South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney has hit out strongly at those responsible for the second recent sectarian attack on the Orange Hall in Glenavy village.
Speaking after the latest incident, he said:
"This act of criminal damage upon the orange hall in Glenavy is the second sectarian attack against the premises in six months.
"Those responsible are clearly trying to provoke division and tension in an area where community relations are very integrated. But I and other political and community leaders will ensure their toxic agenda will not succeed.
"The perpetrators represent nothing except sectarian bitterness and their actions are the opposite of Irish republican politics in the United Irish tradition. Sinn Féin will continue to stand up against sectarianism, regardless of its origin.
“Anyone with information about this attack should provide it to the PSNI, or make contact confidentially with Crime Stoppers."
Editors note:
Full Address by Maurice Quinlivan TD to the Annual Seán Sabhat Commemoration in Limerick this afternoon:
A chairde,
May I begin by thanking the organisers of this commemoration for inviting me to be the keynote speaker today.
For over sixty years Republicans have come to this spot in the early days of January to honour the memory of Sean Sabhat who lost his life in the struggle for Irish freedom at Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh on New Year’s Day 1957.
Indeed, I think that it is very true to say that this commemoration has assumed a significant and unique place in the Republican calendar.
Over the years many stalwarts of the Republican struggle have given the main address here and I consider it a particular honour to be able to follow in their number today.
Seán Sabhat was a man who thought deeply about Ireland and its future. He was particularly interested in the social, economic and cultural development of the country and its people.
When he looked around at the state of Ireland in his own time he was driven by a fierce desire not only to end British rule in Ireland but also to end the scourge of mass unemployment, the human waste of mass emigration and the general social and economic deprivation which was such a feature of Ireland in the 1950s.
He could see clearly the terrible damage that partition had caused to Ireland and that the 26 County state was far from being the Republic as envisaged in the 1916 Proclamation and the Democratic Programme of the First Dáil.
The Border Campaign of 1956-62, in which Sabhat lost his young life, was clearly a military and political failure. However, it did bring into the Republican Movement a whole new generation of men and women many of whom would go on to play major roles in the Republican struggle.
The ending of the campaign ushered in a period of soul-searching and ideological ferment within the movement; the results of which are still being felt in our own time.
There is little doubt that had Seán Sabhat lived a longer life that he would have been part of the great debates that marked the Republican movement in the 1960s.
It is, of course, impossible to say with certainty what attitudes he may have adopted to the matters in contention. But I think we can be sure that he would have had his say as he was gifted with the spoken and written word in both Irish and English.
As we stand on the threshold not only of another year but of also of a new decade, we too are inclined to take stock of the state of the country.
One thing that stands out are the challenges and dangers posed by what looks like Britain’s imminent departure from the European Union.
This momentous historical development can have one clear benefit for Ireland in that it brings nearer the achievement of the great aim for which Seán Sabhat and many others fought and died – the ending of Partition and with it the centuries-old British interference in Ireland.
It is indeed interesting to see how the Southern establishment have reacted to the growing prospect of a United Ireland. In particular Fianna Fáil – the self-styled Republican Party – have made it clear that they don’t even want to talk about it and that the very idea fills them with dread.
Indeed, it is very clear that the whole of the political establishment in the 26 Counties have been more than satisfied with the Partitionist status-quo and that if they had their way, they would prefer it to continue forever. But, unfortunately for them, the future may have other ideas.
Speaking at the Sinn Féin Árd Fheis in Derry last November, our Party President Mary Lou McDonald stated that people in Ireland are faced with a somewhat stark choice as we enter a new decade.
We can continue with the failed policies that have marked the decade just finished in terms of housing, health, employment rights, climate change and the general quality of life or we can embrace the vision of a new and better future.
Republicans have made it very clear that we want to be at the forefront of shaping that future. We place ourselves firmly on the side of creating a new and better Ireland – a fairer and more equal Ireland.
We want to see an Ireland in which children are not raised in hotel rooms, nor ill and elderly people abandoned on trolleys in our hospitals.
We want to see an Ireland in which workers are not ruthlessly exploited and denied even the security of having a set number of working hours per week.
We want to see an Ireland in which huge numbers of our people are not living in alienation and despair. In a word we want an Ireland in which the dictates of the financial markets and big business do not always take precedence over the needs and aspirations of ordinary working people.
It has been an honour to work alongside trade unionists from SIPTU, FORSA, Unite ,Mandate, INMO and others since my election on a series of campaigns in support of workers rights.
And I have been proud to stand on picket lines in support of our Nurses, our rail workers and Dunnes Stores workers to name just a few of the disputes during this time.
Limerick needs a voice for trade unionists in the next Dáil. We already have enough millionaire business men, men of property and wealth.
Only Sinn Féin will stand by the working men and women of this country who remain the backbone of this state in times good and bad.
After nearly a decade of Fine Gael in government it is surely time for a change of direction in the affairs of our country. After a decade marked by fiscal conservatism, austerity and the rule of the monied elites the time has come for a fairer and more humane approach.
In a very short time – perhaps a matter of weeks – the people will have the opportunity to face up to that stark choice that I mentioned earlier when they are called upon to vote in a General Election.
Sinn Féin will fight that election on a clear and distinct political platform that will put forward properly costed proposals aimed at creating a better and more equitable society in Ireland.
Of course, the two main conservative parties – Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil – who differ little in basic ideology and policies want the election to be simply a matter of deciding which one of them gets to lead the Government. And in this they are being assisted by most of the mainstream media.
However, Sinn Féin is determined to ensure that it does not only come down to choosing between Tweedledum and Tweedledee, but that it is a contest marked by debate on real policies and the future direction of our society.
The real decision is between the failed and inequitable policies of the past decade and policies inspired by an alternative vision of a fairer and more humane Ireland.
Following the clear setback suffered by Sinn Féin in last year’s local and European elections many of our political opponents and others in the media could not contain their glee and were quick to predict the demise of our party as a serious political force.
The by-elections in November clearly have shown such predictions to be – to the say the least – somewhat premature.
Sinn Féin enter these elections in a buoyant and confident mood. Not only can we hold most if not all of our current Dáil seats, we can indeed make significant gains.
But to do this we need the assistance of all here today and many others who share our Republican ideals.
As we enter a new decade, Republicans can help shape the Ireland of the future. A united Ireland is within our grasp; a better and fairer Ireland is there to be won.
With the hard work, commitment and dedication for which Republicans are renowned we can move forward together towards an Ireland worthy of the sacrifice of Seán Sabhat and the countless others who gave their lives for Irish freedom.
Beir Bua,
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan has condemned the illegal and reckless US drone strike at Baghdad International Airport that killed Qassem Soleimani, an Iranian Major General, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi military commander, as well as eight others.
Senator Gavan said:
“This US military airstrike was completely illegal and incredibly reckless.
"This harebrained and unlawful use of military force to murder Iranian and Iraqi military officials will have a major destabilising effect on the situation in the Middle East, and the US knows this.
“The Irish government must immediately join the global condemnation of this illegal and reckless US action.
“As the US government announces that it is sending more troops to Iraq and tensions continue to rise, the Irish government need to urgently put an end to the use of Shannon Airport by the US military.”
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has said the local community has been shocked and saddened by the death of a 13 year-old boy in West Belfast.
The West Belfast MP said:
“The community in West Belfast has been left shocked and saddened by the death of a 13 year-old boy on a collision on the Springfield Road.
“This death is a tragedy that has left the local area stunned.
“My thoughts and sympathies go out to the family and friends of this teenage boy at this tragic time.”
Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew has expressed her sympathies following the death of a 19-year-old man in Dungannon.
The Fermanagh South Tyrone MP said:
“The local community have been shocked by the discovery of a man’s body in the Castle Hill area of Dungannon.
“An investigation is underway into the circumstances of the man’s death and this must be allowed to proceed.
“My thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the man at this sad time.”
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has branded comments from British Army Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer in relation to legacy investigations as crass and deeply insensitive.
The party’s Victims and Legacy spokesperson said:
“Victims of the conflict who have been bereaved by the British state forces will be hurt and offended by these deeply insensitive comments by Johnny Mercer.
“He should withdraw them immediately and explain why he believes that those responsible for state murder should not be held accountable and face due process of the law.
“Any attempt to introduce an amnesty for British forces who killed Irish citizens would totally undermine the proposed new legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House.
“All victims and survivors should have the same access to processes of truth and justice, there can be no immunity or impunity for British forces guilty of crime, collusion and murder in Ireland.
”The mechanisms agreed at Stormont House by the five main parties and the two governments must be implemented in a human rights compliant manner enabling legislation that would meet the needs of families.
“Sinn Féin will continue to support the families in their pursuit of truth and justice.”
Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew has said the Irish government’s Brexit planning should be on an all-Ireland basis.
The Fermanagh South Tyrone MP said:
“The Irish government has announced a multi million euro package to support businesses along the border as they face into Brexit.
“The impact of Brexit does not stop at the border and neither should protection packages.
“The Taoiseach preciously guaranteed that Irish citizens in the north will never be left behind again but time and again has failed when it comes to delivering on that pledge.
“Businesses on both sides of the border will be among the worst hit as a result of the Tory Brexit and the Irish government has a responsibility to the all-Ireland economy so these protections should be Island-wide.”
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has said the additional tax for the state to be reported in today’s Exchequer returns is welcome, however he repeated concerns that increased the Corporation Tax should not be used to fund current expenditure.
Teachta Doherty said:
“The extra tax due to the State is welcome, but there is an obvious danger in relying on this bonanza Corporation Tax to fund current spending; which the government has done up to now.
“The Corporation Tax surge is an unreliable phenomenon that should not be used to fill holes in the Government’s own budget, but instead to invest in the economy.
“The logical thing to do - in the face of an unprecedented crises in health and housing - is to divert any windfall into capital investment while it is coming in and use this money to build homes, and to invest to build capacity in our public health system to address the challenges we face.
“The reality is that today’s surplus will be of no comfort to the 4,000 children and families who woke in emergency accommodation on Christmas Day, or to the thousands of people who have been forced to languish on trollies in hospital corridors over the Christmas period.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Shauneen Baker has said the party is due to select Conor Maskey for co-option to replace newly elected MP John Finucane as Councillor for the Castle area on Belfast City Council.
Councillor Baker said:
"Following the close of nominations, Conor Maskey’s name has been selected to go forward for ratification for co-option to replace newly elected MP John Finucane as Councillor for the Castle area.
“I have no doubt that Conor will build on the work of John Finucane and the other Sinn Féin representatives to ensure the people of North Belfast continue to get first-class representation.”
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has extended condolences to the family and friends of Marian Finucane following her passing today, as well as to her RTÉ colleagues.
The Sinn Féin President said:
"I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Marian Finucane today.
"Her contribution to Irish journalism and broadcasting has been immense, and she has occupied a special place in the hearts of many radio listeners over the years.
"On behalf of Sinn Féin I want to extend my condolences to her husband John, her son Jack, to her wider family and her friends, as well to her RTÉ colleagues at this very sad time.”
Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey has welcomed confirmation that the Department of Communities are exploring options to extend welfare mitigation payments.
The West Belfast MLA said:
“While we hope to resolve this issue during the talks, I welcome confirmation from Julian Smith that the Department of Communities are actively considering different methods to extend welfare mitigation payments after 31 March.
“With ongoing Tory attacks on the welfare system and those most in need, it is vital that funding to offset the draconian Bedroom Tax and other Tory cuts continues.”
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed the launched of a new out-of-hours homeless support line by the Housing Executive.
The North Belfast MLA said:
“It’s welcome news that the Housing Executive has launched a new out-of-hours homeless support service.
“A service like this which provides help to the homeless when they need it, outside of normal working hours, is long overdue.
“I have written to the Housing Executive seeking clarification on how people can access this service, what emergency accommodation is available and how this complements existing homeless support.”
Responding to the publication of Trolley figures for 2019 by the INMO this morning Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health Louise O’Reilly TD has said the figures illustrate the failure of government policy.
The figures show that 118,367 patients went without hospital beds in 2019 and confirms 2019 as the worst-ever year for hospital overcrowding since records began - 9% higher than 2018.
Teachta O'Reilly said:
"Behind these statistics are seriously ill people who have been left waiting for a bed in our hospitals.
"Emergency Departments are chaotic and the overcrowding is creating an environment that is unsafe for patients and staff.
"The Minister for Health needs to look past his own spin and see these figures for what they are - the failure of government policy.
"This crisis will only be resolved when appropriate staff numbers are hired to ensure that beds can be reopened and we in Sinn Féin have repeatedly called for the recruitment embargo to be lifted to ensure that additional staff can be recruited.
"Frontline staff and their representatives know that this recruitment embargo is having a serious impact on capacity and the Minister needs to stop challenging these workers and trying to deflect attention from this crisis.
"The figures don't lie and a 9% increase in numbers left waiting for a bed should serve as a real wake up call for the Minister and senior HSE managers."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has called on Minister Eoghan Murphy to 'fine Airbnb and other short term letting platforms for advertising rogue properties'. The call comes after it was revealed that there has been a significant increase in short term properties available in Dublin.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
"New short term letting regulations came into force in July 2019, and to date the vast majority of short term letting landlords continue to flout the law.
"We now learn that there has been a significant increase in the number of short term lets available at a time when long term rental supply continues to fall well below demand.
"It is time for the Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy to introduce legislation to fine Airbnb and other platforms who advertise rogue properties, and a strong sanction on platforms would greatly assist local authority enforcement of the rules.
"There is no point in introducing regulations for the short term letting sector without adequate enforcement."
Speaking after the release by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation INMO trolley Watch figures for 2019, Sinn Féin TD for Limerick Maurice Quinlivan said:
“These figures whilst expected are a national disgrace. The Minister for Health and Fine Gael are clearly not fit for the role. Fine Gael have been in government for almost nine years now, and they have held the health portfolio since then. They have utterly failed the people of Limerick.
“The figures show a startling increase from a figure of 1,814 in 2006 when the figures were first collated to an unimaginable figure of 13,941 in 2019. This is truly appalling and shows utter contempt from the Government. These are not just figures they are real people, people we know, often family members and many of them elderly often lingering on trollies for hours or days.
"Unless the government change tack immediately and listen to the positive proposals from opposition parties, the crisis will continue into the future. Enda Kenny infamously said 'I’ll end the scandal of patients on trolleys.' What a lie that turned out to be.
"In Limerick, an extra 10,000 have had no bed last year in University hospital since the year Fine Gael came to power in 2011.
“After nine very unsuccessful years in government, Fine Gael have managed to escalate the trolley crisis to levels never seen before.
“There are many solutions ranging from ensuring increased investment for transitional care beds, adequate step-down facilities, home care packages, and home help hours to ensure that all patients who can be moved home or to a more appropriate care setting all these will help.
“Two key issues need to be addressed as a priority. Firstly, to tackle the issue of capacity in UHL hospital we need to start reopening all hospital beds closed during the austerity years in the region, including those in Nenagh, Ennis and St. John’s hospitals.
“Then secondly, in order to address the recruitment and retention crisis across all grades in the health service, the underlying difficulties causing this crisis have to be tackled. These issues are working conditions, facilities, supports, training opportunities, promotion opportunities, and pay.
“The 2019 figures of almost 14,000 people is a national scandal; it is both unacceptable and disgraceful.
"It is time to stop the spin and for the Government to get a handle on the appalling situation in UHL emergency department. Limerick people those who work in the hospital and use the hospital deserve so much better than this.
“I believe that this can be done if we have the political will to fully implement progressive alternatives.
“The situation cannot continue with these shocking figures. If almost 14,000 people on trolleys in Limerick University Hospital is not a wake-up call for this government one wonders when they will act decisively and intervene.
"We can see from nearly a decade in Government they have failed to deliver. The last decade truly has been a lost one for the people in Limerick who rely on University Hospital.
“Clearly the Minister isn’t up to the job or hasn’t the capacity to deliver the necessary resources needed for our hospital. It is time for him to go.”
Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams has extended his “deepest sympathies and condolences” to the family and friends of former Irish Times journalist, writer and historian Brendan Ó Cathaoir who has died.
Deputy Adams said:
“Brendan Ó Cathaoir was an exceptional Gaeilgeoir, journalist and historian. Among his many accomplishments were his ‘Famine Diaries’ published by the Irish Times in the 1990’s to mark the 150th anniversary of the Great Hunger.
"Almost 40 years ago, Brendan visited Bobby Sands in Long Kesh along with Guardian journalist David Beresford. The visit took place on 3 March 1981 just three days after Bobby had commenced his hunger strike.
"In his daily Prison Diary covering the first 17 days of his hunger strike Bobby Sands records the visit. Much of his conversation with Brendan was in Irish. Bobby wrote: 'I’m feeling exceptionally well today. (It’s only the third day, I know, but all the same I’m feeling great.) I had a visit this morning with two reporters, David Beresford of The Guardian and Brendan Ó Cathaoir of The Irish Times. Couldn’t quite get my flow of thoughts together. I could have said more in a better fashion.'
"The visit was also recorded in an internal confidential NIO ‘weekly Bulletin’ which states: 'On 3rd March David Beresford (Guardian) and Brendan Ó Cathaoir (Irish Times) saw Sands on a 'family' visit. They were required to sign an undertaking that the visit would not be used for journalistic purposes, did so and then claimed on leaving that they would not abide by this.'
"Brendan Ó Cathaoir, like David Beresford, opposed censorship and believed that journalists had a duty to report. His was one of the courageous voices which tried to penetrate the fog of disinformation surrounding the injustices in the H Blocks and Armagh prisons. Bobby Sands appreciated his efforts. So did I and the other supporters of the hungerstrikers.
"To Brendan’s family and many friends, I want to extend my deepest condolences. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."
Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy has said the local community is shocked following the death of a young man in a road collision.
The Mid Ulster MP said:
“There is shock and sadness in the community following the death of a 19-year-old man in a road collision on the Moneysharvan road between Swatragh and Maghera.
“Any death on our roads is a tragedy, particularly when someone so young loses their life.
“My thoughts are with the family and friends of this young man at this sad time.”
Sinn Féin Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe has welcomed the signing of Sinn Féin’s Consumer Insurance Contracts Bill into law by Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins.
The Sinn Féin TD said the legislation will reform insurance contracts, increase transparency and shift the balance in favour of the consumer. A number of journalists have also described Sinn Féin’s legislation as ‘the most radical change in insurance law in centuries’, while the Alliance for Insurance Reform described it as a ‘game-changer’.
Deputy Crowe said:
“Rip-off insurance costs are squeezing incomes and closing down businesses. People are seeing their premiums rocketing up year on year and the majority of cases are without anyone making a claim or changing the risk factor on their policy.
"The insurance market isn’t working for policy holders and too little has been done to hold the industry to account and reduce costs.
“Rocketing insurance costs have become a full-blown crisis across several sectors in Dublin South West. I have been contacted by the Naíonra in Scoil Chaitlín Maude, Killinarden Community Centre, and the Fettercairn Youth Horse Project who are all struggling to keep their doors open after extortionate increases in their insurance premiums.
“Our Consumer Insurance Contracts Bill will shift the balance in favour of policyholders, by increasing transparency and strengthening the hand of the policyholder during their insurance contract. It is the only legislation that has been passed since 2016 that focuses on policyholders, increasing their protections.
“It would require companies to inform consumers of the past 5 years of premiums paid by customers, and claims paid to customers and third parties for all non-life insurance contracts.
“From now on, where there is uncertainty in any document or contract, the rule of law and interpretation in favour of the consumer will prevail. From now on, it will be up to the insurer to ask the relevant questions when a consumer or business takes out a policy, reversing the current status quo which places the burden and responsibility on the consumer to volunteer information.
“Companies will no longer be able to easily settle third party claims without the policyholders knowledge. They will have to inform customers of any claim made against their policy, allowing them to submit their own evidence and informing them of the cost of any claim against their policy that has been settled.
"It would also ensure that policyholders would be told of any third party claims made against their policy, fraudulent or otherwise, and have a right to submit evidence concerning the claim.
“The new legislation would also make it harder for an insurer to wriggle out of paying valid claims on grounds that have nothing to do with the accident or loss incurred by the policyholder.
“Sinn Féin are in the business of protecting people, not the profits of the insurance industry. While Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have peddled the spin of the industry for years, Sinn Féin has repeatedly called out the industry for ripping off customers, exaggerating the level of claims, and waging a public disinformation campaign.
“In this legislation Sinn Féin has delivered solutions for workers and their families
“This ground breaking legislation is timely and is a big win for policyholders. It will have a huge impact on the industry."
Sinn Féin Councillor Ryan Murphy has condemned a shooting in the Torrens area of North Belfast.
Cllr Ryan Murphy said:
“Shots were fired through a window of a house in Torrens this evening.
“Thankfully no one was hurt in this reckless attack, but it could have been much worse.
“There is no place for guns on our streets.
“Anyone with information on this attack should bring it forward to Police.”
We need significant increases in public transport investment and electric vehicle charging points if we are to have any hope of reaching our climate action targets, David Cullinane, Sinn Féin spokesperson for climate action said today, adding that it will be a key issue in the upcoming general election.
Speaking on the announcement that the government is to bring in legislation to ban all new petrol and diesel vehicles after 2030, Deputy Cullinane said:
"It is proper and correct to have ambitious targets when it comes to climate action.
"The 2030 target sends out a clear message to car manufacturers that the times are changing and they need to change also by switching to election vehicle production and making them more affordable.
"But targets also need to be matched with public investment if they are to mean anything.
"The government's announcement that it plans to ban all new diesel and petrol car sales after 2030 will only happen if there is a significant overhaul in rural and urban transport, especially outside of Dublin. We also need to address public transport capacity in Dublin.
"We need to develop alternatives to road haulage such as freight rail, as outlined in the EU's recent Green New Deal plan.
"Sinn Féin will await the publication of the government's proposals, but it is clear to everyone that ambitious targets coupled with investment are needed if we are to slow down climate change and reach the 1.5 degree target."
