May 2005 Archives (An scéal is deireanaí)

Adams calls for plans to celebrate James Connolly's 90th anniversary next year

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP today attended an event to commemorate the 89th anniversary of the death of 1916 Rising leader James Connolly and to mark May Day. Read more

Morgan calls for ratification of UN convention to protect migrant workers

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Trade and Employment, Arthur Morgan TD has called on the Irish Government to ratify the UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and their Families. Read more

Sinn Féin elected representatives to issue joint call for West of the Bann economic strategy

The three Sinn Féin West of the Bann MP's, Martin Mc Guinness MP Mid-Ulster, Michelle Gilldernew MP Fermanagh/South Tyrone and Pat Doherty MP West Tyrone will join Foyle Westminster Candidate Mitchel Mc Laughlin MLA in Derry tomorrow morning May 1st Read more

Speculation grows that Sinn Féin could be largest political party after Westminster elections

Commenting on speculation that Sinn Féin could be the biggest political party in the North after the Westminster elections, Pat Doherty, Head of the party's Election Department said:"A strong nationalist turnout on May 5 could see Sinn Féin become the largest political party in the north in terms of vote… Read more

Sinn Féin MPs prioritise North-West regeneration

Sinn Féin MPs Pat Doherty, Martin McGuinness and Michelle Gildernew and Mitchel McLaughlin MLA issued a joint call in Derry this morning for an economic development strategy for the NorthWest to reverse decades of discrimination and under-funding West of the Bann. Read more

Election Office report deeply disturbing

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has described as "deeply disturbing" a report by the Electoral Office of an Equality Impact Assessment into the north's electoral register. Mr. Adams said: "This report highlights the strong probability that canvassers working for the electoral office may have discriminated against households and individuals on… Read more

Sinn Féin - Leading the way to the Future

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP was joined today by party colleagues Caitriona Runae, Alex Maskey and Gerry Kelly for the party's final press conference of the Westminster election campaign. Read more

Decision to disallow opposition amendments on Disability Bill outrageous

Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe has described as "outrageous" a decision by the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights to disallow opposition amendments regarding the definition of disability in the Disability Bill 2004. Read more

Sinn Féin President attends Hunger Strike event in Belfast

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams was today joined by former Blanketmen and Sinn Féin representatives for a short rededication ceremony at the Bobby Sands mural on the party's Sevastopol Street offices. The event came on the eve of the 24th Anniversary of the death of Bobby Sands on Hunger Strike. Read more

Company and Government share blame for massive job losses

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment Arthur Morgan TD has said the Waterford Wedgewood management and the Government must share responsibility for the massive job losses in Dungarvan. Read more

Doolan slams OPW permission for mobile phone mast

Dublin Southeast Sinn Féin Councillor, Daithí Doolan has said that there should be no installation of a phone mast on Bishop Street in Dublin 8 without consultation with the local residents. Read more

Martin failed Waterford as Health Minister and has now failed Waterford as Employment Minister

Waterford Sinn Féin Councillor, David Cullinane has slammed Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Míchael Martin for his refusal to meet with a cross party delegation from Waterford City Council to discuss initiatives to create new jobs in the Waterford area. Read more

Crowe in call for strategic action on suicide prevention

Dublin Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe has echoed a call, made by party president Gerry Adams last week, for strategic action on suicide prevention. Read more

British Army Operation ongoing in South Armagh

South Armagh Sinn Féin Councillor Packie McDonald has demanded that the British Army and PSNI end an operation in Meigh which began with the village being sealed of at around noon today. Read more

Government asks people to sign blank cheque

Sinn Féin European Affairs spokesperson in the Dáil, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has said the Government's draft constitutional amendments go further than ratifying the EU Constitution and would rule out almost any future referral of fundamental matters of Irish sovereignty to the people. Read more

Sinn Féin gain in Newry Armagh

Martin McGuinness has been re-elected in Mid Ulster receiving 21,641 votes. Read more

Video interviews from the Count Centres

Throughout the day we will have interviews with Sinn Féin representatives from around the count centres. The interviews can be viewed in the video section in the media centre of the Westminster site. New interviews appear at the end of the page. Read more

Opportunity for progress must now be seized

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP has thanked all those who voted for Sinn Féin returning it as the largest pro-Agreement and largest nationalist party. He said 'the opportunity for progress must now be seized. We want to see a return to the talks as quickly as possible.' Read more

Sinn Féin calls for a thorough investigation into allegations about corruption in Waterford County Council

Waterford County Councillor Brendan Mansfield today called for transparency and full co-operation between the County Council and the Garda investigation into alleged corruption in Waterford County Council. Read more

Dublin Street Traders need not become victims of Rip Off Ireland

Councillor Killian Forde, Sinn Fein Finance spokesperson on Dublin City Council confirmed that following discussion with Dublin trader that the party would be rejecting out of hand the proposed exorbitant increases in Casual Trading Fees. Read more

Ferris welcomes announcement of extra special needs teachers

North Kerry TD Martin Ferris has welcomed the announcement that 660 new special needs teaching posts will be put in place in primary schools from next September but said he was still concerned about how the posts were to be allocated." Read more

Local Election Results

Counting in the Local Government elections has got underway across the North. For up to date results go directly to www.sinnfeinnews.com Read more

de Brún speaks in favour of GUE/NGL resolution in support of McCartney family's campaign for justice

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún will this evening speak in the European Parliament in favour of a GUE/NGL resolution supporting the McCartney family's campaign for justice. Read more

British must move agenda for change forward

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP speaking after meeting the new British Secretary of State, Peter Hain, in Stormont Castle today said that the British government must move the agenda for change forward without delay. Read more

Local Government Results 2005

In the Local Government elections, Sinn Féin has made remarkable gains on 2001 and has had 126 Councillors elected. Below is the full list of those elected. Read more

Adams - Sinn Féin going from strength to strength

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP this afternoon thanked all those who helped elect 126 Sinn Féin Councillors and five MPs across the North. He said that this remarkable result would allow Sinn Féin to continue its work to advance the peace process, build for Irish unity and bring about… Read more

Whenever is not good enough

Sinn Féin Dáil Leader, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has said he is "appalled" that the Taoiseach seems to be satisfied that the 10,000 affordable houses promised under the Sustaining Progress Agreement will be delivered "whenever". Read more

Management at Sellafield remain in "cover-up" mode - Morgan

Sinn Fein spokesperson on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Arthur Morgan T.D. has slammed as unacceptable the three day delay by BNFL in notifying Irish authorities of a leak which occurred at the plant on April 18th. Read more

Doolan welcomes City Council's directive to mobile phone companies

Sinn Féin Dublin Spokesperson on Environment and Representative for Dublin South East, Councillor Daithí Doolan, welcomed, "City Council's call for mobile phone companies to consult with local communities before any further installations take place here in Dublin." Read more

City Manager proposal on casual trading fees rejected at Council meeting

Councillor Killian Forde, Sinn Fein finance spokesperson on Dublin City Council has tonight welcomed the support given by all political parties in rejecting the proposed exorbitant increases in casual trading fees. Read more

Gerry Adams says "Go raibh maith agat"

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP has thanked all those who voted for Sinn Féin in the Westminster and Local government elections, endorsing the work of the party and returning it as the largest pro-Agreement and largest nationalist party in the north. Read more

Doherty welcomes measures to reduce backlog for driving test

Donegal Sinn Féin Councillor Pearse Doherty has welcomed reports that the Government has agreed a package of measures designed to reduce the backlog of learner drivers waiting for full licences. Read more

Sinn Féin MPs in London as new parliamentary sitting begins

Sinn Féin MPs Pat Doherty and Conor Murphy today travelled to Westminster for the opening day of the new parliamentary sitting. Read more

SF Dáil leader suspended after clash with Taoiseach

Ó Caoláin challenges Taoiseach on "fundamentally flawed" Disability Bill. Read more

Decision to route M3 through Tara will mean M3 will not be built anytime soon

Meath Sinn Féin Councillor, Joe Reilly has said, "The decision to allow routing the M3 through Tara will mean that the M3 will not be built anytime soon, and when it is the Tara landscape will be irreparably damaged." Read more

Sinn Féin MEP calls upon EU to step up support for Sudan

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has today called upon the European Union under the direction of the United Nations, to step up efforts to help bring peace to Sudan. Read more

Department must allow motor licensing authorities accept northern birth certificates as ID

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport, Seán Crowe TD, has called on the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to immediately rectify the anomaly that exists in relation to the forms of identification acceptable to the Motor Tax Office when applying for a driving licence. Read more

Harney's honeymoon period in Health ended in 1999

Sinn Féin TD for Louth, Arthur Morgan speaking during the Fine Gael Private Members Business debate on Accident and Emergency Units said that Mary Harney's honeymoon period in Health had ended in 1999. Read more

Hain must end sanctions programme

Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh & South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew has called on the new British Secretary of State Peter Hain to immediately lift the programme of sanctions and discrimination placed upon the Sinn Féin electorate by his predecessor. Read more

Sinn Féin will not compromise on workers rights

Sinn Féin National Chairperson and MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald has today said her party will "not compromise on the rights of workers within the European Union". Read more

European Parliament Interfering in Constitution Ratification Process

Sinn Féin National Chairperson and MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald has accused the European Parliament of interefering in the Irish ratification process for the EU Constitution. Read more

New Direct rule Ministers must abandon failures of predecessors

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty has challenged the new team of direct rule ministers to abandon the failures and mistakes of recent direct rule ministers. Read more

Shameful Government policies to blame for increase in middle-income poverty

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs, Seán Crowe TD has said "shameful Government policies" are responsible for the growing level of poverty among middle-income families. Read more

Greater focus required on climate change

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún today supported a resolution in the European Parliament today which calls for a greater focus on the issue of climate change and calls for the EU to put forward proposals for a future strategy building on the Kyoto Protocol. Read more

Murphy - McDowell needs to learn democratic rights are not concessions

Sinn Féin MP for Newry & Armagh Conor Murphy has described comments by the Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell branding the right of northern MPs to representation in the Dail as 'a concession which was not on the cards' as typically partitionist, short sighted and flawed. Read more

Agenda for Agriculture and Rural Development must be built on breaking link to UK policy

Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson, Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew has challenged new British direct rule Minster Jeff Rooker to recognise the damage done to the farming and rural communities in the north of Ireland by being tied to a UK policy framework. Read more

Ferris calls for intervention in land market

The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD, has called on the Minister for Agriculture to consider re-establishing a body on the lines of the old Land Commission that would intervene in the land market to ensure that agricultural land where it becomes available, is both retained for agricultural… Read more

Support for regional provision of radiation oncology services

Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, today attended a protest in Dublin organized by people from the South East calling for a radiation oncology unit at Waterford Regional Hospital. Read more

Government should stop prevaricating and give go ahead for second terminal

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport, Seán Crowe TD has said that the issue of the second terminal at Dublin Airport "should now be put to bed." Deputy Crowe said, "The Government should stop prevaricating and give the go ahead for the Dublin Airport Authority to start developing the second terminal." Read more

Adams Demands That Suicide Counselling Gap Is Closed

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams today backed a call by families affected by suicide and the Lenadoon Community Counselling Service for more funds for counselling services after they were forced to protest this morning at a meeting of the Eastern Health and Social Services Board. Read more

Sinn Féin to launch EU Constitution campaign

In the coming months the people of Ireland will be asked to vote on the proposed EU Constitution and it is crucial that there is a full and open debate on the consequences that this constitution will have for Ireland and the European Union. Read more

Adams unequivocally condemns any threats against McCartney's

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has "condemned unequivocally and without qualification or reservation" any threats made against the McCartney family. Read more

Sinn Féin back unions protest against school cuts

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP has given Sinn Féin's full backing to the protests across the six counties organised by the trade unions in opposition to the cuts in services resulting from cuts to the Education Library Board budgets. Read more

Anti-Jewish attacks 'sickening' says Doolan

Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor, Daithi Doolan, reacting to the continuing racist and anti-Semitic campaign in the Dublin South East area, has calledon those involved in the campaign to desist from their "hateful activities". He described the attacks as "sickening" and said they were without justification. Read more

Bill for military overflights is an insult to Irish Neutrality

Commenting on news today that the Irish taxpayer has forked out €10million for foreign and military overflights, the majority of which were US Military flights, many to Iraq, Sinn Féin Foreign Affairs spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said it was an "insult to the Irish people and to Irish Neutrality." Read more

Adams - Intensive efforts to get the peace process back on track must begin now

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP and the party's Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness have been in contact in recent days with the Irish and British governments and the US administration and have called for intensive efforts to get the peace process back on track. Read more

Irish political transformation owes much to the vision of republicans

Sinn Féin North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly addressing the annual Hunger Strike Rally in Dunville Park, Belfast has said that despite the establishment onslaught attempting to criminalise our republican past and present Sinn Féin have emerged from the recent elections stronger and with an enhanced mandate. Read more

Sinn Féin leaflet outlining 13 reasons to reject the EU Constitution

The follwoing is a Sinn Féin leaflet outlining 13 reasons to reject the EU Constitution. Read more

Sinn Féin urges all-Ireland response to flu pandemic threat

Sinn Féin health spokesperson, Upper Bann MLA John O'Dowd, has urged the Department of Health in the North to liaise with its counterpart in the Twenty-six Counties in drawing up an effective island wide strategy to deal with threat posed to public health from the outbreak of a potential flu… Read more

End Speech and Therapy postcode lottery

Sinn Féin spokesperson on children's issues, Sue Ramsay MLA, has called for greater resources to be directed towards speech and therapy services and an end to the postcode lottery. Read more

Sinn Féin launch EU referendum campaign

Speaking today Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP called on Irish voters to reject the proposed EU Constitution in forthcoming referenda, which are expected to take place north and south in 2005 and 2006. He called on the Taoiseach to publish the government's proposals immediately and to put the referendum… Read more

Sinn Féin wants a Europe of equals not a federal superstate

Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald this morning set out in detail, in a lengthy document published by the party, the reasons why Sinn Féin is opposing the proposed EU Constitution. Read more

Sinn Féin MLA welcomes user friendly cash machines for blind

Sinn Féin Disability Spokesperson and MLA for Mid Ulster Geraldine Dougan his this afternoon welcomed the installation of two cash machines in Belfast specially adapted for blind users under a pilot scheme. Read more

Sinn Féin call for Waterways Ireland to be given responsibility for Ulster Canal

Sinn Féin Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew has called for the amendment of the remit of Waterways Ireland to include responsibility for the Ulster Canal. Read more

Sinn Féin document on the EU Constitution

The following is Sinn Féin's document on the EU Constitution launched on Monday May 16, 2005. Read more

Doolan-Residents rally against phone masts

Sinn Féin Dublin Sinn Féin Representative, Councillor Daithí Doolan, has today called on, "mobile phone companies to respect both local communities and Dublin City Council's demand that they consult with local communities before any further installations take place here in Dublin." Read more

Dublin North East Sinn Fein to select General Election Candidate

Newly elected Westminster MP Conor Murphy and Dublin MEP, Mary Lou McDonald will be among the speakers at the Sinn Fein Convention to nominate a candidate to represent the party at the next General Election in Dublin North East. The Convention is being held this Wednesday, May 18th at the… Read more

Sinn Féin determined to test British Commitment to progress

Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy has travelled to London today to ensure that 'there is a clear focus on the united Ireland agenda and on the need to rebuild the peace process'. Mr Murphy made his comments at the official opening of the British Parliament today. Read more

Sinn Féin delegation to meet with Mitchell Reiss tomorrow

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP, North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly and Michelle Gildernew MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone will meet the US Special Envoy Mitchell Reiss tomorrow morning at 8.00am at the US Consul General's residence at Shaw's Bridge, Ardnavally, Belfast. Read more

Farmers poorly served by department response to nitrates directive

Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson, Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew speaking after Sinn Féin submitted its response to DARD's Nitrates Directive Consultation has said that farmers are being poorly served by the department. Read more

Lisburn Council AGM will test unionist commitment to power- sharing: Paul Butler

Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Butler has today said that his party will "call on the British government to appoint an administrator to run Lisburn council if there is no change in council practices after this week's council AGM". Read more

Sinn Féin opposed to British ID cards for Irish citizens

Sinn Féin Human Rights and Equality Spokesperson, South Down MLA Caitríona Ruane has said that Sinn Féin are fundamentally opposed to the introduction of British ID cards. Ms Ruane said: Read more

Planning Fee increase will damage rural communities

Sinn Féin Environment Spokesperson, South Down MLA Willie Clarke has said that the increases in the cost of processing planning applications will particularly damage rural communities. Read more

Government called on to intervene in Health Executive dispute with INO

Speaking during Leaders Questions in the Dáil this afternoon Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin TD, described as "provocative" the threat by the Health Service Executive to withhold payments due to nurses and midwives under the Sustaining Progress agreement. Read more

Minister for Justice still has questions to answer on Fullerton case

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD today welcomed the fact that missing correspondence between the Irish and British Governments in relation to the review of the investigation into the 1991 assassination of Donegal County Councillor Eddie Fullerton by Loyalists had resurfaced after queries… Read more

Mary Lou McDonald supports NWCI's Social Welfare Reform protest

Sinn Féin National Chairperson and MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald has today said that 'the need for reform of the welfare system reopens the debate about the role of women within society in general' Read more

Sinn Féin determined to make progress

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams this morning led a party delegation Michelle Gildernew and Gerry Kelly to meet with the US Special envoy Mitchell Reiss in Belfast. Read more

Gerry Adams welcomes Trócaire report on poverty eradication

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has welcomed this mornings publication by Trócaire of its research into the impact of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Read more

Lenihan comments show need for enforcement of Anti-Racism Protocol

Speaking in response to the derogatory comments of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Conor Lenihan regarding Turkish migrant workers in the Dail today, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on International Affairs Aengus O Snodaigh TD said: Read more

EU debate in Seanad highlights need to proceed with Northern Representation in the Oireachtas

Sinn Féin Dáil Group leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has welcomed today's debate in the Seanad on the proposed EU Constitution but said that the decision not to invite MEPs from the Six Counties was short-sighted particularly given the fact that all of Ireland will be voting on this issue… Read more

Sinn Féin delegation to meet Tony Blair in Downing Street

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP along with senior negotiator Martin McGuinness MP, party Vice President Pat Doherty MP, Michelle Gildernew MP, Conor Murphy MP and Mary Lou McDonald MEP will meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair tomorrow, Thursday 19th May, in Downing Street. Read more

Assessment of the problems related to the management of apartment complexes needed

Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Arthur Morgan T.D. today raised the issue of legislative deficiencies in respect of the management of apartment complexes with the Minister of State responsible for Housing Noel Ahern. Read more

Residents launch phone mast campaign

Sinn Féin Dublin Sinn Féin Representative, Councillor Daithí Doolan, has today welcomed, "the latest developments in the battle to get mobile phone companies to engage with communities." Read more

Sinn Féin amendments to Disability Bill to make it rights-based

Sinn Féin has put forward a number of significant amendments to the Disability Bill, which will have the effect of making it rights-based legislation, consistent with the recommendations of the Disability Legislation Consultation Group and the 1996 report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. Read more

Woodward challenged over Hydebank conditions for women prisoners

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Equality, Human Rights and Women, South Down MLA Caitríona Ruane has challenged British direct rule Minster Shaun Woodward to address the deplorable conditions of women prisoners housed in Ash House and to bring in the new powers for the Human Rights Commission that would allow it… Read more

Another Europe is possible -- McDonald addresses Seanad on EU Constitution

Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald commended the Leader and the Seanad, Mary O'Rourke for holding a debate on the EU Constitution to which she had invited the MEPs from the 26 Counties to participate. However, Ms McDonald said, "On the next occasion that we meet, I hope each… Read more

Government should hang its head in shame as astronomical sums squandered

Supporting the Labour Party Private Members Motion on cost overruns of major infrastructural projects, in the Dáil this evening, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin said, the real disgrace around the issue was that the "astronomical" sums squandered "could and should have been spent on providing the services… Read more

End to dithering on terminal welcomed but sale of Aer Lingus described as "act of sabotage"

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport, Seán Crowe TD, has welcomed the fact that the Government has stopped dithering on the issue of the second terminal and has given the go ahead for the Dublin Airport Authority to build it. Read more

Ó Snodaigh describes Disability Bill debate a sham

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights has described the Disability Bill debate in the Dáil as a "sham" and accused the Government of "cynically drawing the Disability sector into a futile and pointless two year round of discussions". Read more

Ground rents are a hangover from the days of British colonial rule in Ireland and should be abolished

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson, Arthur Morgan TD has called for the abolition of ground rents. Deputy Morgan described ground rents a "an ongoing injustice" and "a hangover from the days of British colonial rule in Ireland". Read more

Jeannie Johnson could be focal point of National Famine and Immigration Interpretive Centre in Kerry

Sinn Féin North Kerry TD Martin Ferris has urged Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue to take a "brave initiative" that would not only keep the Jeannie Johnson in Kerry, but could provide a focal point of a national Famine and Immigration Interpretive Centre in Kerry. Read more

New thinking needed to tackle poverty and unemployment in urban and suburban areas

Sinn Féin Community Affairs spokesperson, Seán Crowe TD has welcomed the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaelteacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív's call for new thinking on job creation and economic development in rural Ireland and has called for similar new thinking to tackle poverty and unemployment in urban and suburban… Read more

Urgent action now required following damning Sperrin Lakeland Trust Report-Doherty

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty, has described the resignation of Sperrin Lakeland Trust Chief Executive Hugh Mills as long overdue as the local community has long since lost trust in the body over how it has failed the Tyrone County Hospital. Read more

Mary Lou McDonald MEP to host homelessness conference in European Parliament

Sinn Féin National Chairperson and MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald will host a major anti-homelessness conference in conjunction with FEANTSA (the European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless). Read more

Kelly demands action on suicide after latest death

North Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly today called for urgent action to tackle the growing suicide crisis. Mr Kelly's call came after he attended the funeral of Declan McCluskey, a North Belfast man, who took his own life earlier this week. Read more

Sinn Féin to use Dáil time to oppose Aer Lingus privatisation

Sinn Féin Transport spokesperson, Seán Crowe TD has said that Sinn Féin will use its Private Members Business time next week to call on the Government to retain the national airline, Aer Lingus, in State ownership. Deputy Crowe said "The sale of State's majority share represents a sell-out of the… Read more

SDLP decision to share power with Sinn Fein on Down District Council welcomed

Sinn Fein Down District Council Group Leader Cllr Éamonn Mac Con Midhe has welcomed the u-turn by the SDLP who this week finally decided to share the key positions of Chair and Vice Chair with Down District with Republican elected representatives. Read more

Urgent action now required following damning Sperrin Lakeland Trust Report

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty has said that the resignation of Sperrin Lakeland Chief Executive Hugh Mills is long overdue because the local community has lost trust in the body over it's failure to develop and protect services at the Tyrone County Hospital and called for that urgent… Read more

McGuinness - Concern at US decision to refuse visa waiver

Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness and party representative to the US Rita O'Hare met the US Ambassador to Ireland, James Kenny this morning to update him on the peace process. Mr. McGuinness, who is due to travel to the US next week, said that the party is concerned at… Read more

North Belfast Attacks Planned and Co-ordinated By Unionist Paramilitaries

North Belfast Sinn Fein Assembly member Gerry Kelly has said that last nights attacks on the cars and homes of Catholics in the area were co-ordinated and carried out by one of the unionist paramilitary gangs. Read more

Adams - Only way forward is through the Good Friday Agreement

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams speaking in Belfast this morning said "The DUP leader Ian Paisley declared recently that the Good Friday Agreement is dead. The reality, acknowledged by the Taoiseach on Friday, is that any move forward in this post-election period has to be bedded in the Good Friday… Read more

McGuinness - Attempts to wreck Peace Process cannot be allowed to succeed

Speaking ahead of a two day visit to Washington and New York, Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator, Martin McGuinness said that DUP attempts to wreck the peace process must not succeed. Read more

Mary Lou McDonald opens major homelessness event at European Parliament

Sinn Féin National Chairperson and MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald has this morning gave the opening address at a major conference on homelessness at the European Parliament in Brussels. Read more

Sinn Féin provides time for Dáil to debate privatisation of Aer Lingus

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport, Seán Crowe TD, has put a motion before the Dáil on behalf of the five Sinn Féin TDs, to be discussed during the party's Private Members Business time on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week that challenges the Government's declared intention to sell off a… Read more

Adams Calls for All-Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy by Governments

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has called for an all-Ireland strategy by the Irish and British governments to tackle the increasing numbers of people becoming of victim of suicide and self-harm. Read more

Rise in racist and homophobic attacks demand collective response

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on racism, South Belfast MLA Alex Maskey has said that the latest figures on both racist and homophobic attacks demand a collective response. Read more

Sinn Féin Councillors to bring radical and positive agenda to Local Government chambers

Sinn Féin General Secretary Mitchel McLaughlin has today said that newly elected and re-elected Sinn Féin Councillors will be taking their seats on local councils over the next number of days to "bring their radical agenda for change to local council areas throughout the Six Counties." Read more

IMC Report Due Tomorrow

Speaking in advance of the latest IMC Report due for publication tomorrow Sinn Féin MP for Newry & Armagh Conor Murphy said: Read more

Huge Support for BreastCheck Petition can not be ignored

Sinn Féin Kerry County Councillor Toireasa Ferris said that the huge support that was given to Saturday's petition for the extension of BreastCheck to Kerry could not be ignored by the Minister for Health. Read more

Taoiseach should rein McDowell in now

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called on the Taoiseach to "rein Michael McDowell in" saying that "the headline-grabbing Minister is more interested in spin than substance." Read more

Sale of British Bug attempt to shine light on activities of Securorats

Speaking today in Belfast Sinn Féin General Secretary Mitchel McLaughlin said that the decision to sell part of the British bugging device uncovered last year in Connolly House on the internet was part of a serious attempt to shine a light on the ongoing activities of British security agencies in… Read more

IMC Report has no credibility

Responding to the latest report by the IMC which was published today in Belfast, Sinn Féin Assembly member for South Belfast Alex Maskey said: Read more

Night of "gutter local politics" - Leonard

Coleraine Sinn Féin councillor Billy Leonard has issued a scathing attack against Unionist councillors who ensured that Sinn Féin were excluded from all council positions. Read more

More support for rape crisis services needed in revised estimates

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called on the Government to provide needed additional resources to rape crisis services across the state in the revised estimates coming before the Dail, and to take stronger action to encourage and support reporting sexual violence… Read more

Decision to privatise Aer Lingus is a slap in the face to employees - Morgan

Louth Sinn Féin TD, Arthur Morgan has described the decision to privatise Aer Lingus as "scandalous". Read more

Sinn Féin TDs reject privatisation plans for Aer Lingus

Speaking during this evening,s debate on Sinn Féin's Private Members Motion on Aer Lingus Seán Crowe TD, the Party's spokesperson on Transport said "privatisation will not work for Aer Lingus." Read more

Paisley challenged over Clinton remarks

Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew this evening dismissed remarks made today by the DUP leader Ian Paisley attacking the role played by former US President Bill Clinton in the peace process. Read more

Auction of MI5 bugging device will go ahead at sinnfeinbookshop.com

Sinn Féin General Secretary Mitchel McLaughlin this morning said that the auction of the MI5 bugging device will go ahead at www.sinnfeinbookshop.com. Read more

Adams welcome for establishment of suicide task group

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has given a general welcome to the news that a Suicide Task Group is to be established for North and West Belfast. Read more

French admission on EU Constitution should act as warning to Irish Government

Sinn Féin National Chairperson and MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald has today challenged the Irish Government to "publicly commit itself to ruling out a re-run of the EU Constitution referendum if it is defeated by people in the 26 Counties". Read more

SDLP in disarray over approach to Council Power Sharing

Sinn Féin Chairperson of Magherafelt District Council Sean Kerr has dismissed SDLP criticism of his party for implementing the d'Hondt system of power sharing on the council last night and said that his party would not be deflected by criticism from individual SDLP Councillors or rejectionist unionists from demanding that… Read more

Sinn Féin call for seatbelts on all buses

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has called for the immediate implementation of the Assembly committee report that called for seatbelts to be provided on all buses. Read more

Sinn Fein challenge Hain to come clean over position on Truth Debate

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Truth, North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan has challenged the new British Secretary of State Peter Hain to come clean on the position of the British government on its role in the conflict and its approach to the debate on truth, healing and closure. Read more

Ferris calls for implementation of report on Farm Retirement Scheme

The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD, has called on the Department of Agriculture to implement the Report on the Early Retirement Scheme for farmers that was drawn up by the Committee on Agriculture and Food. Read more

Martin McGuinness begins US trip

Speaking from Washington where he is engaged in a series of meetings with senior US politicians and influential Irish American figures, Sinn Féin Chief negotiator Martin McGuinness said that there is a firm view in the US that any future progress within the political process must be based on the… Read more

Human Rights Commission appointments must be free of British interference

Sinn Féin's Equality, Human Rights and Women's spokesperson, South Down MLA Caitríona Ruane has said that in order to restore maximum public confidence to the North's Human Rights Commission that "any appointments made by the British government must ensure that the Commission is fully representative, is independent of British government… Read more

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael run away from debate on European Constitution

Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald has accused Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of running away from a debate on the proposed European Constitution after key figures in both parties refused to participate in a keynote debate on the proposed EU Constitution. Read more

Privatisation of Aer Lingus 'classic Fianna Fáil stroke'

Sinn Féin leader in the Dáil, Caoimhghin Ó Caolain closing this evenings debate on Aer Lingus said, "The privatisation of Aer Lingus is being carried out in the manner of a classic Fianna Fáil stroke. Read more

Sinn Féin will continue to oppose the Thatcherite sell-out of our publicly owned resources

Dublin South Central Sinn Féin TD, Aengus Ó Snodaigh has said the decision to privatise Aer Lingus "will have implications for the jobs of thousands of workers and for the future of the Irish economy." Read more

Attack on home of Sinn Féin party officer

Sinn Féin Equality and Human Rights Political Manager Chrissie McAuley has said that she will not be intimidated of deflected from advancing the human rights and equality agenda after her home in West Belfast was attacked last night where a number of projectiles were fired at the front window. Read more

Sinn Féin Assembly member's home attacked

The West Belfast home of Sinn Féin Assembly member Fra McCann was last night attacked with ball bearings. The attack which took place shortly after 11pm resulted in outer panes of glass being broken. Read more

Competition Commission Investigation into banking welcomed

Sinn Féin economy spokesperson, Foyle MLA Mitchel McLaughlin has welcomed the announcement that the Competition Commission will investigate the charging practices of the big four banks operating in the north, the Northern Bank, First Trust Bank, Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland, after they failed to prove to the Office… Read more

Sinn Féin voices concern at jailing of Batasuna leader

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP has voiced his concern at the jailing of Batasuna leader Arnaldo Otegi and said that is would only serve to setback efforts to establish a peace process. Read more

Crowe highlights overcrowding crisis at Tallaght IT

Sinn Féin Education spokesperson and Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe has highlighted the issue of overcrowding at Tallaght Institute of Technology with the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, during a Dáil Committee meeting to discuss this year's Education Estimate. The Tallaght based TD called for immediate action on funding… Read more

Sinn Féin ELB Advisory Forum Offer Minister brief window of opportunity

Sinn Fein's 'Education & Library Board Advisory Forum' met last night in Dungannon with newly elected Board Representatives travelling from across the Six Counties to agree on a Campaign Strategy to defend the rights of our children to education, the resources and jobs to meet the needs of our children… Read more

Sinn Féin critical of O2 approach to phone masts

Sinn Féin South Down Assembly Member Caitriona Ruane and local Sinn Fein Councillor Michael Ruane have described decisions made by O2 in relation to the erection of phone masts in Warrenpoint as 'completely unacceptable'. Read more

Gerry Adams home attacked last night

Sinn Féin General Secretary Mitchel McLaughlin has confirmed this afternoon that the home of Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams was amongst those targeted in a series of ball bearing attacks across West Belfast last night. Read more

Dodds suggestion on NI Select Committee dismissed

Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty has dismissed a suggestion by the DUP MP Nigel Dodds that holding meetings of the NI Select Committee in Belfast was in some way a substitute for local politicians exercising real executive power. Read more

Sinn Féin to host major conference on proposed EU Constitution this weekend

Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald has invited all those interested in finding out more about the proposed EU Constitution to attend a two day conference this weekend in the Irish Film Institute in Temple Bar, Dublin. Read more

Sinn Féin to continue fight for rights-based disability law

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has sharply criticised the Government over its failure to respond positively to the broad range of opinion calling for the new disability legislation to be rights-based. Read more

Hydebank report must be first step in new facility for women prisoners

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Human Rights, Equality and Women, South Down MLA Caitríona Ruane has welcomed the publication of the Criminal Justice Inspectorate into the conditions of women prisoners held at Ash House, Hydebank Young Offenders Centre and said that consultation and a commitment to a new facility for women… Read more

City Hall pact blocks Sinn Féin from Mayoralty

Commenting on speculation that Belfast City Council will tonight elect a DUP Mayor and SDLP Deputy Mayor, Upper Falls Sinn Fein councillor and Sinn Fein group leader on Belfast City Council, Paul Maskey said: Read more

The referendum proposals have been published - its now time to set the date

Speaking following the publication of the government,s referendum proposals Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald has said "Now that the proposals have been published, it's time for the government to set the date for the referendum". Read more

Government cancer care strategy in chaos - Ó Caoláin

Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has said the Government's cancer care strategy is "in chaos" following the admission by Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney and by Transport Minister Martin Cullen that there is a need for the treatment of public patients at the proposed… Read more

Traumatic road tragedy requires reflection on cost of car crime

Sinn Féin South Belfast MLA Alex Maskey commenting on the death of one young man and serious injury to a number of other young men in an accident involving a stolen car the on Boucher Road last night has said that the incident requires reflection on the cost of car… Read more

DUP silence on sectarianism challenged

Sinn Féin North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan has questioned the commitment of unionist politicians particularly the DUP to tackling the issue of sectarianism in the Borough of Ballymena. Read more

Irish government commitment welcome but obligation is to implement Agreement

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams today welcomed the comment from the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that the Irish Government commitment to the Good Friday Agreement was 'rock solid'. Read more

Irish unity firmly on political agenda

Sinn Féin spokesperson on all-Ireland development, West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff, speaking from the Annual Institute for British Studies Conference, at UCD in Dublin today said that Irish unity is firmly on political agenda within the minds of Civil Servants, Government Departments, economists, bankers, politicians and academics alike. Read more

Sinn Féin National Elected Representatives Forum

Sinn Féin will hold a National Elected Representatives Forum conference of tomorrow, Saturday 28th May, in the Sinn Féin Gulladuff Centre in South Derry. Read more

Sinn Féin challenge Hain to come clean over position on Truth Debate

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Truth, North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan has challenged the new British Secretary of State Peter Hain to state clearly his approach to the issues of truth, healing and closure. Read more

Sinn Féin conference on EU Constitution begins in Dublin

Sinn Féin's major two-day conference on the implications on the proposed EU Constitution will begin this morning at 9.30am in the Irish Film Institute on Eustace Street in Dublin. Read more

Dublin MEP says Sinn Féin to lead major campaign against ratification of EU Constitution

Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald, speaking at a major conference on the EU Constitution in Dublin this afternoon said "Over the next twelve months Sinn Féin will lead a major campaign, north and south, opposing ratification of the proposed EU Constitution." Read more

de Brún sets out arguments against the EU Constitution

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún speaking during the partys conference on the EU Constitution in Dublin this morning discussed how the Constitution deals with the issue of justice. Read more

Mary Lou McDonald keynote address opposing EU Constitution

Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald today called on the people across the country to oppose the ratification of the EU Constitution. Read more

Crowe - Reason for resignation of chair of National Drugs Strategy alarming

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social, Community and Family Affairs, Seán Crowe TD, has described as Œalarming, the resignation of chairman of the National Drugs Strategy Team subcommittee on the Local Drug Task Forces, Fergus McCabe, over the failure of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to appoint a representative to the… Read more

Sinn Féin conference on the proposed EU Constitution continues in Dublin

Sinn Féin's two day conference on the proposed EU Constitution continues in Dublin this morning in the Irish Film Institute in Dublin. Read more

Ó Snodaigh - Another EU is possible

Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on International Affairs addressing the Sinn Féin Conference on the EU Constitutional Treaty in Dublin this afternoon said: "Democracy is best exercised at local and national level where the citizen and the community have maximum input. The further the unit of democratic-decision making… Read more

French 'NON' will be repeated in states across the European Union

Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald this evening congratulated the French people on their success in having the EU Constitution rejected. She said 'I have no doubt that the French 'NON' will be repeated by states across the European Union. Read more

Sinn Féin challenges Irish government referendum position

Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald today challenged Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern on the government's referendum position. Read more

Ó Snodaigh to outline Sinn Féin,s alternatives to ASBOs

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD will address a public meeting this evening on Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and the Criminal Justice Bill, organised by a coalition of youth groups. Read more

Credit union loans expose abject failure of Government health strategy

Commenting on the revelation that credit unions lent their members at least €30 million last year for essential medical treatment, Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said it exposed the failure of Government health policy. Read more

Anger at use of flags and bunting in mixed area

Sinn Féin Limavady Town councillor Anne Brolly has said that she has been inundated with complaints about Loyalist flags and bunting that have gone up in the mixed Edenmore Road area of the town. Read more

Investment vital tool in tackling inequality

Speaking at a Press Conference today in Belfast's Europa Hotel the Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, MP, MLA, said: Read more

Dutch 'No' would put another nail in the coffin of EU Constitution - Mary Lou McDonald

Sinn Féin National Chairperson and MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald has today said that another No vote in the forthcoming referendum in Holland would 'put to rest the argument that somehow the wounded constitution can stagger on'. Read more

PSNI badge on helicopter will make little difference to those in militarised areas

Sinn Féin MP for Newry & Armagh Conor Murphy today said that PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde was living in a cloud cuckoo land if he seriously believes that nationalists and republicans will think that the purchase of a helicopter indicates any progress towards an acceptable and accountable policing service. Read more

de Brún demands action from British Government to implement smoking ban

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has today demanded that the British Government move to implement a smoking ban in workplaces across the north immediately. Read more

Fire at Knockbraken Ward

South Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly member Alex Maskey today said that there was widespread relief that last nights fire in a ward in Knockbraken designed for young people with mental health problems did not result in fatalities. Read more

Action required immediately on nursing home scandal

Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin has called for immediate government action to recruit additional inspectors of nursing homes in order to protect vulnerable elderly people. Responding to the revelations of ill-treatment of the elderly, Deputy Ó Caoláin said: Read more

Minihan engaged in typical PD spin - Ó Snodaigh

Responding to criticism of his position on Anti-Social Behaviour Orders by PD Senator John Minihan, Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Human Rights accused the Senator of engaging in "PD spin typical of his senior colleague, the Minister for Injustice." Read more

High Court ruling on Shirley case "Good for Carrickmacross" - Carthy

Carrickmacross Sinn Féin Councillor Matt Carthy has said that this weeks High Court ruling on the right to purchase by tenants of the Shirley estate (JES Holdings) is good for all of South Monaghan. Read more

May 2005 Archives (An scéal is deireanaí)

May 1, 2005

May 2, 2005

May 3, 2005

May 4, 2005

May 5, 2005

May 6, 2005

May 7, 2005

May 8, 2005

May 9, 2005

May 10, 2005

May 11, 2005

May 12, 2005

May 13, 2005

May 14, 2005

May 15, 2005

May 16, 2005

May 17, 2005

May 18, 2005

May 19, 2005

May 20, 2005

May 21, 2005

May 22, 2005

May 23, 2005

May 24, 2005

May 25, 2005