Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has appealed for calm following disturbances in North Belfast after a Loyalist bonfire was erected near an interface.
The North Belfast MLA said:
“For eight weeks now we have seen a rise in attacks on homes, cars and sectarian abuse in local parks coinciding with wood collecting and the building of a loyalist bonfire at the interface.
“The erection of this bonfire - for the first time in eight years - is clearly an orchestrated attempt to intimidate residents and damage long-standing community relations.
“We have met with multiple statutory agencies and community leaders from all sides of the community to warn them of the potential for escalation and to attempt to defuse this situation.
“The people of North Belfast do not want this type of activity on their streets.
“I am appealing for calm in the area tonight. People should not be living in fear in their homes.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health David Cullinane TD has welcomed the announcement from contractors BAM that construction work on the National Children’s Hospital will recommence on Monday.
Speaking this evening, Deputy Cullinane said: “The latest dispute between the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board and BAM on costs associated with building the National Children’s Hospital was concerning and unsavoury.
“There are agreed internal dispute resolution mechanisms in place to deal with disputes as they arise. They should not be allowed to escalate to a point where further damage is inflicted on the credibility of this project.
“Both the NPHDP and BAM need to focus on delivering this project as quickly as possible and within budget. Further unnecessary delays incur additional costs.
"It is vital these additional costs are not borne by the taxpayer. The contractor should get on with the job of building the hospital, starting with work recommending on Monday.”Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has called on unionist political leaders to condemn the 'hatemongers' who have a vile poster of Bobby Storey in East Belfast.
The West Belfast MP said:
"This is a particularly depraved display of sectarian hatred.
"It is grossly insulting to the Storey family who are still mourning the loss of a much loved father, brother and grandfather.
"I am calling on unionist political parties to condemn this particularly vile kind of hate crime and an immediate end to these sickening displays.
"This latest hate crime has been reported to the PSNI which must start to take these annual displays of hatred seriously and bring offenders before the courts.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Gary McCleave has called on community and political leaders in Lisburn to show leadership to remove unwanted flags.
The calls come after a number of residents received sectarian abuse when challenging the erection of flags near their homes.
Councillor McCleave said:
“Flags erected in mixed areas of Lisburn, including Thaxton, Woodbrook, Lower Ballinderry, Lambeg & Lisburn City Centre, are against the wishes of residents living there.
“When challenging the erection of the flags in their community, local residents were subject to nasty and sectarian verbal abuse.
“Sinn Féin reached out to community leaders in an effort to resolve the issue and it’s extremely disappointing that these efforts were unsuccessful.
“I am calling on community leaders and political representatives from all political parties to show leadership and make it clear that in 2020, people should not be faced with the sectarian abuse and intimidation at their home.
“There is an onus on the relevant agencies to carry out their duty and remove these illegal and unwanted flags from the area.
“In the coming days, we will also continue to pursue dialogue with community leaders to find a resolution to this issue.”
The West Belfast MP said:
"I welcome today's judgement from the Court of Appeal setting out the reasons for quashing the search warrant used against investigative journalist Barry McCaffrey while researching a documentary into the Loughinisland massacre.
"Today's judgement details why the arrest of Barry McCaffrey was unlawful and confirms that he acted properly.
"Barry is an award winning and renowned journalist and is widely respected for his integrity.
"This is a further vindication for Barry McCaffrey.
"This is a significant development for Barry McCaffrey and an important step towards protecting journalistic freedom but it also shows that vigilance is always required when it comes to protecting the freedom of the press."
Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd has said there is a pressing responsibility on the Irish government to actively prepare for Irish unity.
John O'Dowd said:
"Across Ireland people are thinking about their future and a conversation on Irish unity and how to shape it is already well underway.
"People from all backgrounds are involved in that conversation but there are still some who profess to support Irish unity who appear afraid to get involved in the discussion.
"The Irish government in particular have a responsibility to play a major role in leading the conversation around Irish unity, not only in relation to its responsibilities under the Good Friday Agreement but also under the constitution.
"Brexit and the Covid-19 emergency have reshaped how people think and talk about what it means to share this island. These crises have shone a spotlight on the cost of having a border on the island, while showing starkly the merits and strengths of a shared and united Ireland.
"There is a pressing responsibility on the Irish government to lead an inclusive discussion and to start planning for our constitutional future and a referendum on Irish unity. This responsibility must be discharged while also fulfilling all legal obligations arising from the Good Friday and subsequent agreements.
"Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has now written to An Taoiseach calling on him to urgently demonstrate his commitment to preparing for Irish unity by taking practical steps as part of the proposed new Shared Ireland Unit.
"These should include establishing a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Irish Unity, establishing a Citizens Assembly representative of the whole island to discuss the issue and preparing a White Paper on Unity.
"The people of Ireland are already involved in the conversation. Sinn Féin will play our part; the Irish government must now play its part."
Sinn Féin Economy Spokesperson, Caoimhe Archibald MLA, has called on Ulster Bank to engage with trade union representatives in the Financial Services Union (FSU) to protect jobs.
The East Derry MLA pressed Ulster Bank to explore retraining options instead of redundancy for workers and expressed concern at the timing of this action on voluntary redundancy.
Caoimhe Archibald MLA said:
“Today I met with Ulster Bank officials following news that up to 40 jobs may be lost to voluntary redundancy in the near future.
"This is very concerning news, particularly for workers and their families.
"We are heading into extremely difficult economic circumstances and likely very high unemployment. I am therefore very concerned about these proposed redundancies.
"I am calling on Ulster Bank to consider all other alternatives to redundancy in the short term, including retraining and upskilling to respond to a changing retail banking sector and to continue to engage with trade union representatives."
Sinn Féin councillor Ciaran Beattie has condemned a death threat against Belfast City Council official, Nigel Grimshaw.
The Council group leader said:
"This death threat issued against Belfast City Council official Nigel Grimshaw is abhorrent and I condemn it utterly.
"Those responsible for this threat have nothing to offer society.
"This threat comes after Nigel Grimshaw has been the subject of much inaccurate, ill-informed and irresponsible public commentary in recent days.
"Everyone should be free to go about their business free from fear of threats and intimidation.
“Anyone with any information on those responsible for this despicable and cowardly threat should bring it to the PSNI.”
Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has backed calls by the family of Majella O’Hare for an independent investigation into her death.
The Newry/Armagh MP said:
“For nearly 44 years, Majella O’Hare’s family have suffered the awful injustice of Majella’s killing.
“They have done so with great dignity and with a perseverance to get the truth.
“Their demand for an independent investigation into her death is made with no malice or intent but that only of finding out the truth of their sister’s death.
“Sinn Féin supports Majella O’Hare’s family in their quest for truth and justice.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward has supported calls from leading mental health charities for greater mental health supports after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Samaritans Ireland and Alone have stated that Covid-19 has exacerbated people’s fears and anxiety
Teachta Ward said:
“We can have no half measures when it comes to mental health. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has only increased pressures on already under resourced mental health services.
“Samaritans Ireland and Alone have stated that there is going to be a huge demand post-pandemic for mental health, poverty relief, homelessness and disability support. This demand is right across the spectrum. Our community based mental health and addiction services who were already bursting at the seams pre-Covid are now seeing an unprecedented demand on their services.
“We need a fully integrated mental health service that provides people with the care they need when they need it right across the continuum of care, starting with prevention and early intervention.
“The challenge is on the new Minister for Mental Health to put into effect a comprehensive person-centred, holistic, community mental health service. The previous government produced a 10-year mental health strategy in June called 'Sharing the Vision'.
"This was not costed and unless there is political will to implement the findings in the report then it will not be worth the paper that it is written on.
“I have written to the Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler asking how she is going to implement the recommendations of 'Sharing the Vision' over the next 5 years. I have also asked her to include costings, key objectives and expected outcomes. I am waiting on a response.
“Over the years too many people have fallen through the cracks of mental health services. The fear is that, post-Covid, these gaps will become wider and more people will be left without the services that they desperately need.
“For far too long mental health services have played second fiddle to physical health. We need a parity of esteem, where Mental Health and Physical Health are giving equal treatment.
“As highlighted today by Samaritans Ireland and Alone, we are on the verge of a mental health tsunami post-Covid-19 with existing mental health services inundated with calls for help. The new Minister needs to put in provisions to meet this expected demand.
“Covid by its very nature has increased people’s anxiety and worry. Older people have had to cocoon and have felt isolated.
“Our young people were left unclear for way too long on the leaving certificate examinations. They are missing school, their friends, their sports and other important social structures.
“Some young people and adults are witnessing and experiencing an increased level of domestic violence at home, they have no safe place to go to. People have lost loved ones. Have not been able to attend the funeral and grieve properly due to the current restrictions.
“Some People have experienced financial uncertainty and job insecurity. People have lost businesses. People are behind on rent and mortgage payments. People are worried about childcare.
“Time will tell whether this Government will have the political will to implement real changes in how mental health services are provided. Unless there is a parity of esteem and an increased budget for mental health ,I’m afraid documents like a 'Sharing the Vision' will just become a dust collector.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has called on Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien to be honest with the people who have been approved in principle for a Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan and who are on the temporary wage subsidy scheme.
A response to a parliamentary question has confirmed that even if applicants are approved in principle, they will not be able to draw down the funding until their income has returned to the level in their original application for a set time of up to three months.
Teachta Ó Broin said: “Last week I raised concerns that despite different Housing Agency advice, the Minister for Housing was going to issue a circular to local authorities containing instructions for a blanket ban on mortgage draw-downs for people who have been approved in principle for a Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan and who are on the temporary wage subsidy scheme until they have exited said scheme.
“Minister O’ Brien vehemently said that this would not be the case.
“But the response to a parliamentary question, which I received earlier this week, has confirmed that even if applicants are approved in principle for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, they will not be able to draw down the funding until their income has returned to the level in their original application for a set time of up to three months.
“Sinn Féin is not advocating for people to be granted the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan when they have no capacity to pay it back.
“However a blanket ban is not the correct approach. Households applying for the loan and their capacity to service a mortgage must be decided on a case by case basis.
“Minister O’Brien must be honest with those approved in principle for a Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan on the wage subsidy scheme who are waiting to draw down funding.
“He must also reconsider the introduction of a blanket ban and implement a more fair, nuanced approach.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health David Cullinane TD has called for urgent clarification on the situation at the National Children's Hospital.
Teachta Cullinane said:
"We need greater clarity on the situation with the National Children’s Hospital.
"We need to know why works have not been happening, when works will recommence and if the dispute management process is working or not, or if it is even being used.
"It has been two months since work could have recommenced.
"I fail to see why this has yet to be resolved, or at least why works have not recommenced pending an agreement on the costs situation.
"Most importantly, we need to know if there are to be any additional costs to the taxpayer as a result of this fiasco.
"This is a sorry saga with one blunder after another and every delay is a million euro mistake. We need the Minister for Health to come out with exactly the facts of what is happening."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport Darren O’Rourke TD has called on the government to require airlines to include a Covid-19 warning on advertisements for flights to countries where the virus remains a serious threat.
Speaking today, the Meath East TD said: “The government’s contradictory approach to foreign travel to date has simply been unacceptable.
“Planes are permitted to arrive and depart, but the advice from the government is for citizens not to travel.
“This is resulting in people losing the money they have spent on flights and leaving them with no entitlement to a refund. It’s a very unfair situation that is costing people thousands of euro.
“Airlines should be offering refunds or rescheduling for free while the pandemic restrictions remain in place, and travel insurance companies should be offering compensation to those who have lost money on cancelled holidays.
“In addition, airlines are now advertising flights to destinations across the world. This flies in the face of the current public health advice and only adds to the public’s confusion around foreign travel.
“We believe a Covid-19 warning should be required on advertisements for flights to countries where the virus remains a serious threat.
“While many states are making great strides towards eliminating the virus, it is clear that the infection rate in some continues to be out of control.
“It is important that people are fully aware of the dangers of travelling to certain areas due to Covid-19.”
MacManus presses EU Commission on New Zealand beef deal
Chris MacManus, Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands North West, pressed the EU Commission on whether it was planning to allow increased beef imports from New Zealand. MacManus, speaking after a meeting of the European Parliament Agricultural Committee, said:
“I took the opportunity at today’s meeting to directly ask the European Commission whether it intended to deliver another blow to Irish farmers, in the form of an increased quota for New Zealand beef arriving into the EU.
“Free trade talks are ramping up between the EU and New Zealand, and agricultural concessions are top of the agenda for New Zealand’s negotiators.
“In response to my question, the Commission would only say they are aware of the sensitivities around beef and lamb.
“The Commission’s refusal to rule out an increased beef quota for New Zealand will come as very worrying news to the farmers I represent.
“Only a few days ago, the British Government published its strategic approach to trade deals with New Zealand and Australia. The document says it intends to liberalise 80% of trade in the next 3 years between the countries, and it pulls no punches when it comes to who is going to pay the price.
“Page 88 of the document states that:
‘the negative impact on Northern Ireland is attributable to the agriculture and semi-processed foods sectors’.
“I have no doubt farmers south of the border, who are heavily dependent on inter-island trade, will also suffer a substantial loss of market share in Britain.
“Irish farmers reduced share on the British market, coupled with increased competition in the EU market, from Australasia and the Mercosur countries, will undoubtably lock us into a prolonged period of depressed prices.
“Publicly the Commission says it is ready to support farmers in times of crises, while privately it sells them out in back room trade negotiations.
“Agricultural access to the EU market must never be a deal sweetener to get agreements in other sectors over the line.
“Sinn Féin will fight any deal which undermines Irish farmers’ ability to receive a fair price for their product on the market.”
ENDS
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Disability and Carers Pauline Tully TD has called for the Government to put in place, as a matter of priority, a roadmap accompanied by adequate resources for the reinstatement of homecare, respite and support services for people with intellectual disabilities.
Teachta Tully said:
“While there is a plan in place for pubs, restaurants and tanning salons to reopen, there has been nothing put in place, as of yet, for the reopening of homecare, respite and support services for people with intellectual disabilities.
“The fact that the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, could not give a date for the resumption of these services yesterday was not good enough. People with intellectual disabilities and their families have been without many of these services since restrictions were put in place over three months ago. The Government has excluded these services from their 'Roadmap for Reopening Ireland', leaving families without much needed clarity.
“A recent report by Family Carers Ireland highlighted how even before the Covid-19 pandemic, many family carers were already providing high and unsustainable levels of care. Sadly, this has now been greatly exacerbated with many carers providing care twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
“This is having a severe adverse effect on their mental health; with 60% of respondents worried that this has declined.
“This is also having a significant negative impact in terms of routine for carers and those that they care for. Many families are reporting that without these services their loved ones are withdrawing and regressing.
“Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018. Under Article 25 of the Convention, people with disabilities have the right to the enjoyment of the highest standard of health without discrimination on the basis of their disability. It is vital that these rights are respected during this period.
“To ensure this, the Government needs to restore these vital services for people with intellectual disabilities and their families as a matter of priority.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Mairéad Farrell TD has said that the ongoing delay in the construction of the new National Children’s Hospital is another example of a dysfunctional project.
She urged to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to address the situation.
Teachta Farrell said:
"I find it incredulous that there are now further costly delays in the construction of the National Children’s Hospital.
"For a project that was estimated to cost €790 million at the outset, PWC’s report of last year has estimated that the cost should now be around €1.73 billion.
"With the current delay and ongoing legal challenge, it seems likely that this figure is set to rise even further.
"Mistakes have been made at every turn in this project, and it has represented very poor value for money for the Irish taxpayer.
"The new Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform - who was so vocal about this in recent years - needs to urgently take control of the situation."
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has called for Ulster Bank to engage with union representatives and protect jobs.
Speaking on news that Ulster Bank has briefed the Financial Services Union (FSU) on the opening of a voluntary redundancy register which will provide for up to 40 redundancies here in coming months, the party's economy spokesperson said:
"It is deeply concerning to hear of proposed redundancies at Ulster Bank; this is a very uncertain time for the local economy and job market, and all action should be taken to prevent job losses.
"The FSU has called for these redundancies to be paused against the current backdrop of the COVID19 crisis and I would urge Ulster Bank to engage with the union and seek to protect jobs.
"I will be seeking a meeting with Ulster Bank to discuss these developments."
Sinn Féin MLA Orlaithi Flynn has welcomed the Health Minister’s prompt apology following the publication of the Cumberledge Report yesterday and is calling for an urgent meeting to enable the minister to hear for himself the ongoing concerns of women injured by mesh implants.
The West Belfast MLA said:
“The minister has recognised the failure of the healthcare system in relation to vaginal implant surgery and acknowledged the need to listen and understand patients’ voices and their concerns.
"In light of this I am asking for an urgent meeting with the minister so that women injured by mesh can speak to him directly.
“There are a number of ongoing concerns relating to the operation of the Specialist Regional Mesh Clinic, confidence in expertise to undertake complex mesh removals and difficulties in securing full rather than partial removals.
"I have listened to women injured by mesh and their voices are powerful.
"I am urging the minister to listen and learn from those directly impacted.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health David Cullinane TD has voiced concern at the rise in the Covid-19 reproductive rate, from around 0.6 last month to at or above 1 as announced today.
Teachta Cullinane said:
"The rise in the Covid-19 reproductive rate is worrying and is going in the wrong direction if we are to get this virus under control.
"I would urge everyone to follow the guidance issued by NPHET and to take every precaution they can.Social distancing needs to be maintained and masks should be worn on public transport.
"When Professor Philip Nolan was with us at the Dáil's Special Committee on Covid-19, he said: 'If the reproduction rate is approaching 1, I would be sounding an alarm. If it is above 1, I would be sounding a louder alarm.'
"The news this evening certainly sets off alarm bells for me.
"We recognise that this may be because numbers are low, so it is not the case that we need to rollback on reopenings just yet.
"Hopefully there will not be a spike in infections, but it is a reminder that we must remain vigilant and ensure that there are no large clusters of outbreaks.
"Over the coming weeks we will hopefully see the reproduction rate and number of cases fall. Acting together we can defeat this virus."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty TD has said that the Covid penalty and rip-off of bank customers needs to end and that the former Taoiseach needs to explain why his version of events contradicts that of everyone else.
Teachta Doherty said:
“It is now clear that the banks were ripping customers off and that they misled the government in respect of mortgage interest.
“It is now clear that Leo Varadkar was asleep at the wheel and didn’t know what was going on.
“It is also clear that the banks and the former Taoiseach are trying to come up with a cover story that will continue to see customers ripped off.
“The minutes of the meeting between the former Taoiseach and the CEOs of the five retail banks are clear.
“The banks misinformed the former Taoiseach and the Minister of Finance when they said that they were required by the regulator to charge additional interest on mortgage breaks.
“Yesterday, the spokesperson for the Banking and Payments Federation defended this position and stated that it only became clear on Tuesday that interest did not have to be charged. This is totally untrue. The Governor of the Central Banks clarified this to me weeks ago and the Spanish government waived interest for bank customers as early as March.
“Now we have the former Taoiseach creating a new narrative on the floor of the Dáil when he said, ‘Banks never claimed that they couldn’t waive interest for that period… They did say it would be possible to waive interest for that period.’ This completely contradicts the minutes of the meeting on 11th May and the public comments of the BPFI spokesperson who was also in attendance.
“This is beyond farcical and the former Taoiseach needs to explain why his version of events contradicts that of everyone else.
“The Covid penalty for customers taking a mortgage break needs to end. The fact is that the banks are charging nearly twice the interest rate of banks across Europe; costing families under pressure thousands of euro.
“Banks should not be allowed to profiteer on the back of the pandemic and it beggars belief that Leo Varadkar believes that banks won’t profit from this rip-off.”
