Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has said that the plan to be unveiled by the Minister for Education tomorrow for the reopening of schools must be comprehensive and definitive.
He said:
"Schools have been closed now for four and a half months. During that time, two Ministers for Education have repeatedly promised a comprehensive roadmap for their reopening, but no plan has materialised.
"The new school year is now just a month away from when one million students are to go back to school.
"We know that more teachers will be needed. We know that more money will be needed. We know that we will need to see increased investment in cleaning and hygiene measures. We know that children will need to get buses and we know that there are other children with additional needs that will need to be catered for.
"Parents, students, teachers, support staff and transport operators are, right now, completely in the dark as to what is happening to ensure all of these needs are met.
"The government have said they will produce a roadmap tomorrow. We await the outcome of what is to be announced.
"This plan needs to be comprehensive and definitive, and it needs to answer all of the questions that all stakeholders need answered. The timing of this plan has been cut very fine as it is. The uncertainty has gone on far too long already. It cannot go on any longer."
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has said Minister Edwin Poots has to answer to the public for his remarks last week that he doesn't believe in the climate emergency.
The call came after the party’s Environment Spokesperson submitted an urgent oral question seeking Minister Poots to come before the Assembly on Monday to explain why he rejects the overwhelming body of climate science.
Philip McGuigan MLA said:
“Minister Poots' remarks last week, rejecting the scientific consensus that we are living through a climate emergency, are of urgent and serious public concern. They can only undermine public confidence in the Minster and the Department in tackling the climate crisis.
“The Minister also claims his position is based on briefing from officials within the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
“I am submitting an urgent oral question so the Minister comes before the Assembly on Monday to explain these bizarre remarks.
“The Minister must explain why he has chosen to ignore the overwhelming scientific consensus that we are facing climate breakdown.
“He must also provide evidence for claims that civil servants in his Department with reponsibility for devising climate policy also subscribe to climate change denial.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence John Brady expressed his anger at the revelation that a Killybegs-registered trawler, the Marliona, was confronted by a British Navy vessel and ordered away from a fishing area off the Donegal coast.
The Wicklow TD accused the British Navy of arrogance of the highest order and of once again endangering Irish fishing vessels.
Speaking today, Teachta Brady said: “On one level, we have the outrageous scenario of a foreign power ordering an Irish vessel out of Irish waters. On the other, we have a situation where a British warship was engaged in a joint operation with a British submarine.
"The disregard for Irish sovereignty is arrogance of the highest order. But, alongside this we have the endangerment of Irish fishing vessels and their crews by a British submarine.
"I thought that we had left this carry-on behind with the Cold War.
"For decades, British submarines have infringed on Irish sovereign waters, leading to tragedy and loss of life when submarines have got caught up in fishing nets and pulled trawlers under.
"It is staggering and unacceptable that this flagrant disregard for the safety of Irish fishing crews is continuing. This cannot be allowed to stand.
"I will ensure that this incident will not be allowed to be swept under the carpet. We need answers as to why this has been allowed to happen.
"I understand that the Department of Foreign Affairs has launched an investigation into the incident, and I will be in contact with the Minister to ensure that the governments response reflects the seriousness of the matter.
"I also want to commend the response of the Irish Navy, which ordered Irish vessels to the area to ensure the safety of the fishing vessel in question.
"This incident underlines the need to end the running down of the country’s defence forces and naval service by government."
Declan Kearney MLA has said the decision to impose 14 days quarantine for travellers from Spain into England and the north of Ireland, demonstrates the need for anomalies and contradictions to be addressed between the administrations in Ireland and Britain regarding international travel for citizens.
The junior Minister in the northern power sharing Executive said;
“From the outset it never made sense for travellers coming into the north of Ireland from Spain to be exempted from 14 days quarantine, while others flying into the south were expected to self isolate.
“However, there are far too many contradictions in public health policy overseeing international travel, shared between the administrations north and south, and then between Britain and Ireland, within the existing common travel area.
“It is illogical for the information gathered from passengers arriving at southern airports and then potentially travelling into the 6 counties, not to be exchanged between agencies on a north/south basis.
“There is an obvious need to introduce universalised travel locator forms with unfettered sharing of that information among and between the administrations with responsibility for England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, north and south.
“If legislation is required to enable this, it should be drafted and approved.
“The next North South Ministerial Council plenary meeting provides an appropriate forum to review and strengthen the Memorandum of Understanding on tackling Coronavirus between the north’s power sharing Executive and the Irish government.
“The proposal from the Joint Heads of Government in the north to convene an urgent meeting of the British Irish Council is a very timely and important initiative.
“This should be embraced as an opportunity to address the existing anomalies with regard to the operation of the common travel area in terms of travellers arriving in Britain and Ireland.
“But travel within the common travel area should also be overseen by the universalised use of travel locator forms for all travel, east to west, and west to east at air and ferry ports.
“Such an approach would provide additional resilience for contact tracing and isolation systems and enhance their operation throughout all neighbouring jurisdictions.
“At this stage in our collective battle against Covid-19, misplaced constitutional considerations should not prevent increased practical and common sense cooperation.
“Covid-19 is likely to remain with us for some time. That reality means that in the interests of all our citizens’ public health, there should be no limits placed on how to maximise common sense cooperation on an all-Ireland basis, and between Britain and Ireland.
“The North South Ministerial Council and British Irish Council now need to urgently address the development of effective two islands’ strategies concerning travel and public health. Nothing should be allowed to hinder delivering on this priority.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin has expressed "serious concern over the loss of vital protection for renters."
His comments were made in advance of the Oireachtas consideration of the Residential Tenancy and Valuation Bill 2020 due before the Dáil on Tuesday.
Teachta Ó Broin said: "This week the Government will seek to pass the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020. The Bill replaces the ban on evictions, notices to quit and rent increases introduced last March.
"The new Renters Bill provides a limited protection from eviction and rent increases to renters who have lost income due to Covid-19 and who submit a written declaration to their landlord and the Residential Tenancies Board.
"However if the Bill passes in its current form, it will see the removal of all other protections from renters.
"Landlords will again be able to issue vacant possession notices to quit or implement such notices that were served before March 27th. These notices have been the single biggest cause of family homelessness in recent years.
"The March 27th ban on evictions has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of families presenting as homeless. Ending this ban will inevitably result in an increase in families presenting as homeless.
"The general ban on rent increases introduced in the March legislation will also come to an end. This will see many hard pressed renters, already paying excessive rents, facing further rent increases. This is simply unacceptable.
"I am also concerned with the process by which Covid-19 income-affected renters are to secure the limited protections in the Renters Bill.
"Many renters, particularly those with language, literacy or capacity issues, may not be able to engage with the written declaration process. As a result, they could lose their entitlement to the protections.
"Sinn Féin will be tabling significant amendments to Minister Darragh O’Brien's Renters Bill. Our support for the legislation will be dependent on the Minister listening to our concerns and accepting the need to strengthen the Bill."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Mairéad Farrell TD has said that the government is living in a dream world when it comes to pay and perks; following a report in the Sunday Independent today that the leader of the Green Party is to appoint eight special advisers.
She said:
"Just this week, one of the first acts of the new Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael/Green Party coalition was to award a third 'super' junior Minister a pay increase of €16,000 on top of their already lucrative €124,000 salary.
"The Taoiseach has appointed a record equalling number of Ministers of State and the Tánaiste is retaining a number of his perks - including an aide-de-camp. Now, the government looks set to appoint a record number of special advisers; all at a considerable cost to the taxpayer.
"This all comes at a time when we are forecast to have a budget deficit of €30 billion this year and as we face massive economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. That reality has clearly not set in.
"The report in the Sunday Independent today that the leader of the Green Party is to appoint eight special advisers is further evidence that the government is living in a dream world when it comes to pay and perks. This lavish waste of taxpayers money has to be reined in."
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has called on the Infrastructure Minister to ensure that taxi drivers who need to access testing facilities in order to operate legally can do so locally.
The Foyle MLA said:
“I have been contacted by taxi drivers who are frustrated that they are unable to access some of the vehicle testing services locally and have to travel to Belfast to obtain the necessary up-to-date paperwork.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic many taxi drivers were on the front line; leaving health service staff and carers to work. They also delivered meals, gas/electricity top ups and heating oil to the vulnerable.
“I have asked the Infrastructure Minister to put in place measures that would ensure taxi drivers and others can safely access testing facilities within the local area.
"I have also asked the Minister to explore using enforcement methods that are in more keeping with the spirit of the times for the taxi sector, such as issuing cautions for a short grace period in lieu of financial penalties, where it could be considered appropriate.
"It is essential that taxi vehicles are compliant with the law and the Department should be working with the sector during this time to find the best way to move forward together, and in the safest possible manner.”
Sinn Féin health spokesperson and Committee Chair Colm Gildernew has said the failure of the Minister for Health to pay the Health and Social Care (HSC) workforce the pay docked them during the HSC strike shows a lack of determination to really value frontline workers.
Colm Gildernew said: “The Executive has allocated £1.64m to the Department of Health for the reimbursement of pay lost by HSC workers due to their strike.
“The money is with the health department and yet Minister Swann has still failed to give workers their money back.
“This isn’t a bonus for workers for the huge sacrifice they have been making during the pandemic. This is repaying HSC workers the wages they lost for having to take to the picket lines to demand fair pay.
“If the minister wants to value health workers he should pay them back now.
"The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is another expert at praising the work of health service but just this week he omitted nurses and other frontline health workers from a Covid-19 related public sector pay rise.
“Despite the current three year health workers pay deal their pay has still not reached pre-austerity levels.
“It’s time for the clapping to stop and for the British Government to sit down with 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.”
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has appointed Brian Stanley TD as the new Chair of the Public Accounts Committee.
Teachta McDonald said:
"I am very pleased to announce that I am appointing Brian Stanley TD as the new Chair of the Public Accounts Committee. This is the first time a Sinn Féin TD has held this important role and is reflective of the change that people voted for in February's election.
"Brian brings an immense wealth of experience to this position and I have no doubt he will do an excellent job in his new role. He has held elected office at local and national level for over two decades, represented Laois and Offaly with distinction, and has risen to the challenge of every position he has held.
"The PAC plays a very important role in providing vital oversight of public expenditure. This is more important than ever before, as we face the unprecedented challenges in trying to rebuild the economy in a way which delivers a fair recovery for all at a time of crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The PAC needs to keep an active watch on the public purse, to hold the government to account and to ensure that we see a benefit to society for every single euro of taxpayers money spent.
"I want to wish Brian the very best in his new role."
Sinn Féin have published a Dáil motion calling on the government to immediately begin the process of drastically reducing school class sizes.
The motion, which will be debated in the Dáil during Sinn Féin’s private members time on Tuesday night, also calls on the government to ensure that the roadmap to reopen schools is adequately resourced and that there is a dedicated strategy to support students who have fallen behind in recent months.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has said that the government need to learn the lessons of the Covid-19 crisis and to reduce class sizes once and for all.
He said:
"While no one could have predicted the Covid-19 pandemic, it is an obvious fact that reopening schools has been particularly challenging because we have some of the highest class sizes in Europe.
"The failure of successive governments to tackle the issue has put us in a particularly vulnerable position, with many schools stretched close to breaking point prior to the pandemic. It has also resulted in schools being understaffed and deprived of basic resources.
"We are using our private members time in the Dáil next week to call time on overcrowded classrooms and to begin immediately and drastically reducing class sizes. We must abolish the days of class sizes of 30+ students.
"It has been over four months since schools closed and we still have not had sight of any roadmap for reopening.
"Investment will be crucial. It is scandalous that some schools still do not have reliable hot running water in their buildings and this motion will compel the government to ensure that schools have the resources they need in terms of staffing levels, hygiene and space to safely reopen.
"We await Monday’s announcement of a roadmap - but we have been here before and a roadmap has not arrived; leaving parents and school staff deeply worried
"We are also very aware that despite everyone’s best efforts many children have fallen back in recent months. That is why we have proposed a dedicated strategy to prioritise those who have lost out most; including additional support for Special Education, Special Education Teachers, SNAs, as well as investment in Home School Community Liaison, Guidance Counsellors and School Completion
"We are in this situation of uncertainty and worry for parents because of a failure to plan by this government and a failure to invest by successive governments. Tackling out of control class sizes must be a key priority in the time ahead."
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has urged the Minister of Health to build on the memorandum of understanding with his southern counterpart to help address the lack of consistency between north and south in the response to COVID-19, including travel restrictions.
The party’s Health Spokesperson said:
“The groundwork for working in an island wide basis has already been laid with the signing of the MOU in April. It is vital that this is used to its full potential.
“I am glad to see the Minister Swann has made contact with his southern counterpart regarding concerns on travel restrictions and the divergence of measures across these islands.
“Sinn Féin have been consistently urging both departments of health to realise the unique advantage of being on an island in protecting people against the pandemic.
“Unfortunately, the opportunity to tackle affectively tackle COVID-19 as an island has not been fully utilised due to political sensitivities rather than focusing on public health imperatives.
“I would urge the Minister to set out clearly how he will engage with Health Minister Donnelly in Dublin to address the need for a consistent joined up response, including with regards to travel restrictions, before we face into the autumn and winter with the increasing challenges that presents.”
Sinn Féin MLA Catherine Kelly has called on the Education Minister to review his Childcare Recovery Plan to reflect the important role child minders have played during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Party spokesperson on Children and Young People said:
"The Education Minister Peter Weir needs to urgently revise his proposed derisory payment for childminders, which equates to £8.52 a day, less than one hour of the minimum wage.
“Childminders, like others in the childcare sector, stepped up to ensure our health and other key workers could continue to go to work during the pandemic knowing their children were safely and securely looked after.
"It is important we now support the sector in playing what is a vital role in the recovery.
“Minister Weir has already presided over one failed childcare support scheme where, despite funding being made available by the Minister of Finance, it was not made accessible by the Education Minister to the childcare sector.This resulted in a very low uptake on the previous scheme contrary to the significant need for support in the sector.
"While I welcome the introduction of a new support scheme the funding allocated to childminders is simply not good enough.
“Childcare workers and, in particular, childminders, are predominantly women and the contribution they make to our economy is far too often undervalued. This needs to change."
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has stressed the need for the Government in the south to fully honour its financial commitment to the A5 and has called on the infrastructure minister to engage with the Dublin government on this issue at the North South Ministerial Council.
The Foyle MLA stated:
“The A5 is a key infrastructure project that would open up the entire north-west and facilitate economical growth while also greatly improving road safety for the region.
“The forthcoming North South Ministerial Council is an important opportunity for both governments to engage over key north south projects such as the A5.
“At the latest Infrastructure Committee, I called on the Infrastructure Minister to engage with the Dublin government on the need to honour its original financial commitment to co-fund the A5 rather than the vastly reduced figure €75 million it has subsequently committed.
“Sinn Féin will continue to press the Minister to ensure the delivery of the A5 is both prioritised and expedited.”
Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Transport, Darren O’Rourke TD, today called on the Minister for Transport to put proper supports in place for workers in the taxi industry.
His comments follow evidence given to the Special Covid Committee by representatives of the taxi sector.
Teachta O’Rourke said:
“The evidence given to the Oireachtas Covid Committee today clearly shows taxi drivers and the wider taxi industry have been forgotten by the Government during this crisis.
“Taxi representatives said they feel completely let down by the National Transport Authority and that the lack of state support is a serious issue for the sector.
“We heard that while the Chinese Embassy have donated PPE to taxi drivers, the NTA have not even provided clear guidelines on masks to drivers.
“The Committee heard about 23% of taxi drivers are aged over 66, while 15% of them are over 70 years of age.
“It was shocking to hear that older taxi drivers, the very people who should have been taking extra precautions during the pandemic, were forced back to work early as they were not entitled to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment based on their age.
“This is particularly concerning when you consider that wearing masks is still not mandatory in taxis, and the installation of Perspex screens is dependent on a driver having the money to install it.
“Taxi representatives themselves have brought forward numerous constructive proposals that they believe will help their industry get back on the road.
“The Minister for Transport needs to urgently engage with drivers and their representatives to address the myriad of challenges facing workers in the industry.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has described the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020 as cumbersome legislation in need of substantial amendment and expressed concerns it may contain significant loopholes which landlords could exploit.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“The Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020 published today is cumbersome, complicated and in need of substantial amendment. I am also concerned that it may contain significant loopholes that rogue landlords could use to evict tenants unfairly.
“On the surface it appears to provide protection to tenants affected by Covid-19 income loss with an extended ban on evictions until January 10th2021. However, this would require the tenant to submit a written declaration to the landlord and Residential Tenancies Board.
“It is not clear whether tenants who don’t have the ability or capacity to submit such a statement will get the additional protection.
“The Bill also provides for a ban on rent increases until January 2021, however it is not clear whether this applies to all tenancies or just those who have lost income due to Covid-19. It would be deeply unfair to allow rent increases on hard pressed renters without rent arrears.
“Confusingly, the Bill includes a separate rent related notice to quit provision allowing for 28 day evictions, presumably for tenants not covered by the Covid-19 provisions. Does this mean that a tenant in arrears due to Covid-19 income loss but who has not submitted a written declaration to their landlord or RTB or who is not in receipt of a Covid19 related payment could be evicted after 28 days?
“My reading of the Bill indicates that all other grounds for issuing Notices to Quit, such as use by landlord, use by a family member, sale of property or substantial refurbishment, can now be issued. Given the cumbersome nature of the mechanisms in place I am concerned that some rogue landlords may opt for these simpler means to get their tenant out.
“This is a significant piece of legislation. Oireachtas members urgently need a detailed meeting with Departmental officials on Monday to tease through the Bill’s impact on both landlords and tenants. Sinn Féin wants to ensure that tenants affected by Covid-19 are protected and that rent increases are not permitted for any tenant.
“We will work with the Minister to achieve these objectives but cooperation is a two way street and the Minister must listen to constructive suggestions from the opposition and be willing to amend the Bill where appropriate.”
Sinn Féin MLA Phillip McGuigan has contacted the management of Moy Park to discuss the outbreak of covid-19 in a Ballymena factory.
The North Antrim MLA said:
“I have been in contact with the management of Moy Park in Ballymena following news of several members of staff testing positive for COVID-19.
“I emphasised the need for Moy Park to implement measures that will protect staff, their families and minimise the spread of COVID-19 within the factory.
“Measures implemented by employers must include social distancing, increased hygiene, appropriate levels of PPE and efficiency in dealing with any suspected covid-19 cases within the workplace.
“All employers across society have a responsibility to ensure appropriate and stringent measures are in place to minimise the spread of COVID19.
“I also welcomed the speedy action of Moy Park in placing workers who were confirmed to have covid-19 into isolation with full pay.
“Globally it is clear that food production plants have been particularly impacted by clusters of covid-19 in recent weeks.
“We must evaluate this situation and use the experience of other countries in dealing with these clusters in food production plants to ensure the best outcome.
“Sinn Féin will continue to work with the Public Health Agency, Trade Unions and employers to ensure maximum protection for all workers and families.”
Sinn Féin MLA for West Belfast Fra McCann has called on the Belfast Trust to halt the reintroduction of hospital car parking charges.
Speaking after it emerged that the Belfast Trust have written to hospital workers in the city that parking charges will be reintroduced at the end of the month Mr McCann said:
"Health care workers having to pay hospital car parking charges is essentially a cut to their pay.
"The suspension of parking charges during the pandemic was an important recognition of the pressures put on health workers and their commitment to their work.
"While we are currently moving towards recovery from the COVID-19, healthcare staff will continue to face significant challenges in getting the service back up and running.
"Health care staff have been dealing with huge pressures in the system for years even prior COVID-19 and they should not have to face what are sometimes considerable daily parking charges just to provide vital frontline services to the public.
"Parking charges not only impact our frontline workers, but also place a considerable burden on the most vulnerable such as those with serious health conditions, illnesses and their carers for who frequently attend hospital for their treatments.
"In particular, these charges place an unfair burden on patients and health workers from rural areas who live considerable distances from hospitals and who have very limited, or no option, to use public transport to get their work.
"Hospital car parking charges effectively amount to another health inequality on some in our society.
"Earlier this month I submitted a proposal to the Assembly Bills Office to bring forward legislation to abolish hospital charges right across the north.
"This is an important step forward in supporting our health care workers and protecting our most vulnerable from the unfair financial burden of parking charges."
Sinn Féin Senator Fintan Warfield has expressed his solidarity with all those who have come forward to talk about their experience of abuse within the traditional music industry.
Speaking today, Seanadóir Warfield said: “I want to commend the musicians who spoke out on last night’s RTÉ Prime Time documentary about abuse within the traditional music scene.
"Their bravery has led to other victims coming forward and sharing their stories, many using the hashtag #MiseFosta.
"Traditional music depends on the next generation to carry on its cultural wealth. These are the tradition bearers. It is so important that young people, from all backgrounds, who are interested in traditional music can learn, practice and perform in an environment free from harassment and abuse.
"I hope that the bravery of all those who have spoken out is acted upon and that musicians who have stopped playing or who were reluctant to enter the scene, can return.
"I know that many organisations, such as the Irish Traditional Music Archive, have responded very positively to the contents of last night’s programme with offers of help and are urging anyone affected to come forward. I welcome this.
"The entire range of supports must be there for any victim yet to come forward. It must be made clear to them that things have changed and that they will be treated with confidentiality and care.
"All those who have come forward already, and those who have yet to tell their story can be assured of support from myself and Sinn Féin.
"Molaim sibh as bhur scéal a roinnt agus seasaim libh.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has said that the lack of clarity on the reopening of schools provided by the Taoiseach and the leader of the Green Party on RTÉ radio this morning is extremely concerning.
He said that we need to see real action from the Minister for Education on the reopening of schools in the coming days.
He said:
"Schools have been closed now for over four months, and in that time two Ministers for Education have repeatedly promised a comprehensive roadmap for the reopening of schools that has not materialised.
"We are now just a month away from when one million children are supposed to return to school.
"Both the Taoiseach and the leader of the Green Party refused to give clear answers this morning on RTÉ radio as to when their plan will be published. One of them suggested it could be up to two weeks before it is finalised.
"The lack of clarity is causing real concern, worry and anxiety.
"Parents, students, teachers, support staff and transport operators need certainty in the coming days.
"If that's not forthcoming, Sinn Féin will use our private members time in the Dáil next week to bring this issue to a head and to call on the government to set out its roadmap for the reopening of schools.
"This uncertainty has gone on far too long already. It cannot go on any longer."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport Darren O'Rourke TD has said that the hopes of a quarter of a million people who work in the tourism and hospitality sector were dashed today with the announcement by the government of their 'Stay and Spend' initiative.
The Meath East TD says the scheme will exclude over 700,000 workers and falls far short of the type of stimulus needed by the sector.
He said;
"Sinn Féin put forward the idea of a staycation voucher which would have helped to get people back to work and which would be available to everyone. It would have put money in people's pockets - €200 per adult and €100 per child - and into the tills of businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector. Instead, we have a very pale imitation of our proposal which is utterly flawed.
"The government's 'Stay and Spend' initiative will exclude those on low pay, carers, the vast majority of pensioners and people who lost work during this crisis - all people in desperate need of a break. For many other workers it is useless because they don't have the money to spend. You can’t spend money that you don’t have in the expectation that you might not get some of it back until 2021 or 2022.
"The government's proposal is regressive, it is unfair and it falls far short of the real support the tourism and hospitality sector needs. It is a pale imitation of the Sinn Féin proposal.
"There were high expectations in the tourism and hospitality sector that the July Stimulus would provide some much-needed reprieve. Those hopes have been dashed."
