January 2003 Archives (An scéal is deireanaí)
January 2, 2003
Reilly welcomes investigation into collapse of Christmas postal delivery system
Sinn Féin Councillor Joe Reilly has welcomed today's announcement that there is to be a government investigation into the collapse of An Post's delivery system in the run up to Christmas. Read more
January 3, 2003
Crowe - Heartless Harney shamed on CE Schemes
Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe this morning said that it came as no surprise that Mary Harney had tried to wield the axe on 13,000 Community Employment places last year, despite public commitments to the contrary during the election campaign. Read more
January 4, 2003
Cullinane - 100% increase in service charges a disgrace
Sinn Féin Waterford Representative David Cullinane has described the proposed 100% increase in service charges as a disgrace and labelled any oppostion councillors who supported such massive increases as 'cowards'. Read more
January 5, 2003
Maskey - can the Good Friday Agreement survive in 2003?
Sinn Féin Mayor of Belfast Alex Maskey delivers the first keynote republican address of 2003 on the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement at the Fergal O'Hanlon Memorial Lecture in Monaghan. Read more
Ó Snodaigh - Use of Irish airports by US warplanes must end
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh speaking in Limerick this afternoon has accused the government of fundamentally undermining neutrality by allowing US warplanes to use Shannon airport as a base. Read more
Ó Snodaigh - Use of Irish airports by US warplanes must end
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh speaking in Limerick this afternoon has accused the government of fundamentally undermining neutrality by allowing US warplanes to use Shannon airport as a base. Read more
January 6, 2003
Burke - Sinn Féin seeks all party support for proposals to save Council from collapse
Sinn Féin leader on Dublin City Council Cllr. Christy Burke, speaking after a meeting with City Manager John Fitzgerald said that Sinn Féin is deeply concerned at the prospect of the Council being dissolved by the government and described these bully boy tactics as an affront to democracy. " Read more
Gildernew - PSNI arming with weapons of repression
Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew has accused the PSNI of 'arming themselves with all available weapons of repression'. Read more
Kelly - Holy Cross pipe bomb
North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly speaking about this mornings pipe-bomb discovery at Holy Cross Primary School said: "The New Year has only begun and already we have a disgraceful attack on children by some faction of the UDA. Read more
Morgan - Greedy McCreevy's water charges an excuse to tax people twice
Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment Arthur Morgan TD said: "The reported attempts by Charlie McCreevy to impose water charges state-wide in the last budget provide yet another example of this government making ordinary people pay through the nose for the mess that he and his colleagues have made of… Read more
January 7, 2003
Ferris demands action on crisis in farming
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD has demanded that the Government take urgent action to address the crisis in farming. Read more
McGuinness - Next six to eight weeks critical
Speaking before his meeting in London with British Prime Minister, Tony Blair Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator, Martin Mc Guinness said:"The next six to eight weeks will probably be the most critical period the north has seen in the last thirty years. Read more
McLaughlin - 200,000 voters missing from electoral register
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA, Mitchel Mc Laughlin has claimed that according to Census figures up to 200,000 people eligible to vote are missing from the Electoral Register. Read more
Ó Caoláin - Health Minister must act on A and E closures threat
The Minister for Health and Children Micheal Martin has been urged to act to avert the closure of Accident and Emergency units throughout the State following the coming into effect of new training rules imposed by the College of Surgeons. Read more
January 8, 2003
Adams - Sinn Féin Continues With Engagement with Tony Blair
Speaking today in Belfast in advance of his meeting with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said 'We must see in the time ahead their plan to implement the Agreement in all its aspects'. Read more
January 9, 2003
Ferris Claims An Post May Be In Breach Of EU Directive
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Rural Development, Martin Ferris TD has claimed that An Post's proposal to end door-to-door deliveries may be in breach of an EU Directive on the provision of postal services. Read more
January 10, 2003
McLaughlin - Governments lack of urgency a deep concern
Sinn Féin Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin MLA speaking following a day long meeting of the party's Ard Comhairle in Dundalk - the first of the new year - said there was deep concern expressed at todays meeting at the lack of urgency being placed by the two governments on the resolution… Read more
Morgan calls on Cullen to show real commitment to environmental principles
Sinn Fein TD and Environment spokesperson Arthur Morgan has criticised coalition Environment Minister Martin Cullen for his "short sighted comments about Government failures to act on the Kyoto Protocol on climate change". Read more
January 12, 2003
De Brún - Implementation of Equality and Human Rights Agenda essential
Sinn Féin Human Rights and Equality Spokesperson. West Belfast MLA Bairbre de Brún has described the need for the two governments to fully implement the Human Rights and Equality elements of the Good Friday Agreement as a fundamental part of the current talks process. Read more
Ó Caoláin - Sinn Féin to discuss peace process and Irish Unity with Labour Party
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP and Dáil Group Leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD will meet Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte at the party's Falls Road office tomorrow afternoon, Monday 13th January. Read more
Ó Snodaigh calls for return of Dáil to discuss growing threat of war in Iraq
Sinn Féin spokesperson on International Affairs Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called for the Dáil to return for a special sitting to debate the growing threat of war in Iraq. Read more
Cruinniú idir Uachtarán Shinn Féin Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh agus an t-Aire Éamonn Ó Cuiv I mBaile Átha Cliath.
Bhuail Uachtarán Shinn Féin, Gerry Adams leis an t-Aire Éamonn Ó Cuiv I dTeach Laighean inniu. Is I gcomhthéacs go bhfuil an t-Aire Ó Cuiv ag taisteal go Béal Feirste ar an Déardaoin seo chugainn agus ós rud é go mbeidh Gerry Adams anonn I Londain gur tapú ar an… Read more
January 14, 2003
Crowe - Social partnership - Workers running to stand still
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Community Affairs Seán Crowe TD has called on workers to give "careful consideration" to the new partnership proposals and to see if they tackle inequality and promote social inclusion. Read more
Kehoe calls for Mater Private to be opened up to alleviate public backlog
Sinn Féin Councillors Christy Burke and Nicky Kehoe have called on the Minister for Health Micheal Martin to open up the Mater Private to public patients to help alleviate the immediate backlog of people awaiting treatment. Read more
Ó Caoláin - Government response deplorable in A and E crisis
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin has said that there is no-one in government in charge as the State experiences yet another crisis in hospital Accident and Emergency departments. Read more
January 15, 2003
Ó Caoláin - Sinn Féin holds Dáil review
Sinn Féin TDs, Dáil advisers and members of the Ard Comhairle held a day long meeting in Dublin today to plan the party's programme for the upcoming Dáil term and begin preparation for next years local government elections. Read more
Ó Snodaigh - Irish complicity in the war build-up must end
Sinn Féin has pledged its full support to the growing movement against the war on Iraq. International Affairs spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has said the Dáil must be recalled as a matter of urgency. Read more
Adams Challenges Electoral Office on registration fiasco
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP said that the onus was on the electoral office to sort out the gigantic mess that has resulted in over 187,000 people being missing from the register. Read more
January 16, 2003
Burke - Dublin City Council facing the chop
Sinn Féin group leader on Dublin City Council, Councillor Christy Burke, has called on the people of Dublin to come out in suppport of democracy and defend their right to proper representation. Read more
Ó Caoláin - More centralisation is bad for patients and services
Commenting on the leaked review of health service structures Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin said the proposals if adopted could lead to greater centralisation of the health service, making it les accountable to the needs of patients and communities. Read more
Ó Caoláin - Sword of Damocles hanging over Dublin City Council
Sinn Féin TDs Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Martin Ferris, Arthur Morgan, Seán Crowe and Aengus Ó Snodaigh have called on Environment Minister Martin Cullen to end his bully boy tactics and remove his threat to give Dublin City Council the chop and replace it with unelected and unaccountable government appointed Commissioners. Read more
Ó Caoláin - Govt. responsible for €12 million overpayment fiasco
Commenting on the overpayment of €12 million to doctors and pharmacies under the General Medical Services Scheme, Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin TD said this was the direct responsibility of the FF/PD Government and "typified their mismanagement of the health services". Read more
Ó Snodaigh calls on Minister for Justice to directly incorporate European Convention on Human Rights into Irish law
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality, and Human Rights Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called for the Minister for Justice to scrap the Government's present European Convention on Human Rights Bill and introduce a new bill incorporating the Convention directly into domestic law. Read more
Adams - Unionism in a new Ireland
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP said: "We need to look at ways in which the unionist people can find their place in a new Ireland. All of this requires a willingness on our part to explore and to be open to new concepts." Read more
January 18, 2003
Ferris joins Anti-War protesters at Shannon Airport
Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris is this afternoon joining Anti-War protesters at Shannon in opposition to the governments decision to allow the US military to use the airport as a base. Read more
McLaughlin - UUP strategy to stop May 1st elections impediment to progress
Sinn Féin Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin MLA speaking during a meeting of the party's Ard Chomhairle in Dublin today has called on the UUP to come clean on their strategy to stop the Assembly elections going ahead on May 1st. Read more
January 20, 2003
Murphy - Sinn Féin to meet Paul Murphy
A Sinn Fein delegation of party Vice President Pat Doherty MP MLA, Dail Group leader Caoimhghin 6 Caolain TD, Assembly Group leader Conor Murphy MLA will meet British Secretary of State Paul Murphy to discuss the operation of the All Ireland Implementation Bodies. Read more
January 21, 2003
Ó Caoláin - Rejection of Service Plan gives Minister opportunity to act to restore services in North East
Commenting on the rejection by the North Eastern Health Board of the Service Plan for 2003, Health Board member and Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin TD, said it gives the Minister for Health and Children Micheál Martin the opportunity to restore services at Monaghan and Dundalk hospitals. Read more
Adams - Thursday meeting between Ahern and Blair - critical to future of process
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP this morning led a party delegation to meet with the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen. Read more
Ó Snodaigh - 174 elected representatives endorse Shannon Peace Camp
Sinn Féin spokesperson on International Affairs Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD will today (Tuesday 21st) visit the Shannon Peace Camp to deliver a message of support to the camp organisers on behalf of all 174 Sinn Féin elected representatives throughout Ireland. Read more
January 22, 2003
Kelly - Dialogue crucial to resolving political crisis
Sinn Féin North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly speaking at the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation in Dublin today called on the UUP to take the political lead within unionism and re-engage in dialogue.' Read more
McDonald - Equality agenda must be at the heart of inter-community relations
Sinn Féin delegate to the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation.Marylou McDonald said that equality must be at the heart of inter community relations. Read more
January 23, 2003
Ferris Condemns Arrest of Castletownbeare Trawler
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Fisheries, Martin Ferris TD, condemned yesterday's detention of Castletownbeare fisherman Mike Orpin, skipper of the Ardent. Read more
Ó Snodaigh - Supreme Court judgement that will encourage racism
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice and Equality Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has expressed his "deep disappointment" at the ruling by the Supreme Court, which has cleared the way for the Government to deport non-Irish parents of Irish children. Read more
Adams - Governments need to produce plan to implement Agreement
Commenting this evening in London on today's meeting between the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP said: " I will be in touch with the two governments this evening to get a read of today's meeting. Read more
January 24, 2003
Kehoe offers to intervene in Bricklayers dispute as honest broker
Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor Nicky Kehoe has offered to mediate to help bring an end to the dispute, which saw 17 bricklayers arrested for protesting against the use of sub contracted labour. Read more
Kelly - Recruitment Plan Circumvents Patten
Commenting on this mornings announcement that the PSNI is to begin recruiting to the part time reserve Sinn Féin spokesperson on Policing Gerry Kelly said: " The announcement this morning that recruitment to the part time reserve is to begin in unionist areas makes an already bad policing situation worse. Read more
Kelly calls for powers on policing and justice to be transferred to Assembly and North South Ministerial Council
Sinn Fein spokesperson on Policing and Justice, Gerry Kelly, MLA, today called for the powers on policing and justice to be transferred to the Assembly and North/South Ministerial Council. Read more
January 25, 2003
Adams - republicans must be prepared to continue their essential contribute to peace process
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP will tell the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle meeting in Dublin tomorrow, Saturday 25th, that republicans must be prepared to continue their essential contribution to the Peace Process. Read more
January 26, 2003
Ó Snodaigh - Government position on Shannon Airport an act of political and moral cowardice
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Aengus Ó Snodaigh has described reports that the Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan has authorised the transportation of munitions of war through Shannon Airport as a "corruption of the democratic will of the Irish people" and "an act of political and moral cowardice". Read more
January 27, 2003
Ferris accuses Walsh of inconsistency on CAP reform
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development, Martin Ferris TD, has accused Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh of being dangerously inconsistent on the current proposals to reform the Common Agricultural Policy. Read more
Ó Caoláin supports protest by disability groups at Taoiseach's launch
Sinn Féin Dáil leader and Health spokesperson Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin TD has expressed his support and that of his party for groups representing people with disabilities who will protest tomorrow (Tuesday 28 January) at the Taoiseach's launch of the European Year of People with Disabilities. Read more
January 28, 2003
Crowe - Nothing in social partnership to address social imbalance or poverty
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Community, Social and Family Affairs Seán Crowe today questioned the government's commitment to real social partnership. Read more
McGuinness - Political will required to find way forward
Speaking from the College of St Rose in Albany in America, former Education Minster, Martin McGuinness MP, MLA, has said that political will is required to find a way out of the current political impasse. Read more
Ó Caoláin - Sinn Féin to challenge Government inside and outside the Dáil
Speaking prior to a meeting of Sinn Féin's five TDs in Leinster House today, the party's Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said they were planning to challenge the Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrats Coalition on "their litany of deceptions since they took office". Read more
January 29, 2003
McGuinness meets with Richard Haass in US
Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness MP has described this afternoon's meeting with Ambassador Richard Haass as a very good engagement and said that the US Administration stand ready and willing to help the Irish peace process in any way that they can. Read more
Morgan - Ryanair accused of engaging in "sharp and shady practices"
Sinn Féin Consumers Affairs spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD has accused Ryanair of engaging in "sharp and shady practices" after Aer Rianta revealed that the budget airline was "pocketing money which didn't belong to it". Read more
January 30, 2003
De Brun - Sinn Féin meets Human Rights Commission
Following a meeting between Sinn Féin and the Human Rights Commission, Equality and Human Rights Spokesperson Bairbre deBrún said:" Read more
Morgan demands a proper Dáil debate on the issue of Iraq
Sinn Féin TD for Louth Arthur Morgan has called on the Taoiseach in the Dáil this morning to state unequivocally what steps the Government will take in the event of the US taking unilaterally action against Iraq. Read more
Ó Caoláin - Government must challenge privileged position of consultants
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin TD has called on the Minister for Health and Children Micheál Martin TD to "take on the privileged position of consultants" following the latest report which has highlighted their powerful role within the health services. Read more
Ó Snodaigh - Supreme Court decision will encourage racism and will lead to discrimination
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice and Equality Aengus Ó Snodaigh this morning attempted to raise in the Dáil, before being ruled 'out of order', the Supreme Court decision that allows for the wholesale deportation of the parents of Irish children simply on the grounds of ethnicity Read more