicious cycle which has not been broken.
“The only solution is a multi-annual plan to expand hospital capacity – across diagnostics, beds, theatre capacity, and staffing – and to deliver a step-change in primary and community care to shift some of the burden out of hospitals.
“No efforts to fix the health service will be successful without a robust strategic workforce plan for training and retaining the clinicians we need to safely staff the health service.”
John Brady TD has called for all TDs to support Sinn Féin’s Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023, which advances to second stage in the Dáil tomorrow.
Today, May 15th, marks the 75th Anniversary of the Nabka, meaning 'catastrophe' in Arabic, which occurred when more than 700,000 Palestinian Arabs fled or were expelled from their homes during the 1948 Palestine war.
Nakba Day commemorates these events and raises awareness of the ongoing plight facing Palestinian refugees and their families.
Teachta Brady said:
“I urge all TDs in Leinster House, from all parties, and independents, whether they are in government or in opposition, to support this important and timely legislation.
“The bill would mandate the Irish Strategic Investment Fund to divest itself of all current assets, and to prohibit future investments in companies listed on the UN Database of companies operating within the illegal Israeli settlements.
“This legislation is focused on companies operating on Palestinian land that Israel occupies illegally under international law – not territory within the state of Israel itself.
“If, for example, the Irish state had shares in companies and Russian Banks central to the facilitation of the occupation of Eastern Ukraine, it quite rightly would not be viewed as acceptable by Irish law-makers. Nor should it be tolerated in Palestine.
“The UN Human Rights Council Resolution [paragraph 12, 31/36] that established the UN Database referred to in the bill, places a clear obligation on 'all states' to ensure that they do not take any actions that recognise or assist the expansion of settlements, including trading with settlements, consistent with their obligations under international law.
“We must also remember that, in May 2021, the Dáil adopted a historic motion on de facto annexation and pledged to focus efforts on bringing an end to settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“This legislation would preserve Ireland’s international reputation by ending the Irish Strategic Investment Fund’s involvement with companies who, through operating in the occupied Palestinian territories, not only contribute to prolonging the Israeli occupation, but also stand accused of being complicit in war crimes.
“Already this year, Israel has planned more settlement expansion, fast-tracking a bill for 7,000 new settlement units that will completely break the territorial contiguity of the West Bank.
“In February, Israel transferred the Civil Administration and Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) from the military commander to the Minister of Finance, extending Israel’s sovereignty de jure over the entirety of the West Bank - an outright territorial annexation.
“Ireland’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights commits government to implement human rights standards in business activities, through the promotion of ‘responsible business practices both at home and overseas by all Irish business enterprises in line with Ireland’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights globally'.
“Ireland’s Strategic Investment Fund also holds shares in four Israeli banks essential to the operation and continuing illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.
“They fund businesses, provide loans and mortgages, and are primary stakeholders in the current illegal settlements and the plans to extend the illegal occupation to the point where the Irish- and EU-supported Two-State solution to the conflict is left unworkable.
“I again call upon all members of the Dáil to support this piece of legislation and send an important message to the world around Ireland’s commitment to human rights.“
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has said that the A5 public inquiry is an opportunity for people and communities to voice their support for the A5 upgrade.
The Donegal TD was speaking after he attending the public inquiry which opened in Omagh today.
Teachta Doherty said:
“This morning I attended the A5 public inquiry which opened in Omagh.
“This is an important opportunity for people and communities to voice their support for this critical project.
“As I said to the Minister for Finance in the Dáil on Thursday, the A5 upgrade is critical to prevent further lives from being lost on this road.
“Too many families have lost loves ones on this dangerous road. Its upgrade cannot be delayed any longer.
“It will also unlock economic opportunities for the North West region – reducing journey times, increasing connectivity and acting as a spur for further jobs and investment.
“The project has been beset by delay after delay – it is now time to deliver this infrastructure project for this region and its communities.
“I would urge local businesses and residents to attend the inquiry and make their views and support heard.
“And as I said to the Government last week, it is time that the Irish Government recommit to funding its delivery on a 50:50 basis, to get this critical project over the line.”
