Reacting to the meeting between the British Prime Minister and An Taoiseach, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said:
“Now is the time for steadiness, unity of purpose and calm heads. Negotiations are at a very sensitive point. Any deal must have legal and enduring guarantees that deliver for Ireland.
“We’re seeing very little detail from the meeting. What we do know is that there is no Brexit scenario that is good for the people of this island, but we’ve always said that a deal can be done.
“There is a viable option on the table in the form of the Withdrawal Agreement which all parties support, with the exception of the DUP.
“The next week will be critical. Any deal should include the backstop as the bottom line in protecting Ireland and protecting the Good Friday Agreement.
“No veto can be given to unionism on protections for Ireland. It would be unthinkable to place Irish livelihoods, our economy and our peace at the hands of DUP Brexiteers.
“Ultimately we need a deal that delivers for Ireland."
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has met the newly appointed principal of Crumlin Integrated College during a visit to the school.
The local MLA said he was delighted to welcome Mr Niall O’Hara into his new post and pledged his support for the school.
The South Antrim MLA said:
"Niall O’Hara is joining a very dedicated teaching staff at Crumlin Integrated College. A committed Board of Governors is also in place. Together they have a very positive vision for the future of this great school.
"During our meeting we discussed the needs of the school and the importance of new investment in, and enhancement of the current school estate. An official from the Education Authority also participated in this discussion.
"It is clear that several schemes of work are urgently needed to improve structural aspects of the school estate, and enhance health & safety for the school community.
"While Crumlin Integrated College has been a very important part of the village and surrounding area for many years, I am concerned that the actual potential of the school has been restricted in recent years due to a lack of investment over a protracted period.
"I believe that the future of Crumlin Integrated will be optimised if a joined up approach is adopted, and good will is demonstrated by all stakeholders. I have now written to the Chief Executive of the Education Authority on these specific issues.
"Niall O Hara is coming into his post with great enthusiasm and a desire to ensure the local school community is properly served. I look forward to working with him, his colleagues, and the College Board of Governors in the coming period.”
Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South-Central Aengus Ó Snodaigh has said this evening that Minister Eoghan Murphy’s independent investigation into extortion relating to Cherry Orchard building sites runs the risk of becoming a ploy to bury an issue that has exposed major failings by his party colleagues and by the authorities.
Teachta Ó Snodaigh has said the Minister must ensure that the investigation has a tight timeframe, and that its findings be published and acted upon.
Deputy Ó Snodaigh said;
“For this investigation to be effective, it must ensure that it looks at whether or not the case before the High Court at present is part of a pattern of intimidation and extortion of building contractors in the area, across the city and in the State in general.
“The announcement by Minister Eoghan Murphy comes on the back of revelations in and outside the Dáil that his predecessor as Minister for Housing, Simon Coveney, his colleague the then Minister for Justice now MEP Frances Fitzgerald, and senior Gardaí were made aware of extortionist demands, threats and criminal acts directed at builders of social housing in the Cherry Orchard area as far back as December 2016 and January 2017.
“The concerns that I raised with them were ignored or dismissed and no action was taken on foot of the letters I sent them. These letters had also been sent to senior management in Dublin City Council, the local TD and junior minister Catherine Byrne and to the housing body Cooperative Housing Ireland.
“What’s needed now is for an investigation to address the reason why Ministers and An Garda Síochána ignored my request for a meeting and that in fact Minster Francis Fitzgerald dismissed my concerns.
“It is unacceptable that certain communities are allowed to by held to ransom by criminal gangs as in this case.
“The investigation must contain an action plan to ensure there is no repeat of this crime when the large urban regeneration Cherry Orchard-Park West Local Area Plan, that includes 1,500 new homes, is being rolled out over the next few years.”
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed the start of works to replace Glenrandel Bridge in Craigbane near Park village.
The East Derry MLA said:
"I welcome news that work has now begun on the replacement of the Glenrandel bridge in Craigbane which was damaged beyond repair in the floods of August 2017.
“I met with the Department for Infrastructure in August and they assured me at that time that work was scheduled to being in Autumn 2019 and that the necessary funding was in place.
“These works will also be welcomed by the local community who have been inconvenienced for almost two years.”
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has urged AIB to find sustainable solutions in the interests of families, rather than sell their mortgages to vulture funds.
The Donegal TD was speaking after it was confirmed that the majority State-owned AIB was preparing to sell off thousands of family home mortgages under so-called Project Birch.
Teachta Doherty has called for his of his No Consent, No Sale Bill to be progressed immediately, which would ensure banks could not sell mortgage loans without the consent of the borrower.
Pearse Doherty TD said:
“I would urge AIB to do the right thing, and ensure that sustainable solutions are found for families rather than committing them to an uncertain future.
"It should always be remembered that AIB is a State-owned bank.
"It is therefore incumbent on AIB to remember its past faults and ensure that it acts in the interests of consumers and those families that will be feeling unsure and worried today.
“I am hopeful that AIB seek sustainable solutions for these families, including the option of working with not-for-profit organisations who will act find sustainable outcomes for families rather than short-term profits for themselves.
“Vultures are never the solution. That is why it is imperative that my No Consent, No Sale Bill, becomes law, offering families protection in the face of uncertainty.
“Mortgage holders are not safe under the current rules. My ‘No Consent, No Sale’ Bill must be progressed to protect consumers and families in the face of further sell-offs and a future of uncertainty.
"This legislation would ensure that banks cannot sell on loans without the consent of the borrower.
“Despite enjoying majority support in the Dáil, Government and Fianna Fáil have attempted to obstruct the passage of this Bill, enabling banks to continue large-scale sell-offs of properties.
“I would urge parties to support Sinn Féin’s bill, protect families and end the sell-off."
Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy has said the EU and the wider international community need to act urgently to address the worsening humanitarian situation caused by the Turkish military onslaught against the Kurds.
The Mid Ulster MP said:
"There is a growing humanitarian crisis in north eastern Syria as a result of the Turkish onslaught against the Kurdish people.
"Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee from their homes as a result of Turkish military attacks.
"And for Turkey to threaten to use the plight of Syrian refugees as a pawn is both cynical and a disgrace.
"The international community, and the EU in particular, needs to act to address the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation and to challenge Turkish military aggression.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health Órlaithí Flynn MLA encourages people to Take 5 on World Mental Health Day.
“Too often mental health is only seen as the absence of mental illness but it is much more.
“I would encourage everyone to Take 5 and think about their mental health each day just as they would about their physical health.
“Being active, taking notice of something, learn something new, connect or reconnect with someone, and to give, can all help to maintain and improve your wellbeing.
“Everyone has mental health and everyone can take small steps to improve their own.”
Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams has welcomed the news that a “comprehensive public consultation process will be undertaken as part of the review” into the N52 Ardee by-pass.
Teachta Adams said: “However, I am concerned, from the correspondence I have received from Louth County Council, at the length of time the process of preparing terms of reference, appointing a consultant and a new tendering process might take”.
Teachta Adams received a PQ response from Louth County Council on Thursday to questions he had submitted in September.
“In September, a technical review of the Ardee by-pass proposal was announced.
"The current proposal for the Townspark Road and the Mullanstown Road would result in them becoming cul-de-sacs and the Silverhill Road having a staggered ghost island junction.
"In the last 13 years there have been significant community, demographic, sporting and environmental changes which the proposal fails to take account of.
"In addition, the bog land between the Townspark Road and Silverhill Road is now a National Heritage area which seeks to protect our natural fauna, bird life and other wildlife. The current plans pre-date this development and no environmental impact assessment has been carried out.
"I raised this issue in the Dáil and wrote to Minister Shane Ross; Louth County Council, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, asking specifically about the length of time the review would take; if changes are recommended what impact that will have on the current plans; will local residents be consulted and will funding that has been allocated be ring fenced.
"I have written to the Council asking how long the preparatory work will take and when will the Consultant will be appointed.”
In its response Louth County Council revealed that:
"Our Staff and our colleagues in West Meath Road Design Offices are currently working on a Consultants Brief, which will contain a terms of reference for the review, along with the other suites of documents required to procure consultants to bring the scheme through to completion.
"Currently these documents are not yet completed; however the crux of the review will consider the junction strategy for the scheme and the facilities for vulnerable road users.
"The review will commence immediately on appointment of a Consultant. If the outcome of the technical review warrants a change to the layout of the current scheme then this will require Planning Consent.
"The current estimate is that that the scheme would go to tender for construction in twelve to eighteen months depending on the statutory procedures and outcomes of same, however we will endeavour to reduce this time scale where possible
"A comprehensive public consultation process will be undertaken as part of the review to ensure that all interested parties have the opportunity to engage in an open and equitable process.
"The ring-fencing of monies for the scheme is a matter for TII. Louth Co. Council receives an annual budget for schemes from TII, the extent of which varies dependent on what phase the scheme is in. TII have indicated that they will provide funding for the N52 Ardee by-pass as project expenditure occurs."
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has condemned the Turkish military invasion in northern Syria saying that the attacks “will destabilise the region and hamper the fight against ISIS”.
Teachta McDonald said:
“Yesterday the Turkish military invaded northern Syria. Their aim is to occupy Kurdish areas and to attack the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
“The SDF liberated areas under ISIS control, rescued tens of thousands of captured Yazidis, and established democratic political structures that respected the rights of minorities. They are now under attack from NATO’s second largest army.
“We have already seen the human rights violations that the Turkish army have committed against Kurds in south-east Turkey and it is clear their brutal tactics will be replicated in northern Syria.
“Turkey’s attacks will destabilise the region and hamper the fight against ISIS and should be condemned.
“I call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to condemn this military operation and outline what Ireland’s response will be.”
Speaking this morning after the Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Sinn Féin TD John Brady and Senator Paul Gavan, along with representatives from OneGalway, SIPTU, and Unite the Union, expressed frustration at Minister Regina Doherty’s proposed do-nothing tips bill.
Teachta Brady said:
“This bill is a diversion. This bill would not give a right to tips for workers. This bill would not ensure that tips are not stolen by employers.
“This bill would not touch the issue of the service charge. What we heard this morning from the Restaurants’ Association and the Hotels Federation was disgraceful.
"In their view, the service charge belongs to the business. In their view, workers have no right to the service charge – they do not care if consumers think it goes to workers. They do not believe it should.
“The business representatives were very clear – the service charge is a contract between consumers and the business to cover business expenses.
“This means that service charges are used, and in their view should be used, to pay workers their base pay."
Seanadóir Gavan added:
“The service charge, under the Minister’s legislation, will continue to be used to pay basic wages.
“This is tips theft. Consumers believe service charges to go to workers for the extra work. This is not the case, and the RAI and IHF do not want it to go to them.
“This is a five-billion-euro sector, with some of the highest levels of low pay and precarious work.
“Yet, the RAI and IHF believe their members, and not workers, are entitled to the service charge.
“The Minister’s bill does not address the fundamental problems in the sector. It does not give workers a right to tips and it does not make sure that service charges are distributed to workers on top of their wages.
“This bill is nothing but window dressing to make it look like the Government is doing something when it is not. We can and must do better.
“I’m not even sure we should call this a bill. All we saw today were some scattered thoughts on a few pieces of paper.
“This has a serious implication for workers who will continue to be robbed of their just desserts.
“We welcome the obligation on businesses to display their tips and service charge distribution policy, but we know that some businesses lie about this already.
“There is no enforcement mechanism to ensure rogue businesses do not continue to mislead consumers and abuse their staff.
“This bill does absolutely nothing to help workers or consumers, and is a gift to bad bosses."
Speaking after the announcement that the Royal College of Nursing is to begin balloting its members on industrial action, Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan said:
“Sinn Féin supports the right of nurses and all healthcare staff to decide on whether to take industrial action.
“Health and social care workers are overstretched and undervalued.
“There are over 7,400 vacancies within the health service - 3,057 of those are nursing posts.
“The pay issue is directly linked to recruitment and retention of staff which is compounding pressures already facing health workers, impacting on front line health services.
“The Department of Health must work with the trade unions on the issue of pay and provide the necessary support ensure delivery high standards of health and social care continues.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Mark Ward has been selected as the Sinn Féin candidate to contest the by-election in Dublin Mid West. Cllr Ward was first co-opted onto South Dublin County Council in 2016 to replace Eoin Ó Broin TD.
In 2018, he was elected as Mayor of South Dublin. In the local elections in 2019 Cllr Ward topped the polls and was elected on the first count in the Palmerstown/Fonthill LEA.
Cllr Ward is a behavioural therapist and has worked for numerous of community-based organisations over the years.
Cllr Ward was formally nominated by Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid West Eoin Ó Broin. Party president Mary Lou McDonald was the key speaker at last night’s election convention in Clondalkin.
Speaking after last night’s selection convention, Cllr Ward said:
“I am honoured and humbled to be selected as the Sinn Féin candidate to contest the upcoming by elections in Dublin Mid West.
“I look forward to the challenges that will arise and I will do what I have done my whole life and take them on with honesty and resilience. Since I was co-opted onto the Council in 2016 I have worked tirelessly for the people I represent.
"The status quo in this country needs to change. We need a change from the flip flop Governments of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, propped up by right-wing Independents.
“The people of North Clondalkin, Palmerstown, Lucan area gave me a mandate at the last local elections. I was proud to be elected on the first count. This will give me the foundation needed to contest and fight the upcoming by-election.
“The people of Dublin Mid West have a chance to say enough is enough. We have had enough of poor quality transport. We have had enough of inadequate healthcare. We have had enough of rip off rents.
“Sinn Féin want to give the working people and families of Dublin Mid West a break.”
Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O'Neill has called on the EU to play an active role in promoting Irish unity as an alternative to the reckless Brexit agenda.
Speaking at the launch of 'The EU and Irish Unity' report in the European Parliament in Brussels this evening, Michelle O'Neill said:
"In Ireland we are at a crossroads. We are facing a time of immense political challenges, but also opportunities.
"A growing number of people on the island of Ireland believe that Irish unity is the democratic alternative to the unwanted Brexit being foisted upon citizens here, and Irish unity is now at the forefront of Irish politics.
"The real prospect of a referendum on Irish unity in the near future must also feature strongly in the ongoing Brexit negotiations between the EU and British Government.
"The EU have a key role to play in assisting the transition to Irish unity. The EU should ensure that negotiations on the future relatiaonship post-Brexit give consideration to the right to self-determination as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement.
"It should also put in place structures to consider the impact of Irish unity and to ensure that the voices of people across the island are heard and, crucially, consider what additional supports and arrangements need to be put in place in order to facilitate Irish unity.
"The EU must also bring political and diplomatic pressure to bear on the British Government to ensure they fulfil their obligations under the Good Friday Agreement, allow for self-determination and consent to the holding of a referendum on Irish unity.
"The people of the island of Ireland should have a choice between Brexit and Irish unity.
"I would appeal to the EU not to be bystanders in this conversation, but to be advocates for democracy, choice and the right to self-determination."
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has described Ulster Bank’s sale of €800 million worth of properties to Pepper Finance as "unacceptable."
The Donegal TD said Ulster Bank has been encouraged by the Government to take the easy option rather than find long-term solutions in the interests of families.
Teachta Doherty has called for his 'No Consent, No Sale' Bill to be progressed immediately, which would ensure banks could not sell mortgage loans without the consent of the borrower.
Deputy Doherty said:
“While all eyes were focussed on the Budget, Ulster Bank confirmed they would be selling out 2,800 family homes to vulture funds.
"This is the latest round in the great Irish sell-off, with international funds buying up Irish properties at knock-down prices. Thousands of families are facing a future of uncertainty and insecurity.
“Mortgage holders are not safe under the current rules. My ‘No Consent, No Sale’ Bill must be progressed to protect consumers and families in the face of further sell-offs and a future of uncertainty.
"This legislation would ensure that banks cannot sell on loans without the consent of the borrower.
“Despite enjoying majority support in the Dáil, the Government and Fianna Fáil have attempted to obstruct the passage of this Bill, enabling banks to continue large-scale sell-offs of properties. Those who suffer are families.
“I would urge parties to support Sinn Féin’s bill, protect families and end the sell-off."
Sinn Féin MLA Phillip McGuigan has said the issue of ownership over Wrightbus must be resolved in order for a buyer to be found.
The North Antrim MLA said:
“The people of north Antrim were dealt a devastating blow last month when it was announced that Wrightbus had gone into administration.
“There is now a potential buyer for the business which could save hundreds of jobs but once again the ownership of the Wrightbus site has become an issue in the negotiations.
“Sinn Féin would appeal that the issue around the ownership of the site be resolved to enable the buyout to happen and to safeguard the livelihoods of as many workers as possible.
Speaking today from the European Parliament in Brussels after meeting with EU officials, Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O’Neill MLA said:
“This week I have met with our business and industry leaders across key sectors of the local economy.
“As we face the prospect of a no deal crash out from the EU in just over 20 days, the message from our people and businesses is united and clear.
“British government proposals published last week are worse than a no deal crash out and drive a coach and horses through the Good Friday Agreement.
“As we approach the eleventh hour of the Brexit negotiations, we need a deal for the North which includes the backstop if we are to protect jobs, livelihoods and maintain seamless trade across the island of Ireland.
“I am here to meet with EU officials and representatives across member states to reiterate that any return to customs checks and borders of the past on our island would be a serious retrograde step.
“The North cannot withstand exclusion from the single market and customs union.
“I have made our position clear that any notion of a Stormont veto, lock or block on when or how a backstop and legal guarantee would be applied is unrealistic and a non-runner.
“Sinn Féin will continue to work with the other pro-remain parties, the Irish government and the EU to defend business and to protect people’s jobs and livelihoods at every turn.”
"Work must pay, housing must be available and affordable, healthcare is a right, education must be truly free.”
These are the four key pillars of a “New Deal for workers and families” under which the government should have framed their budget, according to Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald.
Speaking in the Dáil she said:
“Sinn Féin’s alternative budget showed how the government could deliver a new deal for workers and families.
“We showed how this government could introduce measures that will have an immediate and positive impact on people’s lives. We showed how this government could reduce costs and raise incomes.
“We showed how to give workers and families a break.
“This budget was a missed opportunity. It was another do-nothing budget, from a do-nothing government, supported whole heartedly by their do-nothing partners in Fianna Fáil.
“We need a New Deal for workers and families. Sinn Féin’s New Deal would be based on four key pillars: work must pay; housing must be available and affordable, healthcare is a right; education must be truly free.
“This New Deal represents the way forward, would make the recovery real for workers and families and would be a welcome departure from the failed boom and bust politics of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.”
ENDS//
Note to editors: Full text of Deputy McDonald's speech is below.
Mary Lou McDonald TD
Address on Budget 2020
Wednesday, October 09, 2019.
FINAL
Introduction
Taoiseach,
Budget 2020 has come at a time when change is happening all around us.
The withdrawal of Britain from with European Union presents many challenges for Ireland – social, political and economic.
Budget 2020 also comes at a time when workers and families are looking for a break.
A break from wages that don’t go far enough.
A break from high bills.
A break from rip off costs.
People are looking for solutions.
They are looking for something new from government.
Of course, stability is important.
But government must also show the vision and the endeavour to move forward.
To redefine what government delivers for people.
To remould how government delivers for people.
Change is difficult.
Change that is outside of our control, initiated by the decisions and actions of others, even more daunting still.
But change can also be a canvas on which to create something new.
We know that where there are threats, there is also opportunity.
Yes, this is a time for caution.
We must take Brexit seriously.
Sinn Féin proposed a Brexit stabilisation fund of €2 Billion to meet the challenge.
This is the level of funding needed to properly respond to Brexit.
The figures announced yesterday simply won’t cut it.
It falls far short of meeting the scale of the challenge.
Caution and fear are two very different things, Taoiseach.
This is not a time for fear.
This is a time for innovation, for fresh thinking, for big ideas.
It is a time for solutions.
Government priorities must be set to match the hopes and aspirations of the Irish people.
Not by the smallness of those who seek to damage our island for narrow political gain.
Sadly, your government has missed the moment.
You have failed to see the opportunity.
You have failed to seize upon the canvas that change presents.
Minister Donohoe has instead used Brexit to dig in.
He has used Brexit as an excuse to deliver more of the same.
Minister Donohoe says it is a budget for stability as Brexit looms.
The truth is that this is a budget that protects banks, insurance companies and landlords.
A budget that is built on policies that back vulture funds over households.
A budget that puts workers and families on the frontline to take the heavy blows should a crash Brexit transpire.
A lack of vision.
A lack of ambition
A lack of belief.
That is what guides this Minister’s preparations for Brexit.
That is what guided the formulation of this Budget.
Instead of writing modern music, for modern times what we get is Fine Gael singing the same old and played-out song.
Yet again, Fianna Fáil stands ready as the backing vocalists.
In the first verse you tell workers and families- “you must take the hits”.
In the second verse, you tell the powerful and ultra-rich – “we are on your side”.
Now where have we heard that before?
It is not so long ago that the same song was played for the enjoyment of bankers and bondholders.
That’s Fine Gael.
Right on cue.
How utterly predictable.
How utterly uninspired.
This budget comes at a time when recent reports have shown that this state has the fifth largest number of “ultra-wealthy” individuals per capita in the world.
This also a place where 137,000 workers live on the minimum wage.
A place where average incomes simply do not keep up with the cost of living.
A failed approach to budgets
The government approaches the Budget as a blunt accounting exercise.
The same way as a corporation might present its books.
This is flawed thinking.
Government budgets should go far beyond that rigid perspective.
Budgets are about choices and priorities.
Budgets are about the lives of workers and families.
Budgets are about people and communities.
It’s the responsibility of government, of the Minister for Finance to look beyond the blunt figures to the human beings on the other side.
Taoiseach,
The failure of your budget to prioritize the well-being of the people is a big mistake.
Be absolutely certain that it is the well-being of workers and families that will be the strongest bulwark against the impact of Brexit.
Unfortunately, your government doesn’t understand this.
You have again resorted to measures which first defend the interests of those at the top.
Mistakes and missteps
The mistakes and missteps made by government in this budget mirror the bad policy decisions taken by Fine Gael since coming to power in 2011.
How do we know they are bad decisions?
Because they are not working.
Your policies, your budgets simply aren’t working, Taoiseach .
You are not delivering solutions.
You only have to look at the facts.
Last week, in University Hospital Limerick, we saw the highest number of people on trolleys in one day for any Irish hospital.
The highest on record. Ever.
You haven’t fixed the chronic overcrowding in our hospitals.
You have made it worse.
In our alternative Budget, Sinn Féin offered a suite of solutions as the first steps to a single tier, universal public health service over ten years.
Your budget ignored it.
Family homelessness on the watch of Fine Gael has increased dramatically.
When you came to power in 2011, there were eight families becoming homeless every month.
Today, after nearly nine years of Fine Gael in government, there are ninety families becoming homeless every month.
You haven’t solved the housing and homelessness crisis.
You have made it worse.
In our alternative budget, we proposed solutions to bring down the extortionate housing costs and launch a major programme of public housing construction to meet affordable and social housing need.
These measures would have done something real for those trying to get on the property ladder – young couples looking to realise the dream of their own home.
We also proposed an immediate rent freeze a much better measure than your failed rent pressure zones.
You ignored these solutions.
It is an indictment of both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil that the majority of people have far less money in their pockets now than they did when you came to power over three years ago.
You haven’t improved the affordability of life for workers and families.
You have made it worse.
In our alternative Budget, Sinn Féin proposed the introduction of a living wage of €12.30
Again, you ignored this.
Worse still you threw the 137,000 minimum wage workers on the bus.
Not one red cent for them.
Your government simply refuses to listen.
You slap down suggestions that you know will make a difference in the daily lives of so many.
You know but you don’t care.
That is poor leadership.
That is bad government.
It is a very short sighted perspective.
It is clear that housing insecurity, health insecurity and income insecurity are now the main result of your government’s policies.
It is also clear that you are comfortable with that reality.
An ambitious social agenda
Government needs better objectives, better priorities and better solutions.
Government needs the political will to deliver serious achievements.
Achievements that will have real meaning in the lives of workers and families.
Let me make a few suggestions, Taoiseach.
How about a truly free education from the first day of baby infants to the last day of college?
How about a national health service where medical treatment is free at the point of delivery?
How about a housing system that places affordability and accessibility at the very centre?
I refuse to accept that these things cannot be done in the Ireland of 2019.
After all, we are not asking you to land on the moon, Taoiseach.
We are not asking you to contend with the great mysteries of the universe.
Even in the context of Brexit, an ambitious social agenda is possible.
In fact, Brexit makes an ambitious social agenda absolutely essential.
This is well within the gift of politicians who want to create a better society.
And it is dismissed by those who do not.
Making sure everybody has a home.
Making sure everybody can see a doctor when they are sick.
Making sure everybody gets a decent education.
That is the responsibility of government.
It is your responsibility, Taoiseach.
How dare anybody try to present these goals as the aspirations of hypocrites or cynics.
These are the goals of decency, of fairness, of common sense.
These goals should be the very basis of any political agenda that is worthwhile.
These goals should be the priorities of any respectable state.
I am proud to hold such principles, Taoiseach.
I make no apology for coming into this chamber to say to you and Minister Donohoe that I am a believer.
I believe in the politics of equality and social justice.
I believe in representing and in standing up for ordinary people.
That is what I do.
That is what Pearse Doherty did yesterday in his response to your Budget
That is what every Sinn Féin TD on these benches does every single day.
We do this because we sincerely believe that every child should be supported in going as far as possible in life.
That every worker should have a decent wages and decent conditions.
That every family should have the right to a happy life.
The only way to ensure that this happens is to deliver economic justice.
That is what annual government budgets should do.
Budgets should be stepping stones in delivering a just society and a fair Ireland.
Unfortunately, your budgets do the opposite.
Your budgets hold back families, hold back workers and hold back communities.
It takes the village to raise the child.
Families and communities are that village, Taoiseach.
I know of a woman who sums up the responsibility of government quite succinctly.
She says “all children need and deserve three things - a good home, a good doctor and a good school.”
For that simple, yet profound vision to be realised, work must pay.
So we must raise incomes.
Work people are ask themselves what has happened to the principle of a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.
Even full-time employment cannot guarantee families a life free of poverty.
Successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil governments must bear responsibility for this.
Your parties have followed a political agenda which is sustained on attacks on workers’ pay and conditions.
This has resulted in a frightening growth in precarious work and poverty wages.
It is nothing radical for us to demand that jobs are high in quality, sustainable and that wages deliver a living.
You pour scorn on the ideas of economic justice and progressive taxation, not because you think these idea won’t work.
You pour scorn because you see equality as a threat to your power and as a threat to privilege.
You say that it is impossible for government to deliver world class public services and while also raising incomes.
I say that you are wrong.
You are wrong because you are wedded to a way of thinking that delivers only for those who are already making it.
You see no other way forward but the already discredited idea of trickle-down economics.
If ever there was a form of fantasy economics, surely it is that myth.
Look at what policies shaped by trickle-down economics have delivered here in this state.
An entire generation of young people who are worse off than their parents.
In times gone by couples would make sacrifices to save for a mortgage.
Today, the same sacrifices are made to pay an extortionate rent for substandard accommodation.
While the cost of utility bills and insurance go up and up.
The cost of making ends meet has become unbearable
The fact is that people are being ripped off left, right and centre.
For many families, saving for the future has been made impossible.
Relationships are breaking down under the strain.
The mental health of workers and families is suffering.
Stress.
Anxiety.
Depression
A paralysing uncertainty about the future.
While I am addressing the issue, I have to ask – how does this government still not recognise that we have a mental health crisis?
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are on their knees.
Communities and families are crying out for help.
Over the course of 2017 and 2018, 747 people in this state tragically took their own lives.
People are dying and this government has allocated a paltry €14 million in new money for mental health in 2020.
This is shameful especially when we know that early intervention can save lives.
None of the pressures experienced today by workers and families have occurred by accident.
So much of it is the result of bad government policy and too many lives are being ruined are result.
This needs to be put right.
This needs be fixed.
