Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew said today that workers and families continue to be punished by calamitous economic decisions made by successive Tory governments and the fall-out from Brexit.
The party’s finance spokesperson was speaking after the publication today of the latest inflation figures.
Colm Gildernew said:
"The 8% inflation rate continues to push families to the brink.
“Wages have simply not kept pace with inflation and families remain under severe pressure as the cost of food has risen by 17.9% over the last year whereas wages fell in real terms.
“The inflationary increase on mortgage repayments will also hit families with yet another increase expected before the end of July.
“We have called out the British Government for allowing banks to increase mortgage rates while refusing to increase savings rates to the same degree.
“People are being punished as a direct result of calamitous economic decisions by successive Tory governments, whether it was Liz Truss's disastrous economic policies or the fallout from Brexit.
“The Tories are piling on the pain for families by cutting our frontline public services and denying fair wages to workers.
“Sinn Féin will continue to press for support for workers and families and for large energy giants and those who have made unscrupulous profits from the cost of living crisis to be taxed fairly and the proceeds invested into our public services.”
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Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin tonight said the Tory ‘Migration' Bill which passed today is cruel and inhumane and the latest in a string of anti-rights legislation from this British government.
The Sinn Fein Equality spokesperson said:
“The Tory ‘Migration’ Bill which passed today is cruel, inhumane and has been condemned by human rights experts as the ‘Refugee Ban Bill’.
“This bill breaches the human rights of vulnerable people fleeing persecution, including children, and strips protection from victims of human trafficking.
“It will increase rather than prevent trafficking and has been robustly condemned by human rights experts locally and internationally, including the United Nations.
“This law encroaches on devolved areas, and is the latest in a string of anti-rights legislation from this British Government.”
Sinn Féin TD for Limerick, Maurice Quinlivan, has called on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, to reverse his decision to cease funding the Economic and Social Intervention Fund (ESIF) in Limerick.
Deputy Quinlivan made the comments following confirmation from the Department of Housing and Local Government that the funding will conclude in 2023.
Teachta Quinlivan said:
“Earlier this month, I asked the Minister for Housing and Local Government, via a Parliamentary Question, if the Economic and Social Intervention Fund (ESIF) would continue to be funded by central government.
“Unfortunately, the response I received confirmed funding will cease at the end of this year, and added that the Minister has asked Limerick Council to develop a strategy for future funding for the initiatives that this fund previously supported.
“The Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan (LRFIP) set out a programme of physical, social, and economic interventions over a ten-year period from 2014-2023.
“The Department of Housing and Local Government provided funding for social regeneration activities, through the ESIF, for the duration of each regeneration project. The ESIF has financially supported 180 social, economic and community development projects across Limerick’s four regeneration areas.
“Despite the Minister’s response acknowledging that the ESIF is an integral part of the overall approach to regeneration, it is regrettable that he has made the decision to discontinue the funding.
“I am requesting that the Minister reverse this decision as a cut to this fund will have a negative impact on the regeneration areas of Ballinacurra Weston, Moyross, Southill, St Mary’s Park.
“The ESIF has had a positive impact on many people, families and projects across the whole of Limerick City. Such projects include the Bedford Row Family Project, Limerick Youth Service and Limerick Island Community Partners serving the King's Island area.
“It supports Our Lady of Lourdes Community centre, Southill Area Hub and Moyross groups like Extern Ireland and the community enterprise centre. It has also benefited St Munchin's Community Enterprise Centre.
“Even if funding is sourced by Limerick Council, it will not be anywhere near sufficient to support the huge number of projects that depend on this funding. While Limerick Council works with KPMG on a Status Update for Limerick Regeneration, I am calling on the Minister to reverse the short-sighted decision to cut ESIF Funding.
“Limerick Council should not be expected to replace this funding - this would be a near impossible challenge for any local authority.
“This funding should not cease. I am asking that this decision be reversed immediately, and funding be allocated for 2024 and beyond.
“So many communities depend on this funding, and it is too important to be lost.”
Sinn Féin’s Seanadóir Niall Ó Donnghaile said today that the British government’s planned introduction of electronic travel authorisation requirements will harm all-Ireland tourism.
He was speaking after British minister Robert Jenrick rejected calls which was would have enabled tourists to travel north south without the ETA.
Sinn Féin’s Leader in the Seanad, said:
“The Seanad opposed the introduction of the ETA, which would result in restrictions on non-Irish and non-British nationals travelling across Ireland.
“Ireland’s tourism is all-island.
“This unnecessary paperwork would bring additional cost and inconvenience.
“It risks reducing the numbers of visitors to the north, with jobs lost in tourism and hospitality.
“This policy would also impact on some of those travelling between jurisdictions for work or study. Its ramifications will be far reaching.
“This is yet another example of a British Tory government in London bringing in laws which have no consideration as to how would work in reality in Ireland. They just don’t care.
“Sinn Féin will continue to campaign for an immediate halt to these unfair, unreasonable and unworkable proposals.” CRÍOCH/ENDS
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has said the British government should end the fiction that its cruel and callous legacy bill does anything to promote reconciliation.
Speaking after British Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris said the Tory government will proceed with the fundamentally flawed bill, Gerry Kelly said:
“The British Government, should scrap its flawed Legacy Bill and end the fiction that it can contribute anything to reconciliation.
“The reality is that this bill is about prolonging state cover-ups and denying truth to families about the deaths of their loved ones.
“Some of those families have been waiting for truth and justice for more than 50 years and this bill which will deny families access to the courts is cruel, callous and in breach of international law and international human rights standards.
“This reckless legislation is being rushed through and ignores opposition from victims and families, all the political parties on the island of Ireland, human rights experts, the UN, as well as officials in the US and EU.
“The British government should scrap this legislation and get on with implementing the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House by the two governments and political parties in 2014 in a human rights' compliant manner.”
Sinn Féin TD John Brady has welcomed the adoption by the UN of the Human Rights Council resolution calling for annual updating of the UN database of companies operating in illegal Israeli settlements.
This includes removing companies that have ceased activities in the illegal settlements from the database, and adding the names of businesses that have commenced operations within settlements.
The UN database was set up by the UN Human Rights Council in 2020 following a UN resolution in 2016.
The Wicklow TD added the resolution has completely undermined government attempts to scupper the Illegal Israeli Settlement Divestment legislation through delaying tactics based on disingenuous opposition to the UN database.
Teachta Brady said:
“The international community must now fully support the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, to fulfil and implement the provisions of this resolution, and to provide the necessary information about companies that insist on violating international law.
“States must adopt laws and legislation to hold such companies and individuals accountable as violators of human rights and the rights of the Palestinian people.
“In May, Sinn Féin brought forward legislation in the Dáil at second stage designed to compel the Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), which manages investment of Irish taxpayer funds, to divest its investments in companies contained in the database, and which in effect make the Irish taxpayer complicit in war crimes under international law.
“Rather than support the Sinn Féin Bill, the government instead brought forward an amendment in an attempt to kick the Divestment Bill down the road for nine months, to allow for a review of the legislation to take place as the government did not view the database as a live document, arguing that it was not capable of being updated.
“Shamefully, the government is guilty of adopting the same arguments as the Israeli government has in the past, in a clear attempt to undermine a comprehensive ongoing project to establish, maintain and continually update the UN Database.
“Since then, continuing engagement and dialogue between the UN and business entities on the database has led to the removal of 15 business enterprises from the database as they were either no longer involved in activities in occupied Palestinian territories or were in the process of ceasing their involvement.
“Of the 15 business entities removed, one, General Mills, was on the original list of business entities which the ISIF had invested in. The ISIF remains invested in eight business entities impacted by the legislation.
“The fact that the UN has now gone a step further and adopted a resolution calling for annual updating of the UN database, including removing companies that have ceased activities in the illegal settlements and adding businesses which have commenced operations within the settlements, makes the government position even more hypocritical and untenable.
“We are now in the position where not only does the government have no option but to abandon its pretences for delaying the Illegal Israeli Settlement Divestment Bill, but they must also rigorously advocate for the European Union to introduce similar legislation.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health David Cullinane TD has described the latest revelations concerning the construction of the National Children’s Hospital a ‘fiasco’.
He has called on the Minister for Health to urgently get to grips with the situation.
Teachta Cullinane said:
“The construction of the National Children’s Hospital, predominantly on Fine Gael’s watch, has been a disaster.
“There is no certainty about a final cost or a final completion date. It is a fiasco.
“The hospital board and the contractor are now openly at war and all the while, costs are rising.
“In 2019, Stephen Donnelly branded the increase in costs associated with construction a ‘scandal’. At that time, the projected cost had increased to €1 billion. We are now at €2 billion and counting.
“Yet, under his leadership nothing has changed.
“Every timeframe we have been given has come and gone, and all we can see - all taxpayers can see - is more cheques being written, more money being spent, more delays and more cost overruns.
“We need a real completion date, we need a real timeframe and we need to do everything possible to ensure this project is brought back on track.
“There is a responsibility on the Minister for Health to get off the sidelines and show leadership, knock heads together and ensure the board and BAM are doing everything possible to make sure this project comes in on time.“
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Sport, Chris Andrews TD, and Ruairí Ó Murchú TD, have called on the government to act decisively to change World Athletics 1934 Political Boundary Rule as applied to Ireland.
The rule prevents athletes from the North of Ireland from representing Ireland at European and World Athletics competitions.
Teachta Andrews said:
“I have raised with the Minister for Sport the need to change World Athletics 1934 Political Boundary Rule. It is vital that this ruling is changed to allow all Irish athletes the right to represent Ireland internationally, regardless of what part of Ireland they are born in.
“We have seen athletes from the North of Ireland represent Ireland with great pride and passion at the Olympic Games.
“It is a disgrace that these same athletes, and others like them, are then barred from representing Ireland at European and World Athletics competitions.
“While I welcome confirmation from Minister Thomas Byrne that he supports changing the political boundary rule, words are not enough.
“We need to see the Minister working with stakeholders to bring this discriminatory rule to an end.
“The government must work to ensure that a derogation for the island of Ireland is achieved, to ensure equality of participation for all Irish athletics.
“I call on the Minister to intervene and meet with stakeholders to bring about a resolution.”
Teachta Ó Murchú said:
“I raised with the Tánaiste the divisive impact on athletes that World Athletics’ ‘Political Boundary Rule’ is causing.
“The Tánaiste said that the government ‘will do whatever we can to progress this’.
“The ‘Boundary Rule’ discriminates against the people of Ireland and in particular athletes who wish to represent the island of Ireland at European and World Athletics.
“It blocks athletes from the North representing Ireland at these games, solely due to what county you were born in.
“It fundamentally breaches the letter and the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement with respect to equality and parity of esteem.
“The government needs to directly intervene and work to achieve a derogation for Ireland to allow all athletes in Ireland to represent Ireland regardless of what county.
“I also support the view expressed by the Minister for Sport and his predecessor that Athletics Ireland, Athletics Northern Ireland, UK Athletics, Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland should all be involved in discussions about obtaining a derogation for the island of Ireland.
“The ‘Political Boundary Rule’ is divisive for athletics in Ireland.
“And the Minister, in conjunction with other stakeholders, should begin the work of obtaining a derogation for the island of Ireland.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD has said that rip-off increases to home insurance must end.
His comments follow a warning by the Consumers’ Association of Ireland that premiums have jumped by almost 22 per cent in the last year.
Teachta Doherty said:
“I welcome the intervention by the Consumers’ Association of Ireland. Many homeowners will have been shocked by excessive increases in their home insurance.
“This is an issue that I have raised directly with the representative body of the industry, Insurance Ireland, in recent weeks.
“While the sector argues this is due to inflation, it’s hard to see how this would justify what are in some cases double digit percentage increases where customers haven’t made claims.
“This is happening at a time when households are already under huge pressure from the cost of living crisis. Mortgage interest rates, childcare costs, grocery bills and more are mounting up and families simply can’t afford another crippling cost.
“Homeowners feel ripped-off and they need to know that these high bills won’t continue.
“The Minister must intervene directly with the sector to ensure that costs come down to affordable levels without delay.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Public Expenditure, Rose Conway Walsh TD, has highlighted the importance of discussions around the broad economic performance of Ireland’s economies – South and North, in preparation for a referendum on Irish unity.
Speaking following a meeting of the Good Friday Agreement Committee, Teachta Walsh said:
“I welcome the discussion arising out of the thoughtful presentations from professors John Doyle, John Fitzgerald and Gareth Hetherington at the most recent meeting of the Good Friday Agreement Committee.
“The contributions were part of a series of meetings organised by the Good Friday Agreement Committee about the constitutional future of Ireland.
“The issues raised included: the economic cost of partition; the growing strength of the all-Ireland economy; the high levels of foreign direct investment in the economy of the South and the benefits of this to the overall economy; the lower levels of foreign direct investment in the economy of the North and the disadvantages of this to the overall economy.
“The meeting also discussed the complementary contribution that third level education and the institutes of technology play in assisting the development of the economy of the South.
“Concerns were expressed at the underdeveloped IT sector in the north; continued academic selection; low levels of skills in the workforce; long-term unemployment; its place as the lowest economically active region out of twelve regions in the UK and the poor state of its infrastructure.
“The meeting heard that the North’s economy would benefit significantly if there was political certainty with the re-establishment of the executive and assembly; a significant health intervention; an energy strategy with a focus on off-shore wind turbines located in the port of Belfast and a sustained economic focus on Derry City – which was described as key to the revival of the North-West
“The meeting heard calls for a single health service on the island; a sovereign wealth fun for the island; a national strategic investment plan; a popular streamlined system for student placements in universities north to south and south to north and all-island plans for transport, roads, energy and the environment.
“The open-ended nature of the discussion allowed for a free flow of ideas and proved the importance of the approach by the Good Friday Agreement Committee’s to Ireland’s constitutional future, with, in this instance, a focus on the economy.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, has said the Irish government threw platform workers under the bus by backing a watered-down position on EU legislation to improve their working conditions.
The Dublin Fingal TD said that as a result, the European Council will now pursue less protections and supports for platform workers, such as delivery riders for companies such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“The Irish government is quick to boast that it punches above its weight in international affairs, however, recently the government used its position to punch down on workers.
“At a recent meeting of the European Union Employment and Social Affairs Council (EPSCO), the Irish government threw its weight behind a watered-down position on the EU Platform Workers Directive.
“As a result, the European Council will now pursue less protections and supports for platform workers, such as delivery riders for companies such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat.
“The purpose of the Platform Workers Directive is to improve working conditions in platform work by determining the employment status of people working through digital labour platforms and new rights for both workers regarding algorithmic management.
“The net result of the decision taken by Ireland, and several other European states, is that the EU Council will no longer push for a position whereby workers are legally presumed to be employed.
“Instead, workers will need to fulfil three of seven criteria in order to be reclassified as employed – meaning there would be no ‘right to employment’.
“The Irish government supported a position to prevent workers from receiving their right to earn at least the minimum wage, sick pay, holiday pay and social security access.
“In doing so the government did the bidding of platform companies run by multimillionaires who have been using loopholes in the law to escape their most basic obligations to their workforce and society.
“It must also be noted that the Minister’s in the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment held six meetings with platform companies on the EU Directive and only two with trade unions.
“Last week it was reported that the European Commission will endeavour to get the final text closer to its initial proposal which offered greater protections for workers; therefore, it is important that the Irish government supports any moves to strengthen the Directive.”
“Onus now on Fianna Fáil & Fine Gael to back dedicated funding for Irish farmers in EU” - MacManus
Following this week’s European Parliament vote on the nature restoration law, Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has said that the Irish government must ensure that the final deal with the Council contains assurances for Irish farmers. Specifically, rewetting will be voluntary, and there must be a socio-economic impact assessment and a new dedicated fund for nature restoration.
The Midlands Northwest MEP also added that he believes that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael MEPs cannot abdicate their responsibilities. They must ensure that their parties in the Irish government, and their groups EPP and Renew, address the concerns of Irish farmers, fishers and producers in the interinstitutional negotiations, especially on funding, rewetting and the fear of new designations. MacManus said that Sinn Féin will continue to work to ensure that the final text reflects these concerns.
MacManus said:
“The nature restoration law that was endorsed today was a significant step towards reversing widespread loss of flora and fauna, but we also need to be conscious of the fact that farmers must be fully involved in this process. We must address their concerns.”
“The EU’s endorsed Sinn Féin’s amendments on having a socioeconomic impact assessment to tailor any measures or plan to suit Irish producers. This was a welcome development, but for this law to make headway, we need to be pragmatic.”
“It is critical that the Irish government and EU ensure that there will be voluntary rewetting, safeguarding of Irish family farmers‘ livelihoods, especially our hill farmers, participation of stakeholders in decision making on any measures and plans locally, and new dedicated funding and revenue streams for farmers, foresters and fishers alike to positively incentivise instead of penalising them. “
“This needs to be part of any final package, and Sinn Féin will keep pushing for these.” ENDS
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has called for the introduction of temporary and targeted mortgage interest relief to support struggling households.
The Donegal TD was speaking after the Central Statistics Office found that mortgage interest costs had risen by 46 percent in the past 12 months.
Speaking today, Teachta Doherty said:
“Yesterday the CSO released its inflation figures for June.
“Prices continue to rise while electricity prices have still not fallen.
“In the past year, mortgage interest costs have increased by 46 percent.
“This is a massive income shock for households – for many their monthly mortgage repayment is their single biggest going.
“Borrowers are now seeing their annual mortgage costs increase by thousands of euros.
“This would be challenging at any time, not least in the middle of a wider cost of living crisis.
“In the past year the ECB has increased its main lending rate eight times.
“Households are now facing interest rates as high as 8.5 percent.
“As households contend with a wider cost of living crisis, with no prospect of prices falling in the near-term, it is time for the State to support struggling borrowers.
“Targeted and temporary mortgage interest relief should be introduced to help borrowers who are suffering a significant income shock.
“Sinn Féin have proposed a mortgage interest support scheme that would provide relief on 30 percent of the increased interest costs households have faced since July of last year.
“This support, as so many households face a massive income shock, would provide real relief to households.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment and Climate Action, Darren O’Rourke TD, has called on the government to urgently address its wholly inadequate progress to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Commenting on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) latest report released today, the Meath East TD said:
“The latest figures from the EPA are a clear indictment of this government’s complete lack of planning when it comes to meeting our climate targets.
“Greenhouse gas emissions fell by just 1.9% last year. While we can welcome progress, this is clearly nowhere near good enough. Worryingly, the government’s meagre efforts to date will make what is a significant task an even more difficult one going forward. In fact, it is now quite apparent that they will exhaust the first carbon budget before they even leave office.
“The reality is that 47% of the carbon budget for 2021-2025 has already been used in the first two years alone. This means that in order to stay within it, we will be required to reduce emissions by 12.4% for each of the remaining years.
“The picture is bleak across the board, with only small decreases across most sectors, with even increases in some.
“For example, agricultural and energy emissions fell by just 1.2% and 1.8% respectively, with transport emissions rising by a whopping 6%.
“In fact the only sector that showed significant reductions was in the residential sector with emissions having fallen by 12.7%.
“What this proves, yet again, is that this government is determined to pursue a deeply inequitable approach whereby ordinary workers and families are expected to do heavy lifting while other sectors are let off the hook.
“All of this leaves us with the extremely challenging task of an annual target of a 17% reduction in the electricity sector over the next three years to stay within budget, while industry, agriculture, residential buildings and transport need to make annual reductions of 9%, 8%, 7% and 5% respectively.
“There is no denying that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party can set targets. However what they have proven time and time again is that they are incapable of actually meeting them. A destination with no roadmap of how to get there is not a plan at all.
“While the challenge that lies before us is now even more daunting, we cannot give up. Without radical steps to battle climate change our future and that of our future generations is under threat.
“What is needed now is an approach that has the scale and ambition to do what is needed, and furthermore effective leadership in ensuring that our journey to net zero is part of a progressive rather than regressive approach. Sinn Féin is ready to take on this challenge as part of a just transition.”
Midlands Northwest MEP Chris MacManus has welcomed the EU’s proposal to protect the use of cash but called for the right to use cash to be respected and clarified immediately. Replies received from the European Central Bank (ECB) and EU Commission by MEP MacManus are at odds with the replies received by Minister Michael McGrath about the right to use cash. MacManus said pending upcoming legislation, the right to use cash must be respected and clarified immediately.
MacManus said: “While I welcome the intent behind recent moves by the EU Commission to legislate to protect cash the reality is that the rules will take years to put in place even if all goes smoothly politically. In the meantime, there is a need for clear guidelines to clarify and protect the right to use cash. In a written reply to me the ECB cast doubt over the Irish government’s position that simply putting up a sign saying “no cash” or “card payments only” means a business can refuse cash.
In its reply to me on the issue the ECB stated that: “It may also be argued that, despite such a sign being present, the two parties have not agreed freely on another means of payment. It also needs to be considered that, should they become widespread, such “no cash policies” of merchants could undermine the legal tender status of euro cash, which is protected by EU law, and hence undermine trust in euro banknotes and coins as a means of payment.”
The EU Commission in a reply to me has also stated its intention to legislate for: “the mandatory acceptance of cash, at full face value”. This stands in direct contrast to Minster Michael McGrath’s insistence that “Where retailers accept a limited range of payment options, consumers should be informed of the payment options available in advance of a transaction. This can be achieved, for example, by displaying signs stating, “card not accepted” or “cash payment only” at the till and at the store entrance.”
Clearly the stand back and do nothing approach of the government is open to challenge to say the very least. The plans at both domestic level and at EU level are welcome but these plans may take years to come into effect. Given the differing interpretations of the current situation I believe the use of cash should be protected and the right to use it insisted upon in the meantime as a rule.” ENDS
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Matt Carthy TD, has called on the Irish government to take meaningful measures to put international pressure on Israel to end their illegal actions in Palestine.
Speaking during Dáil statements on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territory, Deputy Carthy said that Ireland should take “real, tangible measures that shows the world, and most importantly the children of Jenin, that we want no hand, act nor part in the systematic destruction of the Palestinian people”.
Welcoming the cross-border unity in the condemnation of Israeli actions, Deputy Carthy criticised the government for frustrating the ‘Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill’ and for not officially recognising the state of Palestine.
He said that “it is simply not conceivable to tell another generation of Palestinian children that they must wait. It is time for the world to act – it is time for Ireland to lead the way”.
The full text of Deputy Carthy’s remarks:
“The refugee Camp at Jenin in the West Bank is a perfect, albeit tragic, symbol of Israel’s brutal occupation and aggression against the Palestinian people.
“Imagine a child of Palestine, in 1948. This child was one of 700,000 Palestinian children, women and men that were forcefully removed from their home during the Nakba. This child lost everything, their home, their security, their future, their homeland.
“Being forced into a refugee camp – they waited for the world to act - it didn’t.
“That first refugee camp was destroyed in a snowstorm. So it was that this child was forced again to move; to what became known as the Jenin Refugee camp. Again, the child hoped that the world would act to allow them to return home. The world didn’t act.
“This child grew up in that refugee camp. Depending on charity when all they wanted was to go back to where they came from.
“Imagine that child had a child. The child’s child was born just 52 miles, as the crow flies, from the birthplace of Jesus Christ. That child was born in time for the Israeli invasion of the West Bank, including Jenin. The child and their child again lived under Israeli occupation.
“Another Palestinian generation was to live through that occupation, discrimination and the denial of the most fundamental of human rights. The child and their child, wanting to return home, waited for the world to act – it didn’t.
“Imagine the child’s child had their own child born at the time of the Intifada and the ongoing Israeli raids that left three generations living in constant fear.
“They watched as their camp was subjected to Israeli attack after Israeli attack, as vital utilities were destroyed on a systemic basis. They were subject to collective punishment and persistent breaches of international law.
“In 1993 and 1995 they witnessed the signing of the Oslo Accords, and they hoped against hope that the world was finally acting – it wasn’t.
“Because, from Day 1, Israel breached the condition of the accords that transferred control and administration of the West Bank to the Palestinian Authority.
“And the hope was finally shattered in April 2002 when Israel launched what it called Operation Defensive Shield. 400 homes were destroyed, and hundreds more were severely damaged. Estimates suggested that 500 people were killed by Israeli forces. A UN envoy compared the camp to an earthquake zone. The BBC reported that ten percent of the camp was ‘virtually rubbed out by a dozen armored Israeli bulldozers’.
“The child and their child, and their child, waited for the world to act – it didn’t.
“And imagine somewhere along the line yet another child was born. The child of the child, of the child, of the child that was forced out of their home during the Nakba. The Nakba became a daily, lived, horrendous reality of each generation.
“Israeli invasions virtually on an annual basis. Ostensibly raids targeting Palestinian militants – but every single objective observer that has reported on the instances has described indiscriminate, collective punishment operations that serve to destroy lives, destroy homes, destroy hope.
“And, the child of 2023, just like the child of the 1990’s and the child of the 1960’s and the child of 1948 – waited and waited and waited for the world to act – it didn’t.
“Not when other children were killed in Israeli attacks.
“Not when services, often funded by the international community, were destroyed.
“Not even when, in May 2022, Israeli forces murdered the journalist Shireen Abu Akleh who was simply doing her job in telling the truth of what was occurring in Jenin Refugee camp.
“The world didn’t say stop. The world, the international community, turned away.
“And, because the world didn’t say stop – Israel didn’t stop.
“Another child of Palestine, another generation of Jenin, were abandoned to Israeli occupation and apartheid.
“And, imagine what it must be like for the child of 1948 and their child and their child and their child when on 3rd July in 2023 – Israeli forces again invaded the refugee camp.
“When the estimated population of 14,000 refugees were again terrorised. When, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent, 3,000 of those people had to be evacuated; when, according to Médecins Sans Frontières, Israeli military bulldozers had destroyed multiple roads into the camp, “making it nearly impossible for ambulances to reach patients”; when Palestinian paramedics had been ‘forced to proceed on foot, in an area with active gunfire and drone strikes’, and when Israeli forces fired tear gas into Khalil Suleiman Government Hospital. When at least 12 people were killed, including 5 children; when over 100 seriously injured, when 20 of them were in a critical condition.
“Imagine for one minute what hope remains for that child of 2023. What does their parent of the 1990s tell them, what would their parent of the 1960s tell them, what lesson could they take from the lived experience of their parent that was forced from the place they should all call home in 1948.
“That the world would finally act? Most likely, not.
“But, here today, I want to send a message to the Palestinian child of 2023. To today’s children of Jenin.
“That message is a crystal clear one that the people of Ireland stand with you. We stand against the aggression, the annexation, the occupation and the apartheid that defines your existence.
“But the words of our message must be met with actions. The world must finally respond appropriately to Israeli war crimes.
“We know others will refuse to do so. So, Ireland must lead the way.
“We must lead the way with our words, which this house is generally united upon. But, we must also lead the way with real, tangible measures that shows the world, and most importantly the children of Jenin, that we want no hand, act nor part in the systematic destruction of the Palestinian people.
“We should, of course, seek to build consensus and support from others, particularly within the EU. But, we should also be very clear – it they won’t move, we will.
“As a starting point, government must immediately move to progress the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023 introduced by Sinn Féin TD John Brady. The bill simply prevents Irish taxpayers' money being invested in companies that profit from Israel’s illegal occupation and settlement expansion.
“It is actually shameful that our monies have been invested in such companies in the first place. But it is inexcusable that government have sought to frustrate and delay the Sinn Féin bill.
“‘Wait nine months’ says the government. Just as every child of Palestine since the Nakba of 1948 have been told to wait.
“Likewise, when it comes to recognising the state of Palestine, the official position of this house. ‘Wait’, says the government.
“For the Palestinians it is always a waiting game.
“Meanwhile, our government complies with EU accelerated procedures when it suits Israel.
“Israel actually enjoys what is officially called ‘a preferential trading relationship’ with the European Union, this is worth billions of euro in trade to a state that ignores, disregards and breaches UN resolutions and international laws every single day.
“Why don’t we tell Israel to wait.
“To wait until they comply with international law, to wait until they end their occupation, their annexation, their expansion of illegal settlements and their ongoing, brutal apartheid of the Palestinian people.
“To wait until they engage constructively with their Palestinian neighbours and reach a peace settlement that upholds the rights of the Palestinian people to their dignity, to their human rights, to their own state – free from apartheid, free from occupation, free of military aggression.
“Because, it is simply not conceivable to tell another generation of Palestinian children that they must wait.
“It is time to act – it is time for Ireland to lead the way.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Media, Imelda Munster TD, has written to the competition watchdog, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), seeking clarification on GAAGO streaming GAA matches within Ireland.
Deputy Munster was speaking after both RTÉ and the GAA confirmed to her in the Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, and Media that GAAGO has not yet had clearance from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to broadcast within Ireland.
Teachta Munster said:
“In 2017, GAAGO sought and received clearance from the CCPC to stream games abroad for the Irish Diaspora and for those who want to watch games while on holidays.
“But they have not received clearance to show games in Ireland, behind their paywall, as they have done this year.
“It has been a topic of concern, and indeed anger in some quarters, that GAAGO has cherry-picked certain GAA matches and put them behind a paywall this year.
“Many fans view this as being double-billed to see a match, as they already pay their licence fee for RTÉ or their TV subscription, which has always allowed them to view all televised games.
“The language in the CCPC determination allowing GAAGO to broadcast is quite clear as it says, ‘excluding the island of Ireland’.
“It is my opinion that GAAGO should not be putting GAA games in Ireland behind a paywall, and I have written to the CCPC seeking clarification on how they will deal with GAAGO operating without clearance.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Agriculture, Claire Kerrane TD, has written to Minister McConalogue today, urging him to engage with Grain Growers on concerns around a decline in Tillage land coverage.
Concerns have been raised that Tillage coverage will reduce by up to 20,000 hectares of land in 2023.
Speaking today Teachta Kerrane said:
“I have been contacted by Tillage Farmers and Grain Growers who are very worried by reports that land covered by Tillage is set to drop, not increase this year.
“This is at a time when Government has set a target of reaching 400,000ha of Tillage coverage by 2030.
“This suggests a move in the wrong direction regarding Tillage targets, which is concerning.
“I appreciate there are a range of measures in place to support the Tillage sector, but these figures suggest there are other factors which are seeing a reduction in hectares covered, not an increased as intended.
“I know a Food Vision Tillage Group meeting took place recently and it is crucial that the insights and experiences of Tillage Farmers are taken on board as part of efforts to boost this important sector. This is a sector with huge potential for growth if it is supported to grow.
“I have written to Minister McConalogue to highlight these concerns and urge him to engage directly with representative groups, such as the Irish Grain Growers.
“It is important this decline does not become a trend and that we can meet our 2030 targets.”
