Sinn Féin Pearse Doherty TD has said the time is right to prepare for Irish unity and called on the Irish government to actively get involved in the campaign to secure and win a unity referendum.
Delivering the main address at the National Hunger Strike Commemoration, which was held online this year, Pearse Doherty said:
"The Good Friday Agreement, voted for by the people, contains provision for a referendum on Irish unity. Securing that referendum should now be the shared goal of everyone who supports the reunification of this island and its people.
"The discussion on Irish unity is already well underway across the island. Republicans, nationalists and others who support unity are talking about what Irish unity will look like and how to secure it.
"Even those currently opposed to reunification are talking about it and considering what their place in a united Ireland would be.
“So it simply doesn't make any sense for those who claim that the time is not right.
"I have a message for them; the time is right and the time is now.
"The conversation has begun. There is a role for everyone in that discussion and I'm calling on as many people as possible to get involved.
“In particular, the Irish government has a key role to play. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish government has a responsibility to ensure its full implementation.
"We need to see this new Irish government actively planning for unity. Warm words won’t secure or win a referendum.
"The Irish government needs to establish a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Unity, bring forward a white paper, and convene a Citizens’ Assembly inclusive of the entire island to discuss and plan for reunification.
"This is the time to step up the campaign for Irish Unity."
Dundalk’s drug crime and the government response to it has been raised again in Leinster House by local TD Ruairí Ó Murchú who highlighted recent arson attacks in Clontygora Court and Bay Estate.
The Sinn Féin deputy raised the issue during a late-night topical issues debate last week and outlined to Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, how a family escaped death during an arson attack at a house in Clontygora Court earlier this month.
He said: ‘That is the seriousness with which criminal gangs are operating in Dundalk’.
Mr Ó Murchú praised the ‘incredibly vigilant’ Dundalk Gardai.
He said: ‘Since a drugs unit has been in operation, there have been multiple finds of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin.
‘When talking to community activists I have consistently been told about dealers being really sound to some of their customers and telling them: ‘I know things are not great now and I do not necessarily have a great supply of heroin, but do not worry because I have plenty of crack cocaine and I will sort you out with that’.
‘That is the reality, especially in working class areas. We have drug dealers who have been operating for many years but there has been a failure by the State to deal with them.
‘I welcome the operations that have been carried out recently, and in all my dealings with the gardaí I am happy that they are utterly focused. However, one will never have a meeting with gardaí in which they will not talk about the need for more resources.
‘With regard to the attack I mentioned and a previous attack that occurred in Bay Estate in which a garda's home was attacked, I must commend the neighbours who were vigilant and called the fire service, whose actions were spectacular.
‘My difficulty with the drugs problem is about how one should deal with at Cabinet level. Gardaí will state that they are constantly arresting people who need services and cannot get them. Services such as the Family Addiction Support Network (FASN) are vital services that are not funded in any proper way. This issue crosses the areas of housing, health, education and justice. We cannot allow these dangerous criminals to operate. I want the Government to put somebody in charge. I welcome what is going to be done with the Citizens' Assembly, but we already know a lot of has to be done.
‘We also need to ensure we are serious about harm reduction. The superintendent in Dundalk said at a recent joint policing committee meeting that drugs are the most serious issue he has to deal with in his region and that he requires greater resources to give the drugs unit what it requires.
‘We have had a chief superintendent who said we will lose an entire generation to cocaine. We need to ensure that this issue is dealt with at Cabinet level, somebody takes control and we can deliver a solution and look after our communities that are suffering from all this criminality’.
Minister McConalogue condemned the arson attacks. He said: ‘We share the deputy's concern about the serious issue of drugs crime as well as drug related intimidation in communities.
‘Government policy is guided by the national drugs strategy, which represents a whole-of-Government response to the scourge of drug and alcohol abuse.
‘With respect to Garda resources working with communities in Dundalk in particular, 184 gardaí were assigned to Dundalk as of the end of May 2020. This is an increase from 147 gardaí, or 25%, since the end of 2015.
‘We hear Deputy Ó Murchú’s contribution and are very much aware of the serious issues at play. I assure him that, working with and supporting the Garda Síochána, and working within government, we will do all we can to try to ensure that this issue is addressed in every way possible’.
The drugs issue in Dundalk and the need for a whole of government response to it was also raised by the Louth TD with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee during her recent visit to the town.
Minister McEntee said she would speak to the relevant ministers and Mr Ó Murchú said he would follow up with her.
Responding to a statement from the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly that the government will introduce random Covid testing at Airports, Sinn Féin spokesperson on David Cullinane said that testing must be comprehensive and put in place urgently.
Speaking today, Teachta Cullinane said: “I welcome this announcement by the Minister for Health that random testing will commence at airports.
"We in Sinn Féin have consistently called for this only to have our proposals rubbished by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
“I welcome this change in direction and it is important that we get clarity on exactly what is being proposed for both those departing and arriving at airports.
"We also urge maximum all-island alignment on the issue.
“Over the last few months, Sinn Féin has consistently called for checks and restrictions to be put in place at our airports. These included:
“In addition, we called for all visitors arriving from high-risk ‘Red List’ areas should be required to pay for their Covid-19 testing and accommodation at designated isolation facilities, and only be permitted to enter the state after the isolation period has passed, or two negative Covid-19 tests have been recorded.
“Such stringent checks on those coming from Covid-19 hot spots will help deter all non-essential travel and reduce the chance of the virus being imported from these areas.
“It is imperative that we have robust checks in place at our ports of entry to try and detect those carrying Covid-19.
"The progress made to date has come at a huge cost and we cannot let this be undone now. We will study the minister’s proposals when we see the detail.”
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has hit out at an ongoing campaign of sectarian intimidation in the greater Ballysillan area of north Belfast and said that public representatives need to be united against the bigots responsible.
Gerry Kelly said:
“A home and vehicle in the Kilcoole area has been targeted by sectarian thugs who sprayed ‘KAT’ (Kill all Taigs’) on their home.
“This is the latest in a string of incidents in the greater Ballysillan/Cavehill area, including homes allocated to Catholics targeted in Tyndale and attacks on property and sectarian flags and banners being erected in Cavehill in a bid to mark out territory and intimidate residents.
“This sectarian thuggery is despicable.
“It is an orchestrated attempt to intimidate Catholics and create community tensions.
“Public representatives have a duty to speak out unequivocally in opposition to this cowardly and bigoted campaign of sectarian harassment and intimidation.
“I am calling on public representatives for the area to speak with one voice against those determined to drag us down the cul de sac of hatred and fear.
“The people behind this campaign of intimidation must be faced down and I call on anyone with any information on those responsible to bring it forward to the police.”
Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has said the local community is in shock after the discovery of a woman's body in Newry.
The Newry and Armagh MP said:
"News that the death of a woman whose body was found at her home in Drumalane Park in Newry is being treated as suspicious has shocked the local community.
"I want to express my condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the woman who has died at this sad time.
"A police investigation is now underway and anyone with information on what happened should get in contact with the PSNI."
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Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley has called for harmonisation of bank and public holidays across the island of Ireland.
The West Tyrone MP said:
"As we face into the August bank holiday in the south we are once again reminded of the impact of partition as the holiday is not Islandwide.
"This creates challenges for businesses, particularly those in border areas who trade across the border on a daily basis.
"Bank and public holidays should be harmonised across the island for the benefit of workers and their families.
"It would also benefit the tourism industry both north and south as it would help people plan breaks and staycations.
"This is an issue I will be raising at the Oireachtas committee in which I sit and will be calling on the Irish government to take this forward."
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has reminded people to continue to show vigilance and follow the public health advice in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep people safe.
Colm Gildernew said:
"With more people out and about as people go on breaks and staycations and those who were shielding come out again, it is more important than ever that we continue to follow the public health advice to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
"While we have made progress, coronavirus has not gone away and can still spread, with fatal consequences.
"Everyone has worked so hard to date to keep people safe and to protect our health service and we cannot afford to throw that away now.
"With the virus still out there, people need to continue to be vigilant, maintain good hand hygiene, practise social distancing, wear a mask where appropriate and to follow the public health advice.
"Examples from elsewhere have shown us what can happen when people become complacent. We don't want that to happen here and we all have a role to play in preventing it and in protecting each other."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice Martin Kenny has hit back at the refusal of government to withdraw sections of the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020.
These sections had not been subject to the usual pre-legislative scrutiny and were said in the Dáil on Thursday night to have nothing to do with Covid-19.
Deputy Kenny said: “That should be the last time that Sinn Féin co-operates with the government on this basis. Their action was deceptive and treacherous in deed and in intent.
“Last week, the Minister for Justice sought a waiver for the requirement for pre-legislative scrutiny for the General Scheme of the Civil and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020. It would mean the law would pass through the Oireachtas without the usual scrutiny.
“This was sought on the grounds that the legislation provided for Covid-19 measures and needed to be progressed quickly.
“While parts of the bill dealt with necessary Covid-19 measures, Sections 13 and 14 specifically introduced measures which will make it easier for vulture funds to function in Irish courts, where they mainly go to repossess the homes of people, whose mortgages have been sold to them by Irish banks.
“These provisions, particularly Section 14, appear to solve a difficulty felt by vulture funds, whereby they cannot avail of the provisions of the Bankers’ Book Evidence Act.
“But this is not a Covid-related measure - it has nothing to do with addressing difficulties arising from the pandemic. In reality, it is a legislative leg-up for vulture funds in the courts.
“It is outrageous to bury provisions such as these in legislation mainly about Covid-19 emergency measures. Sinn Féin should not be willing, in future, to trust any minister in this government and should insist on full pre-legislative scrutiny on all bills.
“On this occasion, by request of Minister McEntee, who assured us that the bill was about Covid measures and whose written request for a waiver omitted any mention of the banking provisions in the bill, we tried to be co-operative.
"But we were deceived and when we asked in the debate for the minister to withdraw the offending sections of the bill, she refused.”
Sinn Féin TD for Clare Violet-Anne Wynne has called for government intervention to save jobs at Shannon Airport.
Her remarks come after Aer Lingus announced it is to carry out a review of operations which could put hundreds of jobs at risk and threaten the very viability of both Shannon Airport and Cork Airport.
Speaking today, Teachta Wynne said: "Workers were devastated to hear the recent announcement from Aer Lingus in relation to potential job losses at Shannon Airport.
"Sinn Féin have for weeks now been calling on the government to step up and intervene on the matter.
"Workers are at their wits' end with worry. They are frustrated by the lack of action and now fear for their own jobs and the knock-on effect for employment prospects in the region with the very viability of Shannon Airport now under serious threat.
"Shannon Airport is vital for the viability of the tourism sector and the entire economy right across the Mid-West region and deserves more than this apathy from government.
"I addressed SIPTU representatives at the Oireachtas Covid-19 Committee on Tuesday and was appalled to hear that they had been writing to the Minister for Transport without receiving a response.
"This kind of disregard is not good enough - it is a smack in the face for workers. Those affected rightly feel this is a slight on our region.
"We should have by now learnt from the failures of successive governments that regional balance must be a priority in policy making.
"I call on the government, even during the recess that they called for, to demonstrate leadership and intervene now before it is too late. The situation has now escalated and it is clear that any further delays will prove catastrophic.
"The decision to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority in 2012 has proved a disaster. Sinn Féin, along with the trade union movement, opposed the separation then and, unfortunately, the passenger traffic numbers pre-Covid vindicated our stance.
"It is now time for the government to admit their failure and agree to the amalgamation of Shannon Airport under the DAA once again. The unions have also added their voice to this call.
"Governments elsewhere have provided huge amounts of state funding to the airlines in an effort to salvage the aviation sector during this crisis yet ours to date has been silent on the matter.
"We are still waiting on the recommendations from the aviation taskforce to be enacted. People want action now - not empty promises and faceless taskforces."
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has called for loyalist flags featuring a picture of UVF and LVF leader Billy Wright erected on a main thoroughfare and outside a public park in Dungannon to be removed.
The Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA said:
"The appearance of flags featuring a picture of the UVF and LVF leader Billy Wright in Dungannon has caused hurt and offence to many in the area.
"While everyone has a right to remember their dead in a dignified and respectful manner there is nothing dignified or respectful about these flags or where they are placed.
"This has been done deliberately to be hurtful, provocative and offensive.
"They should not have been put up in the first place and should now be removed."
A waiting time of up to 48 hours for results of Covid-19 tests in Dealgan Nursing Home last week was raised in Leinster House by Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú.
Families whose loved ones are being cared for at Dealgan were informed by management at the Dundalk home last week that, as a precaution, two residents were being tested for Covid-19 and, as a result, visiting was suspended.
The tests returned negative, but it took around 48 hours for the results to come through.
The issue was raised by Mr Ó Murchú in the Dáil on Thursday and he also raised it during a private discussion with new health minister, Stephen Donnelly.
Mr Ó Murchú said: ‘I took the opportunity during the debate to raise the issue of Dealgan House having to wait around 48 hours for test results last week.
‘This was very worrying, given the huge tragedy that had unfolded in this nursing home just a couple of months ago.
‘A few weeks previously, nursing homes were waiting four or five hours for Covid-19 test results, but this has evidently increased. Thankfully, the tests were negative in this instance, but this is not the sort of set up that we need.
‘Dealgan did the right thing and swiftly enacted the strong government protocols. But the results of tests carried out in nursing homes should not be subject to such inordinate delays and there needs to be a far quicker turnaround’.
Mr Ó Murchú also took the opportunity to follow up on a letter he had sent to new health minister, Stephen Donnelly, about the Dundalk nursing home, where 22 people died from Covid-19.
Dealgan House featured in a Primetime programme, aired last Thursday, about Covid-19 in nursing homes.
Mr Ó Murchú said: ‘I told Minister Donnelly nursing homes would feature in the Primetime programme, which was aired later that evening. I brought the test result delays to his attention, along with a request from some of the families whose loved ones had died during the Covid-19 outbreak to meet with him.
‘I reiterated the calls from some of the families for a full, public inquiry into what happened here. There are lots of questions that can only be answered in an inquiry. The management of Dealgan House have stated on the record that they too have questions.
‘I also told him that his predecessor, Minister Simon Harris, had given a commitment that he would look at the HIQA report before deciding the next steps and I asked Minister Donnelly to do the same.
‘I mentioned to him that the families had been in contact with HIQA and were apprehensive about the extent and nature of the report, when it is published. The only way everything can be addressed – to ensure that it never happens anywhere again and so that families can have some closure – is to have an inquiry.'
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has said that the roadmap to reopening schools cannot lead to children with special educational needs being put to the back of the queue.
The Cork South Central TD said that there is considerable concern that special education teachers will be redirected, and that the children with special educational needs would not get the focus they need.
Speaking today, Teachta Ó Laoghaire said: “Children with special educational needs are among those who have fallen furthest behind during lockdown.
"For those children and their parents, the lack of socialisation, the isolation, the disruption to routine, and the reduced support has had a devastating impact.
"Many have fallen behind and regressed, which is heartbreaking for their parents.
“I have urged the Department to make these children their number one priority. If ever there was a need for them to be a priority, it is now.
“The roadmap has created a lot of concern as it allows special education teachers to be pulled from pillar to post; covering absences and managing much of the remote teaching that will happen.
“My concern was increased by the circular issued on Tuesday, which stated quite clearly that “schools may use other non-mainstream teachers to cover absence."
“That is not good enough. It is also clearly envisioned that they will play a significant role in remote learning where that arises. While they clearly have a role to play in this, the concern is that the bulk of this burden will fall upon them.
“There are no additional supports even though there is a clear need for investment and resources to help these children make up lost ground.
“These children have had an awful year and they cannot be put to the back of the queue when schools reopen.
“I am urging the Minister to look at this again; ringfence special education teachers, invest in resources for children with special educational needs, and deliver a clearer plan for remote learning.”
Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has called on the government to intervene in the escalating crisis at Aer Lingus. His comments come as Aer Lingus as it has been reported that the Aer Lingus Base in Cork could be scrapped, and that 500 redundancies will be sought.
Speaking this evening, Teachta Ó Laoghaire said: “Under no circumstances can the loss of the Cork Aer Lingus base be contemplated.
“This is very concerning news coming from Aer Lingus this evening that will only add to the stress and anxiety of workers at the airline. There are hundreds of Aer Lingus workers in Cork, and they will be deeply worried by this news.
“The pandemic has obviously had a major impact on the airline industry, but the government here have taken a complete hands-off approach to dealing with it.
“In May, and again in June, I wanted the Government that it cannot simply watch this happen, it needs direct action.
“The pandemic is having an enormous impact on travel and aviation - but Cork will still need air travel when this is all over, and these workers and families will need jobs. I have been urging the Government, to start planning for the future. It has done nothing.
"We had an acting Minister who was missing in action since the election and now a Minister who just isn’t interested in this part of his portfolio as far as I can see.
“The Fine Gael/Labour government should never have sold off the State’s remaining shares in Aer Lingus in 2015, and unfortunately the consequences of this are now coming to the fore.
"But the Government can and should intervene, it needs to develop a plan for sustainability in aviation, and it needs to do it urgently, and especially for
"The Ireland 2040 plan talks a lot about balanced regional development. How can we have balanced regional development if Cork doesn’t have a base for the national carrier?
"It simply cannot be allowed to happen.
“We have the Taoiseach and 2 more senior Ministers in this constituency. Taoiseach Martin, and Ministers Coveney and McGrath need to address this urgently.
"These jobs need to be safeguarded, this base needs to be safeguarded.
"The Department must engage with aviation staff, and all stakeholders to develop a roadmap for what the future of Irish aviation will be, and to safeguard workers incomes and rights."
Sinn Féin Councillor Henry Cushinan has condemned the wanton destruction of the bus shelter at McCoys Corner in Moneyglass.
Cllr Cushinan said,
“I was shocked to see the damage caused to the bus shelter at McCoys Corner in Moneyglass. This is an act of wanton vandalism and a direct attack on the local community who rely so much on this amenity.
“This bus shelter was hard fought for and finally installed, at great expense, in response to representations made by local constituents over a prolonged period of time. It is essential to the manylocal people, young and old, who use it on a daily basis. To see it targeted in this way is heart breaking.
“I have contacted the relevant agencies in the hope of having the shelter reinstated as quickly as possible, and the incident has also been reported to the PSNI. I would appeal to the public to assist the police in their inquiries by calling 101, or contacting the independent charity CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has said the families of the victims and those who survived the Miami Showband Massacre are entitled to the truth about what happened.
The Newry and Armagh MP said:
"Today marks the 45th anniversary of the Miami Showband massacre when three members of the band were killed and two injured by loyalists acting in collusion with British agents.
"This was an incident which shocked Ireland and its impact is still felt today.
"Now, all these years later, the relatives of those band members who were killed and the survivors are still looking for answers on exactly what happened to their loved ones.
"I extend my ongoing solidarity and the support of Sinn Féin to the relatives of those killed, their families and all those who are campaigning for truth on the Miami Showband massacre.
"Families and survivors should not be forced to wait 45 years for answers.
"It is time the British government stopped its stalling and fully implemented the legacy mechanisms of the Stormont House Agreement in a human rights compliant manner."
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has said an all-Ireland approach to dealing with key infrastructural projects is necessary.
Cathal Boylan said:
"A number of the key infrastructure projects planned in the north have an all-Ireland element so it makes sense that we should be planning for them on an all-Ireland basis.
"I welcome the fact that a number of these projects were discussed at today's meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Dublin including the A5, Narrow Water Bridge, and the Ulster Canal.
"It is vital we plan for and deliver these projects, which will benefit the entire island on a north-south basis.
"I look forward to closer cooperation between ministers across the island to ensure the delivery of these and other key projects."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has welcomed the overall drop in the number of people living in emergency accommodation. However, the increase in the number of families presenting as homeless in Dublin is “deeply worrying”.
Teachta Ó Broin said: “The Department of Housing’s official homeless figures for June 2020 were published this afternoon.
“The figures show that a 8,699 people were accessing emergency accommodation last month, a drop of 177 on the May figures. This included 6,046 adults and 2,653 children. There were 1,159 families accessing emergency accommodation in June.
“The drop in the overall number is welcome. But the increase in the number of families presenting as homeless in Dublin is deeply worrying.
“According to the figures, there has been a 50% increase in presentations, a 100% increase in new entries to hostels, and a 100% drop in exits.
“I will be contacting the Minister for Housing and the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive in the coming days to find out why the number of families presenting the in the capital has increased.
“Given that the government legislation passed last night will strip most tenants of the protections from evictions that they have been afforded the past few months, we may see the figures spike further in the coming months.
“I am also deeply saddened learn of further deaths of people accessing homeless services in Dublin and Cork. The Minister must make a statement on the matter and outline what he and his officials are planning to stop such tragedies from occurring again."
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed the completion of a further two sections of the Dungiven to Foreglen shared cycle and pedestrian path.
The East Derry MLA said
“I welcome news that 0.5 kilometres opposite Owenbeg and almost one kilometre of existing hard shoulder on the A6 Foreglen Road between Dernaflaw Road and Derrychrier Road have been completed to create shared cycle and pedestrian paths as part of a £261,000 scheme.
“Building better cycling and walking paths will help tackle congestion and air pollution, improve public health both physically and mentally, and help build a sustainable society on this island."
Sinn Féin Seanadóir Elisha McCallion has encouraged cross-border workers to take part in a public consultation on remote working.
Elisha McCallion said:
"As a result of the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19, it is likely many of us will continue to work from home on a full or part-time basis over the next number of months and this will bring changes to the way we work,
"Remote working could lead to a better work life balance and reduce the number of people commuting which will also be better for the environment.
"In any changes to working practices, the issue of workers’ rights, health and safety, data protection and the need for training to support employees, need to be considered.
“I would encourage all cross-border workers and employers, to make their views known and take part in the public consultation on remote working, before the deadline of 7th August.
"You can do so from the website: dbei.gov.ie/en/Consultations/Public-Consultation-on-Guidance-for-Remote-Working, or by email: [email protected]."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Action, Communications Networks and Transport Darren O’Rourke today welcomed the decision by the Supreme Court to quash the National Mitigation Plan and said it was now an opportunity for the government to bring forward an ambitious and detailed plan, rooted in climate justice, that will help transition to a low carbon economy.
Teachta O’Rourke said: “When the National Mitigation Plan was published back in 2017, Sinn Féin said it was a rehash of previous commitments, short on detail or new ideas and would not guarantee that the state meets its international obligations on the reduction of emissions.
“The judgement of the Supreme Court today vindicates that position, quashing it due to the lack of detail in it.
“We called on the last government to radically revise the National Mitigation Plan and get serious about achieving its emissions targets.
“Unfortunately, they would not listen to us, to NGOs or to experts in the field, and proceeded ahead with a plan that was wholly inadequate.
“I want to commend Friends of the Irish Environment for bringing this important case that has exposed the blasé approach of successive governments to the greatest threat we all face, climate change.
“Years have now been wasted, so the Minister must act on this judgement urgently and bring forward a new, detailed and ambitious plan, rooted in climate justice, that will outline how the state will transition to a low carbon economy.”
