Ráitis is déanaí

Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin has condemned those responsible for leaving a device at a home in Magherafelt late on Thursday night.

The Mid-Ulster MLA said:

"A suspect device was left at a house in Magherafelt and the area was sealed off while the device was dealt with.

"This was a senseless act and those responsible need to explain their reprehensible actions, particularly given the pandemic we are in, they have shown little regard for the community, our key workers, emergency services and health workers.”

Councillor Brian McGuigan, who has been in contact with the intended victims, commented:

“Those responsible offer nothing only disrupting the efforts of our emergency services to help those in most need at this time of crisis.

“Sinn Féin will continue to stand in solidarity with the affected individuals, and I would appeal for anyone on any information to bring it forward to the PSNI.” 

 Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has welcomed the announcement today to increase space for walkers and cyclists in Derry and has called for the need to commit to initiatives that promote a greener, healthier and more sustainable city.

 The Foyle MLA stated:

“I welcome the announcement today to create extra space for people using the riverfront and to look at ways to reduce traffic within the city walls and create more room for pedestrians.

“Such measures could help businesses deal with social distancing when it is safe to re-open. It’s important we do not shy away from bold new initiatives that could help our city in so many ways.

“However, we also need to ensure such measures do not impede businesses at this time, such as with deliveries for example.

“Earlier this week in the assembly I was voicing the many environmental, economic, and health issues that have arisen due to our car dependency over the years.

“We need to commit to embracing a greener and healthier travel culture in the north, especially for shorter journeys where it is most feasible to do so.

“Around the world streets have become pedestrianised and cycle lanes have arisen to allow more space for social distancing. In Ireland, this has already started with Dublin leading the charge. It’s about time other cities across the country embrace this opportunity.”

Sinn Féin party group leader on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Michael Goodman has called on the council to ensure maximum income and job security for workers.

The Annual Bobby Sands Lecture will be held online this year due to Covid19 restrictions around gatherings, Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn has confirmed.

“As a result of necessary restrictions around mass gatherings to stop the spread of Covid19, it’s not possible for us to gather this year for the Annual Bobby Sands Lecture.

“We are all adapting to new ways of working and holding events, as a result, this year’s annual lecture will now take place online.  

“I will join Bobby’s friend and leading H-Block/Armagh campaigner, Jim Gibney and TD for Dublin West Paul Donnelly for a discussion reflecting on Bobby’s life and the legacy of the 1981 hunger strike.

“Join us tomorrow, Saturday at 7pm on Belfast Sinn Féin's Facebook and Twitter, as we proudly remember Bobby Sands.” 

Chris MacManus MEP welcomes EU legislation to extend expired NCTs and driving licenses

This week the European Parliament held a remote plenary session to vote on a number of reports, and in particular on reports to reduce the negative impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on EU citizens. Measures to ease pressure in the transport sector include extending the validity for seven months of a number of licences and certificates where they expire between February and August of this year.

Speaking during the voting sessions, MEP Chris Mac Manus said:

‘I strongly welcome the measures introduced by the European Parliament to ease the pressure on people across Europe and in the transport sector. I voted in favour of this legislation this week. The report introduced to extend the validity of licences and certificates that have expired during the COVID crisis, I think, will particularly help Irish people and our haulage companies.

‘Essentially, what this means is the EU will allow Member State governments to extend your NCT validity, or your driving license for a further period of seven months. It can be extended if it has expired between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020, as many NCT and licenses centres were closed during this time. Current measures announced by the Irish government already protect many people in Ireland with expiring or recently expired documentation, however this additional EU legislation will safeguard people who had expirations in February, March and April of 2020.”

‘I think this is a necessary legislation as I know many of my constituents are struggling financially as a result of the upheaval caused by COVID-19. Now is not the time for people to be under pressure to fork out money for NCTs or for expired driving licenses, or having to travel and put themselves at risk of infection to renew these licenses.

‘We must prioritise extending the validity of these certificates along with the many EU countries who will do so. I hope and eagerly wait for the Irish government to implement this legislation in Ireland and give vehicle holders across the country a much needed break.’ ENDS

Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has said the British government must fully implement the Irish protocol of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

The party's Brexit spokesperson said: 

“The EU’s Chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier made it clear once again today that the EU will fully implement the Withdrawal Agreement including the Irish protocol.

“He also said it has been disappointing that further progress has not been made in the ongoing Brexit negotiations and that the EU would be willing to extend the Brexit deadline as a result of COVID-19. 

“It is alarming to hear the British government has not yet laid out its plan for implementing the Irish protocol, despite the approaching deadline. 

“The British government has already agreed to its implementation and cannot be allowed to renege on its commitments and legal obligation. 

“If concrete progress cannot be made by the end of June then the Brexit deadline will have to be extended. Otherwise we are facing the real prospect of a crash-out without the protections contained in the Irish protocol. 

“It is long past the time the British government lived up to its commitments and set out how it intends to implement in full what it has already agreed.”

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has expressed his disappointment at news the DAERA Minister Edwin Poots will not be bringing forward any financial support for Lough Neagh eel fishermen.

Mr O’Dowd had written to the minister to ask what plans he had to support the eel fishing industry.

The Upper Bann MLA said:

“Like all aspects of our economy the eel fishing industry will face extra barriers to work and trade as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak here and on the Continent where most of their catch is exported to.

“A loss of income for those involved in the trade will have as a damaging impact on them and their families as a loss in any other sector.

“I would ask the  Minister to reconsider his decision and to bring forward financial support for a sector which has faced many challenges over the years but none as big as the one they currently face.”

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said the Economy Minister must urgently publish the eligibility criteria for the Hardship Fund for businesses.

The party's economy spokesperson said:

"The economy minister announced the hardship fund on 5th May and said further details would be made available this week, however those have not yet been published.

"For many business their survival depends on this support. Further delay must be avoided.

"The £10,000 and £25,000 business grants have provided support to many businesses. However, many others have not been included in those schemes and are under increasing pressure to meet financial commitments.

"For them the hardship fund is their only lifeline.

"The eligibility criteria must be made available and the application process opened urgently to enable these businesses to receive this vital support."

Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán and Joint Head of Government in the north, Michelle O’Neill MLA has called on the British Secretary of State to fully implement the legacy mechanisms agreed in the Stormont House Agreement.

Michelle O’Neill said:

“The British government committed to mechanisms to address the legacy of the past in the Stormont House Agreement in 2014 but to date have failed to implement them.

“In the New Decade, New Approach document the British government committed to bringing forward proposals on legacy within 100 days but has failed to do so.

“Instead it has brought forward proposals which are wholly unacceptable and represent a clear departure from both the Stormont House Agreement and the New Decade, New Approach document.

“These proposals are an attempt by the British government to unilaterally rewrite the Stormont House Agreement which was agreed by the main parties as well as the British and Irish governments.

“There has also been no meaningful consultation with the political parties here on this issue.

“All of this has added to the frustration and disappointment of families bereaved by the conflict, some of whom have been waiting up to five decades for access to the truth about what happened to their loved ones.

“I have written to the British Secretary of State to make it clear that the British government cannot cherry pick the Stormont House Agreement and must fulfil its commitments by implementing the agreed legacy mechanisms in a human rights complaint manner as a matter of urgency.”

Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has condemned a serious spate of fly tipping which has been plaguing the Nutts Corner area over the past week. 

The South Antrim MLA said:

“I am appalled at the recent escalation in fly tipping in the Nutts Corner area. This is fly tipping on an industrial scale. It is a blight on the landscape and a serious threat to the local environment, and surrounding habitat.

“This particular incident bears all the hallmarks of a criminal enterprise; given the volume of waste involved, it is most likely the work of organised crime gangs. 

“During the current COVID-19 emergency, and reduced service at council recycling centres, many people have been turning to independent operators for the removal of household rubbish.

“Unsuspecting residents are paying to have household waste removed on the understanding that it is destined for legitimate disposal. Instead, these criminals are dumping van loads of that waste illegally at remote rural locations such as Nutts Corner.

“I would appeal to people to ensure that anyone claiming to provide a waste removal service for payment is in fact a legitimate operator with the required waste carrier’s licence. It is also vitally important for people to ask for a receipt for any payment made as protection against possible prosecution in the event that their waste is identified at a fly tipping site.

“I commend local Sinn Féin councillor, Anne Marie Logue for her speedy response to concerns raised in relation to Nutts Corner and her follow up with the relevant statutory agents.

“I welcome the news that one arrest has been made, however I will be seeking assurances from the PSNI and the Environmental Crime section of NIEA that robust investigations continue until all those responsible are brought before the courts to answer for their crimes.”

EU Recovery Plan sacrificed to Brussels' agenda: MacManus

“The people of Europe are being let down by the EU” claims Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus, who sits on the influential Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.

MacManus believes the potential for an effective, solidarity based EU Recovery Plan has been sacrificed to Brussel’s agenda of centralisation and that the Commission’s approach endangers CAP and other EU social spending.

MEP MacManus said:

“For months Europe has been ravaged by the deadly Corona virus which has killed tens of thousands of people and resulted in lockdowns across the continent that will have deep economic impacts. The community spirit and the mass showings of human resilience offered the potential for the countries of Europe to respond with solidarity and to lead with a response plan that matched this crisis.”

“Instead, what we have got is a bureaucrat led muddle with the EU’s Seven Year Budget now inseparable from the Recovery Fund. This means CAP and other social spending is now in the same pot as the recovery fund.  There are many whose agenda is to water down and weaken CAP and they now have the upper hand.”

“A real alternative would have seen the EU work directly with governments who are best placed to know their own needs resulting from the crisis. Such a standalone European Recovery Fund, of at least EUR 1.5 trillion, could have been financed through perpetual bonds with zero interest rates. It would be distributed to the Member States using grants without any macroeconomic or other conditions attached by the Commission. That would show real solidarity.

MacManus keen to point out the unfairness of further burdening debt stricken member states said: “Unfortunately, the Coronabonds issue is forgotten and there seems to be zero interest in Brussels in making sure the cost of this crisis isn’t simply added to the debt burden of countries. It is hard to imagine a worse outcome for workers, farmers and small businesses in Ireland and across Europe. The EU Parliament, which is supposed to represent the people, today passed a motion that mainly focussed on increasing EU taxes as an ideological fixation. This hijacking of the momentum towards solidarity to simply play out old EU internal battles does not serve people across Europe well. The Irish people, and people across Europe, have been let down by the EU when it could have stepped up and served them.” ENDS

Speaking on Nakba Day, Sinn Féin TD and spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Seán Crowe has said that the recognition of the State of Palestine must be a priority for the next Government, whatever its makeup.

The Dublin South West TD said that it had been almost six years since the Dáil unanimously passed a Sinn Féin motion that called for this State to formally recognise the State of Palestine and it was part of the programme for the last government, but never acted upon.

Teachta Crowe said:

“I want to take this opportunity to remember and mark Nakba Day, a pivotal moment in the history of the Palestinian people when they were forced in their hundreds of thousands to leave their homeland, never to return. It is important that today we commemorate and remember the more than 700,000 Palestinians who were forced to flee from their homes during the 1948 Palestine war.

“Since 1948, Israel has denied these Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homeland, despite UN Resolutions 194 and international law upholding this right of return. Unfortunately, the policy of forced displacement of Palestinians continues today.

“The outgoing government continually dragged its heels on recognising the Palestinian State, despite a Programme for Government commitment, but the next government, whatever its makeup, must make a principled stand for peace and progress in the Middle East.  Their continued and worn out mantra that ‘the time is not right’ insults the Irish people’s intelligence and is simply not good enough.

“The recognition of the State of Palestine by an Irish government would send a strong message of solidarity and is the correct path to move forward. 

"It is also timely as the current coalition Israeli government was formed on the policy of further encroachment into Palestinian lands and the annexation of the West Bank.

“A Sinn Féin motion in the Dáil that called on the then government to recognise the State of Palestine was passed unanimously in December of 2014. 

“That democratic motion needs to be recognised and acted upon now. 

“I am calling on the Irish Government to not only formally recognise the State of Palestine, but ensure by every diplomatic means available to press Israel to end its ongoing forced displacement of Palestinians, to abandon its proposed annexation of the West Bank, end its apartheid laws, to abide by international law and recognise the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and their homeland.” 

Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward has called for a special sitting of the Dáil to discuss mental health and the reconvening of the Committee on the Future Provision of Mental Health Supports, in light of the urgent need to provide support to people during the unprecedented Covid-19 emergency. 

The Dublin Mid-West TD also questioned the Minister for Health on why Pieta House staff have recently been subject to redundancies and queried the appropriateness of the Government’s over-reliance on charities for essential services which should be provided by the state.

Teachta Ward said: “In light of the World Health Organisation stating the Coronavirus could cause a global mental health crisis, I have called on the Minister to have a special sitting of the Dáil on mental health. I have also called for the reconvening of the Committee on the Future Provision of Mental Health Supports.

“Covid-19 has seen an upsurge in people looking to avail of mental health supports and the longer this goes on the bigger the demand will be on services.”

He added: “We all saw the big support and generosity of the Irish public towards Pieta House last week with their fundraiser on the RTÉ Late Late show. I, like many people, have supported this charity over the years.

“However, I was concerned to discover that Pieta House had introduced redundancies to clinical workers prior to this fundraiser. At a time of a pandemic and peoples’ mental health being adversely affected, the Government needs to help Pieta to retain these clinical workers.”

Teachta Ward urged the Minister to also consider the wider structural approach towards provision of mental health services and why such essential services are being outsourced to charities. 

He said: “Being so dependent on charities to provide services that the state should be providing is a failure of this Government.

“We have seen in the past that when charities start operating like a business, we have problems. The simple solution is for the state to provide these vital services.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson on workers' rights Maurice Quinlivan TD today raised the need for additional powers and funding for the Health and Safety Authority, in order for them to effectively police the back to work health guidelines relating to Covid-19.

Speaking today, Deputy Quinlivan said;

“This week in the Dáil, I raised the issue of the need for additional powers and funding for the HSA with the Minister for Business, Heather Humphreys TD.

“The Health and Safety Authority have been given a huge task to monitor and enforce compliance with the public health advice, for employees returning to their place of work.

“It’s essential this agency is provided with extra funding, as this is an enormous task on top of their usual workload.

“The latest figures we have, show that in 2019, the Health and Safety Authority had 104 full-time equivalent staff employed in the inspector grades who work across all sectors in the economy.

“This is going to need to be significantly increased, given their additional responsibilities now during the Covid-19 pandemic, and clarity on extra funding is needed.

“I also questioned Minister Humphreys on whether she is satisfied the HSA has strong enough enforcement powers for those businesses who cut corners and do not comply with safety guidelines.

“Strong powers are needed, not just to enforce the regulations, but also as a deterrent to those thinking of cutting corners.

“In the vast majority of cases these powers will not be required, as employers will do their utmost to ensure the safety of workers.

“It is imperative workers are protected as they return to their place of work, and the HSA can’t be toothless when it comes to enforcement.”

Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD has said the Government's "over reliance on the private sector to meet social housing need continues" and that "key social housing targets were missed in 2019". 

The comments were made in response to the release by the Department of Housing of the 2019 social housing output figures.

Deputy Ó Broin said:

"The 2019 social housing output figures were released by the Department of Housing yesterday. They show that there were 5,771 additions to the social housing stock of Councils and approved Housing Bodies through new build, Part V and turnkey acquisitions. A further 2,772 homes were bought by Councils and Housing Bodies.

"Unfortunately, the Government continues to include expensive re-let social homes in their output figures. This is deeply dishonest as these properties were only recently vacated. The Ministers argument that if extra money were not provided these properties would become derelict and thus should be counted as additions to the stock is disingenuous.

"In addition to these real social houses a further 21,926 social housing tenancies were created by leasing privately owned properties, including 1,161 long term leases and 17,993 short term HAP and RAS leases.

"Just 30% of the 28,000 so called social housing tenancies created by the Government last year are real social houses owned by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies. Clearly Rebuilding Ireland's over reliance on the private sector to meet social housing need continues. 

"Crucially the number of new build social homes was 12% behind target with just 5,771 of a promised 6,546 social homes delivered. It is also unclear how many of these were delivered directly by Councils and Approved Housing Bodies rather than bought mid construction from the private sector in what are known as turnkey acquisitions.

"Rebuilding Ireland has consistently failed to meet the key demands of the cross party Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness. The 2016 report called for 10,000 real social homes owned by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to be delivered every year for five years to tackle the housing crisis.

"Four years in and Fine Gael are still more than 16% short of this crucial target. This is why housing need continues to rise and the homeless crisis continues to spiral out of control.

"Only a doubling of capital investment in real public housing on public land will start to tackle the housing crisis. This must be at the centre of any new programme for government."

ENDS//

Note to editors: Copies of the 2019 social housing targets and output can be found at the links below.

2019 social housing output:  https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/details-social-housing-delivery-local-authority-basis-2019

2019 social housing targets: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics

Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson is urging the Health Minister to expedite a permanent uplift in payments for victims of the Contaminated Blood Scandal here.

One-off payments were released in March but the Foyle MLA has now written to Robin Swann urging him to put permanent arrangements in place.

Martina Anderson said: “While those payments were welcome, it is still a far cry from what is necessary to sustainably address the needs of the victims of this scandal. 

“A permanent uplift is not only what is expected by victims, it is what they deserve.

“I have been assured by the Department of Finance that the money allocated to the Health Department in order to make the initial payments will be a recurring allocation.

“Therefore, I see no reason why the Health Minister cannot expedite a permanent uplift to ensure that local victims receive the same payments as those elsewhere.

“It is clear we must unite behind all the victims of this scandal, including living victims and those who are bereaved. The Health Minister has the resources so he should at the very least, provide clarity as to when a permanent uplift will be put in place.

“He needs to end the delays and the entirely avoidable hurt being caused to victims by ensuring parity in the payments as committed to in the New Decade New Approach agreement.”

Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin has said her party is determined to deliver a society which works for everyone. 

Speaking on LGBT Awareness Week, the Mid Ulster MLA said:

“It’s LGBT Awareness Week, an important time to celebrate the great strides forward towards LGBT equality which have been made so far and reflect on the work still to do. 

“We now have marriage equality across the whole island. That is a historic milestone.  

“However, it’s just one element of the struggle for rights and inclusion.

 “Sinn Féin is determined to deliver equality for everyone, across the island.

“We proudly stand with the LGBT+ community this week and every week.”

As the government moves to ease Covid-19 restrictions, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has called on the Taoiseach to provide reassurance and clarity to the public in relation to ongoing delays in testing and tracing.

She has also said that everything must be done to ensure that workers and their families are kept safe as they begin to return to work on Monday.  

She said:

"After two months of restrictions, there will be a widespread welcome for the easing of restrictions on Monday - but it is vital that we get this right in order to protect public safety and to minimise the prospects of having to re-introduce emergency measures at a later date.

"In order to reassure the public, I believe the Taoiseach needs to address ongoing delays in Covid-19 testing and tracing and the risks this poses as restrictions are eased.

"We know that the HSE has encountered significant difficulties in hitting the necessary targets for testing and tracing. Experts are clear that the entire testing process must be completed within 48 to 72 hours in order to cut the spread of the virus. However, current timelines are too slow and are not where they need to be. The plan to address this should be published.

"In respect of workplace safety, the Health and Safety Authority have been given a huge task to monitor and enforce compliance with public health advice for employees returning to their workplaces. 

"The Taoiseach needs to reassure those returning to work on Monday that the Health and Safety Authority will be given the necessary resources to ensure that everything that can be done will be done to protect the safety of workers.

"And finally, I think we need to step up the all-Ireland response, which I believe will be critical in the months ahead."

Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has called on the Infrastructure Minister to urgently address the issue of Individual Vehicle Approval inspections for essential services during COVID-19.

The Foyle MLA stated:

“Special purpose vehicles require an IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) certificate and these inspections have been suspended as a result of COVID-19.

“However this is now impacting on essential services. It’s been reported that the health trusts in the north have a total of 29 vehicles that need IVA certification.

“These crucial vehicles would normally be used for patient welfare and the transportation of medical supplies.

“My party colleague Cathal Boylan has written to the Infrastructure Minister, asking her to outline what steps are being taken to ensure essential services are not being negatively impacted by the suspension of Individual Vehicle Inspections." 

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has warned that flaws in the scheme to provide childcare for healthcare workers cannot be allowed to derail plans to re-open childcare and crèche facilities as Covid-19 restrictions ease.

Her comments follow confirmation that the childcare scheme collapsed after childcare workers were told that insurers would not cover their participation in the scheme, nor would the government indemnify it despite being repeatedly warned about the issue.

Speaking in the Dáil today, Teachta McDonald expressed her alarm at the situation and urged the Taoiseach to ensure the same issues will not undermine the eventual re-opening of childcare facilities.

She said:

“Might we face a situation in June, heaven forbid, where the Taoiseach announces the reopening of childcare and crèche facilities, but insurers either refuse to cover the risk or insist that the premiums of childcare providers balloon again? 

“This must be about ensuring that every parent has the childcare cover he or she needs, that childcare workers have jobs to return to and the government must act. 

“The Taoiseach promised workers on the frontline that they would have childcare support; he can act now to make sure that is the case.”

In response to his remarks in the Dáil today, that he was unaware of the insurance issue until he heard about it on the news, Teachta McDonald urged the Taoiseach to ensure better consideration and management of this crucial policy. 

She said: 

“I am alarmed to hear that the Taoiseach did not know that this problem existed. He should have known.

“I want the Taoiseach to ensure that people who put their lives and their safety on the line for the rest of us have the childcare that was promised to them. That means the State has to intervene where the insurance industry will not.”