Sinn Féin spokesperson for the Environment and Climate Action, Darren O’Rourke TD, says Government inaction on rip-off energy costs has resulted in increasing numbers of gas and electricity customers in arrears, and a sharp spike in the number of disconnections since the ban was lifted at the end of March.
Commenting on new figures provided by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which indicate that an additional 23,453 domestic electricity and 1,137 domestic gas customers fell into arrears between April and May this year, the Meath East TD said;
“The figures are shocking. They are the inevitable consequence of a government that continues to allow energy companies to run rough-shod over consumers.
“Between February and May there has been an increase of over 10% in the number of households in arrears (364,131 to 405,997). This means that there are now over 400,000 households in arrears. That is absolutely unacceptable.
“These are obviously staggering figures, but these are not just figures, there are real people behind them. These are the ordinary workers and families who are facing the deeply distressing situation of being unable to afford to live in rip-off Ireland. And due to the actions of this government, there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
“The figures for domestic electricity arrears are particularly alarming. From February this year to the end of May, the number of households in arrears shot up by almost 30,000 to a staggering 240,791. It is easy to forget the magnitude of this number but that is nearly a quarter of a million households.
“In terms of gas customers, there are now 165,206 households in arrears. This represents an increase of nearly 25,000 from this time last year and shockingly, an 81% increase from 2019 when 91,121 households were in domestic gas arrears.
“The reality is that energy costs have more than doubled in the last 2 years in Ireland. For example, a bill of €600 would have been unusual previously whereas now it's become a common occurrence. This is leading to insurmountable, unsustainable levels of debt for people that they simply cannot overcome. It is patently clear that the Government has not done enough to protect workers and families from rip-off energy costs here.
“It is most regrettable, but not surprising, then, that the number of households being disconnected has sky-rocketed since the moratorium was lifted at the end of March. 153 domestic electricity and 215 domestic gas customers were disconnected in the 2 months to the end of May.
“To make matters worse, this situation is expected to further deteriorate in the months ahead as the pressures of increasing levels of debt accumulate.
“The Government must get to grips with this deteriorating situation urgently. They must heed Sinn Féin calls to hold energy companies to account and to address Ireland’s rip-off energy bills. Without urgent and appropriate intervention, ordinary Irish workers and families continue to suffer.”
ENDS
Note to Editor: Correspondence from CRU is available to view hereSinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has condemned ‘disgraceful attacks’ on ambulance staff and urged anyone with information to bring it forward to the police.
Speaking after the Ambulance Service confirmed that 11 workers were attacked, the party’s health spokesperson said:
“It’s totally unacceptable that 11 ambulance staff were subject to physical and verbal abuse and threats while responding to calls on the night of 11 July.
“My immediate thoughts and solidarity is with all those ambulance staff who were on the receiving end of these sickening attacks.
“There must be a zero-tolerance approach to physical and verbal abuse towards our health workers who are there to provide an emergency service and to keep people safe.
“Everyone should be able to turn up for work and to do their job free from threats, violence and intimidation.
“I would urge anyone with information on any of these attacks to bring it forward to the PSNI so that the individuals responsible can be held accountable under the law.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has accused Minister Darragh O’Brien and his government of leaving renters high and dry once again ahead of the Dáil breaking for summer this week.
Deputy Ó Broin was speaking tonight after the government voted to remove all solutions from a Sinn Féin motion aimed at easing the worsening burden on renters.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
"Rents across the state have increased by 23% since Darragh O’Brien became Minister for Housing three years ago.
"In counties such as Clare and Longford, the average increases are a staggering 43% and 54%.
"When it comes to housing, this Government has failed year after year, and the reality is that it has never been as hard to be a renter as it is now.
"Renters have never been so insecure, have never paid such high rents and have never been at greater risk of homelessness.
"And that is the greatest mark of the failure of the Minister and his colleagues - the dramatic rise in the number of children, men and women, including over-55s and over-65s, in emergency accommodation.
"Homelessness has increased by 39% since Darragh O'Brien became Minister, while child homelessness has increased by a staggering 44%.
"Sinn Féin’s motion this week offered the government an opportunity to do right by renters, and reduce the risk of more people becoming homeless, before the Dáil breaks for the summer recess.
"We called for a three-year ban on rent increases and the creation of a refundable tax credit to put a month’s rent back in every private renter’s pocket.
"We urged the government to implement an emergency response to stem the rise in homelessness including a temporary reintroduction of the ban on no-fault evictions, and to expand the tenant-in-situ scheme for social and cost-rental tenants.
"We also called on government to use emergency planning and procurement powers, combined with new building technologies and vacant homes, to provide an additional stream of public housing to reduce the numbers of people in emergency accommodation.
"But Darragh O’Brien and his government refused to take onboard any of our solutions.
"Instead, he opted to once again leave renters high and dry.
"Shame on him, and shame on this government."
MacManus commends work of Leitrim-based Good Energies Alliance Ireland
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has commended the team at Good Energies Alliance Ireland (GEAI) for their work on tackling issues related to the climate crisis. The Midlands Northwest representative was speaking after meeting with GEAI Chief Executive Aedin McLoughlin and volunteers at their offices in Ballinaglera, alongside his Sinn Féin colleague Cllr Brendan Barry.
MEP MacManus said:
“I was pleased to visit GEAI in Ballinaglera with my colleague Cllr Brendan Barry recently.”
“GEAI work on issues such as climate, renewable energy and anti-fracking campaigning. They run community energy dialogues, publish studies, and campaign against new fossil fuel extraction. They do a lot of very important work in identifying solutions to issues affecting local communities in this area.”
“I was also glad to get the opportunity to meet with some of the young volunteers at GEAI, who come from a number of different European countries. They are here as part of Erasmus+, which is an EU funded programme that supports education and training across Europe. They all bring significant expertise to the group, and it is a very positive example of how EU funding can support the work of local organisations.”
“The volunteers are currently carrying out a survey of the sustainable energy communities in Leitrim to look at the barriers to community-owned renewable energy. There are significant issues with access to the grid which have prevented community energy projects from going ahead across the country, so this is important work which can help to identify how these problems can be overcome.”
“I would like to thank Aedin and her team for having us in Ballinaglera and I wish them continued success for the future.” ENDS
See attached photo of Chris MacManus MEP and Cllr Brendan Barry with Erasmus+ volunteers at the Good Energies Alliance in Ballinaglera
Sinn Féin TD John Brady has accused the government of once again letting down the Retained Fire Service and its members.
The Wicklow TD was speaking following the announcement that SIPTU, who have been representing the Retained Fire Fighters in their dispute with the government at the Labour Court, is to recommend that its members reject proposals brought forward by the Labour Court.
Teachta Brady said:
“I am extremely disappointed that the government continues to lack the political will to grasp the opportunity to address the core issues at the heart of the recruitment and retention crisis in the Retained Fire Service.
“Through my ongoing engagement with members of the National Retained Firefighters Association (NRFA), I am very aware that the core issues in this crisis centre around work-life balance, and that they are resolute on what needs to be done to address the recruitment and retention crisis.
“SIPTU has begun the process of balloting members in relation to industrial action. SIPTU have recommended that members of the Retained Fire Service reject the proposals, and likewise individual fire fighters have expressed dismay at the government’s failure to address key issues.
“Retained Fire Fighters deserve more than ‘respect’ from this government – they need to be paid properly.
“Retained Fire Fighters should not be dependent on social welfare to make up their wages or put food on the table.
“Minister Darragh O’Brien, and Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe, have failed to step up to the plate and end this dispute with a credible offer genuinely designed to address the core pay issues in the Retained Fire Service.
“If the government continues to fail to act, it will be responsible for the likely recommencement of industrial action by fire fighters, who had previously voted in overwhelming numbers in favour of industrial and strike action but put that on hold pending the conclusion of the Labour Court hearing.
“Minister O’Brien must secure agreement with DPER to ensure that retained fire fighters receive the fair deal from this government that is long overdue.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, has called on the Taoiseach to encourage Tesco to engage with 'dot com pickers and drivers', and their trade union Mandate, over unfair roster changes.
The call comes following the company’s decision to unilaterally impose wage-cutting roster changes on workers.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“Recently Tesco Ireland unilaterally imposed significant changes to the rosters of in-store Tesco dot com pickers and drivers – the workers who fulfil and deliver orders made by online shoppers.
“The move, which workers and the Mandate trade union have described as ‘out of the blue’, will cost workers thousands of euros in lost income.
“The changes not only have financial consequences for workers, but there are also work-life balance issues and other indirect costs to the workers.
“It beggars’ belief that such changes were railroaded through, and it is even more astonishing that the company has refused to engaged with workers and their trade union, Mandate.
“It appears that the good will afforded to frontline workers who went above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic has run dry at Tesco Ireland and that wage-cutting roster changes are the order of the day.
“It is essential that Tesco Ireland engage with the workers and Mandate to resolve the issues in a mature fashion through constructive dialogue.”
Political will is required to address challenges faced by Northwest - MacManus
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has asked for an urgent meeting with the Education Authority to discuss ongoing uncertainty over school places for children with special educational needs.
The party’s education spokesperson said:
“I have requested an urgent meeting with the Education Authority to discuss our concerns about ongoing uncertainty over school places for children with special educational needs.
“It’s now mid-July and with school set to return in September, there is an onus on the EA to provide clarity to these children’s parents quickly on the next steps.
“Every child is entitled to a suitable school placement, and the Education Authority are obligated to ensure that happens.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has said that there was no progress in evidence at today's Government’s so-called Housing ‘Progress’ Report launch.
The Dublin Mid-West TD added that holding their press conference at the same time Ryan Tubridy was appearing in front of the Public Accounts Committee was a cynical attempt to bury bad news.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“Today, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Leader of the Green Party and Minister for Housing launched their Q2 Housing ‘Progress’ Report.
“The decision to hold the press conference at the same time as Ryan Tubridy and his agent were appearing before the Public Accounts Committee was a cynical attempt to bury what is pretty bad news.
“At the press conference, there was no information on how many social homes have been delivered to date this year.
“There was no information on how many affordable homes to rent or buy were delivered to date this year.
“There was no accurate information on the number of social or cost rental homes actually purchased to date this year.
“There was no information on when the Government expect homelessness, house prices and rents to stop rising.
“Nor were there any new measures announced to address rising levels of homelessness, rip-off rents and runaway house prices.
“All we heard was a repeat of information already in the public domain and the re-announcement of existing Government schemes.
“We have had 11 years of Fine Gael in Government. Fianna Fáil have been propping them up for seven years. Darragh O’Brien has been Minister for three years. During all of this time, things have gone from bad to worse.
“There was no progress in evidence at today's Government press conference.
“Indeed, no progress will be made in addressing this crisis until Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are out of office and a Sinn Féin Government with a Sinn Féin housing plan is in place to undo the damage of decades of bad Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael housing policies.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform, Rose Conway-Walsh TD, has welcomed cabinet approval to establish an inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of Sodium Valproate.
Teachta Conway-Walsh said:
“I have work closely over the years with all of the families and organisations that have campaigned for the establishment of an inquiry.
“Over 3,100 children were potentially exposed to valproate. Based on international data, it is estimated that 341 have experienced a major congenital malformation and over 1,250 children will have experienced some form of neuro-developmental delay.
“I would have preferred to have seen a statutory inquiry as it is a more robust approach to investigating historical wrongdoing.
“Now all efforts need to be turned towards ensuring we get the truth as to who knew what, when they knew it, and why nobody did anything to prevent it.
“Families have waited a long time for truth and justice. Now we must ensure that this inquiry delivers for the families.”
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said the DUP need to end their blockade of the Executive and get back to work.
Responding to comments by the British Secretary of State, the North Belfast MP said there must be ‘no more delays’ in restoring the Assembly and Executive and called on the British Government to end its cycle of savage cuts.
John Finucane said:
"It’s now 18 months since the DUP collapsed the political institutions, and, frankly, patience has run out. The DUP need to end their reckless blockade of the Executive and get back to work immediately.
“The actions of this one party have abandoned our health service, our schools and our community services to merciless Tory cuts.
"Rather than confronting the political and economic vandalism of DUP, the Tory government in London is punishing ordinary families, workers and businesses.
“Restoring the Executive is the only defence our community has against Tory austerity. That must be the collective priority. No more excuses. No more delays. Sinn Féin is ready to work with others today to restore the Executive.”
Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh has welcomed the publishing of the HIQA report of governance and safeguarding in Western Care Association designated centres for people with disabilities.
The Mayo TD said the report confirms the concerns outlined to her in the dozens of complaints received from staff and former staff of the organisation since October 2022.
Teachta Conway-Walsh said:
“The report makes for stark reading. Failure to comply with regulations on governance and management, risk management procedures, protection and positive behavioural support is laid very clear in the report.
"Inspectors found that there was 'inadequate auditing and oversight of safeguarding arrangements'.
“The areas of inadequate governance and oversight that were negatively impacting on the quality of service included: risks not being identified or escalated, safeguarding arrangements were not followed, critical incidents not being appropriately investigated, restrictive practices impacting on the quality of life and freedoms of residents were not subject to review, delays in access to therapies and supports, inadequate staff training.
"The board had no arrangements for review of audits or action plans.
“It is important to state that this report relates only to the Western Care Association designated residential centres as HIQA do not have legal authority to regulate or assess any other services operated by Western Care.
"This raises questions for the HSE and the Ministers involved. After reading this report, do they have confidence that the failings documented in this report are not part of a culture of inadequate auditing and oversight of safeguarding arrangements?
"What further oversight/inspections do they plan to ensure people in Mayo can have full confidence in Western Care? And that public money is used to achieve the best outcomes and ensure human rights compliance for individuals and families reliant on these vital services?
“It is obvious from the report that Western Care is lucky to have staff working on the ground who are dedicated to looking after the needs of the vulnerable people they work with.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to all the workers, former workers, families and to Edwin McGreal and the Mayo News for bringing these non-compliance issues to the fore and hopefully making Western Care a better organisation.
“I would like to see senior management and the board of Western Care acknowledge the positive difference these contributors have made and encourage others to come forward with concerns they may have as well as suggestions for enhancement.
“HIQA have limited powers to investigate and oversee the full range of services provided by organisations such as Western Care.
"It must be now given the powers to act across all services and resources must be provided and targeted to ensure that the human rights of our most vulnerable citizens are upheld.”
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has expressed concern that emergency ambulance call response times are being missed. And said that an Executive is needed to tackle the problems facing the health service.
The party’s health spokesperson said:
“It is concerning to learn that ambulance crews are continuing to miss the target response time for the most serious emergency calls, putting patients’ lives at risk.
“Like all areas of the health service, the ambulance service is under huge pressure and workers are burnt out, as a result of understaffing and 13 years of savage Tory cuts.
“This is yet another symptom of the damage that one party’s blockade of the Assembly is doing to deepen the crisis facing health.
“It is time to form an Executive and work together to fix the problems in our health service and support our public services.”
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said the Executive must be restored to help businesses recover and create jobs.
The party’s finance spokesperson said:
“A new survey from Ulster Bank has revealed that trade for construction businesses and retailers is slow and, in many cases, hasn’t grown at all.
“The construction industry relies heavily on public sector contracts which have been paused or delayed as a result of one party’s blockade of the Assembly.
“These businesses need parties working together around the Executive table to provide leadership that can help strengthen the economy, expand businesses and create jobs. There should be no more delays.”
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has appealed to the public to assist a police investigation into the stabbing of a man in Dungannon.
Colm Gildernew said:
“A man was stabbed following an altercation near Scotch Street, Dungannon yesterday.
“These attacks have a severely damaging impact on our local community and must stop immediately.
“Anyone with information about this stabbing should bring it forward to the police immediately.”
Sinn Féin national chairperson Declan Kearney MLA has said an unconditional return to power-sharing Assembly and Executive is the only rational decision for the DUP as the deepening economic crisis continues to decimate public services.
Writing for An Phoblacht today, Declan Kearney said:
“An endemic crisis is now consuming regional public finances in the north of Ireland. It is being driven by growing inflationary pressures, a deficit of hundreds of millions in public spending capacity, and the savage budget recently introduced by the Tory government.
“The continued absence of the power sharing Executive and Assembly due to the DUP's senseless blocking of the political institutions means that departmental officials are being forced to plan cuts in public expenditure, more extreme than anything during the depths of the Tory imposed 2010 austerity programme.
“It is widely recognised that the scale of reductions in public expenditure currently allocated to the north by the British exchequer will have a devastating effect on regional public services, and especially for the most vulnerable in society.”
Declan Kearney writes that the impact on public services and workers and families will only deepen unless there is an Executive and financial investment in place by the Autumn.
“Public services are already failing to meet the basic needs of citizens. The Tory government knows this to be true. So with the next budget cycle due to commence in October, unless an Executive and financial investment package are in place by September another Tory austerity budget will become inevitable with even more shocking consequences.
“Last week while engaging with local people in a small neighbourhood in my South Antrim constituency the perfect storm of challenges impacting on workers and families was laid bare repeatedly.
“A young mother now unemployed because the Engage Programme has ended: another mother trying to locate community-based autism support services: parents whose adult son with complex special needs had lost his access to a social worker and lifeline care package: a male nurse with decades of service in the NHS whose net take home pay is less today than seven years ago: the family in distress because their daughter with special educational needs has still not been allocated a place in a special school setting for the new school year: Other neighbours were seething with anger at the intransigence of the DUP and cruelty of the Tories.”
The Sinn Féin National Chairperson called on the DUP to return unconditionally to the Executive in the face of the current challenges. He said:
“The behaviour of the DUP is failing workers, families and small businesses. The public services upon which our community relies are being dismantled in plain sight. Everyone is being affected regardless of background.
“The DUP leader knows there is no more to be negotiated between the British government and European Commission. It is a fact that his party's blocking of the political institutions is deepening the crisis for public finances and public services.
“The cost of living emergency and public finances crisis presents a decisive crossroads for the DUP. The party leadership position is untenable. In these circumstances an unconditional return to power sharing is the only rational decision to make.
“Failing to do so would represent another catastrophic miscalculation, matched only by the DUP's support for Brexit - and look how that has turned out.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin, and TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould, have said the government must put in place a plan to give renters a break before the Dáil breaks for the summer.
They were speaking ahead of the party’s Dáil motion, to be debated on Tuesday, that calls on government to introduce a three-year ban on rent increases, introduce a refundable tax credit to put a month’s rent back in every private renter’s pocket, and deliver an emergency response to stem the rise in homelessness.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
"The longer this government is in power, the worse things will get.
"After 12 years of a Fine Gael government, propped up by Fianna Fáil for seven years, people cannot find an affordable place to rent or buy.
"Rents continue to spiral out of control and every month the record for the number of men, women and children in homelessness is broken.
"It's time for change. Renters need a break. It is time for a government that is genuinely committed to tackling these issues."
Teachta Gould, a member of the Oireachtas Housing Committee, said:
"On Tuesday, Sinn Féin will bring forward a motion to the Dáil calling for a three-year ban on rent increases and the creation of a refundable tax credit to put a month’s rent back in every private renter’s pocket.
"We are also demanding an emergency response to stem the rise in homelessness including a temporary reintroduction of the ban on no-fault evictions, and an expansion of the tenant-in-situ scheme for social and cost-rental tenants.
"Government must also use emergency planning and procurement powers, combined with new building technologies and vacant homes, to provide an additional stream of public housing to reduce the numbers of people in emergency accommodation.
"We simply cannot have a situation where the Dáil breaks at the end of this week for two months without the government taking action to give renters a break."
Sinn Féin’s motion can be read here.
First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill has welcomed continued support from President Biden for the Good Friday Agreement and called on the British Government to prioritise restoring the Executive and Assembly.
Speaking before the US President meets the British Prime Minister in London tomorrow, Michelle O’Neill said:
“I welcome President Joe Biden’s continued and steadfast support for the Good Friday Agreement as he visits London today to meet with the British Prime Minister.
“It is clear that the issue of Ireland, and a better future for people here, remains high on the agenda for the US administration.
“The United States has been a key partner for peace in Ireland for decades, and ardent supporters of the peace process and I value that commitment.
“I raised with senior US officials last month in Washington the need for Rishi Sunak’s government to work with their partners in the Irish Government to prioritise restoration of the political institutions and the full implementation of Agreements without any more delay.”
Chris MacManus MEP welcomes ‘Women in Leadership’ Delegation to the European Parliament
The Delegation including representatives from Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo were guests of the Sinn Féin MEP in Brussels this week
“It was an honour and a privilege to host this ‘Women in Leadership’ Delegation” said Chris MacManus MEP. “It was a thoroughly engrossing couple of days. It was powerful chatting to the delegates while they were with us in Brussels. All leaders in their respective communities and addressing inequality head on every day. Each and every one of them were fantastic ambassadors for their regions and organisations and I am really looking forward to engaging further with everyone as we work on specific projects in the future.”
Many Civil Society groups from throughout the West and Northwest travelled on the delegation including representatives from Aremoja Women’s Group, Comhar Caomhán Teo Inis Oírr (Inis Oírr Community Development Cooperative), Domestic Violence Action Service, Gort Resource Centre, Ionad Naomh Pádraig Dobhar (St Patrick’s community centre in Donegal), Mandate Trade Union, Refugee Book and SIPTU (Early Childhood Education sector)
Throughout the two day engagement the delegation which included representation from Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo, took part in a packed schedule that began with a visit to the EU Parlamentarium; an interactive exhibition on the inner workings of the European Parliament.
The delegation then took part in a tour of the Parliament’s visitor centre and Parliamentary Hemicycle Chamber which featured a presentation and Q&A from a parliament representative followed by a short talk from host Chris MacManus MEP.
On day 2 of the Women’s Conference Delegation to Brussels the focus was a Roundtable Discussion in the European Parliament. Following an initial Introduction by MacManus, the Midlands Northwest MEP, gave the floor to Greet Vermeylen, of DG JUST, European Commission who gave a general overview of EU action on gender issues. In a section entitled “Combatting gender-based violence”, the room heard from MEP Frances Fitzgerald, lead MEP negotiator for the Domestic Violence Directive and Delegate Nike Ogen, Domestic Violence Action Service and Diversity Sligo.
Charlotte Balavoine, The Left Group’s advisor to the Gender Equality Committee presented “Left perspectives on gender issues” which included the contribution of Anna Schröder, Head of the EU office of the Rosa Luxembourg Foundation.
The morning session concluded with a section on “Women running for political office”, which featured a talk by Alyssa Ahrabare, Advocacy and Legal Officer of the European Network of Migrant Women and coordinator of the EU-funded project AGENCY: Vote with You. Alyssa’s contribution was followed by Delegate Rosaleen Lally, who works for the Irish Wheelchair Association and has been selected as a local election candidate for Sinn Féin in Belmullet, Co. Mayo.
After the break the second section of the roundtable focused on Intersectionality, commencing with Disability rights and gender issues featuring contributions from both Catherine Naughton, Director of the European Disability Forum and Sligo’s Aisling Smith.
The subsequent presentation on Labour rights and gender began with a video link with Isabelle Schömann, Deputy Secretary General at the European Trade Union Confederation who was followed by Galway Delegate Deborah Reynolds, a SIPTU representative for the early childhood education who also involved in the Big Start campaign to secure better pay for workers in early years education.
The final scheduled presentation focused on Community development through a gender perspective. Delegate Anne Rozario, of Gort Resource Centre in County Galway opened the session before a contribution from fellow Delegate Chloe O’Malley, Comhar Caomhán Teo Inis Oírr (Inis Oirr Community Development Cooperative). Chloe who lives on the Aran Islands, is promoting better policy and funding support for the islands. She is also a board member of Galway Domestic Violence Response.
The conference concluded with an engaging Question and Answer session which also gave an opportunity to many delegation members to raise specific issues for their organisations and regions. David Kerr from the cabinet of Commissioner Dalli was also in attendance to answer questions specific to the Commission’s competencies, before some closing words and gratitudes from Chris MacManus MEP.
Speaking after the conference MacManus said, “It has been a very busy two days, but incredibly worthwhile. Each and every delegate brought something different to the table. These delegations are so vital to informing my work in the European Parliament, whilst giving Civil Society Groups from my constituency direct access to the European Institutions.”
The Sinn Féin MEP concluded by thanking the members of the delegation. “It was great to be able to host this delegation. I feel like we have covered a lot of important issues this week. I’d like to sincerely thank every delegate for their attendance and indeed my own team here in Brussels and at home for organising what was a very successful delegation.” ENDS
Below: Donegal delegates from left to right: Erin Toland , Chris MacManus MEP (Delegation Host) , Mary Coyle at the European Parliament
Below: Leitrim delegates from left to right: Joanne Curnan , Chris MacManus MEP (Delegation Host), Mary McGirl
Below: Galway delegates from left to right: Fiona Bradley, Deborah Reynolds, Chris MacManus MEP (Delegation Host) , Annie Rozario , Aisling Bishop
Below: Roscommon delegates from left to right: Andrea Walsh, Leah Cull , Chris MacManus MEP (Delegation Host), Kate Cunningham
Below: Mayo delegates from left to right: Chloe O Malley, Donna Hyland, Chris MacManus MEP (Delegation Host), Rosaleen Lally , Una Morris
