Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has said the British government need to provide urgent clarity to Warrenpoint Harbour and the local community regarding arrangements for post-Brexit checks at the South Down Port.
In recent days it has been revealed that a new 40,000 square-foot checking facility is being proposed at Warrenpoint in order for the north of Ireland’s second biggest port to be compliant with post-Brexit trading regulations on 1st January 2021.
The South Down MP said:
"The Warrenpoint Harbour Authority and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) have been working round the clock in recent weeks to submit plans for a significant new checking facility at Warrenpoint.
“This work is being done to comply with Brexit regulations and the need for enhanced checks at the north's sea ports,
"This would involve the construction of a large inspection facility, office space and HGV parking bays. Given the approaching Brexit deadline, it needs to be done as soon as possible in order for trade to continue post Brexit in 6 months time.
“Yet there is still much confusion as to what exactly is being proposed; who is footing the bill; and when construction will begin. The British Government must urgently put its cards on the table and bring some transparency to this process.
“Moreover, due to the submission deadlines and the fact the proposed site is located within the ‘development rights’ of the harbour, the opportunity for the local community to participate in a meaningful consultation process is virtually non-existent. This new facility will impact on the adjacent Area of Specific Scientific Interest (ASSI) and the scenic Narrow Water Gateway to the town. Therefore it’s vitally important the community and local public representatives have an opportunity to view the plans as soon as possible.
“Such a large-scale development calls for a ‘belt and braces’ approach to landscape management. So I would hope that the Harbour Authority, DAERA, and Newry, Mourne & Down Council will ensure the community are informed as soon as possible as to what this will involve and how we can build upon these environmental mitigations in the future to protect the very sensitive environmental and wildlife heritage of the nearby area.
“The local community appreciate tthat this new facility is a consequence of the British government’s reckless Brexit policy, and these checks are required to protect our all-island economy and our unique and special circumstances in the Irish Protocol.
“However, that does not give the British Government, DAERA, nor the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority the freedom to ignore the views and interests of the local community regarding any potential impact of this facility.
“Warrenpoint Harbour Authority and the local community need urgent clarity from both the British government and DAERA on this matters, and I will be writing to the British government to request an urgent meeting to discuss it."
Sinn Féin Senator Fintan Warfield has expressed his support for LGBTQI+ young people as we celebrate Dublin Pride today.
He said that there is a whole new chapter to write as we celebrate the fifth anniversary of marriage equality and the legal recognition of transgender people.
Senator Warfield said: "I want to wish LGBTQI+ people in Ireland a safe, happy and healthy Pride.
"For many LGBTQI+ people - and young people in particular - life has not been easy during the Covid-19 lockdown. We know that LGBTQI+ youth have found it particularly tough to be their true selves and that many young people have felt alone, scared, anxious and isolated from their support networks in recent months.
"According to a recent 'Belong To' report on the impact of Covid-19 on LGBTQI+ young people in Ireland, over 90% of LGBTQI+ young people are struggling with anxiety, stress or depression.
"I want to send all of those who are struggling at this time my best wishes and my solidarity.
"Pride is unfinished business.
"We have a whole new chapter to write as we celebrate the fifth anniversary of marriage equality and the legal recognition of transgender people.
"The previous government failed to deliver on a huge number of commitments to our communities. Indeed, the new Programme for Government amounts to a list of unfulfilled promises carried over from the last term.
"Sinn Féin will continue to fight for the full implementation of the LGBTQI+ Youth Strategy, for reform of relationship and sexuality education and to ensure that schools are fully inclusive and welcoming environments for LGBTQI+ young people.
"We will continue to be vocal in campaigning for transgender healthcare, full gender recognition for trans youth and non-binary people, and for increased support for sexual health services across the island.
"We need to keep fighting and working for rights in the time ahead."
Below is the address of Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD to the Dáil on the nomination of a Taoiseach:
I want to thank my colleagues Teachta Pearse Doherty and Teachta Mairéad Farrell for nominating me for the office of An Taoiseach.
To be elected Taoiseach is a huge honour and today that honour will fall to Deputy Martin and I wish him well.
February was the ‘change election’.
In unprecedented numbers, people voted for fairness, for progress and for a new direction in Irish politics.
Sinn Féin won more votes than any other political party.
Undeniably, this was a mandate for Sinn Féin to be in government.
It was a mandate for a Government for Change.
Faced with the prospect of losing their grip on power, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have circled the wagons.
You excluded Sinn Féin, and the voices of more than a half a million people, from government formation talks.
Chaith daoine vóta ar son athrú. Tá athrú ag teastáil. Tá sé thar am.
Today’s marriage of convenience is born of necessity not ambition.
To buy time. To keep others out. To keep others in their place.
For you, it's your way or no way.
I have to tell you that you won’t get it all your own way. That day is over.
Ní hionann an comhrialtas seo athrú.
Ní hionnan rialtas Fine Gael agus Fianna Fáil le chéile an t-athrú a chaith daoine a chuid vóta ar a shon i Mí Feabhra.
Níl sé seo ach níos mó dun méid atá ann anois.
The inescapable truth is that the future belongs to those of us who believe in change.
The measure and mettle of the Irish people, is reflected in how they have met the challenge of the pandemic.
The daily acts of kindness, the spirit of community, the commitment to the belief that nobody is safe until we are all safe.
The crisis has not dampened the desire for change, it has strengthened it.
People have had time to reflect on their lives.
To reflect on what really matters.
And they realise the price they pay for leaving Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government is far too high.
The people were very clear in the election.
They told us what the foundations of that good life means to them - affordable housing, healthcare when they need it, childcare that doesn’t break the bank, a fair economy that delivers for workers, where you can retire with dignity at the age of 65 with your State pension, a greener, cleaner Ireland built on climate justice and on social justice and people told us, in large numbers and in increased volume, that Irish Unity is important to them.
This was not a protest vote.
This was a vote driven by kindness, by goodwill and compassion.
Rooted in common-sense.
Those very issues that dominated the election are ones that have been dodged in your Programme for Government.
As the leader of Sinn Fein, let me set out our stall.
Ordinary people will not shoulder the burden of this economic crisis.
They will not be told to stand at the back of the queue while the banks and the vulture capitalists have their fill.
They will not go down the black hole of slash and burn austerity.
We will champion investment, stimulus and policies that grow our economy and strengthen our society.
We will stand up for those who work hard to make a good life for themselves and their families but who see their efforts cancelled out by a cost of living that is too high and by the failure to support modern public services.
We will give voice to those who too often go unheard by government; people living with disabilities, carers, young people and our senior citizens.
We will work to transform all of Ireland for the better.
Fairness, equality, common decency and real solutions - these are the things that are important to workers and families.
These are the things that shape Sinn Féin’s determination to deliver what will be the most effective opposition ever seen in this State.
No longer is a better, fairer, united Ireland the dream of the idealistic few.
It is now the achievable goal of the many.
It is an ambition shared by people from all walks of life.
Change pulses through the veins of our nation fuelled by positivity, hope, solidarity and the promise of a better tomorrow.
Those of us who believe in change are resolute, determined and together.
It is the parties of the political establishment, hunkered behind your high walls and jaded ideas, desperately clutching to yesterday, who are out of touch.
The people of Ireland are entitled to a future that is the measures of their hopes, their aspirations and their ambitions.
To those who believe in change, to those who voted for change and to those who refuse to let go of change, I say this;
Dóibh siúd a chaith a vóta ar son athrú, impím oraibh gan tabhairt isteach. Ná caill croí. Níl mé - nó Shinn Féin - ag tabhairt isteach.
Our time is coming. Change cannot be stopped.
To every person who we met on the election trail, who confided their hardships and deepest fears, who inspired us with their bright optimism and ambition for the future, who entrusted us with the task of standing up for you, we are here because of you and for you.
This is not the end. This is just the beginning.
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has said that local people are shocked after a man has been shot dead in a gun attack in St.James area of West Belfast.
The West Belfast MP said:
“This afternoon a local man was shot dead in a brutal and shameful attack in St.James'.
“My thoughts are with the family of the man was has been killed. No family should have to go through this heartache.
“Those involved in this act have absolutely no place in our community, they must cease their anti-community activities and get off the back of the people of West Belfast.
"Those responsible must be held accountable before the courts.
“A police operation is ongoing in the St.James' area and I would appeal to anyone with information on this shooting to bring it forward to the PSNI.”
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has expressed his condolences following the discovery of a body which police believe to be that of missing teenager, Noah Donohoe.
The North Belfast MP said:
"The PSNI have discovered a body which they believe to be that of missing teenager, Noah Donohoe.
"This is tragic and heart breaking news for his family and friends and all who knew him, as well as the entire community who were involved in the search for him over recent days
"I want to extend my thoughts and condolences and those of the whole community to his family and friends at this sad and difficult time.
“I appeal to anyone with information which may assist the PSNI investigation to bring it forward to the police.”
Responding to the announcement tonight that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party have agreed to enter government together, Sinn Féin’s deputy Dáil leader Pearse Doherty TD has said:
"People voted for change in the general election, they voted for a fresh start and for a new beginning. They voted for a move away from the two parties that have shared power in this State for nearly one hundred years.
"Faced with the prospect of a Government of Change, the two old parties have come together to circle the wagons to exclude Sinn Féin, and they are using the Green Party as a fig leaf to do this.
"The reality is that the desire for change is even stronger now than it was in February. People know what it's like to have Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in power together.
"At a time when Ireland needs ambition and big ideas, we have a Programme for Government that fails to deliver on affordable housing, on building up capacity in our health services, on getting people back to work and having enough to survive, on childcare, on the right to retire at sixty-five and on planning for Irish unity.
"Sinn Féin wanted to lead a Government for Change and we wanted to lead a government that will deliver.
"We will be equally determined in leading the Opposition.
"Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will be faced with the most determined opposition they have ever seen because Sinn Féin will stand up for ordinary workers and families.
"We will continue to put forward solutions and we will continue to build support across Ireland to deliver the change that people want and deserve."
Sinn Féin’ MLA Linda Dillon MLA welcomed today’s announcement of an additional £60,000 for Women’s Aid to provide care packages for families who have experienced domestic abuse.
The party's justice spokesperson said:
"Domestic abuse has rightly been a focus for the Assembly since its return in January and this has been demonstrated with the accelerated pace of the Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill.
“Unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic has brought into stark reality the difficulties faced by victims of domestic abuse, with the lockdown escalating the threat of domestic abuse, cutting off escape routes, and making it more difficult to seek help.
“Figures show domestic abuse cases were on the rise because of COVID-19 and this is a welcome cash boost to an organisation which provides such valuable support for victims. The care packages will be formed of food parcels, learning resources and games for families, including laptops and mobile phones.
“I welcome the focus that has been put on tackling domestic abuse from all Executive Departments, including additional financial support for the 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline, and the Communities Minister’s increased temporary accommodation places for victims of domestic abuse.
“I’d further urge the Justice Minister to act quickly to publish her Department’s five year action plan to tackle domestic abuse.”
Sinn Féin TD and spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Seán Crowe has described the downgrading by the US State Department of Ireland’s efforts to combat human trafficking as “deeply embarrassing and demonstrates the lack of priority with which this issue has been tackled.
Teachta Crowe said:
“The US State Department has released their annual Trafficking in Persons Report and the news for Ireland is not good.
“This downgrading places Ireland on the third tier in the fight against human trafficking. We are the only country in Western Europe to be ranked so low and this places us in the company of Iraq and Bosnia and Herzegovina, two states who have experienced massive conflict in recent years.
“The report identifies some damning failures in the fight against human trafficking. Ireland has failed to obtain a conviction against a person for trafficking since the law was amended in 2013 and there are ‘systematic deficiencies in victim identification, referral, and assistance’. The report is critical of the fact that across three years and 1,500 inspections, not a single victim was identified.
“There are ongoing, chronic deficiencies providing assistance and protection to trafficking victims, including a lack of specialised accommodation and adequate services for victims. Repatriation of victims is also a huge problem. If someone has been smuggled into the country to work in a cannabis grow house for instance, sending them back to where they were trafficked from will only expose them to the dangers they faced previously and possibly more so, if human traffickers now consider the victim to be in their debt.
“An area singled out for particular criticism is in the fishing industry; the report states “the amended working scheme for sea fishers increased their vulnerability to trafficking’. The report alleges that Government changes managed to make the situation worse. This is an area of workers’ rights that clearly needs to be revisited and proactive amendments made to the legislation.
“The report identified that funding in key areas, such as research and enforcement, has decreased while we know from other jurisdictions that trafficking has multiplied and is on the increase.
“In a week where Ireland was elected to the UN Security Council, we are also told that our efforts to combat Human Trafficking are simply not nearly good enough. If Ireland wishes to be a champion for human rights and justice on a global stage, then we must look closer to home and ensure that victims of trafficking in Ireland are not left to the mercy of modern-day slavers. We clearly need to look again at our flawed legislation and allocate additional resources to combat the trafficking of vulnerable men, women, and children.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has said that the next government must introduce a rent arrears debt scheme.
The call comes as figures from a renters survey hosted by Sinn Féin show that 60% of those who took part had lost income because of Covid-19, with a similar number concerned about mounting rent arrears.
Teachta Ó Broin said:“Sinn Féin launched an online survey for renters earlier this month to hear directly from private rental tenants about how Covid-19 was affecting them.
“Over 1,000 people took part in the survey, which had a good range in terms of location, age and income bracket.
“The main findings were that 60% had lost income because of Covid-19.
“Only a third of tenants had approached their landlord to ask for some form of rent relief. 39% of these described their landlord’s response was helpful with an equal number saying they were unhelpful.
“Since the introduction of the special Covid-19 rent supplement payment in March, the number of claims has increased by almost 40%, with latest figures showing that 7,030 claims are in payment with 1,350 applications pending.
“It is alarming that only 42% of those who participated in the survey said they were aware of the Covid-19 rent supplement. Of these, half applied and just over half of these were successful.
“Of the 60% of renters worried about post Covid-19 rent arrears debt, 68% expected to have arrears of up to €3000, while a further 13% expected the debt to be as much as €5000.
“The results of this survey show that there is an urgent need for Government to set out a plan for dealing with the rent arrears debt burden.
“Tenants should not be left to carry this this burden alone. A rent arrears debt scheme must be established as matter of urgency.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Seán Crowe has said that one of the key priorities of Ireland’s tenure on the UN Security Council must be working towards an end to the war in Yemen that has dragged on for over five years.
Teachta Crowe made his plea following a UNICEF report released today which says that there could be 2.4 million malnourished children in Yemen by the end of the year.
The Dublin South-West TD said:
“The war in Yemen has raged on for over five years now. The civilian population has suffered unimaginably as a result of this conflict and by far the greatest victims are the children of Yemen. Saudi airstrikes have wiped out infrastructure that is essential for the health and wellbeing of millions.
“9.58 million children do not have sufficient access to safe water, sanitation or hygiene, putting them at a greater risk of infection, while 7.8 million do not have access to education amid the school closures. 2.4 million will be malnourished by the end of the year.
“It is hard to grasp the scale of a number of children one and a half times the population of the island of Ireland not having access to clean water.
“80% of the population are reliant on humanitarian aid, but this is not sustainable.
“Foreign Aid has completely dried up, with only a third of the UN aid budget of last year pledged for this year.
“To make matters only worse, now Covid-19 is sweeping across the country, with a mortality rate five times that of the global average.
“Our time on the Security Council cannot simply be a matter of national prestige. We spent long enough and more than enough money to get there.
"Now, let us do some good with it. Ireland must be a champion for peace and human rights. We must devote our energies to ending the war in Yemen by every means at our disposal.
“We must call for an immediate arms embargo, lobby our fellow UN member states to restore funding to at least the levels of last year, and work with our Security Council colleagues to bring as much pressure as possible to end the war. Ireland has seen more than its share of strife and hunger in the past. We cannot sit by and watch more countries do the same.”
Sinn Féin Councillor in Lisburn and Castlereagh Ryan Carlin has raised concerns following the erection of flags in Carryduff.
Speaking Cllr Carlin said:
“I have been contacted by numerous residents who have again expressed their dismay at the erection of flags at the Carryduff Roundabout.
“There must be serious discussion about flags in shared spaces in Carryduff and across Lisburn and Castlereagh Council.
“In recent years the volume of flags erected locally has increased. This is completely at odds with the shared community spirit of the area.
“Residents feel that they have no say in the matter and a number have described how they feel too intimidated to speak out publicly.
“There is an obligation on political representatives, community leaders and the authorities to resolve this issue.
“We need an appropriate and agreed protocol and a mechanism for residents to have their say without fear of reprisal.
“The response to date by political unionism and the authorities has been woefully inadequate and unacceptable. Sinn Féin will continue to proactively work to secure a resolution to this issue."
Sinn Féin’s Darren O’Rourke TD has called on the government to provide more clarity on foreign travel, after the Taoiseach announced travel to certain countries with low levels of Covid-19 will resume from the 9th July.
He said:
“The announcement this evening from the Taoiseach leaves a lot of unanswered questions.
“Country specific travel advice will need to be under constant review to take account of future Covid-19 outbreaks abroad. It is imperative that we are vigilant and that we respond quickly to outbreaks in other countries.
“We cannot have a repeat of the northern Italy situation, where flights continued to land into Ireland despite a huge outbreak in the region, resulting in the importation of the virus. The government needs to outline how they will ensure this will not happen again.
“Consumers also need to be protected and they cannot be left out of pocket should travel restrictions be re-introduced for certain countries. Leaving it to the airlines is simply not good enough.
“Some people have already lost thousands of euro as a result of this, as planes have been permitted to fly but people could not travel due to the government restrictions.
“Stringent measures will need to be put in place in our ports and airports to monitor those arriving back into Ireland as foreign travel resumes.
“We have previously called for temperature screening and highlighted that filling in a form simply isn’t enough. The government needs to urgently address this if they are to open up foreign travel in two weeks' time.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has called on the current ban on evictions to be extended until the end of 2020.
Latest figures show that in May, 8,876 adults and children were classified as homeless, which represented a drop of 459 from April.
Teachta Ó Broin said: "The drop in the number of adults and children living in emergency accommodation is welcome.
"It shows that the ban on evictions, rent increases and the issuing of notices to quit is working and more families are staying in their homes as a result.
"The ban on evictions should be extended until at the least the end of 2020 and a three-year ban on rent increases should be introduced.
"Furthermore, the issuing of vacant possession notices to quit to tenants by buy-to-let landlords when they want to sell must become a thing of the past.
"These belated steps taken by the outgoing government to protect renters are working.
"But the unfortunate reality is that had Fine Gael taken this action two years ago, many families would never have entered homeless services in the first place."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has welcomed news that the Department of Education has committed to extending free school meals over the course of the summer.
Teachta Ó Laoghaire said;
“I want to welcome the news that the Department of Social Protection has agreed to extend school meals programme.
"For many years we have been calling for the extension of the school meals programme to support children's nutrition.
“'Holiday Hunger' impacts many children and families. With the School Meals Programme running only in the past on a school yearly basis, parents without the means to do so must find a way to provide lunches - and in some cases breakfast and dinner - normally given by the school, to their children during the summer holidays.
"The summer months should be a time of fun and enjoyment for children. They should be given the break from intensive education they deserve and have earned ample time and opportunity to experience the freedom to play, which is so vital to their development. Instead, faced with hunger and worry about where their next meal will come from, in the past parents and children have found the summer months harder.
"This is particularly the case in this time of high unemployment and economic uncertainty, and when many families face challenging circumstances. I and my colleagues have written to the Minister seeking extension of this.
"I want to commend organisations such as Barnardos and Saint Vincent De Paul, the teachers unions and other opposition spokespersons such as Aodhán Ó Riordán in pushing for this over many years.
“But if we are serious about tackling nutritional issues facing school kids the forthcoming government must go much further now.
"Hot meals at school, common in many European countries. Every DEIS school should have access to hot meals with an objective of expanding it further. The budget is also very meagre, at around €10 per child per week compared to £15 in England or £19.50 in Wales.
"I welcome this step which is important, but if we want to tackle child hunger in our schools, good quality hot meals have to become a regular feature of our system, not simply the exception.
"I also want to commend the extraordinary work of schools, volunteers, including clubs and local businesses who have ensured meals are kept going at this time."
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has written to the Belfast Trust asking for clarity over when services transferred out of the Mater Hospital will return.
The North Belfast MP said:
I have been contacted by a number of health and social care workers who have urgent and serious concerns around the future of services at the Mater hospital and the transferring of services to other hospitals.
“While disruption of services was understandable during the Covid19 response, it’s important that any consideration of changes to services are firmly based from the outset on partnership working and co-design with those who work in delivering services, those who use them and the public.
“I’ve written to the Belfast Trust to seek clarity over the transfer of services.
“I’ve also asked for an exhaustive list of all services that have not returned to the Mater Hospital and when we can expect to see their resumption.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health Louise O’Reilly has said that the reported recent spike in Covid-19 cases amongst healthcare workers is a cause for concern.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“Over 32% of all Covid-19 cases recorded in this State since the start of the pandemic have been recorded amongst healthcare workers. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the International Council of Nurses have indicated that the infection rates among healthcare workers in this State are the highest in the world.
“However, in what can only be considered a bid to save his government from criticism in their failing of our healthcare workers, the Taoiseach has tried to contradict the INMO and explain away the data around the huge levels of healthcare worker infection.
“An indication of how wrong the Taoiseach is has come via the failure of both the Minister for Health and the Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE to defend his nonsensical comments.
“Unfortunately, in the past few days healthcare workers have again become disproportionately infected with the virus.
“An analysis of data from the INMO indicates that more than half of recent Covid-19 cases are healthcare workers. Of the 88 new reported cases between the 13th-22nd of June, 47 (53%) were among healthcare workers.
“Resultantly, the INMO have called for the Health and Safety Authority to be authorised to investigate Covid-19 cases in workplaces.
“The Irish Congress of Trade Unions have also been to the fore of campaigning for this change and they have written to Minister Humphreys and to the Minister for Health on a number of occasions requesting this simple change; which can be done by amending regulations.
“At the stroke of a pen, Minister Humphreys could change this. Unfortunately, it appears that she is not disposed to making this change.
“As a result, I have been compelled to publish legislation to do just this - to make workplace outbreaks of Covid-19 notifiable to the Health and Safety Authority.
“If the Minister does not take the necessary steps to protect workers, then Sinn Féin will move this Bill in the Dáil as soon as possible.”
Sinn Féin TD for Dublin West Paul Donnelly has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála to concede the judicial review taken by residents of the Old Navan Road, Talbot Downs and Court and Woodpark against the Board's decision to grant permission for a large-scale Co-Living development at Brady's Pub in Castleknock.
Speaking today, Teachta Donnelly said:
"This is a major victory for the residents of the Old Navan Road, who successfully challenged the original decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission despite the recommendation of their own inspector to refuse the development and despite the rejection of the proposal by Fingal County Council planners, who were totally opposed to this development also.
"There is now an opportunity for the Green Party, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to commit to changing the legislation to ban these types of developments going forward and to spare this community the fear of Bartra trying again to get this through the SHD planning process.
"Green Party TD Roderic O'Gorman, Fianna Fáil TD Jack Chambers and Fine Gael general election candidate Cllr. Emer Currie all promised to oppose this development.
"If they go into government this weekend, then they must stand over their promises and take action to get rid of this future tenement type development.
"Sinn Féin have given an unbreakable commitment to scrap the co-living and SHD legislation."
Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly TD and Darren O’Rourke TD today commented on the decision of the Cabinet to make the wearing of masks mandatory on public transport.
Deputy O’Reilly said people need to be made aware of the benefits of wearing masks to foster a wider culture of mask wearing, not solely on public transport, while Teachta O’Rourke said clarity is needed on how this will be policed, as bus drivers and front-line train workers should not be left to deal with difficult individuals who refuse to abide by the new regulations.
Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Health Louise O’Reilly TD said;
“There is overwhelming international scientific evidence and consensus about the effectiveness of face coverings and masks. They are a highly effective but low-cost way of containing Covid-19 in the population.
“Masks are like seatbelts in cars – they have a huge impact at a very low cost.
“Even if the government make masks mandatory on public transport, we still need to ensure that masks are available, and that people are educated on their benefit, and why they need to wear them.
“We cannot be sure that people won’t remove a mask once they sit down on the bus or train, that is impossible to police; what we need to do is ensure people know the benefits of wearing a mask, and that we create a culture where they want to wear them on public transport, and beyond.
“While I agree with the proposed moves to make masks mandatory on public transport, the government also need to make sure masks are available and ensure people are aware of how beneficial they are.
“We also need to be cognisant that some people with different health needs, persons with disabilities, or people with a developmental disability may not be able to wear a mask, and that needs to be factored into how we move forward with any changes."
Teachta O’Rourke added;
“I fully agree with this move to make masks mandatory on public transport, but how this will be policed also needs to be clarified by the Minister.
“Bus drivers and front-line train workers should not be left to deal with difficult individuals who refuse to abide by the new regulations.
“In addition, as a significant portion of the economy reopens from this Monday, the Minister for Transport must ensure there is sufficient buses and trains operating to meet the increased demand.
“Even with people wearing masks, it’s imperative we don’t have people crowded onto public transport at this time.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health Louise O’Reilly TD has this morning published legislation to make workplace outbreaks of Covid-19 notifiable to the Health and Safety Authority, in line with the recommendation in this regard of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
She has said that proactive notification and surveillance of Covid-19 is key to ensuring that we do not end up with clusters of the virus in workplaces as happened in some workplaces during the lockdown period.
She said:
“I have been compelled to publish this legislation due to the failure of the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation to use her powers under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act to amend regulations to provide that occurrences of Covid-19 in the workplace would be notifiable to the Health and Safety Authority.
“The Irish Congress of Trade Unions have been to the fore of campaigning for this change and they have written to Minister Humphreys and to the Minister for Health on a number of occasions requesting this simple change; which can be done by amending regulations.
“Incidences of Covid-19 in workplaces such as meat plants and health facilities were rife during the lockdown period and many, many workers were put in danger because of the rapid development of clusters.
“One of the reasons for this is that outbreaks of Covid-19 are currently not a notifiable occupational illness to the HSA due to a lacuna in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act .
“At the stroke of a pen, Minister Humphreys could change this. Unfortunately, it appears that she is not disposed to making this change.
“As a result, I feel compelled to publish this piece of legislation - the aim of which is to protect workers in all workplaces, whether that be in meat plants, care homes, building sites, or office blocks in the IFSC.
“I sincerely hope that the Minister will amend the necessary regulations and that this legislation will not be needed. However, if the Minister does not take the necessary steps to protect workers, then Sinn Féin will move this Bill in the Dáil as soon as possible.”
