Latest statements

Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD has said that Minister Eoghan Murphy’s commitment to protect local authority funding must be honoured.

The call comes as local authorities are experiencing significant funding shortfalls from commercial rates and other revenue sources during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Deputy Ó Broin said: “Local authorities across the state are experiencing funding shortfalls in the millions due to loss of commercial rates as well as non rates revenue such as car parking charges, council rents and other income during the COVID-19 crisis.

“The €260m funding commitment from central government to cover the three-month commercial rates waiver for affected sectors of the economy is welcome. But more in needed.

“The three-month waiver will have to be extended. The additional €10,000 start-up grant for business may cover some of the additional rates revenue loss. 

“But significant non rates revenue is also being lost. Car-parking charges, council rents and other fees have all experienced a sudden drop.

"To date, there has been no additional central government funding allocated to cover this shortfall.

“City and county managers and elected councillors need certainty. They need to know that government will step in to cover shortfalls in revenue arising from COVID-19. There can be no loss of staff or frontline services.

“Minister Murphy did acknowledge last week in the Dáil that additional money will have to be secured for local authorities if businesses needed to continue to avail of the commercial rates waiver after the initial three months.

"He should now go one step further and give a clear commitment to cover whatever the shortfall is for the remainder of 2020.”

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has condemned loyalist threats against journalists and said the PSNI must do all in its power to put the crime gangs responsible out of business.

The North Belfast MP said:

“These threats against a number of reporters by the UDA are disgraceful and I condemn them totally.

“Journalists play a key role in society in holding people in public office to account and shining a light on criminal gangs which are a blight on the community.

“This comes on the back of threats against elected representatives and others.

“There is no place for threats in our society.

“Everyone should be free to go out their lawful business free from threats, fear or intimidation.

“Anyone with any information on the criminal gangs behind these threats should bring it forward to the PSNI who must do all in its power to put these gangs out of business once and for all.” 

Sinn Féin TD for Louth Ruairí Ó Murchú has described the loss of 176 jobs at the National Pen site in Dundalk as a "devastating blow for workers and families across Louth".

Deputy Ó Murchú said;

"This is a devastating blow for the workers at National Pen and the families these wages support.

"It will also have a deep impact on the wider economy not just across Dundalk, but Louth as a whole.

"While I welcome the commitment to the town by the company, it is vital that the workers who have been made redundant are looked after properly by the firm and are offered all support that the State can give them.

"I have been in touch with Sinn Féin business spokesperson Imelda Munster TD about this and I can assure these workers in Dundalk of our full support going forward."

Sinn Féin TD for Louth Ruairí Ó Murchú has welcomed an announcement by HIQA today that they are to conduct an inspection at the Co. Louth facility.

Deputy Ó Murchú wrote to HIQA about the matter, and received a response stating they are aware of the situation at Dealgan House and revealed they are to conduct an inspection at the home ‘in the near future’.

He said;

"This is a welcome development, and I look forward to seeing the report from the inspection that HIQA are going to carry out.

"This is a start, but, as I have said on behalf of the Dealgan families before, at the very least there needs to be a preliminary investigation into what happened and how the situation developed here. A fuller, more in depth investigation into what has happened here will also need to follow.

"In addition, families and staff who have been brave enough to share their grief and worries with me need to be listened to now and all their concerns have to be addressed immediately.

"The RCSI Hospital Group has been there since April 17th, but their support is winding down. Before that is allowed to happen everyone needs to be sure that the protocols, best practice and the very best systems are left in place at Dealgan House.

"We will be living with the impact of Covid-19 for a long time to come and every and all measures have to be in place at Dealgan to ensure nothing like this happens again".

Sinn Féin MLA and chair of the Assembly’s Agriculture committee Declan McAleer has welcomed the extension of COVID testing to employees in food production but has expressed concern that some people may have to make a 200-mile round trip for a test.

Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson Louise O'Reilly has said that questions still remain over the ownership and control of new National Maternity Hospital following today’s announcement that the Church will the transfer lands and capital of the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group to St Vincent’s Holdings (CLG).

Teachta O’Reilly said:

“The go-ahead given by the Vatican for the transfer of the lands earmarked for the new National Maternity Hospital to a new charity group leaves more questions than answers.

“While the move may leave the new National Maternity Hospital a step closer, it also raises questions about ownership and control of the hospital.

“The decision to transfer the land from the Church to St Vincent’s Holdings (CLG) is somewhat welcome, but it raises the question of why it is not being gifted directly to the State?

“Today’s announcement does not offer the necessary clarity on these issues. The fundamental question remains unanswered; who will the hospital belong to?

“The move also raises questions around the structures and the role shareholders will play in the day-to-day operations of the hospitals under St Vincent’s Holdings (CLG).

“This issue has been fraught with debate and difficulties around what is a very straightforward matter – that the State should own and run the maternity hospital, and that it should have independence in its clinical operations.

“Furthermore, questions around the legal terms of ownership of the entire campus still remain.

“Three years and five days ago the Dáil voted unanimously to support a Sinn Féin Private Members Business motion to ensure 'that the new National Maternity Hospital is built on the St. Vincent’s Hospital campus as quickly as possible, remains entirely within public ownership and has legally guaranteed independence from all non-medical influence in its clinical operations within the laws of the State'.

“These asks have still not been realised or clarified in spite of today’s announcement.

“There are legitimate questions that remain unanswered such as to who will own the hospital, and why the land was not handed over directly to the State.

"These questions need to be answered and the Minister for Health Simon Harris needs to clarify the situation.”

Sinn Féin Justice and Equality spokesperson Martin Kenny has called on the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan and the courts service to take action to relieve the chaos caused by the Covid-19 backlog in the courts.

Deputy Kenny said:

“The suspension of court hearings was a necessary measure to protect those appearing in court or those working in and around the court service, but now there must be a plan to restart and to relieve the backlog which is developing.

“There is an unmanageable amount of cases awaiting trial dates, there are family court situations which are unbearable but which cannot be resolved in court at present.

“I am hearing of disputes between couples over access to children and custody of children, causing distress to parents and children alike, but which cannot be dealt with as the family court is not sitting.

“The use of technology has removed the need for everyone to appear physically in court rooms and this must be developed and expanded to suit our current situation and to improve the workings of the justice system in the future."

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has welcomed the decision of the Minister for Education to cancel this year's Leaving Cert exams, saying that the uncertainty and anxiety that students have faced has been unbearable.

He has said, however, that the government's Plan B is not at this point adequate to ensure fairness and that the needs of students are catered for.

He said:

"I am glad that the Minister for Education has announced that this year's Leaving Cert exams will not proceed. The anxiety, and mental stress, that students have faced has been unbearable, and I welcome that much of the uncertainty and anxiety they have faced is now over.

"I have made it clear for some time that public health and safety is key, and that this must take precedence over sitting exams. I want to commend students who have raised their voices on this.

"However, I am concerned about numerous aspects of the government's Plan B and that predicted grades are going to be relied upon with no other metric considered. This leaves no chance for late performing students to improve their position this year.

"I am particularly concerned at the idea of school profiling. I am worried that children in schools that suffer from disadvantage will suffer from this measure, and they will not get the grades they deserve.

"The predicted grades are also not officially a Leaving Cert, and we need more clarity on what this will mean for students who don't go on to third-level. The Minister has acknowledged that there are 'legal vulnerabilities' about this approach.

"We believe there is a better way.

"In our view, a central part of the answer to the problem of allocating third-level places lies in the fact that universities and colleges will have reduced numbers of international students this year. 

"We believe it is possible, via investment in third-level, and crucially scaling up SUSI, to allow more students to access their first choice course. Assessments conducted online could also be used for oversubscribed courses.

"There is an opportunity here to give more opportunities to people from disadvantaged backgrounds experience of third-level. The Minister needs to be careful not to allow this situation to actually reduce those opportunities."

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin has called on Minister Eoghan Murphy to ensure that rough sleepers are not falling through the cracks due to bureaucratic wrangling between local authorities.

Deputy Ó Broin said: “The local authorities, homeless NGOs and the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) have been doing tremendous work throughout this pandemic in relation to providing extra beds for rough sleepers.

“I am concerned that some single men in Dublin are unfortunately falling through the cracks and are ending up on the streets as they can’t access homeless assessments.

“People shouldn’t be denied access to emergency accommodation during this health crisis and when there is an extra amount of beds available.

“The Minister for Housing in response stated that he would be reluctant to step into the bureaucratic wrangling between different local authorities as to where the responsibility lay.

“However, I do welcome the fact that he said that people should not be denied access to emergency accommodation and that he would look into it.

“It is a small number of mostly single men that are affected. Bureaucracy shouldn’t be a barrier to accessing beds.”

“Agri Sector must not be fall guy for FF/FG Emission Policies” - Chris MacManus MEP”

Farmers right to fear any ‘environmental’policies delivered by traditional parties”

Responding to growing concern in the agricultural community regarding government formation talks between the two traditional parties and the Greens, Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus, who sits on the EU Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, said:

“The two traditional parties are working hard to look like they are on the side of farmers as they attempt to form a government with the Greens. They know that many people throughout Ireland fear the overly austere environmental policies that will be brought in by such a government.

“Rural Ireland more than anywhere needs change. And, that includes environmental change. But tacking on box ticking environmental targets to the failed policies of the traditional parties is a recipe for disaster.

“We are in a situation where we need to quite quickly reduce our emissions. Any future government will have to reduce emissions and meet internationally agreed targets. The question is how.

“The 7 percent target is on produced emissions rather than consumed emissions. As we have a service-based economy with little heavy industry, our exports of beef and dairy loom large in our produced emissions.

“Ireland represents one of the most sustainable places to produce beef. If European markets shift to less environmental sources for their beef and dairy because Irish farmers were forced to reduce their output, that would be no great achievement for the environment and would economically damage rural Ireland.

“So why would any government pursue such a course of action? The answer is because reducing emission from agriculture requires far less public investment than a similar reduction in transport or energy production.

“Make no mistake, the real cost of going after agriculture would be huge, but it would not show up on the government's balance sheet.

“Rural Ireland has already been the victims of ‘greenwashing style’ policies in the past. Small to medium sized family farms are the backbone of rural communities. Any new environmental policy could easily wipe out these farmers overnight, whilst the more intensive factory farming models and large-scale industrial feed-lots would continue to expand which would be counter-productive in terms of reducing carbon emissions.

“When we needed natural woodland planted to store carbon, we got for-profit sikha spruce plantations that do not meet their environmental aim and are destroying communities in Leitrim and elsewhere.

“When we needed large offshore wind farms we got deregulated planning rules for onshore. No national plan, just wind turbines scattered regardless of suitability or the concerns of local residents.  

“Greening of existing public transport infrastructure hasn’t happened. Nor has the public transport network been extended to rural communities in any meaningful way.

“Out of the 27 EU member states, plus Britain, Ireland had made the second lowest progress towards hitting our 2020 renewable energy targets.

“Policies that in real terms have no environmental impact or are damaging to rural Ireland is sadly not enough to disqualify them in the eyes of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail - particularly if they are able to shift the blame to another political party.

“The parties of austerity can not be trusted to implement the kind of public investment needed to meet environmental targets in a fair and sustainable way. This is why farmers are right to fear environmental policies if they are delivered by the traditional parties of the right”.

ENDS

Sinn Fein Economy Spokesperson, Caoimhe Archibald MLA, has today said that any economic strategy to recover from the economic crisis caused by COVID-19 must be based on a just transition towards a net zero carbon economy.

 She also called on the Economy Minister to commit to developing a recovery plan that delivers on the 'New Decade New Approach' commitment to a Green New Deal.

The East Derry MLA was speaking after 18 businesses, environmental groups, and public figures sent an open letter to the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on him to prioritise a green recovery.

Caoimhe Archibald said:

"The COVID-19 pandemic has created profound economic challenges that will hurt lives and livelihoods across society.

"However, the climate and biodiversity crises continue to mount, and poses unprecedented and existential challenges for our society and our economy.

"While protection of public health is paramount, we must have one eye on the future and a vision for what a post-COVID recovery must look like.

"Time is quickly running out to rapidly decarbonise and move towards a sustainable and inclusive economy that guarantees the safety of workers, families and the natural world.

"A just transition would meet our climate obligations, while dramatically improving our quality of life. To reach our climate goals it must provide well-paid and high-skilled green jobs, world-class public transport, warmer homes for all, and using Ireland's abundant renewable resources to give cheaper and cleaner electricity to all.

"For these reasons, workers and families and businesses need a recovery based on the principles of a just transition.

"I am calling on Minister Dodds to commit to a Just Transition in any economic recovery planning, and to put concrete localised plans in place to decarbonise our economy and improve people's quality of lives."

Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Employment Affairs and Social Protection John Brady TD has called on Minister Regina Doherty must move to extend the fuel allowance supplement in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Deputy Brady said;

"This is an important supplement to the incomes of low income households, including many older persons, whose living costs may have increased as a result of the instruction to remain at home.

"While we have so far managed to flatten the curve, it is still imperative we keep people well in their homes.

"Minister Doherty had previously extended it by four weeks and that extension ends today. The fuel allowance is a way to give a small break to the lowest income households in the country.

"Sinn Féin are calling for a further extension to the fuel allowance supplement.

"It supplements their weekly budget at a time of great need. Recipients of this payment were in and at risk of poverty even before the pandemic and are in greater need now.

"Extending this scheme would be the common-sense decision for the Minister to make and it would go a long way in giving families and workers a break in such time of great need."

Mr O’Dowd said:

“Several weeks into the COVID-19 crisis students are still waiting for financial support from the Department of the Economy.

“I had hoped today we would hear of measures the Minister planned to introduce to support our hard-pressed students but no announcement was made.

“Students need financial support and with a downturn in certain business areas of the Department savings can and should be directed towards a student hardship fund.

“While there was no firm news today Minister Dodds has indicated that such funding is under serious consideration and I would call on her to act as a matter of urgency to support students.”

Sinn Fein TD for Dublin Mid-West Mark Ward has welcomed the news that tomorrow's Late Late Show will be dedicated to fundraising for Pieta House and mental health services.

Pieta House, whose original centre is located in the Dublin Mid-West area of Lucan, announced 28 redundancies for clinical support workers this week and Deputy Ward has called on any funds raised to be directed towards re-employing these workers as a matter of urgency.

He also urged the Government not be content with just plugging the gap left by these vacancies, but to actually provide a comprehensive mental health service that is required across the state.

Teachta Ward said:

“It is welcome that the Late Late Show will be dedicated to mental health and to Pieta House, whose original centre is in my own constituency in Lucan.

"I have known many people who they have assisted over the years. I, like others, am extremely grateful for the services they provide - free therapy to those engaging in self-harm, with suicidal ideation or who have been bereaved by suicide.

“I was saddened to see Pieta House announce 28 redundancies for clinical support workers this week as a result of a funding shortfall due to their flagship fundraiser Darkness into Light falling victim of COVID-19.

“Having taken part in Darkness into Light myself over the years, I have always found it an emotional experience and was looking forward to it being held this year for the first time in my native Clondalkin.

“I will donate to the fundraiser on the Late Late Show tomorrow and encourage others to do likewise.

"But, like many people who have contacted me, I would like to see any funds generated to be directed towards re-employing the 28 clinical support workers who were made redundant.

“Sessional therapists have also been let go and a number of these have contacted me devastated as they are passionate about improving the well-being of the clients they serve.

"Other now former staff members have also been in touch and have disclosed that they have been asked not to discuss staffing reductions with the media.

“But there is a broader issue here. Charities like Pieta House are required to fill the gaps in services that the Government does not provide for adequately.

"I am calling on the Government to provide a comprehensive mental health service so supports are there when people need them.

"The much-lauded 'A Vision for Change' strategy document, which set out a roadmap for mental health services in Ireland, needs to be taken off the shelf, dusted down, re-examined and be fully implemented once and for all.

“The big announcement last week by the Minister for Health of €1.1 million for mental health supports might have grabbed headlines. But it will not deliver for frontline mental health services who were already struggling pre COVID-19.

“Such services have never been funded properly as can be seen by the long waiting lists for both adults and children. This was pre COVID-19 - the strain on services will only increase during and after this crisis.

“As of December, there were 2,327 children waiting for an appointment with the HSE's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). Over 100 of those kids have been waiting over 18 months - some for more than two years. This is truly unacceptable.

“If the Government was doing its job properly and took the mental health of our people seriously, it wouldn’t be necessary for a charity like Pieta House to exist in the first place."

Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould has called on Debenhams liquidators to make workers their number one priority.

A delegation of Sinn Féin TDs met with liquidators KPMG this afternoon and relayed concerns raised by Debenhams workers, who have been fighting for their rights since the company entered the liquidation process on April 9. 

Teachta Gould said: "We met with liquidators today and raised concerns brought to us by Debenhams workers.

"KPMG are currently in the process of a 30-day consultation period with workers and unions, which ends next Friday.

"We have asked KPMG to thoroughly investigate the state of Debenhams' finances to exhaust every possible avenue to pay workers what they are due.

 "We also implored on them to explore all means, liaising with trade unions Siptu and Mandate, as to whether any redundancies and store closures can be avoided.

"Three of the 11 Irish Debenhams stores  - Mahon Point, Newbridge and Blanchardstown - are profitable and a further four are close to break-even.

"We asked KPMG to press the company to at the very least keep those stores open. 

"I find it shocking that Mahon Point store made a €2million profit in 2019 and could now close, while the Patrick St branch had a loss of just €300,000 - a salvageable figure.

"We also asked if attempts could be made to speak with landlords to see if it was possible to agree rent reductions. It is our information that some landlords would be willing to sit down and talk to the company about that issue.

"There are Debenhams workers with many years' service who have been treated appallingly and are now facing a very poor reward for their loyalty and dedication.

"The number one priority for the liquidators now must be that workers are paid as much of their contracted pay as possible - redundancy, sick pay, lieu pay - and that all other obligations are fulfilled.

"I believe and am concerned that Debenhams UK have structured the Irish arm of the company in such a way that its assets belong to the UK division.

"It is now up to the government to step in and stop companies taking advantage of this COVID-19 crisis. Sinn Féin have been in constant contact with the Minister for Enterprise, as well as Debenhams, and will continue to fight on behalf of workers to ensure they get what they deserve."

Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed the announcement from the Communities Minister that she will introduce legislation to help protect the supply of new and existing social and affordable homes.

The party’s housing spokesperson said:

“The legislation that Minister Hargey is set to introduce will help to protect the supply of new and existing social and affordable homes.

"The need for social housing is a concern right across the north.

“This legislation will also reverse the reclassification of registered Housing Associations from the private sector to the public sector which would have impacted negatively on the number of new social homes built each year.

“It will also help maximise investment into housing but what is vital that areas of greatest need are targeted in order to address years of underinvestment.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture Brian Stanley TD has called on the Minister for Agriculture to urgently reconvene the Beef Taskforce, which has not met since January.

He said:

"The Beef Taskforce must be immediately reconvened. It was established to deal with urgent matters within the beef sector but it has not met since January of this year.

"Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was clear that beef farmers were struggling amid an extremely challenging market. Unfortunately, the pandemic has seen these difficulties deepen. Prices are now languishing at around €3.40/kg as farmers try to sell their cattle while dealing with constraints caused by difficult supply-and-demand restrictions.

"The Minister for Agriculture must explain the failure to convene the Beef Taskforce since January and in particular why the taskforce hasn't even met once during the Covid-19 crisis. 

“We all know that traditional means of holding meetings have been disrupted due to socially distancing, however the technology is there to facilitate a meeting of the taskforce remotely via video link and ensure these important issues receive the attention they deserve.

"The taskforce must meet to discuss a number of issues, and three issues must be top of the agenda.

"Firstly, farmers need to receive a higher price for their beef. Pressure must be placed on factories to pay a fair price for what is a high quality product.

"Secondly, there needs to be consideration of a temporary ban on the importation of non-EU beef during the Covid-19 pandemic, along with discussion of what steps can be taken to seek the support of other EU Member States in pursuing the matter.

"Thirdly, we have unfortunately seen outbreaks of Covid-19 in several meat factories. Those who work within the Agri-food sector are essential workers providing a crucial role within our supply chains. Their health must be protected as a priority.

“The Minister must outline how these pressing issues will be addressed as a matter of urgency.” 

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs Kathleen Funchion has raised concerns about flaws in arrangements for childcare workers to look after health workers’ children.

Some childcare providers have been advised that their existing insurance policies will not cover the new scheme, nor will the government pick up any shortfall by providing a state indemnity. 

Teachta Funchion said: “It would appear that the proposal for childcare workers to work in the homes of frontline workers is already fraught with difficulties. It is emerging that failures to address the issue of insurance risks undermining the scheme. 

“Some providers have received a letter advising that they would not be covered under their current policy to provide child care in the homes of frontline workers.

"It beggars belief that eight weeks into this pandemic we still have not found the correct solution and both childcare workers and frontline health workers are left in limbo once again. 

“Childcare workers are doing absolutely vital and commendable work by stepping forward to look after health workers’ children in this way.

“It is inexcusable that they should now face this uncertainty over whether their insurance providers will cover this important work. Many of them are facing financial hardship already due to this pandemic and will be simply unable to pay such additional costs.

“I have written to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs calling for them to provide clarity on this matter and to confirm if they will provide the insurance if providers cover does not include this.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty TD has called on the government to provide indemnity to workers providing childcare to frontline healthcare staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This comes as Allianz, an insurance provider in the childcare sector, has said it will not provide cover for Covid-19 related claims for workers who take part in the State-sponsored scheme to provide childcare for frontline healthcare workers.

He said:

"Today in the Dáil I raised the issue of insurance providers refusing to indemnify Covid-19 related claims for workers providing childcare to frontline health staff.

"The main underwriter in the sector, Allianz, has told childcare providers that they will not provide cover for Covid-19 related claims.

"It has also come to light that broker Arachas Insurance had engaged with government on this issue, calling on them to indemnify providers and workers offering childcare to frontline staff.

"Given that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs had been planning this emergency childcare service for a number of weeks, it is disappointing that this issue has not been resolved at this late stage.

"Childcare workers provide an essential service and will be taking risks by providing childcare to these frontline staff. Every effort should be made to provide them with the necessary cover for the work they do.

"This issue needs to be addressed immediately by providing indemnity to these childcare workers for Covid-19 related claims.

"This issue highlights the fact that our childcare workers do not enjoy the pay, conditions and protections that they deserve. Childcare should be a public service, with workers provided with secure pay and conditions, and the issue of insurance taken away from the private sector."

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has said that she welcomes the government has changed its position on the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and that it will continue to be paid beyond mid-June.  

She said the Taoiseach now needs to tell workers and families that it will be paid at the current rate and to outline how long it will continue to be paid.

She said:

"The government has changed its position on the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and it will continue to be paid beyond mid-June. 

"Huge anxiety and stress was caused to many families yesterday when the Minister for Finance Minister announced that it would be phased out.

"It is vital that the Taoiseach tells workers and families that it will be paid at the current rate of €350 and he needs to set out how long it will be paid for.

"While we are working to rebuild the economy and to keep businesses going so people can get back to work as quickly as possible we need to ensure that workers and families have enough to live on.

"Any reduction or tapering off of these payments would be very wrong and would represent a serious blow to those who have lost their incomes as a result of the pandemic.

"When a person loses their job, the cost of living remains. Bills still need to be paid. Money has to be found every month for the mortgage or for rent. Food needs to be put on the table. Children need to be provided for. Those living in the real world know that €350 a week is the bare minimum needed keep the show on the road."