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The Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has issued an appeal to the general public to assist the Gardaí in their investigation of the arson attack on the family car of Sligo Leitrim TD and Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Martin Kenny TD when parked in the driveway of the Kenny home at Aughavas near Ballinamore in Co. Leitrim in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday morning.

Deputy Ó Caoláin has described the attack as “a despicable act that deserves the outright rejection of all who believe in and value the democratic process in our land.”

Continuing he said; “Deputy Martin Kenny has been a fearless voice throughout his years of elected public service. He has given thoughtful and, when required, courageous leadership in his own county, in his constituency and nationally as a member of the Dáil, most recently in his spirited rejection of racism in all its ugly manifestations.

“I appeal to anyone and everyone who can assist the investigation of this cowardly crime to come forward and to co-operate with the Garda Síochána. Those responsible must be identified and brought to justice” stated Deputy Ó Caoláin.

ENDS

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Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has today voiced his long standing vexation with the failure of previous Governments to heed Cervical Cancer warnings.

Teachta Ó Caoláin and other opposition spokespeople for Health had highlighted the risks of moving the laboratory processing of cervical screen tests to the United States and elsewhere over a decade ago.

Deputy Ó Caoláin stated;

“I want to welcome today’s apology by An Taoiseach on behalf of the State to the ‘cervical check’ women and families who have suffered so grievously.

“I hope that it brings some measure of comfort and recognition to the thousands of women and their families who suffered because of a State that was unlistening and unresponsive.

“I would ask the Minister for Health if he is confident that when members of the Dáil and citizens raise their voices in genuine concern, that they are being listened to and heeded. He may say he is, but I am definitely not.

“While the full impact of this outsourcing debacle came into sharp media focus with the passing of Emma Mhic Mhathúna and other women, this controversy goes back more than a decade.

“The very same State that is apologising in the Dáil today was either well aware or was made aware of the risks involved in its move to privatisation under the then Minister for Health Mary Harney.

“I raised those serious concerns with Minister Harney in the Dáil chamber back in 2008.  

“Addressing her directly I told her that she would rather ‘listen to corporate executives in the private health business’ and that her HSE had awarded the contract for cervical cancer tests to “Quest Diagnostics, a US company that has an unacceptably high rate of errors.’

“She wouldn’t listen. Innocent citizens have paid a terrible price as a consequence.

“Others such as Dr. Gibbons and the Well Woman Centre also expressed concern at the practices of these laboratories.

“Has that same culture of subservience to the market forces that drive the private health sector really changed?

“While apologies can serve to recognise the pain and suffering of the affected individuals and their families, sincere contrition should include evidence of a commitment to change.

“This change should be obvious and visible to those impacted by the scandal. Such evidence would, I believe, provide meaningful solace to all those caught up in this dreadful and disgraceful scandal.

“Sadly, there is no obvious change, only the continuing mistakes and arrogant ignoring of passionate, informed voices crying out for health justice for all.

“This is not a happy day. It is just another day in a long saga of sad days that appear to have no end”.

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Disability Rights and Older People Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has described today’s Budget measures as “hugely disappointing in the face of very obvious shortfalls and failures on the part of a succession of governments”.

Teachta Ó Caoláin said;

“I am struck by the lack of measures aimed at improving the daily reality of people with disabilities and the absence of detail regarding the meagre provisions contained in Budget 2020 that may apply to people with a disability and their families. The lack of any serious address of the needs of people with a disability will precipitate a growing crisis for many individuals and their loved ones.

“That an Autism Plan is only referred to by way of a terse reference, is a disgrace. There have been years of engagement from advocacy groups and families on the need for an Autism Plan. Nobody in Government can be in any doubt that what we needed today was the detail of how this would be structured, funded and timeframed and how quickly it could be actioned to impact positively on the lives of people with autism and their families.

“The allocation of 1 million extra home care hours has been advanced by Government as a major step forward. This will not even clear the current waiting list which stands at 7,300 people.

"Sinn Féin sought and received costings from Minister Donohoe’s own Department for clearing the Home Support Services waiting lists. We were told that close to 2.5 million hours were required. €59 million was set aside in our Alternative Budget to achieve this. The Government and Fianna Fáil’s 1 million extra hours won’t even address the current backlog never mind the additional demand that will present in 2020.

“The crisis in recruitment and retention of frontline healthcare staff has impacted on the needs of people with disabilities. Today’s budget provides no commitment to recruiting any extra frontline staff.

"Sinn Féin identified the need for 600 extra frontline staff such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists and provided for their recruitment in our Alternative Budget.

“Sinn Féin has consistently called for the reinstatement of the Rehabilitative Training Allowance only recently axed by this Government.

"Today’s Budget contains non-specific references to continuing to assist school leavers with supports and services as they transition into adulthood. Some 400 school leavers with a disability are now suffering from the withdrawal of the RTA which many had factored into their further education and training plans.

“Today’s Budget has barely even acknowledged the ongoing and ever growing crises being forced upon people with disabilities. This is not good enough.

"It is time to allow those who are serious about providing for the needs of our disabled citizens, and our elderly, to do what this Government has always failed to do. The next General Election will hopefully return a more in-touch and caring Government than we have experienced over these many years.”

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