February 2007 Archives (Latest News)

Sinn Féin demands urgent debate on illegal drugs trade

Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh called for an urgent debate on the illegal drugs trade in the Dáil today following the seizure of almost two million euros worth of drugs in Clondalkin yesterday. While praising the efforts of Gardaí, Deputy Ó Snodaigh pointed out that recent seizures merely exposed… Read more

Private hospitals co-location plan should be stopped before contracts are signed – Ó Caoláin

Sinn Féin Dáil leader and Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has called on Health Minister Mary Harney to scrap her plan to allocate land at public hospital sites to the developers of private hospitals before contracts are signed and the State is bound by legal agreements. Read more

Mary Lou McDonald presents Tony Blair with Oireachtas report on collusion

Sinn Féin National Chairperson and MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald has presented British Prime Minister Tony Blair with the latest report from the Oireachtas Justice Committee on the Barron Inquiry which describes cross border attacks by British surrogates as "international terrorism". Read more

Sinn Féin press Blair on collusion

A Sinn Féin delegation led by Gerry Adams including Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness MP, Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy, Donegal councillor Padraig MacLochlainn and Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald met with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street. Read more

Ó Caoláin describes proposals for northern representation in the Dáil as a first step

Sinn Féin Dáil Leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has described Government proposals for representation in the Dáil for MPs from the Six Counties as a long delayed first step which must be built upon in the time ahead. Deputy Ó Caoláin said it was disappointing that the Government proposals fell… Read more

Back Harney or the Nurses warns Ó Caoláin

Speaking after the announcement that nurses have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action in their campaign for a 35 hour week, Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD applauded the unanimity of the result, and pledged the party's full support for the campaign. He called on others to make clear… Read more

CAO should explain itself to Dáil Committee - Crowe

Speaking in relation to the CAO on-line applications debacle, Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Seán Crowe TD called on 'the CAO to come before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education to explain this fiasco'. Read more

Election represents 'real opportunity to move forward'

Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness MP speaking in Belfast today has said that the election represents a real opportunity to move forward and called on all parties to commit to a positive election campaign and a determination to deliver the political institutions by March 26th. Read more

Anger at bias in Belfast city centre transformation

Sinn Féin West Belfast Assembly candidate and party housing spokesperson, Cllr Fra McCann has accused the Department of Social Development of bias against West Belfast after it emerged that key areas that link the city centre to West Belfast have either been ignored or dropped in the later stages of… Read more

Sinn Féin to put demand for truth on collusion at the top of the political agenda

Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, speaking following a meeting of the party's Ard Chomhairle in Dublin this morning, announced details of a major conference on collusion and truth recovery which will take place in Dublin next weekend. He said this conference was part of a wider campaign… Read more

Clondalkin shooting - Why isn't the Government protecting our young people? Spain

Sinn Féin Dublin Mid West Dáil candidate Joanne Spain today said she was horrified by the latest shooting dead of a young man in Clondalkin, coming just a short time after Damian Dowdall was murdered in the area. Read more

Human health and poultry industry require urgent Government action - Ó Caoláin

Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín O Caoláin TD has called on the Irish and British governments to take urgent action to protect human health and the poultry industry in Ireland by immediately banning all poultry imports into the island. He said the confirmation of the H5N1 outbreak in England was… Read more

SF launch campaign for North and East Antrim

Sinn Féin tonight launched their Assembly Election Campaign for North and East Antrim in Waterfoot in the Glens of Antrim. The proceedings were chaired by the party's outgoing MLA in North Antrim Philip McGuigan. The party have chosen Glens Councillor Oliver McMullan as their candidate to stand in East Antrim. Read more

Morgan condemns hike in estate agents fees

Sinn Fein Housing spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD today condemned the news that estate agents are to hike their fees by as much as 33%, following an announcement by the Institute of Professional of Auctioneers and Valuers last night. Deputy Morgan said such an increase will make home ownership even less… Read more

Government indifferent to worker deaths

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Worker's Rights Arthur Morgan TD today denounced the Government for it's continuing obvious indifference to worker health and safety following the death of yet another construction worker in Glencar, Co. Kerry this morning. Read more

Strategic Review of Parades will be judged against Good Friday Agreement

Sinn Féin Upper Bann Representative John O'Dowd has said that the Strategic Review of Parades will be judged against the a commitment to uphold the right to live free from sectarian harassment in the Good Friday Agreement. Read more

Think twice before non-payment of Water Charges

Raymond McCartney MLA, who represented the Party on the Programme for Government Committee Sub Group examining Rates and Water Reform, made an explicit call to households, particularly low-income homes, who will be hardest hit if the charges arrive as expected in April. Read more

Sinn Féin call for 24 hour 'Bird Flu' Hotline

Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson, Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew has called for a number of immediate steps to protect both the farming community and the populace at large from the threat of avian flu. Read more

More Help Needed for Carers

Sinn Fein Assembly candidate Martina Anderson has called for a better support system for carers and financial packages to be put in place to support the work they do. Read more

Kelly expresses concerns over Justice legislation

Sinn Féin's spokesperson on policing and justice, Gerry Kelly, has expressed concerns at the draft legislation relating to Justice issues, which is currently passing through the British parliament. Read more

Leonard and Brolly to stand for Assembly election

Sinn Féin in East Derry have confirmed that the sitting MLA Francie Brolly and local councillor Billy Leonard are the party's candidates in the March 7th Assembly election. Read more

Sinn Féin's Daithí Doolan appointed to Docklands Authority

Sinn Féin Dublin South East Representative Cllr. Daithí Doolan has been appointed by Dublin City Council (DCC) to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA). Cllr. Doolan, a resident of the docklands, joins a number of local Councillors, community members, DDC delegates and members of the business sector. Read more

DUP failing unionist people

Sinn Féin Economic Spokesperson and Assembly Candidate for South Antrim, Mitchel McLaughlin has accused the DUP of allowing its fear of sharing power with republicans to fail its own electorate. Read more

Government lacks urgency on MRSA threat – Ó Caoláin

Following the statement by a leading consultant microbiologist that MRSA is ‘endemic’ in Irish hospitals, Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said that the Government’s approach to the problem lacks urgency. Read more

Mars exposes state lethargy on children's advertising

Sinn Féin Communications spokesperson Seán Crowe TD has said the decision by Masterfoods, the makers of Mars, to end advertising directed at under-12s, reopens the debate about the need for legislation to ban advertising directed at children. Deputy Crowe, who has repeatedly called for such legislation, pointed out the need… Read more

Sinn Féin backs INTO campaign on class sizes

Speaking in support of the INTO's campaign to force the Government to live up to it's commitment in the Programme for Government to reduce class sizes, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education Seán Crowe TD said that 'the fact that we have the second highest average class size at primary level… Read more

Morgan condemns Government for lack of action on emissions

Sinn Fein Environment spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD today criticised the government for failing to act on the issue of rising greenhouse gas emissions after a report showing their steep rise was announced by the Environmental Protection Agency. Read more

Sinn Féin call for children's vote on election day

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health and Children, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has called for the proposed referendum on children's rights to be held on the same day as the General Election. While expressing regret at the limited nature of the proposed reforms, which fall short of Sinn Féin's proposals, Deputy… Read more

More stringent measures needed on avian flu threat – Ó Caoláin

Sinn Féin Dáil leader and Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has said more stringent precautionary measures are needed in the face of the threat from the H5N1 avian flu virus. He said that the decision of the Minister for Agriculture and Food to ban imports of birds from Britain for… Read more

Cowen re-distributing wealth to the wealthy - Ó Caoláin

Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, speaking on the Finance Bill, 2007, in the Dáil this evening, accused Minister Cowen of re-distributing 'wealth regressively in favour of the already wealthy'. Deputy Ó Caoláin went on to attack the decision by the Government to, in effect, incentivise the purchase… Read more

Sinn Féin call for children's vote on election day

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health and Children, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has called for the proposed referendum on children's rights to be held on the same day as the General Election. While expressing regret at the limited nature of the proposed reforms, which fall short of Sinn Féin's proposals, Deputy… Read more

Unionism failing to face up to truth about collusion

Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew responding to the Ken Maginnis attack on the Police Ombudsman has said that it is yet further evidence of the deep and profound inability of unionism to face up to the truth about collusion. Read more

Sinn Féin secures first step in ending the reign of rogue developers

Sinn Féin Councillor Killian Forde has welcomed the wide support he received for his City Council motion calling for the introduction of new laws that would ensure the days of rogue developers are brought to an end. Read more

Sinn Féin urge rapid implementation of all-Ireland Healthcare Provision

Sinn Fein Health spokesperson and Assembly candidate John O'Dowd has called on the Irish and British Governments to move rapidly ahead with the implementation of findings of the NSMC report into Cross Border Mobility in healthcare and provision first published in 2002. Read more

House Price increases damaging communities

Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson and West Belfast Assembly candidate Cllr Fra McCann has said that the revelation that house prices increased 36% here last year, faster than anywhere else in Western Europe, was further evidence of the corruption of the housing market by property speculators and the but-to-let market and… Read more

Ferris backs Postmaster's campaign

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Rural Development, Martin Ferris TD, has voiced his support for the Irish Postmasters Union which is planning to stage a national demonstration to highlight the decline of post offices around the state. Read more

Morgan welcomes positive equity report from estate agents

Sinn Fein Housing spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD today expressed a cautious welcome to research from estate agency Savills Hamilton Osbourne King that stated home-owners who bought over four years ago are likely to have more equity in their property than debt. Read more

McDonald hits out at Commission arrogance and ignorance

Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald today hit out at European Commission President José Manuel Barroso who has questioned the practice of holding referendums on new EU treaties. Barroso speaking in the Netherlands suggested the practice 'makes our life in the EU more complicated'. Read more

Children turned away as vaccine supply runs out

Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has said that the turning away of babies and young children from medical centres because of a lack of the BCG vaccine is a disgrace. The lack of sufficient supply of the vaccine, used to inoculate children against tuberculosis, was exposed by… Read more

Ó Snodaigh calls for prompt Dáil debate on collusion

Speaking ahead of the expected conclusion next week of the McEntee investigation into the Dublin – Monaghan bombings of 1974 Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD called for a prompt, full and open debate in the Dáil on the issue of collusion. Read more

Short term poultry ban required to prevent outbreak of avian flu

Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has again called on the Minister for Agriculture and Food Mary Coughlan to introduce more stringent precautionary measures to prevent an outbreak of the H5N1 virus among poultry in Ireland. Read more

Cowen flying in the face of reality on low paid - Crowe

Speaking in the Dáil this evening on the Finance Bill 2007, Sinn Féin Social and Family Affairs spokesperson Seán Crowe TD rejected the claim made by Minister Cowen yesterday that the Government's system of indirect taxes 'safeguards' the lower paid. Pointing to evidence from Combat Poverty that proves the opposite,… Read more

Sinn Féin to meet Orde on Collusion

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Policing issues Gerry Kelly today confirmed that his party would meet next week with the PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde. Mr Kelly said that the meeting would discuss in some detail the implications of the Police Ombudsman report into collusion. Read more

Anderson extends congratulations to new Presbyterian Moderator Designate

Sinn Féin Director of Unionist engagement, Martina Anderson has extended her congratulations to the new Presbyterian Moderate Designate. Read more

Ó Donnghaile to seek UUP meeting

Sinn Féin's East Belfast representative Niall Ó Donnghaile has welcomed comments from the Ulster Unionist Party's Michael Copeland calling for "urgent cross-party action" to address social deprivation and social exclusion in the East Belfast area Read more

Newry & Morne Council concerns over threat to Daisy Hill Pathology Services

Sinn Féin Newry and Mourne Councillor Turlough Murphy has raised the threat to Daisy Hill Pathology Services at the Monthly Council meeting on Monday night. Read more

Ferris gives qualified support for Energy Crop Scheme

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD, has given his qualified support for a new grant scheme to promote the growing of energy crops. The scheme, announced by Minister Mary Coughlan, will provide funding for persons who wish to grow elephant grass and willow as inputs into the… Read more

Morgan welcomes European Commission order to cut Co2 emissions

Sinn Fein spokesperson on the Environment Deputy Arthur Morgan today welcomed the European Commission orders to car manufacturers to cut Co2 emissions in an effort to tackle climate change. Read more

Bloomfield seeking to retain academic selection by the back door

Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson, West Tyrone Representative Barry McElduff has accused Kenneth Bloomfield and the Association for Quality Education of seeking to retain academic selection by the back door and branded proposals for Computer Adaptive Testing as unproven and experimental. Read more

Sinn Féin completely and absolutely opposed to European Communities Bill

Sinn Fein Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has expressed Sinn Fein’s “complete and absolute” opposition to the European Communities Bill 2006. Speaking in the Dáil today Deputy Ó Snodaigh described the Bill as “a component part of the now snowballing democratic deficit at the heart of the EU project”. Read more

McDonald voices concern at deaths of three young people in Dublin's north inner city

Sinn Féin representative for Dublin Central Mary Lou McDonald MEP has voiced her deep concern at the deaths of three young people in Dublin's north inner city over the last 48 hours as a result of drug addiction. Read more

Sinn Féin backs Rossport Mobilisations

Sinn Féin's Dublin Environment & Local Government spokesperson Cllr Daithí Doolan has called for the public to support the day of solidarity with the people of Rossport on February 16th and the demonstration planned for Dublin on the 24th. Speaking today at a press conference to announce details of the… Read more

Time for Dáil silence on collusion to end

Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has accused ‘successive Irish governments of turning a blind eye to the murder of their citizens by a foreign government.’ He was speaking ahead of a conference in Dublin tomorrow on collusion in Ireland. Deputy Ó Snodaigh and party Chairperson Mary Lou… Read more

Morgan labels current Government housing policy a

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD today praised the work of the AIDS Fund Housing Project and called on the Government to provide extra funding to organisations that provide sheltered accommodation for homeless people who are living with HIV. Deputy Morgan went on to call again on Minister Ahern… Read more

Pfizer situation demonstrates our extreme vulnerability - Morgan

Sinn Féin Employment and Enterprise spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD, commenting on the news that Pfizer is to cut 65 jobs at one of it's plants in Cork and is to sell off two others putting a further 480 jobs at risk, said that these development were yet further evidence of… Read more

Pensioners freeze as Shell announces €6 billion in profits

Sinn Féin Social Affairs spokesperson Seán Crowe TD has linked the rising profits for Shell Oil with the rising numbers of pensioners suffering fuel poverty. 'In these harsh months, fuel poverty continues to affect approximately 16,300 pensioner households, with up to 3,000 premature deaths per year with fuel poverty as… Read more

A strong Sinn Féin will not permit DUP veto over change

Sinn Féin General Secretary and South Antrim Assembly Candidate, Mitchel McLaughlin has said that following the elections, a strengthened Sinn Féin will hold the DUP to account and ensure that they are not permitted a veto over the right of any community to the process of change. Read more

Gerry Adams to launch David Cullinane's Election campaign

Gerry Adams MP MLA will be in Waterford city this coming Friday, 9th February to launch Sinn Féin Cllr David Cullinane's election campaign. Read more

Burke calls on voters in Dublin Central to ensure they are on the electoral register

Sinn Féin Councillor Christy Burke, Director of Elections for Mary Lou Mc Donald MEP, has called on the residents of Dublin Central to ensure that they are registered to vote for the forthcoming election. Read more

Collusion debate will not go away

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has warned the British and Irish governments that the debate about collusion will not go away until the issue if collusion is dealt with. Ms de Brún was speaking ahead of a series of events to highlight the issue this weekend. Read more

Bird Flu lessons must be learnt quickly

Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson, Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew has said that a number of key lessons must be taken on board quickly in order to protect Ireland from Bird Flu and similar disease outbreaks that have devastated the local farming industry. Read more

Welcome for removal of Crossmaglen Spy post

Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy has welcomed the news that the British Army are to begin removing the spy post and Sanger in Crossmaglen early next week. The demilitarisation of South Armagh and other republican heartlands has been a key demand made by Sinn Féin throughout… Read more

Sinn Fein to table Dáil motion calling for a British Irish summit on collusion

Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has said Sinn Féin will be putting forward a Dáil motion calling for a British Irish summit on collusion. Read more

Irish Government must lift lid on collusion - McDonald

Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald speaking at the opening of a Sinn Féin organised conference on the collusion issue in Dublin today said 'The lid will only be lifted on collusion if the Irish government makes it happen. Read more

Concern at Irish Government Pro-Incineration Lobby

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has expressed concern at reports that the Irish Government is throwing its weight behind attempts to overturn a crucial European Parliament Environment committee decision on incineration. Read more

Two year cap on teaching of English must be removed - Crowe

Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Seán Crowe TD has called for an end to the two year cap on English language teaching support for newcomer children. Deputy Crowe also outlined a number of other proposals in the area, including reform of the teacher training programme to include English as a Second… Read more

Rural Hospitals facing 'a death by a thousand cuts'

Sinn Féin Agriculture and Rural Development Spokesperson, Fermanagh South Tyrone Assembly candidate Michelle Gildernew MP has said that the latest proposals out for consultation on Pathology services in our hospitals provides further evidence of the erosion of services in our rural hospitals. Read more

Welcome for removal of Crossmaglen Spy post

Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy has welcomed the news that the British Army are to begin removing the spy post and Sanger in Crossmaglen today. Read more

Sinn Féin will continue to support the Finucane family

Speaking today on the 18th Anniversary of the murder of Pat Finucane by a unionist death squads controlled and directed by the British State through their collusion policy, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice issues Gerry Kelly said: Read more

Massive turnout at launch of Cullinane's Election campaign

Over 400 people attended the official launch of Sinn Féin Cllr David Cullinane's Dáil Election campaign at the Granville Hotel on Friday night. Read more

Rabbitte tax proposal latest desperate attempt to gain voter support

Sinn Féin Enterprise and Employment spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD has hit out at the Labour party's proposals to cut the standard rate of tax saying that the cut would reduce the revenue available to pay for essential public services while doing nothing to tackle the real inequities at the heart… Read more

Sinn Féin meet Basque Political leaders

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP this morning met the leader of the Basque party Batasuna who is in Ireland for two days. Read more

Ó Caoláin “recovering well” after heart attack

Sinn Féin has confirmed that the party’s Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin is recuperating after suffering a heart attack at his home in the early hours of Friday 9th February. Read more

Labour housing proposals deeply ill conceived - Morgan

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD today described Labour's 'Begin to Buy' housing proposals as deeply ill-conceived. Deputy Morgan said that the proposals would have the effect of further inflating house prices and not actually do anything to address the underlying causes of the housing crisis. Read more

Aer Lingus must negotiate with workers -- Crowe

Sinn Féin Transport spokesperson Seán Crowe TD has expressed his party's support for Aer Lingus SIPTU members who overwhelmingly voted for industrial action. He laid the blame for the current situation firmly at the door of the Government which has now 'washed it's hands of the former national airline through… Read more

How many more workers must die before Corporate Manslaughter Legislation is introduced – Morgan

Sinn Fein spokesperson on workers rights Arthur Morgan TD speaking today following yet another workplace death said that the Government need to put worker health and safety “to the fore of Government agenda”. Read more

Morgan to demand Harney’s resignation in the Dáil

Louth Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan is to demand Health Minister Mary Harney’s resignation in the Dáil following revelations of atrocious hospital conditions in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. Deputy Morgan accused the Minister of having accomplished the impossible in ‘making a greater shambles out of the health… Read more

McDonald urges governments to take their heads out of the sand

In advance of the European Parliament debate on the Spring Council of Presidents and Prime Ministers of EU member states Mary Lou McDonald MEP urged them to "take their heads out of the sand, stop doing the bidding of big business and respond to people's hopes and aspirations". Read more

McElduff Supports Campaign of FE College Lecturers

Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson and West Tyrone Assembly candidate Barry McElduff is publicly supporting the University and College Union (UCU) in their campaign to compel employers to honour a pay agreement moving lecturers towards parity with school teachers. Read more

Adams calls for immediate action as Irvine inquest concludes

West Belfast MP Gerry Adams has called for immediate action from the British government to ensure adequate resources and proper treatment for people suffering from mental illness. Read more

Pay-as-you-go Road Tax proposals would force low paid off the road

Sinn Féin Foyle Election Candidate, Martina Anderson has said that British government plans to replace Road Tax with a system of 'road pricing' would force the low paid off our roads and do little to tackle environmental concerns about Co2 emmissions. Read more

EU Commission must respond to Incineration Rulings

Bairbre de Brún MEP has called on the European Commission to work now on the necessary clarity based on the European Court of Justice rulings on the principal purpose of facilities such as municipal waste incinerators. Read more

New proposals prove McDowell still soft on crime – Ó Snodaigh

Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has said that Minister McDowell’s new proposals for tackling crime constitute an ‘election stunt’ that prove again the Minister is ‘soft on crime’ by continuing to use failed and outdated policies. Deputy Ó Snodaigh pointed out that some of the Minister’s proposals,… Read more

Ferris proposes safeguards against electricity privatisation

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Natural Resources, Martin Ferris TD, will today propose a series of amendments to a Bill designed to bring about the creation of an All Ireland electricity market. Among the amendments is one which proposes that, ‘..no further privatisation of electricity generation or supply takes place… Read more

Crowe calls for more oral examiners

Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Seán Crowe TD today urged the Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin to resolve the current situation whereby there is a considerable lack of examiners for Leaving Cert oral examinations. Read more

Scrap private hospital co-location plan before contracts are signed – Ó Snodaigh

Dublin Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has called on Health Minister Mary Harney to scrap her plan to allocate land at public hospital sites to the developers of private hospitals before contracts are signed and the State is bound by legal agreements. Deputy Ó Snodaigh was speaking today at… Read more

Dialogue between Parties essential to political and economic stability

Sinn Féin General Secretary and South Antrim Assembly election candidate Mitchel McLaughlin has said that dialogue and discourse between the parties, especially between the DUP and Sinn Féin is the single absolutely essential step-change required to achieve political and economic stability. Read more

Sinn Féin call for scrapping of legislation that discriminates against ex-prisoners

Sinn Féin Equality & Human Rights spokesperson and South Down Assembly election candidate, Caitriona Ruane has called for the scrapping of legislation, which allows employers to discriminate against former prisoners. Read more

Improved Sinn Féin mandate will help block Water Charges

Sinn Féin Regional Development Spokesperson and Foyle Assembly candidate Raymond McCartney said that Sinn Féin will use an increased mandate from the March 7th Assembly elections to block imposed Water charges at every opportunity. Read more

Dublin MEP Mary Lou Mc Donald demands that it is time for the Dáil to act on CIA flights

Speaking from Strasbourg Mary Lou Mc Donald MEP and Dublin Central Candidate said "Today's report by MEPs raises some critical issues which are about the core fundamental rights of everybody in Europe and across the world". Read more

UNICEF Report - government is failing our children

Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Children and Young People, West Belfast Assembly candidate Sue Ramsey has said that the UNICEF Report into Child Welfare that places the 'UK' at the bottom of all affluent Western Counties is a challenge to all political leaders that requires a long-term response. Read more

Golden circle alive and well, says Morgan

Speaking in the Dáil today during statements on the Moriarty Report, Sinn Féin’s Enterprise and Employment spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD said the ‘golden circle’ described in the report is alive and well in Ireland today. He accused the ‘politically bankrupt’ Government of continuing to legislate for it’s friends in business… Read more

Welcome for Cowen commitment on Derry- Letterkenny - Dublin Road

Sinn Féin MP for West Tyrone Pat Doherty today welcomed the comments made by Finance Minister Brian Cowen this morning on the BBC when he confirmed money would be made available from the National Development Plan for the upgrading of the Derry - Letterkenny - Dublin road. Read more

Taoiseach must guarantee Dáil debate on collusion – Ó Snodaigh

Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has called on the Taoiseach to give a guarantee that a Dáil debate on collusion will take place before the end of the Government’s term of office. Read more

Ferris expresses concern over falling farm incomes

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD, has voiced his concern at statistics which reveal that farm incomes here fell by 15% in 2006. The statistics, released today by the Central Statistics Office, indicate that the main causes of the decline are falling milk prices and a steep… Read more

Martin McGuinness to attend South Belfast election website launch

Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness MP will join the party's South Belfast election candidate Alex Maskey for the launch of a Special South Belfast Election Web Site in the An Droichead Centre, Cooke Street on the Ormeau Road tomorrow, Thursday 15th February, at 12 noon. Read more

Sinn Féin representatives to support New Lodge families campaign

Sinn Féin representatives from North Belfast, including the party's Justice spokesperson Gerry Kelly, will tomorrow attend a Press Conference organised by the families of the New Lodge Six in the Ashton Centre, Churchill Street, Belfast at 10.15am. Read more

Clarity required on provision of radiotherapy services for W.R.H.

Sinn Féin Waterford City Councillor David Cullinane has called on Health Minister Mary Harney and the H.S.E. to immediately clarify how and when radiotherapy services will be provided at W.R.H. He said there is massive confusion around the issue not helped by Harney's mixed responses to Dáil questions. Read more

Ferris warns of dependence on imported biofuels

Sinn Féin Energy & Natural Resources spokesperson Martin Ferris TD warned tonight that the unless measures are taken to encourage the growing of energy crops, we are in danger of becoming as dependent on imported biofuels, as we already are on imported fossil fuels for our energy needs. Deputy Ferris… Read more

McDowell grossly hypocritical on Mahon Tribunal

Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has slammed the Tánaiste and PD leader Michael McDowell for his “gross hypocrisy” over the cost of the Mahon Tribunal. Read more

Mary Lou Mc Donald says Fine Gael incinerator "opposition" exposed

Dublin Central candidate Mary Lou Mc Donald MEP has questioned Fine Gael's "opposition" to incineration following their vote in the European Parliament supporting the bizarre and ultimately failed attempt by the Commission to recategorise incinerators as waste recovery rather than disposal. Read more

Ferris calls for support for Rossport Day of Solidarity

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Natural Resources, Martin Ferris TD has called on people to support tomorrow's day of events at Bellanaboy in solidarity with the ongoing campaign against the proposed gas pipeline and refinery. The event will begin with a march from Glenamoy Bridge to the refinery site at… Read more

Fine Gael and Greens go missing on electricity privatisation amendment

Sinn Féin’s Energy and Natural Resources spokesperson Martin Ferris TD has expressed his disappointment at the failure of Fine Gael and the Greens to back his amendment to rule out privatisation of the state’s energy network. While welcoming Labour support for the Sinn Féin amendment, Deputy Ferris accused Fine Gael… Read more

Government not bothered about poverty or inequality – Crowe

Speaking after latest figures from Unicef were released ranking Ireland 19th out of 21 industrialised countries for the proportion of children experiencing hardship Sinn Féin Social and Family Affairs spokesperson Seán Crowe slated the Government failing to use the opportunities presented by the Celtic Tiger for the eradication of poverty… Read more

O Snodaigh rejects Brennan’s claims on Tribunals

Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has rejected claims by Minister Brennan in the Dáil this morning that no legislation is planned to allow the Government to interfere with a Tribunal. Deputy Ó Snodaigh pointed out that the proposed Tribunal of Inquiries Bill would give the Government ‘the… Read more

NDP pledges should be treated with extreme scepticism - Crowe

Sinn Féin Social and Family Affairs spokesperson Seán Crowe TD, speaking in the Dáil today on the National Development Plan, said that the failures of the previous version of the plan covering 2000 to 2006, meant that the new one must be treated with extreme scepticism. Read more

Gerry Kelly supports families of those killed in New Lodge massacre

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Policing and Justice issues Gerry Kelly today attended a press conference organised by the families of those killed in the New Lodge massacre in February 1973. Read more

Inadequate Housing Benefit payments creating Poverty Trap

Sinn Féin Newry Armagh Assembly election candidate Micky Brady has called for an urgent review of Housing Benefit for private sector tenants to combat the emergence of a new form of 'poverty trap.' Read more

Sinn Féín delegation to meet with Hugh Orde

A Sinn Féin delegation led by Party President Gerry Adams MP, and including Policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly, Caitriona Ruane, Michelle Gildernew MP and Alex Maskey will meet the PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde at PSNI Headquarters in Knock tomorrow, Friday 16th Feb at 4pm. Read more

High court ruling on nuclear power stations points to British deceit

Sinn Féin South Down Assembly candidate Cllr Willie Clarke has welcomed today’s ruling by the British High Court on the consultation process behind the building of a new generation of nuclear power stations, which was described as ‘seriously flawed’ and ‘procedurally unfair’. Read more

Drumm’s claim on beds contradicted by Drogheda Hospital debacle – Morgan

Sinn Féin TD for Louth Arthur Morgan has said he is “incredulous” at the statement of HSE Chief Brendan Drumm that additional beds are not needed in our hospital system. Read more

McDowell stayed silent for years while law library friends raked in taxpayers’ money

Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has accused the Tánaiste and PD leader Michael McDowell of staying silent for years while his friends in the law library raked in tax payers’ money. Read more

Gerry Adams reopening Turf Lodge Sinn Féin Centre

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP along with the four other Sinn Fein West Belfast Assembly election candidates, Fra McCann, Sue Ramsey, Paul Maskey and Jennifer McCann will reopen the Sinn Féin Turf Lodge Centre in West Belfast at 12.30 today, Friday 16th February. Read more

Limerick East Sinn Féin launch local election website

Limerick East's Election campaign took another step forward today as Sinn Fein launched their Limerick East election 2007 website - www.mauricequinlivan.ie . Read more

Sinn Féin to raise concerns with Ambulance Service Chief Executive

Sinn Féin Newry Armagh MP Conor Murphy and South Down Assembly election candidate Caitriona Ruane are to meet with the Chief Executive of the Ambulance Service in Belfast on Monday to discus concerns about the replacement of ambulances operating in the Newry and Mourne area and also the issue of… Read more

Illegal transfer of Detainees by CIA

Sinn Fein Assembly Candidate Martina Anderson has welcomed the recent report by The European Parliament exposing the illegal practice of transferring detainees through European airports to secret prisons and interrogation centres in various countries around the world. Read more

“DUP should wise-up and catch-up” Mitchel McLaughlin

Condemning the threat of ‘another Harryville’ by a loyalist group in Antrim Sinn Féin’s Mitchel McLaughlin has called on unionist leaders to disassociate themselves from such sectarian sentiments. Read more

No going back on the Good Friday Agreement – Caitríona Ruane

Speaking ahead of the March 7th Assembly Election, south Down Assembly candidate Caitríona Ruane has said that there is no going back on the Good Friday Agreement and Sinn Féin will ensure that the two governments continue to implement change. Read more

Sinn Féin uncover threat to Antrim ambulance provision

North Antrim Sinn Féin Assembly election candidate Daithí McKay has expressed concern after receiving a leaked internal memo from the Ambulance Service to Operations Directorate Command and Control concerning ambulance provision in North and East Antrim. Read more

Sinn Féin challenge ‘lesser’ legal protection for children

Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Children & Young People, West Belfast Assembly candidate, Sue Ramsey has said that legislation in place that provides a lesser standard of protection for children and young people against assault than for adults is clearly in violation of equality and human rights law. Read more

All-Ireland Free Travel was a Sinn Féin demand

Sinn Féin Fermanagh South Tyrone MP and Assembly election candidate Michelle Gildernew has welcomed the long-overdue introduction of free travel for elderly people on an all-Ireland basis. Read more

Sinn Féin Meets PSNI Chief Constable

A Sinn Féin delegation led by Party President Gerry Adams MP, and including Policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly, Caitriona Ruane, Michelle Gildernew MP and Alex Maskey met the PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde at PSNI Headquarters in Knock this afternoon. Read more

Sinn Féin predict substantial growth in Dublin

Dublin Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald this morning predicted that Sinn Féin will over-take the Labour Party in Dublin in the next five to ten years. Ms. McDonald made her comments at Dublin Sinn Féin's Annual General Meeting in the Mansion House this morning. Read more

A vote for Sinn Féin is a vote against Water Charges

Sinn Féin Candidate in Lagan Valley Paul Butler today said that a vote for Sinn Féin on March 7th was a vote against the imposition of Water Charges. Read more

Sinn Féin ‘absolutely committed to institutions by March 26th’

Speaking after the meeting of Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle this morning in Dublin to finalise preparations for the Assembly election campaign and the upcoming Sinn Féin Ard Fheis, the party General Secretary Mitchel McLaughlin said that his party was ‘absolutely committed to entering a power sharing Executive on March 26th’. Read more

SINN FÉIN TO HOLD PROTEST AT PD CONFERENCE AND HAND HEALTHCARE LETTER TO MINISTER HARNEY

Sinn Féin County Councillor and general election candidate, John Dwyer, will be joined by local party members for a healthcare protest outside the PD conference at Whites Hotel, Wexford at 2pm tomorrow (Saturday). Read more

Crowe calls for lifting of toll barriers, fast tracking of road works and extra investment in public transport to ease congestion on M50

Sinn Féin Transport spokesperson Seán Crowe TD speaking in advance of the removal of Heavy Goods Vehicles from the city centre this week called for the immediate lifting of the toll barriers, fast-tracking of the road-works and extra investment in public transport to ease congestion on the M50 and allow… Read more

Maskey wishes Chinese Community a Happy New Year

South Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly candidate Alex Maskey has wished the Chinese community a happy New Year in advance of his attendance at an event being held in St George's Market today to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Read more

McDowell promises more of the same 'inequality and failure'

Dublin Central candidate Mary Lou McDonald MEP speaking in Cabra this afternoon said 'This weekend Michael McDowell promised the Irish people more of the same 'inequality and failure' that has marked the PDs time in government over the last decade. Read more

Newcastle veladrome bid must not detract from provision of town’s leisure facilities

South Down SF Assembly candidate Willie Clarke has given a cautious endorsement for the Council’s bid to secure funding for the building of a veladrome in Newcastle. Read more

Only Assembly will deliver for local manufacturers

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly candidate Raymond McCartney speaking at the start of a campaign of events organised by the NI Manufacturing Focus Group has said that only a locally accountable Executive will deliver for local manufacturers and indigenous businesses. Read more

Maskey welcomes the ‘Mecca Agreement’

South Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly candidate Alex Maskey has welcomed the signing of the ‘Mecca Agreement’ within the past week by President Mahmoud Abbas and the Chair of the Political Bureau of Hamas, Khalid Mish'al. Read more

Sinn Féin will endeavour to introduce key additions to referendum wording - McDonald

Dublin Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald has called on all political parties to facilitate the holding of the referendum on children's rights no later than the general election polling day. Ms. McDonald said Sinn Féin recognises that the bulk of the Government's proposals amount to progress for children and… Read more

Sinn Féin calls for investigation of Down's syndrome clusters

Sinn Féin Newry and Armagh Sinn Fein Assembly election candidate Mickey Brady has highlighted the proliferation of cases of children with Down's syndrome in the area said that there is a need for focused investigations and research into the issue. Read more

HGV ban leads to intensified traffic on M50 – Crowe

Speaking today as the ban on heavy good vehicles (HGVs) with five or more axles came into operation in Dublin, Sinn Féin Transport spokesperson Seán Crowe expressed concern at this morning’s intensified traffic chaos on the M50 and said this new measure is simply moving a traffic problem from one… Read more

Planning Refusal for Darren Clarke Golf Course Highlights Need For Urgent Return to Devolved Government

Upper Bann Sinn Féin Assembly candidate, Cllr. Dessie Ward, has slammed the decision of the Planning Service to refuse planning permission for the proposed Darren Clarke championship Golf Course and Golf Academy at Gilford castle as "yet another indictment of direct rule". Read more

Sinn Féin to bring peace process focus to resolving Water Charges

Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness today joined Sinn Féin candidates in West Belfast for a walkabout in the Kennedy Centre. Mr McGuinness said that his party in an Executive would bring the same energy and focus to resolving the issue of Water Charges as they did to key issues… Read more

Sinn Féin to attend Policing and Collusion Conferences

Tomorrow a Sinn Féin delegation including Policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly and Raymond McCartney will attend the conference on Policing in the Waterfront Hall organised by the Policing Board. The delegation will also attend the Hilton Hotel conference on collusion which has been timed to coincide with this. Read more

Shock at Queens University Sexual Assault

South Belfast Sinn Féin Representative Alex Maskey said that a sexual assault on a young woman close to Queens University over the weekend had left local people shocked. Read more

Mass Marketing damaging the health of young women

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election candidate Councillor Lynn Fleming has said that the marketing industry must be held accountable for the impact of its marketing campaigns after a joint BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat and 1xtra TXU survey that asked 25,000 people, mostly aged 17 to 34, how they felt about… Read more

Proposal for wider remit for policing college a step forward

Sinn Féin MP for Mid-Ulster Martin McGuinness today said that plans by the British Government to widen the remit of the proposed Policing College in Cookstown to include other members of the emergency services and to fully fund it on that basis was a step forward. Read more

Sinn Féin Support Truth Recovery

Commenting on remarks made by the Chairperson of the Policing Board Des Rea regarding dealing with the past, Sinn Féin Foyle Representative Raymond McCartney, who is attending a Policing Conference in the Waterfront Hall, has said that Sinn Féin supports Truth Recovery. Read more

Sinn Féin offer chance for voters in North Down to advance Peace Process

Sinn Féin Representative in North Down Deaglan Page today said that his party was offering voters in the constituency the chance to endorse their record in the Peace Process, in local communities and across the island. Read more

Sinn Féin oppose imposition of National Park without local agreement

Sinn Féin South Down Assembly election candidate Caitríona Ruane has said that it is a mistake to impose the planned national park on the area without the support of the local community. Read more

Sinn Féin welcomes East Down Anti-racism Network Initiative

Sinn Féin councillor Eamon McConvey has welcomed the launch of an anti-racism initiative on the part of East Down Anti-Racist Network who are to distribute beer mates in an effort to raise greater public awareness about this issue. Read more

Cyber launch of Sinn Féin's Assembly election website

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams will participate in a cyber-launch of Sinn Féin's Assembly Election website. The party has asked users of its Sinn Féin News, Sinn Féin, Bebo, MySpace and YouTube websites to email in questions to Gerry Adams at info@sinnfeinassembly.com concerning the March 7th Assembly election, the peace… Read more

Welcome removal of the Rosemount Watch Tower - As work Begins

Sinn Féin Assembly candidate Martina Anderson has welcomed the commencement of work to remove the Rosemount Watch Tower. Read more

Relegation of Shelbourne should focus minds in need to settle Brandywell future

Sinn Féin Derry Assembly election candidate Raymond McCartney has said the relegation of Shelbourne by the FAI should focus minds on the need to get the future of the Brandywell Stadium resolved. Read more

British need to remove Article 19 if they are serious about dealing with the past

Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Policing issue Gerry Kelly today attended both the Policing the Future conference in the Waterfront Hall and the collusion conference held to coincide with it in the Hilton Hotel. Speaking afterwards Mr Kelly said that 'If the British government are serious about dealing with the… Read more

250 Job Losses at Sanmina Lisburn another blow for local economy

Sinn Fein Lagan Valley Assembly candidate Paul Butler has said that the loss of 250 jobs at Sanmina Electronics Company in Lisburn is another major blow for the local economy. Read more

Morgan calls for Harney’s resignation as health crisis deepens in North East

Louth Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan has called for the resignation of Health Minister Mary Harney and for healthcare facilities to be re-instated at Louth County Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. Read more

Government must stand up to An Post management

Sinn Féin Communications Spokesperson Seán Crowe TD has called on the Government to stand up to management at An Post to preserve essential public services particularly in rural Ireland. Read more

Dominic Bradley must address SDLP hypocrisy

Sinn Féin MLA and Irish language spokesperson Francie Brolly has said that the refusal by SDLP Councillors to support a motion before Newry and Mourne Council this week asking that Ministers of all Departments and all government Agencies and Bodies ensure that signage in the environs of their buildings and… Read more

Special task force required to handle Crumlin – Drimnagh gangland feud – Ó Snodaigh

Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson and Dublin South Central TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has claimed the feud between two gangs in Crumlin and Drimnagh has not been given the priority it requires. Read more

Waterside needs improved tourist product

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election candidate and Councillor Lynn Fleming has called for an urgent review of facilities available for visiting tourists in the Waterside area of Derry. She also said that there needs to be a plan of action to ensure that the Waterside gets its fair share of… Read more

Local Labour clauses could help tackle unemployment

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election candidate Martina Anderson has said that if ILEX is to maximise the potential of the Fort George, Ebrington and Rosemount Barracks sites then they must ensure that potential development schemes are evaluated not only on the overall financial viability of the proposal but also on… Read more

Beaumont A&E crisis shows total failure of Government response - O'Toole

Sinn Féin Dáil candidate Cllr. Larry O'Toole, who represents much of the area served by Beaumont Hospital, has said the crisis there in recent days was a recurring one "that has been repeated year after year and shows the total failure of the Government's response to the drastic situation in… Read more

Call for investigation into Sellafield link with increased birth defects in the North East

Sinn Fein Environment spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD today called on the Government to investigate the links between a fire at the Sellafield nuclear energy plant 50 years ago and the increase in birth defects in babies in the North East since then. Read more

Cullen buying out tolls in Dublin while introducing them elsewhere – Crowe

Sinn Féin Transport Spokesperson Seán Crowe TD has welcomed the buyout of tolls on the M50 but said motorists should not be made to pay anymore tolls to cover the cost as they have paid for the road many times over already. Read more

Removal of water ‘domestic allowance’ will hit farmers hard

Sinn Féin Agriculture and Rural Development Spokesperson Fermanagh South Tyrone Assembly election candidate Michelle Gildernew MP has said that Water Charges will hit rural communities, particularly farmers hard and said that the only way to stop the imposition of the charge is by voting Sinn Féin. Read more

Castlederg Policing issue - Doherty seeking Nuala O Loan to attend Public Meeting

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty has made a written request to Police Ombudsman Nuala O Loan asking her to attend a public meeting in Castlederg so as to appraise constituents of the complaints procedures available against PSNI officers who they believe to be operating in a partisan political… Read more

Sinn Féin condemn attack on French student

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election candidate Martina Anderson has said more needs to done to tackle racism and intolerance in the aftermath of an attack on a visiting French Student in the city. Read more

McGill believes ‘Rural Affairs Taskforce’ Essential

West Tyrone Sinn Féin Assembly Election Candidate Claire Mc Gill believes that the creation of a Rural Affairs Task Force needs to be an urgent priority of the Assembly so as to counteract what she describes as the relentless onslaught by the NIO against the fabric that sustains our rural… Read more

Gerry Adams launches Sinn Féin Assembly Campaign

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams today attended the launch of the party's Assembly election campaign in Belfast Castle. Mr Adams was joined by all of the Sinn Féin candidates standing across the north. Read more

Sinn Féin to launch Irish language website and Irish language Manifesto

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP will be joined by Assembly election candidates to launch the Culture Department’s new Sinn Féin Irish language website and Manifesto for Irish language tomorrow, Thursday 22nd February, at 12.30 at the Culturlann (Cultúrlann Mac Adaim Ó Fiaich) on the Falls Road, Belfast. Read more

Sinn Féin fully support marriage rights for same sex couples

Sinn Féin Equality Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh indicated Sinn Féin’s support for the Civil Union Bill 2007 but argued in the Dáil this evening that equality will only be achieved by introducing full marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. Read more

Sinn Féin attempts to increase number of judges for Central Criminal and Circuit Courts

Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has said the Government would rather curtail civil liberties than target resources at protecting communities. Read more

Brolly – Move Prison away from Magilligan

Sinn Féin East Derry Assembly candidate Francie Brolly has said that the Magilligan Prison should be closed and relocated from the area to allow the natural tourism potential of Magilligan Strand to be fully developed. He also called for the removal of the British Army Magilligan Barracks and training facilities. Read more

Ferris calls for relief for retired farmers

The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD, has reiterated his call for measures to be introduced to provide relief for farmers who were part of the Early Retirement Scheme but who have lost out due to changes introduced by the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, and the… Read more

Crowe calls on Cullen to intervene in Aer Lingus dispute

Sinn Féin Transport Spokesperson Seán Crowe TD speaking in Leinster house today called on Transport Minister Martin Cullen to intervene in the Aer Lingus dispute which he said would be in the national interest. Read more

Health insurance debacle exposes need for radical reform of health funding – Ferris

Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris has said the rushing through of emergency legislation in the Dáil to shut down risk equalisation loopholes has exposed the “inequitable and inefficient way in which our health services are funded”. Read more

Youth Facilities needed in South Down

Sinn Féin South Down Assembly election candidate Caitríona Ruane believes additional resources must be made available to fund more imaginative initiatives for young people. Ms Ruane made her comments after the findings of a survey entitled ‘Young people’s views on youth-friendly facilities in east Cork’ were published earlier this month. Read more

Creggan Investment Call

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election candidate Martina Anderson has called for the statutory agencies and government departments to commit to seriously to investing in the Creggan area in a joined up approach with the community and voluntary sector and residents of the estate. Read more

Call for Local Community to stand shoulder to shoulder with Fire Service

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election candidate Raymond McCartney has called on all the people of Galliagh to do all in their power to ensure that attacks on the Fire Service are stopped and that they are allowed to do their jobs with out fear and go about the business of… Read more

Resumption of BCG vaccine programme welcomed

The resumption of the BCG vaccine programme by the Health Service Executive (HSE) has been welcomed by Sinn Fein Dublin North East Sinn Féin candidate Larry O'Toole. Read more

Child Benefit Crucial for Parents

Sinn Féin Newry Armagh Assembly election candidate Mickey Brady has called for a rebalance of the current structure of child benefit to increase payments for larger families. Read more

Morgan condemns Irish workplace violence

Sinn Fein spokesperson on Workers Rights Deputy Arthur Morgan today expressed grave concern at the results of a European wide study that found that workers in this state suffer more workplace-related stress, and higher than average levels of physical violence in the workplace than their European counterparts. Read more

Adams and de Brún launch of Irish Language manifesto and website

Speaking after the launch of the Irish language manifesto in Cultúrlann Mac Adam Ó Fiaich today, Gerry Adams reaffirmed his party’s position on the rights of Irish speakers on the island of Ireland and assured a bright future for the language, providing the British government keep the promises made during… Read more

Gerry Adams and Bairbre de Brún attend launch of Irish Language manifesto and Culture Department's new website

Speaking after the launch of the Irish language manifesto in Cultúrlann Mac Adam Ó Fiaich today, Gerry Adams reaffirmed his party's position on the rights of Irish speakers on the island of Ireland and assured a bright future for the language, providing the British government keep the promises made during… Read more

Sinn Féin publish Dáil motion on Domestic Violence

Sinn Féin Justice and Equality Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has published a Dáil motion that seeks to address the nightmare of domestic violence in Ireland. Read more

Classroom Assistants continue to be undervalued

Sinn Féin Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy has said that many classroom assistants feel that if there is no change in their status that they will continue to be undervalued in what is an often demanding and responsible job. Read more

Crumlin / Drimnagh feud escalating out of hand – Ó Snodaigh

Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has said latest shooting in the feud between Crumlin and Drimnagh crime gangs is a result of the Government’s failure to act. Read more

Sinn Féin determined to deliver policing vision

Responding to claims by the DUPs Sammy Wilson that his party had 'destroyed' Sinn Féin's vision of policing, party spokesperson Gerry Kelly said: Read more

DUP need to sort out betwixt and between approach to power sharing

Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness today said that the DUP needed to sort out their 'betwixt and between' approach to power sharing by March 26th. Read more

Spain welcomes plans to upgrade Quarryvale Park

Sinn Féin Dublin Mid West Representative Joanne Spain has welcomed news that South Dublin County Council plans to upgrade Quarryvale Park in 2007. Ms Spain had received hundreds of complaints from residents about dumping and anti-social behaviour in the park over the last year. Read more

Sinn Féin candidate for Dublin Central Mary Lou Mc Donald MEP calls for train stop for Croke Park

Dublin Central candidate Mary Lou Mc Donald MEP speaking ahead of tomorrow's Ireland vs. England rugby game has called on the provision of a train platform for Croke Park. Read more

New funding guidelines placing Voluntary/Community groups under threat

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election candidate Martina Anderson speaking today after meeting with a number of community and voluntary sector groups in Derry has voiced concerns at the threat of closure facing a number of groups as a result of new guidelines on Neighbourhood Renewal funding which will come into… Read more

Gerry Adams to speak at Irish Language Act Rally

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams will speak at the first ever Irish Language Rally, organised by the ACHT Campaign, tomorrow, Saturday 24th February, in Belfast. Read more

Neary victims are owed a Scheme of Redress – Crowe

Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe has said the failure of the medical council to protect the public was seen in the scandal of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where dozens of women were mutilated by Michael Neary. Read more

Tallaght West Childhood Development Initiative a success for local community - Crowe

Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD and spokesperson on Social and Community Affairs Seán Crowe has welcomed the full launch of the Tallaght West Childhood Development Initiative and congratulated the 23 partners in the CDI lead by Katherine Zapone for their untiring work in making this project a reality on… Read more

No negotiation on risk equalisation - McDonald

Dublin Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald has said private health insurance is not the way forward for healthcare in Ireland. Ms. McDonald said that while the closure of the risk equalisation loophole was necessary and is to be welcomed this whole episode exposes the inequities of our healthcare system… Read more

Raymond McCartney visits Galliagh Development Trust

Raymond McCartney MLA has undertaken a day-long series of engagements and visits within Galliagh and the Greater Shantallow area. Speaking after these engagements, Mr. McCartney said that he was very encouraged by the work being carried out by Galliagh Development Trust. Read more

Doolan - Inquiry into Corrib deal must be established

Sinn Féin's Cllr. Daithí Doolan speaking from today's Shell to Sea National rally in Dublin has called for an inquiry into the Corrib gas deal. Read more

Bairbre de Brún MEP to launch Sinn Féin’s North West Charter

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún along with Foyle Assembly election candidate Martina Anderson and Sinn Féin Donegal North East representative and County Councillor Pádraig Mac Lochlainn will launch the party’s North West Charter tomorrow, Monday 26th February, at 9.15 am in the Sinn Féin Party Headquarters & Foyle Constituency… Read more

North West Action Plan On Poverty Needed

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election candidate Martina Anderson, speaking after attending the NICVA consultation event regarding on Anti-Poverty Strategy held at Clooney Hall in Derry has called for a North West Plan to tackle and eradicate Poverty. Read more

‘Lets Make History’ - South Antrim - Lagan Valley

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP will join the campaign trail this Sunday in Lagan Valley with Paul Butler and Mitchel McLaughlin in South Antrim. Voters in these constituencies can make history on March 7th by electing Sinn Féin Assembly members for the first time. Read more

Sinn Féin establish Ard Chomhairle sub committee to campaign for a yes vote on the constitutional referendum on children's rights

Sinn Féin this afternoon announced that it is setting up an Ard Chomhairle sub committee to run the party's campaign for a yes vote on the constitutional referendum on children's rights. Read more

Adams Praises efforts on Suicide Awareness and extends sympathy to family of latest victim

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams MP today praised the efforts of all those, but especially the families, who are working hard to raise awareness around the increasing problem of suicide. The west Belfast MP will today launch the ‘Reaching Out’ campaign at the start of Suicide Awareness Week on the… Read more

Remove the stigma from breastfeeding

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election Candidate Councillor Lynn Fleming has called for better facilities for mothers who wish to breastfeed their babies in public places and for a change in social attitudes to remove any stigma attached. Read more

McLaughlin welcomes Sinn Féin President visit to South Antrim

Sinn Féin South Antrim Assembly Candidate, Mitchel McLaughlin welcomed Party president, Gerry Adams to the Constituency on Sunday 25th February. Read more

ESRI report highlights neglect of older people - Crowe

Speaking after the launch of the ESRI’s Social Portrait of Older People in Ireland report, Sinn Féin Social and Family Affairs spokesperson Seán Crowe TD described the report as ‘further proof that poverty still widely affects elderly people, and its findings highlight the urban-rural divide between quality of life for… Read more

Sinn Féin launch North West Charter

Speaking at the launch of Sinn Féin’s North West Charter, Foyle Assembly election candidate Ms Anderson said that Sinn Fein has a vision of an integrated North West Region. Read more

Sinn Féin meet with Down Health Committee to discuss future of St John's Home

Sinn Féin South Down Assembly election candidate Cllr Eamon McConvey has criticised the decision to close St John's Residential Care Home in Downpatrick. Read more

Sinn Féin raise Castlewellan raw sewage leaks with Water Services

Sinn Féin South Down Assembly election Candidate Caitríona Ruane has said that the party has contacted Water Service and demanded that they take immediate steps after raw sewerage and dirty water leaked from drains close to their homes in Station Avenue in Castlewellan. Read more

Sinn Féin to launch Agenda for Rural Ireland

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP, West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty, and party spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew will launch its agenda for agriculture and rural regeneration ‘Delivering for Rural Ireland’ tomorrow, Tuesday 27th February, at 11.45 am in the Sinn Féin Offices,… Read more

Tag- Cás Mháire Nic an Bhaird-Bairbre de Brún

Ag caint ina dhiaidh breithiúnas deiridh Máire Nic an Bhaird inniú, dúirt Bairbre de Brún, Feisire de Pharlaimint na hEorpa, Read more

Anger at judgement in Máire Nic an Bhaird case

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has called for the rights of Irish speakers to be defended in strong legislation after judgement was given in the case against Irish language teacher Máire Nic an Bhaird today. The long-running case has been the subject of considerable controversy and Irish speakers across… Read more

Children as young as five suffering from mental health problems

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election candidate Martina Anderson has said she is greatly concerned about the latest figures released by the charity Childline, that children as young as five years of age had contacted the organisation about mental health problems. Read more

More Help Needed for dementia sufferers

Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson, Upper Bann Assembly election Candidate John O’Dowd has said that the latest figures released by the London School of Economics and Institute of Psychiatry on a study of Dementia shows there needs to be a radical rethink on both helping those with the illness and providing… Read more

Health services must be regional priority

Speaking this morning from Derry’s Altnagelvin hospital, Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election candidate, Waterside Councillor Lynn Fleming has urged local health chiefs to prioritise the health needs of the region and to ensure that Altnagelvin builds upon existing services of healthcare delivery. Read more

Sinn Féin launch ‘Delivering for Rural Ireland’ manifesto

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP speaking at launch of ‘Delivering for Rural Ireland’ Manifesto in Omagh today has said that Sinn Féin is determined to ensure that rural communities can thrive and grow in the future. Read more

Political will required to address domestic violence – Ó Snodaigh

Sinn Féin Justice and Equality Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has formely moved a Sinn Féin Dáil motion aimed at ending the domestic violence nightmare in Ireland. Read more

Taoiseach should call meeting of all parties in effort to get consensus for children's rights referendum - McDonald

Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald speaking in Dublin today said that the party has written to the Taoiseach today asking him to convene a meeting with representatives of all parties in the Dáil to determine whether there is enough of a consensus to move ahead with the referendum on… Read more

Ó Snodaigh contacts Comreg over postal disruption in Ballyfermot

Dublin South Central TD, Aengus Ó Snodaigh has written to Comreg (Commission for Communications Regulation), to draw attention to the disruption in the Ballyfermot postal district since January. Read more

Problems on Luas line results in Dublin Bus users being left behind

South Dublin Sinn Féin representative Shaun Tracey has said the problems on the Luas Green Line this morning back up his arguments for bus services to be increased to support the line. Mr. Tracey who was on the 46B this morning said many commuters who usually get the bus were… Read more

Phone line priority for Senior Citizens

Sinn Féin Foyle assembly election candidate Raymond McCartney has called on phone companies to give priority to customers who are senior citizens when phone lines are down and to the review the cost of call out charges for faulty phone lines. Read more

Low-income families struggling with debt

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election candidate Martina Anderson has said that a growing number of people are seeking help with their debt problems and that this highlights the worrying extent of personal debt. Read more

Bank Fraud May be linked to Mobile ‘Top-Ups’

Sinn Féin Newry Armagh Assembly election candidate Mickey Brady has warned people who ‘top up’ their mobile phones using Debit or Credit Cards to check their bank accounts as fraudsters may have been ‘copying’ information, which has been used to withdraw money from current accounts. Read more

Carrier Bag Initiative represents ‘missed opportunity’

Sinn Féin North Antrim Assembly candidate Daithí McKay has said that the ‘Carrier Bag Initiative; announced today is a missed opportunity and called for the introduction of a plastic bag levy similar to the one in use in the 26 Counties. Read more

Sinn Féin position on Water Charges vindicated

South Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly candidate Alex Maskey has said that today’s announcement that the Assembly would have the power to scrap the proposed Water Tax has vindicated the Sinn Féin argument against the charges and should now spur on all of the parties to share power and ensure that… Read more

Women with young children are the most discriminated against in the workplace

Sinn Féin Foyle Assembly election candidate, Waterside councillor Lynn Fleming speaking in advance of a study by the Commission for Equality and Human Rights to examine how our lives are affected by race, gender and age. Read more

Taoiseach trying to deceive the public on private hospitals – Morgan

Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan has said the Taoiseach is trying to deceive the public about the Government’s plan to allocate land at public hospitals to developers to build private for-profit hospitals. Read more

Sinn Féin Manifesto launch - Delivering for Ireland's Future

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP today launched the party's Assembly election manifesto. Speaking at the event Mr Adams said that this manifesto is Sinn Féin's contract with the electorate and outlined 10 Sinn Féin commitments. Read more

Morgan calls for social housing for victims of domestic violence

Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan has called on the Government to provide social housing for men and women subjected to domestic violence who have left crisis accommodation. Read more

New Domestic Violence Office must be given responsibility for funding frontline services – Crowe

Sinn Féin Social and Family Affairs Spokesperson Seán Crowe TD has said any new domestic violence office must be given the statutory responsibility to co-ordinate funding allocations from all departments for front line services for domestic violence. Read more

February 2007 Archives (Latest News)

February 1, 2007

February 2, 2007

February 3, 2007

February 4, 2007

February 5, 2007

February 6, 2007

February 7, 2007

February 8, 2007

February 9, 2007

February 10, 2007

February 12, 2007

February 13, 2007

February 14, 2007

February 15, 2007

February 16, 2007

February 17, 2007

February 18, 2007

February 19, 2007