Sinn Féin Lead Negotiator Pearse Doherty TD has said his party had a constructive meeting with the Social Democrats today and will have a further meeting with them on Thursday and will continue to meet other parties this week including the Greens, People Before Profit, Independents4Change and the Regional Independents.
Teachta Doherty said;
“Today we had a very constructive meeting with the Social Democrats in which we discussed common progressive policies and manifesto commitments and we have agreed to meet again on Thursday.
“We will continue our meetings with other parties throughout this week including meeting People Before Profit, Independents4Change, the Regional Independents and the Green Party on Friday.
“We are working hard with others to form a government for change that will invest in public services, open hospital beds, build homes, reduces and freezes rents, prepares for a United Ireland and give workers and families a break.
“Now is the time to get the job done and we are determined to make this happen.
Today in our discussion with the Social Democrats we found many areas of common ground.”
ENDS
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has said delays in assessments for special educational needs among children and young people are unacceptable.
The North Belfast MLA said:
"I asked the Minister for Education for a breakdown of the number of children waiting to be statemented as having a special educational need.
“In his response North Belfast and West Belfast had the highest figures with 172 children on waiting lists in North Belfast alone.
"I then asked for a further breakdown of how long these children were waiting.
“I was shocked that some children are waiting for over 50 weeks for these assessments while 93 are waiting under 26 weeks and 61 are waiting between 26 and 50 weeks.
"These delays are unacceptable and place a great deal of stress on children and young people as well as their parents and teachers.
"I will be meeting with the Education Authority on Friday to discuss the impact of these delays and what can be done to address them in order to support our children and young people."
The Education Minister’s recognition of the growing demand for Irish medium education in Derry is a significant step forward, Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has said.
Karen Mullan said:
“I had written to the Education Minister for an update on Irish-medium primary education in Derry after recommendations were submitted by Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta in April 2019
“There were fears in the past that the Minister would seek to force amalgamations of Derry’s three Gaelscoileanna and this caused concerns in the city.
“The Minister has accepted the recommendation that there should be no change to the make-up of Irish-medium education in the city.
“Irish-medium education is the fastest growing sector in the north and it’s welcome that the Department of Education have finally recognise the sustainability of Derry’s three schools.
“This will only increase confidence and continue growth of local schools who are already bursting at the seams and in need of new facilities.”
Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said he is disappointed the Department of Infrastructure has no plans to bridge the Bann Foot Bridge and allow cyclists and pedestrians travel along the shore of Lough Neagh.
Mr O’ Dowd said;
“I asked the Infrastructure Minister in the Assembly what actions her department is taking to ensure cars and bicycles can travel along the shore of Lough Neagh without significant detours.
"The minster said she had no plans to improve routes along the shoreline.
"This is simply not good enough. The department has a duty to provide a route around Lough Neagh and for far too long this issue has been avoided.
"A number of options could be considered around whether it is part of a greenway or a traditional bridge but there is a clear strategic reason why the Bann Foot should be bridged.
"I will continue to challenge the minister on this issue and have tabled a motion to have the matter debated in the Assembly."
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has met with Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to discuss the development of an anti-poverty strategy and the extension of welfare protection measures.
The North Belfast MLA said:
"My party colleague Emma Sheerin and I held a positive meeting with Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to discuss the development of an anti-poverty strategy for the north.
“It was very encouraging that one of first steps the minister has taken since taking office was binning the bedroom tax and taking steps to extend the welfare protections behind the March 2020 deadline.
“We discussed a range of options around what can be done to extend and expand welfare protections.
“We will continue to meet with the minister and others in order to make sure those most in need in our society are protected from the Tory cuts agenda.”
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has urged people to check, if they are registered to vote.
The West Belfast MP was speaking after over 1,300 people were removed from the permanent postal voter list.
Paul Maskey said:
“I would urge constituents if they are on the list to check with the Electoral Office to see if they are being removed as if they wait until there is an election called, they may miss the opportunity to vote.
“Sinn Féin has raised our concerns with the Electoral Office on this matter as many eligible voters are being disenfranchised.
“There is an imperative on the Electoral Office to make it easy for people to vote but as we have seen in the past that is not always the case.
“You can apply to be on the permanent postal list at any stage, you can apply to get registered to vote at any stage.
“I would urge people to check, that they are registered to vote and they can do so now by contacting the Electoral Office by phone or by email.”
Sinn Féin MLA Sinead Ennis has challenged the Infrastructure Minister to state whether the Narrow Water Bridge is a priority for her Department.
The South Down MLA said:
"Narrow Water bridge is a vital piece of infrastructure for the Mourne, Gullion and Cooley region.
"It would enhance business and investment opportunities, create jobs and strengthen the tourism potential for the entire area.
"The bridge was included in the New Decade, New Approach deal with commitments for delivery made by both the British and Irish governments.
"The minister needs to facilitate discussions with both governments to make sure this vital project is delivered.
“That includes placing Narrow Water Bridge on the agenda at the next meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council
“I will continue to press the Infrastructure Minister to progress this essential project that has been delayed for far too long."
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin has called on the Infrastructure Minister to introduce 20 miles per hour speed limits outside schools.
The Mid Ulster MLA said:
“In 2018 the Department for Infrastructure introduced a part time speed limit of 20mph outside seven schools across the north.
“I asked the minister for an update on this trial and whether she will implement part time signage across all schools currently in national speed limit zones.
“The minister replied that a review of this trial will be published shortly, which will inform her next decision.
“20mph zones outside schools is an important issue and is a common sense approach to improve road safety for our children and young people.
“I will continue to press the Infrastructure minister on this issue and to call on her to allow more schools to benefit from this important road safety scheme."
Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has said the Health Minister should ensure schools, staff and parents are kept up to date with the latest information on Coronavirus.
The Sinn Féin education spokesperson said:
"Reports of the spread of the Coronavirus will no doubt cause considerable concern among parents, teachers and young people.
"Today I called on the Health Minister to ensure schools are kept up to date with all relevant information on the Coronavirus and the steps that are being taken to deal with it.
"Parents and staff, as well as students and young people, need to have confidence that everything is being done to deal with the outbreak of the virus.
"The minister and the department should also make sure information is delivered to young people in a manner that highlights the importance of the issue without causing unnecessary alarm.
“It’s vital that health agencies and professionals are working collaboratively to tackle this health emergency in the most effective way possible."
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer today pressed the Infrastructure Minister on the need to improve safety for children using school buses by protecting them from overtaking vehicles.
The West Tyrone MLA said:
“Today I asked the Infrastructure Minister to look at the introduction of legislation to prohibit vehicles from passing school buses when children are being collected and dropped off.
“Overtaking a stationary bus can be dangerous for school children, particularly when they are crossing roads.
“We have had a number of tragedies and accidents over the years where children have been knocked down and injured. It’s our responsibility to ensuring this never happens again.
“The minister is reviewing my proposals to improve safety and best practice and I hope to meet her in the near future.
“Improving road safety for children and young people is a priority, they are most at risk while crossing roads.
“I will continue to campaign for this vital piece of legislation.”
West Tyrone MLA Catherine Kelly today called on the Infrastructure Minister to recognise the importance of supporting measures to reduce the harm to communities at risk from flooding.
The West Tyrone MLA said:
“Recently a number of areas in my constituency have been affected by flooding as a result of Storm Ciara.
“The Fire Service, PSNI, DFI Roads, Rivers Agency and other relevant agencies were present in some of these areas and dealt with the flooding in a coordinated and effective fashion.
“I asked the Infrastructure Minister to outline the department’s plans for future flooding and recognise the importance of supporting these communities through best practice.
“The minister recognised the significance of this approach and told me the department will continue to work in partnership with other agencies.
“We need to ensure these response teams are adequately funded in the future.
“Flooding is an extremely distressing event for all those affected, and every effort must be made to mitigate their harm.”
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has said the British government must not be allowed to renege on commitments made on protections from Brexit.
The Sinn Féin Brexit spokesperson said:
"As this phase of the Brexit negotiations gets underway it is essential that the protections already agreed by the British government and EU in the Irish Protocol of the Withdrawal Agreement are maintained and implemented.
"To date, the British government appears to be attempting to renege on the commitments it has already entered into, but the EU must not allow that to happen.
"It is vital that these commitments are implemented in order to protect the all-Ireland economy and to offer reassurance to local businesses and traders.
"We will continue to work with the EU and with the Irish government to make sure there is no resiling from the commitments made in the Irish Protocol.”
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has requested meetings with the Minister for the Economy and the Chief Executive of InvestNI to highlight concerns on the regional balance of InvestNI activities.
The party’s economy and climate action spokesperson said:
“Recent figures showing the number of foreign direct investment visits hosted by InvestNI in each constituency over the last three years highlighted gross disparities in many areas compared to Belfast.
“Figures for InvestNI activity 2018-19 broken down by both council area and parliamentary constituency also show great disparities in terms of ‘new jobs assisted’ in constituencies and council areas beyond Belfast.
“Addressing regional disparity is an Executive commitment including in the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ document which states ‘a top priority of the Executive will be to develop a regionally-balanced economy with opportunities for all.
“Addressing regional imbalances requires strategic policy direction and that must include in the activities of InvestNI.
“Decades of under-investment has resulted in huge regional disparities, that must be addressed. I have requested meetings with the Minister for the Economy and the Chief Executive of InvestNI to discuss how this can be achieved and progressed.”
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney, and Minister in the north’s Executive Office, has accused the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil of having vulgarised Irish politics with their public commentary since the general election on 8 February.
Writing for An Phoblacht, the South Antrim MLA, observed that a carnival of reaction had been provoked within the Irish establishment against Sinn Féin’s electoral surge.
Declan Kearney said:
“Both Leo Varadkar and Michéal Martin, the respective leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, and others from their parties, have publicly vilified the democratic structure and integrity of Sinn Féin because they were so affronted by our party’s electoral success.
“Their commentary would be laughable, if it was not so fundamentally anti-democratic. These individuals have traduced the democratic process and vulgarised Irish politics with their behaviour.
“Michéal Martin abused the first sitting of the 33rd Dáil (Irish Parliament) by mounting an irrational and scurrilous attack upon Sinn Féin, which left many in his own party bewildered and embarrassed.
“Sinn Féin’s electoral surge on 8 February has provoked a carnival of reaction from within the Irish establishment.
“But the huge support for our party is a culmination of a deep discontent against how Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have run the southern state since its foundation on behalf of the economic and class interests of the establishment.
“The fact is that the two big conservative parties, having had a free run for nearly 100 years, lost the run of themselves They were so intoxicated with their duopoly of state power that they thought it would be ‘business as usual’ after the most recent general election.
“Politics has arguably been brought to a cross roads by this general election.
“The current impasse over government formation can be read as sub text for a power struggle over who is in government, and which economic and social interests should be advanced through the exercise of state power”
Turning to the prospects of government formation, Declan Kearney said:
“The potential does still exist to form a government for change in the coming weeks.
“However, for that to happen, some parties will have to make decisions about which side they are on, and how they want to see political power exercised - in the interests of the many, or the few.
“Sinn Féin is clear about what needs to happen.
“It would be a strategic miscalculation by the left and other progressives, and potentially a lost opportunity, if this period is confined to policy negotiations among parties and politicians, while everyone else behaves like passive spectators.
“So, progressive civic and community-based stakeholders need to begin exerting their significant political and social influence.
“Other voices must speak out for change, and contribute to a new narrative for political change.
“Initiatives by trade unionists and other progressive social and cultural activists are presently needed to effect the balance of forces in the support of progress and political transformation.
“The aim of achieving permanent political and social realignment will of course depend upon the appointment of a government for change. But that will have to be supported by a broadly based coalition of democratic civic and community interests. In short, a mobilisation of progressive politics within the political institutions, and, also outside the institutions of government and throughout wider society.
"Genuine republicans, socialists, progressives and democrats should set aside tactical and political differences, and instead unite and act to ensure that the community and class interests of the many have primacy.”
The full text of Declan Kearney’s blog can be read here: https://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/27746
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald said today that it is good news that the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Edwin Poots is “keen to introduce an afforestation strategy".
The party’s economy and climate action spokesperson was speaking after the minister responded in writing to her confirming he would introduce an Afforestation Strategy on public land.
The East Derry MLA said:
“I welcome the response from the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs that he is ‘keen to introduce an afforestation strategy on public land’.
“He said he would collaborate with Executive colleagues and local councils to create an Afforestation Forum.
“The forum will initially meet this month to advance plans to allow planting to start during the winter 2020/21 tree planting season.
"Sinn Féin advocates an ambitious tree planting programme as one on the measures to offset carbon emissions, as trees absorb and store carbon dioxide.
"However, any tree planting programme must be of native, broadleaf trees which will support and improve biodiversity.
“The culture of planting only Sitka Spruce has had a detrimental environmental and ecological impact.
"This is a step in the right direction in terms of beginning to address the climate emergency by offsetting carbon emissions.
“However, what we fundamentally require is the delivery of climate legislation which creates a framework for climate action.
“Setting robust and enforceable emissions reduction targets and bringing forward a Climate Change Act should be a primary priority for the Minister.”
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has announced that former Foyle MP Elisha McCallion will be one of the party’s candidates in the Seanad election.
Speaking after her selection, Elisha McCallion said:
“I’m honoured to have been selected to run for the Industrial and Commercial panel and as one of the Sinn Féin’s seven candidates in the Seanad election.
“This is a unique opportunity to work with my colleague Niall Ó Donnghaile in giving people across the north a voice in the Oireachtas.
“Part of my focus will be advancing the party’s agenda of giving workers and families a break, defending citizens’ rights, advancing Irish Unity and addressing regional disparities west of the Bann, including the impact of partition on Derry and Donegal.
“There are important challenges ahead in the coming months as the next stage of Brexit begins, we must ensure the protections for economy secured in the Irish Protocol and Withdrawal Agreement are upheld.
“I look forward to the campaign and I am determined to bring a positive, inclusive and dynamic perspective to the Oireachtas.
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has announced her party’s candidates for the Seanad election.
Speaking today Teachta McDonald said Sinn Féin Senators will help to advance the party’s agenda of giving workers and families a break, building homes, reducing and freezing rents, tackling the trolley crisis securing the state pension at 65 years of age and preparing for Irish Unity.
She said;
“The Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle met in Dublin yesterday and finalised our field of Seanad candidates.
“Former Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan will run on the Agriculture Panel alongside Councillor Gerry Murray from Mayo.
“Sitting Senators Paul Gavan and Máire Devine will run again on the Labour Panel while Fintan Warfield will run on the Culture and Education Panel and Niall Ó Donnghaile will run on the Administrative Panel.
“Former MP for Foyle Elisha McCallion will run on the Industrial and Commercial Panel.
“Sinn Féin Senators will help to advance the party’s agenda of giving workers and families a break, building homes, reducing and freezing rents, tackling the trolley crisis securing the state pension at 65 years of age and preparing for Irish Unity.”
ENDS
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has welcomed today's high-level meeting between the north's Joint Head of Government, the Taoiseach and health ministers across the island to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
The Sinn Féin health spokesperson said:
"I welcome today's meeting involving the Joint Heads of Government in the north, the Assembly's Health Minister with the Taoiseach and Health Minister in the south on an agreed, all-Ireland approach to the coronavirus.
"It is essential that public health authorities north and south work closely together and co-operate and community effectively in order to deal with this health emergency.
"Infections don’t recognise barriers or borders and neither should our approach.
“It is encouraging that the joined up approach will continue in the time ahead.”
Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has condemned a fire and break-in at the building of disability charity Destined on Foyle Road this morning.
The Foyle MLA said:
“I’m angry this morning after visiting local learning disability charity Destined following a break-in and fire inside their new building on the Foyle Road.
“Those responsible wrecked a brand-new kitchen in the café and smashed the windows on the front doors of the building.
“This centre not only provides activities and programmes for young people and adults with learning disabilities, but it also provides vital employment.
“The community are rightly devastated and will rally their support behind Destined.
“Anyone with any information or CCTV footage should contact the PSNI to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice for this despicable crime.”
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed a commitment by the Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to extend Neighbourhood Renewal projects for the next two financial years.
Carál Ní Chuilín said:
“I welcome today's announcement by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to extend budgets given to Neighbourhood Renewal projects for the next two financial years.
“This is a fantastic development for communities across the north and the 900 workers and countless volunteers who make a real and lasting difference in our communities.
“Sinn Féin have fought long and hard alongside Neighbourhood Renewal projects in their campaign to have funding and services protected.
“It’s unacceptable that workers and organisations enter each year with uncertainty and protective notice. Under these proposals Deirdre Hargey has committed to look at multi-annual funding to provide more security to organisations.
“Once again; Minister Hargey has demonstrated her commitment to addressing poverty and disadvantage and to target resources at areas most in need.”
