The Irish Coast Guard has taken part in only 18 approved missions during the Covid-19 crisis, despite many frontline services being under enormous pressure to assist communities.
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Defence Aengus Ó Snodaigh has called on the Ministers for Transport, Tourism & Sport and Defence and their Departments to utilise the full capacity of the Irish Coast Guard, Irish Civil Defence and other blue light and voluntary organisations during the Covid-19 crisis and over this bank holiday weekend to help relieve pressure on frontline services and workers.
Teachta Ó Snodaigh said;
“It is quite clear to me from questions I have put to both Ministers on the activities of the Irish Coast Guard and the Irish Civil Defence that we could be using both of them along with other State and voluntary agencies in a much more useful, busier and effective manner during this public health crisis.
“Members of both organisations have contact me privately and outlined that their teams are ready and available to assist frontline services and communities across the State but simply are not receiving missions to do so.
"This situation bizarre to say the least. Their expertise, training and capabilities must be put to the best use possible.
“I am calling on both Ministers and their Department officials to convene a meeting of all organisations to formulate a plan that will allow these highly skilled individuals put their efforts to maximum use.”
Sinn Féin TD Chris Andrews has said that the College Football Classic still scheduled to take place in the Aviva stadium in August must be postponed in the interest of public health, similar to the rest of the sporting calendar which has been rescheduled due to the COVID-19 emergency.
The Dublin Bay South TD said that it is clear that there is no way that it will be safe for this to proceed and that a decision to cancel it must be taken immediately to avoid more confusion, mixed messages and false hope for people from the United States looking forward to travelling to these shores for the event.
Deputy Andrews said:
"Understandably many people across the world of sport are disappointed that fixtures and events have been cancelled and postponed due to the current COVID-19 crisis.
"However, while the College Football Classic scheduled for August does not fall into the traditional category of licensing for sporting events, the risk of allowing crowds of upwards of 30,000 people to mass together poses too great a risk given the current risk posed.
"The local community has shown great spirit to bring such an event into Dublin Bay South and to offer such support for it, but public health and wellbeing must be our top priority at this time.
"It is clear that there is no way that it will be safe for this event to proceed in August, so a decision to cancel it must be taken immediately or you risk confusion, giving people mixed messages and raising false hope once again.
"We saw the impact that the large crowd attending the Cheltenham racing festival had on public health last month. We cannot afford to take such risks at such a critical stage of this pandemic when every effort is being made to flatten the curve.
"We also cannot afford to wait until the last minute for a decision to be made on an event of this scale, which usually attracts thousands of visitors coming to our shores from the United States. We are a long way away from such overseas travel being safe.
"Event management must move to postpone the College Football Classic in the Aviva for the interest of public health and safety as soon as possible."
Sinn Féin Seanadóir Niall Ó Donnghaile has called on the Irish Government to support the need for an EU Office to be located in Belfast regardless of Brexit.
Speaking this evening Senator Ó Donnghaile said;
Reports tonight that during a meeting of the specialised subcommittee of British and EU officials, Irish government representatives have expressed their support for an EU presence to remain in Belfast are welcome.
“The protocol for negotiations state clearly that the EU has a right to be physically present to oversee the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement.
“EU Citizens in the North must not be left behind - the Irish government must act as voice for our rights and entitlements.
“The ‘Irish Protocol’ must be adhered to and part of that must be the retention of an EU presence in the North.”
Speaking in response to the annual report of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman’s Commission, Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Martin Kenny TD said that legislation to strengthen the office was just one of many urgent matters which are awaiting a new government and a fully functioning Oireachtas.
Deputy Kenny said:
“I welcome the fact that extra staff has been provided to GSOC in preparation for its strengthened role in the investigation of Gardaí who are accused of wrongdoing.
“Gardaí conducting criminal investigations into their colleagues should be a thing of the past and I share the concern expressed in the 2019 GSOC annual report which states that An Garda Síochána continues to conduct investigations without even informing the Commission, let alone involving it.
“The Commission on the Future of Policing had recommended new legislation, replacing the Garda Síochána Act of 2005, which would make provision for the proper, independent oversight of complaints against Gardaí, no matter what the origin of that complaint. It would also allow GSOC to investigate such complaints without involving the Garda Siochána at all.
“There is also a need to confirm and clarify the positive role being played by the Policing Authority in recent years and to reaffirm that in the new legislation once the current pandemic is ended and the Oireachtas can again legislate.”
Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin has welcomed the fall in the official homeless figures for March but said ‘question remain’.
The Dublin Mid-West TD believes it is too early to tell whether last month's drop is a COVID-19 related anomaly or part of a more general trend.
Deputy Ó Broin said: "The fall in the number of adults and children officially recognised as homeless by the Department of Housing in March is to be welcomed.
"However, important questions remain to be answered. Since the COVID-19 restrictions have come into place, there have been significant restrictions on local authorities accepting new homeless presentations.
"In some instances, individuals have been refused access to emergency accommodation and forced to sleep rough because of these restrictions.
"There are also individuals and families who temporarily exited emergency accommodation at the request of local authorities to free up space for isolation units.
"These people will return to emergency accommodation once those restrictions are lifted.
"While any reduction of the number of people in emergency is to be welcomed, it is too early to tell whether this last month's drop was a COVID-19 related anomaly or part of a more general trend.
"In reality, we won't know until we have the first post COVID-19 restriction figures, which may be some months away."
Sinn Féin MLA Catherine Kelly has welcomed the additional allocation of £1.45 million funding to Sure Start.
The party spokesperson on Children & Young People said:
“Addressing the gap between the most and least advantaged children in relation to educational attainment is fundamental to building a fairer, more equal society.
"Early intervention to ensure every child starts school with the tools to succeed has been shown to be one of the most effective interventions.
“The impact of Covid-19, not the virus itself but the impact of the measures necessary to address this health crisis, are disproportionately having an adverse impact on children from less advantaged backgrounds.
“Additional financial support for progressive interventions like Sure Start is good news at a time when many children and their families are facing difficult challenges.”
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly has called for additional HSE staff to be seconded to nursing homes and residential care facilities to help them deal with COVID-19 and other health issues.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Teachta O’Reilly said:
“Nursing homes and residential care facilities are in struggling significantly to deal with COVID-19.
“These nursing homes have also lost huge numbers of staff and this is impacting on their capacity to deliver care safely.
“Promises were made, particularly to the private nursing home sector, that HSE staff, inclusive of healthcare assistants, nurses, doctors and consultant geriatricians, would be seconded in to help treat patients with COVID-19 and ensure that they could continue to deliver care safely.
“But from speaking with many nursing homes and residential care facilities, very few HSE staff have been released.
“It is essential that the Minister Simon Harris and the HSE work towards delivering an estimated 2,000 additional HSE staff of all grades, groups, and categories for nursing homes and residential care facilities as soon as possible.
"They need help to plug staffing gaps and help continue to deliver safe care, and work towards breaking the chain of virus transmission.”
Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid West Mark Ward has called on the government to adequately fund youth mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking this afternoon, Ward outlined the need for these vital services to be protected during the current crisis, as well as on a longer term basis once the pandemic ends as young people cope with the long-lasting effects of these unprecedented times.
Teachta Ward said:
“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 month and some for more than two years.
“There are many examples of why our young people will need mental health services more than ever during and post-COVID.
“Our young people are still unclear about their leaving cert. Young people are missing school, their friends and sports. Some young people are witnessing an increased level of domestic violence at home and have no safe place to escape to.
“How will the Minister reduce the waiting lists times for CAMHS? What additional resources are you directing to frontline youth mental health right now? What additional resources will you direct to these front-line services post Covid-19?”
Teachta Ward highlighted the experience of JIGSAW service in his constituency, which has seen demand spike amid the pandemic.
He said: “In my own area of Dublin Mid-West, pre-COVID our local youth mental health service JIGSAW was moved from a five-day comprehensive service based in North Clondalkin to a probable one or two-day-a-week satellite service.
“JIGSAW have seen a 420 per cent increase in young people accessing support online. Will the Minister intervene to retain the JIGSAW service in North Clondalkin?”
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has said the time for foot dragging and vague promises from the British government on Brexit must end.
Speaking today after the first working meeting took place of negotiating teams representing the EU, British Government and representatives from the Executive and Irish Government through the Specialised Committee on the Irish protocol, the Brexit spokesperson said:
“Today was the first working meeting involving the key players concerned with advancing the agreed commitments by the British Government towards the island of Ireland since they exited the EU.
“The British Government when negotiating their departure from the EU agreed to legal measures which will protect the Good Friday Agreement in all of its parts, safeguarding citizens rights, ensure no hard border and the free movement of goods and trade across the island and therefore into the EU single market benefiting our island economy.
“Sinn Féin advocated a policy of designated special status for the North which recognises our unique circumstances which was achieved.
“The British Government have been slow to act in fulfilling its legal obligations to implement the protocol in relation to the North, and are attempting to stop the EU from establishing a presence in Belfast to monitor the delivery of these commitments, which has the support of Sinn Féin, Alliance, SDLP and the Greens.
“Time is running out to implement the Withdrawal Agreement and protocol while negotiating the future relationship.
“The EU has said it will take stock by June on what real progress the British Government has made for the implementation of the Irish Protocol. It is time for foot dragging and vague promises to end, and for commitments to be honoured. This is a key priority for all parties in the weeks ahead.”
Sinn Féin justice spokesperson Martin Kenny TD has called on the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan to provide adequate PPE for An Garda Síochána on patrol.
The comments come after news emerged this week that there had been 31 incidents of spitting or coughing at Gardaí since the outbreak of Covid-19.
Deputy Kenny said;
"It is clear that officers must be adequately protected and assured that they are not being put at a heightened risk from the people engaging in such behaviour, while also being assured that they themselves are not presenting a risk to the people with whom they are coming into contact.
"There are Garda checkpoints across the State this weekend to encourage the public not to travel outside their 2km limit from home unless for necessary journeys. It seems that the Gardaí staffing these checkpoints have not been provided with any protective equipment even though they are in close contact with the public.
"Gardaí could be asymptomatic and unknowingly spread Covid-19. I have asked Minister Flanagan if facilities are being provided in the Garda stations to remain socially distant and the proper PPE supplied to prevent spread of Covid-19 in, for example, in court houses where they attend and mix with colleagues from different Garda stations.
"It is of the utmost importance that An Garda Síochána are protected in their work on the frontline and that they and the public are assured Gardaí are not presenting a risk by being close to people without any protection.
"I am calling on Minister Flanagan to make a statement on this matter and do all in his power to remedy this dangerous situation which is apparent to anyone stopped at a checkpoint or attending at court, or even just watching the news."
Welcoming the meeting Assembly Health Spokesperson Colm Gildernew MLA said:
“I welcome today’s meeting of senior ministers from across the island and the close contact and ongoing work that is taking place in response to COVID-19.
“Saving lives remains the primary focus of both the Executive and Irish Government, and restrictions remain in place to protect the entire island population.
“Working together to align the restart of community life and reboot the economy on a phased and gradual basis across Ireland is required between both administrations going forward.
“Any action taken to relax restrictions must be based on medical and scientific expert advice.
Dáil Health Spokesperson Louise O’Reilly TD added:
“Next week formal reviews of regulations which provide the legal basis for restriction measures will occur by the Government and northern Executive.
“The public are standing firm in complying with the measures in place, but there is no expectation that any major shift to lift restrictions will take place just yet.
“It is essential that officials from both the Irish Government and Executive continue to work closely alongside both chief medical officers to manage our response to combating the impact of the pandemic across the whole of Ireland.
“This weekend is May day holiday weekend and the message to the public is do not take risks which could increase the spread of coronavirus. Stay home and stay well because it is working.
“Justice Ministers will also meet today to focus on close policing co-operation North and South which is critical to keeping the public safe this weekend.”
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly has called on the government to ensure that all hospitals, health facilities and Community Healthcare Organisations honour the pay deal that was agreed with nurses and midwives after last year’s strike.
Dublin Fingal TD O'Reilly pointed out that there are healthcare workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 fight still being short-changed by their employers and that it is not good enough for the government to stand in the Dáil and clap those same people while ignoring that reality.
Speaking this afternoon, Teachta O’Reilly said:
“Last year nurses and midwives were forced on to the streets to strike for better working conditions and fair pay.
“After three days of striking, the government eventually agreed to a deal that ensured better pay and conditions.
“But over a year later, there are still some hospitals, health facilities and Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs) who have not yet honoured that pay deal.
“Frontline nurses and midwives have gone long enough without fair pay and it is grossly unfair that they are still waiting a year later for the pay agreement to be honoured.
“The delay of paying allowances has resulted in nurses and midwives being underpaid several thousands of euros per year – in some instances underpayment of close to €6,000.
“Some major hospitals such as Cork University Hospital, University Hospital Limerick, Beaumont Hospital, University Hospital Galway, Letterkenny University Hospital, Mayo General Hospital, Roscommon County Hospital and Sligo General Hospital, to name but a few, have not fully honoured the pay deal agreed with nurses and midwives.
“These nurses and midwives are on the frontline every day, taking risks and working in the fight against COVID-19. while being short-changed by their employers.
“The government cannot stand in the Dáil and clap healthcare workers while ignoring the reality that nurses and midwives are not being paid what they are owed.
“The government must step in and ensure that all hospitals, health facilities, and Community Healthcare Organisations honour and enact the pay deal agreed after last year’s strike.”
Sinn Fein spokesperson for Children and Young people, Catherine Kelly MLA has welcomed a commitment from the Minister of Health that his department will be contacting childcare providers within the coming week to provide with information on COVID-19 support measures.
Catherine Kelly said:
“Childcare providers have been left high and dry for weeks since they were told to close their premises. Providers tend to be small community businesses, with some not-for-profit social enterprises or charity based and most with few resources to draw upon during this crisis.
“According to correspondence to the Education Committee, officials will be contacting childcare providers, providing information about their entitlement to support and inviting them to apply.
“This is welcome news and hopefully will begin a process of securing the future for our childcare sector."
Sinn Féin Party Group Leader on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Councillor Michael Goodman has called on the Council to actively work to protect both short term and agency council staff as a matter of priority.
Speaking Councillor Goodman said:
“I welcome the announcement today by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council that the decision to make 46 short term council staff redundant will be now deferred.
“However, the Council must also urgently work with agencies to secure furlough status for 27 agency staff who have been released.
“Sinn Féin will request a call-in at Council to thoroughly debate and to firmly reject proposals that would see staff made redundant.
“Urgent action must be taken to protect the workers and we hope that other parties will sign this call-in.
“From the beginning, Sinn Féin has expressed our concern and opposition to these proposed redundancies.
“Due to the ongoing COVID19 public health emergency, many workers and families are faced with increased economic uncertainty and pressures.
“There is an obligation on all employers to protect workers and their families.
“I will continue to work with council representatives, party group leaders in council and trade unions to have this unacceptable decision is reversed.”
Sinn Féin Councillor and Mayor of Derry and Strabane Michaela Boyle has joined with other elected representatives from across the north west in calling on the Executive to sign off on a medical school at Magee and match funding for Derry’s City Deal.
Speaking after sending a letter which was co-signed by elected representatives from all parties in the north west, Michaela Boyle said:
“There was a great deal of hope and expectation in the north west when we secured the record funding of £105m City Deal/Future Fund from the British government in 2019, particularly in terms of the impact this funding would have on the establishment of a medical school at Magee.
“This expectation increased with the welcome commitment in the New Decade/New Approach document which pledged match funding for the north west for infrastructure, tourism and regeneration projects, as well as the medical school and wider expansion of Magee.
“It is now vitally important these commitments are delivered on, that match funding is put in place by the Executive and that the approval is given to the medical school as a matter of urgency so that the first students can begin their studies in September 2021.
“I welcome that this letter has received support from all political parties.
“There is one unanimous voice coming from the people of this city and the wider north west calling for this vital project to get the green light and for the delivery of the promised match funding to help the economic regeneration of the region.
“The responsibility to approve the medical school rests ultimately with the Health Minister and we are calling on the leaders of the Executive to work with their ministerial colleagues to make sure this essential project is delivered and funding put in place to continue to support the economic development of the north west.”
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has welcomed the decision by the retail banks and other lenders to extend payment breaks from three to six months for borrowers affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
Deputy Doherty has written to the Central Bank and the five retail banks calling for this to be accompanied by an interest break, as customers currently face paying thousands more in interest if they apply for a payment break.
Teachta Doherty said:
“The extension of payment breaks from three to six months by banks and other lenders is a necessary and welcome step.
“However, this extension does not currently go far enough. The fact remains that anyone who avails of such payment break will find interest accrues during the period, meaning they will owe more to lenders once the Covid-19 crisis ends.
“In many cases, this will see borrowers owing thousands of euros more to their banks than if they had never applied for a break. This is simply unacceptable and unfair. It will only cause further financial hardship for people already under immense pressure.
“The hundreds of thousands of people who have lost jobs or income will remain unable to meet their loan or mortgage repayments for some time into the future due to this unprecedented crisis.
“Last week, I raised a case in the Dáil of a mortgage-holder who will owe KBC an additional €7,700 after applying for a three-month payment break.
“By extending the break period from three to six months, the additional amount in interest owed will only increase. This cannot be allowed.
“Borrowers need an interest break during this period, with no increase in their outstanding balance once the payment break ends.
“Today I am writing to the Central Bank and the five retail banks to request an interest break for borrowers. I will also seek reassurance that a break extension will not affect the credit rating of anyone availing of it or result in the reclassification of loans as non-performing."
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed the joint letter from CBI and Ibec urging public health and economic cooperation across Britain and Ireland.
The Sinn Féin Economy Spokesperson said:
“I welcome this intervention by CBI and Ibec urging the Executive, Irish and British Governments to work collectively to protect public health and to re-energise the economy.
“All-Ireland coordination is crucial in ensuring that we minimise the spread of COVID19 and save lives.
“As an Island, we hold a unique advantage in overcoming this pandemic and this must be fully exploited in the interests of citizens.
“COVID19 has had a deeply devastating economic impact north and south.
“Businesses across the island are going through a period of immense hardship and all-island coordination will be vital in rebooting the economy.
“In particular, we will need to actively work to support the agri-food industry, supply chains and cross border workers.
“Sinn Féin will continue to work in Belfast, Dublin, London and Brussels to protect the health of citizens across this island and to ensure that workers, families and businesses are supported.”
Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West Mark Ward has welcomed the commitment by the GAA to offer season ticket holders a discount on their 2021 season ticket or a partial refund.
Deputy Ward wrote to the GAA last week after concerns were brought to his attention after the GAA changed the terms and conditions to include a pandemic as a reason to offer refund to season ticket holders. The Dublin Mid West TD is a GAA Hill 16 season ticket holder
Deputy Ward said;
“As a lifelong Dublin GAA supporter and as a mentor in my local GAA club I like many supporter, player and volunteer am missing GAA games right now. It is tough on everyone involved in GAA right across the country.
“I welcome the decision by the GAA to offer a discount on the 2021 season ticket or a partial refund on this year’s season ticket. I am a Hill 16 football season ticket holder and this ticket cost €175 per year. For this you get free entry to all Dublin football league games home and away right across the country. You also receive free entry to the first championship game and guaranteed tickets to watch Dublin in the rest of the championship games including the final, if you have attended 65% of the games.
“The Hill 16 season ticket also allows you entry to club championship games.
“The season ticket holders are amongst the fans that you see at the matches on a freezing, rain-soaked February night shuddered together on Hill 16. We are part of the life blood of the GAA.
“I raised this matter with the GAA last week after a number of supporters contacted me after they became aware that the GAA changed the terms and conditions of season ticket holders to include 'in the event of the GAA season, Allianz National League or Championship being postponed, due to circumstances outside the control of the GAA (Natural Disaster, Pandemic etc)there will be no refunds available for GAA season ticket holders.'
“To change the terms and conditions mid-season like this was ill-advised at best by the GAA and did not go down well with the ordinary Dublin supporters who contacted me.
“I, like many season ticket holders, received an email that the GAA have rolled back on this now.
“I welcome this decision to discount next seasons tickets or partially refund this year’s tickets and I like many look forward to the return of games once it is safe to do so.”
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has welcomed the decision to reduce the deferral period for gay men donating blood from 12 months to 3 months.
The party’s Health Spokesperson said:
“I welcome the decision by the health minister to reduce the deferral period for gay men donating blood from 12 months to 3 months following the evidence and advice of Advisory Committee of Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO).
“This decision will enable more people to donate blood safely. There are many people alive today who have benefited from a blood transfusion.
“In 2016 the then Health Minister, Michelle O’Neill, overturned a previous DUP minister’s continued resistance to lifting the ban on gay men donating blood by following the SaBTO advice.
“The removal of the lifetime ban, just like the current change to a 3-month deferral, will enable more to donate their blood and help save lives.”
Following a meeting with the Taoiseach and other Dáil party leaders this evening, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has said that she remains concerned that issues relating to testing and tracing remain to be resolved, and that the resources to ensure a safe winding down of restrictions are not yet in place.
She said:
"Firstly, I want to welcome the commitment of the Taoiseach to set out a plan on Friday. This will come as a relief to the many people who are seeking clarity at this time.
"Everyone wants things to return to normal, to see our families and go about our business, but we must be guided by what is safe to do so and the capacity of the health service to respond adequately to further outbreaks of Covid-19.
"I am, however, very concerned that issues surrounding testing and tracing remain to be resolved, and that the capacity and resources to ensure a safe winding down of restrictions are not yet in place.
"We also need sectoral plans to ensure the health and safety of workers is paramount, as I set out in my letter to the Taoiseach on Monday, and additional supports for SME's at this time.
"We are at a critical stage in this process. I told the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health that the kite-flying and speculation around the lifting of restrictions has been most unhelpful and that this must end.
"I hope that this evening's meeting is the start of a transparent, planned approach to dealing with all of these issues."
