Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has said that 'Sinn Féin wants to form a government of change that delivers the change people voted for.'
She has met with representatives of People Before Profit this afternoon, following a meeting with the Green Party this morning. She will meet with the Social Democrats tomorrow.
Commenting following this afternoon's meeting, Ms. McDonald said:
"Sinn Féin wants to form a government of change and our objective is a government that builds homes, cuts rents and freezes them, reduces the pension age to 65, gives workers and families a break, and advances Irish Unity.
"This afternoon I met with Richard Boyd Barrett TD and Gerry Carroll MLA of People Before Profit, and we had a good discussion about the potential for a government of change and the issues that might form part of a programme for government.
"We have agreed to stay in touch over the coming days.
"I have also arranged to meet with the Social Democrats tomorrow."
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has condemned those behind security alerts at a school and a Sinn Féin constituency office in north Belfast.
The North Belfast MLA said:
"I was in our constituency office on the Antrim Road when the PSNI contacted me to say they had reports of an explosive device being left in the grounds.
"There was also a security alert at Holy Cross Girls School. The targeting of a primary school in this way is despicable and regardless of whether there was a device or not the disruption and anxiety it will have caused to young children and staff must be condemned.
"The police have told me that they believe it was loyalists who were responsible for both incidents.
"They are trying to drag our society back and trying to deter public representatives from their work but they will not succeed.
"Sinn Féin will not be deterred and we will continue to serve the community and to pursue our political objectives."
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has met with the Green Party leader Eamon Ryan TD this morning.
Commenting following the meeting, Ms. McDonald said:
"I have made it clear since before the election - and after - that I will speak to all parties in the interests of forming a government; starting with those with a mandate for change.
"The Green Party, having increased its mandate significantly, is undoubtedly one of those parties.
"I met this morning with Eamon Ryan TD, leader of the Green Party, and it was a very useful and constructive meeting.
"We have agreed to begin exchanging ideas, and we will talk and meet again over the coming days."
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has condemned those responsible for erecting crass and offensive posters in Derry aimed at intimidating the people of the city.
The Foyle MLA said:
“Posters were erected in Derry last night in a disgusting attempt to intimidate the people of the city.
“These posters, which feature an image of Peadar Heffron, a PSNI officer injured in a bomb attack by anti-peace process elements, are crass and grossly offensive.
“Sinn Féin is working to achieve an accountable, civic and representative policing service which polices with all the community.
“The erection of these posters comes on the heels of attempts to intimidate the journalist, Leona O’Neill, and staff at the Andersonstown News and threats to Joint Head of Government Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly.
“This is happening at a time when the debate on Irish unity and change in Irish society has taken centre stage.
“Those responsible for erecting these posters have nothing to offer, they have no politics and no strategy to achieve anything.
“It’s well past time they got off the backs of the community.
"This tactic is disgusting and disgraceful and comes and comes from an unrepresentative groups with little support in the community.
"Everyone should have the right to choose their career path free from any fear or intimidation.”
Sinn Féin Transport spokesperson Seán Lynch MLA has raised road safety concerns in light of the recent revelation on penalty points.
Responding to news there are currently 43 people driving in the north despite having 12 or more penalty points – including one driver on 21 penalty points – Sean Lynch said:
“By law, a driver who accumulates 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period must be disqualified.
“Currently, if a court is satisfied there are grounds for ‘mitigating the normal consequences of a conviction’, the court may decide not to order a disqualification.
“This will be distressing news to those injured or bereaved by dangerous driving.
“I will be asking the Minister for Infrastructure for clarity on this issue and to outline the conditions which allows drivers with 12 penalty points or more to keep driving.
“Road safety needs to be the priority consideration with regards to the enforcement of the penalty point system."
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has branded a newly erected banner targeting the Andersonstown News as a 'sinister attempt’ to silence the press.
The North Belfast MLA said:
“I condemn those responsible for erecting this banner on the gates of the Andersonstown News attacking staff working at the paper.
“This is another sinister attempt to intimidate journalists and silence the media.
“This comes after despicable threats against a journalist last week as well as threats against elected representatives.
“Freedom of the press is a key cornerstone of any democratic society.
“The staff at this paper, like all workers, must be able to do their work free from intimidation or harassment.
“Those behind this banner have nothing to offer the people of Belfast.
“Their pointless and reckless attempts to intimidate and silence journalists will not succeed.”
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has said that the people voted for change and that everything possible must be done to deliver a government for change.
She has appointed Pearse Doherty to head the Sinn Féin negotiations team, and in the coming week Sinn Fién will seek meetings with all parties, beginning tomorrow with those parties that received a mandate for change.
She said:
"The people voted for change and Sinn Féin will do everything that we can to deliver a government for change.
"Following a meeting of the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle last night, this morning I appointed our negotiations team which will be led by Pearse Doherty and in the coming week we will seek to meet with all parties.
"From tomorrow we will meet with those that received a mandate for change.
"We will look at how to deliver the change that people voted for - that means delivering solutions on housing, health, climate change, pensions, giving workers and families a break and advancing Irish Unity.
"I also welcome the fact that Fianna Fáil have shifted their position about talking to Sinn Féin and understand that this election has changed everything.
"There should be no delay in government formation.
"We have serious work to do and it needs to begin quickly."
Commenting on news that dissident Republicans are planning attacks on Michelle O’Neill and Gerry Kelly, the Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán said:
“I have been told by police that dissident republicans are planning attacks on myself and my colleague Gerry Kelly.
“This comes in the same week as over 500,000 people have supported Sinn Féin’s agenda for change.
“The debate on Irish unity is centre stage.
“It is against this backdrop that so-called Republicans are planning attacks on Sinn Féin.
“These people have no politics, no strategy and nothing to offer. They are at war with their community and are now threatening political representatives who serve the people.
“These threats are coming a week after Gerry Kelly and I attended a PSNI recruitment event.
“I will not be deterred from carrying out my work as a representative of the people and as Joint Head of Government.
“Sinn Féin will not be deterred. We will continue to pursue our objective of a united Ireland while building a civic, accountable representative policing service, which polices with the community.
“These armed groups have nothing to offer. It’s time they packed up and disbanded.”
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has welcomed confirmation that the Health Minister is looking at the Magee medical school as a way of tackling the GP shortage.
The newly co-opted Foyle MLA said:
“Today, I raised with the Health Minister the urgent need to progress the delivery of a post-graduate medical school at Magee University.
“There is a chronic shortage of GPs across the north, but particularly in the north west. The reality is we need to train more doctors.
“Delivery of this medical school would be a way of addressing this shortage and ensuring that we have more doctors to meet this shortage.
“I welcome confirmation from the Minister that is he ‘looking very seriously’ at the medical school at Magee University.
“Sinn Féin will continue to Sinn Féin will continue working to ensure that Magee can take in its first Medical Students in September 2021 as a step towards the full expansion.”
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Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said the party are opposed to InfraStrata’s proposed project to construct seven gas storage caverns at Islandmagee.
The party’s economy and climate action spokesperson was speaking after the party submitted their response to the Larne Lough gas storage project public consultation.
Caoimhe Archibald said:
“Sinn Féin are unreservedly opposed to InfraStrata's proposed project to construct seven gas storage caverns at Islandmagee.
“We need a rapid transition to a zero-carbon society, and as such we need a clear focus on realising the potential of our renewable capacity, which is among the best in the world.
“We do not need further gas development and we cannot afford it.
"This projects runs counter to the Assembly's historic declaration of a climate emergency, and with the radical action needed to meet Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emission reduction targets.
“Furthermore, given that the Environmental Impact Assessment on which this project is based is almost a decade old, this project should not go ahead."
Sinn Féin MLA and chair of the health committee Colm Gildernew has said funding should be made available to three funded cycles of IVF treatment for couples in the north.
Colm Gildernew said:
"This is a very sensitive and emotive issue and can is very stressful for many couples.
“Sinn Féin is committed to improving access to IVF treatment for the many couples out there desperately seeking treatment to start a family.
"Providing three funded cycles of IVF dramatically increases the chances of these couples successfully conceiving.
"We need to see funding put in place for this and increase capacity to deliver three cycles as we currently don't have the capacity at fertility clinics here in the north.
"So we have to look at other options, including across the island, to be able to deliver it so we can help couples out there who need this treatment to have a family."
Sinn Féin's Equality Spokesperson Emma Sheerin MLA today welcomed marriage equality coming into law in the north of Ireland.
The Mid Ulster MLA said:
“Today is a momentous step for LGBTQ+ citizens across the North as marriage equality comes into law and people are legally permitted to marry the person that they love and finally have their relationships recognised equally before the law.
“For many years, LGBTQ+ citizens and allies have campaigned relentlessly for an inclusive society which treats all citizens as equals regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Today is a major milestone in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.
“I want to pay tribute to all those that have been involved in this campaigning over many decades. Today belongs to each and every one of them.
“It hasn’t always been the easy road, but it was undoubtedly the right road.
“The legislating of marriage equality is just one element of the struggle for rights and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community and we must strive forward to deliver universal equality.
“Sinn Féin is determined to deliver a government which works for everyone, that is our pledge for this mandate."
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley has said all agencies must work together to deal with flooding caused by Storm Ciara.
The West Tyrone MP said:
“A number of areas of West Tyrone have been impacted by flooding as a result of Storm Ciara.
“I and others Sinn Féin representatives have been out in those areas in Omagh, Trillick, Fintona and Newtownstewart and have been engaging with the Fire Service, Roads Service, the Rivers Agency and the PSNI to help residents.
“I convened a multi-agency meeting with the head of the emergency response on Fermanagh and Omagh Council to ensure everything that can be done is being done.
"My party colleague and Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey, has also activated the Scheme of Emergency Financial Assistance to support District Councils with the flooding.
“All agencies must work together to make sure plans are in place to deal with extreme weather events like this.
“I will continue to work with local communities and statutory bodies to support local residents at this difficult time.”
The Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has extended condolences to the family of journalist Keelin Shanley who died today.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Keelin Shanley today.
“Keelin will be remembered as a journalist of great integrity and talent. She will be missed by all who knew her.
“On behalf of Sinn Féin I wish to extend my condolences to Keelin’s family - to Conor, Lucy and Ben, and to Keelin’s friends and colleagues at RTÉ.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis"
Sinn Féin Chair of the Economy Committee Caoimhe Archibald MLA has welcomed news that Statutory Bereavement laws in the north are to be updated.
The Sinn Féin MLA said:
“I welcome the commitment from the Economy Minister Diane Dodds that she plans to update Statutory Bereavement Leave for parents on the death of a child.
“When this was announced in Britain in January, I had called for the leave entitlements to be updated here.
“Sinn Féin believe that Paid Bereavement Leave should apply to all workers after a period of 26 weeks service, ensuring that agency workers are given access to new leave entitlements also.
“Today’s announcement is a positive development, it shows compassionate and responsive law-making and will provide much-needed relief for workers dealing with the grief of losing a child.”
Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has said urgent decisions must be made to drive forward the expansion of Magee University.
The Foyle MLA was commenting after meeting with officials from Magee today with Martina Anderson and the Chair of the Economy Committee, Caoimhe Archibald.
Karen Mullan said:
“Today we met senior management at Ulster University to discuss the medical school and the overall expansion of the Magee campus.
“It’s well known this project has the potential to create investment, train more doctors and plug the existing staff shortfalls in the health service.
“Delivery of the Medical School will be a key step towards the overall expansion of Magee University and the economic regeneration of the north west.
“It’s vital there is a united voice coming from the city on the absolute need to get it across the line and for the delivery of commitments made in the New Decade, New Approach document.
“The Minister for Health should finally approve the business case and ensure the medical school is delivered for the north west. It’s time for urgent decisions.
“Sinn Féin will continue to work with Ulster University and others to ensure that Magee can take in its first Medical Students in September 2021 as a step towards the full expansion.”
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has told NIC-ICTU that Sinn Féin is absolutely committed to implementation of the worker's rights measures proposed in the 'New Decade, New Approach' document.
Speaking following a meeting with Trade Union representatives of NIC-ICTU, the party’s National Chairperson and Junior Minister said:
“This morning I met with a number of leading Trade Union officials representing the northern committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).
“I welcomed this opportunity to provide an update on the political situation and, in particular, the negotiations leading up to publication of the 'New Decade, New Approach' by the two governments.
“Sinn Féin ensured that significant workers rights measures were included in the document, including the banning of Zero Hour Contracts, devolving Minimum Wage powers and making the Executive a Living Wage Employer.
“These are all key elements of Sinn Féin policy and were central recommendations in the workers’ rights policy "Towards a New Employment Model" which I launched in 2019.
“I gave a commitment that we would seek to ensure these and other important social justice and equality measures would be fully implemented.
“We also discussed mechanisms for wider civic engagement with government, including ICTU itself; tackling poverty by objective need; Sunday trading hours; Brexit; the Bill of Rights; and the funding obligations owned by the British government.
“Sinn Féin remains committed to working closely with ICTU and its affiliates and ensuring substantive engagement between the Executive and all other civic stakeholders. We are determined that civic voices will be heard within the political institution and have a central influence in the development of policy.”
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald is calling on people to come out in their hundreds of thousands and to vote for change on Saturday.
With the support of the people, we could be on the cusp of a historic election that ends the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael grip on power that has lasted almost a century.
She said:
"I have said throughout this election campaign that the best outcome is a government without Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, but that the worst outcome is one with both of them in it.
"I’m asking people to come out in their hundreds of thousands on Saturday and to vote for change and to transfer for change.
"With your support we could be on the cusp of a historic election that ends the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael grip on power that has lasted almost a century.
"The momentum for change is clear - not just in opinion polls but in conversations that are happening in towns, villages and communities across the country.
"Sinn Féin have set out our vision for change.
"We have set out our alternative.
"We want to give workers and families a break.
"We want to solve the housing crisis.
"We want to get in there to fix things and to deliver for ordinary people.
"Our plans are ambitious.
"They are also fair, sensible, costed and deliverable.
"In government, Sinn Féin will:
"Saturday is the day.
"If you want change you need to come out and vote for Sinn Féin.
"Let us be your voice in the corridors of power.
"Give us a chance and then judge us on how we perform."
The Foyle MLA and deputy chair of the Education Committee was speaking after the NITC submitted a letter to party whips:
‘I regularly meet with the teachers’ unions as part of my work as our party’s education spokesperson.
‘We were aware from the outset that not all unions were on board and during the debate our MLAs asked for Department to explore options and consult with all in the sector.
"That being said I have been contacted by a large number of teachers asking for this training and parents calling for our teaching staff to have the appropriate training to support children with a wide range of needs.
‘If we are serious about bringing in Autism training for trainee teachers and teaching staff then it must be done in consultation and partnership with all of the relevant unions."
Sinn Féin TD and General Election candidate for Sligo/Leitrim/Sth Donegal and Nth Roscommon, Martin Kenny has criticised the failure to restore X-Ray facilities at Our Lady's Hospital, Manorhamilton.
Martin Kenny said:
“X-Ray facilities at Our Lady's Hospital, Manorhamilton, have ceased since last January.
“This is having a knock-on effect on other services at the Hospital.
“It has also led to an increase in waiting times for X-Ray services in Sligo University Hospital and added pressure on the Radiology Department there.
“The failure to restore this vital service is causing deep concern and confusion in the community.
“Several planned reopening dates have now passed without any service restoration materialising.
“My concern and that of many people is that it appears that the HSE wish to close the X-Ray facility permanently.
“This would be a dreadful retrograde step for patients and and the community.
“The HSE needs to come clean on this issue as a matter of urgency.”
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