Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has expressed disappointment that a number of Belfast grammar schools are set to go ahead with transfer testing despite calls to suspend selection.
The West Belfast MP said:
“It’s deeply disappointing that a number of grammar schools in Belfast and across the north are set to press ahead with transfer tests for 2021.
“Even in the face of a global pandemic, when our children’s education has been disrupted, schools are locked into an outdated policy which is harmful to children’s education.
“All of the international evidence from the UN, Human Rights Commission, Catholic Church and the Children’s Commissioner is stacked against this cruel practice.
“The focus of local schools should be preparing teachers and pupils for a return to school, not the stress of a high-level, unregulated exam.”
Sinn Féin MLA for Mid Ulster Emma Sheerin has expressed disgust after homophobic leaflets were distributed to homes in Magherafelt.
The party's equality spokesperson made her remarks following an announcement by PSNI that they were investigating the matter, and has described the literature as "intimidating and discriminatory".
"It is unacceptable to see materials like this targeting the LGBT community at any time but its particularly upsetting during Pride Month.
"Incidents like this, which constitute hate crimes, need to dealt with. Such prejudice and discrimination as this must be called out for what it is and must not go unchallenged.
"It is disgusting that anyone would take it upon themselves to spread hatred and intolerance and deliver it to people's homes, and for LGBTQI people reading these letters, the damage is untold.
"I would call on anyone with information to come forward to the PSNI."
Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy has said that the British Government must end their policy of cover up and release files which were sealed relating to children killed by the state.
Speaking the Mid Ulster MP said:
“In 1981, Paul Whitters and Julie Livingstone were killed by plastic bullets fired by the RUC and British Army.
“Both were young children at the time of their killing, with Julie aged 14 and Paul aged 15 .
“For almost 40 years, both victims families have been campaigning veraciously for truth and justice.
“At each turn during this long campaign for truth and justice, the British Government has consistently created new obstacles for the families.
“In 2019, the British Government marked files relating to both killings as ‘secret’ and have since refused to release them.
“This decision by the British Government is callous in the extreme.
“The British Secretary of State today told both families that there is nothing that his office could do and that they should submit a Freedom of Information request to the National Archives.
“This disregard for the families and attempt to downplay the role that the British Government can play to bring about truth and justice for the families must end.
“The rotten culture of cover-up that runs deep within the British Government and establishment must be rooted out.
“Today’s refusal by Brandon Lewis to meaningfully deal with this issue again highlights a blatant refusal by a series of British Secretaries of State to deal with legacy issues and to proactively encourage reconciliation on their terms.
“Genuine reconciliation requires a collective and inclusive process involving all parties involved in the conflict.
“The British government needs to end its stalling tactics on the implementation of the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House six years ago.”
Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane has called for yesterday’s High Court ruling on the 2019 Sectoral Employment Order for the electrical contracting sector and the Industrial Relations Act 2015 to be appealed.
The ruling means many lower paid workers will only have a legal entitlement to the Minimum Wage and other basic protections, rather than better sectoral minimum rates and conditions set by legally-binding Sectoral Employment Orders established after negotiations between employers and unions.
Speaking today, Teachta Cullinane said: “This is a very worrying development. This ruling must be appealed by the state. This threatens the entire Industrial Relations framework of the state, and the livelihood of thousands of workers.
“The Minister needs to act, and a new government needs to bring forward legislation to remedy the problem. We need to protect existing SEOs.
“We must avoid a scenario where SEOs lose authority if the 2015 Act is undone.
“Preparation of amendments needs to be made now for the worst-case scenario that the appeal is unsuccessful.
“A stronger Industrial Relations Act that addresses the shortfalls of the current framework needs to be an immediate priority for any incoming government to prevent this happening again.”
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has called on the Infrastructure Minister to act decisively to support those in the transport industry who have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis.
The Newry and Armagh MLA said:
"Many people working in the transport industry have been hard bit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary restrictions which were put in place to save lives.
"In particular, hauliers, taxi drivers and private hire coach companies have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are asking for the same type of assistance that has been given to other sectors.
"These concerns have been raised repeatedly at the Infrastructure Committee and we have pressed the Infrastructure Minister and the Economy Minister to bring forward schemes to help those in the transport industry.
"At today's meeting of the committee I reiterated the need to impress on the minister to support this sector and the vital work they do.
"Other ministers have acted decisively in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the transport industry needs to see similar action from the Infrastructure Minister."
Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane is calling on the next government to commit to resolving the outstanding obligation to CE Scheme supervisors and implement the 2008 Labour Court recommendation on their pension claim.
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Employment Affairs and Social Protection John Brady has said that the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic must be handled fairly, and that businesses and families in vulnerable positions cannot be expected to carry the burden.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Teachta Brady said;
“I want to take a moment to recognise the human cost of the Covid-19 virus across Europe and here at home, where over 1,700 of our citizens have passed away. I also want to bring attention to the fact that this is not the only serious challenge, the consequences of which this island is being forced to address.
“Under the current EU Recovery proposals, Ireland is due to receive just €3bn of the €750bn fund (0.0143%). This is due to the mechanism being deployed by the European Commission to calculate disbursements – this is simply unacceptable.
“This mechanism does not accurately reflect the impact of the virus on the Irish economy. This State has seen the 4th highest reported cases of Covid-19 per 1,000,000 population in the EU/EEA and UK.
“It is imperative upon the incumbent government to demand recognition not only of this fact, but also the fact of the enormous human suffering that has been wrought upon the people of this country as it has been forced to claw its way back from the chasm of economic despair over the last decade.
“As we face down the challenge of recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, we must be cognisant of the impact of the devastation wrought by this government’s austerity driven response to the last virus to be visited upon us, that of course being the virus of greed.
“Never again should the ordinary people of this island, workers and families be forced to shoulder the burden of austerity.
“The regressive measures that have punished the ordinary people of this country whilst rewarding banking fat cats, vulture funds and the insurance industry, who have fed off the misery of others, must be left in the past.
“We must look to the future; offering confidence and compassion. Our response must be one of investment, in people, infrastructure and business.
“IBEC warns that without drastic intervention thousands of businesses face bankruptcy within six months. We must move to protect business lease holders, who are being asked to singlehandedly take the hit for rents owed over the period of the lockdown.
“We must do everything that we can to protect SME’s and otherwise thriving businesses, which are faced with potential closure due to no fault of their own.
“The burden of recovery must be shouldered fairly.”
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn has congratulated Professor Siobhan O’Neill on being appointed as the interim Mental Health Champion.
The party’s spokesperson on mental health said:
“I am really pleased that someone of the calibre of Prof Siobhan O’Neill has been appointed as the interim Mental Health Champion.
“I have met Professor O’Neill many times as Sinn Féin’s spokesperson for Mental Health and as the chair of the All-Party Group on Suicide Prevention.
“Professor O’Neill has been a great driving force in progressing the suicide prevention strategy, Protect Life 2 and I look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.
“I know Professor O’Neill will continue to be a good friend and ally of the community and voluntary sector and all those working to improve mental health and wellbeing.
“I have already requested a meeting with the new mental health champion as there is much to discuss. I am keen to explore how the new role can compliment and support greater investment and development of much-needed services.
“The appointment of a champion is a positive step; however, it still requires the Minister of Health to be ultimate champion.”
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has said that it is deeply concerned that an external contractor had been using the wrong standards for FIT testing for masks to protect workers from COVID-19.
Pat Sheehan said:
“This is deeply concerning as it could potentially have placed thousands of frontline staff at risk, due to a false sense of security.
"I am aware that the HSC states it has undertaken a validation and audit exercise of all FIT tests but in response to a written question that I submitted to the Department of Health it stated that the “Health and Social Care Trusts have a number of internal audit processes in place to ensure the ongoing competency of Fit Testing processes.”
"This is an extremely serious issue, there will be thousands of frontline staff and their families deeply worried about the risks they may have been exposed to. In particular there will be staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 after completing a FIT test due to below standards FIT testing.
"It will be vital that there is full openness and transparency into the SAI process and audit. I will be raising this issue at the health committee as a matter of urgency.
"I have already asked the Minister of Health a range of written questions on this issue and will continue to seek assurances for workers."
Órlaithí Flynn MLA and Sinn Féin spokesperson for mental health has welcomed support her amendment has secured to include addiction services as part of the successful mental health and wellbeing after COVID-19 motion.
The West Belfast MLA said:
“I am glad my amendment to include addiction services to the mental health motion received cross-party support.
“It is a testament to the need for continued cross-party working to ensure mental health receives the necessary attention it deserves, including vital addiction and substance misuse services.
“The amendment called for the inclusion of dual diagnosis services, which prevents someone being forced to choose between addressing their mental health condition or their addiction. It is often the case that both are interlinked but services are not able to respond or worse not there to respond.
“I was glad to support the motion and the amendments calling on the Minister of Health and wider Executive to do all they can to improve mental health and well-being.
“It is important the momentum is maintained to deliver the ten-year mental health strategy.
“It will be essential in the short term that mental health services are funded to enable them to meet growing need.”
Sinn Féin National Chairperson and Junior Minister in the northern Executive, Declan Kearney MLA, has again called on the Irish Government to make clear its opposition to Israeli plans to annex Palestinian lands.
Writing for An Phoblacht, the South Antrim MLA said:
“Earlier this year both the Israeli and US administrations announced an intention to further annex the West Bank and East Jerusalem by seizing an additional 30% of that land mass after 1st July.
“This will hollow out the existing, and already internally divided State of Palestine, and will fatally damage any remaining prospect of a sustainable ‘Two State solution’, as provided for under the Oslo Agreement in 1993.
“Whilst the extent of compromises made under Oslo were considered highly contentious both at the time and since, the widely held view is that this new annexation (or ‘Deal of the century’) will finally bury that Agreement.
“These latest annexation plans will constitute another ‘Nakba’, for the Palestinians.
“The human and political consequences will be catastrophic resulting in huge displacement of people, and wholesale seizures of land and natural resources, including water.
“The annexation intended to begin on 1st July is the culmination of a decades long process to liquidate any concept of a viable Palestinian homeland.
“It is much more than just the latest wanton violation of international law.
“This combined Israeli and US plan represents a new humanitarian and political catastrophe for the people of Palestine.
“A new 'Nakba'!
“It carries within it the potential for an escalation of political conflict between Palestinians and Israelis.
“The Foreign Minister of Jordan has already warned of the potential for significant political instability within this region of the Middle East.
“Israel’s latest annexation of Palestine must be opposed.
“No right thinking democrat can stand by and acquiesce in silence.
“The Irish government, caretaker, or newly formed, must listen to the leaders of the Palestinian people, and what they are asking of Ireland. Their message is clear: The Irish government must end its foot dragging and refusal to implement the decision of Dáil Eíreann in 2014, and immediately recognise the State of Palestine. It should also end it's opposition to the Occupied Territories Bill and pass this legislation at the same time.
“That is the sort of international leadership and concrete initiative required at this time.
“Ireland’s new seat on the UN Security Council should be used to uphold international law, and to assist in coordinating promotion of the humanitarian and national rights of Palestinian citizens.
“The facile, diplomatic pretence of waiting for a right time, or a point 'to generate some positive momentum', needs to be set aside. That has become an excuse for Fine Gael ministers to do absolutely nothing.
“The time to act is now, and not a moment later.”
Note to Editors:
Sinn Féin will hold an online discussion with prominent Palestinian representatives at 8pm on Wednesday 24th June.
Declan Kearney MLA will facilitate the “Voices from Palestine” discussion and will be joined by:
• Dr Uri Davis, academic and civil rights activist and member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council since 2009
• Dr Mustafa Barghouti, former Minister of Information in the Palestinian unity government and currently Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative
• Dr Bassem Naim, former Minister for Health, currently head of the Hamas Council on International Relations
The event will be live streamed on An Phoblacht's Facebook, YouTube, Twitter.
Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South and the Portarlington area of Laois, Patricia Ryan, has praised Waterways Ireland for their recent work on Athy weir, but expressed disappointment that work required to make the repair permanent may take over a year to complete.
Deputy Ryan said: “I have been in contact with Waterways Ireland for a number of weeks, since the issue was raised with me by local resident Thomas Redmond. I was delighted to see the team working at weekends to complete the works as quickly as possible. I have now been informed by Waterways Ireland that planning permission will be required to complete more permanent repairs. In the past, exemptions were available, but a lot of legislative changes from 2012 meant that they no longer have powers to carry out works within Special Areas of Conservation without getting planning permission first. This has been particularly onerous on the Barrow, most of which is an SAC , where they are now extremely limited in what maintenance works can be carried out.”
Waterways Ireland have told Patricia, “that due to the planning requirement we were only able to put in temporary dam and rock armour to protect the weir. This has protected the structure and allowed the levels to be restored. It is a pretty robust job and should hold for a considerable time, certainly long enough for us to get a planning application in place. In relation to planning permission we will apply for it as soon as possible but there is a lot of fieldwork to be carried out in advance, particularly ecological work. This work is seasonal, and it may be the end of the year before an application is ready for submission. We are also constrained as to when we can carry out in-stream works which is the period from July until September. With this in mind I would be hopeful that we could install permanent works in July next year. The planned works will use our water-based plant and machinery so no closures will be needed to carry it out.”
Patricia concluded “I understand why the process has to be followed, it’s just disappointing that it has to take so long. I will make further enquiries as to whether anything can be done to speed things up."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty has welcomed IBEC's submission to government on the July stimulus for Small and Medium Enterprises.
Among IBEC's policy recommendations are three key submissions, which echo Sinn Féin's repeated proposals to support the sector: a restart grant including a flat payment of up to €15,000 per company, a credit guarantee loan scheme with an interest and repayment holiday for the first 12 months, and the extension of the commercial rates waiver.
Teachta Doherty said: "As far back as April 13, myself and our party spokesperson for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Imelda Munster, wrote to Ministers Paschal Donohoe and Heather Humphreys calling for a suite of measures that would allow our SME sector an increased scale of credit and easier access to it. These included:
"We reiterated these calls at the start of this month, and today's submission by IBEC has echoed these specific proposals to help the SME sector get back up and running and, most importantly, to save jobs across the state.
“We call on Ministers Donohoe and Humphreys to take on board the need for these proposals to be implemented as a matter of urgency.
"Our SMEs are the backbone of our economy. For decades, successive governments have thrown their weight behind big business at the expense of our SME sector.
"Unless that approach changes, jobs will be lost for good as a result of this current crisis. Without the recovery of our SMEs, there will be no economic recovery."
Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann has welcomed today’s announcement by Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín that £10m will be allocated to enable the reopening of the co-ownership scheme.
Speaking the West Belfast MLA said:
“I welcome the announcement today by the Communities Minister that £10m will be allocated to reopen the housing co-ownership scheme.
“To date, the co-ownership scheme has successfully assisted over 29,000 people in the North to get onto the property ladder and own their first home.
“This scheme has provided an invaluable opportunity to those who do not have access to sufficient housing finance to own to own their home.
"I am delighted that the scheme will now be reopened to assist those that are seeking to into the property market.
“North and South, Sinn Féin are committed to providing real and practical solutions to tackle housing stress."
MacManus endorses European petition for free vaccine against Covid-19
Following the launch of a Europe wide petition for the free availability to all of a Covid-19 vaccine, Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has encouraged the public and all political parties to get behind the campaign.
"In order to beat this pandemic, it is vitally important that a vaccine or treatment is made freely available to everyone", said MacManus. "This is a matter of justice, but it is also crucial for public health. Look at the experience with HIV/AIDS, without universal access to medication, you can't overcome a global epidemic".
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen promised that the vaccine would become a universal common good. But that promise was not repeated in the latest European Vaccine Strategy. With the European petition #Right2Cure, the initiators want to put pressure on the European Commission to put its money where its mouth is. In concrete terms, they ask that Europe guarantee that anti-pandemic vaccines and treatments become a matter of general and global interest, freely available to everyone.
The international signature campaign is necessary because there is a very real danger that the vaccine will become the property of private pharmaceuticals companies via patents.
"The corona vaccine is being developed today with billions of Euro of taxpayers' money. We must not allow private companies, that previously refused to invest in this vaccine, to now take control of the vaccine and decide on price and supply,The pharmaceutical industry bases its prices on what the patient or a country wants to pay. In this way, it maximizes profits for its shareholders. As a result, some vaccines cost a lot of money. And that costs lives. Every day," warned the Sligo MEP.
MacManus concluded “I am appealing to members of all political parties in Ireland and their supporters to get behind this initiative. This is too important to allow political differences interfere. We must all stand together. Action now will mean saving lives of citizens across the Island.”
The #Right2Cure petition, can be signed here www.right2cure.eu/ie
ENDS
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health Louise O’Reilly has described the evidence given by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and SIPTU around the government's treatment of workers throughout the Covid-19 crisis as “shocking”.
Dublin Fingal TD O'Reilly believes that the picture painted at this morning's Oireachtas Covid-19 Committee sitting once again underlined the disdain with which Fine Gael governments have treated frontline workers, many of whom were "abandoned by the state" during this crisis.
Teachta O’Reilly said: “The testimony of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and SIPTU at this morning’s Oireachtas Covid-19 Committee regarding the treatment of nurses by government has made for shocking evidence.
“The representatives from the INMO and SIPTU outlined how their outreaches and correspondence was ignored by several government departments.
“The INMO described how nurses were “applauded and abandoned” by government.
“Due to the failure of the government to make good on their commitments to provide childcare for frontline healthcare workers, some workers had to use annual leave days to care for their children.
“They were totally abandoned by the state in this regard.
“Not only did they feel this was incredibly unfair on their children and their families, but they also felt it left them in a situation where they were letting their colleagues down because they couldn’t join their teams on the frontline due to no childcare being available.
“One of the most shocking aspects of the evidence from the INMO was how in the early days of the crisis, when the government were still dilly-dallying on the advice around masks, one nurse was sent home from her shift and disciplinary action taken against her for wearing a mask to protect herself.
“The shocking evidence today yet again paints a bleak picture of how Fine Gael treat and value our nursing staff.”
Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has reiterated calls for the extension of free school meal payments to children over the summer months.
The Foyle MLA said:
“Over 100,000 children and families benefit from free school meal payments every year and they are a lifeline for many families.
“Sinn Féin has been unambiguous in our call for an extension to the payments to support our children over the summer months.
“Tackling holiday hunger is an issue which needs to be resolved, not only during this public health emergency, but going forward into the future.
“Sinn Féin’s priority is ensuring our children, workers and families are supported.
“The Minister for Education must end the delay and extend the payment to the 97,000 children who rely on them over the summer.”
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said lessons need to be learned to ensure there can be no repeat of a data breach which occurred in the Historical Institutional Abuse Interim Advocate's office.
Speaking following the publication of a report into the data breach, the Sinn Féin spokesperson on victims and survivors said:
"This data breach which happened on May 22 caused huge distress to victims and survivors of historical and institutional abuse.
"The Interim Advocate has apologised to victims and survivors for what happened and the distress it caused.
"Today's report establishes how the breach occurred and it is important now lessons are learned from this in order that it can never happen again.
"This report makes recommendations which should now be followed and implemented in an action plan in order to keep this data safe in the future.
"The needs of victims and survivors must be paramount in this as we move forward."
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis has welcomed a commitment from the Minister for Infrastructure to advance the Narrow Water Bridge project following a written question.
The South Down MLA said:
“The Narrow Water Bridge project was a commitment in the New Decade, New Approach deal and I am pleased to hear that the Minister remains committed to progressing this project.
"I welcome that the Minister confirmed that she would also work with her counterpart in the south on this vital piece of cross-border infrastructure.
“I have requested a meeting between Minister Mallon, local elected representatives and the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network group to discuss plans for this flagship project in terms of boosting the tourism potential, as well as preserving the history and natural environment of the area.
“Sinn Féin remains committed to seeing the Narrow Water Bridge project completed and will work with the Minister to ensure it moves forward.”
Sinn Féin Environment Spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA has today said the DAERA Minister's welcome words on climate change must be followed by urgent action.
The North Antrim MLA was speaking following a statement in the Assembly by the DAERA Minister in which he outlined plans for a new Green Growth Strategy.
Philip McGuigan MLA said:
"The Minister's statement on a Green Growth strategy is timely and welcome, especially as we face a deep and protracted recession as a result of COVID-19.
"However, far too often those in positions of responsibility make warm words about the climate and fail to follow it up with action.
"Indeed, many of the long-term changes outlined in the statement fall far outside the Minister's responsibility.
"For months, the Minister has resisted introducing a Climate Change Act that would legally bind his Department and all the Executive into sectoral emissions reduction targets. This would ensure that today's words become a hard reality.
"This act must be introduced now to ensure any economic plans in response to COVID-19 set a course for rapid emissions reduction.
"Any economic stimulus must transform our economy and set it on a path to net zero carbon by at least 2045.
"Sinn Féin have been calling for a Just Transition Commission to be established to bring together all groups in society to map out this path together. I am calling on the Minister to support this proposal."
