Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs Kathleen Funchion has said that in light of the report published today by child protection specialist Ian Elliot, which highlighted "deeply troubling and damning" failures at the heart of Scouting Ireland, that the ongoing criminal investigation into the organisation must now hold those responsible to account.
Deputy Funchion said:
"This report into Scouting Ireland by Ian Elliot highlights the deeply troubling and damning failures that have dogged the organisation for decades.
"The cover-up was deliberate and allowed abuse of children to continue. This is completely unacceptable.
"An apology is not good enough in this instance. The ongoing criminal investigation must now hold those responsible to account.
"Children have been failed in so many different ways in this State over the years. The only way we will get adequate answers and justice for the victims of these crimes is through thorough investigations by An Garda Síochána.
"It is difficult for the many branches of the organisation that do excellent work with children but it is clear that the organisation is rotten at its core and people must be held responsible for allowing this to happen.
"It is possible that the organisation may have to be disbanded completely following this as it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for parents to feel confident that their children are in a safe environment.
"But first and foremost, justice must be carried out on behalf of those who were abused. We must see that those responsible for these crimes and the subsequent cover-ups are held to account and brought to justice."
The party’s economy spokesperson said:
“I welcome confirmation from the Finance Minister Conor Murphy today that NICS officials are working with HMRC to seek to fix the identification issue surrounding access to self-employed income support scheme.
“It is disappointing that neither an Irish passport nor a local driving licence can be used at this point as the Good Friday Agreement commits to rigorous impartiality and enables citizens in the north to hold either a Irish or British passport or both.
“I have been contacted by many concerned self-employed workers across the north who have had to wait several weeks for applications for this scheme to open but they are still not able to use the HMRC online application.
"While HMRC has indicated that a helpline also exists for those who have difficulty in accessing the scheme online and applications can be made by telephone, myself and other elected reps have received feedback that this is not working for everyone who is trying to use this option.
“I also welcome the Minister's commitment to monitor the situation to ensure that citizens in the north are not disadvantaged when accessing this scheme. It is vital that HMRC resolve this issue immediately."
Commenting on today’s announcement by the British Home Office It is changing its immigration rules in line with what was agreed in the ‘New Decade - New Approach’ deal, Sinn Féin Seanadóir Niall Ó Donnghaile said:
“Firstly I want to again commend Emma and Jake DeSouza for their steadfast and courageous campaign. It is totally wrong and completely unacceptable that Emma has been put through so much trauma because she sought to assert her right to identify, and crucially, be accepted solely as an Irish citizen.
“Today’s announcement by the British Home Office is an outworking of the ‘New Decade New Approach’ deal and shows clearly that there are distinct political, historic and societal differences here - the very reason we have the Good Friday Agreement in the first place.
“Many of us are concerned however, with the time-limited nature of today’s announced changes - they only run until the end of the transition period - and more broadly with the British Government’s continued failure to address our citizenship and identity rights by codifying the GFA provisions within their own domestic law.
“Today’s changes are undoubtedly a win for Emma and Jake and the families like them who are impacted. It is worth noting that their appeal case was due to be heard next month and we should not lose sight of the continued need to have these issues addressed and rectified within law - today’s announcement has unfortunately not brought that necessity to an end.
“I have been proud to be with Emma and Jake throughout their campaign; as I have said many times before, their stand is a stand for us all.
“The definitive and ultimate resolution to the issues raised in Emma and Jake’s case is respect for, adherence to and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.”
Sinn Féin TD for Louth Ruairí Ó Murchú has welcomed an update from Minister Simon Harris on the issues surrounding Dealgan House Nursing Home in Dundalk, with 23 residents dying since early April, believed to have been connected to Covid-19.
Deputy Ó Murchú said;
"I welcome this update from the Department of Health, which answers some of the questions I asked when I raised this issue in Leinster House last week. However, there is still much that remains unclear and unanswered.
"We need clarity on the future plans for the RCSI Hospital Group in Dealgan Nursing Home and what conditions need to be met in order for them to safely withdraw and how the health of patients and staff will be monitored into the future.
"Families still need answers as to what happened here, when and why. They have been brave enough to share their grief and worries must to be listened to now and all their concerns have to be addressed immediately.
"I repeat my calls, and those calls of the families and staff I have spoken to, for a preliminary inquiry to arrest any residual issues before the RCSI Hospital Group leaves, ahead of a full inquiry, whenever the current restrictions allow.
"At the very least, a mechanism for speaking to families and staff, and recording their concerns and testimonies, needs to be found now."
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Note to editors: A copy of the response from Minister Harris can be found below.
The Minister for Health understands that the RCSI Hospital Group took over the operational management of Dealgan Nursing Home, Dundalk, Co Louth on the 17th April 2020 to assist during the period of COVID-19.
A range of additional staff supports have been provided to strengthen provision in the nursing home.
· Consultant Geriatrician Support (Support GP, review and assess residents)
· Director of Nursing Support (Provide leadership in absence of Nursing home DON)
· Infection Prevention and Control Support (advice, education and training for staff)
· Occupational Health Support (review and support staff on sick leave)
· Clinical Nurse Manager (Assist with daily leadership in the home)
· Nursing (Ensure safe staffing levels maintained) including 2 CHO community nurses
· Healthcare Assistants (ensure safe staffing maintained)
· Receptionist (Assist with communication with residents families)
· Contract Cleaners (Ensure hygiene standards maintained)
· Practice Development (Training in relation to PPE/Guidelines)
A wide range of measures were also taken in order to control the spread of Covid-19 including:
· All residents are now nursed in single rooms.
· PPE is readily available.
· Cleaning standards and practices are supported by external cleaning contractors and ongoing staff training is in place.
In addition, comprehensive testing of all staff and residents has taken place. Staff that have been diagnosed positive, have taken appropriate isolation precautions and they have been isolating at home, in line with national guidelines. Staff are now beginning to return to their place of work post isolation and the return of Dealgan staff will be reviewed and weekly meetings scheduled to plan safely the handover of operations to the home.
The Nursing home remains closed to admissions and this will be reviewed with the registered provider, Public Health and HIQA, who are fully aware of the current situation. Full staffing complement, necessary for reopening, is anticipated to be in place by month end.
The HSE have advised that the situation has stabilised in the nursing home and the staff support in place has enabled safe staffing levels for residents. There is currently no further spread of Covid-19, which will be monitored closely on a daily basis.
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has expressed serious concerns following news that the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has procured English private firm Totally Healthcare as a provider of Endoscopy services at the Downe Hospital from 1st June 2020.
Speaking the South Down MP said:
“I have made urgent contact with the SEHSCT following news that they have procured the services of an English based private healthcare company, 'Totally Healthcare', to provide Endoscopy services at Downe Hospital.
“I have requested that the SEHSCT review this decision immediately and instead focus their efforts into co-designing the restoration of this service in partnership with the existing workforce and their trade union representatives.
“Having spoken to staff at the Downe, I believe that a co-designed restoration of services is doable and I wholeheartedly believe staff will engage positively with this process.
“For the SEHSCT to privatise the Endoscopy service would raise serious financial questions as to the overall cost of providing these services to the public purse; the additional cost of bringing staff from Britain to deliver a service that to date has been delivered by SEHSCT staff is an example of this.
“I will continue to proactively work with Downe Hospital, the SEHSCT and local healthcare workers to ensure that we can restore services locally without having to relinquish scarce public resources to a private healthcare company in England.”
Sinn Fein health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly has called on HSE CEO Paul Reid to outline how the health service will hit the necessary 72-hour COVID-19 testing and tracing targets.
The need to reach those targets on a consistent basis is a key component of the state's plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions this Monday.
Speaking today, Teachta O’Reilly said:
“We know that the HSE has encountered difficulties in hitting the necessary COVID-19 targets for testing and tracing.
“Experts are clear that the entire testing process must be completed within 48 to 72 hours in order to cut the spread of the virus across the population.
“However, the current timelines are too slow and are not where they need to be.
"We know that some of the difficulties and delays have arisen due to a legacy of government under-funding and under-investment in electronic systems for the health service.
“I hope HSE CEO Paul Reid's comments today, where he stated that they are to introduce a new three-day test and tracing target, is an indication that the HSE has now managed to get ahead of the ongoing difficulties that have been causing delays.
“It is very important that the 72-hour target is met and sustained once the restrictions are lifted. Failure to do so could see new transmissions across our communities and undo much of the hard work done to contain the virus.
“I am therefore calling on the CEO to outline how the HSE will hit the 72-hour testing and tracing end-to-end targets.
"The public must have confidence that optimum standards can be reached and maintained in the weeks after Monday May 18th."
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has expressed frustration at the lack of action on Extensions to planning permission as the COVID-19 crisis has halted work on sites across the north.
The Newry and Armagh MLA stated:
"During this crisis I have continually raised the concerns of many people whose planning permission is due to lapse.
"Planning renewal costs have been reduced but the fact is people’s planning is at risk of expiring, through no fault of their own, and they should not have to pay.
"I have urged the Minister for Infrastructure to look at quickly progressing legislation to address this.
"Planning permission has been extended in Scotland and measures have also been taken in the south.
"The problem of lapsing planning permission during the crisis can be addressed as seen in other jurisdictions. However, we have seen no progress by the Department of Infrastructure on this issue in the north.
"I have repeatedly asked the Department to state how many planning permissions are at risk of falling, but I have received no response.
"There is a growing frustration that the issue of planning permission is just being ignored despite the impact it is having on people.
"The Department needs to consider bringing forward legislation on extending planning permission, including looking at the possibility of it being retroactively applied to deal with those that have already lapsed during COVID-19."
Sinn Féin Seanad Spokesperson on Workers' Rights Senator Paul Gavan has called on the Government to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure there is full compliance with the new Return to Work Safety Protocol.
The Protocol, which was drawn up as the result of intense discussions involving The Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Employers, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the Health Services Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health, is designed to ensure the safety of all employees who will be returning to work in the coming weeks.
Senator Gavan said;
“Trade Unions will have a central role to play to ensure compliance and will play their part in full. However, I am particularly concerned about workplaces where there is no trade union presence to police this protocol.
“I am also concerned about the capacity of the HSA to carry out inspections on the scale that will be necessary to ensure effective policing. We need to hear how many inspectors the HSA currently has at its disposal and how many additional inspectors will be added to ensure effective enforcement. Unannounced inspections will be a crucial part of the enforcement of this protocol.
“Furthermore, where the HSA has gaps in capacity it should work in partnership with trade unions to utilise the Health and Safety and Human Resource expertise within the trade union movement. Effective Health and safety is the interests of everybody in the battle to combat Covid 19 and trade unions have the expertise to play a key role across all workplaces.”
Senator Gavan also maintained that on site Health and Safety Reps should be selected by the workforce, as set out in the 2005 Health Safety and Welfare at Work Act, rather than being appointed by employers.
"I am calling on the Government to review inspection and compliance powers to beef up enforcement of the Protocol.
“It is good to know that the HSA has the power ultimately to close down sites in the interests of public health under this Protocol, but consideration should also be given to on the spot fines.
"We need nothing less than 100% compliance with this Protocol to ensure the confidence and safety of workers, management and customers across the various sectors about to re-open in the coming days and weeks.”
Sinn Féin education spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has said that the Government should stop floating kites and engaging in idle speculation on reopening schools. He added that health and educational considerations needed to come before misplaced pride.
The Cork South Central TD was responding to comments by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in which he stated that reopening schools would be “among the safest things” that can be done in the next few months. Those comments were echoed by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin who stated that schools “had to reopen in September.”
Ó Laoghaire has encouraged further analysis of reports that suggest children are not substantially contributing to the spread of Covid-19 before setting out any timetable for schools to reopen.
Speaking today, Teachta Ó Laoghaire said: “We all share the aim of reopening our schools, we know that it will bring huge benefits. There is no doubt that the ongoing closures are having a negative effect on children’s education, particularly to those at a young developmental age, while home-schooling is placing a strain on parents.
“But they need to be reopened with a plan in place and we cannot get ahead of ourselves here either. We have had grand announcements from government before, such as the declaration that the Leaving Cert would be held in July, that proved unachievable.
"If it is possible to reopen in September, then that should be the goal. But making that an immovable position is foolish in the context of a global pandemic.
"The Taoiseach's comments suggest that some of the rationale he sees are that it would reflect poorly on us if we were the last to open our schools. Misplaced pride of that kind is not what we need here.
"His comments yesterday were based on HIQA and reports from overseas, which suggest that children are not substantially contributing to the spread of Covid-19. Those reports, while encouraging, need to be explored further before we rush to set a date to reopen schools.
“The Chief Medical Officer, Tony Holohan, suggested as much yesterday when he stated that these reports are based on a small number of studies and a small number of children, which indicated that the scientific community around the world had not come to a unanimous conclusion on the issue. I would urge the Taoiseach and Department of Education to heed that warning.
“If we are to open schools, we have to be absolutely certain it is the right thing to do in terms of the health and safety, and crucially, the education of our children.
"The reality is that in many of our schools, there is nowhere near the capacity to admit all pupils at one time in a socially-distanced way. So if schools are coming back, one day a week or however, we need a plan for how education will be delivered in that context.
"I am also conscious of the images I see from countries where schools have reopened and the kind of social distancing in place. Teachers and parents have expressed a lot of concern about this to me. A return to school needs to be a relatively positive experience for children, not a negative, and it needs to be educationally sound.
“What we also don’t want is another situation where we have got the hopes of parents and children up by setting a return date that might not be realised.
“Let’s not forget that the first recorded case of Covid-19 in the state came from a secondary school student. So while recent reports are encouraging, further analysis is needed on the rates of transmission between children, teenagers and the wider community as whole.
“All stakeholders, including teachers unions and parent associations, must also be part of the conversation about what ‘the new normal’ in schools will look like when it is appropriate for them to reopen too.
“Teachers, parents and pupils all have varying concerns about the ability to social distance and maintain high levels of hygiene while maintaining educational standards. These are great challenges that require a collective discussion. A return to school needs to be based on a criteria, and a threshold, after which we know it is right in terms of health and education to do so.
“Those concerns must be thrashed out and allayed before rushing ahead setting dates to reopen.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs Kathleen Funchion TD has said that the cancellation of the government's childcare scheme for frontline health workers is 'inexcusable'.
She said that the government's refusal to indemnify childcare workers for Covid-19 related claims is a significant contributing factor in the cancellation of the scheme.
She said:
"Last week, Pearse Doherty and I raised significant issues relating to the failure of the government to provide an indemnity to workers providing childcare to frontline healthcare staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"This came after the main underwriter in the sector, Allianz, told childcare providers that they would not provide cover for Covid-19 related claims.
"The broker Arachas Insurance engaged with the government on this issue, calling on them to indemnify providers and workers offering childcare to frontline staff - but the government refused to do so.
"The failure to address this issue fatally undermined the scheme, and it has now been cancelled. This is inexcusable.
"The Department of Children and Youth Affairs had been planning this emergency childcare service for some time and has known about this issue. It is incredible that this could not be resolved and that the Minister has now cancelled this scheme.
"It beggars belief that over eight weeks into this pandemic, the government still has not found a solution to this issue - despite repeated announcements that they would - and both childcare workers and frontline health workers have been left in limbo once again."
“Common sense has prevailed” MacManus welcomes U-Turn on Airline Refunds
“It’s a massive relief to so many people throughout the country” said Chris MacManus MEP “My office had been contacted over the last few months by many people who were rightly concerned that they weren’t being offered refunds. The promise of a voucher isn’t much good to someone on a decreased income trying to meet mortgage repayments.”
The Sligo based Sinn Fein MEP was speaking following the European Commission’s announcement that Airlines must give passengers refunds for cancelled flights and cannot force them to accept vouchers instead. MacManus said: “the commission will now send letters all member states to ensure individual governments force airlines to respect the rights of their passengers.
ENDS
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has called on the Economy Minister to address gaps in the current business grants supports.
The party’s Economy spokesperson said:
“I have been contacted by numerous business owners who are frustrated that the current business grants enable them to claim for only one premises.
“Today the Economy Committee heard from representatives of the retail sector as well as Enterprise NI on the limitations of the business support to only one premises.
"The Economy Minister must look at how support can be extended to include businesses with more than one premises so they can meet their ongoing financial commitments and pressures.
"There are other gaps in the support that need to be addressed, including for childcare providers that are not currently able to access the £25,000 grant scheme. This is a vital sector that must be sustained to ensure that when businesses reopen workers with children can return to work.
"The Executive has provided support to businesses via grants and rates relief and this has been welcome; however more support will be needed to help businesses survive and recover once the health crisis has ended.”
Speaking in the Dáil today, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice and Equality Martin Kenny TD raised the issue of Personal Protective Equipment for Gardaí.
He also called for proper monitoring of people arriving from abroad who are asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
He said:
"We are all aware of the good work being done by Gardaí in the current crisis, but it is clear that they are not using PPE as would be advisable.
"Every night we can see on television police forces from other parts of the EU and the world performing their duties with masks, gloves and other protective equipment, while our own Gardaí have nothing.
"They are staffing checkpoints, not maintaining social distancing and moving from car to car. My question is - have they no PPE because there is none available, or if they were advised by their own health authorities why are they being advised that PPE should not be worn?”
Deputy Kenny also raised the question of people arriving at ports and airports, who are being asked to self-isolate but who are not being monitored to ensure they do what is necessary to protect public health.
He asked that the Gardaí be tasked to monitor properly the movement of people; some of whom are arriving in camper vans and travelling around the country.
Sinn Féin TD for Meath East Darren O’Rourke today challenged the Minister for Transport on whether the taxpayer will be left to foot the bill for underused toll roads during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Speaking in Leinster House this afternoon, the Meath East TD said;
“This afternoon I challenged the Minister for Transport in the Dáil on whether the Irish taxpayer will be left on the hook for under used toll roads during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Unfortunately, the Minister for Transport indicated that this will indeed be the case; which unsurprising I suppose - given the gold-plated nature of these Fianna Fáil era contracts.
“A consequence of poor planning and financial incompetence on the part of consecutive governments, these lucrative PPP contracts have been a loser for the State year-on-year.
“In normal circumstances, the taxpayer would be left to pay hundreds of millions in so called ‘traffic guarantee’ clauses, where the State has to pay subsidies for lower than expected traffic levels.
“The Public Accounts Committee was previously told that the Limerick Tunnel alone would cost the State up to €200 million under these traffic guarantees.
“However, today the Minister confirmed that the State will also have to foot the bill for the empty toll roads during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This is an absolute disgrace, and it will infuriate people. There are so many more important issues that need investment and prioritisation post Covid-19, and toll road operators certainly aren’t one of them in my opinion.
“It is unfortunate that these private companies had significantly fewer cars passing through their tolls during March and April, but this was unavoidable given the circumstances, and so the taxpayer should not be left picking up the tab.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has called on the Minister for Education to ensure that plans to replace the traditional Leaving Cert format during the Covid-19 pandemic do not unfairly penalise pupils from already disadvantaged backgrounds.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Teachta Ó Laoghaire said:
“I have raised my concerns about school profiling with the Minister for Education and this aspect of his plan needs to be dropped. It would be one thing if all else among schools was equal apart from results, but the fact is that schools magnify the disadvantage felt by communities.
“Students who deserve the chance at a life changing course will miss out and students who should not fail a subject, or the Leaving Cert, will fail. That is totally wrong. Tackling the disadvantage that has gotten worse in recent weeks involves opening up access, not closing it down.”
Teachta Ó Laoghaire also called for careful consideration to be given to what material is used when calculating a predicted grade.
He said:
“Predicted, or calculated grades, are far from reliable - even where they have long been built in to the system. Here we have no real experience of this.
“Teachers are working with students who had no expectation that their mock exams or Christmas tests would potentially carry such weight. There are plenty of students who know they can perform well late in the day, and there are many students who are repeating a subject or who are studying a subject outside of traditional school settings.
“It is vital that the Minister sets out how those students will get their grades, and it is vital that he sets out the guidance outlining what material will be used to devise a calculated grade.”
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has said the British government must live up to the commitments made on Brexit, particularly in relation to the Irish protocol.
The South Down MP said:
“It has been confirmed today that the British government has written to the Executive to say it will set out detailed plans on Brexit, including infrastructure on the ports of entry in the north.
“This is something which has already been agreed by the EU and the British government.
“The EU has reiterated its commitment to what has already been agreed and now we need to see the British government doing the same.
“The British government cannot be allowed to renege on their legal obligations and must now work with the EU and the Executive to ensure those commitments are fulfilled as a matter of urgency.”
Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy has written to the HMRC requesting that they immediately resolve the problems with identity verification for people from the North registering for the Self Employed Income Support scheme.
The Mid Ulster MP said:
“I have been contacted by many concerned self-employed workers across the North who have been not been able to use the HMRC online application for the self employed income support scheme because they do not hold a British Passport or British Driving Licence.
"The number of Irish passport holders in the North is over 700,000 and there are also various other nationalities that make up our self-employed workforce.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that these people are excluded at present from accessing the HMRC online application.
"I have written to the HMRC asking that the matter be resolved immediately and also contacted the Finance Minister to ask that he raise this matter with the British Treasury.
“This is a time of immense economic uncertainty and financial hardship; many self-employed people are feeling the financial strain of this pandemic.
“Self-employed workers have had to wait several weeks for applications for this scheme to open, this itself has caused immense concern and anxiety. There must not be additional stress placed upon these workers due to issues around identity verification.
“This must be resolved without a moment‘a delay.”
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has welcomed the submission of a planning application to develop a large site in West Belfast for housing and business units.
Speaking the West Belfast MP said:
“I welcome the announcement by Braidwater that they have submitted a planning application for the development of the Glen Mona site which is conjoined to the Monagh By-Pass in West Belfast.
“The planning application is for an urban village which would comprise of 550 social houses and 106 affordable homes.
“It would also include two care homes, a retail centre, hotel, office premises and a play park.
“There are many families in West Belfast that have spent years on the housing waiting list, an unacceptable reality and one that Sinn Féin have been working actively to address.
“Myself and Cllr Ronan McLaughlin have been consistently meeting with Braidwater over the course of the last year on this development to ensure that it meets the needs of West Belfast and we will continue to do so in the time ahead.
“This development will also result in the creation of hundreds of short term employment opportunities during construction and long term opportunities with the retail units, hotel, office premises and two care homes.
“Sinn Féin will be proactively engaging with local residents on their needs and concerns, and encouraging maximum participation in the consultation process to ensure that all concerns are addressed.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty TD and spokesperson on Business, Enterprise and Innovation Imelda Munster TD have written to the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation requesting additional liquidity supports for SMEs.
Measures they have proposed include an extension of the commercial rates waiver, a new zero interest Back to Business Loan Scheme and grants paid directly to SMEs in affected sectors such as Retail, Tourism and Hospitality.
Teachta Doherty said:
“Today, Sinn Féin have written to the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation requesting additional supports for SMEs that have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“According to the Central Bank, there are more than 220,000 SMEs - that together employ more than 750,000 people - that have been severely or moderately impacted by Covid-19.
“Economic recovery and return to employment for tens of thousands of workers can only happen if our SMEs recover. They can only do that with proper support from government.
“The supports put in place thus far have been totally inadequate.
“Between 23rd March and 11th May, not a single loan was approved to SMEs under the SME Credit Guarantee Scheme. Up to 7th May, less than €7 million in loans had been granted to small and micro enterprises under Microfinance Ireland’s Covid-19 loan scheme.
“SMEs need support and they are not getting enough of it.
“Today Sinn Féin are calling for a number of measures that would provide immediate relief and working capital to SMEs, including:
“These are policies that should be implemented as soon as possible to support our SMEs - who are the backbone of our economy.
“Without the recovery of our SMEs, there will be no economic recovery.”
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said implementation of the Stormont House legacy mechanisms is needed rather than further consultation.
The Mid-Ulster MLA said:
“Some families have been waiting for up to 50 years for due process and the right to an independent and effective investigation and/or inquest.
“In the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ document the British government to ‘publish and introduce legislation to implement the Stormont House Agreement’ within 100 days.
“Since then they have backtracked and stalled on this commitment.
"That is completely unacceptable.
“Sinn Féin have consistently called for the Stormont House legacy mechanisms agreed by the political parties and both governments and endorsed in the recent public consultation to be implemented in a human rights compliant manner.
“The British government should immediately implement the Stormont House legacy mechanisms rather than delaying further with an unnecessary consultation.”
