January 2004 Archives (Latest News)

Sinn Féin backs teachers industrial action

Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson, Newry Armagh Assembly member Davy Hyland has backed the industrial action taken by teachers unions in the Six Counties. Read more

Maskey seeks meeting over Racist Attacks

South Belfast Sinn Fein Assembly member Alex Maskey has said that he is seeking urgent meetings with the British security minister Jane Kennedy to discuss the ongoing campaign against ethnic minorities in the area. Read more

Crowe - Arrogant Brennan responsible if bus & rail workers go on strike

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport Seán Crowe TD has said the Transport Minister Seamus Brennan will be "wholly responsible for the loss of service" if CIE workers go ahead with a threatened strike this week. Read more

Ó Caoláin - Prodi remarks on two-speed Europe confirm Sinn Féin analysis of Nice Treaty

Sinn Féin leader in the Dáil, Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin, has said the recent comments by the Commissioner Romano Prodi and by the German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder about a two-speed Europe reinforce Sinn Féin's argument during the Nice Treaty referendum that the Union was heading in that direction and that smaller… Read more

Sinn Féin MPs to submit acute service proposals to Health Minister Angela Smith

Sinn Féin MPs are to meet with Direct Rule Health Minister Angela Smith in the next few weeks to discuss the party's proposals in relation to how it believes the deficit in acute service hospital provision in Tyrone and South Derry can be best addressed. Read more

Tyrone Inquests - PSNI refusal to disclose vital information is part of a culture of concealment in British System

Speaking today from the inquests in Dungannon into the killings of ten people including Rosanne Mallon, Fermanagh & South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew said 'that the continuing refusal of the PSNI to disclose vital information to inquest hearings is symptomatic of a culture of concealment which infects the entire British… Read more

Review Must Be Focused On Governments Failures

Following internal party discussions this morning regarding the forthcoming Review of the Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Féin Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin said 'that the focus of the review has to be on the failure by the two governments to fully implement the Agreement'. Read more

UDA threat to Sinn Féin Councillor

North Antrim Sinn Féin Assembly member Philip McGuigan has hit out at the UDA after they issued a public threat to his party colleague Cllr. Oliver McMullan through a Ballymoney newspaper. Read more

Murphy - International Monitoring Body - Smokescreen For Exclusion

Speaking this afternoon in advance of the launch of the International Monitoring Commission tomorrow, Sinn Féin Assembly Group leader Conor Murphy said that 'the IMC is outside the terms of the Agreement and its powers contradict democratic norms'. Read more

Ó Caoláin - Increased revenues should be used for social housing

Sinn Féin Dáil leader and Finance spokesperson Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin has called on the government to use increased revenues to provide more social housing in 2004 and to reverse cutbacks in the Rent Allowance scheme. Read more

Hugh Orde has to give answers regarding Gareth O'Connor

Commenting on allegations made today in the Belfast High Court concerning the role of missing Armagh man Gareth O'Connor in the arrests of four men in Tyrone, Sinn Féin representative for Newry & Armagh Conor Murphy demanded that the British State disclose the full facts and do not hide behind… Read more

Sinn Féin demands end of Barnett Formula

Sinn Féin Anti-Poverty Spokesperson, North Belfast MLA Kathy Stanton has welcomed comments from the architect of the Barnett Formula, that is used to work out the block grant allocated to the Six Counties, that the formula is out of date. Read more

Maskey - Sinn Féin re-iterates opposition to IMC

South Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly member Alex Maskey has again repeated his party's opposition to the International Monitoring Commission which is established today. Mr Maskey said that the IMC 'ran totally contrary to the terms of the Good Friday Agreement' Read more

Doherty welcomes decision by Gortahork National School parents

Donegal Sinn Féin Chairperson and EU candidate, Pearse Doherty, has welcomed the decision taken by the Parents Committee of Gortahork National School, that children will return to class on Monday if certain immediate health and safety concerns are met. Read more

Morgan - Creation of additional three seat constituencies will make Dáil even less representative

Sinn Féin's Arthur Morgan TD was this evening highly critical of the decision to create additional three seat constituencies in Dublin, Meath, Roscommon, Sligo and Leitrim. He said the loss of five seat constituencies will favour the establishment parties and prevent the emergence of new voices in Irish politics, making… Read more

SF member of Dáil Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources questions decision to downgrade Clonakilty Post Office at committee meeting

Sinn Féin T.D. Arthur Morgan today questioned the decision by an Post to downgrade Clonakilty Post Office from a branch office to a sub office. Read more

Sinn Féin Meet With Electoral Commission

Sinn Féin Assembly member Davy Hyland along with the party Director of Elections Danny Power and Omagh Councillor Sean Begley today attended the Electoral Commission Open Day in Malone House to discuss the conduct of the recent Assembly elections. Read more

Crime against senior citizens demands imaginative solutions

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Senior Citizens, Foyle MLA Mary Nelis has called for imaginative solutions to the problems of crime against the elderly. Read more

EU not against official status being given to Irish - de Brún

Bairbre de Brún MLA, former Health Minister in the Six Counties, is supporting the campaign in favour of official working status for the Irish language in the EU. She will be showing support for the campaign at the Forum on Europe in Dublin Castle today. Read more

Asbos not the complete answer to problem of anti-social behaviour

Sinn Féin spokesperson on community safety, West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff commenting on the newly published proposals on tackling anti-social behaviour has said that the reliance on Asbos is not the complete answer and said that fundamentally a new beginning to policing and a resources for community initiatives such as… Read more

Dempsey refusal to meet parents of Gortahork national school a disgrace.

Donegal Sinn Féin Chairperson and E.U candidate Pearse Doherty, has this morning informed the parents committee of Gortahork national school that the Minister for education is unwilling to meet a delegation from the parents committee personally. Read more

Top-up fees are a graduate tax that will introduce the marketplace into our universities

Sinn Féin Higher and Further Education Spokesperson, West Belfast MLA Michael Ferguson has said that the plans of the British Labour government to introduce top-up fees will introduce the marketplace into universities and discourage people from disadvantaged backgrounds from taking up university opportunities. Read more

Sinn Féin rejects EU Security Doctrine

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on International Affairs Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has rejected the recently adopted EU Security Strategy outlined by EU High Representative Javier Solana at the Forum on Europe in Dublin Castle this morning. Read more

Racist Campaign Must Stop

South Belfast Sinn Féin Representative Alex Maskey has said that he fears someone will be killed if the ongoing campaign against ethnic minority communities in unionist areas of South Belfast does not end. Read more

Nior theaspáin an Choimisúin nó na ballstáit eile den AE go bhfuil siad in aghaidh stádas oifigiúil a bhronnadh ar an nGaeilge, deireann de Brún.

Tá Bairbre de Brún, iar-Aire Slainte sna sé chondae, ag tacú leis an bhfeachtas ar mhaithe le stádas oifigiúil oibre a bhaint amach don Ghaeilge san Aontas Eorpach. Beidh sí ag léiriú tacaíocht s'aici don fheachtas ag an Fhóram um an Eoraip i gCaisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath amárach (Déardaoin). Read more

Garda Ombudsman with real powers needed immediately

Responding to last night's Primetime programme on Garda brutality and lack of accountability Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said it vindicated his party's call for a Garda Ombudsman and for fundamental reform of the Garda Siochána and said that "while the revelations… Read more

Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle to meet in Dublin on Saturday

The Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle will hold its first meeting of the new year in Dublin tomorrow, Saturday 10th January. The main items on the agenda are the upcoming Review and the Local and European elections. Read more

Policing for the People -Building Safe Communities - Rebuilding public confidence

Sinn Féin submission on Garda reform submitted to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Read more

McGuinness - DUP will not be allowed to wreck the Agreement

Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness speaking in Dublin after the party's first Ard Chomhairle meeting of the new year said "it is vital that the Agreement is supported and not undermined, in the course of the upcoming review." Read more

Ó Caoláin - Fine Gael leaders comments - sign of growing desperation

Sinn Féin Dáil Group leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has said that Enda Kenny,s comments this afternoon ruling out coalition with Sinn Féin points to the failure of Fine Gael to provide any real alternative to the conservative policies of the Fianna Fáil/PD government. Read more

Milltown Republican Plot Desecrated

West Belfast Sinn Féin Councillor Michael Browne has spoken of his outrage after the newly refurbished Republican plot in Milltown was desecrated last night. Read more

Sinn Féin commends Amnesty EU Presidency Campaign

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on International Affairs Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has commended Amnesty International for their "Human Rights Begins at Home" campaign launched earlier today, and welcomed its practical recommendations to use Ireland's EU Presidency in the promotion of human rights. Read more

Murphy - UUP 'shadow committees' dismissed as shallow

Sinn Féin Assembly team leader, Newry Armagh MLA Conor Murphy has dismissed suggestion from UUP MLA David McNarry for the establishment of shadow committees and said that this proposal would provide no real accountability and indeed would provide cover for NIO ministers. Read more

de Brún meets Ulster Farmers Union President John Gilliland on CAP reform

Sinn Féin's spokesperson on European Affairs Bairbre de Brún MLA today led a party delegation to meet Ulster Farmers Union president John Gilliland. Read more

Consultants and Government share blame for insurance debacle

Sinn Féin health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has described as a "debacle" the threatened stand-off between hospital consultants and the Department of Health and Children over failure to reach agreement on a new insurance scheme for consultants. Read more

Kelly - British Must Abide By Cory Findings

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice issues Gerry Kelly MLA said: "I would welcome the fact that Judge Cory has recommended to the British government that inquires in these cases take place. "The British government must now act upon the public commitments which they made to abide by its findings." Read more

Ógra Shinn Féin push for All-Ireland elections

Ógra Shinn Féin is to launch a nationwide campaign calling for voting rights to be extended to citizens in the Six Counties for the Irish presidential election. The campaign will be formally launched by Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly, at Ógra Shinn Féin's National Congress in Dublin on 17th January. Read more

Adams Urges Official Status For Irish Language

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP has written to the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern urging him to seek and secure official status for the Irish language during the Irish Presidency of the European Union. Read more

Budget increases welcome but fail to address core funding problem

Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson, former chairperson of the Assembly Finance and Personnel Committee Mid-Ulster MLA Francie Molloy has welcomed the increases announced in today's Budget but added that the core issue of overall expenditure has not been addressed. Read more

Gerry Adams meets British on Cory Report

Speaking after a meeting this morning with the British Secretary of State Paul Murphy were he raised the ongoing failure to publish the Cory report, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said that he was 'entirely dissatisfied with the excuses given, and the continuing failure of the British Government to honour… Read more

Hyland Urges full implementation of All Ireland Centre for Autism

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education and Newry/Armagh MLA Davy Hyland has urged that the proposed centre of excellence for the treatment of children with Autism be implemented as soon as possible. Read more

McGuinness to address World Economic Forum on Irish Peace Process

Sinn Fein Chief Negotiator and MP for Mid-Ulster, Martin McGuinness will travel to Davos, Switzerland next week to attend the World Economic Forum to address a dedicated session on the Irish Peace Process. Read more

Gerry Adams to deliver major speech on peace process

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams will deliver a major speech on the state on the peace process tomorrow afternoon at 2pm in St. Malachy's Grammar School, Antrim Road, Belfast. Read more

Spellar Renewal Strategy flawed

Sinn Féin spokesperson on poverty issues Kathy Stanton said: "Neighbourhood Renewal which was introduced by the Labour government in Britain, has not made any significant impact on alleviating the many varied social and economic conditions facing disadvantaged communities." Read more

de Brún - Peace III funding can help tackle workplace sectarianism

Sinn Féin spokesperson on European Affairs Bairbre de Brún has today called for any future EU peace and reconciliation monies to include measures for tackling sectarianism in the workplace. Read more

Kelly criticises Paul Murphy over Cory remarks

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice issues Gerry Kelly MLA has hit out at comments made today in the British House of Commons by Paul Murphy as he attempted to defend the British government over their ongoing failure to either publish or act upon the Cory Report. Read more

Ó Snodaigh - Independent Civilian Policing Board also needed

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has insisted that reported changes to the Government's draft Garda Síochána Bill do not go far enough, and that a commitment to establish a fully independent civilian Policing Board is also needed. Read more

Two Governments

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA in a major speech today in St. Malachy's College in North Belfast has warned that there "there is undoubtedly a dangerous and deeply worrying sense of drift in the political situation since the Assembly elections in November." Read more

Housing Executive rent rise attacked

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing matters Fra McCann MLA has said that the 3% hike in Housing Executive rents will hit those people on low salaries most. Read more

Retention Of Repressive Powers Attacked

Commenting on the announcement by the British Direct Rule Minister Jane Kennedy that repressive legislation is to be renewed in the six counties for yet another year, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice issues Gerry Kelly MLA said that decision was 'further evidence that the securocrats are continuing to drive British… Read more

Minister's plan for health boards "undermines democracy" - Ó Caoláin

Sinn Féin's Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has said that Health Minister Mícheál Martin's plans for the health boards will undermine democracy. Read more

Mitchel McLaughlin Tours Munster

Sinn Féin National Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin is on a two day tour of Munster where he will speak at engagements in both Cork and Waterford. Read more

Doherty welcomes Invest NI North West Initiative

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty has described the announcement by Invest NI of an action plan to develop the economy of the North West as a "much needed intervention". Read more

Doherty endorses Presidential voting campaign

Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty MP has endorsed the campaign being launched on Saturday by Ógra Shinn Féin demanding voting rights in the Irish Presidential election for Irish citizens living in the Six Counties. Read more

Blair Remarks Challenged by McLaughlin

Sinn Fein National party Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin speaking in Waterford today where he was joined by Munster EU candidate David Cullinane this morning said: Read more

Paul Murphy challenged to clarify justification for delay in publication of Cory Report

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Equality and Human Rights, North Down MLA Caítríiona Ruane has called on the British Secretary of State Paul Murphy to "immediately clarify which human rights considerations are being used by the British government to prevent the publication of Judge Cory's reports." Read more

Ógra Shinn Féin call for all Ireland voting rights and launch Presidential for all campaign in Dublin

Ógra Shinn Féin's National Congress will take place tomorrow, Saturday 17th, in the Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. Read more

Minister's prison plans should be scrapped

Speaking in advance of the planned closure of the Curragh Place of Detention on Monday as part of the Minister for Justice's prison restructuring plans, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD called for the scrapping of the Minister's plans as they "do not… Read more

Sinn Féin challenges IMC Role

Speaking today before meeting the International Monitoring Commission Sinn Féin MLA Bairbre de Brún said that the delegation would be making it 'very clear to the Commission that the remit they operate under is outside the terms of the Good Friday Agreement' Read more

Molloy - Pearson wrong to reject criticism of Block grant formula

Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson, Mid Ulster MLA Francie Molloy has said that Ian Pearson is wrong to reject criticism of the Barnett formula that is used to calculate our Budget allocation from the British Treasury and question whether his judgement is based on what the British Treasury want or what… Read more

Kelly - It's time for action on Presidential voting rights

Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast Gerry Kelly today attended the launch of Ógra Shinn Féin's campaign to secure voting rights for Irish citizens in the Six Counties in this year's Presidential election campaign. Mr. Kelly said "the Irish government had stalled long enough. It is long past time that… Read more

Ógra Shinn Féin launch all Ireland election campaign

Ógra Shinn Féin today launched their campaign to see voting rights in this year,s Presidential election extended to Irish citizens in the Six Counties. They are also asking people to support their campaign by signing their online petition at www.apresidentforall.com. Read more

McGuinness re-iterates support for family of Sean Browne

Sinn Féin MP for Mid-Ulster Martin McGuinness has repeated his party's support for the family of murdered Bellaghy GAA member Sean Browne. Mr. McGuinness's comments come on the eve of what is expected to be a damning report from the Police Ombudsman into the RUC investigation into the killing. Read more

Doherty challenges Blair on Acts of Completion

Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty MP has launched a stinging attack on the record of the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and he challenged him over his record of acts of completion. Read more

Ó Fuaráin calls on An Post to give equal status to Irish language

Ag an gcruinniú míosúil den Chomhairle Bhaile Thrá Lí, bhi rún ag Cllr. Risteárd Ó Fuaráin ag iarraidh ar An Post aitheantas ceart a thabhairt don Ghaeilge. At the monthly meeting of Tralee Town Council, Cllr. Risteárd O Fuarain tabled a motion calling an An Post to afford equal status… Read more

Adams to meet senior Government officials and Jimmy Carter on US trip

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams MP MLA flies to Washington tomorrow to meet senior US Government officials. The visit comes at a crucial point in the peace process and shortly before the review of the Good Friday Agreement is scheduled to start. Read more

Reilly - An Post Refuses to Stick to Pay Agreements

Sinn Fein Cllr Joe Reilly has said that the decision of An Post not to pay the 3% National Wage Agreement and to renege on other pay agreements is wrong, unfair and unjust to the local postal workers. Read more

McGuinness - Ombudsman Report is a damning indictment

Commenting on the Police Ombudsman Investigation into the murder of Sean Brown Sinn Féin Mid-Ulster MP Martin McGuinness said that the report was 'a damning indictment of collusion and cover-up'. He went on to question the current role of former RUC Chief Ronnie Flanagan as a Policing Inspector given the… Read more

Stanton - UDA Behind Bomb Alerts

North Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly member Kathy Stanton has hit out after two suspicious devices were left outside Catholic schools in the area over night. Read more

Review agenda must ensure implementation of Good Friday Agreement

Sinn Féin Assembly Group leader, Newry Armagh MLA Conor Murphy will head Sinn Féin's Review team in the upcoming discussions. Commenting on the meeting today in London between the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern Mr Murphy said that the review agenda must ensure the implementation… Read more

Kerry County Council passes Sinn Féin motion calling for Six-County presidential voting rights

Sinn Féin County Councillor Toiréasa Ní Fhearaíosa has welcomed the support on Kerry County Council for her motion calling for Presidential voting rights for Six Counties residents. Read more

Crowe calls on Irish government to call for release of three Irishmen detained in Colombia

Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe speaking at a press conference in Dublin this morning said "there is an even greater responsibility on the Irish government, now that they hold the Presidency of the EU, to ensure that the human rights of three Irishmen and EU citizens, currently being held in… Read more

Sinn Féin urge Government to seek Irish language recognition before May Day accessions

Sinn Féin's five TDs have today tabled a motion asking that Irish be included as one of the official working languages of the European Union to coincide with the accession of the new states and their corresponding official languages on May Day this year. Tá rún curtha síos sa Dáil… Read more

McGuinness endorses Collusion Campaign

At a press conference chaired by Martin McGuinness today details were revealed of a mass picket by Firinne - the campaign group made up of families of victims of collusion - at MI5 headquarters in London. Read more

Ó Caoláin - Political establishment more concerned with creating United States of Europe than United Ireland

Speaking during the Dáil statements on the Irish EU Presidency, Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said that many in the political establishment are "more concerned with creating a United States of Europe than about achieving a United Ireland". Read more

Sinn Féin to raise Brown Case with British Government

Mid-Ulster Sinn Féin Assembly member Geraldine Dougan will tomorrow meet with the British Secretary of State Paul Murphy as part of the party delegation discussing the forthcoming Review. Read more

Kelly welcomes High Court decision to allow Finucane to proceed with case against British government

Sinn Féin Assembly member for North Belfast and party spokesperson on Justice issues Gerry Kelly has welcomed the decision of the High Court in Belfast to allow the Finucane family to proceed with their case to force the British government to publish the Cory Report. Read more

Crowe - School roof collapse highlights scandal of education failure by Government

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Education and Science Seán Crowe TD is to raise the continuing scandal of the Government's failure to provide resources to repair St Killians Junior National School in Leinster House next week. Read more

Government failure to advance disabled rights during Disabilities year a disgrace

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has said the party will boycott the Taoiseach's 'self-congratulatory' reception for the European Year of People with Disabilities (EYPD), accusing the Government of 'disgraceful hypocrisy' for their 'abject failure to advance in any way' the rights of… Read more

Sinn Féin delegation to meet Paul Murphy at Hillsborough

A Sinn Féin delegation led by Mitchel McLaughlin and including Assembly memebrs Bairbre de Brún, Geraldine Dougan and Philip McGuigan will meet with the British Secretary of State Paul Murphy at Hillsborough at 3pm. Read more

Sinn Féin Motion Calls for official status for the Irish language within the European Union

Sinn Féin Councillors Breandán Lewis and Brendan Curran have forwarded a motion to Newry & Mourne District Council asking the Taoiseach to call for official status for the Irish language within the European Union. Read more

Ó Caoláin - Delay in Statements points to inability of Government to deal efficiently with vital issues of healthcare

Speaking during Statements on Radiation Oncology Services, Sinn Féin leader in the Dáil and spokesperson on Health, Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin TD criticised the delay it took for statements to be heard on Radiation Servcies since the Ministers report was published on October 9 last year. Read more

Third Interim Report of Planning Tribunal confirms litany of corruption - Morgan

Speaking following the publication of the Third Interim Report of the Tribunal into Certain Planning Matters and Payments, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Environment and Local Government Arthur Morgan T.D. stated that the report was a further indictment of the corrupt and criminal actions of officials and developers involved in the… Read more

Adams To Conduct Washington Meetings

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams MP MLA will today leave New York and travel to Washington where he will meet with Senior Officials in the Administration, and members of both the Senate and the Congress. Read more

Is the Shredding of the Register by the Electoral office professional incompetence or something worse?

Sinn Féin South Down MLA Caitríona Ruane MLA has quested if the shredding of the register by the Electoral Office is professional incompetence or something worse? Read more

Crowe - Aer Rianta workers flexibility contrasts strongly with Government's ideological vandalism

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Transport Seán Crowe, speaking following the decision by SIPTU workers to call off industrial action planned for tomorrow morning has pointed out that the flexibility and willingness to negotiate shown by workers is in stark contrast to the intransigence shown by the Government. Read more

Decentralisation plans ham-fisted delcares Ó Caoláin

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin today slammed Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy's recent introduction of decentralisation plans as being 'ham-fisted' when he addressed the debate on the Public Service Management Bill. Read more

McDonald accepts challenge from Michael Smyth to publicly debate neutrality

Sinn Féin Dublin EU candidate Mary Lou McDonald has said that she is ready and willing to take up Defence Minister Michael Smyth's challenge to publicly debate the issue of neutrality. Read more

McCann - Housing Statistics paint beak picture for people in need

Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson, West Belfast MLA Fra McCann commenting on the latest Housing Bulletin has said that the statistics point up the urgent need to re-evaluate the social hosing policy especially with nearly 4,500 household presenting as homeless in a three month period. Read more

Sinn Féin delegation meet with Womens Aid

North Belfast MLA Kathy Stanton, speaking after a party delegation including former Health Minster Bairbre de Brún and Cllr Sue Ramsey met with representatives from Women's Aid, has welcomed their new building as a vital project that will benefit women and support them building a new life. Read more

Ó Snodaigh - Minister needs human rights guidance on Joint Investigations Bill

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called on the Minister for Justice to activate the Section 8 (b) provision of the Human Rights Commission Act to obtain an opinion from the Commission on the Joint Investigation Teams Bill that reached second stage… Read more

Kelly - Justice issues need to be addressed

Following a meeting with the Justice Oversight Commissioner, Lord Clyde, Sinn Féin MLA and spokesperson on Policing and Justice, Gerry Kelly, has stated that a issues regarding the implementation of justice reforms still need addressed. Read more

British Acceptance of UDA Violence

Lagan Valley Sinn Féin Representative Paul Butler has accused the British government of tolerating an 'acceptable level of UDA violence'. Mr Butler's remarks come after yesterday's meeting between the British Minister Jane Kennedy and representatives of the UPRG. Read more

EU Presidency Must Leave Legacy of Social Justice - de Brún

Speaking during a presentation on the Irish EU presidency by Director General of the Institute of European Affairs Alan Dukes, Sinn Féin spokesperson on European Affairs Bairbre de Brún called for the 'Irish government to leave a legacy of social justice after its term of office in the EU presidency'. Read more

Truth Will Out Over British Collusion Policy

Sinn Féin Assembly member for West Tyrone Barry McElduff will address the annual Bloody Sunday March in London on Sunday. Speaking today before departing Mr McElduff said that 'those within the British establishment who covered up the murders on Bloody Sunday are the very same people who developed the British… Read more

Threats to IT jobs highlight wider failures of economic strategy

Sinn Féin Economy Spokesperson, Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew MLA has said that the news that 350 jobs are threatened at Nortel Networks serves to highlight the failures of the economic strategies currently in place. Read more

TD calls for 'stigmatising' bin tags to be dropped by South Dublin County Council

Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe TD for Dublin South West has called on South Dublin County Council to immediately withdraw its bin tags after he claimed that the colour coded system "stigmatises individuals and families on low incomes". Read more

Demand To Close Anderstown Barracks

West Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly member Michael Ferguson has demanded that Andersonstown Barracks be closed permanently and the land returned to the local community. Mr Ferguson was speaking after the announcement that the base would now close at night. Read more

Concern Over Prison Conditions In Maghaberry

Sinn Féín Prisons spokesperson Gerry Kelly has said that he concerned that ordinary prisoners in Maghaberry are being punished simply because they happen to share the same block as the loyalist inmates who damaged the accommodation last week. Read more

De Brún - Unionist paramilitaries behind bomb alert

West Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly member Bairbre de Brún has blamed unionist paramilitaries for attaching a device to the gates of Lamh Dhearg GAA club in Hannastown. The device was discovered as underage teams were about to start their weekly training session. Read more

Sinn Féin to begin major consultation with launch of Rights for All document

Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness MP will launch a major consultation document 'Rights for All' at 11am tomorrow, Monday 26th January, in the Long Gallery in Stormont. Accompanying Mr. McGuinness will be Bairbre de Brún MLA, Caitríona Ruane MLA and Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD. Read more

McGuinness welcomes end of academic selection

Former Education Minster Martin McGuinness MP MLA has welcomed the announcement that his decsion to abolish the 11 + is to stand but expressed disappointment at the 2008 target date. Read more

Rights for all

A Sinn Féin Discussion Document - January 2004 Read more

Sinn Féin publish All Ireland 'Rights for All' charter

Sinn Féin Chief negotiator, Mid Ulster MP Martin McGuinness MLA, Bairbre de Brún MLA, Equality and Human Rights Spokespersons, South Down MLA Caítriona Ruane (6 County) and Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD (26 County) launched the party's discussion document on an All Ireland Charter of Rights. Read more

Sinn Féin welcomes cross border meeting on Agriculture

Sinn Féin spokespersons on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD and Councillor Gerry McHugh, have welcomed this morning's meeting between Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh and Britain's direct rule Minister with responsibility for Agriculture Ian Pearson. Read more

Irish Government need to tell UDA to end campaign

Speaking at a protest held by nationalist residents in the Ligionel area, who have suffered as a result of attacks by unionist paramilitaries and the UDA in particular, Mr Kelly said that 'the Irish government needed to make it clear to the UPRG that the UDA campaign against catholics had… Read more

PSNI Fail To Properly Investigate Bomb Alert

West Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly member Bairbre de Brún has accused the PSNI of failing to carry out a forensic investigation after a device was left attached to a gate a the Lamh Dhearg GAA club in Hannastown over the weekend. Read more

Gerry Adams attends anti-racist rally

Speaking from the event Mr Adams said that all of those in political leadership had 'a duty to stand up against the racists and the bigots who were bring terror to the ethnic minority communities in the city'. Read more

Top-up fees are a graduate tax that will introduce the marketplace into our universities

Sinn Féin Higher and Further Education Spokesperson, West Belfast MLA Michael Ferguson has said that the plans of the British Labour government to introduce top-up fees will introduce the marketplace into universities and discourage people from disadvantaged backgrounds from taking up university opportunities. Read more

House prices still rising despite Government assertions to the contrary

Speaking following the publication by Permanent TSB and the ESRI of statistics on house price increases, Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment and Local Government Arthur Morgan T.D. stated that the publication of these figures confirm that Minister Noel Ahern is out of touch with the housing situation in this… Read more

O Caolain - Cancer Treatment Services need to be addressed urgently

Sinn Féin Dáil Leader Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin TD has today criticised the appallingly poor provision of cancer treatment services in Ireland. Read more

Sinn Féin to announce Review priorities

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP will be joined by party colleagues Philip McGuigan MLA, Bairbre de Brún MLA and Geraldine Dougan MLA tomorrow morning (Wednesday 28th) to announce Sinn Féin priorities for the forthcoming Review. Read more

Ombudsman Commission not good enough - Ó Snodaigh

Speaking in the Dáil today Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights Aengus Ó Snodaigh used the first proper day of the new Dáil session to again call for the introduction of a "fully independent Garda Ombudsman" to re-establish public confidence in the Gardaí. Read more

Donegal Councillor Thomas Pringle joins Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin speaking in Killybegs welcomed Donegal Councillor Thomas Pringle's decision to join Sinn Féin. Read more

Sinn Féin sets out Review Agenda

Speaking at the publication of Sinn Féin's agenda for the paragraph 8 Review of the Good Friday Agreement due to start next Tuesday, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA has said that the Review will not be a renegotiation of the Good Friday Agreement but it is an opportunity… Read more

PSNI raids in West Belfast - campaign of harassment against republicans

Sinn Féin Assembly member for West Belfast Fra McCann has accused the PSNI of 'engaging in a campaign of harassment against republicans'. Mr McCann's remarks come after homes in New Barnsley and Ballymurphy were raided this morning and one man was arrested. Read more

Attwood remarks vindicate Sinn Féin Policing position

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Policing Gerry Kelly has claimed that remarks made by the SDLP member Alex Attwood after he met with the Police Federation vindicate completely the stance taken by Sinn Féin on the issue. Read more

Immigration Bill highlights Minister's callous approach to human rights and democratic process

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has described a section of the emergency Immigration Bill 2004 which allows Immigration officers to refuse entry to the State to non-nationals if they suffer from a disability (Section 4(3)(c)) as "a prime example of everything that… Read more

Sinn Féin slams EU decision on GM foods

Sinn Féin Spokespersons on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD and Councillor Gerry McHugh, have strongly condemned today's decision by the European Commission to allow the sale of Genetically Modified maize. Read more

Investment of Taxpayers money in tobacco firms objectionable says Ó Caoláin

Speaking at the Joint Finance and Public Service Committee today, Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin questioned the investment procedures of the National Pension Reserve Fund, saying it was "most objectionable" for the Fund to be investing in the tobacco industry and the defence industry. Read more

McLaughlin - Irish government need to make it clear - No DUP veto

Speaking today from Dublin where the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle is meeting, party Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin said that 'the Irish government needed to make it clear to the DUP at today's talks that they will not be allowed to veto the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.' Read more

Stádas oifigiúil á lorg don Ghaeilge san Aontas Eorpach ag Sinn Féin

Tá comhairleoirí de chuid Shinn Fein, Breandán Lewis agus Brendan Curran tar éis rún a chur chuig Comhairle an Iúir agus Mhúrn ag iarraidh ar an Taoiseach tacú le stádas oifigiúil don Ghaeilge san Aontas Eorpach. Read more

Numbers on electoral register expected to fall further

Sinn Féin Assembly member Conor Murphy has demanded that the legislation regarding electoral registration is changed. His call comes in advance of the new register being released which is expected to show another fall in the numbers eligible to vote by around 30,000. Read more

McDonald - Irish sovereignty is further diminished and imperilled by the EU draft constitution

Speaking in Trinity College last night Sinn Fein Dublin EU candidate Mary Lou McDonald stated that Sinn Fein remained concerned about the creeping advances toward a European Super state and the gradual demise of national sovereignty. Read more

McCabe ruling profoundly disappointing

Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris has described as "profoundly disappointing" and in "contradiction of the Good Friday Agreement" today's judgement in the Supreme Court which ruled that the release of prisoners qualifying under the Good Friday Agreement is at the discretion of the Minister for Justice. Read more

McDonald - Report shows that Government is incapable of dealing with poverty

Sinn Féin EU Parliament candidate Marylou McDonald has claimed the report by CORI today showing that 20% of households living in poverty are headed by someone in employment exposes a problem that "this Government is mentally and ideologically incapable of dealing with. Read more

Sinn Féin calls for All Ireland action to develop Salmon farming

Sinn Féin's Environmental spokesperson Willie Clarke MLA, has responded to a report study published in the magazine Science, which claimed that farmed Atlantic salmon from Scotland contains the highest levels of cancer-causing chemicals in the world. Read more

Trimble attack on international human rights work branded disgraceful

Sinn Féin Equality and Human Rights Spokesperson, South Down MLA Caitriona Ruane has branded David Trimble's attack on international human rights work as a disgrace. Read more

Jane Kennedy's refusal to remove plastic bullets from use threaten lives

Sinn Féin policing spokesperson, North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly has re-iterated the party's demand that plastic bullets be removed from operational use immediately. Read more

Sinn Féin supports relatives campaign for Truth about Collusion

On Wednesday 4th February, Sinn Féin Assembly Group Leader, Conor Murphy and other senior members of Sinn Féin will accompany over 70 relatives of those killed as a result of collusion, where they will picket outside MI5 headquarters, the British Ministry of Defence and Tory party headquarters in central London. Read more

January 2004 Archives (Latest News)

January 5, 2004

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