Latest statements

Commenting after being told by the PSNI that the dissident Republican group the so-called New IRA is planning a bomb attack on the car of a Sinn Féin member the party’s Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill tonight said:

“Following the recent launch of a PSNI recruitment campaign, police have told Sinn Féin tonight that persons aligned with the dissident Republican group, the so-called New IRA, plan to attack a Sinn Féin member using an under car explosive device.

“We have been told this planned attack could happen anywhere in the north.

“This is literally a threat against thousands of Sinn Féin members and their families in the north.

“This is not the first time this particular group have made threats against Sinn Féin members and the PSNI is taking this threat very seriously.

“I am urging the party’s members to be very vigilant at this time.

“This latest threat shows once again that these groups are in conflict with their own community. 

“This dangerous and disgraceful threat comes at a time when the debate on Irish unity is centre stage. 

“And the response of these so-called Republicans is to plan attacks on Sinn Féin members .

“Let me be very clear. Sinn Féin will not be deterred from pursuing our objective of a united Ireland.

“We will continue to represent the people in government and in communities the length and breadth of Ireland, driving the agenda for change which has been backed by more than 700,000 voters across this island,

“This armed group must withdraw its threat immediately. There is no room for the existence of armed groups. They should disband.” 

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has welcomed moves to reverse laws which would have led to southern registered fishing boats being treated as ‘foreign’ vessels in northern waters. 

The fisheries spokesperson said: 

"Sinn Féin is opposed to Brexit, just as the majority of MLAs in this Assembly oppose the Tory Brexit agenda. 

"Statutory regulations as a result of Brexit, which would have led to southern-registered fishing boats being regarded as foreign in northern waters, were opposed when they came through the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs committee. 

"The Agriculture Minister has now given a commitment that he will immediately revoke these regulations and that is welcome. 

"On the committee we will be hearing evidence from the fishing industry in the weeks ahead to discuss Brexit and other issues of concern."

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has written to the Presidents of University College Dublin, Dublin City University, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, Limerick University, Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork requesting a meeting to discuss plans to increase on-campus student accommodation charges by up to 4% per year.

Deputy Ó Broin said:

“I have written to the Presidents of University College Dublin, Dublin City University, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, Limerick University, Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork requesting a meeting to discuss plans to increase on-campus student accommodation charges by up to 4% per year.

“Sinn Féin and other opposition parties worked hard to force a change in the legislation to ensure that on-campus student accommodation was included in the rent pressure zone legislation. This made it illegal for on-campus student accommodation providers to increase rents by more than the 4% cap.

“While the Universities are adhering to the letter of the law they are not recognising the spirit of the law.

“Rising student accommodation costs are placing a huge financial burden on lower and middle income students and their families.

“Most students cannot afford any more rental increases and should not be priced out of the University of their choice due to accommodation costs.

“We need to start a conversation about how on-campus student accommodation is financed and what can be done to lower the costs so that Universities can provide affordable, good quality accommodation.

“I am keen to meet the head of these Universities as a matter for urgency to ensure that students have access to good quality accommodation.

“I have also written to student union representatives seeking a meeting to discuss their concerns about this latest flurry of rent rises.”

Sinn Féin Agriculture spokesperson Brian Stanley TD has called for Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) payments to be protected at this week’s extraordinary European Council budget talks.

Deputy Stanley was speaking following the release of leaked document which suggest that CAP could be facing a massive 19% cut in EU funding which is to facilitate extra military spending.

Deputy Stanley said:

“It is vital that we do not see any decrease in the CAP budget.

“The Irish government, in particular Minister Creed, need to go out and make a strong case for Irish farmers to ensure this does not happen.

“The news which has been leaked this week of a potential cut in funding of 14% to 19% would have a devastating impact for Irish farmers and rural Ireland.

“According to these documents, the CAP budget would lose 53.2 Billion over its 6-year programme.

“This will make many family farms unviable.

“We are already facing the crisis of Brexit and the myriad of issues which will need to be addressed.

“Irish farmers then need to contend with the EU-Mercosur trade deal and the constant demand to reduce the suckler herd.

“We have been very clear with regards to CAP. We need to restructure the payments to ensure that there is a CAP of

€60,000 and to use that money to increase payments for farmers on the lower end of the scale.

“What is worse is that we know that alongside this proposed decrease in CAP funding is the drive by certain EU countries to invest in an EU army, to invest in munitions and to further involve ourselves in the duties of NATO – this must be resisted at all costs.

“Ireland is a net contributor to the EU and as such we need to ensure that we use our voice at the CAP talks this week to reject any proposal to decrease CAP funding and the caretaker Fine Gael government must ensure this happens.”

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said this morning that “Sinn Féin wants to form a Government for Change and this week we will be intensifying our discussions with the Green Party, Social Democrats, Solidarity/People Before Profit, Independents4Change and Independents to explore how we deliver a government which will build homes, cut rents and freeze them, end the trolley crisis, deal with climate change, give workers and families a break and advance Irish unity.

Ms. McDonald said:

“Everyone agrees that last week the people voted for change. The question for all parties is are they willing to be part of a Government for Change?

“Last week we spoke to the Green Party, People Before Profit, the Labour Party, the Social Democrats, Independents4Change and Independents and we will be intensifying our discussions with them this week to explore how we deliver a government which will build homes, cut rents and freeze them, end the trolley crisis, deals with climate change, give workers and families a break and advance Irish unity.

“It is clear at this stage that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael want to block change and maintain their grip on power.  This is not what people voted for. In fact they voted against the very policies implemented by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáíl over the last four years. That is why there was huge anger at the weekend at the prospect of Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael being returned to government, despite the outcome of the election.”

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has extended her deepest condolences to the family and friends of Harry Gregg, who has passed away.

The East Derry MLA said:

"I want to extend my deepest condolences, to the family and friends of sporting legend Harry Gregg who has passed away.

"As a Busby Babe, Harry helped cement his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

“Harry survived the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, returning to the plane to rescue team-mates and other passengers.

“He was an inspiration to young people in the Causeway Coast and Glens area as well as sporting people across the globe.

"My deepest sympathies go to Harry’s family and friends.

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis." 

Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney has said that it is only a matter of time before the party is in government north and south as a result of an electoral revolution in the southern state last weekend.

And Declan Kearney said the stances adopted by both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to negotiations are neither sustainable or credible and are intrinsically anti-democratic.

In a blog published in An Phoblacht today the South Antrim MLA and Minister in the Executive Office wrote: 

“Sinn Féin sought and received a mandate for government to deliver change, and this week we began a process of exploring the potential of government formation with other parties, on the basis of ending the health and homeless crises; delivering sustainable public services; building 100,000 homes; reducing the retirement age to 65 years; and, advancing Irish unity.

“Sinn Féin wants to be in government to make the progressive change which people clearly desire.

“We are committed to cooperating with others to bring that about. 

“It is a very fundamental, democratic position, and yet almost immediately the Fine Gael leadership arrogantly announced that it would not speak with Sinn Féin about government formation.

“Then just days later a similar position was taken by the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party. 

“Of course the Fianna Fáil leadership and parliamentary party attempts to exclude Sinn Féin from government stems from the fact that they do not want, at this time, to build the houses, reduce the pension age, freeze rents, and cut the ministerial and TD salaries.

“The stances adopted by both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are neither sustainable or credible. In fact they are intrinsically anti-democratic.”

Declan Kearney said the setbacks for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are huge. 

“The reality is the Irish establishment, and its vested economic, financial, and class interests has been rocked to its very core by the electoral revolution of last weekend.

“The significance of the electoral and political set backs for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are huge.

“Their rotational dominance in government, which secured the Irish establishment's interests for decades, has been ended.

“The general election confirmed Sinn Féin as the largest party in the southern state, representing the community and class interests of working people, with a massive mandate of over half a million votes.”

He continued:

“Three weeks ago the British state left the European Union. One of the unintended consequences of Brexit has been to put a debate about constitutional change and Irish unity centre stage.

“The Irish establishment fears this debate: And the British do not want it to take place.

“But that genie is out of the bottle.

“Sinn Féin is in government in the north of Ireland. It is only a matter of time until we are also in government in the south.

“Politics has started to realign in Ireland.

The results of the last election are new evidence of that.”

The full text of Declan Kearney's blog can be read here at https://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/27743

Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has expressed frustration at the lack of urgency in progressing the expansion of Gaelscoil na Daróige in Derry.

The party’s Education spokesperson was responding to confirmation from Department of Education that they are seeking valuations for a prospective site.

Karen Mullan said:

“The Education Minister has confirmed that the Department is currently seeking valuations on a prospective site for the expansion of Gaelscoil na Daróige in Derry.

“School and sectoral leaders, as well as the wider community, are clear that the Department has been well aware of the need for additional land and accommodation at the school for many years.

“Gaelscoil na Daróige were hopeful that they would have this expansion in place for the intake of pupils in September 2020.

“Instead, at this late stage, the Department of Education are still only at the stage of seeking valuations.

“This is simply unacceptable, given that the school has been operating in temporary portacabin accommodation for 15 years while pupil numbers continue to grow.

“The Minister must approach this with a sense of urgency and provide these children and their teachers with the facilities they need and deserve.” 

Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán and Joint Head of Government Michelle O’Neill will hold an urgent meeting with new British Secretary of State Brandon Lewis. 

Michelle O’Neill said: 

“I spoke with the new British Secretary of State for the North, Brandon Lewis, this morning following his appointment yesterday. 

“We agreed to meet as a matter of urgency to discuss important matters including his government’s approach to dealing with the legacy of the conflict, particularly in relation to the bad faith shown over the issue of pensions for those injured as a result of the conflict. 

“I told him the British government is a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement and he has a legal duty to act with rigorous impartiality.

“The political landscape across the island is changing dramatically, and while I see no contradiction in genuine power-sharing with unionism and making that work, the conversation and planning for Ireland’s future beyond Brexit cannot be ignored. 

“I will also challenge him on the financial commitments made by the British government in the New Decade, New Approach document and on the need for a financial package to deliver public services and make the Executive and Assembly sustainable. 

“Brexit and the future relationship negotiations are also a key issue, which we will discuss. 

“The British government has made commitments on a range of issues and we intend to see it fulfills those commitments.

“That is the message I will be giving to Brandon Lewis.” 

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has said that the people voted for change and the political challenge is to deliver a Government for Change. 

She said that Micheál Martin's decision to dismiss the views of the more than half a million people who voted for change and to disregard the mandate received by Sinn Féin is "reckless and arrogant".

She went on to say that the people did not vote for five more years of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and that it is unthinkable that these two parties would go back into government for more of the same. 

Ms. McDonald said:

"The people voted for change and politically the challenge is to give people the government that they voted for - that is a Government for Change; a government that will deal with the housing crisis and the trolley crisis, that will guarantee the pension age at sixty-five, that will give workers and families a break, and that will work for Irish Unity. That is what we want to deliver.

"Since the votes were counted Sinn Féin had taken a constructive and proactive approach to forming government. We are continuing to talk to the Greens, People before Profit and the Social Democrats and are making contact with Independents.

"While we strongly disagree with Fianna Fáil on many policies and issues, the voters have given us a mandate to make change happen and that is what we must do.

"Micheál Martin has arrogantly refused to speak to Sinn Féin - the party which won the election and which represents over half a million people. This position is totally untenable and reckless.

"Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have held power for almost a century. They want to have it all their own way. They seek to obstruct the alternative politics and the appetite of the people for change. 

"The people didn’t vote for five more years of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

"I cannot imagine who would be prepared to put these two parties back into government for more of the same. People will be appalled at the prospect of Micheál Martin putting Eoghan Murphy back in as Housing Minister and Simon Harris back in as Health Minister."

The allocation of new nursing and midwifery places would be a key step towards the expansion of the Magee campus, Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has said.

The Foyle MLA was commenting after seeking written confirmation from the Health Minister on how many of 900 new places will be allocated to Magee.

Karen Mullan said:

“One of the commitments in the New Decade, New Approach deal was a commitment to deliver 900 yearly nursing and midwifery undergraduate places at Ulster University.

“I have received confirmation from the Health Minister that a decision on how many of these places will be allocated to Magee will be made in March of this year.

“Securing these extra places will be another positive step towards the overall expansion of the Magee campus and boosting the north west economy.

“The Nursing School on campus is already punching well above its weight with a high number of new applicants each year.

“Sinn Féin will continue to work with Ulster University and the Department of Health to ensure commitments within the new deal are met.”

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Climate Action and the Economy, Caoimhe Archibald MLA, has once again called on Minister Edwin Poots to publicly commit to delivering a Climate Change Act within the remainder of this Assembly term.

The call came following a bid for funding made by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for funding to begin work on developing a Climate Change Act.

The East Derry MLA said:

"While it is welcome that the Department is seeking funding in the next financial year, it will mean little without political will from Minister Poots to deliver a Climate Change Act.

"The delivery of legislation to set robust and enforceable emissions reduction targets to tackle the climate emergency should be a primary priority for the minister.

"However, having refused to commit to the delivery of a Climate Change Act on several occasions since the restoration of the Assembly, it is clear the minister is dragging his feet on this issue.

"This Assembly has declared a climate emergency, the time for dithering and delay is long past.

"I am once again calling on the minister to fulfil his obligations to the Assembly and to the public, and deliver a Climate Change Act as a matter of urgency."

Sinn Féin Chair of the Economy Committee Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed the creation of the new employer network, Hospitality and Tourism Skills (HATS).

 Caoimhe Archibald said:

“I want to welcome the initiative taken by the hospitality and tourism sector to set up HATS.

“This launches a three-year action plan to tackle shortage skills shortage in hospitality and tourism.

“This will see government working with education providers to plug this gap.

"Hospitality and tourism play a vital role in our local economy and if we can boost skills in the workforce we can continue to create more jobs.”

Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill said today she is writing to the British government for an urgent meeting with the incoming British Secretary of State following the sacking of Julian Smith. 

And she said that the British government must honour its promises to the families of victims of the conflict and implement its agreements to deal with legacy issues.

Michelle O’Neill said:

“I am writing to the British government seeking an urgent meeting with the incoming British Secretary of State following the sacking of Julian Smith.

“In that meeting Sinn Féin will take the opportunity to raise the financial commitments made by the British government in the New Decade New Approach agreement only weeks ago.    

“Reports from London that Julian Smith was sacked as a result of commitments made to bring forward legislation to implement the legacy bodies agreed at Stormont House are very concerning for victims of the conflict and their families.

“The British government has already dragged this process out for more than five years, delaying the publication of legislation again and again.

“Some victims have been waiting up to five decades for truth and disclosure.

“It is unacceptable for the British government to backtrack on commitments made only weeks ago in the New Decade New Approach agreement.

“The British government must honour its agreements regardless of who is in the office of British Secretary of State.

"The incoming Irish government has a clear responsibility to hold the British government to these commitments and the implementation of Stormont House Agreement.”

Below is the text of a keynote address by Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD to a meeting of the party's Oireachtas members this morning:

Before Saturday’s election, I said it could be a historic election and the most important in a generation.

I said the election could shape life on the island of Ireland for the next decade and beyond, and that the result of the election could be seismic for the Irish political landscape.

Lo and behold, I think that assessment has been proven correct.

Together, we in Sinn Féin took our message to the people and to communities right across the State.

People have responded to our message.

We put forward our manifesto - the aim of which was, and is - to give workers and families a break. 

It was, and is, a manifesto for change. 

Over half a million people agreed.

Sinn Féin won the election.

That there are so many of you here today - as part of a new Sinn Féin team for a new Dáil term - is testament to that fact.

Our platform is now the people’s manifesto.

And it is the basis for a Programme for Government.

A programme of change for a Government of Change.

People are looking to us to deliver.

They are looking to us to lead. 

What the election campaign demonstrated is that people trust Sinn Féin to stand up for them. 

To work hard for them. 

And to make a difference in their lives

They also see that we have a plan and the political will to fix the very real problems in our society.

We have the solutions.

Our objective is a government that builds homes, cuts rents and freezes them.

We want to reduce the pension age to sixty-five.

We will stand up to vulture funds and the insurance industry.

We want to give workers and families a break by taking the first €30,000 out of the USC.

And we want to advance Irish Unity.

This not only possible but necessary at this time.

The process is clear.

A referendum on unity is a key part of the Good Friday Agreement.

It is a duty of the Irish government to commence this process.

Unionists should not fear debate and discussions about the future.

This must be an engaging and forward-looking debate.

Sinn Féin want real change.

We want to implement our solutions, that are grounded in common sense and to implement our policies.

And we have the team with the ability to deliver.

There is a massive appetite amongst the electorate for something different from government.

That is what the people voted for - for change.

Not simply for us to go into government for the sake of it and not to simply have our turn.

They have given us a chance to show that we can improve their lives.

A chance to show that will we honour our commitments. 

A chance to shape a government that will finally do right by ordinary people.

Because we are not in politics for self-interest or self-gain.

We are not in politics for power or for status.

We’re not like those that have spent decades in government serving their own interests.

That is old politics.

The politics of the past - where government came and went - but the age-old problems remained.

Sinn Féin is different.

That’s why Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were so determined to keep us out of government.

They said they wouldn’t talk to us. 

Some of them still say it.

That they will ignore our democratic mandate.

But that stance has run out of road. 

Those days are over. 

Now is the moment for change. 

Now is our time.

Every so often, a window appears when each of us can steer history in a new direction.

We’ve done that.

We have energised people. 

We’ve shown that change is possible.

And there is now an opportunity to elect a government for change.

If we do our job, I believe Sinn Féin can lead such a government. 

That is what we want.

I know that is what you want and I know that is why people sent you here.

I said that we would talk to all parties after the election.

Yesterday I met with the Green Party and People Before Profit, I have spoken with the Labour Party and today I will meet with the Social Democrats. 

Those talks will continue.

Last night, I also wrote to the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to seek a meeting.

There are big policy incompatibilities between us and Fianna Fáil.

Of that there is no doubt.

Our objective is a Government of Change.

The question is this -

Will Fianna Fáil sign up for that type of change?

The type of change that people voted for?

Fianna Fáil have dominated politics in this State for a very long time. 

It will be quite a challenge for them to sign up to this type of Programme for Government, but Micheál Martin has said that he is a democrat, he listens to the people and respects the decision of the people; so he knows that the people want change.

So can Fianna Fáil be part of that change?

That is a big question.

There is an obligation on all of us to act urgently.

We will continue to talk to parties committed to change.

We will do everything to secure a Government of Change and a Programme for Government that meets the housing crisis head on, and solves it, that gets a grip on the health crisis, that ensures dignity and a pension age at 65, that gives families and workers a break.

We must secure a government of the people and deliver the change that people clearly desire.

Speaking from Leinster House this afternoon Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly said her party’s objective is to deliver a government that will build homes, cut rents and freeze them, reduce the pension age to 65, give workers and families a break and advance Irish Unity.

She said;

“The people on Saturday voted for change and Sinn Féin are doing what we can to deliver a government of change.

“We will meet with all parties, starting with those that received a mandate for change.

“Our objective is a government that; builds homes, cuts rents and freezes them, reduces the pension age to 65, gives workers and families a break, and advances Irish Unity. 

“That is our aim over the coming period.”

ENDS

Speaking during a sitting of the Education Committee today, deputy chairperson Karen Mullan MLA said the availability of counselling services in schools is ‘insufficient’ and called for more investment.

The Foyle MLA said:

“The figures revealed in the Committee reiterate that current provision for counselling services in schools is insufficient.

 “It’s even more shocking to hear that in a school which has 1,000 pupils there is only five sessions per week.

“As the parent of a son who in Year 10, his class experienced a bereavement with the loss of a pupil - the crisis intervention they experienced was excellent, but it’s too short term, the school were excellent, but as we heard today they get a very small amount of sessions

“Community and voluntary organisations are doing excellent work, I raised the importance of them being involved in shaping any future plans.

“It’s something that needs to be looked at and it needs more investment.” 

Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson is urging the Transport Minister to take steps to ensure that concessionary fares can be accepted on the Airporter bus service between Derry and the two Belfast airports.

The Foyle MLA said:

“Airporter customers have been unable to benefit from concessionary fares since the introduction of new scanning technology by Translink which is not available to the airport shuttle service.

“Older people in particular are losing out as they are unable to utilise their free travel concession on the Airporter service.

“Translink operates a service from Belfast to both the International and City airports but there is no such provision for the citizens of Derry.

“This is a clear inequality and Translink should redress it by either operating the route themselves or enabling Airporter to access the automatic scanning hardware so that older people from Derry can avail of concessionary fares.

“I have asked the Infrastructure Minister to work with Translink to urgently address this regional inequality of service.”

Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has said businesses and haulage companies need certainty over the future trading relationship with both the EU and Britain. 

The Sinn Féin infrastructure spokesperson said: 

“There are still massive outstanding issues concerning businesses and the haulage sector over our future trading relationship with the EU and with Britain.  

“Although the framework of our future relationship has been outlined, detail is needed.

“This includes uncertainty around additional paperwork on goods being transported from Britain to the north as well as potential delays at the ports.

“We also need clarity on the arrangements for the identification of goods that are ‘at risk’ of onward export to the EU including the south.

“For example, we need to know if duty has to be paid for ‘at risk goods’ that aren’t then exported to the EU including the south, and the processes and timeframes for reimbursement of the duty paid.

“Brexit continues to create an inhospitable environment of uncertainty for Irish businesses.

“The Sinn Féin Infrastructure team will continue to press for clarity on these critical issues."

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children and Young People, Catherine Kelly MLA has called on the Department of Education to work with other departments to deal with issues that cause stress, anxiety and poor mental health in young people.