Sinn Féin health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly believes that the continued spin, obfuscation and leaking of information regarding restrictions is damaging to the public and businesses.
Speaking this afternoon, Dublin Fingal TD O’Reilly said: “The general public - and businesses in particular - have been calling out for clarity and detail for what the restrictions will look like over the next number of weeks.
“The public are happy to do their part in the fight against COVID-19 and, with the exception of a tiny minority, they have faced the lockdown steadfastly and have done everything that has been asked of them.
“Businesses in particular have taken a huge hit and been extremely affected with the impact of the virus and the lockdown measures leaving them counting the significant costs of the situation.
“People understand the difficulties in fighting this virus and the need for the public health response to ensure that the safety of the public, particularly our most vulnerable, is protected above all.
“All they have asked for in return is clarity, honesty, and transparency. But in the past number of weeks that has been sorely missing as the government has reverted to spin, obfuscation and leaks.
“Yet again today we had more leaks and kite-flying from the government as the media reports on 'draft proposals' from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) about when the restrictions will be lifted and what sectors of business can return to operation.
“The situation at the minute is worrying for businesses. But that worry has been compounded by the leaking of information, which is upsetting, frustrating and leads to false hope.
“Leaking information like this is not the relaying of trivial political gossip - this is very serious information, which affects people’s lives.
“It is really difficult to put into words how frustrating the handling of communication around COVID-19 has been for TDs, the general public and businesses where leaking important information is once again the order of the day instead of transparent communication.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers' Rights Maurice Quinlivan has said that the Government must do more to put pressure on Debenhams to reach its obligations to workers in what is already a difficult time for most people, and urged Minister Heather Humphreys to do all that is necessary to ensure these workers are protected.
The comments come after the Limerick TD attended an online protest for Debenhams workers organised by Mandate Trade Union.
Deputy Quinlivan said;
"I was proud to attend today's online demonstration alongside a number of my Sinn Féin colleagues and the many thousands more who joined on various online media platforms.
"Sinn Féin have been in constant contact with the Minister for Enterprise, and will continue to raise this matter in the Dáil until it is resolved.
"It is extremely stressful for workers to lose their jobs at any time, but right now - in the midst of a pandemic - and when people are really struggling, it is a double blow.
"Minister Humphries must do everything in her capacity to ensure measures be put in place to immediately help workers and their families at this difficult time.
"When a person loses their job, the cost of living doesn't go away. Mortgages and rents still have to be paid, food still has to be put on the table, and families still need certainty.
“The State must ensure redundancy payments are made as quickly as possible, as the Pandemic Unemployment Payment that most former Debenhams workers are currently on, will not last forever. These workers need support and financial certainty.
“This should include a comprehensive programme of retraining and education options that are specifically designed to build on the skills of these workers."
Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has said that Minister McHugh's reversal of his previous position on the Junior Cert reflected an unworkable initial plan, but that more clarity was still needed.
Speaking today the Cork South Central TD said that it was essential that the almost 4,000 students a year who leave school after the leaving cert, are not forgotten about.
"It was clear for some time that it was not plausible or viable to try to run the Leaving Cert and the Junior Cert over the Summer. However, the Ministers initial plan led to significant confusion.
"It also clearly did not command credibility among schools, given that within a matter of days several schools announced that they would not be participating in the proposed exams in the next school year.
"The Minister was forced in to this because the original plan was fraying at the edges immediately.
"It is welcome that some of the burden of stress and anxiety has been lifted from students. I hope the Minister will do more to ease the stress and anxiety on Leaving Cert Students.
"However, while we do know more, we also need more information on this.
"The press statement from the Department of Education emphasises autonomy in developing assessments, and autonomy is of course necessary. However, far too often in Irish education policy, 'autonomy' can be a synonymous with a lack of guidance. So schools and teachers need guidance, and the need it soon. It is now the 29th of April.
"Crucially, it is important that there is a focus on the 3,700 early school leavers. For those students, this isn't just the culmination of the previous year or three years, but is the highest qualification they will have as they leave school.
"That is an important point. So we need to be sure that for those students, this years Junior Cert allows the same access back to education, training or apprenticeships either now or at a later date. This is not just a small detail, but a crucial point, and the detail of that needs to be nailed down.
"The Minister and his Department need to engage with QQI to ensure this certificate can be recognised as fitting within that framework.
"In that vein, the proposed optional exams for the autumn should be available to all students, who are anxious to sit it, not just adult learners.
"So to be fair to teachers, students and their families, there are further points which need to be clarified."
Sinn Fein Councillor and party group leader on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Michael Goodman has called on the council to actively work to protect workers and their families following the release of 73 agency and short service staff.
Speaking Councillor Goodman said:
“The Chief Executive of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council brought forward an Emergency Financial Report to council which included the releasing of 73 agency and short service staff from their jobs.
“Sinn Féin have expressed our consistent concern and opposition to these proposals within the report from the beginning and will continue to do so.
“It is also extremely concerning that the consultation period for these proposals has been time restrictive, especially giving the significant impact of proposals on people’s lives and livelihoods
“The length of the consultation period has been entirely inadequate and has made it extremely difficult for trade unions and other representative bodies to properly respond.
“At a time of immense economic uncertainty and hardship due to COVID19, there is an onus on all employers to actively work to protect workers and families.
“I have been working tirelessly
with council representatives, party group leaders in council and trade unions
to explore all options to support the workers – including furlough.”
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD has urged the government to put forward credible and robust proposals to kick start residential construction which has stalled due to Covid 19 delays.
His comments follow a report by estate agents Knight Frank which indicates that new housing completions could plummet by as much 40% compared to last year due to Covid 19 delays.
Deputy Ó Broin said:
“The report published by the estate agent Knight Frank is a worrying warning of how the Covid 19 emergency threatens to exacerbate the existing housing crisis.
“The government needs to outline a robust and credible plan to kick start residential construction post Covid 19, while also protecting the health and safety of construction workers.
“I recently outlined a 12-step plan which I believe must be put in place to get residential construction moving again and to deliver the homes our country desperately needs.
“Ireland’s housing crisis has long spiralled under poor management by successive governments. We cannot allow the Covid 19 emergency to entrench this crisis further. We must prioritise the delivery of social and affordable homes.
“A major public housing programme on public land should be initiated which includes the fast-tracking of existing and new large-scale residential developments of mixed-income social, affordable rental and affordable purchase schemes on public land.
“This must also include a review of all recent contracts in which private consortiums are developing mixed-tenure schemes, such as O’Devaney Gardens in Dublin. This must include the acquisition of private sites no longer viable due to Covid 19 economic fallout is key.
“Capital expenditure on housing should not be cut, nor should income or rental supports.
“It is absolutely vital that the rent arrears debt burden is addressed.
“The lending criteria of Home Building Finance Ireland should be amended to provide low-interest loans to developers and contractors subject to genuine affordability in house prices.
“The role of the Land Development Agency must change. It should be spilt into a Land Management Agency (LMA) and a Residential Development Agency (RDA). The LMA compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers, a budget and a mandate to aggressively manage under-utilised public lands.
“Decisive action must be taken to ensure residential construction is kick started and much needed homes are delivered.”
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has raised concerns surrounding planning permission expiring as a result of stalled development during Covid-19.
Speaking after today’s, meeting of the Assembly’s Infrastructure Committee, the Newry and Armagh MLA said:
“When a planning application is approved there is a time condition placed on when work has to begin.
“The Coronavirus crisis has led to some work being stalled and I have been contacted by constituents who are concerned about the impact of this on their planning permission.
“The fee for application renewals has been reduced, however the fact is people’s planning permissions are at risk of falling, through no fault of their own, and they should not have to renew their application.
“Today I pressed the minister on the need to fully explore how planning permissions can be extended in the north, and I can confirm she has agreed to consider primary legislation on this matter.
“Flexibility is vital at this time.”
Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy has said the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement is required to deal with the legacy of the conflict.
The Mid Ulster MP said:
“Last month the British government brought forward wholly unacceptable proposals to deal with the legacy of the conflict.
“It is clear those proposals are designed to undermine the mechanisms already agreed by the British government, the Irish government and the political parties in the Stormont House Agreement.
“This is a further attempt to deny access to truth to families, some of whom have been waiting up to 50 years.
“Now it has been announced that a Westminster committee will examine these proposals.
“Instead of coming up with new proposals and inquiring into them leading to further delays, the British government needs to fulfil its obligations and immediately implement the legacy mechanisms contained in the Stormont House Agreement in a human rights compliant manner.
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly has criticised the government and the Minister for Health for using the public as a scapegoat to deflect from testing issues, which are the real reason we are not yet at the point where restrictions can be lifted.
Speaking this morning, Teachta O’Reilly said: “We know from looking at other countries and from the World Health Organisation, and European Centre for Disease Protection and Control the circumstances, that are needed to ease the lockdown restrictions.
“We must move from reacting and testing just for disease surveillance towards actively testing in the community so that we can identify the total spread, stop that spread, control transmission and isolate cases of the disease.
“In order to do this, we must test as many people as possible to uncover all positive cases.
"This means we must have capacity to test on a large scale in the community and also have the capacity to identify and contact trace every person who has interacted with a positive case.
“However, we currently do not have the capacity to test at the levels needed to put us on a footing to ease restrictions and it is dubious whether we have the contact tracing capacity either.
“The fact of the matter is the government have missed every single target they have set themselves for testing.
“Yet, in the past number of days, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health have sought to scapegoat the public and deflect from the testing issues and their own failures.
“The public are happy to do their part in the fight against COVID-19 and, with the exception of a tiny minority, they have faced the lockdown steadfastly and have done everything that has been asked of them.
“They have rarely, if ever, complained and they are happy to continue to do all they can to play their part and protect public health.
"But what they won’t stand for is being chastised and made the fall guys for the government's failures on testing.
“We are continuously told that we are all in this together, and if the public are doing their bit, then the government sure as hell better do theirs.”
Insurance industry must act to support businesses - Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has called on the insurance industry to step up and support families and businesses struggling as a result of the COVID-19 public health and economic emergency.
Speaking the North Belfast MP said:
"Today I met with the Association of British Insurers and raised many of the serious concerns of businesses in the North.
"Across the board, businesses are finding insurance firms refusing to pay out on premiums as a result of the unprecedented threat COVID-19 poses.
"There exists the strong perception that insurance companies will read policies in a way which suits their interests only. Businesses who have pandemic or notifiable disease cover, still find that their policy will not be honoured.
"Thousands of jobs and livelihoods have been put at risk, and as such this stance from insurers is unacceptable.
“The ABI represents insurance firms managing investment assets worth £1.8 trillion.
“These firms also collect over £200bn in premiums every year, this is paid by families and businesses who are now struggling and are not given the security they have paid for.
"The time for excuses is over.
“It is high time insurers engaged with struggling firms to begin offering a suite of options to help them survive. These should include honouring claims, in full or in part, and offering premium deferrals, reductions and rebates.
"While all aspects of our community have taken unprecedented steps to look out for each other, and protect public health, insurance firms must not be allowed to avoid their responsibilities as we seek to ensure the least damage to our economy as possible."
Sinn Féin Linda Dillon MLA has welcomed the Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill which was approved by the Assembly today to proceed to Committee Stage.
Speaking at the Assembly today, the party’s justice spokesperson said:
“Today marks an important milestone in the fight against domestic abuse. The protections provided for in this legislation are urgent and vitally important to protect victims of domestic abuse.
“This Bill will make coercive control a criminal offence. This covers behaviour that is abusive because it is controlling or coercive or amounts to psychological, emotional or financial abuse, as well as behaviour which is physically violent, threatening or intimidating.
“There is potential, however, to strengthen this bill further by providing for a statutory entitlement to paid leave for domestic abuse victims as has been proposed by our party colleagues in the south, and by introducing Domestic Abuse Protection Orders and Notices, which it would be a criminal offence to breach.
“Sinn Féin will work with the justice minister and our colleagues in the Assembly and on the justice committee to explore how these provisions could be introduced in an effective and timely fashion.
“The progression of this bill towards the next stage, however, is a positive and welcome step and one which is particularly significant during the current COVID-19 crisis, where figures show domestic abuse cases are on the rise.
“It is important that we as a society understand domestic abuse as a community problem, with a significant impact on the wider community. This is a crime like no other and it is important that we tackle this as a community. This involves early intervention and prevention by educating ourselves and our young people on healthy relationships.”
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn has welcomed the appointment of a Mental Health Champion but cautioned that the minister must champion real change to services himself starting with the Mental Health Action Plan.
The Sinn Féin spokesperson for mental health said:
"I welcome the decision made by the Health Minister and the Executive to appoint a Mental Health Champion for the North. It is an encouraging development, but it is only the start.
"Mental health was already one of the most significant causes of ill health before the current public health pandemic.
"I was heartened that at last week’s meeting of the health committee the Chief Medical Officer and the minister agreed with me that we need to plan now, for the mental health legacy of COVID-19.
"As chair of the Assembly's All-Party Group on Suicide Prevention I know the challenges ahead and look forward to working with the minister and the Mental Health Champion to improve services.
“It is vital individuals and communities feel a step change. This will only be achieved by supporting and enhancing services.
“Improvements to current mental health services, such as GP counselling or the provision of perinatal community and inpatient services will only be achieved if the minister himself is a champion for mental health.
“Long waiting lists, access to counselling and to drug and alcohol services, specialist services such as eating disorder teams and perinatal services all need to be addressed.
“While some progress has been made it will continue to need a Minister of Health to prioritise and champion.
“In that context I look forward to working with the new Mental Health Champion and the Minister in tackling all of these issues.”
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has raised concerns on the inflated price of food and essentials.
Speaking the West Belfast MP:
“I have been contacted by many people across the North who have raised concerns around the inflated cost of food and essentials in larger supermarkets and chain stores.
“Recently published data shows a 4.4% increase in the cost of high demand products – including food, personal sanitary products and household cleansing items.
“At a time when jobs are being lost and the financial income in many homes being heavily impacted, this is unacceptable.
“Food and essentials must be be financially accessible to all in society.
“This is a time for social solidarity; it is not a time for exploitation.
“I’m calling on suppliers, supermarkets and chains to actively work to address the inflated cost of food and essentials to assist the public.”
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD has called for the government to outline what checks and protections are to be put in place to guarantee the health and safety of construction workers once sites are given the okay to reopen.
Deputy Ó Broin said:
“Before any building sites reopen the government must outline what protections will be introduced to protect the health and safety of construction workers.
“It is Sinn Féin’s strong view that a number of measures must be put in place before these sites reopen.
“A contractor must submit a written Covid19 safety statement to the Local Authority before construction work commences setting out how social distancing and other public health measures to protect workers will be ensured on site.
“The safety statement details of how workers - including sub-contractors - will travel to and from the site with due regard for Covid regulations.
“No construction site should re-open without an adequate supply of personal protective equipment and a confidential phone line should be provided for construction workers who want to report non-compliance with public health advice but are nervous of doing so for loss of employment
“Any contractor who is found to be in breach of the HSE’s public health advice should have their site shut down by the Local Authority.
“We called for this last week when some social housing sites re-opened and we believe the same rules should apply for every site.
“The trade union movement has been active on this and we support ICTUs calls for a protocol to be put in place as workers return to the workplace to guarantee their health and safety.
“In particular ICTU’s call that this protocol should not be voluntarily and should be mandatory has our full support.
“The health and safety of workers must be a priority. Before the construction sites were shut due to the government restrictions our office received daily correspondence from workers on sites that did not adhere to social distancing and hygiene rules.
“The government must now make it clear what its plan is in terms of the re-opening of both construction sites and the broader economy. We have yet to see what measures will be out in place to guarantee workers safety and this must be done before the restrictions are lifted.”
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Deputy Louise O’Reilly has said that the government should be using the time during the lockdown to put structures and a plan in place for how things will work after the easing of restrictions.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“While we are still some time away from being able to ease restrictions, as they have done in Germany and New Zealand, the government must use this lockdown time prudently to put in place a plan and structures for how things will work after the easing of restrictions.
“On the healthcare side we have to move from reacting and testing just for disease surveillance towards actively testing in the community so we can identify the total spread, stop that spread, control transmission, and isolate cases of the disease.
“In order to do this, we need to test as many people as possible to uncover all positive cases. This means we must have capacity to test on a large scale in the community, and also have the capacity to identify and contact trace every person who has interacted with a positive case.
“The government cannot lift restrictions in good faith without this being achieved.
“But planning is also needed during these lockdown days for how things will work beyond healthcare. Structures of care for older people and vulnerable groups who will continue to “cocoon” – such as always on call healthcare, food delivery, and medication delivery – need to be organised and put in place.
“Sectors of the economy that will be allowed to re-open need to be outlined and discussion, guidance, and help with the business community is needed in that regard.
“The Minister and the government need to speak with business representatives about possible staggered working hours, so public transport isn’t overcrowded and so people have limited interactions in the workplace.
“The government must also ensure that facilities for 14-day isolation are in place for anyone entering the State.
“Inevitably people may have to wear masks when out in public, and if this is the health advice then the government must secure and source washable and reusable cotton masks for the general public.
“Furthermore, plans need to be put in place if restrictions are eased around schools and manufacturing to help them with hand hygiene, physical distancing, and other safety measures.
“The government should also engage with the government in the north about having aligned systems so we can fight this on an all-Ireland basis.
“It is essential that this planning happens during this current lockdown to ensure that when we are ready to ease restrictions that we are not left totally unprepared and vulnerable.
“We hear a lot of talk about “the new normal”, but this new normal is never explained to people. The government need to explain to the people what things will look like if restrictions are eased, how things will function, and what is expected of all of us to ensure that we can keep the virus at bay while also being able to live a little more freely.”
Sinn Féin MLA and economy spokesperson Caoimhe Archibald has said there is a need to shape the economic recovery from the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic so it values the role of essential workers.
Speaking on the publication of Danske Bank's economic forecast, the party's economy spokesperson said:
“While the COVID-19 pandemic is first and foremost a health crisis which has claimed many lives, it has also resulted in an economic crisis.
“The forecast published by Danske Bank is another stark reminder of the impact the Coronavirus pandemic is having on our society and economy, it also highlights the sector specific nature of the impact.
"As we continue to respond to the public health emergency and take all necessary actions to protect lives which has included the closure of businesses and implementation of social and physical distancing, we also need to plan for the type of recovery we need.
"We must have a recovery that protects workers and families, and supports businesses.
"This crisis has highlighted the essential nature of undervalued roles including caring roles, roles in retail and other essential services; it has also highlighted the strength of our communities and the need to properly fund our public services.
"All of these things must shape the discussion about the type of recovery we need coming out of this crisis.
"The recovery will require substantial funds to be made available by the British government to continue to support workers and their families, and also to enable businesses to recover and protect jobs in the time ahead; those sectors that will need to remain in lockdown longer must be adequately supported."
Airlines Passengers following Government Advice must be Reimbursed – MacManus
Sinn Féin MEP, Chris MacManus, has said that airlines must reimburse passengers who do the right thing and don’t take unnecessary flights that have not been cancelled due to the COVID-19 Crisis.
Speaking from Sligo this morning, Mr MacManus said;
‘My office has been contacted by many people who, although their flights have not been cancelled, have decided to follow the official advice and not travel. The airlines are not offering these customers a refund but instead offering vouchers or a change of flight. For some the cost is not insignificant and many may have no intention of travelling again anytime soon. They are simply unlucky that their flights are among the small few still operating.
‘Airlines have been receiving a lot of media attention lately with talks of potential bailouts to help them weather the current crisis. The actions of these airlines must be measured not just against the letter but also the spirit of the law. The EU acted to remove the need for empty “ghost” flights so where there is a real need for flights they should only carry those who really need to fly. We should not have a situation where passengers are financially penalised for not taking an essential flight.
‘I will use my position as a Member of the European Parliament to keep the pressure on the airlines as it is my strong position that these airlines must reimburse passengers who do the right thing by following Government advice. A full refund must be an option. EU regulations state that any passenger whose flight is cancelled is entitled to a refund but they are silent on this scenario. I will contact the EU Commission to see if they will act to rectify this gap in the regulations given the current crisis.
‘This is an unprecedented crisis, which has already seen people across Ireland face untold hardships. The unlucky few whose flights are running must not be punished for doing the right thing and should be treated the same as those whose flights were cancelled.” ENDS
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has called for further liquidity supports to be provided to SMEs impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, warning that failure to support the SME sector will see businesses fail and jobs permanently lost.
Despite over 200 thousand SMEs employing over 750 thousand workers in affected sectors, only 209 COVID-19 loans have been approved through Microfinance Ireland or the COVID-19 Working Capital Loan Scheme.
Teachta Doherty said:
“The key task of Government, in addition to halting the spread of this virus, is to contain its economic damage.
“That requires income support for workers, but also ensuring that as many employers and viable businesses survive this crisis as possible.
“Our SMEs, particularly in hospitality, tourism and retail, are under threat; and with them thousands of jobs.
“SMEs employ over 1 million people in the State, with the Central Bank estimating that nearly 80 percent have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Without support, many of them will not survive, with catastrophic implications for employment.
“The Central Bank projects that our SMEs will require at least €2.4 billion in the next three months. At present, Government supports fall far short of this requirement, with limited take-up in the schemes currently in place.
“Despite over 200 thousand SMEs employing over 750 thousand workers having been affected by COVID-19, only 56 loans have been approved through the COVID-19 Working Capital Loan Scheme.
“Only 153 COVID-19 loans have been approved through Microfinance Ireland.
“It is clear that supports are insufficient in scale and too difficult to access for SMEs.
“The Department of Finance in the North has provided grants ranging from £10,000 to £25,000 to more than 17,000 SMEs since the 26th March. Government should now consider immediate liquidity supports to our SMEs in the form of targeted grants.
“In addition to this, it is clear that existing schemes are not working for SMEs, with low levels of take-up and applications.
“Both the Credit Guarantee and Working Capital Loan Schemes should be reformed for SMEs with zero-interest applied to loans and, where necessary, 100 percent State-guarantees.
“Unless supports for SMEs are increased and improved, what began as business interruption will end in business failure and permanent job loss.”
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Workers’ Rights Maurice Quinlivan TD today said the results from a survey conducted by Irishjobs.ie shows the necessity for legislation to govern remote working, and also proves the need for a right to disconnect to be introduced in Irish law.
Speaking today, Deputy Quinlivan said;
“This survey by Irishjobs.ie has found that over forty percent of employees now working from home, are working longer hours than their normal working day.
"With advances in technology, workers have been finding it more difficult to leave their work at the office, in normal circumstances, but with that office now being the kitchen for most of us, this is even more challenging.
“Unfortunately, most businesses do not have a remote working policy for their employees, which can lead to issues between employers and employees down the line.
“Sinn Féin in government have committed to introducing legislation to govern remote working, but also to introducing a right to disconnect for employees.
“Since the beginning of this year, workers in France have been given a right to disconnect to ensure those working remotely can enjoy a healthy work life balance.
“With this survey showing over a fifth of Irish workers feeling like they cannot switch off from work, clearly similar legislation is urgently needed here.
“Although there are a host of benefits to remote working, some pitfalls have been exposed in the past few weeks.
“Workers cannot be left out of pocket either for hardware like laptops or printers, or services required like broadband and electricity, when asked to work from home. Employers need to provide the equipment required if they want staff to work remotely.
“Data protection and the handling of sensitive information is another key issue that needs to be covered, to ensure the protection of employees, employers and third parties.
“With working from home now the new norm for most, such legislation should be prioritised in the new Dáil term.”
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has called for the British Government to stop playing futile games over its opposition to a European Union office in the North.
Speaking the North Belfast MP said:
“The latest comments from Michael Gove that there should be no ‘mini embassy’ in Belfast are provocative and deeply unhelpful at a crucial period in Brexit negotiations.
“The protocol for negotiations state clearly that the EU has a right to be physically present to oversee the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement.
"There is an onus on the British Government to facilitate this presence.
“The ongoing opposition by the British Government to a European Union office in the north is in bad faith.
“We are quickly approaching the Brexit deadline and communities and livelihoods remain under threat from a potential economic catastrophe.
"The British Government should cease playing futile games and instead place their efforts into constructively engaging in a robust negotiation that respects the protections contained in the Irish protocol.”
