Writing in An Phoblacht today Sinn Féin National Cathaoirleach Declan Kearney has said that the recent visit by US President Joe Biden had refocused international attention on Ireland.
And he welcomed the President’s message that power sharing needs to be restored and he called on the DUP to make up its mind to re-enter the Executive
Read the full blog here: anphoblacht.com/contents/28508
The South Antrim MLA said:
“The visit to Ireland by President Joe Biden was highly significant. It refocused international attention on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA).
“President Biden’s message on his visit was very clear; power sharing needs to be restored; the British and Irish governments must be fully engaged together as co-guarantors of the GFA; and if this happens, new economic opportunities beckon.”
Declan Kearney paid tribute to the organisers of the Agreement 25 conference at Queen’s University, and he described the contribution by Senator George Mitchell as a ‘tour de force’.
He said:
“The event put a strategic and political lens on the history of the GFA, and most importantly, looked forward.
“The essential role of the EU was given its place. European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen received a standing ovation when she spoke on Wednesday – making clear that the EU would remain fully involved with the peace process.
“But it was Senator George Mitchell who set the tone for the conference with a tour de force speech. He looked towards the future with inimitable wisdom and clarity. His words were a master class in spoken diplomacy, and a clear illustration why he was the keystone for the achievement of the GFA 25 years ago.
“This conference inspired hope and optimism, and a conviction in what is yet possible for the future.”
The South Antrim MLA called on the DUP to make its mind up quickly on returning to the Executive. He said:
“If the DUP needs a little more time to pull itself out of its self-inflicted abyss, that is open to reasonable consideration.
“But time is running out. People are suffering because of the cost-of-living crisis. Public services in the north are at breaking point. The health service is on its knees.
“In the absence of an Executive the Tories are proposing to impose a budget in the north which senior civil servants both past and present are forecasting will cause irreparable damage.
“So the DUP needs to make its mind up… and fast.
“Last week brought centre stage the historic role of both the US and EU in helping bring the peace process to this point. In the time ahead they will have a critical role in guaranteeing international law and maintaining the democratic integrity of the GFA.
“The peace process and managing future constitutional change in Ireland will continue to rely upon their, and other international partners’ strategic support and goodwill."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Pa Daly TD, has today called for the forthcoming consultation on the report of the Firearms Expert Committee to be as extensive as possible.
The Committee released its report last month and makes a number of proposals in relation to the regulation of firearms.
Teachta Daly said:
“Sinn Féin recognises the important social and environmental role played by game clubs and other types of firearms ownership, but safety and security will be an important part of any new regulatory regime.
“Regulations and the licensing of firearms must be prepared in a considered manner. Through engagements with the Minister and Department, we understand the report of the Firearms Expert Committee to be advisory.
"The government are now moving to the consultative phase and no legislation has been proposed yet. This should only be drafted after the consultation has been completed.
“Sinn Féin wishes to see an extensive consultation with all stakeholders, now that the initial Advisory Report has been completed.
"Certainty and consistency in licencing and information on the progress of applications are part of the minimum requirements we would like to see.
“Accordingly, Sinn Féin calls for any consultation to be as open and considered as possible, with meetings and submissions from concerned groups a priority.
"The government should work towards consistent and workable legislative proposals.”
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson has requested a meeting with management at Seagate for urgent clarity on the company’s restructuring plans.
Speaking after she and her Assembly colleague Pádraig Delargy wrote to Seagate, Ciara Ferguson said:
“Sinn Féin has written to management at Seagate requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the global challenges facing the company and the technology industry.
“I have spoken with workers over recent days, and they need certainty and reassurance on Seagate’s restructuring plans and the future.
“We will also be asking Seagate to clarify that and to outline any plans they have for future investment in Derry.
“Working together is key to creating more jobs and delivering investment in the city.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, has said the losses reported to date under the tax debt warehousing scheme are evidence that "the recovery of monies owed will be a balancing act".
The Dublin-Fingal TD called for a sensible response to ensure all monies owed under the scheme are recovered, while not putting small and medium enterprise and micro-business at risk.
Teahcta O’Reilly said:
“The Revenue tax warehousing scheme offered businesses some respite during the height of the Covid-19 crisis by allowing for the deferral of VAT, employer PAYE and certain self-assessed income tax liabilities, including Covid-19 wage support overpayments.
“The volume of tax warehoused under the scheme showed how much of a lifeline it was for business and next year will be a crunch year for those with warehoused debt as repayments will commence from 1st May 2024.
“However, data released to me via Parliamentary Question shows that there have been losses to the State of over €60 million in taxes owed, due to companies entering liquidation, examinership, ceasing trade and bankruptcy.
“Given the impact of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, and the inflation crisis, it is essential that Revenue engages with companies sensibly and responsibly in terms of recovering monies owed under the scheme.
“This should not be seen as a carte blanche for businesses. What we are advocating is for Revenue and the Minister for Finance to approach repayment in a manner that ensures all monies owed are repaid, but that does not push companies towards the brink of administration or liquidation.
“There is currently over €2.2 billion in tax debts warehoused, so a delicate approach is needed, and business must be proactive with Revenue as data also shows a worrying lack of engagement and persistent non-compliance with current tax obligations by some firms.
“To date, over 12,800 customers with warehoused tax debts of €197m have had their warehouse status revoked due to persistent non-compliance issues and the debt concerned is now being pursued.
“It is essential that there is reciprocal engagement between business and the State in terms of warehoused tax debts, and that Revenue and the Minister for Finance approach repayment in a manner that ensures all monies owed are repaid, but that does not push companies towards the brink of administration or liquidation.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment and Climate Action, Darren O’Rourke TD, has called on the government to urgently take action to reduce the cost of electricity.
Commenting on new research that reveals that the price of electricity in Ireland is the highest in Europe, the Meath East TD said:
“The results of this major study of the Household Energy Price Index in 33 countries are extremely alarming. Not only are Ireland’s electricity prices the highest in Europe, the unit price is almost double the European average. We are in a similar position when it comes to gas, with residential gas prices being the eighth most expensive of 28 countries surveyed.
“Despite significant falls in wholesale prices for both gas and electricity recently, these reductions have yet to be passed on to ordinary workers and families. Rather, households continue to be crippled by sky-high electricity bills.
“While Ireland has consistently had the highest electricity prices in Europe for years now, the surges over the past year are unprecedented.
“You would think that would catapult any government into action. Instead the opposite is true. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party seem determined to continue their business as usual approach of prioritising the profits of energy companies over the catastrophic situations more and more people are finding themselves in.
“The simple fact is that energy poverty has doubled over the past year. This simply cannot continue.
“The implications for the government are clear - they must urgently introduce measures to ease pressure on ordinary workers and families.
“They have so many options at their finger-tips yet have continuously failed to act. Over the past year Sinn Féin has proposed a variety of policies that the government repeatedly rejected that would address these exorbitant household costs.
“First, energy price caps represent an effective tool to redress imbalances in the market and to bring some urgent and necessary relief. Despite them being commonplace across the EU, the government has flat-out refused to adopt this fair and reasonable measure.
“They are resistant to any measure that prioritises the needs of ordinary workers and families over the preferences of energy companies.
“Unsurprisingly, the government also stood in the way of a windfall tax until the EU moved as a block. And despite announcing plans in November, they dithered for months and months on draft legislation.
“We are still at the stage of pre-legislative scrutiny and it is clear that their ambitions are wholly inadequate. Instead, Sinn Féin is calling for the introduction of much more progressive measures that go beyond the EU regulation.
“This is not a novel or unique approach, with many of our European counterparts having introduced taxes to address the eye-watering profits of energy companies.
“Sinn Féin is also calling for the proper and fair regulation of the energy market. More effective power and resources are urgently required by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities.
“For example, they have no legislative remit to regulate standing charges, making them totally unregulated.
"Sinn Féin has put forward the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Standing Charges) Bill 2023, which would prevent electricity and gas companies using standing charges as a means of increasing their profits, which have increased by over €300 this past year in some cases. We urge the government to support this measure.
“Households all over the country are calling out for help and the government cannot continue to ignore Ireland’s outlandish electricity and gas prices. They have a rake of clear policy options before them. It is time to do the right thing and to take decisive action to address the financial hardship that is crippling so many people.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty has called for the introduction of a temporary Mortgage Interest Support Scheme to provide relief to homeowners hit by rising interest rates.
This comes as the Dáil will debate his party’s motion today that calls on the government to act on this issue.
Teachta Doherty said:
“In the grip of a cost of living crisis, rising mortgage rates are putting homeowners under increased financial pressure.
“In the context of last week’s forecast of a General Government surplus in excess of €10 billion this year, it is clear that action can be taken to support them.
“Last month, the European Central Bank increased its main lending rate for the sixth time since July 2022 to 3.5 percent.
“Mortgage repayments are rising by colossal amounts – by thousands of euros a year for many, with some now paying interest rates as high as 8%.
“The Free Legal Advice Centre have said that many are now at risk of falling into arrears, while MABS have warned that recent interest rate hikes are having disastrous effects.
“Rising mortgage rates are also putting the possibility of buying a home beyond the reach of aspiring first-time buyers, many of whom continue to suffer with crippling rents and rising house prices due to the government’s failure to deliver affordable housing.
“Sinn Féin has repeatedly called for the introduction of temporary mortgage interest relief, which would support struggling mortgage holders by up to €1,500.
"The government has failed to listen with the situation approaching a crisis point for many.
“The government can and must reverse its position and mandate the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, to commit to his previous position on this issue in 2018 when he supported mortgage interest relief.
“Such a measure is sensible and necessary.”
Sinn Féin's mortgage interest relief proposals can be read here.
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has said children in our schools are paying the price for ‘damaging and irreparable’ Tory cuts and said the Executive must be restored now to support people.
The party’s education spokesperson said:
“Further cuts to education are cruel and will have a detrimental impact on children’s learning in our schools.
“Stopping a scheme that ensures pupils have access to iPads and laptops to complete their school work is deeply concerning.
"Children must be supported in school to have the best start in life, but instead they are being punished for the failure of one party to work together, and are being met with savage Tory cuts.
“It is vital that all our children deserve to have access to high-quality educational facilities and the fact that no new school buildings or school extensions will be started in 2023/24 is devastating.
“The British government needs to properly invest in our public services and end the cycle of damaging and irreparable cuts to vital services.
"We need an Executive up and running now and parties working together to support our children and young people against callous Tory cuts.”
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has said the British Government should end its cruel cuts to local Budgets and services and get on with delivering serious investment in our public services now.
Commenting after the Public Sector Chairs forum challenged the British Secretary of State on the cuts, Conor Murphy said:
“Over 50 public bodies have rightly challenged Chris Heaton Harris on the cruel cuts that his government is imposing on families, workers and children and public services in the north.
“In recent days we have seen funding for school budgets axed, including on key programmes to deliver counselling services and extra learning support for disadvantaged children.
“It is cruel, vindictive and undemocratic that these cuts are being imposed on people here by a Tory government in London which has no mandate, because one party refuses to work with the rest of us and continues to hold up progress.
“We need the Executive restored now, parties working together and local ministers taking decisions to deliver for communities and protect our public services from these cruel Tory policies.
“Chris Heaton-Harris should listen to those schools, community organisations and many other groups and individuals who are dealing with the irreparable and devastating damage that these callous cuts will have on society.
“The British government must deliver serious investment in our public services, and end its cycle of punishing cuts and austerity to our public finances.”
Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan has welcomed a declaration of “grave concern” regarding the British Government’s proposed Illegal Migration Bill.
The declaration was adopted unanimously by members of the Committee on Migration, Refugees, and Displaced Persons from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Senator Gavan chaired the meeting during this week’s parliamentary sitting in Strasbourg.
Speaking after the declaration was passed, Senator Gavan said:
“We heard powerful contributions from both Leslie Griffiths and Jeremy Corbyn who set out in stark terms the huge concerns over this proposed Bill.
"From an Irish perspective it is important to note that a report issued by an international group of lawyers has cited this Bill as one (of a number) that threatens the human rights framework of the Good Friday Agreement.
“The right to seek asylum is a fundamental right. If passed, the Illegal Migration Bill would deny protection to asylum seekers who entered Britain or the North of Ireland unauthorised, including victims of trafficking.
"It confers a new legal duty of the Home Secretary to remove anyone who comes to Britain or the North of Ireland either back to their home country, to Rwanda, or to another 'safe third country'.
The Bill also foresees a greater use of detention in border management, including for children.
“The Declaration points out that the provisions of this Bill are a wilful distortion of core UN and European conventions.
"Its provisions would jeopardise the right to an effective remedy, breach the non-refoulement principle, endanger victims of forced labour and modern slavery, and strip international protection seekers of their right to seek asylum, with no regard for the best interest of the child.
"The British government-proposed amendment to the Bill announced this week, which puts into question the obligation under Article 34 of the European Convention on Human Rights to respect interim measures, is of immense concern.
“The fact that this declaration was adopted unanimously in a very well attended meeting of our committee sends the strongest possible message to the British Government from PACE that they should withdraw this appalling Bill, which is an affront to human rights and to all the principles of the Council of Europe.”
CRÍOCH/ENDS
Note to Editor:
The full text of the declaration can be found here.
Speaking this afternoon Sinn Fein spokesperson on enterprise, trade, and employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, has called for lower prices to be passed onto consumers amid Central Statistics Office and European Central Bank data that shows corporate profits are rising while workers real wages are falling.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“Over the past year the government has cautioned against wage increases fuelling inflation.
“This mantra has been repeated ad nauseam by policymakers and Government ministers.
“Sinn Féin warned that the solutions pursued and promoted to tackle inflation, such as wage restraint and reductions, come at a cost and are most damaging to workers and those in debt.
“Against the backdrop of these debates the European Central Bank (ECB) highlighted that corporate profiteering contributed twice as much to price rises as wage increases.
“In addition, data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has outlined how corporate profits are rising while workers real wages are falling.
“Real wages were estimated to have decreased by 3.3 per cent, representing one of the biggest erosions in living standards since the financial crisis.
“It should be reinforced that solutions to inflation should not drive down living standards or demand.
“In the face of this corporate profit-price spiral it is essential that lower prices are passed on to consumers.”
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer welcomed confirmation from the Department of Agriculture that European Commission's Protected Geographical Indicator (PGI) status for Irish grass-fed beef on the island of Ireland could be granted before the end of the year.
The West Tyrone MLA said:
“Sinn Féin has consistently made the case for Irish grass-fed beef to be included on the European Union’s all-island Protected Geographical Indicator (PGI) for beef.
“This could help deliver huge economic benefits and farmers and place local farming in a unique position by increasing the north’s share of beef exports to the EU.
“I welcome confirmation from DAERA that this status could be granted before the end of the year.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, said the decision by Tesco Ireland to unilaterally impose significant changes to the rosters of certain workers is in effect a pay cut as the decision will cost staff thousands of euros in lost income.
She called on Tesco to engage with the workers’ trade union, Mandate, and resolve the issues in a mature fashion through constructive dialogue.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“Recently Tesco Ireland announced a decision to unilaterally impose significant changes to the rosters of instore ‘Dot Com Pickers’ – the workers who fulfil orders made by online shoppers.
“The move, which workers and the Mandate Trade Union have described as ‘out of the blue’, will cost workers thousands of euros in lost income.
“The changes will not only have financial consequences for workers, but there are also work-life balance issues and other indirect costs to the workers.
“It beggars belief that such a change would be railroaded through, and it is even more astonishing that the company is doing so without negotiation with the workers’ trade union, Mandate.
“It appears that the good will afforded to frontline workers who went above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic has run dry at Tesco Ireland.
“It is essential that Tesco Ireland engage with the workers' trade union, Mandate, and resolve the issues in a mature fashion through constructive dialogue.”
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald today said: “A massive scaling-up of affordable housing and social housing is required and I don’t think the government appreciates the scale of that task. I have seen nothing from Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael so far to suggest the kind of step-change that is needed to deal with the scale of this crisis.”
Teachta McDonald said:
“We have been in the midst of an unprecedented housing crisis for more than a decade. The situation is very acute for our young people, for our public services and for business.
“A massive scaling-up of affordable housing and social housing is needed. I don’t think the government appreciates the scale of that task. They are tinkering around the edges rather than dealing with the crisis. They are now clearly panicking because time is running out for them.
“The test of all of this will be whether or not housing becomes more affordable and whether or not housing becomes available.
“But I have seen nothing so far to suggest the kind of step change that is needed at this time.
“They have plenty of resources available to them so they have no real excuse other than their own incompetence.”
Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan, rapporteur on Addressing the humanitarian consequences of the blockade of the Lachin corridor, today made the following statement:
"On 23 April 2023, I was informed that a border checkpoint was established by the Republic of Azerbaijan at the starting point of the Lachin road.
“This unilateral action by Azerbaijan takes place amidst current increasing tensions around the obstruction of the Lachin Corridor, the only open communication route between the region of Nagorno-Karabakh* and Armenia since 12 December 2022. The open and safe access to this Corridor was established and agreed in the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020.
“The Parliamentary Assembly has been closely following this situation, including in a current affairs debate in January, an information note by the PACE co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of Armenia and a statement by the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights both issued in March.
“Following a decision of the Bureau, I was appointed rapporteur on 'Addressing the humanitarian consequences of the blockade of the Lachin corridor' by the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons on 15 March 2023. I have previously prepared a report on 'Humanitarian consequences of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan / Nagorno-Karabakh conflict' in 2021.
“Azerbaijan alleges systematic and large-scale misuse of the Lachin road for illicit purposes, contrary to the Trilateral Statement of 10 November 2020, which it claims constitute security threats. Without accessing the area, it is not possible to verify these claims. On the other hand, the suffering of the inhabitants in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the resulting serious humanitarian crisis, has already been well-documented.
“For months now, we have been witnessing a worrying escalation in the region not only in rhetoric but in facts. It is imperative that both parties contribute to finding a solution to prevent the worsening of the situation of those people living in Nagorno-Karabakh. My report on the situation must be prepared without delay. I intend to travel to Armenia and Azerbaijan, including to the region in question in the last week of May.
“During my visit, which must include first-hand experience of the conditions on the ground at the Lachin Corridor, I stand ready to meet with all relevant interlocutors. Despite the regrettable upsurge in tension of the last days, I am confident that I will be able to count on the co-operation and good-will of both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“My aim is to produce a fair, accurate and honest report, which will be difficult to achieve if I am not allowed to see with my own eyes whether access to the Lachin Corridor is free and safe, as provided by the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Pa Daly TD, has today commented on the overcrowding crisis within Irish prisons. The Prison Service recently confirmed prison spaces are effectively non-existent, with as many as 167 prisoners now sleeping on floors.
Teachta Daly said:
“This crisis has been well flagged by bodies such as the Irish Penal Reform Trust, who expressed serious concerns in February. Figures from the Prison Service show a desperate situation across the board, but with some prisons coping better than others.
“I am especially concerned about the situation in Limerick’s female prison, which is currently at 176% capacity, and in Mountjoy’s female prison, which is at 115% capacity. The situation within the open prisons is a little more positive, but Shelton Abbey and Loughan House are still more than 90% full.
“Prison overcrowding undermines the health and safety of prison staff and prisoners, making them difficult to run effectively. This has a knock on effect on rehabilitation and human rights, as options for moving more dangerous prisoners become restricted.
“During the pandemic, there were some sensible approaches taken to reducing the numbers actively in prison at any one time. There is a promised Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform which should be expedited also, as how short sentences are managed does need to be reviewed and reformed appropriately.
“We can learn much from countries such as Slovenia and the Netherlands, and examine reducing our rates of incarceration for shorter sentences especially.
“The government also needs to make the appropriate investments, such as completing the works at Limerick Prison. Sentencing is a matter in the discretion of the trial judge and not the responsibility of the Prison Service but some of these measures will help to insure we do not end up with a disaster in Irish prisons. This will have grave impacts on public safety and reduce Ireland’s credibility as a human rights leader.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Claire Kerrane TD, has called for urgent action to avoid delays in farm payments.
Deputy Kerrane has raised the issue with Minister McConalogue following confirmation that there will be delays to payments of up to a month in some cases.
Speaking this morning, Teachta Kerrane said:
“The announced change in dates for the payment of the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) and the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), formerly the Basic Payment Scheme, is utterly unacceptable.
“With farm input costs at an all time high, delays in critical income supports to farmers have to be avoided and they need to be paid on time in September and October, as they have been previously.
“Despite this, the Minister is insisting that because this is the first year of the new CAP, payment delays cannot be helped. These delays are going to be up to a month.
“The Minister said the Department has done everything they can around payment dates, but it is simply not good enough. Farmers cannot be expected to wait.
“I have made it clear to the Minister that more needs to be done by his Department to avoid these payment delays.
“I also raised the new satellite mapping process which is being rolled out. This will put the onus on farmers where an issue is raised by the satellite, it will be up to the farmer to take a geotag photograph and upload it to an App.
“This is going to be problematic for some Farmers and it needs to be communicated before it is rolled out in June.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has accused the Government of "desperately scrambling to shore up their failing housing plan".
The comments were made in response to news that Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien is to bring a memo to Cabinet changing a number of existing housing schemes.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
"Over the weekend it was reported that Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien will bring a memo to Cabinet on Tuesday with proposed changes to a number of housing schemes, including the Croí Cónaithe Towns refurbishment grant.
"This will be the third set of changes to the grant scheme that was launched last year.
"While the scheme itself is not objectionable, it is badly designed, under funded and lacks ambition. Just over 600 vacant and derelict homes are to be brought back into use a year under the scheme.
"Last year not a single refurbishment grant was drawn down. Many lenders are also refusing to allow mortgages to be drawn down until legal issues with the refurbishment grant clawback are resolved.
"Initially the scheme was restricted to small towns and villages, then it was widened to include larger towns and cities. Now the Government intends to raise the grant level.
"It is not clear whether Government is increasing the overall funding for the scheme or increasing the very modest targets.
"However what is clear is that Government is desperately scrambling to shore up their failing housing plan.
"The Government failed to meet its social and affordable housing targets for the third year in a row. Badly designed schemes including Croí Cónaithe Towns, Croí Cónaithe Cities and Project Tosaigh are also failing to deliver.
"The consequences can be seen in high house prices and rents, rising levels of homelessness and low levels of social and affordable housing output.
"Darragh O’Brien’s housing plan is not working. Tinkering around the edges of poorly designed schemes wont fix that.
"Fixing Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s housing crisis requires a change of Government, Housing Minister and Housing plan."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has said the government can and must introduce time-limited mortgage interest relief for homeowners hit by interest rate increases.
The Donegal TD was speaking as he launched his party’s motion, which will be debated in the Dáil on Tuesday, that calls on the government to act on this issue.
Teachta Doherty said:
“Rising mortgage rates are putting homeowners under severe financial pressure.
“Particularly in the context of last week's forecast of a General Government surplus in excess of €10 billion this year, it is unforgivable that the government is doing nothing to help them.
“Last month, the European Central Bank increased its main lending rate for the sixth time since July 2022 from 0 percent to 3.5 percent, and is due to meet again in the next two weeks to consider further increases.
“Mortgage repayments are rising by colossal amounts - thousands of euros a year.
“Some people are now paying interest rates of up to 8%.
“People are seriously struggling as a result and the Free Legal Advice Centre tells us that many are now at risk of falling into arrears.
“Rising mortgage rates are also putting the possibility of buying a home beyond the reach of another generation of aspiring first-time buyers, many of whom are already suffering with crippling rents and rising house prices due to the government’s failure to deliver affordable housing.
“Sinn Féin has repeatedly called for the introduction of temporary mortgage interest relief, which would support struggling mortgage holders by up to €1,500.
"The government has failed to listen and now the situation is approaching a crisis point if they continue to refuse to take any action.
“The government can and must reverse its previous position and mandate the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, to commit to his previous position on this issue in 2018 when he supported mortgage interest relief.
“Such a measure is sensible, affordable and necessary.”
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has said the party is standing its largest ever team of candidates for election to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council on 18 May.
Speaking after candidates lodged their nomination papers at the council’s Mossley Mill offices, the Sinn Féin national cathaoirleach announced his party will field candidates in every District Electoral Area across the borough.
“In this local council election Sinn Féin is fielding our largest ever number of candidates for election to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (ANBC).
“For the first time we will contest every single District Electoral Area in the Antrim and Newtownabbey district. This decision reflects the expansion and strength of the Sinn Féin throughout South Antrim, and our commitment to work for everyone in the community.
“I am delighted that local ratepayers will have the opportunity to vote for Sinn Féin council candidates in each part of this constituency, from Toome to Ballyclare, and Crumlin to Three Mile Water.
“Our clear objective is to elect more Sinn Féin councillors and increase the size of the party team in the borough council. We want to build on the progressive political leadership which Sinn Féin has been providing throughout South Antrim.
“We are also committed to electing more female Sinn Féin representatives locally, and so 50% of our ten candidates seeking election are women.
“This will give the electorate an unprecedented opportunity to significantly influence the gender balance of the local council chamber, and also promote the equality of women in local politics and society.
“Sinn Féin is standing a confident and experienced team of candidates combining age and different experiences.
“These candidates, are individually and collectively committed to working for all, by delivering positive, progressive leadership across the ANBC area, and ensuring local ratepayers from all sections of the community have full access to the standard of public services to which they are entitled.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, has called on Indeed, the online job search platform, to do right by their workers in relation to redundancy packages as it prepares to reduce its Dublin workforce.
Teahcta O’Reilly said:
“The news that Indeed is due to cut 225 jobs from its Irish workforce is a crushing blow for the workers, their families, and their communities.
“This is another shock for the tech industry in Ireland and a sign that volatility still pervades the sector.
“As one of the most significant technology sectors in Europe, the continued turbulence across the industry is a worry for tech workers in Ireland.
“Twitter, Stripe, Intel, Dell, Microsoft Google, and Meta/Facebook are just some of the companies who have restructured their workforce with job losses occurring or on the way.
“It is essential that the government engage with workers and companies in the tech sector to see what can be done to reverse this recent trend.
“Furthermore, Indeed must engage in good faith with the workers and their representatives regarding a fair redundancy package.
“In recent days many affected workers have reached out to my office to highlight their concerns at the conduct of the company and the redundancy package being offered.
"A company of the scale and size of Indeed should be able to provide all affected workers with a generous and fair redundancy package.
“In addition to engaging with Indeed, the Department of Enterprise must work with IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to understand the skills profile of impacted staff and ensure that profiles are shared with client companies of all state agencies who may be hiring or looking for similar skills.
“The volatility in the tech sector over the past number of months further reinforces the need for all workers to join, and be active, in their trade union. Workers need a strong voice in the workplace and the only way to achieve this is through trade unionism.
“I offer mine and Sinn Féin’s solidarity and support to the workers at Indeed in what is a very difficult time.”
