Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness MP has accused the two governments of 'pandering to David Trimble'. Mr McGuinness made the remarks following the meeting today of the British Irish Inter Governmental Conference after which the two governments announced that they would 'not retain' the All-Ireland structures in the absence of other parts of the Agreement functioning.
Mr McGuinness said:
" In October the British government, stepping outside the terms of the Agreement, suspended the political institutions again at the behest of Mr Trimble. Since then he has failed to turn up to any of the round table negotiations aimed at restoring the Assembly and Executive.
" Despite this it seems that the two governments are intent on pandering to Mr Trimble and placing the continued future of the remaining Good Friday institutions in doubt.
" Todays joint statement comes at an early stage in the negotiations and sends out completely the wrong signal and undermines confidence in our collective ability to reach an agreement which will see the political institutions restored. It will also encourage anti-Agremeent elements to continue with their efforts to wreck the Agreement." ENDS
Sinn Féin Criminal Justice Spokesperson, North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly has cautiously welcomed the announcement that open recruitment is to begin in the New Year for a Justice Oversight Commissioner but expressed concern that the remit may be restricted by the current legislative proposals. Mr. Kelly said:
"Sinn Féin has consistently argued for an Oversight Commissioner since the outset of the review of the Criminal Justice System in March 2000. However, today's announcement can only be cautiously welcomed because the remit of the Oversight Commissioner is entirely restricted by the recommendations of the review which did not go far enough.
"While the proposals for the Oversight Commissioner allow powers to scrutinise the implementation of the recommendations of the Criminal Justice review, Sinn Féin is concerned that the review fell a long way short of what was required to address some of the fundamental flaws in the justice system and the way it has operated over the past 30 years.
"Sinn Féin is also deeply concerned that the Oversight Commissioner will not be independent, given the approach to the review which became an in-house NIO driven process. The lack of independence of the review ultimately led to it falling short of what was required.
"The remit of the Commissioner is restricted by the review recommendation but Sinn Féin will continue to push for both greater changes within the criminal justice system and a wider remit for the Commissioner."ENDS
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs Seán Crowe TD has described the government's Traveller housing policy a shambles after a response to a parliamentary question revealed a complete system-wide failure of the State to tackle the issue of Traveller accommodation.
The Dublin South-West TD said:
"The government's plans to provide decent housing for the Travelling community are left in tatters. Local authorities estimated they needed 3,785 units for Traveller housing as part of their five year programmes.
"A mere 328 units were built in 2001 and there are plans for only 172 in 2003. Five years after the Traveller Accommodation Act was passed the government's record on the issue is one of complete and abject failure.
"Last week we saw the government surrender policy development in housing to the developers as the removal of 20% social housing provision came before the House. At a time when there is a housing crisis the likes of which this state has never seen, this government can do no more but look after the interests of their friends in the building industry instead of the 48,000 households on the waiting lists, the 6,000 homeless and the almost 4,000 households on the Traveller
accommodation list." ENDS
Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew and party colleague Barry McElduff today attended the preliminary hearings for the inquests for Roseanne Mallon and the McKearney family. Speaking from Dungannon Michelle Gildernew MP said:
" These inquests basically boil down to two issues. Firstly the British State colluded with those who carried out the killings and have acted to prevent the truth being established ever since. They engaged in State Sponsored Assassination of citizens
" The second major issue is the continuing failure of the PSNI to co-operate with the Inquests into these killings and many others. The PSNI are actively attempting to subvert these inquests and prevent the truth being established. They have consistently failed to provide evidence demanded by the coroner.
" The families of those people killed through collusion will not rest until the truth surrounding the murder of their loved ones is established. Sinn Féin will continue to support these families in their fight for truth and justice." ENDS
West Belfast Sinn Féin Assembly member Bairbre de Brún has labelled as "totally absurd" the suggestion that change can be blocked even in the event that a majority of people here vote for a united Ireland.
The West Belfast MLA said:
"Let us be clear about one thing. If a majority of people in the Six Counties vote against the Union there will be a United Ireland.
"The Ulster Unionist Party have constantly run away from change and have attempted to block democratic politics at every turn.
"This latest stance by Jeffrey Donaldson, however, has decended to the level of farce. It is totally absurd for Jeffery Donaldson to suggest that change can be blocked even in the event that a majority of people vote for a United Ireland".ENDS
Speaking after meeting with the Steven Inquiry team, which is investigating the role of British double agent Brian Nelson, Mid Ulster MP Martin McGuinness said:
"Our decision to meet the Stevens Inquiry was taken despite serious reservations about the slowness of the investigation. We are concerned to know how much they know about the plans to kill us as well as the actual killings of others.
"Both Gerry Adams and myself have been targeted at various times by Nelson, as have many other individuals. Neither of us were ever warned or informed of these threats to our lives, and in fact until the Stevens Inquiry, none of the policing services had contacted us about them.
"We do know that the state colluded in the killing and targeting of its citizens. We know that the role of Brian Nelson in the targeting and killing of Catholics was authorised and sanctioned at the highest levels of the Special Branch and British Intelligence.
"We also know that those officers within RUC Special Branch remain in Special Branch today and remain a force within a force. Those within the Special Branch are still exempt from any form of democratic accountability. Indeed, the killing by unionist paramilitaries last December of William Stobie, who threatened to lift the lid on all of this, would indicate that for the Special Branch and their agents within the UDA that it is business as usual.
"The current reforms of policing do not tackle the cancer at the heart of policing. The Special Branch, the primary instrument of collusion, still exists and continues to act with impunity." ENDS
Sinn Féin TD and spokesperson Social and Community Affairs Deputy Seán Crowe has said that the governments' decision to curtail the Back to Work incentives for the unemployed will be a devastating blow to those who want to return to full time employment.
The Back to Work Scheme will now only apply to people who have been unemployed for five years instead of 15 months as at present. This according to Deputy Crowe is another cutback aimed at those in society who need assistance most.
Deputy Crowe said:
"Fianna Fáil have finally proven that their interest in the unemployed is non-existent. This move is clearly an example of cutbacks aimed at those who need state assistance. The Back to Work initiative has been one of the few schemes that have given a sign of hope to those who find themselves and their families trapped in a cycle of unemployment and poverty. The fact that almost 100,000 families have already benefited from this programme shows the very real impact that it can have in tackling poverty.
"The curtailment of the scheme is, I believe, the first step by this government in removing it entirely and is another shameful indictment of Fianna Fáil policy that has no regard for the needs of the most disadvantaged in society." ENDS
Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness MP and the party's Upper Bann Assembly member Dr. Dara O'Hagan have endorsed the call from the family of Rosemary Nelson for a full Independent International Judicial Inquiry into her murder.
Mr McGuinness said:
" Last week Dara O'Hagan and myself met with Rosemary Nelson's family. We discussed the current investigation in detail, the family's concerns around the lack of progress in the investigation, and the departure of Colin Port. I share the concerns of the family about the manner in which this investigation has proceeded.
" I find it incredible, for example, that the Port investigation team has never questioned those members of the RUC who issued death threats against Rosemary Nelson. Nor has an explanation been obtained for the unusually high RUC and British army activity in the vicinity of Rosemary's home in the days and hours prior to her murder.
" The current investigation has proven that it is incapable of finding the truth behind the killing of Rosemary Nelson. The family's demand for a full Independent International Judicial Inquiry has gathered even more momentum with the resignation of Colin Port.
" Sinn Féin endorse the position of the family. We support their call for an Independent Judicial Inquiry. The family's right to the truth cannot be allowed to become a matter of political barter or negotiation."ENDS
Commenting on today's reports that only 26 Catholics were recruited by the PSNI for administrative duties Sinn Féin spokesperson on Policing Gerry Kelly said:
"Those figures are a stark reminder for the British government that nationalists will not participate within flawed policing arrangements. Nationalists are demanding the sort of accountable policing service promised in the Good Friday Agreement, the British government has so far failed to deliver this.
"These figures place an even greater onus on the British government to bring forward legislation which brings its Policing Act into line with Patten.
"We will continue with our engagement with both governments and the other parties to close the gap between what is currently on offer and the requirements of a fully accountable and representative policing service."ENDS
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on the Marine, Martin Ferris TD, attempted to have the business of the Dáil adjourned this afternoon to allow for discussion of the order to end fishing for certain species by the Irish fleet.
Deputy Ferris said; "The order to stop fishing for these species could not have come at a worse time for Irish fishermen. It is also further proof that the interests of the industry are not being adequately protected under the current quota arrangements. This has led to the ridiculous situation that while Irish fishermen will be prevented from catching these species, fleets from other member states can continue to fish for them in Irish waters."
Ferris also added his support to the Day of Action, which is being organised for this Friday by the three main fishermen's organisation. Deputy Ferris will attend the Kerry protest that will take place at noon on Friday at Dingle.
Sinn Féin Equality spokesperson Dr. Dara O'Hagan, speaking at a party conference on human rights and equality warned that legislation, while crucial, is not in itself sufficient to tackle structural discrimination. She said:
"While legislation is clearly necessary of itself it is not sufficient to tackle structural inequalities. To do that effectively there needs to be a co-ordinated and integrated strategy involving legislation and economic and social policies. The pro-active and urgent pursuit of an equality agenda is critical to building confidence that there is a real attempt to move forward at this time.
"Equality cannot be simply an illusion. There must be full accountability for equality measures; genuine and full participation to ensure that citizens feel their concerns are taken into account and reflected in decisions which affect them; goals and time-tables for its implementation and regular review and assessment of progress and impact.
"Sinn Féin has therefore worked through negotiations at the highest level, through ongoing campaigning to improve the delivery of the equality agenda and through our everyday work with those communities at the 'hard end' as they strive to bring about real, positive and lasting change.
"We need to see regeneration initiatives for such communities, worked out with these communities with targets and timetables for the outcomes sought."ENDS
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Human Rights and Equality issues, Bairbre de Brún MLA has today called on the British and Irish governments to 'honour the commitments they made in the Good Friday Agreement on Equality and Human Rights matters.'
Ms de Brún was speaking at a Sinn Féin conference in Belfast to discuss Equality and Human Rights and their impact on economic investment and development particularly in areas of high social deprivation. The conference was also addressed by the party's equality spokesperson Dr. Dara O'Hagan.
Ms de Brún said:
"Equality and human rights must be at the heart of any successful implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. In the current discussions with the two governments we have placed these matters high on the political agenda. This is particularly true in the areas of economic investment and development. A peace process that does not deliver political and economic change for the better to citizens is failing in one of its primary objectives.
"Sinn Féin has placed equality and human rights firmly on the talks agenda. If we are to speak of implementing the Good Friday Agreement, then people who have suffered most over the years need to see a new beginning for them and for the communities in which they live. Indeed, equality is a central requirement of any stable and cohesive society, and all the more so in our society where discrimination has been used as a tool of division and political power.
"To make progress on the commitments to equality in the Good Friday Agreement, particularly where economic development is concerned, we need to focus on those commitments that have been consistently let down by the promise of change in the past. If we cannot break the cycle in these areas, then it won't happen at all."ENDS
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA will be travelling to Washington on Monday for three days of political briefings with senior politicians and the Administration.
Among the Congress members and Senators Mr. Adams will meet are Jim Walsh, Peter King, Richard Neal and Senator Ted Kennedy. Mr. Adams will also meet President Bush's special ambassador on Ireland Richard Haass.
Mr. Adams is in Dublin today for a series of engagements including a meeting of the Special Olympics, of which he is a patron, a meeting with the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and a meeting with the Chief Executive of the Irish Language body Foras na Gaeilge.
Speaking in Dublin Mr. Adams said:
"My meetings in Washington will allow me to update senior political figures on Capital Hill about the crisis in the process, the many issues involved and what is required to resolve it.
Primarily, our focus will be on the imperative of reinstating the institutions, which the British government should never have suspended.'
The Sinn Féin President also spoke about his meeting later today with the Taoiseach. Mr. Adams said:
"There has yet to be any substantial progress in the discussions around the current crisis. The big picture difficulties around the suspension of the political institutions, policing and demilitarisation, has also been exacerbated by the failure of the British government to move on a range of other issues.
"There is a clear onus on the Irish government as a co-equal partner to the Good Friday Agreement to keep the British government focussed on its obligations. But there is also a responsibility on the Irish government around some matters which are its responsibility. These include the decision to cut finding of the North South Irish language body Foras na Gaeilge. The 11% cut is effectively a reneging of commitments made by the Irish government in the Good Friday Agreement. The NIO who have shown no regard for the Irish language have effectively been given an excuse to cut back on their funding as well.
"This particular matter is an example of issues which come under the broad umbrella of the equality agenda. There are other issues which are outside the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. For example, the issue of northern representation in Southern Institutions, which are the subject of recommendations of the all-party Oireachtas committee on Constitutional Reform, as well as making available access to Irish passport facilities for Irish citizens in the north.
"Some of these issues are being categorised as a Sinn Féin wish list. They are not. But the failure to make progress or the retreat for example on the issue of the Irish language, is making a difficult situation worse."ENDS
Sinn Féin Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin MLA speaking at a public meeting in Balbriggan, County Dublin this evening challenged unionist attitudes to the Agreement, particularly those who have failed in their responsibility to bring about change. Mr. McLaughlin said:
"Just over a year ago former British Secretary of State, John Reid devoted a keynote address to the theme of 'a cold house for unionism'. He directed his comments towards growing nationalist and republican confidence and the need to be conscious of unionist sensitivities. But unionist attitudes are being allowed to pass virtually without scrutiny. I would be interested in listening to the analysis of political commentators as to just how far unionist thinking has changed -- if at all - over the past thirty years. Yes, I could name a number of individual unionists that have very progressive attitudes to the need for change but what about those with the responsibility to implement that change?
"David Trimble's insulting remarks about the 26 counties on at least two occasions in the last twelve months certainly does not portray any degree of political maturity or informed progressive thinking. The best example of resistance to change in unionist thinking is its attitude to power sharing at Local Government level. In the 26 district councils in the North, those with an outright unionist majority have no structured system of power sharing.
"While it is undeniable that major change has taken place since the Agreement and the perception is that the UUP under David Trimble has come a long way - closer examination would seem to suggest that the movement was mostly involuntary. Within hours of the announcement that agreement had been reached on Good Friday 1998, David Trimble began trying to unravel it. At every important juncture in the process since its inception it has been the Ulster Unionists, not as you might have expected the DUP, that has led the charge to prevent the implementation of key aspects of the Agreement -- such as Policing, demilitarisation, Equality legislation, Criminal Justice Review etc.
"At the same time the daily violent onslaught by unionist paramilitaries on the nationalist community barely elicits a comment unless these same Unionist leaders are pressed on the matter.
"If the unionist attitude to change were to be brought under close scrutiny I believe it would clearly identify the main threat of violence in opposition to change as emanating from within unionism. The time has come for unionist leaders to tell nationalists and republicans if they will honour the 'Principle of Consent' when, not if, a majority in the North favours Irish unity. Will they encourage peaceful acceptance of the democratic wishes of the majority of the people of Ireland or will they continue to be ambivalent about Unionist paramilitaries or obstructionist about peaceful and democratic constitutional change? It is not acceptable that these Unionist leaders, who are so loud in their denunciations of Republicanism or so dismissive about Irish society, be allowed to avoid answering these questions. Given the history of unionism, nationalists are entitled to seek and receive proof of unionist bona fides. When can we expect a confidence building initiative from within unionism?"ENDS
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Natural Resources, Martin Ferris TD, has supported the call for all oil and gas exploration licences issued under the terms and conditions introduced by former Energy Minister Ray Burke in 1987 to be suspended. He has also reiterated his earlier demand that Burke's role be made subject to investigation by the Flood Tribunal.
Deputy Ferris was speaking at a Press Conference organised by the Campaign for the Protection of Resources in Dublin this afternoon. The Campaign hopes to encourage wider public interest in what it sees as the scandalous manner in which the country's oil and gas reserves have been handed over to the control of the multi national exploration companies.
Deputy Ferris also referred to the contrast between the potential for economic prosperity contained in the reserves that lie off our coast, with the current cut backs in public spending; "None of this would be necessary if this state had retained proper control over our oil and gas reserves and ensured that they were used in the best interests of the people."
He went on to express the hope that the conference would mark the beginning of a popular campaign to take back control of those reserves from the multi nationals. This would include the demand to restore the state's 50% stake in all finds and the full payment by the companies of tax and royalties."ENDS
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Natural Resources Martin Ferris TD will attend a press conference organised by the Campaign for the Protection of Resources to deal with recent revelations surrounding the planning process for the Corrib Gas field and the role of former Minister Frank Fahy. The Press conference will take place on Tuesday 3rd December at 2 pm in Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.
Speaking beforehand Deputy Ferris said:
"This press conference has been organised to deal with the ongoing controversy surrounding the terms and conditions governing mineral exploration in this state, and more recent revelations surrounding the planning process for the Corrib Gas field which has raised serious questions regarding the role of former Minister Frank Fahy.
"This whole issue is something which is of enormous concern to me as a former oil rig worker and Sinn Féin TD. I have raised the issue on many occasions since being elected and Sinn Féin was the first party to call for the licensing terms and conditions, as amended by Ray Burke in 1987, to be made subject to a full investigation by the Flood Tribunal.
"This is a crucial issue, as the handing over of our oil and gas reserves is closing off a potentially massive future source of economic growth, especially at a time when ordinary people are being faced with sweeping cuts in public spending."ENDS
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams will be speaking tonight at Fitzroy Presbyterian Church at a public meeting sponsored by the zero28 Project Citizenship as part of a series of events called 'The People's Process'. At tonight's meeting speakers are being asked to specifically address the following questions. What do you want to say to the unionist/loyalist communities at this time? What do you want to hear from the unionist/loyalist communities at this time?
Mr. Adams will tell the meeting:
"Sinn Fein is totally committed to the peace process. The proof of that lies in the contribution that we have made, despite all of the difficulties and challenges that this process has thrown up for republicans.
There is a frustration within the wider republican constituency that there never has been any acknowledgement of this by the unionist leadership. I believe that this has a direct effect on the process and particularly upon
