Sinn Féin Councillor John Finucane has urged people to reject the Tories and DUP and their disastrous Brexit policies which will bring economic catastrophe to the north.
John Finucane said:
"Tonight at the DUP fringe event at the Tory party conference the British Prime Minister showed once again his total contempt and disdain for the people of the north of Ireland.
“The British Tory prime minister continues to put local jobs, business and agriculture at risk, cause food and medicine shortages and the prospect of a hard border looms ever closer, while the DUP act as cheerleaders for his disastrous Brexit agenda.
"The upcoming Westminster election is an opportunity to reject the Tories, to reject the DUP and their deputy leader, Nigel Dodds, one of the key architects of Brexit, and to reject the failed policies of the British government in Ireland."
Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O'Neill has said the upcoming Westminster election offers the people of Mid Ulster a chance to reject Westminster, reject Toryism and reject the DUP and put the interests of the people of Ireland first.
Speaking as Francie Molloy was selected at an election convention in Gulladuff to contest any upcoming Westminster election for Sinn Féin in Mid Ulster, Michelle O'Neill said:
"The upcoming Westminster election, when it is called, is a chance for the people of the north to again reject Brexit.
“The nationalist and and republican electorate have already rejected Westminster, realising it will never act in the their interests or provide solutions to Brexit, and this election is an opportunity to reinforce that message.
"It is also a chance to reject the DUP and the chaos and paralysis they have brought to politics both in the north and in Britain.
"Francie Molloy has been a first-class MP for Mid Ulster; tirelessly representing the community and working on their behalf day and daily.
"A vote for Francie Molloy is a vote to put the interests of Ireland first.”
Francie Molloy said:
"I am delighted and honoured to once again be selected to go forward to contest the upcoming Westminster election for Sinn Féin in Mid Ulster.
"This is an area where our economy is largely dependent on manufacturing, agriculture and the agri-food sector; all of which will be severely damaged by any kind of Brexit.
"We also have many people from across the EU who have chosen to come here to work and make their home and they are being threatened by the Tory Brexit agenda.
"An upcoming election will give the people here a chance to again reject Brexit, reject the Tories and reject their Brexit-supporting cheerleaders in the DUP."
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said Sinn Féin will meet Dalriadan to outline opposition to plans for gold mining in the Sperrins and also to condemn threats against workers.
Caoimhe Archibald said:
"The issue of potential gold mining and exploitation of our natural resources is a cause of great concern for many in our society.
"However, I totally condemn threats against workers.
"All workers should be able to go to their work and be free to go about their business without fear of intimidation or harassment.
"Communities have the right to oppose any proposals for mining but threats to workers are unacceptable.
"We will be meeting with Dalriadan to outline our opposition and the opposition of the local community to gold mining in the Sperrins.
"Sinn Féin remains opposed to the use of cyanide in mining and reiterate that the application should be subject to a full independent public inquiry."
South Antrim MLA and Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney was tonight selected at a party selection convention in Crumlin, Co. Antrim to stand as the Sinn Féin candidate in South Antrim in the next Westminster general election.
Addressing the large gathering of party members and supporters, Declan Kearney said:
“Irish Unity has become the defining issue for our generation.
“The debate on future constitutional change is now centre stage.
“The partition of Ireland by Britain nearly 100 years ago was fundamentally undemocratic. There is nothing to celebrate about the centenary of the northern state.
“Partition created an Orange state whose laws were the envy of the apartheid state in South Africa.
“Partition has now run out of road.
“The British state has never cared about the welfare of citizens in this part of Ireland. That reality has been magnified with the onset of Brexit. Events in Westminster over recent weeks have underlined the absolute contempt of the British parliament towards Irish interests.
“The DUP has shown repeatedly that it has as little concern for the rights or welfare of our people as the Tories.
“The DUP undermined the latest round of talks between April and August of this year.
“And now it is undermining the Irish back-stop as the only way to provide minimum protections against the imposition of Brexit."
Concluding, the South Antrim MLA said:
“This next general election will be a watershed opportunity for all progressives in the north to speak out on the future that they want.
“It will be an opportunity to reject Brexit and send a resounding message in support of Irish unity and a new constitutional framework which respects the identities and traditions of all people living in Ireland.”
The full text of Declan Kearney’s remarks are below.
“A watershed has opened up in the politics of Ireland, and political relations between Ireland, Britain and Europe.
Irish unity has become the defining issue for our generation.
The debate on future constitutional change, and transition to the reunification of Ireland is now centre stage.
The partition of Ireland by Britain nearly 100 years ago was fundamentally anti-democratic.
There is nothing to celebrate about the centenary of the northern state.
Partition created an orange state whose laws were the envy of the apartheid state in South Africa.
Partition has now run out of road.
The Brexit referendum over 3 years ago detonated a constitutional earthquake at the heart of the British state which has continued to deepen and reverberate ever since.
British state interference in Irish affairs has always been illegitimate. It has denied democracy and equality; and it has fostered sectarianism and division among our people.
The British state has never cared about the welfare of citizens in this part of Ireland.
It does not even care about those citizens who give allegiance to the union and the British state.
And that reality has been magnified with the onset of Brexit. Events in Westminster in recent weeks have underlined the absolute contempt of the British parliament towards citizens in the north of Ireland and towards Irish interests.
The only certainty is that there is no longer any certainty.
The toxic alliance between the tory government and DUP Brexiteers are the cause of that.
And the DUP has shown repeatedly that it has as little concern for the rights or welfare of our people as the Tories.
The facts are that the DUP undermined the agreement in February of 2018 which could have restored power sharing in the north.
The DUP undermined the latest round of talks between April and August of this year.
And now it is undermining the Irish backstop as the only way to provide minimum protections against the imposition of Brexit.
The fundamental questions which now arise are whether the northern state can embrace equality and accommodate Irish citizens and others living here as equals.
The only way to persuade northern nationalists, republicans and other progressives is through commitment to a rights based return to power-sharing.
The political challenge facing the DUP is to fully embrace proper power sharing and partnership institutions.
During the recent negotiations there was no serious evidence that the DUP wants to make a future northern executive and assembly work in the interest of all citizens.
This next general election will be a watershed opportunity for all progressives in the north to speak out on the future that they want.
It will be an opportunity to reject Brexit and send a resounding message in support of Irish unity and a new constitutional framework which respects the identities and traditions of all people living in Ireland.”
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard will host a Climate Action Conference in Castle Ward on Friday to give people a unique opportunity to engage with policy advisors, leading environmental academics and campaigners.
The South Down MP secured EU funding to host 'Beyond Politics: Climate Action Now’ in Castle Ward this Friday alongside Martina Anderson MEP.
Chris Hazzard MP said:
“Beyond Politics: Climate Action Now is a one day conference workshop opened to the public, free to attend, and will hopefully be the start of an interactive conversation between the local South Down community and leading academics and campaigners as to what we can do to help play our part in building a better world.
“As a coastal constituency with many environmentally sensitive areas, South Down has a rich and vibrant community who care very deeply about the world around us. Indeed there are many local campaigns and activists who are playing a leading role in making the case for an alternative way of doing things in order to help save our local community, our beautiful island, and ultimately our planet.
“Friday’s conference workshop will provide a great opportunity to hear first-hand from climate activists who have taken governments and big business to court; stood against the destructive fossil fuel industry; led mass demonstrations against large-scale polluters and academics who are enlightening the minds of a new generation of environmental campaigners.”
Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams has described the year on year rise in Louth of the number of people who are suffering from homelessness as “deeply worrying and depressing” and “evidence of the government’s inability to get to grips with this significant policy failure”.
The Louth TD was speaking following the publication of the Dept of Housing ‘Homelessness Report August 2019 which revealed a dramatic increase in the number of children and families living in homelessness across the state.
Gerry Adams said:
“In our Alternative Budget, published today, Tuesday 1st, Sinn Féin commits to delivering 17,216 social and affordable homes in 2020 – almost nine thousand more than the government.
"We would also implement an emergency freeze on rents for three years and provide renters with a tax break equal to one month’s rent during this period. These are real commitments that would begin the process of fixing our broken housing system.
"According to August’s official homeless figures there are 10,338 people living in emergency accommodation across the state, of which 3,693 are children.
"This is a shameful statistic which fails to give any real sense of the emotional and stressful circumstances for these adults and children.
“In Louth the number of homeless adults is 170. This compares to 125 homeless adults last August. The number of children in homeless accommodation has dropped from 62 in 2018 to 40 this year but clearly the overall situation has worsened.
"The statistical data, and the reports from families of conditions in homelessness accommodation, is evidence that the Government’s housing strategy, supported by Fianna Fáil, is not working.
“For the seventh month in a row the number of people officially classified as homeless across this state has remained above 10,000.
“These figures do not provide the full picture and do not include women and children in domestic violence shelters funded by Tulsa, adults and children in hostels not funded by Government departments, rough sleepers and those still living in Direct Provision despite having secured their leave to remain.
"Clearly the government’s housing strategy – Rebuilding Ireland – is not working."
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has called on the Taoiseach to “stop using Brexit as an excuse” to tackling the trolley crisis.
610 people are waiting on hospital trolleys across the state today according to INMO figures.
Ms McDonald said:
“We need solutions, not excuses, to tackle the trolley crisis. The Taoiseach should stop hiding behind Brexit and take action.
“Sinn Féin’s alternative budget published today would take immediate steps to solve this ongoing problem including recruiting 500 extra nurses and midwives and opening an additional 500 beds.
“The thousands of people abandoned on hospital trolleys month after month is a direct result of the policy choices of Fine Gael backed up by Fianna Fáil.
“We cannot tolerate a health service dragged into a perpetual state of crisis by bad policies and inaction. The solutions are there. It’s time to start implementing them.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children & Youth Affairs Kathleen Funchion TD has said her party’s Alternative Budget proposals called for "a complete restructuring of the Childcare & Early Years system".
Sinn Féin has today published proposals that would put children’s interests front and centre by prioritising quality, and by improving the working conditions for staff, while at the same time cutting childcare costs for parents.
Speaking following the Alternative Budget 2020 launch today in Dublin, the Carlow/Kilkenny TD said:
“A radical new approach is needed for our Childcare & Early Years sector. The current system is broken and completely unsustainable for staff and is financially crippling for so many parents.
“Sinn Féin would commence a five-year transformational programme of Childcare & Early Years reform that ensures Childcare & Early years staff are properly paid, and that fees are slashed for parents - €28m in the first year (full year €85m).
“Our Alternative Budget published today outlines our proposals which aim to reduce fees across the state for parents significantly over a five-year period.
“We would start with a reduction of 13% in the first full year, increasing to a 66% reduction by end of year five.
“This would amount to a cut on average of €100 per month on a monthly crèche fee of €800 initially.
“We would achieve this through direct financial support for all centre-based providers that choose to opt in to a new childcare system.
“We would introduce a proper pay scale for all workers in the sector, regardless of level, starting with the current Living Wage of €12.30 upon entry level.
“This would increase year upon year over a five-year period.
“If we expect high quality education and care, as well as a high standard in the delivery of those services to our children, then we need to address the unfair working conditions of staff.
“It’s common sense – if we expect staff to work above and beyond their duty for minimum or below minimum wage, the end result will not always be in the best interests of the child.
“Sinn Féin believes another way is possible to end the spiralling costs while at the same time create an Early Years sector that values and pays staff accordingly while delivering high quality education and care for all children.”
Speaking on the controversy on a proposed development at Glassmullin Gardens in Andersonstown local Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey said:
“I am disappointed that the community and La Salle school are in conflict about the proposed development by the school of a green field site at Glassmullin Gardens, which has resulted in a stand-off between residents and contractors.
“I have engaged with the local community and a residents’ group and with the school.
“I have urged them to engage in dialogue, facilitated by independents who have a track record in community projects, to find a way forward.
"Even at this late hour I believe it is possible to find a solution to meet the needs of the local community and the school.
“I have contacted the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Education to ask for a short-term moratorium on the project to enable such a dialogue to take place.”
Sinn Féin Agriculture and Food spokesperson Brian Stanley TD has described the British Governments ‘custom posts’ proposal on the border as a policy which would bring the entire Irish agricultural sector North and South to a standstill.
The Laois-Offaly TD has called for the Irish Government to reject the proposal and to ensure that there are no internal border checks for the Agri-food sector on the island of Ireland.
Speaking this afternoon, Deputy Stanley said:
“The proposal put forward by the British Government to the EU for custom posts along the border is fantasy stuff.
“It is completely unworkable with regards to agriculture and food and it must be flatly rejected.
“We have companies which operate in both the North and the South and any attempt to erect a hard border on the island will be unacceptable.
“Such conditions would bring the agri-food sector to a halt.
“The British Government needs to understand that we already have a border which runs along the Irish coast.
“Sinn Féin and the people who we represent in the Agri-food sector will not accept the creation of what is essentially a second hard border on the island which would place unnecessary and arduous conditions upon the Irish agricultural and food sector.
“What we need is for the Irish Government to continue to put pressure on the EU and on Britain to ensure that there are no border checks on the island of Ireland regarding food and animals.”
Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill has called for the reintroduction of the schools programme for voter registration and said more must be done to advertise online registration.
Speaking after leading a party delegation, including Francie Molloy MP, Paul Maskey MP and Colm Gildernew MLA, to meet with the Electoral Office, the Mid Ulster MLA said:
“The current deficit on the electoral register is unacceptable. Large numbers of people are being robbed of their vote through incorrect registration at a time when major decisions are facing citizens in the coming weeks.
“Young people will bear the brunt of the reckless Tory-DUP Brexit, climate change and austerity. It’s vital that they have an opportunity to change the world around them.
“However, it’s extremely worrying that only 51% of people aged 18-34 are correctly registered and this comes on the heels of the scrapping of school registration programmes.
“We have told the Electoral Office it should urgently restart the schools programme which has the potential to get over 10,000 young people a year onto the register.
“We have urged them to provide more registration clinics in communities, particularly in rural settings and areas with low numbers of people on the electoral register and have called on them to advertise online registration more widely.
“The Electoral Office has a responsibility to address the democratic deficit and to ensure as many people as possible can access their fundamental right to vote.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson for climate action and member of the PAC David Cullinane has said that the Comptroller and Auditor General's annual report reveals a government that is hell-bent on monoculture afforestation, despite the concerns of farmers, environmental groups, and even the EU.
It shows that Fine Gael is incapable of the long-term thinking that climate action demands.
Deputy Cullinane said:
"The government's afforestation program is fixated with the planting of Sitka Spruce, an approach that is having a detrimental effect in terms of biodiversity.
"It is also one that that unduly affected Leitrim, where the rate of afforestation was just over 24 times the level in Donegal between the years 2015 and 2018 - the vast majority of which was monoculture Sitka Spruce.
"The use of this tree has been criticised by farmers, environmental groups, and the EU, yet still Fine Gael continues with the policy.
"It has missed afforestation targets, neglected native species, and underspent on road infrastructure.
"It is clear what is needed - a proper state wide investment that provides opportunities for farmers in planting native forests rich in biodiversity and broadleaf plantations.
"All of this must be done with the fullest engagement with local communities.
"The days of corporate monoculture afforestation must come to an end."
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Deputy Louise O’Reilly has said that a mixture of inaction and the wrong policies by Fine Gael is destroying the public health service.
Speaking this morning, Teachta O’Reilly said:
“The year started off with the Minister for Health appearing in the media every single time there was a drop in the number of patients on trolleys. At the time I said the figures were being massaged, as the government were paying huge sums of money to move patients into private hospitals to lower the number of patients on trolleys.
“That money should have been spent re-opening all the beds in the public system which were closed during the austerity years. This would not eliminate all patients on trolleys, but it would have allowed for around 500 additional beds to be operational.
“Throughout the year the situation has just gone from bad to worse to deplorable – the same as Fine Gael’s tenure in government.
“Today the INMO released the trolley watch data revealing that 10,641 patients went without a bed in hospitals in September – the worst month of 2019 so far. This is simply astonishing for a month outside winter.
“What’s more is, the September figure for overcrowding is the worst for any September since records began, with the INMO pointing out that this is double the number of people on trolleys ten years ago.
“We didn’t end up in this situation today or yesterday. This government has had eight years to solve this and many other crises in the health service, but instead, they’ve actually made things worse through a mix of inaction and the wrong policies.
“Past performance is an indicator of future success, and the past performance of Fine Gael shows only more failures for the health service in the future. They are a party of bluffers and charlatans and the health service will only get worse so long as they are in control of it.”
Carthy commits Sinn Féin support for '#Gaeilge4All' campaign
Sinn Féin MEP, Matt Carthy, has welcomed the launch of the '#Gaeilge4All' campaign, and supported the call for reforms to the way in which the Irish language is taught in schools to ensure better access to Irish medium education for all.
The Midlands North West representative was speaking after the launch of the new campaign by Irish language organisations on Monday. He said:
“Sinn Féin are proud to support this campaign which is aimed at improving the way in which Irish is taught in schools. It is badly needed and long overdue.
“The public support for the Irish language and its role at the heart of our education system is overwhelming. Having a second language has proven educational benefits, which are unrecognised by too many.
“Irish medium education can also offer unique benefits; it keeps us rooted with our culture, our heritage and gives people a chance to develop language skills that are highly sought after.
“However, there is significant scope to reform how Irish is taught within our schools. It simply doesn’t make sense that we spend so much time in school attending Irish classes for so many to complete their education unable to converse in our native language. I therefore welcome this call for a unified vision for the role of Irish in our schools; from junior infants right up to third level.
“Irish must remain as a core subject for the junior and leaving certificate cycles, but adequate supports must be put in place to ensure this is the case, while key policy changes must be brought forward by the Minister for Education to ensure as wide a scope of people can access learning through Irish”.
“Ba chór go mbeadh deis ag gach dalta an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim agus tá sé ceart go mbeadh muid ag tabhairt gach tacaíocht dóibh. Chomh maith le sin, caithfimid tacú lenár múinteoirí agus breis acmhainní a cuir ar fáil dóibh.
“Mura dtabharfar aghaidh ar infheistíocht cheart a dhéanamh insan gcóras oideachais beidh costas i bhfad níos mó ar an stát amach anseo”.
ENDS
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has today published his party’s Alternative Budget 2020 saying its time to end the rip-off and give families and workers a break.
Sinn Féin’s alternative budget proposals include a provision for two free GP visits for every person without a medical card, a rent freeze and a relief worth one month’s rent, free travel on public transport for five to eighteen-year-olds and a reduction in the cost of childcare by an average of €100 a month per child.
Speaking today Teachta Doherty said;
“The upcoming budget needs to do two things: end the rip off and give workers and families a break and secure Ireland’s future if there is a crash out Brexit.
“There is something seriously wrong when the vast majority of people have less money in their pockets now than they did when Fine Gael, supported by Fianna Fáil, came into power three years ago.
“The reasons for this are obvious – Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are making bad, short term decisions that are costing the tax payer billions and they are failing to intervene to deal with out of control costs in childcare, rents and essential household bills like insurance and mortgage interest payments.
“The consequence is that insurance companies, banks and landlords are making billions while workers and families are being ripped off.
“Sinn Féin’s Alternative Budget offers clear, realisable solutions to the rip-off living costs faced by countless families - sky-high insurance premiums, extortionate rents, and eye-watering childcare costs. Together, these ensure that Ireland’s cost of living is among the most unaffordable in the developed world.
“The budget cannot be just about survival, it must be about ensuring people can have a decent life and enjoy their time with family and friends.
“Sinn Féin’s alternative budget will give workers and families a break. We will:
· Help renters by introducing an emergency freeze on rents and bringing in rent relief which would save them the equivalent of one month’s rent each year.
· Help families by reducing the cost of childcare by an average of €100 a month per child.
· Provide two free GP visits for every person without a medical card – so nobody delays going to the doctor because they are worried about the cost.
· Ensure there is No carbon tax increase in Budget 2020.
· End the insurance rip-off - first we’re going after the government take and then we are coming after the industry.
· Invest an additional €300 million to give people with disabilities and their families a break.
· Introduce free travel for 5 to 18-year-olds on public transport.”
ENDS
