Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Latest statements


Toggle

Martin BrowneSinn Féin TD Martin Browne has welcomed the reopening of the Rock of Cashel this week, saying that the news will come as a huge relief for many businesses in Cashel and the surrounding area.

Teachta Browne said: “I have been calling for priority to be given to the reopening of the Rock of Cashel given that the nature of the site makes it very suitable to cater for social distancing measures, and I told this to the Minister with Responsibility for the OPW in a recent correspondence.

“But its value to the town of Cashel and the wider area cannot be overestimated.

“One of the main tourist sites in the country, its closure over recent months has added to the challenges that have faced businesses in the town of Cashel.

“This news will come as a huge relief to the many businesses whose survival depends to a large extent upon the Rock of Cashel’s allure for tourists.

“And while the beneficial voucher scheme is not included as part of the Minster’s guidelines, I welcome his decision to allow half-price entry to the site.

“I now hope that an extensive marketing campaign aimed at domestic tourists will be boosted to ensure that sites such as the Rock will benefit as much as possible from a limited tourist base.  That campaign also needs to advertise all that the town of Cashel has to offer as part of that tourist experience.

“And while I am also aware that the number of visitors to the heritage site will be reduced because of social distancing guidelines, I hope that its reopening will be seen a positive development locally at a time of great challenge for us all.”

Toggle

Darren O RourkeSinn Féin spokesperson on Transport Darren O’Rourke has called on the government to provide answers on who exactly is collecting data on people’s employment status at our airports.

The Meath East TD's comments come as the airport authorities this morning denied any knowledge of such information being collected.

Speaking this morning, Teachta O’Rourke said: “Over the weekend it was revealed that this government are now using people's travel history against them when it comes to social welfare payments.

“Apart from being a nasty vilification of social welfare recipients, this move raises serious questions around data collection.

“On Sunday, the Tánaiste said that ‘the Department of Social Protection gets information from the airports’ in relation to people’s employment status.

“This morning I put this assertion to both the Dublin Airport Authority and the Shannon Group, with both airport authorities denying they collect such information, and both saying they had no details on who collects such data in their facilities.

“This contradicts the statement from the Tánaiste and now raises further questions about what data is being collected, by whom and for what purpose.

“It is equally worrying that the airport authorities do not seem to be aware who operates on their premises and for what reason.

“The representative from the DAA said he actually learned about the social welfare checks in the airports through media reports.

“This morning’s interaction with the DAA and Shannon Group raises more questions than answers, so urgent clarity is now needed from the government on this issue.”

Toggle

Eoin Ó BroinSinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has called the new government's Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill a regressive step as it seeks to strip vital protections from the vast majority of tenants.

Speaking this morning, Teachta Ó Broin said: “Fianna Fáil, both in their General Election manifesto and in the Programme for Government, promised to improve security for renters.

“The first piece of legislation the Minister brings forward is an attack on renters.

“If this Bill passes, rent increases and existing and new Notices to Quit on all grounds are back on the table.

“And the protections for renters whose income has been hit by Covid-19 are weak, overly complex and very easy for rogue landlords to get around.

“The Covid-19 emergency legislation offered respite to all renters from increasing rents and evictions.

“These measures had a significant impact as the number of families presenting as homeless dropped by 56% in April, the lowest number of families in emergency accommodation in three years.

“This confirmed the argument that many were making; that banning vacant possession notices to quit is key to reducing homelessness.

“Unfortunately, this new legislation uses the cover of a restrictive interpretation of the Constitution and will leave renters exposed to greater insecurity and unaffordability.

“Sinn Féin will be tabling significant amendments to this legislation but without meaningful change we will be opposing this anti-renter bill.”

Toggle

Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has challenged Education Minister Peter Weir to outline before the Assembly what steps are being taken to ensure the safe reopening of schools in September. 

The Sinn Féin education spokesperson said: 

“Many parents, pupils and teachers are concerned about the reopening of schools on a full-time basis in September following their closure as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

“I have now tabled an urgent oral question to the Education Minister, Peter Weir, asking him to outline exactly what steps and measures have been taken to allow schools, teachers and pupils to return to school safely in September. 

“It is vital that people have this information so they know they can return to school safely.” 

Toggle

Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has called on the DUP leadership to end its silence on Gregory Campbell’s latest disgraceful attack on the Irish language.  

The South Down MP said: 

“Time and time again Gregory Campbell has been allowed to freely mock and attack the Irish language and identity without consequence. 

“It’s long past time when this type of behaviour and offensive language should go unchallenged.  

“There has been considerable hurt and anger among Irish speakers from all sides of the community at this fresh attack on their native language.  

“In January all five parties, including the DUP, backed the New Decade, New Approach document which includes a commitment to protect the rights of Irish speakers. 

“Arlene Foster and the DUP should now show leadership and make it clear that this type of grossly offensive anti-Irish commentary is unacceptable.” 

Toggle

Sinn Féin’s Chris Hazzard MP has said Monday’s publication of a date for the restoration of Emergency Care at the Downe Hospital is a positive outcome to the recent community campaign to protect local services. 

The South Down MP said:

"Only a number of weeks ago the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) insisted it was not possible to give a date for the restoration of Emergency services at the Downe, but following frank exchanges with local political representatives and a five party meeting with trade unions and the Down Community Health Committee last week, the SEHSCT have now announced that the Downe’s A&E will be reopened on Monday 19th October. 

“This is welcome news for our local community, who for too long have been without the necessary local services in our local hospital. 

"It is also a very powerful illustration of what can be achieved if our community stands together in the interests of our local hospital, and the wonderful staff at the Downe. 

“In the months ahead we will continue to work with all political parties, trade union representatives, the Down Health Committee, and the SEHSCT to ensure that this commitment is delivered upon.

"I want to thank the local community for rallying to this issue in recent weeks; but most importantly I would like to extend a huge message of solidarity from the local community to those members of staff at the Downe who have worked tirelessly in very difficult circumstances in recent times.” 

Toggle

Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew has extended condolences to the family and friends of Patrick McGinn who lost his life following a recent road collision. 
The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP said:

“This afternoon the community are saddened by the death of Patrick McGinn following a recent tragic road collision.  

“Patrick was a well known and respected young gentleman, he was a keen cyclist and came from a well respected family within the local area. 

“I would like to send our condolences to his mother Karen, father Martin and the wider family and friends. 

“I know the community of Killeshill and Augher will stand fully behind the family and friends of this young man.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.“  

Toggle

Sinn Féin MP for West Belfast Paul Maskey has condemned those responsible for leaving a suspected device outside the Connolly House constituency office on the Andersonstown Road.

“A suspect device has been left outside the Connolly House constituency office this evening.

 

“This office provides an invaluable service to our community on a daily basis and has done sterling work during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the most vulnerable in our community.

 

“We will not deterred by those attacking a community asset.

 

“Sinn Féin will continue to work to deliver for constituents and to build a just, equal and united Ireland.”

Toggle

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has extended condolences to the Creelman and Hegarty families following the deaths of Paul and Varena Creelman, and Phil Hegarty who died in a tragic road accident near Portglenone today.

The East Derry MLA said:

“The news of the accident has sent shockwaves around Kilrea.

"The community is shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic accident just miles outside the town. 

“It has left people reeling and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected at this time. 

“The Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed this collision, or who may have captured dash cam footage, to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 591 27/07/20.” 

Toggle

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has said that the implementation of the roadmap to reopen schools is going to be very difficult because of the tight time frame involved.

He has also said that there are glaring omissions in the government's roadmap; describing it as a wasted opportunity to take real action to reduce class sizes and he has said that there are major issues in a number of key areas.

He said that:

"Schools have to re-open in September. That is critical for parents, teachers and children alike.

"Unfortunately, the government has made a mess of this from the very start. Sinn Féin have been pushing for a roadmap for the reopening of schools for months, but that never materialised until now - just weeks before schools are due to reopen.

"Now that we have a plan, three or four weeks is a ridiculous timeframe to turn some of this around and I am shocked at the lack of action in some areas.

"One in five primary school children are in a class of over thirty. We have the biggest primary school class sizes in Europe and the government seems to think it is a good idea to keep them that way. 

"If there was ever a time to reduce class sizes, surely this is it. Sinn Féin will be using our private members time tomorrow to call on the government to immediately and drastically reduce class sizes, and I will be raising this directly with the Minister. 

"We are also very worried that the government have massively underestimated the number of substitute teachers required for panels at primary school level.

"Last year there were more than 500 teachers a day who were not being replaced by a substitute teacher, but the government are only providing 200 teachers for panels in this plan. This wouldn’t even meet the need for last year; never mind the challenges of Covid-19.

"Implementing this has been made extremely difficult by the government's self-imposed timeline. Schools will find it very difficult to find additional space and recruit the staff they need in that timeframe.

"There is also no increased allocation for special education - at a time of enormously increased need. These are the children who have lost out the most in recent months.

"I will be writing to the Minister tonight to outline my concerns, which I strongly believe she needs to take on board and to address right away. Schools have to re-open in September. We all need to work towards that goal."

Toggle

Louise OR' ReillySinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment Louise O’Reilly has written to the Data Protection Commissioner about the recent collection and processing of passenger data at airports and seaports.

Teachta O’Reilly said: “Earlier today, I wrote to the Data Protection Commissioner regarding the recent collection and processing of passenger data collected at our airports and seaports.

“Recent reports that checks are being performed at airports in order to identify passengers on pandemic unemployment income supports and to stop payments if they holiday abroad highlights a worrying - and possibly illegal - development in the collection and processing of people’s data.

“While people should not be travelling abroad unless their journey is essential, it is disturbing to see Fine Gael once again attacking people in receipt of state welfare supports.

"Unsurprisingly, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar is leading the charge.

“It appears that data is being collected under the guise of being for immigration and/or public health surveillance reasons. But it has become apparent that it is being collected in order to punish anyone in receipt of the PUP who travel abroad, whatever their reason for doing so may be.

“The government need to confirm if this is their decision, what department and minister is responsible, why data is being collated about passengers going outside this jurisdiction, the legality of what has been done, for how long this has been ongoing, who is collecting the data and for what purpose, and who us holding on to this information.

“There are many questions which need to be answered about this situation, not least why the government have an obsession with punishing those on social welfare.

“The government also need to clarify whether Passenger Locator Forms have been used for the purpose of singling out social welfare recipients who travel abroad.

"If this has been done, then this raises many more questions.

“I do not expect any answers from the government as to what has happened here. As a result, I have written to the Data Protection Commissioner, Ms Helen Dixon, asking that she give her view on the legality of what has been reported.”

Toggle

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has said the local community has been left shocked and saddened following the deaths of three people in a collision in Portglenone. 

The North Antrim MLA said: 

"People have been shocked, saddened and devastated by the deaths of three people in a road collision near Portglenone today. 

"This is a terrible blow to all those involved in this incident. 

"Any death on our roads is one too many and incidents like this are a reminder of the vital importance of road safety. 

"My thoughts and sympathies are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in this tragic incident."

Toggle

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said employers and workers need clear guidance after changes to travel guidance for Spain. 

The party's economy spokesperson said:

“Many holiday-makers are now facing the prospect of having to quarantine for 14 days following changes to the guidance on travel to Spain with very short notice, based on public health advice.

“Employers and workers need clear guidance so they can plan any travel and the return to work accordingly; some people will be able to work from home during the quarantine period however for others that will not be possible

“I would call on the Economy Minister to bring forward clear advice for employers and workers.” 

Toggle

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social Protection Claire Kerrane TD has criticised as shocking and disingenuous the decision to change social welfare guidelines today to retroactively reflect comments made by the Tánaiste yesterday.

Media reports suggest that the guidelines for pandemic unemployment income support were edited online today to now alter guidelines on whether recipients can holiday abroad, in light of the Tánaiste’s controversial comments over the weekend that recipients would not receive the payment if taking a holiday.

Teachta Kerrane said: “I am shocked by reports that the criteria for pandemic unemployment income appear to have been edited today, to retroactively corroborate the Tánaiste’s comments. 

“It is genuinely shocking that a Government department would behave in such a fundamentally disingenuous way. It is totally inappropriate for a Department to attempt to gaslight the public in order to reflect the Tánaiste’s version of events. 

“It is insulting to recipients of the welfare payments, many of whom have lost their jobs in extremely difficult circumstances and are trying their best to follow these guidelines in good faith. 

“Editing guidelines in an attempt to give credibility to comments made by the Tánaiste is inexcusable and undermines people's ability to trust the department. 

“The Department of Social Protection needs to urgently explain what has happened. 

“From the start, the Government’s handling of the travel ‘green list’ has been chaotic and confusing. People are trying their best to following guidelines but at every turn the Government has been ambiguous, obfuscating and now outright disingenuous.  

“People deserve clear, evidence-based information, not spin and dishonesty.”

Toggle

Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has called on the Minister of Health to pay the Health and Social Care (HSC) workforce for wages lost during strike action. 

The party’s health spokesperson and Committee Chair said:  

“The failure of the Minister for Health to pay Health and Social Care workers the pay the lost during the HSC strike shows a lack of determination to really value frontline workers.  

“£1.64m was allocated by the Executive to the Department of Health for the reimbursement of pay lost by HSC workers due to their strike and yet the Health Minister has failed to give the workers this money back.  

“HSC workers have been at the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 and we have heard nothing but praise for them and rightly so. I the Health Minister wants to value health workers he should repay them the wages they lost for having to take to the picket lines to demand fair pay.  

“Despite the current three-year pay deal agreed with the British Government, health workers pay has still not reached pre-austerity levels.  

“Clapping is no longer good enough. It's time for the British Government to sit down with trade unions and listen to the needs of health workers to ensure a sustainable health service moving forward.  

“A good start here in the north of Ireland would be for Robin Swann to give health workers their money back.”  

Toggle

Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has called on Education Minister Peter Weir to bring forward a complete plan for the reopening of schools. 

The Education Spokesperson said: 

"With many of the COVID-19 restrictions now being eased people are looking to the future and trying to plan for the months ahead in a responsible manner. 

"For many parents and young people that means preparing for a return to school but there are still a great many questions about exactly what will happen and what that will look like. 

"The Education Minister needs to bring forward a clear and comprehensive plan, put together with input from trade unions, schools, transport providers and others, to ensure parents and young people know exactly what to expect and what will happen when schools are reopened. 

"This needs to be done as a matter or urgency and I will be writing to Peter Weir to impress on him to the need for a plan to be in place as soon as possible." 

Toggle

Sinn Féin Councillor and Chair of the Joint Policing Committee Daithí Doolan has described this morning's fatal shooting in Cherry Orchard as an attack on the whole community.

Councillor Doolan said: "The shooting in Cherry Orchard this morning was wrong. I totally condemn It. It is an attack on the whole community.

"Cherry Orchard is a great community. It is full of hardworking families.

"This gun attack will not undo or distract us from the good work we are doing at local level. We will redouble our efforts to make Cherry Orchard a great place to live.

"This community will not be held to ransom by these criminals. We must ensure those involved are arrested and face the full rigours of the law.

"I encourage anyone with information to please contact the Gardaí."

Toggle

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed the investment of £11million to support town and city centres in their economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. 

The party’s economy spokesperson said: 

“Today’s announcement of funding of £11million by the Minister for Communities Minister and the Minister of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs to support town and city centres in their economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 is very welcome. 

"Our towns, cities and villages have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

"They have been unable to operate in a usual manner for the past number of months with the numbers of people visiting much reduced and this has been hugely damaging to our local economy. 

"The safety of workers and the public is paramount, and many of these businesses have went to great lengths to put in place safety measures and training to protect their staff and customers, as they now reopen.  

"Our high streets in cities, towns and villages have changed over recent years as consumer behaviour has changed and there is a need to respond to that and to plan for transformation.

“This funding will be key to supporting both urban and rural areas as we work to deliver the recovery from COVID-19."

Toggle

Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin has branded comments posted by DUP MP Gregory Campbell on social media attempting to mock the Irish language and identity as ‘crass and offensive’. 

The Mid Ulster MLA said: 

“Comments posted on social media by DUP MP Gregory Campbell attempting to mock the Irish language and identity are crass, offensive and despicable.

“Sadly, this is not the first time Gregory Campbell has insulted the Irish language community with his offensive anti-Irish mockery, these comments are reminiscent of 2014. 

“When the Assembly was restored in January, DUP leader Arlene Foster said identities should be respected. Perhaps Gregory Campbell needs to reflect on the words of his party leader. 

“It is long past the time that disrespect like this is allowed to go unchallenged and time the DUP genuinely embraced equality and respect.”

Toggle

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social Protection Claire Kerrane TD has criticised the policy of performing airport checks to stop pandemic unemployment payments to people travelling abroad.

Teachta Kerrane said: “I want to reiterate that people should not be travelling abroad unless their journey is essential. If possible, people should take a staycation at home this year instead of going overseas, so that we can all minimise the risk of Covid-19 resurging.

“However, I am deeply concerned that the Department of Social Protection is performing checks on people at airports in order to identify people on pandemic unemployment income supports and stop payments if they holiday abroad.

“It suggests misguided and warped priorities from this Government that they should focus on penalising those who are the worst off financially.

“It continues an unfair and inaccurate obsession which many Government ministers seem to have with ‘punishing’ those on social welfare. Meanwhile, people on higher incomes do not face the same threats.

“This policy adds to the ongoing confusion and chaos which have characterised the travel ‘green list’ from the start. People are being told not to go abroad, then told they can do so. They are told they will be punished financially for going, but only if they are in receipt of income supports. 

“People are understandably confused by the chaotic messages coming from Government about international travel. The Government needs to ensure its international travel policy is clear, evidence-based and fair for all.

“The Government has consistently failed to put in place a proper test and trace system at airports to control the virus; such as testing, temperature checks and proper enforcement of quarantine. We are now in a ludicrous position whereby some of the only checks taking place at airports are about social welfare. This is misguided and unfair.”

Connect with Sinn Féin