Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands and North-West, Chris MacManus, has called on all rural and farming representative organisations to engage in the conversation around the reunification of Ireland.
Speaking from the Erris Agricultural Show in Belmullet, County Mayo, MacManus said: “Brexit has had a profound impact on many sectors, across the island of Ireland. Indeed, as a result of the long trading tradition between Ireland and Britain, the Irish agri-food sector is one of the most exposed to the impacts of Brexit.”
"The conversation around the reunification of Ireland is growing, with more and more sectoral interests beginning to engage to ensure their concerns are known and heeded.”
“It is my view that one sector that could potentially be the biggest beneficiary of reunification is the farming and agricultural sector. Along with this, I believe in a new and united Ireland that rural dwellers and farming will benefit from, provided the appropriate governance structure are put in place.”
“Therefore I believe it is absolutely crucial for farming representative groups to engage in the conversation to ensure that they maximise the benefits that reunification could have for their sector.” ENDS
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Action and the Environment, Darren O'Rourke TD, says repeated warnings that the Government's approach to climate action is failing, cannot be ignored.
The Meath East TD made the comments in response to the publication of the Climate Change Advisory Council's (CCAC) Annual Review for 2023 which emphasised that Ireland will not meet the targets set in the first and second carbon budgets, unless urgent action is taken immediately.
Teachta O'Rourke said;
"Today's Annual Review from the Climate Change Advisory Council should sound the alarm bells - again. In it, the CCAC have clearly outlined that we are set to miss not only our first but also our second carbon budget if urgent action is not taken.
"The review is very similar to last year and emphasises the huge gap between climate rhetoric and action, deficits in information and even greater deficits in planning and implementation.
"There is no denying the fact that the Government is failing, in every single area. They set target after target but fail to meet them. In the area of land use, they still, 12 months after a phony war on sectoral emissions ceilings, have neither a target or a plan.
"This failure to meet targets should come as no surprise because every scheme this Government designs is an unfair one. Their plans are based on tweaking markets and nudging individuals with punitive taxes, and it's failing abysmally.
"For example, instead of realising the potential of our renewable resources and maximising the potential state and community benefits of this, our electricity sector is, in fact, the worst performing of all sectors.
"49.3% of the 2021-2025 carbon budget has been used in the first 2 years, and we are on track to exhaust 123% of the allocated carbon budgets by 2030. This is an absolutely damning indictment of Government.
"What we need is an ambitious, state-led, just transition where communities right around the country benefit from the renewable energy, improved public transport, warmer homes and sustainable living that are essential to climate action.
"Sinn Féin has long called for this type of approach to climate action. We welcome today's review by the CCAC and the Government should take note and act urgently in response."
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has welcomed news that the Irish Government will fund student places to train more health professionals in the north.
The party’s health spokesperson said:
“It is hugely positive news that the Irish Government is working with local universities to fund student places to train more health professionals.
“Funding announced today will see 50 places delivered to train physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists.
“This vital cross-border funding will also see more places available to train more student nurses and midwives, which is a major boost for the health service.
“At a time when our health service is facing huge pressure from short-staffing and chronic waiting lists following 13 years of savage Tory cuts that have seen student places slashed, this is a welcome development.
“We need the Executive restored now and parties working together to fix the problems in our health service and support our public services.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Media, Imelda Munster TD, has said that RTÉ’s denial that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is investigating GAAGO does not bode well for their pledges to clean things up and embrace good governance.
Deputy Munster raised the issue of GAAGO streaming at the Oireachtas Media Committee this month, and secured confirmation from the GAA and RTÉ that GAAGO is operating without the required clearance from the CCPC.
Teachta Munster said:
“After the CCPC confirmed that they had contacted RTÉ and the GAA and opened an investigation into the domestic streaming of selected GAA games, RTÉ issued a statement to a media outlet that denied they are under investigation.
“Added to that, despite it being stated five times in the CCPC approval papers that the GAAGO pay-per-view service was for ‘international rights’ only, or ‘not for the island of Ireland’, RTÉ said they believe that they did not need to get additional clearance for streaming games to domestic audiences.
“The attitude that prevails in some offices in RTÉ that rules do not apply to them is what led to the current scandals and investigations into the organisation.
“RTÉ’s brass neck attitude in relation to GAAGO and the CCPC does not bode well for their pledges to clean things up, embrace good governance and be the public broadcaster it is supposed to be.
“To me, it is clear that they have a case to answer, and I will be staying in contact with the CCPC until this matter is resolved.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Disability and Carers Deputy Pauline Tully has expressed her disappointment and frustration after news of today’s rescheduling of WRC talks between unions representing workers in Section 39 disability service providers and the government.
Teachta Tully said:
“Today’s decision to postpone WRC talks between unions representing workers in Section 39 disability service providers and the government will cause grave concern to staff working in these organisations.
“Section 39 staff suffered deep cuts to pay and services during the recession and these have never been fully restored to the level of HSE and section 38 staff.
“It will also cause grave concern to the organisations employing section 39 workers as they find it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain the employment of staff who receive better pay working for the HSE or a section 38 organisation.
“These organisations provide essential disability services, under contract from the HSE, right across the country and should be placed on parity with HSE and section 38 workers.
“This issue affects a number of organisations based in Cavan such as the Children’s Disability Network Team, which is provided by Enable Ireland, and the Irish Wheelchair Association.
“I recently brought this issue up with Minister O’Gorman who in his response said:
“The Deputy is right that it impacts disability services… The Government has recognised that the pay differential [Sic]. We have committed to engaging in a process through the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, to resolve that.
“However, this issue has been going on now for 10 years.
“The government knows exactly what is needed to properly resolve this crisis in services that are critical for disabled people and their families.
“Sinn Féin fully supports parity of pay and conditions for section 39 workers and have made a commitment to progress the delivery of parity in our Alternative Budget documents.”
Sinn Féin TD and chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Brian Stanley, has outlined that the committee is seeking further witnesses and outstanding documents promised to the members.
Teachta Stanley said:
“As Chair of the PAC, there are a number of witnesses that I want to see before the committee when they are available.
“These are former Director General Dee Forbes, former Chief Financial Officer Breda O’Keefe, former Commercial Director Geraldine O’Leary and former Director of Content Jim Jennings.
“Three of those individuals have not been before the PAC yet and I believe each of them have invaluable information to provide to the committee.
“The committee is eager to see the Grant Thornton report into the 2017-2019 payments to Ryan Tubridy. We have yet to hear any credible answers from RTÉ representatives regarding these payments and when we see that report we may well need to speak again to other witnesses.
“Finally, there are a number of documents still outstanding that the PAC requested from RTÉ representatives. These include:
“It is my view that, once we have received these documents and the Grant Thornton report, we will need to have a further hearing with RTÉ representatives.”
Sinn Féin publishes submission to Consultative Forum on International Security
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Matt Carthy TD, has published his party’s formal written submission to the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy.
Speaking in Dublin at the launch of the submission, Teachta Carthy said:
“Sinn Féin’s vision is for Ireland to play a constructive role in the wider world; committed to diplomacy, humanitarianism, peace-building and co-operation with other states on global challenges including poverty, world hunger, climate change, conflict resolution and migration.
“Neutrality is the cornerstone of Irish Foreign Policy, which can allow Ireland to play that important role in the wider world. We should be proud of our military neutrality and resist attempts by those who seek to recast it as a weakness or a failing.
“The legacy of Irish neutrality is our role in working for nuclear non-proliferation, our humanitarianism, our contribution to the drafting of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, our peacekeeping and the proud record of our UN peacekeepers. This has been our contribution to making the world a better and safer place.
“We therefore believe that the starting point of any conversation on Ireland’s approach to defence and international security must be an acknowledgement that military neutrality has served us well.
“While we have been rightly critical of the approach and format of the government’s forum, Sinn Féin nevertheless attended each of the four days of the forum and we welcome the opportunity to make a written submission.
“Hard-won reputations may be easily lost. Sinn Féin believe that the historical role of the Defence Forces as a neutral force engaged in UN Peacekeeping is something that the Irish people are proud of.
“Our submission outlines our vision to enshrine the principle of neutrality within the Irish constitution and EU treaties; to ensure Ireland can adapt to a changed Global Security Environment; to address the historic underinvestment in the Defence Forces; our approach to international and EU arrangements and organisations, underpinned by the Triple Lock and the United Nations; and Ireland’s opportunity to be a positive force for conflict-resolution across the globe.”
The Sinn Féin submission to the Consultative Forum on International Security can be read here.
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said reports of patients waiting days on hospital corridors is deeply concerning and reinforces the urgent need for an Executive to be formed now.
The party’s health spokesperson said:
“Reports that patients are waiting days in corridors in the Royal are deeply concerning and another example of the chronic situation facing services.
“The health service is at breaking point and health workers are burnt out from working long hours under severe pressure.
“It’s clear we need an Executive formed now and parties working together to start fixing the problems and investing in the health service.
“My thoughts are with all those patients and their families that are suffering as a result of this and the healthcare staff in our hospitals who working in very difficult circumstances to look after people right now.
“One party’s blockade of the Executive at a time when nurses are telling us that they are in despair is cruel. It must end.
“All parties committed to making health a priority. It’s time to honour that commitment and get to work to protect our health service now. No more delays.”
Sinn Féin Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile has said it’s unacceptable that people in the north were geo-blocked from watching Ireland in the Women’s World Cup today.
Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile said:
“The ongoing geo-blocking of Ireland football games, and other sporting events, for viewers in the north is a matter of deep frustration, upset and offence.
“It’s unacceptable that people in the north wishing to get behind the Ireland Women’s team in their opening game of the Women’s World Cup today were blocked from watching it.
“I recently discussed this issue with the FAI who have agreed to raise with UEFA in an effort to resolve this issue.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Pa Daly TD, has condemned last night’s savage attack on a tourist in Dublin City centre.
Teachta Daly said:
“In the first instance, I want to extend my sympathy to the individual concerned and their family at this time. This was a savage attack that has no place in our society.
“Unfortunately, these kind of attacks are becoming increasingly common in our capital city, and people and communities are at the end of their tether.
“The Garda Representative Association has rightly highlighted the failure to recruit and retain Gardaí as a major issue in Dublin and in communities throughout the State. We have seen Garda recruitment targets missed repeatedly.
“After 12 years of Fine Gael in the justice portfolio, people justifiably feel our streets are less safe. It is another of the government’s long list of failures.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, has strongly criticised the government for their failure to resolve a long standing pay dispute involving thousands of Section 39, Section 10 and Section 56 workers.
She called the government’s last-minute cancellation of a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) hearing aimed at finally resolving the issue ‘a disgrace’.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“Section 39, Section 10 and Section 56 workers have been campaigning to resolve pay issues and secure pay parity for many years.
“These are workers who work in frontline services including health, disability, family support, children, care of older people, homelessness, and addiction.
“These workers are in a situation where they are being paid the same rate in 2023 that they were in 2008.
“This is unacceptable – these workers deserve the same recognition and pay and conditions as those providing services in the private and state agencies.
“Unfortunately, the government are pursuing a strategy of dodge, delay, and deny – the latest disgraceful strand of this strategy came when they cancelled, at the last minute, a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) hearing aimed at finally resolving the issue.
“The tactics of the government mean the affected workers, who have not had a meaningful pay increase in 15 years, continue to suffer in the face of the cost-of-living crisis.
“This issue is no doubt further contributing to recruitment and retention issues across sectors such as health, disability, family support, children, care of older people, homelessness, and addiction.
“I am calling on the government to respect the workers, respect the trade unions, and respect the WRC and come to the table and engage in a meaningful way so a positive outcome can be achieved through constructive negotiation.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport and Communications, Martin Kenny TD, has expressed concern over the increase in road deaths in specific counties in the last 12 months.
His comments come after road safety group Parc released figures today showing a rise in pedestrian deaths, as well as a spike in road deaths in Galway, Mayo and Cork since 2022.
Teachta Kenny said:
“First and foremost, we must remember there is a family and a community affected by each of these deaths. When these collisions occur, there are often others left living with injuries that change their lives.
“It is our responsibility as legislators to ensure that everything is being done to guarantee road safety across the country.
“We know there are collision black spots in particular areas. I commend the work of the Roads Policing unit of An Garda Síochána for the work they have done in those areas to keep people safe in those areas.
“However, the spike in deaths in Galway, Mayo, and Cork needs to be investigated as a matter of urgency. I have written to the Minister for Transport to request an immediate investigation by the RSA and his officials.
“The figures released by Parc also show a higher risk for motorists who use secondary roads, and we must examine why that is. There is also the outstanding issue of road improvement works on routes such as the N17 which have been promised by government but remain undelivered.
“The upgrading of the N2 and A5 route must also be committed to by government as soon as the current planning process is brought to a conclusion.
“It is also exceptionally concerning to see such a large rise in the number of pedestrian deaths this year. It is shameful to see Ireland noted as one of the worst-recorded countries in the EU for pedestrian safety.
“The Minister must get to grips with this as a matter of urgency.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children, Kathleen Funchion TD, has described findings contained in Tusla's annual report and HIQA’s annual inspection report on residential care units, both released today, as deeply concerning.
The Carlow-Kilkenny TD added that the state’s care system is in crisis and that a national strategy is required to address the significant and distressing shortcomings in the delivery of appropriate alternative care placements for children.
Teachta Funchion said:
“We have an alarming situation where our care system is creaking at the seams, and vulnerable children are being failed as a result.
“Today’s reports come on the back of District Court Judge Dermot Simms’ intervention, reported this week, voicing his concerns for the welfare of children in residential care who appeared before his court.
“Judge Simms’ comments were backed up by Tusla’s new CEO Kate Duggan, who acknowledged this week that the state agency was in crisis.
“Today’s reports highlight the significant challenges facing Tusla and the risks children are being exposed to arising from the state’s failure to carry out its statutory duty to find appropriate placements that meet the needs of children.
“The government is failing children. This week I have heard of very young children with significant additional needs being pulled out of their communities and schools, and sent to the other end of the country. This is atrocious, deeply traumatic, and simply cannot be allowed to continue.
“We urgently need the government to produce and implement a national strategy on residential care that commits to increasing beds, reopening high support units closed during Covid, and a gradual reduction in the number of private for-profit residential care providers. Wales did it, we should follow suit.
“A national strategy must involve several government departments including Children, Justice, Health, Education and Social Protection. That is crucial if we are to address the significant and distressing shortcomings in the delivery of appropriate alternative care placements for children.
“The sharp rise in referrals to Tusla is worrying given the stress existing services are under. HIQA found staff were herculean in the discharging of their duties in very difficult circumstances - this should be highlighted and commended.
“Services are overstretched, and a situation where private companies are competing for lucrative government contracts in no way serves the children the sector is meant to protect.
“I am calling on government to take these alarming reports seriously, and to act immediately to address a sector in crisis.”
“EU-Mercosur trade deal an existential threat to Irish farmers and environment” – Chris MacManus MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus, a member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, has hit out at Brussels in its new attempts to force through the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. The EU and the Mercosur bloc of South American economies now hope to finalise a trade deal this year. The news follows remarks from both the president of the European Commission and the Brazilian president who have reaffirmed their commitment to ratify the EU-Mercosur trade deal “as soon as possible”.
The comments by European Commission and Brazilian president were made as the first summit between the EU and Latin American and Caribbean countries (EU-CELAC) began in Brussels yesterday.
MacManus said;
“The EU Mercosur free trade agreement is a betrayal of our farmers and the environment.”
“This agreement would allow for an additional 99,000 tonnes of beef from the South America trade association to enter the EU tariff-free. Any such deal would saturate our market at the expense of Irish farmers.”
“Outside of Europe, farmers are often held to much lower sustainability, regulatory and ethical standards, resulting in a cheaper and lower quality product that is sourced and produced unsustainably.”
“This free trade deal does nothing more than serve the interests of multinationals at the expense of the farmers, human rights and the rainforests.”
“In 2019, the deforestation was over 10,000km². That’s over half the size of my home province, Connacht. Mercosur is one of those areas where the views of farmers and environmentalists are very clearly aligned which is always welcome when it does happen. I think mutual cooperation and understanding between both is a principle and a practice that needs to be pursued by all sides.”
“It makes very little sense to be burning down South American rainforests to create farmland to in turn ship thousands of tonnes of inferior meat thousands of miles to eventually undercut our own producers. The only people this free trade agreement benefits in Europe at the end would be heavy industry, European car and machinery manufacturers.”
“Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens need to clarify where they stand on Mercosur and any free trade agreement that puts both our farmers and our environment in a weaker and more vulnerable position.”
“They need follow Sinn Féin’s lead and commit to blocking such regressive free trade agreements.” ENDS
Sinn Fein spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, has said that no stone can be left unturned to reveal the full extent of physical and sexual abuse at the HSE-run nursing home at the centre of the ‘Emily’ report.
Deputy Cullinane was commenting after a safeguarding review team found that there were reasonable grounds for concern for 21 residents regarding physical or sexual abuse at the home.
He added that this devastating report must be a watershed moment, and called on government to bring in legislation and robust procedures to protect older and vulnerable adults.
Teachta Cullinane said:
“Today’s review, which found that there was reasonable grounds for concern for 21 residents regarding physical or sexual abuse, is sobering, and will cause an unimaginable deal of distress for the families and friends of the residents of this nursing home.
“No stone can be left unturned when it comes to establishing the extent of abuse that took place. We owe it to the victims and families to thoroughly investigate what happened, how it was allowed to happen, and to ensure that it never happens again.
“The fact that none of this would have come to light were it not for the bravery of one patient, referred to using the pseudonym Emily, to come forward, is a shocking indictment of the failure of the state to safeguard our most vulnerable.
“The review into the handling of this case revealed that other residents had made allegations against this same healthcare assistant in the past. These allegations were not followed up on - some were dismissed as residents being confused or hallucinating.
“Government must act now to prevent such violence and abuse being committed again, and they must hold organisations and individuals to account for failing to protect people at risk.
“Our older people need love, support and, most importantly, protection in their golden years.
“There are steps that the government can take to improve protections for older people and vulnerable adults in care, and they need to take them now.
“Adult safeguarding legislation has been long promised but needs to be delivered - to put on a statutory footing robust legal obligations that service providers must adhere to.
“We also need a Chief Health and Social Care Officer who has the authority and responsibility to oversee the implementation of that legislation, and we need safeguarding teams given the power of initiative to inspect and follow-up where there are areas of concern.
“We must learn from this devastating report, there is so much work to be done to protect and safeguard older and vulnerable people.”
South Down MP Chris Hazzard has condemned comments made by Ian Paisley in Westminster this week about a legal representative of the family of Colum Marks.
The South Down MP said:
"Ian Paisley’s comments in relation to a legal representative of Colum Marks’ family and the inferences made are dangerous and hark back to darker times.
“MPs should not be hiding behind parliamentary privilege to engage in commentary of this type.
“All public representatives have a responsibility to be mindful of their language in the course of the ongoing legacy debate and to consider the impact their words and actions can have on the safety of legal professionals as well as on victims and their families.
"The Marks’ family are entitled to truth and justice and Sinn Féin will continue to support them in their campaign.”
