Government failed to properly inform farmers and public about new tax – Chris MacManus MEP
Sinn Féin MEP for Midlands Northwest meets with affected landowners in Carndonagh, Co. Donegal
Sinn Féin MEP for Midlands Northwest, Chris MacManus, has criticised the Irish government for failing in their responsibility to ensure farmers were properly informed and aware of the impacts and processes surrounding the new Residential Zoned Land Tax. The Midlands Northwest MEP was speaking after meeting with local landowners in Carndonagh, Co Donegal affected by the new tax alongside his colleagues Cllr Albert Doherty and Cllr Terry Crossan.
MEP MacManus said;
“I have been meeting many farmers in my constituency, including here in Carndonagh, and many of them across the country were not made properly aware by the state of the new implications and processes concerning the new Residential Zoned Land Tax, especially for land that is farmed."
“I stand by my colleague Matt Carthy’s remarks that farmland in agricultural use should not be zoned for construction.
“Authorities zoning or rezoning a farmer’s land, without their knowledge or consent is an appalling practice which I unreservedly condemn."
“If farmers have found their farmland zoned for the tax in that situation, the onus shouldn’t be left solely with the farmer to resolve this."
“I fear many farmers caught unaware will be overwhelmed by the sudden administrative burden that will be thrust on top of their many other concerns."
“The prospect of farmers on low incomes also paying significant sums of this new tax for land that is already in agricultural use is an unacceptable scenario."
“The state should extend the deadline that was on the 1st January to accommodate the farmers that were not properly informed due to poor government communication and allow them the adequate period unlike before to make a submission about land that they think should be excluded or included."
MacManus concluded, “The lack of transparency around the Residential Zoned Land is the government’s failure not the public’s. Farmers, and rural homeowners should not be penalised for the state neglecting it duty to communicate and inform effectively.” ENDS
See attached photo of (L-R): Seamus Campbell (Teagasc), Chris MacManus MEP, Cllr Albert Doherty and Carndonagh landowners
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has called on Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien to explain the €1bn capital underspend from his 2022 budget allocation.
The call comes as the total underspend was revealed in a Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Incoming Minister’s Brief 2022 document prepared for Paschal Donohoe last month.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“We have known for some months that the Department of Housing had a significant underspend last year and that the government would miss their social and affordable housing targets.
“However, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Incoming Minister’s Brief prepared for Paschal Donohoe in December estimates that the total capital underspend in the Department of Housing last year will be as high as €1bn.
“Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien must explain this scandalous underspend. We are in the middle of an escalating housing and homeless crisis. Rents and house prices are rising. Homelessness is at record levels.
“The idea that the Minister for Housing would allow a capital underspend of up to €1bn is absolutely scandalous.
“The DEPR report sets out in stark detail the impact of the underspend. Social Housing output is likely to be 28% below target with just 6500 of the promised 9000 new build social homes delivered.
“Affordable housing output is likely to be a staggering 78% short of the 4100 affordable homes promised. The DEPR report estimates that less than 1000 affordable homes were delivered last year.
“There is a direct link between the deepening housing crisis and the Minister for Housing's missed targets. People are homeless because the government is failing to meet its social housing targets. Rents and house prices are rising because the government is failing to meet its affordable housing targets.
“For the third year in a row, Darragh O’Brien has missed his public housing targets and failed to spend the capital allocated to him. The government's housing plan is not working. It is making the crisis worse.
“Only a new housing plan, from a new minister, under a new government, can start to end the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael housing crisis.”
The Incoming Minister's Brief can be read here.
Sinn Fein Senator Paul Gavan has called on the British Government to respect the clear calls made in a report adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), with regard to the impact of Brexit on human rights in Ireland.
The report, entitled “The Impact of Brexit on human rights on the island of Ireland,” was endorsed by more than a two to one majority of members of the assembly.
It is highly critical of the British Government with regard to its stance on the Protocol, it’s so called Legacy Bill and unilateral actions that could undermine the Good Friday Agreement.
Speaking at the commencement of the winter session of PACE in Strasbourg, Senator Gavan said:
“The report has sent a clear message to the British Government regarding the absolute need to respect human rights, respect the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights, protect the Good Friday Agreement, and refrain from taking unilateral action.
“The people of the North of Ireland did not vote for Brexit. So it is entirely appropriate that this report calls for the smooth and efficient implementation of the Protocol.
"The report also highlights that the British government’s previous attempts to pursue a unilateral policy to change core elements of the Protocol constitutes a clear breach of international law.
“The report also cites 'serious concerns' regarding the compatibility of the British Government’s so called Legacy Bill with the European Convention on Human Rights.
"This Bill of Shame which would, uniquely in the world and against all principles of domestic and international law, close down all routes to justice for people bereaved in the conflict should now be shelved without further delay.
"There is not one single party in Ireland, north of south, who supports this appalling Bill which again constitutes a breach of the Good Friday Agreement.
“The report also makes a clear call for the immediate re-establishment of the Assembly for the North.
“The coming weeks may be crucial in potentially resolving issues around the Protocol, but the wider implications of Brexit with regard to human rights, the continuing denial of justice to so many families in the North, and the need to protect the Good Friday Agreement are all called out in this report.
"The British Government, as member of the Council of Europe, must respect the key demands in this report and immediately refrain from any further unilateral action.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has called on the Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, to give a statement and answer questions in the Dáil following the publication of a damning interim report by the Mental Health Commission.
The report found serious concerns and consequent risks for patients in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Teachta Ward has also asked for the Oireachtas Mental Health Committee to meet urgently with the HSE to discuss the crisis in children’s mental health, and added that it is clear that CAMHS is not working and that an urgent strategy is needed to tackle the crisis.
Teachta Ward said:
“The publication of a damning Interim Report into CAMHS has shown that we have now gone way beyond crisis point when it comes to our children’s mental health.
“Only last week I raised the issue that the number of children waiting on an appointment with CAMHS has increased by 86 percent under this government.
“Of major concern is the situation of the ‘lost children’ identified in this report. This pertains to children and young people with open cases, who have been lost to follow-up.
“Ultimately the report describes a situation of children, who should have had follow-up appointments, including review of prescriptions or monitoring of medication, waiting for an appointment in some cases for up to two years.
“That is completely unacceptable. That is two years where some teams were not monitoring antipsychotic medication, in accordance with international standards, while other children were taking medication without appropriate blood tests and physical monitoring that is essential when on such medication.
“In one CAMHS team alone, there were 140 ‘lost children’. Everything must be done to identify these children immediately to ensure that they receive the appropriate mental health treatment. Parents who are concerned that their child is one of the lost children need to be able to access help.
“The Mental Health Commission found that lack of governance in many areas is contributing to some inefficient and unsafe CAMHS services, including the failure to manage risk, failure to fund and recruit key staff.
“The current systems within the HSE are counterproductive as there is a failure to look at alternative models of providing services when recruitment becomes difficult.
“There is also no ring-fenced budget for CAMHS, which hinders the ability to provide a standardised service across and within CHOs.
“I want to thank Dr Susan Finnerty and the Mental Health Commission for highlighting the crisis in CAMHS.
“The government must now look at the immediate regulation of CAMHS under the Mental Health Act. This would give the Mental Health Commission the power to set standards for high quality and good practices across all CAMHS services.
“I also want to commend the Mental Health Commission for producing an interim report early because of the identified risks to children due to lack of clinical governance.
“These were escalated to the Chief Officer of the relevant CHO and in one case to the Assistant National Director, Head of Operations, Quality and Service Improvement in the HSE.
“However, when I raised this directly with the Minister in the Dáil late last year, she claimed that she was not informed by the HSE the nature of these risks.
“We need to see the reinstatement of the position of a National Director for Mental Health who is responsible, accountable and reports directly to the Minister.
“The HSE is currently conducting three national audits into CAMHS. It is concerning that the HSE has not found any risks significant enough to escalate to the Minister or to produce an interim report so they can put the appropriate measures in place.
“The report found serious concerns and consequent risks for some patients across areas of four out of five Community Healthcare CAMHS. The one area that passed with flying colours is an area where the CAMHS service is delivered by an independent provider.
“What a damning indictment of the HSE.
“I am calling for the Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler to have a debate in the Dáil after the publication of an interim report by the Mental Health Commission, and that the Oireachtas Mental Health Committee meet urgently with the HSE to discuss the crisis in children’s mental health.
“It is clear that CAMHS is not working and that an urgent strategy is needed to tackle the crisis.”
The report can be read here.
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has said the British Secretary of State should listen to the voices of leading US figures on key issues of the Protocol and legacy.
Speaking ahead of Chris Heaton-Harris’ visit to the US, Conor Murphy said:
“The US administration has been steadfast in its support for the Protocol and the Good Friday Agreement and ensuring people in the north and our economy is fully protected.
“It has affirmed its support with the appointment of Special Envoy Joe Kennedy and it’s critical that Chris Heaton Harris works with him and the parties to restore power-sharing and use 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement as a platform to our economic benefit
“The US has also been very clear in its strong opposition to the British Government’s flawed Legacy Bill and its negative implications for victims and families and their right to truth and justice. That was reaffirmed in a letter to Rishi Sunak last week.
“Chris Heaton-Harris must heed the voices of senior figures in the US, and right across Europe, urging his government to scrap the Legacy Bill and to continue working in good faith with the EU to find durable and pragmatic solutions on the Protocol.
“Businesses and our economy need certainty and stability and to continue benefitting from the unique opportunities afforded by the Protocol to create jobs and attract investment.
“He has a responsibility to ensure workers get a fair pay rise, invest in our health and public services and to strengthen the Rates Support Grant available to local councils to keep costs down for households.
“There is no time to waste. People need an Executive formed now to deliver for them. They need clarity from Chris Heaton-Harris on what, if anything, he has done to restore the Assembly and Executive. He should spell that out to US leaders during his visit.”
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has tonight extended his sorrow and condolences to the family of Jim McCabe who passed away today.
Paul Maskey said:
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of West Belfast man Jim McCabe earlier today. I extend my condolences to his children, grandchildren and family circle on their sad loss.
“In July 1981, Jim’s 33-year-old wife Nora was murdered by a plastic bullet fired by the RUC when she was returning from the shop with a pint of milk to her home in Linden Street in the Falls. Jim and Nora had three children when she was murdered, the youngest only three months old.
“In a statement following the incident the RUC lied claiming there had been rioting in the area when the bullet was fired.
“Jim McCabe and his family were devastated but he immediately decided that he would do all in his power to get justice for his wife and the other victims of plastic bullets fired by the RUC and British Army.
“He campaigned against the use of plastic bullets by British state forces and travelled the world to tell his story and that of the other victims of plastic bullets including children.
“He was one of the founders of the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets in 1985.
“The RUC’s lie about Nora’s case was eventually exposed. A Canadian TV crew which had been filming in the area at the time showed conclusively that the area was quiet when the RUC fired the plastic bullet which fatally wounded Nora.
“Jim campaigned for decades to ban the use of these lethal weapons and he and his family regularly attended protests and rallies against their use.
“The years of campaigning took its toll on Jim and his family, but last year on the 40th anniversary on July 7th, they marked Nora’s death by unveiling a plaque in Linden Street in her memory.
“Today the McCabe family have lost their dad and grandad, the community of West Belfast have lost a champion for justice and human rights.
“Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.”
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has welcomed ‘significant opposition’ from the US Congress to the British Government’s Legacy Bill.
The Mid Ulster MLA reiterated the call for a Legacy Summit to be held urgently.
Linda Dillon said:
“Once again there is strong opposition from senior political figures across the divide in the US Congress to the British Government’s flawed Legacy Bill.
“In a significant letter to the British Prime Minister, US Congress members have made it clear that the legislation will deny truth and justice to thousands of victims and families.
“These concerns are shared by victims and families, human rights experts, churches, the Irish Government, the UN, the European Union and all the political parties on this island.
“This is a cruel and callous attempt to slam the door on families’ efforts to get justice through the courts and to let British state forces who killed Irish citizens off the hook.
“I want to reiterate the call for an urgent summit, that includes the British and Irish governments and political parties on legacy so that we can work together to reach an agreed way forward, like the Stormont House Agreement of 2014.
“The British Government should stop the passage of its Legacy Bill, create the space for dialogue and convene the summit urgently.”
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey has paid tribute to Professor Eileen Evason and said she was a ‘champion of supporting people’.
The former minister for communities said:
“We all have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in our society.
“Eileen Evason was a champion of that.
“She had a wealth of knowledge and deep commitment to support those in need. She helped change the lives of people for the better.
“I will fondly remember her compassion and caring nature for people.
“I worked closely with Eileen when I was minister for communities and she was a guiding light in helping us to deliver welfare support to some of the most vulnerable people in society.
“She has played a massive role in making our society a fairer place, and her valued contribution will always be appreciated.”
Sinn Féin MLAs Caoimhe Archibald and Ciara Ferguson have called on local departments to work with groups delivering European Social Fund (ESF) projects.
Speaking after writing to Permanent Secretaries of local departments, Caoimhe Archibald said:
Caoimhe Archibald said:
"The British government has failed to fully replace lost EU funds and now because of delays in its new Shared Prosperity Fund, local projects are facing a cliff-edge at the end of March.
"We have urged local Permanent Secretaries to work with groups now on extending existing funding for a year on a pro-rata basis.
"While the Executive can’t be expected to replace lost ESF funds it can continue to use its match funding for ESF-type programmes, so this period should be used to develop a longer-term scheme.
Ciara Ferguson added:
"Groups and organisations delivering ESF projects support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and create jobs.
"Sinn Féin has consistently raised concerns on the loss of EU funding and will continue to challenge the British government to fulfil its commitment to replace lost EU funding.
"While permanent secretaries should take this action, we need parties back around the Executive table and ministers in place working together now to support these groups.”
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said health workers are crying out for an Executive to tackle the crisis facing our health and social care system.
The party’s health spokesperson was speaking after health leaders requested a meeting with the British Secretary of State over the health crisis.
Colm Gildernew said:
“Our health service is at crisis point and our health and social care workers are facing huge challenges and pressure on the frontline.
“Many patients are laying on corridors and ambulances are stacked up at the doors of A&E because our hospitals cannot cope.
“Health workers are crying out for political leadership and an Executive in place that will work to tackle waiting lists and staff shortages by hiring more doctors and nurses.
“The health and social care service in the north has already suffered 12 years of chronic Tory austerity which has underfunded and undermined our public services.
“Nurses and health workers shouldn’t have been forced onto the streets to take strike action in the freezing cold for fair pay and conditions.
“Sinn Féin is ready to form an Executive. The DUP should end its blockade and get back to work with the rest of us around the Executive table to start to fix the health service.”
Sinn Féin Leas-Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill has expressed condolences at the death of Professor Eileen Evason.
Michelle O’Neill said:
“I am deeply saddened to learn that Professor Eileen Evason has passed away and my immediate thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time.
“Eileen made a huge contribution to protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our society and providing the Executive with invaluable guidance on welfare supports.
“A lifelong campaigner on rights and women’s issues, Eileen was passionate about addressing the huge challenges facing people in our communities.
“A key focus of Eileen’s work was on tackling poverty and ensuring workers and families have maximum support and recognising that much can be achieved when people work together.
“She will be missed by all. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Matt Carthy TD, has announced that his party will bring forward a motion to the Dáil next week demanding that government immediately halt Coillte’s proposed joint venture with investment fund Gresham House.
Speaking today, Teachta Carthy said:
“A good forestry strategy is one that delivers for the environment, for the economy and for local communities. Currently, none are being served.
“If we fail on forestry, then we will fail on Climate Action. And, this government is drastically failing.
“Government has committed to annual targets of 8,000 hectares of afforestation. But under the current Fianna Fáil Minister and a Green Party Minister of State, afforestation rates are less than a third of those targets and the crisis is getting worse.
“The proposed Coillte joint venture with Gresham House has caused widespread concern among environmentalists, farmers, the forestry sector and local communities. The venture is not about Climate, it’s not even about tree-planting. For Gresham House, this venture is simply about corporate profit.
“The funds delivered through the venture will be solely for the purpose of purchasing agricultural land that farmers could plant on themselves if government delivered a workable regulatory framework.
“The Ministers for Agriculture and Public Expenditure are the shareholders, on behalf of the Irish people, of Coillte. They can, and they should, instruct Coillte to immediately stall this plan – Sinn Féin’s motion will give those Ministers a Dáil mandate to do just that.
“Our motion will also address the underlying issues that have led to the collapse of afforestation by directing government to publish a new forestry strategy as a matter of urgency and ensure that the new strategy prioritises afforestation undertaken by local communities, farmers, landowners and public bodies above investment management ventures.
“The Sinn Féin motion will provide all TDs with the opportunity to support our rural communities, stop Coillte’s proposed corporate land-grab, and deliver a forestry plan that will have the support of rural communities, help Ireland meet our Climate Action objectives and provide an economic benefit to local economies.”
The motion can be read here.
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said that Executive Departments should continue to assist groups losing European Social Fund funding as a result of Brexit. With the cliff edge of 31 March looming the party's economy spokesperson said:
"European Social Fund projects have played a vital role in communities across the north, including supporting vulnerable people into work.
"I have worked with many groups and organisations delivering ESF projects and consistently raised their concerns on the loss of EU funding.
"The British government has failed to honour its commitment to replace lost EU funds in full. The Shared Prosperity Fund falls far short and organisations delivering ESF projects face a cliff-edge at the end of March.
"Sinn Féin will continue to urge the British government to fulfil its commitment on replacing lost EU funding.
"Executive departments previously provided match-funding to ESF projects from their own budgets.
"While the Executive can’t be expected to replace lost ESF funds it can continue to use its match funding for ESF-type activity. This will ensure vital work supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities continues.
"In the immediate term, existing funding from departments should be extended for a year on a pro-rata basis. This period should then be used to develop a longer term scheme.
"While we will encourage permanent secretaries to take this action, ministers in an Executive could make it happen and we continue to urge all parties to get back into the Executive as soon as possible."
Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald has written to the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling for an urgent summit on legacy issues.
The Sinn Féin leader has also called on the British government to stop the passage of its flawed legacy bill.
Mary Lou McDonald said:
“There are widespread concerns and opposition to British government legacy plans currently being pushed through Westminster.
“These very real concerns are shared by victims and families, human rights experts, churches, the UN, and senior officials in the EU and US administration and all the political parties on this island.
“The proposed legislation will shut the door on families’ efforts to achieve truth and justice through the courts and give an amnesty to British state forces who killed Irish citizens.
“I have written today to the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling for an urgent summit to be convened with both governments and the political parties on the issue of legacy.
“By working together, we can deliver an agreed way forward for victims as was demonstrated with the Stormont House Agreement of 2014.
“That is the best way to understand the views of all victims and families, to ensure their legal right to truth and justice is upheld and help the process of healing and reconciliation.
“To create space for that dialogue to take place, I have urged the British Government to stop the passage of its unacceptable legacy legislation and convene the summit urgently.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health David Cullinane TD has said that the decision of the Minister for Health and the interim CEO of the HSE to avoid the HSE board and deny it oversight and input on the failed Winter Plan for 2022/23 is “dysfunctional, bewildering, and highly concerning.”
Teachta Cullinane said that this pointed to serious dysfunctionality and contempt at the top of the HSE, driven by a Minister in panic mode. He said that the board should always have oversight and an opportunity to consider and approve of multi-million plans before they are published.
During a session of the Health Committee on Tuesday, the interim CEO of the HSE said that he had not sought sign-off of the Winter Plan from the board because he was not required to do so in legislation. As reported by RTÉ, the HSE board expressed concern at details of the Winter Plan at its meeting on the 26th of October, two weeks after its publication..
Teachta Cullinane said:
“The decision of the Minister for Health and the interim CEO of the HSE to avoid the HSE board and deny it oversight and input on the failed Winter Plan for 2022/23 is dysfunctional, bewildering, and highly concerning.
“This points to serious dysfunctionality and contempt for the board at the top of the HSE, driven by a Minister in panic mode.
“The board should always have oversight and an opportunity to consider and approve of multi-million plans before they are published. That is established practice in corporate governance.
“The interim CEO of the HSE did not consult the board on the Winter Plan because he did not have a statutory obligation to do so. That is not a good excuse. The HSE should not need to be micromanaged by legislation. Any CEO would know that they should consult their board on any plan concerning hundreds of millions of euro.
“It has emerged that the board expressed concerns at elements of the Winter Plan after it was published, and it is clear for all to see at this point that the plan has failed to curtail overcrowding in hospitals and emergency departments.
“The purpose of the board is to ensure accountability. Avoiding the board is unacceptable. There is a clear need for serious governance reform and an attitude change at the top of the HSE.”
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has said DUP scaremongering on the supply of medicine must stop now and that any required solutions should be found in talks between the EU and British Government.
The party’s Brexit spokesperson said:
“The DUP's reckless scaremongering on medical supplies has been exposed as a cynical and cruel ploy.
“Shortages in over the counter medicines, and certain antibiotics are not a new problem; they are not unique to the north or any other region. Reports of a recent shortage in paracetamol here, and in the US, is an example of that.
“While medical shortages can be related to manufacturing and quality problems, and global brand discontinuations, there is no doubt that Brexit has made the problem worse.
“Any issues with the supply of medicines must be resolved in talks between the British government and EU, as they progress talks to put pragmatic and durable solutions in place.
“The DUP is creating negative political distractions in an attempt to manufacture community hysteria. What we need instead is mature politics and a resolve to work together. The DUP should get back to work in the Executive and help the rest of us tackle the problems facing our health service now.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade, Employment and Workers' Rights, Louise O’Reilly TD, has said news that Argos is to close its operations in the State is a "huge blow for the workers" and called for the government to do all they can to save the over 400 jobs.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“The emerging news that Argos is to close its stores across the State is an incredible blow for the more than 400 workers, their families, their communities, and for the retail sector in Ireland.
“As it is the company’s intention to shut down its complete operations this amounts to a collective redundancy which requires a 30-day consultation period.
“It is essential that the company engage quickly and in good faith with the workers trade union, Mandate, during this period.
“Throughout this 30-day period the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment must meet with Argos and Mandate to see if there is any prospect to save the jobs, and failing that, he must ensure the company engages with Mandate so the best possible redundancy deal can be achieved for the workers.
“Additionally, the Retail Forum must meet as a matter of urgency to see if there is any possibility of the workers being reemployed elsewhere.
“Retail is changing, but that does not mean that the government should abandon traditional retail by doing nothing.
“The workers in Argos must be the priority here and it is imperative that the government stands up for them.”
Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill has challenged the British Government to spell out what it is doing to help restore the Executive and end the DUP’s blockade.
Speaking from London today before the British Irish Inter-Governmental Conference meets in Dublin Michelle O’Neill said:
“In May, the people of the north voted for change and for parties to work together to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and fix the problems in our health service.
“Over eight months on, we still do not have an Executive in place to tackle the huge issues facing workers and families because one party is refusing to accept the result of that election.
“Chris Heaton-Harris’ time in the office of British Secretary of State has been one of dithering, delay and indecision and a do-nothing approach to ending the DUP’s blockade.
“He did provide cover for the DUP, changing the law to prevent the people having their say on their refusal to get back to work around the Executive table.
“He claimed he needed space while families struggled with the soaring costs of food, heating and energy without an Executive to support them.
“While our health workers and patients are being overwhelmed as a decade of Tory cuts saw services collapsing and waiting lists grow.
“While life saving and life changing legislation is being prevented from being enacted.
“The time for stalling is over.
“The British Government must clearly spell out to the people, and to us as political leaders, what it is doing to restore the Assembly and Executive the people voted for.
“There is no time to waste. There is serious work to be done in the coming days. The progress made towards reaching an agreement on the Protocol must be built on and talks between the British government and the EU intensified.
“As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, there is an onus on the Irish government to do more to get the Executive back up and running now so we can work together and deliver for people.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, John Brady TD, has expressed concern at the decision by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green MEPs to vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today to remove Ireland’s veto in the European Council.
The Wicklow TD condemned the vote by MEPs from government parties, as well as MEPs from larger countries and members of NATO, for ignoring the rights of smaller member states such as Ireland that have a long-standing and valued tradition of military neutrality, de-escalation, dedication to diplomatic dialogue and support for peace-building.
Teachta Brady said:
“It is no secret that there are interests at the heart of government, and among Irish MEPs in Brussels, who are intent on rolling back Irish neutrality.
“Unlike my Sinn Féin MEP colleague Chris MacManus, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green MEPs today voted in the European Parliament to use Irish taxpayers’ money to fund a military industrial complex on the continent.
“In addition to this, they voted to give larger member states more powers to impose their will on smaller member states such as Ireland in the European Council by replacing unanimity voting with qualified majority voting on sensitive issues such as foreign policy.
“This would rid Ireland of its veto on such sensitive matters, putting us at the mercy of other EU member states and their foreign policy, destroying our neutrality.
“Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and the Tánaister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin, owe the public an explanation for this betrayal of Ireland’s interests at home and abroad, and of our long standing tradition of neutrality."
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald said today that the Tory government has learned nothing from the failure of a decade of austerity cuts as it continues to deny nurses and public sector workers a fair pay rise.
The party’s economy spokesperson was speaking after a Westminster committee was in Stormont today to hear evidence about the cost of living crisis in the north.
Caoimhe Archibald said:
"Today the Westminster NI Affairs Committee was at Stormont to hear from people here about the impact of the cost of living crisis.
"That cannot be divorced from over a decade of Tory austerity which has decimated public services hurting the most vulnerable and pushing people further into poverty.
"Clearly the Tories learned no lessons as they have reimposed cuts while refusing to give nurses and other public sector workers a fair pay rise and at the same time giving tax breaks to bankers.
"It remains a fact that wages and disposable income in the north are significantly lower than in Britain and levels of fuel poverty continue to be significantly higher.
"And yet the Tory government decided from 1st January that people in the north would get less support than provided in Britain through the Energy Price Guarantee.
“As a result, workers and families with some providers have seen their electricity and gas prices rise from the beginning of the year, while the British government is saving tens of millions of pounds.
"That money should be given to the Executive to provide support to help people insulate their homes and make modifications that would help them permanently reduce their energy bills.
“Sinn Féin stands ready to form an Executive today and work together with all parties to tackle the cost of living crisis.”
