Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan said the British government needs to properly invest in our public services and end the cycle of cruel cuts to our education system.
Pat Sheehan said:
“Cuts to our education system and vital services and programmes which support and benefit our young people must be opposed.
"Sinn Féin has made our opposition to these cuts clear to the Department of Education, outlining the severe impact they will have on children’s education.
“The British government must deliver proper investment in our public services so that our schools can plan and support our young people.
“Our public services have been left at the mercy of an unadulterated Tory Budget with no local ministers at the wheel to take spending decisions to protect our people and businesses from the worst impacts.
"That’s unacceptable. We need an Executive up and running now and parties working together to support our children and young people against savage Tory cuts.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has today accused the government of deliberately massaging social housing need figures in order to justify their inadequate social housing delivery targets.
The comments were made after the Housing Agency published their annual summary of social housing need report.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“Today the Housing Agency published their annual social housing need report. It shows that in 2022 there were 57,842 households on local authority social housing waiting lists.
“On the back of this report, the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien is claiming that, since 2016, there has been a 36.8% drop in social housing need. His claim is based on the fact that since that year the number of households on council waiting lists fell by 33,758.
“What the Minister is not telling people is that, from 2016, the number of social housing applicants living in the private rented sector on short two-year leases subsidised by the Housing Assistance Payment has exploded from 16,493 to 59,490.
“Social housing applicants in receipt of HAP are not included in the council list figures.
“During the same period, the number of households in short-term four-year Rental Accommodation Scheme leases has fallen marginally from 20,306 to 16,723. These households are also not included in the council list figures.
“HAP and RAS tenants do not have their long-term housing needs met. They are no different to social housing applicants in receipt of Rent Supplement who are included in the council waiting list figures.
“When HAP and RAS tenants are added to the overall social housing need figures, it shows that there are currently 134,055 households in need of social housing, an increase of 4.4% on 2016.
“The removal of HAP and RAS tenants from the social housing need figures is deeply dishonest. Government is deliberately massaging social housing figures.
“They are doing this to justify their inadequate social housing delivery targets.
“The current government social housing targets are not based on an honest and objective assessment of social housing need.
“It is time for Darragh O’Brien to be honest with the public. He needs to change the terms of reference for the Housing Agency’s annual social housing need report to include all households in need of social housing.
“More importantly, he needs to accept that his targets for social housing delivery are simply too low and that they must be increased in order to meet what has been a growing need in recent years.”
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has paid tribute to the family of Liam Holden for their campaign for truth and justice.
Speaking after the High Court ruled that Liam Holden was tortured into signing a statement admitting to killing a British soldier in 1972 which he was entirely innocent of, Gerry Kelly said:
“For nearly 50 years Liam Holden, right up until his death last year, and his family campaigned to shine a light on his torture, including waterboarding, at the hands of the British Army’s Parachute Regiment.
“I want to commend Liam's family for their determination and dignity and their continued campaign for truth and justice.
“Today’s verdict in the courts is further vindication of that campaign.
“It will give heart to and strengthen the resolve of other campaigns of truth and justice to continue to fight the British government’s attempts to silence them.
“The court’s ruling shows once again that the British government’s cruel and callous legacy bill should be scrapped.
“The cover-ups should end.
"British state forces cannot be above the law.
“The legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House must be implemented in a human rights' compliant manner.
“All families have a right to truth and justice."
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has again called for the British Government’s flawed Legacy Bill to be scrapped without delay.
Responding to a damning report from the European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and Human Rights, the North Belfast MP said:
“Leading international lawyers from across Europe, the US and South Africa have become the latest people to hit out at the flawed Legacy Bill and call for its abandonment.
“The Legacy Bill is unworkable and does not enjoy the support of victims and survivors, the Irish Government, human rights experts and none of the political parties on this island.
“Ultimately, it is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement, and it is incompatible with international human rights obligations.
“This legislation is about; amnesties for British state forces; denying investigation; avoiding accountability and cover-up and shutting down families from ever getting truth and justice.
“The legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House in 2014 demonstrated that working together is the best way to achieve an agreed way forward, not self-serving solo runs. This Bill should be scrapped without delay.”
First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill has said it is ‘time to move forward’ and called for the restoration of an Executive to work for all.
Speaking after the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee ratified the recent deal between the EU and the British government at a meeting in London today, Michelle O’Neill said:
“The Joint Committee met this morning to ratify the deal and the British Government and EU are now moving towards its implementation.
“Now is the time to move forward. The negotiation is over, and the deal is done.
“We have a big opportunity to strengthen our economy and create good jobs by seizing the competitive advantage that unique access to the EU and British markets offers us.
“Let’s get back to business. People can’t wait any longer.
“Vital services in health, education, rural transport, and in our community and voluntary sector are facing devastating cuts because there is no budget, no Executive and no local ministers supporting them against unadulterated Tory cuts.
“They need the Executive restored now and parties working together to fix the health service and give relief to workers and families who continue to struggle with cost of living pressures.
“The British Government must end its cycle of savage cuts.
“They must invest in our public services so that an incoming Executive can tackle the challenges facing all our people and seize the opportunities available to create jobs and strengthen the economy.”
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan said cuts to long-running education schemes that benefit children and young people is 'extremely disappointing'.
Responding to cuts to the 'Sharing the Learning' programme and the 'In Your Corner' scheme, the party’s education spokesperson said:
“Cuts to these vital education schemes are really disappointing and will have a detrimental impact on children and young people.
"Sinn Féin has made our opposition to these cuts clear to the Department of Education and the negative impact it will have on our young people’s education.
“The British government needs to properly invest in our public services and end the cycle of cruel cuts to vital services.
"We need an Executive up and running now and parties working together to support our children and young people against savage Tory cuts.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Rose Conway-Walsh TD, has called for fast-tracking of the PhD researcher review and reforms to be brought forward urgently to help PhD researchers cope with the cost-of-living crisis.
Teachta Conway-Walsh said:
“I would like to commend PhD researchers for organising across the island as Postgraduate Workers Union to demand better conditions.
“They are a vital part of our research and higher education systems. Yet they are paid far below the minimum wage.
“PhD researchers should be classed as workers not students, and should be entitled to worker benefits such as sick leave and maternity leave.
“The Minister's opposition to this simple reform simply does not stack up. Apprentices, carpenters, plumbers, etc are all recognised as being in learning roles, but are also recognised as workers and provided with employment contracts.
“PhD researchers, like everyone else, have been struggling with the rising cost of living. They have seen rents increase by over 82% in the last 10 years. Yet the stipend they receive has not kept pace. They are typically paid between €16,000 to €19,000 for a full-time role.
“Higher Education has been left in austerity mode by successive governments. PhD researchers have been at the sharp end of the failure of government to invest in research and education.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, John Brady TD, has welcomed conformation from the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin that he has agreed to his request for a dedicated portal, which would allow public representatives from the north to contact the Passport Office directly to follow up with enquiries regarding passport applications from citizens in the north.
Teachta Brady said:
“While I welcome confirmation from the Tánaiste that an access service will be put in place to service enquiries from MLAs from the north, I am disappointed that Micheál Martin refuses to confirm that the service will be expanded to include MPs from the north.
“Last year there were 128,000 passport applications from the north. 50,000 of these were first time applications. The Tánaiste has confirmed that at this moment in time applications from the north are consistently running at approximately 10% of the total number of applications received by the passport office.
“In the first three months of 2023, something in the region of 230,000 passports have been issued, which gives an indication of the number of applications which can be anticipated from the north over the coming year.
“I know from personal experience that elected representatives in the north have been overwhelmed with enquiries by passport applicants, and who in response had no choice but to reach out to the TDs to attempt to deal with their concerns. Last year my office dealt with thousands of representations on behalf of citizens from the north.
“This new service will allow MLAs for the first time to contact a communications hub in the passport office in Dublin on a dedicated portal line to follow up on enquiries from citizens in the north who have submitted applications for Irish passports.
“While this represents an important development, there is a need for an Irish passport office in the north to deal with the volume of applications. I will continue to apply pressure on the government to achieve this.
“Any decision to exclude MPs, who have a clear mandate from Irish citizens in the north, from this service, is a political decision by the Tánaiste, and is wholly unacceptable. The proposed service needs to be expanded to include MPs.
“There is a need now for the Tánaiste to put in place an explicit timeline for the introduction of the communications hub before the passport season reaches its full height, and Irish citizens in the north and their representatives are left with no recourse except to contact the offices of TDs to represent their constituents.”
Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan has called on the government to finally enact its long-promised legislation on Safe Access Zones, and to set out a clear timeline that would see it passed into law this year.
The long-promised bill would establish Safe Access Zones around all family planning clinics, maternity hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state that provide or give information on abortion.
Anti-choice protesting, intimidating behaviour and communication about abortion would be strictly and legally prohibited within these zones.
The bill mirrors many aspects of one written by the Together for Safety Group, which was introduced by Senator Gavan and has already passed all stages in the Seanad.
Senator Gavan said:
“We have already been waiting five years for this Safe Access Zone Legislation, which was originally promised by former Health Minister Simon Harris.
“It was promised again in the programme for government. In September 2022, we were told a bill would be introduced no later than March of last year. Here we are in March 2023 and we are still waiting.
“We finally saw the heads of bill published last August. In January, department officials assured us that they were ‘most of the way there’ with finalising the bill.
"We were told that the only outstanding issues to be finalised were around clarifications regarding Garda warnings and delineation of safe access zones. These issues should have been resolved by now.
“Everybody has the right to access healthcare - including abortion services - in dignity, privacy and safety.
“These protests continue to have a chilling effect, and undoubtedly are linked to the very poor rate of take-up - one in 10 - by general practitioners to the provision of abortion services.
“I am again seeking assurances that the Bill will deliver in a comprehensive manner, while fully protecting the right to industrial action, ensuring adequate Garda powers and ensuring fully inclusive language.”
Senator Gavan also asked that the Repeal Review Report completed by barrister Marie O’Shea, which has been with Minister Donnelly for almost a month now, be published without further delay.
He added: “There is a growing concern among many that the government is dragging its feet with regard to publication of this crucial report.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, today introduced a bill that if passed would force the government, who he accused of abandoning renters, to reverse its decision to end the eviction ban.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“The government has abandoned renters. Sinn Féin never will.
“I want the government to be under no illusions about the seriousness of Sinn Féin’s position on this issue.
“The government this week, supported by independent TDs, made a conscious decision to increase homelessness.
“They did so while failing to put in place any mitigation measures to protect those renters who will be at risk of losing their homes from April.
“That is why I have today introduced the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act.
“The bill, based on the government's own legislation passed last October, is the only way to prevent the impending human catastrophe of rising homelessness in eight days’ time.
“Our bill, which will be voted on next week, would extend the ban on no-fault evictions to January 31st next year, with phased ending for renters through February, March and April next year.
“That would give the government the breathing space to significantly reduce the flow of adults and children into homelessness - something they have failed to do during the time afforded by the current eviction ban.
“They must extend the ban, and implement an emergency response, such as what we had during Covid-19, and to use planning and procurement powers to target vacant and derelict properties and new building technologies to deliver a social and affordable homes above existing targets.
“These new homes would be specifically for those single people and families in emergency accommodation.
“We have one last chance to stop thousands losing their homes.
“If Sinn Féin's bill passes next week, the government will be forced to act.”
Sinn Féin's bill can be read here.
First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill told the British government that a serious investment is needed to put the Executive’s finances on a stable footing and deliver public services.
Michelle O’Neill was speaking after she and Uachtarán Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald met with British Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris at Hillsborough Castle today. She said:
“An incoming Executive faces a mountain of challenges.
“Our society has been left at the mercy of a savage and unadulterated Tory Budget as a result of the DUP blockade of the Executive with no local ministers at the wheel to take spending decisions to protect our people and businesses from the worst impacts.
“The health service is in crisis. Waiting lists are unacceptable, cancer patients and those waiting on surgery are paying the price for this. We need investment in staff, we need more doctors and nurses, and transformation requires resources.
“Instead, half a billion pounds has been stripped from our public services by the Tories, threatening crippling cuts to youth services, mental health programmes and special needs education with vital community services axed and jobs lost in some of our most disadvantaged areas.
“That approach to public finances needs to stop.
“The British Government must deliver serious investment to put the Executive finances on a stable footing and all local parties should get back around the Executive table to work together for all our people.
“We must ensure the Executive has the resources needed to deliver on health and support for workers and families but also to take the economic opportunities on offer at this historic moment to create jobs and deliver for all.”
Sinn Féin Uachtarán Mary Lou McDonald has said now is the time to seize the huge economic opportunities presented by celebrations marking the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and the visit to Ireland by US President Joe Biden.
The Sinn Féin leader called on the British and Irish governments to work with the political parties to restore an Executive to support workers and families.
Mary Lou McDonald was speaking after she and First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill met British Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris at Hillsborough Castle today. Mary Lou McDonald said:
“The deal is done and the Brexit Joint Committee meets tomorrow to adopt the agreement into EU law. The deal between Brussels and London gives our businesses a huge competitive advantage as a gateway to the British and EU Single Market.
“The celebration of 25 years since the signing of the historic Good Friday Agreement is only weeks away and we hope to welcome US President Joe Biden to Belfast and Dublin to mark that historic anniversary.
“The eyes of the world will once again be on Ireland. This opportunity has to be grasped with both hands, to strengthen the economy and create good jobs.
“It’s a time to move forward, and to continue building peace and prosperity for all communities.
“Ten months ago, the people voted for real change and an Executive working together for all. Yet the formation of a power-sharing coalition government has been blocked.
“The democratic outcome of that election must be respected.
“The onus is now on the British and Irish governments, the political parties, not least the DUP, to get back to business and form a government which will support workers and families.”
Press Call - Irish MEPs to Host High-Level Conference on March 29th to mark 25 Years of the Good Friday Agreement
Irish MEPs Barry Andrews, Ciarán Cuffe, Seán Kelly & Chris MacManus will co-host a high-level conference in the European Parliament on March 29th to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The event will be followed by a reception. Remote attendance is possible.
Entitled The Good Friday Agreement: 25 Years of Peace and Progress (a European Perspective), the conference will convene two panels that will explore the history and the legacy of the Agreement, the foundation document of the Peace Process, and highlight the contributions of the EU and the wider international community to developing, promoting, and protecting this achievement.
A first panel will gather the modern-day counterparts to the political leaders and stakeholders involved in bringing about the Agreement in 1998. A second panel will amplify the voices of the younger generations who have benefitted from its legacy, and will explore the progress that has been achieved since its signing. The event will be followed by a reception at the same location.
Date: 29 March 2023
Time: 16h30 to 19h00
Where: Room 1G2, European Parliament
Numerous high profile speakers will address the event, with further details to be confirmed in due course.
Sign up here to attend in person or remotely: https://opinio.europarl.europa.eu/s?s=5766.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has said the government’s refusal to reverse its decision to end the eviction ban will lead to levels of homelessness never before thought possible.
Deputy Ó Broin was responding after government parties, along with some independent TDs, this evening voted in favour of extending the eviction ban, a decision that will see thousands of people lose the roof from over their heads in the coming weeks and months.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“In nine days’ time, the emergency ban on no-fault evictions will come to an end, and we will see levels of homelessness we never before thought possible.
“Residential Tenancies Board figures tell us that 3000 families, single people, couples, families with children and pensioners have eviction notices that will fall due in April.
“Every TD present today had a clear choice to make, and shame on Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Green Party - every one of their backbenchers - and those independent TDs who knowingly chose to make ordinary people in their communities homeless.
“Many of these people will be forced to move in with family and friends, others will be forced to emigrate because they will be unable to find alternative accommodation.
“But worse, many men, women and children with eviction notices will seek emergency accommodation, which is already at capacity in many local authorities across the state.
“This means people will be forced to sleep rough, while families with children will be referred to Garda stations for a safe place to sleep.
“That is the shameful legacy of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien, and all those who supported their decision today.
“I once again call on the government to reverse its decision, to extend the emergency ban on evictions and, crucially, to put in place the emergency measures we have been screaming for them to put in place.”
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has called on the British Home Office 'Electronic Travel Authorisation' requirements to be scrapped.
The party’s tourism spokesperson said:
“The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) proposals will create barriers for visitors coming into the north from the south. It should be scrapped.
“With around 70% of tourists in the north arriving in Ireland via Dublin, this legislation directly threatens £250 million that’s spent in the local economy.
“The visa-waiver document for journeys across the border will impact more than a half a million tourists annually and damage all-Ireland tourism.
“This policy is both absurd and offensive and shows a total lack of understanding by the British government about the damaging impact of this legislation to Ireland.
“Tourism and hospitality groups have been very clear in opposition to this legislation. The British Government should heed the call and scrap it.”
Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan has welcomed a united call from all members of the Seanad to Rehab Group management to honour a redundancy agreement from two years ago.
The agreement relates to 38 vulnerable workers who were made redundant from Rehab Enterprises in Limerick.
Senator Gavan said:
"In April of 2021, the workers concerned lost their jobs from the Rehab Enterprises plant in Raheen, Limerick.
"Instead of offering four weeks per year of service plus statutory uncapped, as per a longstanding agreement with SIPTU, Rehab offered just two weeks plus statutory capped at one year’s salary.
"The difference in financial terms was very significant, with one worker who had worked for the company for 30 years receiving €21,000 instead of €60,000.
"I proposed a motion on this at the Order Of Business on behalf in the Seanad, and explained how these vulnerable workers have fought valiantly for a just redundancy deal in line with their union agreement.
“Many of these workers include people with visual impairments, learning difficulties and downs syndrome. Some of these workers had given decades of service to Rehab.
"Rehab management have to date ignored a Labour Court Recommendation that carried out an independent financial analysis of Rehab’s books and established that they had over €20 million in cash/cash equivalents, as well as €54 million in assets.
"The same financial analysis also highlighted expenditure of €813,000 in packages paid to senior management in 2018 and 2019.The Labour Court determined that Rehab could well afford to honour this redundancy agreement.
“This week these workers held a lunchtime protest in Limerick. They stood in the pouring rain for an hour outside of Rehab’s office in Parnell Court. These workers have literally been left to twist in the wind by Rehab Management.”
“I have raised the plight of these workers on a number of occasions in the Seanad over the past two years. This motion calls on management to implement the recommendation made by the Labour Court and honour the redundancy agreement that Rehab has with SIPTU.”
“I hope the united voice of the Seanad will bring further pressure to bear on Rehab to finally do the right thing. These workers have already been left waiting far too long for justice.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers’ Rights, Louise O’Reilly TD, has called on the government to bring forward a roadmap on how it will address areas of nonconformity with the European Social Charter over the next 12 months.
The call comes on the back of a report by the European Committee of Social Rights, which found the government was in breach of the charter in several areas concerning workers’ rights.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“This is not the first time the European Committee of Social Rights has found an Irish government of being in breach of the workers’ rights.
“For many years now, the Committee has criticised the failure of successive governments to allow members of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces the right to fully participate in negotiations regarding their pay and service through being members of national employers’ organisations.
“Today’s report reaffirms those criticisms, but also finds breaches of the European Social Charter in terms of sub-minimum rates of pay for workers aged 18 and 19.
"The Committee found that such rates of pay do not ensure a decent standard of living for young people.
“For many years Sinn Féin has called for sub-minimum rates of pay to be abolished as they are outdated, punitive and exploitative of young workers.
“Further breaches included a failure to protect against dismissal on grounds of trade union membership or involvement in trade union activities and the right to equal pay without discrimination on grounds of sex.
“The Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment should bring forward a roadmap on how he will address the areas of nonconformity with the charter over the next 12 months.
“It is unfair for workers that the State continues to be in breach of the European Social Charter, as it is ordinary workers who suffer; it is also embarrassing for Ireland that successive governments have shown no effort at rectifying these consistent breaches.”
First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill said today that the public want and deserve the Executive they voted for to support them through the crises in health and cost of living and build a better future for all.
Michelle O’Neill said:
“The negotiation between the EU and the British government has concluded.
"The Brexit Joint Committee meets this Friday to adopt the deal into EU law and we move on to the implementation stage.
“The onus is on the British and Irish governments and all parties – not least the DUP to now get Stormont moving.
“It’s time to move forward. We need to see the Assembly and Executive working now to address the problems in our health service and deliver for business, for workers and families.
“We now have unprecedented economic opportunities to strengthen our economy and create more and better jobs.
“Further blocking the formation of an Executive will only deepen the chaos caused by Brexit and discourage international investors.
“Our people and our economy can't wait. We need stability and we need to see the Executive in place without any further delays.
“Sinn Féin stands ready to form that Executive today and deliver for workers and families.
“The public have been punished for long enough by this futile and shameful DUP blockade.
“The people want and deserve the Executive they voted for to support them through cost of living, to help fix the health service and build a better future for all our people.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Action, Darren O’Rourke TD, has said that ESB’s 2022 profits in the context of a crippling cost of living crisis where ordinary workers and families struggle to pay their bills is a reflection of the failure of government policy to ensure the system works for everyone, not just energy companies and the most-well-off.
Teachta O’Rourke said:
“The ESB has today announced profits of €847 million in 2022 in comparison to €679 million in 2021, in large part generated due to their renewables portfolio and higher wholesale prices.
“The increased dividends that will be returned to the state by ESB as a result will be welcome. However, we know the same is not the case for private energy companies who are set to announce similar profits in the days and weeks ahead.
“The greatest insult, however, is the fact that he majority of energy company 2022 profits will remain unaffected by the government’s soon-to-be introduced windfall tax, as the cap on market revenues element of that package applies from December 2022 to June 2023 only.
“When the windfall tax was made possible by EU legislation in October, initial predictions were that it could generate upwards of €1.9 billion.
"With the government's proposal however, the prediction stands at a much smaller figure; somewhere between €280 and €600 million. That is at least €1.3bn lost. €1.3bn that could be used to protect families from the worst effects of the cost-of-living crisis. Instead, it is €1.3bn profit retained by energy companies.
“It is clear that the government’s strategy of opposition, resistance and delay to windfall taxes has served to protect eye-watering profits of energy companies at a time when families are being crucified by sky-high bills.
“What the country needs is a government that is ready to take decisive leadership to face the unprecedented challenges that it is facing.
“What we have instead is a Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green Party government that actually blocked windfall taxes and energy market reforms and only elected to move when the EU did so as a whole.
“And even then, when they can hold out no longer, they still seem determined to prioritise big energy companies over ordinary working people and families. It is high-time the government stopped hiding behind its own spin and started answering for its inaction.”
