Sinn Féin Seanadóir Niall Ó Donnghaile has slammed the British Home Office after it again sought and was granted more time in a landmark legal case over the recognition of Irish citizenship rights.
Senator Ó Donnghaile was commenting after campaigner Emma DeSouza revealed the latest delay in her lengthy legal battle to have the citizenship rights conferred by the Good Friday Agreement recognised and upheld in British law.
Niall Ó Donnghaile said:
“The DeSouza case has shone a light on attempts by the British Government to completely disregard a key component of the Good Friday Agreement, namely the right to identify and be accepted as Irish citizens.
“This case has been characterised by consistent stalling tactics from the British Government and repeated appeals every time the courts have ruled against their clearly discriminatory position.
“Now they have secured another delay because the British Home Office is not prepared to go to court as planned.
“That is appalling and will be hugely frustrating to Emma DeSouza, her husband Jake and everyone who cares about citizenship rights under the Good Friday Agreement.
“Rather than simply recognise their obligations under an internationally-binding treaty, the British Government continues to drag this issue through the courts and it seems, can’t even be bothered to prepare their case in time.
“That speaks volumes about their commitment to rights and the Good Friday Agreement.
“However, the Good Friday Agreement, and the rights afforded by it, are international obligations which cannot be ignored or set aside.
“As co-guarantors of that agreement, there is an onus on any new Irish Government to defend it from these British Home Office attempts to undermine it.”
Mayor of Belfast Danny Baker has called a special meeting of Belfast City Council following the news that airline Flybe has entered administration.
Danny Baker said:
“There is widespread concern at the impact that Flybe’s collapse will have on our local economy given the volume of flights they operate in and out of Belfast City Airport.
“Our immediate thoughts are with the workers and families affected by this devastating news given the number of job losses that come with it.
“Flybe is a vital mode of transport for many workers and students, while also providing a direct air link from Belfast to Glasgow, London and other places.
“A special meeting of Belfast City Council will take place to extend solidarity to Flybe workers, to assess the detrimental impact it will have on the city and discuss our next steps.
“I will be seeking the support of councillors to hold urgent meetings with the Economy Minister, trade unions, Belfast City Airport and our local MPs to look at how we can support workers, protect our local economy and restore vital air links to the city.”
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed a rise in the use of renewable energy in the north.
The Chair of the Economy Committee was responding to a report launched by the Department for the Economy today.
Caoimhe Archibald said:
“This is a very positive announcement that some 44% of electricity last year was generated from renewable sources, exceeding the previous target of 40% for 2020.
“But this is only the beginning of a net zero carbon transition. Sinn Féin's all-Ireland vision is to see 80% of our power generated from renewable sources by 2030.
“The Minister for Economy has a responsibility to put ambitious and robust policies in place to achieve this target as she forms the incoming Department's Energy Strategy.
“In particular, we need to see more support for community energy, cooperatives, and a broader range of renewables sources.”
Belfast city councillor Ciaran Beattie has called on the Department of Infrastructure to deliver on cycle lanes after a 2019 Belfast bike life report was released today demonstrating that people in the city Belfast want better cycling infrastructure.
Sinn Féin Councillor Ciaran Beattie said:
“Sinn Féin has consistently called for safe cycle lanes to be established across the city.
“The council has successfully lobbied the Department for Infrastructure to conduct a feasibility study of cycle routes that would run in parallel with the M1 motorway.
“This would provide a safe route to the city for cyclists from Lisburn, numerous park and rides and the residents of South and West Belfast.
“Every day, people cycling in Belfast takes up to 7,500 cars off the road, which helps tackle congestion and air pollution across the city.
“It’s clear there is a need and an appetite for good quality cycling infrastructure throughout the city, as 77% of people think that more protected cycle lanes, separate from traffic, would help them cycle more.
“Additionally, there’s a lot of people in Belfast who don’t have access to a car and would benefit greatly from investment in new safe cycle lanes throughout the city.
“This would help combat the risk of social exclusion, debt and transport poverty, while also improving peoples physical and mental health.
“Cycling could help many residents access employment, healthcare and everyday services, but only if we make cycling appealing, safe and accessible for everyone.
“This report makes it loud and clear of the public desire to build better cycling lanes throughout Belfast, as well as the wider benefits it will bring to the city as a whole.
“The Department of Infrastructure should now act and deliver on the feasibility plans that they have prepared.”
The British Government has exposed its contradictory approach to future relationship talks with the EU as a result of simultaneously publishing its mandate for trade talks with the USA, South Down MP Chris Hazzard has said.
Speaking from Westminster after briefing human rights organisations and international diplomats on the latest Brexit developments, the Sinn Féin Brexit Spokesperson said:
“In publishing their objectives for parallel talks with the US this week; the British Government have inadvertently revealed some glaring contradictions in their approach to each set of negotiations.
“Not only does this suggest an obvious lack of coherence between the various agencies of government, but more importantly the assurances it expects from the US Government are the very same that Boris Johnson is unwilling to grant the EU.
“Bearing in mind the British Government have refused to entertain the jurisdiction of the European Courts of Justice and level playing field issues - such as workers’ rights and the environment - it’s incredible that they have now demanded the US government agree to “appropriate mechanisms for the implementation, monitoring and dispute resolution of environmental and labour provisions” in any future trade deal.
“This rank hypocrisy will come as no surprise to those of us who have been engaging with British government officials in recent years; but should act as a timely reminder to our colleagues in the US that the Irish Peace Process, the Good Friday Agreement, and the all-Ireland economy must be protected in any future deal.”
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said news that airline Flybe has entered administration is devastating news for workers and their families.
The East Derry MLA said:
“News that airline Flybe has entered administration is a huge blow to the local economy.
“The majority of flights leaving Belfast City Airport are operated by Flybe and used daily by people who travel between Belfast, England and Scotland to work and study.
“My thoughts are with Flybe workers and their families today who will be left devastated and plunged into uncertainty about what the future holds for them.
“Up to 2400 workers will be made redundant on the back of this announcement – it’s a sad and difficult time for them.”
Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill told the PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne today she is very concerned the British government has not contacted stakeholders to outline how it will honour commitments to victims of the conflict.
The Sinn Féin Vice President, the party’s policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly MLA and West Belfast MP Paul Maskey met the Chief Constable today on a wide range of issues.
Following the meeting Michelle O’Neill said:
“Today we met the Chief Constable on a wide range of current policing and legacy issues.
“Nationalists, women, members of the LGBT community, new nationals and ethnic groups, remain under-represented in the PSNI.
“The policing service clearly needs to be more representative of the society it serves and we urged the Chief Constable to step up efforts to address this imbalance.
“We also discussed preparations for the marching season, bonfires and associated hate crime.
“Sinn Féin also called for more to be done to tackle criminality and in particular organised crime gangs involved in drug dealing, extortion, human trafficking and intimidation.
“Our delegation also raised a number of legacy issues with the Chief Constable.
“We told the Chief Constable that Sinn Féin is alarmed the British government has not yet contacted relevant stakeholders to outline how it intends to honour its commitments in the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ document to publish and introduce legislation within 100 days.
“It’s unacceptable for the British government to let down victims of the conflict once again and they must not resile once again from commitments to implement the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House, in a human rights compliant manner.”
Speaking following the announcement from the Department of Health that there are two additional cases of Coronavirus in the north, the chair of the Health committee Colm Gildernew MLA said:
"The additional two cases brings the number of people suffering from Coronavirus in the north up to three and a total of five across Ireland.
“News of newly confirmed cases of Coronavirus are not surprising as this was always a likelihood given the nature of the virus.
"I want to wish the individuals concerned a speedy and full recovery.
"I welcome the fact that health advice was followed in both these cases and I would urge the public to continue to follow the advice of health authorities.
"Our health services work best when it has the full support of the community. I want to extend my support to our healthcare workers and urge everyone to do the same.
"If you or anyone has concerns that they may have the virus, please do not attend the surgery or hospital without phoning in advance, call the helpline number on 111."
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald, has called for the rights of students and young people to be protected in the aftermath of Brexit.
The party’ Economy spokesperson said:
“A majority of citizens in the North voted to reject Brexit in the 2016 referendum.
“Young people were amongst the strongest opponents of Brexit – they understand clearly how detrimental Brexit is for their lives and future opportunities.
“The reality is Brexit is being foisted upon the citizens of this island without their consent.
“Sinn Féin has consistently opposed Brexit and we have expressed our concerns on the impact that Brexit will have on students, as well as businesses and communities.
“In the time ahead, there can be no compromise on the commitment by the British Government and the EU to maintain a common travel area on the Island of Ireland. To do so would be seriously detrimental to cross-border studying.
“Sinn Féin also has consistently argued that students in the North must continue to have access to the Eramus+ programme.
“Erasmus+ has provided invaluable opportunities to thousands of students and also staff in the North to work and study across Europe.
“It is also vital that universities and other organisations here continue to be able to access Horizon Europe Programme, which facilitates international research collaboration.
“Sinn Féin, as we have done, will continue to actively work to defend the interests of all citizens against Brexit.
"I would urge all young people, students and others, to make sure they speak up and have their voices heard; contact their political representatives, their student union reps or their trade union or other representative bodies in work, and tell them what is important to young people."
Sinn Féin lead negotiator Pearse Doherty TD has said that 'the prospect of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael being returned to office - after an election where the majority of people voted for change - is outrageous'.
He said that 'the people voted for change and change is what needs to happen.'
Mr. Doherty said:
"Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael obviously think that if they drag out the government formation process they will wear the public down and will be able to form a government together.
"The farce of pretending that they are not engaged in negotiations is insulting and will fool nobody.
"They want to get back into power to try and block the change that people voted for but they will not succeed.
"With so many challenges facing people, there is no excuse for unnecessary delay.
"We need a government formed that will give workers and families a break, build homes, reduce and freeze rents, secure a State Pension age of sixty-five and prepare for Irish Unity.
"Sinn Féin are continuing to talk to other parties and independents to deliver a Government for Change. That is our objective."
Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has said some of the findings of the Education Authority's audit into Special Educational Needs practices are ‘truly shocking’.
Speaking after a sitting of the education committee, the Deputy Chair said:
“Today, senior Education Authority officials presented the findings of an internal audit of Special Educational Needs processes and practices.
“The findings have confirmed what many of us have known for a considerable amount of time, the Education Authority has systematically failed some of the most vulnerable children in the north.
“It's deeply worrying that there are almost 700 children waiting longer than the 26-week time frame for a special educational needs statement.
“But what is truly shocking is the fact that there are some children out there waiting almost two years for a statement defining the unique support required by a child with special educational needs.
“These children have been badly let down and have had their right to education undermined by failures within the Education Authority.
“Today, I challenged the Education Authority officials on behalf of all those children and families that have been badly let down. We will continue to hold them to account to ensure the recommendations of the audit report are implemented.”
Sinn Féin party group leader on Causeway Coast and Glens Council, Cara McShane, has said that the council has shown itself as a cold house once again for the LGBTQ community.
This followed legal advice tabled at last night's Council meeting, which exposed the DUP for failing to accept the proposal to fly the Rainbow flag.
Sinn Féin party group leader, Cara McShane, said:
"Last night I proposed that the Council fly the Rainbow flag above the Headquarters in Coleraine on Foyle Pride Day in a sign of solidarity and acknowledgement to the contribution that the LGBTQ+ community make to society.
"This proposal had been previously tabled in June. During this debate, the DUP unfortunately walked out of the Chamber to leave the meeting without a quorum to finish the proceedings.
"I successfully brought this proposal back to the full Council at the following meeting. The DUP 'called-in' in this decision – this mechanism has been used to stall the implementation of the proposal while external legal opinion is sought.
"The findings of that legal opinion came back last night which exposed the DUP tactics as having 'no merit'. It is clear that the intention of the DUP was to frustrate the democratic process.
"While the motion was rejected by anti-progressive elements within the Council, coupled with the absence of several Councillors who did not attend for the vote, we will be bringing this proposal back for further consideration.
"Legal opinion and Equality Commission guidance from other areas shows that there is no negative implications for equality.
“This decision to call in this proposal is simply a pathetic tactic by the DUP, it exposes this Council as a cold house for diversity.
“Sinn Féin are committed to a council that is underpinned by rights and inclusion.”
Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has called on the Executive to challenge the British government to look at ways to provide financial assistance to workers who are off work due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
John O’Dowd said:
“With the projected spread of the Coronavirus we could be facing a situation where many workers have to self-isolate.
“This could lead to financial strain on workers and their families.
“We note the British government’s commitment today to start Statutory Sick Pay on day one as opposed to day four for those who self-isolate as a result of Coronavirus.
“More needs to be done, particularly for those in low-paid jobs or on zero-hour contracts.
“Sinn Féin has tabled a motion calling on the Executive to engage with the British government on how to provide financial assistance and support to those workers so they and their families are able to access sickness payments or benefits.
“We must ensure we are doing all we can to prepare for all aspects of the Coronavirus.”
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said urgent action is needed to tackle infant mortality rates.
Colm Gildernew said:
“In the north we have the highest levels of infant mortality across these islands.
“While I welcome the news that infant mortality is decreasing overall, it is deeply concerning that our progress in tackling this challenge lags considerably behind the progress made everywhere else across these islands.
“Infant mortality remains considerably higher in the more deprived communities across the north.
“According to the Public Health Agency (PHA), an infant under the age of one is 30 per cent more likely to die than an infant in a more affluent community.
“At the root of this disparity between the most and least deprived communities, is unrelenting poverty and a lack of public services worsened by years of Tory austerity.
“If we are to make any meaningful progress in giving every child an equal chance to survive and to flourish then we must work to tackle poverty and inequality across the north.”
Foyle MLA Martina Anderson questioned Translink at the Infrastructure Committee today about passport checks on its cross-border buses.
Martina Anderson said:
“Since 2019, concerns have been building over the increasing number of passport and identity checks being carried out on cross-border transport routes.
“It has been reported that these checks have, at times, been conducted on the basis of racial profiling.
“These checks are also contrary to immigration law, north and south.
“Both British and Irish immigration law exempts people travelling over the partition border in Ireland from carrying and producing passports, yet immigration checks are occurring on our cross-border bus services.
“In a democratic society the powers of law enforcement officers to stop persons and seek papers confirming their identity and status are to be strictly controlled and clearly provided for by law.
“Under what obligation is Translink under to facilitate these checks?
“Additionally, Translink is a public body and is obliged to equality test policy decisions, so why has the facilitation of passport checks not been equality screened?
“A harder border must not be allowed to creep into Ireland, and all people on this island must be free from such potentially discriminatory profiling practices.”
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has called for the truth to be revealed on the events surrounding the murders of four men at Boyle’s Bar in Cappagh on 3rd March 1991.
The party’s justice spokesperson Linda Dillon was speaking after the families received a draft Historical Enquires Team report from the PSNI. The report revealed that the British Army and RUC carried out a joint investigation into MI5 after concerns were raised about collusion with loyalists.
Linda Dillon said:
“Dwayne O'Donnell, Malcolm Nugent, John Quinn, and Thomas Armstrong were murdered on 3rd March 1991, yet no one has ever been held accountable.
“The families of those murdered have always been convinced of collusion in the murder of their loved ones.
“The Historical Enquires Team report reveals that two reviews into the murders have been carried out including one into the role of M15.
“It also shows that three part-time members of the UDR were among those arrested and that two members of the Portadown UVF were arrested on the night of the attack.
“There needs to be full and proper disclosure on the British state’s involvement in these killings.
“The families have had to fight to get access to this HET report which they should have had access to long ago. That is unacceptable.
“There is a need for an independent Historical Investigations Unit which is human rights compliant.
"Sinn Féin will continue to support the families of those murdered in Cappagh in their search for truth.”
Speaking this morning, Sinn Féin health spokesperson Deputy Louise O’Reilly has said a concentrated effort is needed now more than ever before to reduce the number of patients on trolleys.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“February saw 23% increase in the number of patients on trolleys compared to last year with 10,000 people waiting hours, and in some cases days, on trolleys and chairs in order to be admitted to a hospital bed.
“With recent international health events it is massively important that every effort is made to reduce the number of patients on trolleys and ensure that our health services have capacity and scope to deal with any public health situation.
“We need to reopen all closed beds in our acute hospital network and we need to make sure the beds opened under the Winter Plan stay open full time, and to do this we need the staff. However, our hospitals are understaffed, and this is affecting not just those trying to get into them, but also those already in hospital.
“The recruitment crisis has been the cause of a serious issues facing our health service now, and this poses a serious threat as we face into the possibility of a serious public health emergency.
“Earlier in the week the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation stated that 'qualified healthcare staff are queueing up to work, but hospitals are unable to hire them'.
“The recruitment ban in the health service should not have been imposed and the results of it are devastating the health service, it needs to be lifted as a matter of urgency, particularly as we face a potentially serious public health emergency in the shape of the Covid 19.
“Furthermore, we need to create additional capacity in our hospital network, to do this we need to tackle delayed discharges and ensure patients are discharged into the most appropriate care setting.
“This will need the immediate lifting of the freeze on home help hours so that those patients who are in hospital awaiting a home help package can be discharged home.
“There are longer term measures which also need to be taken, but in the here and now the caretaker Minister for Health needs to make every single effort to reduce the number of patients on trolleys and get our health services ready for any possible public health emergency.”
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has called for the Personal Injuries Assessment Board to be strengthened, after recently published data by the Central Bank underpinned the first report of its National Claims Information Database last year.
Speaking today, Deputy Doherty said:
“Data published on Monday by the Central Bank have offered greater insight into the claims and settlement process for motor insurance. This is a welcome development. It is essential that the National Claims Information Database publishes similar data for public and employer liability in 2020, to ensure the Dáil has the information it needs to further reform the insurance market.
“While December’s report by the Central Bank laid bare the insurance industry’s price-gouging of consumers, yesterday’s data clearly shows that the big winner in the courts is the legal industry.
“The data shows that while compensation for claimants in the courts compared to through the Personal Injuries Assessment Board has varied little from 2015 to 2018, legal costs rose considerably for settlements that reached the courts.
“For example, in 2018 the average compensation for a settlement made in the courts was only marginally higher than one made through PIAB. In comparison, legal costs were more than 17 times higher in the courts than in PIAB, comprising nearly 40 percent of the total cost.
“Since 2015, legal costs have swallowed up almost 40 percent of the total cost of settlements in the courts, compared to 3 percent through PIAB.
“Cases which reach the courts, while benefitting the legal industry, offer little for claimants.
"It is clear that the role and functions of PIAB must be strengthened, both to guarantee better outcomes for policyholders and to reduce legal costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers.
“Sinn Féin will continue to hold insurance companies and the legal industry to account while standing up for consumers."
“Sinn Féin fully support the call for a forensic audit of Causeway Coast and Glens Council.
“We supported this forensic audit when it was first suggested by the external representative on the Council's Audit committee some months ago and we have consistent supported this since.
"It is frustrating that 6 unionist Councillors have now tried to thwart this process by using a mechanism to call-in the decision and to prolong the implementation of a forensic audit being carried out. It is, therefore, not surprising to see that the public want to visibly vent their anger through the protest tonight at the Council's monthly meeting.
"The Unionist dominated Council have froze the rates income for several years. The two unionist parties were given reassurances at the most senior level within the organisation, that despite inflation and the introduction of the Living Wage - the Council could sustain a lower income base. What transpired was inevitable - a complete decimation of Council's savings and a rates hike this year.
“There are many questions that have been left unanswered. The Council and wider public have a right to get those reassurances. This can only be achieved through a forensic audit.
"In the interests of transparency, all elected representatives as custodians of the public purse, should be supporting any proposal which helps add accountability and reinstate trust within the organisation.
“We will be actively working within Causeway Coast and Glens Council to deliver sensible resolutions that are people-led and that protect ratepayers and our services."
Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson Deputy Louise O’Reilly has called on both the Minister for Health and the Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation to clarify the protections in place for workers impacted by the Covid-19 response measures.
Speaking this afternoon, Teachta O’Reilly said:
“All political parties have been very clear in urging people to follow the public health advice regarding Covid-19 and to self-isolate as appropriate.
“However, as is often the case when there is a public emergency, no guidance has been issued to employers regarding the treatment of employees who may be impacted.
“Advice and protections for workers must be guaranteed.
“We need to ensure that employees are protected and that they have the confidence that they can take any leave as required.
“Such assurances will be extremely important as the situation progresses as they would allow employees to come forward with confidence to self-report, reduce risk, and protect themselves and the public.
“It is very important that the Minister for Health and the Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation meet with representatives of workers and employers and clarify these matters, and, if needs be, look at emergency legislation to protect workers’ rights.”
