Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Justice, Senator Lynn Boylan, has criticised the energy regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), for its lack of oversight of the large energy user subsidy.
In 2009, the CRU accepted a direction from government that they were to restructure network tariffs to reduce the bills of large energy users. This was to be implemented by shifting €50m per annum of network tariffs on domestic users.
Speaking after the Oireachtas Committee hearing with CRU, Senator Boylan said:
“The CRU is supposed to be an independent body with a mission to protect the public interest and to ensure safe, secure sustainable energy at a reasonable cost, yet it appears that they failed to carry out any distributional impact of this measure, and how it would have affected people struggling to pay bills.
“What is even more damning is that it was not until 12 years later, when this measure was being unwound, that they noticed that ESB networks had implemented the measure in a manner that meant it was more than the €50m per annum.
“Was there no due diligence by the regulator? Were they just blindly accepting the network tariff submissions from ESB networks?
“It is also shocking that they could not give me an exact figure of how much domestic households have subsidised large energy users over the last 12 years. The households that paid at least half a billion euro want answers, but the CRU turned up without those answers today.
“The responses received today would not instil confidence. The CRU must provide a full breakdown of how much this subsidy has cost domestic users and how they intend to recompense domestic users for the over payment.
“They also need to state very clearly how it came about that ESB implemented the measure in the manner that they did and who was responsible for that decision?”
Sinn Féin councillor John Gormley has appealed to the public to assist a police investigation into the stabbing of a young man in Botanic Gardens.
Cllr Gormley said:
“A young man was violently attacked in Botanic Gardens today. He was stabbed a number of times during the attack and had to be taken to hospital in the city.
“This vicious attack in a public park right in the heart of south Belfast is totally unacceptable and has shocked the local community.
“I urge anyone with any information which might assist the police in bringing the perpetrator to justice to contact the police immediately.”
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said that drivers are increasingly frustrated at the delay in opening the long-awaited A6 upgrade and Dungiven bypass.
The East Derry MLA said:
“Commuters in Dungiven and the north west are becoming increasingly frustrated at delays in the completion of the A6 and Dungiven bypass.
“Long delays have become the norm in and around Dungiven while a brand new road remains unopened.
"I have written to the Department for Infrastructure to seek clarity over the completion date and how delays are being addressed.
“Party colleagues and I will meet senior officials in the department over the next short while and will emphasise the need for better communication with the community and road users.
“Sinn Féin will continue to work to ensure this essential link for the wider North West area will be completed as quickly as possible.”
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said the British government should scrap their flawed Legacy Bill which is designed to block truth and justice for victims and families.
The North Belfast MP was speaking after the NIO’s Jonathan Caine said the British government would continue to push forward their flawed Legacy Bill.
John Finucane said:
“Jonathan Caine’s comments that the British government would continue to push forward their flawed Legacy Bill flies in the face of opposition from victims and families, human rights experts, churches, the UN and all the political parties on this island.
“This cruel and callous legislation is designed to shut down efforts to get justice through the courts, and to let British state forces who killed Irish citizens off the hook.
“The British government should scrap this flawed Bill which will deny truth and justice to thousands of victims and families.
“I am reiterating Sinn Féin’s call for an urgent summit involving the British and Irish governments and political parties on the issue of legacy.
“If the British government is serious about upholding the legal right of victims and families to truth and justice, they will stop the passage of the Legacy Bill to allow for dialogue.
“The legacy mechanisms were agreed by the main political parties, the Irish government and the British government at Stormont House in 2014, they must be implemented in a human rights compliant manner.”
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has slammed those responsible for placing a ‘racist and intimidatory’ sign outside a school in Clough.
The South Down MP said:
“It’s totally disgraceful that a sign attacking children learning the Irish language has been placed outside a local school in Clough.
“There is no place in our society for racist threats and this sign is a clear attempt to intimidate school children.
“It’s particularly sinister and worrying that this sign has named a local school. Those responsible should stop now.
“I would urge anyone with information on this sign to bring forward to the police.”
(ENGLISH BELOW)
Inniú, mar chuid de phróiseas comhairliúcháin an rialtais maidir le polasaí don oideachas lánGhaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht a ullmhú, d’fhoilsigh Sinn Féin an aighneacht atá curtha isteach acu.
Déanann an t-aighneacht bunchuspóirí molta ag Sinn Féin don chóras oideachais i leith na Gaeilge a leagan amach, chomh maith le bearnaí a aithint agus freagraí ar na mórcheisteanna curtha mar chuid den phróiseas comhairliúcháin.
Dúirt urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir Shinn Féin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD:
“Mar is gnách leis an rialtas seo, tá an polasaí mall, an próiseas comhairliúcháin lochtach, agus an cur chuige easnamhach agus srianta. Dúradh go bhfoilseofá an polasaí anuraidh, níor cuireadh tús leis an bpróiseas comhairliúcháin ach le déanaí, agus tá neamhaird iomlán déanta ar oideachas tríú-leibhéal nó níos déanaí sa saol.
“É sin ráite, fáiltíonn Sinn Féin roimh an deis ár ladar a chur sa scéal maidir le polasaí don oideachas lánGhaeilge, agus tá súil againn go dtabharfar éisteacht don méid atá le rá againn.
“I measc na príomhmoltaí curtha chun cinn, táimid ag rá gur chóir glacadh leis mar cheart oideachas trí Ghaeilge a fháil, agus spriocanna céimneacha a chur i bhfeidhm maidir le soláthar chun a chinntiú go ndéanfar freastal ar an éileamh, agus an t-éileamh sin a fhás.
“Teastaíonn spriocanna uaillmhianacha má táimid dáiríre faoi dualgais eile reachtúla maidir le húsáid na Gaeilge i soláthair seirbhísí agus earcaíocht don státchóras, agus pleanáil straitéiseach taighdebhunaithe chun na spriocanna indéanta sin a bhaint amach.
Thacaigh urlabhraí Oideachais Shinn Féin, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, leis:
“D’éist Sinn Féin go géar leis an méid a bhí le rá ag Gaeloideachas agus eagrais eile faoin bpolasaí seo, agus tréaslaíonn muid iad as an sárobair déanta acu chun aird thuismitheoirí, múinteoirí agus soláthraí a tharraingt ar an deis seo athruithe suntasacha a dhéanamh ar chur chuige an stáit. Tá a lán dá gcuid moltaí le feiceáil san aighneacht seolta againn inniu.
“Tá tuairimí ar leith leagtha amach againn maidir le sholáthar múinteora, forbairt ghairmiúil leanúnach, áiseanna, riachtanais speisialta oideachais, éagsúlacht agus ionchuimsiú, agus ról an phobail ag tacú le hoideachas lánGhaeilge.
“Níl anseo ach moltaí áfach, agus fáiltíonn Sinn Féin i gcónaí roimh aiseolas ina leith. Táimid fós ag obair ar ár bpolasaí cuimsitheach don oideachas trí Gaeilge ón naíonra go dtí an tríú leibhéal agus ina dhiadh, de réir mar a bhí beartaithe ag Ard Fheis Shinn Féin na bliana 2021.
“Tá sé léirithe ag Airí Oideachais de chuid Shinn Féin ó Thuaidh ar nós Martin McGuinness conas is féidir difear mór millteach a dhéanamh le cur chuige úr agus uaillmhianach chun borradh a chur faoin oideachas lánGhaeilge, agus dá mbeadh rialtas Shinn Féin i gcumhacht sa stát seo bheadh an Ghaeilge lárnach mar phríomhthosaíocht ag an tAire Oideachais acu.”
(ENGLISH VERSION)
Sinn Féin publishes submission on Policy for Irish Medium Education – Aengus Ó Snodaigh & Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Today, as part of the consultation process underway by government in relation to preparing a policy for Irish medium education outside the Gaeltacht, Sinn Féin has published its submission.
The submission sets out the core principles Sinn Féin proposes for the education system with regards Irish, as well as identifying gaps and suggesting answers to the main questions put as part of the consultation process.
Sinn Féin’s Irish language, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture spokesperson, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, said:
“As per usual with this government, this policy is late, the consultation process is flawed, and the approach is lacking and restrictive. We were told the policy would be published last year, the consultation process has only recently begun, and third level and later life education have been totally ignored.
“That said, Sinn Féin welcomes the opportunity to feed into the policy for Irish medium education, and we hope that what we have to say here will be given a proper hearing.
“Amongst the key recommendations we are putting forward here, we say that access to Irish medium education should be treated as a right, and progressive targets should be put in place in terms of provision to ensure that demand is not alone satisfied, but grown.
“Ambitious targets are needed if we are serious about other statutory obligations towards the use of Irish in the provision of services and recruitment for the public service, as is strategic evidence-based planning to reach those achievable targets.”
Sinn Féin’s Education spokesperson, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, agreed:
“Sinn Féin has listened closely to what Gaeloideachas and other organisations have had to say on this policy, and we commend the work they have put in to draw the attention of parents, teachers and providers to this opportunity to significantly change the state’s approach. Many of their proposals can be seen in the submission we have sent in today.
“We outline ideas relating to the supply of teachers, continuous professional development, resources, special needs education, diversity and inclusion, and the role of the community in supporting Irish medium education.
“These are only proposals however, and Sinn Féin welcomes feedback. We continue to work on a comprehensive policy for education through Irish from naíonra to third level and beyond, as was agreed by the 2021 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis.
“Sinn Féin Education Ministers in the north, like Martin McGuinness, have shown the big difference a fresh approach and ambition can make to put wind in the sails of Irish medium education, and if a Sinn Féin government were in charge in this state, Irish would be a top priority for the Minister for Education.”
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has branded reports that energy giants are set to pocket an eye-watering £160 billion in profits a scandal.
The party's economy spokesperson said action must taken to end the energy rip-off and put money in people’s pockets.
Caoimhe Archibald said:
“Reports that energy companies are set to record eye-watering profits of £160 billion is scandalous and a kick in the teeth for workers and families who cannot afford to put the heat on because of sky high prices.
“The £600 energy payment is a huge help to people who are struggling, but more needs to be done to end the rip-off prices that are forcing people into hardship in the first place.
“The British Government should place another windfall tax on these companies to slash these obscene profits and redirect the money into the pockets of ordinary workers and families to cut their bills now, rather than boosting the fortunes of wealthy shareholders.”
Sinn Féin Leas-Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill has expressed condolences on the sudden death of Clare Drakeford.
Michelle O’Neill said:
“It’s with great sadness that I learned of the sudden and untimely passing of Clare Drakeford today.
“I have been in contact with First Minister Mark Drakeford to express my condolences to him on his deep loss at this very sad time.
“I had the pleasure of meeting Clare who was a very warm and kind person.
“The death of a loved one is so difficult for any family as they come to terms with their grief, and especially so for Mark at this difficult time.
“Clare will be missed by many. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has reiterated Sinn Féin’s support for the Colombian Peace Process at the ‘Adelente: Latin America Conference’ in London.
Speaking from London, the West Belfast MP said:
“Today was a welcome opportunity to listen to our Latin American friends again. The election of Lula da Silva in Brazil and Gustavo Petro in Colombia is a measure of the exciting progress that is sweeping much of Latin America.
"There are always lessons for us to take from such political transformation.”
Mr Maskey continued: “Speaking as someone who travelled to Cuba in 2015, to assist with the Havana Peace Talks, I was particularly keen to hear an update on the Colombian Peace Process. I welcome President Petro’s pursuit of Total Peace and hope that his administration continues to press ahead with the implementation the 2016 agreement.
“It is deplorable to hear about the ongoing killing of political activists, former combatants, and trade unionists by right-wing elements who seek to drag the process backwards.
“There is no doubt that this new government faces many challenges but our message to them would be to not lost hope.
“From the Irish experience, few ever thought that we would be where we are today. As our late leader Martin McGuinness once said, ‘You must choose hope over fear’."
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said news that airline Flybe has again entered administration is devastating news for workers and their families.
The party’s economy spokesperson said:
“My thoughts are with the Flybe workers, 138 of them based in Belfast, and their families who will be left devastated and plunged into uncertainty about what the future holds for them at what is already a difficult time with the cost-of-living crisis.
“The unexpected collapse has also caused disruption for passengers who had planned travel, and I would urge people to follow advice from the Consumer Council and Civil Aviation Authority.
“It’s vital that workers are kept up to date with any changes at the company in the days ahead and fully informed on the next steps.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, and spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, have announced that they will bring forward proposals in the Dáil next week to ensure mental health services for children and young people are properly resourced, fully staffed and accessible when and where they are needed.
Teachta Ward said:
“Further scandals in our CAMHS have been laid bare this week, and the government needs to act urgently to ensure that we have services that are fit for purpose for our children and young people.
“The current services are not, and there are serious concerns and risks for patients currently accessing CAMHS.
“Where the government has failed, Sinn Féin wants to offer solutions. We would reform mental health services to ensure that they are properly resourced and fully staffed.
“Early intervention is key - all children and young people deserve the opportunity to reach their potential.
“Children and young people must have access to mental services when and where they need them.
“Services should be extended to 25 to prevent ‘cliff edge’ of 18 – the majority of acute long-term mental health difficulties develop between ages of 16 and 25.
“We are calling for multi-annual funding for CAMHS to be able to operate and forward plan, to be able to properly staff teams, and we are calling for integrated IT system to improve quality of care
“We want accountability in mental health services and so are calling for a national clinical director for mental health, a role that was removed in 2016.”
Teachta Cullinane added:
“Sinn Féin wants to empower CAMHS to be able to respond to issues raised in the Mental Health Commission’s interim report.
“The report did not come as a shock to any family who has experience of accessing CAMHS.
“Unfortunately they know too well that this government has been failing young people as waiting lists have dramatically increased under their watch.
“We must introduce national standards for monitoring antipsychotic medication.
“We must develop a joined-up, proactive, and comprehensive health and social care workforce strategy to increase education places and training opportunities between the Departments of Health and Higher Education, the HSE, Regional Health Areas/Hospital Groups, and higher education institutions.
“We must steadily increase undergraduate and post-graduate courses and training places for mental health professions based on evidence for required staffing levels and projected population needs to reduce reliance on overtime and international recruitment.
“Our mental health services are in crisis and I firmly believe we can do so much better. We owe it to our children and young people to deserve hope, solutions and mental health services that are fit for purpose.”
Sinn Féin's motion can be read here.
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has welcomed an apology from the Belfast Health Trust to those affected by the contaminated blood scandal.
The party's health spokesperson said:
“I welcome today’s apology from the Belfast Health Trust to those affected by the contaminated blood scandal.
"This should never have happened and lessons must be learned to ensure this never happens again in our health services.
"I commend those affected and their families for the courage and determination they have shown throughout their campaign."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has described the rise in homeless numbers in December as deeply disturbing.
He has said that unless something dramatic happens in terms of social housing supply in February and March, the government is going to have to consider extending the eviction ban.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“In December there were 11,632 people, including 3,442 children, in the Department of Housing-funded emergency accommodation.
“This is the first time homelessness has risen in December for some time. The fact that it has happened while the winter ban on evictions is in place is deeply disturbing.
“Darragh O’Brien has abjectly failed to use the breathing space provided by the eviction ban to increase and accelerate the delivery of social homes. In fact he has not even met his initial 2022 social housing targets.
“Unless something dramatic happens in terms of social housing supply in February and March, the government is going to have to consider extending the eviction ban.
“The ever-rising level of adult and child homelessness required an emergency response from the government, including using emergency planning powers, suspending procurement rules and the use of modular building technologies.
“This is the only way to increase and accelerate the delivery of much needed permanent social homes.”
Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Martin Kenny TD has responded to reports of a rise in the Garda overtime bill for the third consecutive year.
Speaking today, Teachta Kenny said:
“While I’m sure the spend may seem astronomical to people, especially in the middle of a cost-of-living- crisis, this overtime bill is the reality of a recruitment and retention crisis within An Garda Síochána.
“We are seeing more gardai than ever before resigning from the force. Gardai tell me they feel demoralised and under significant pressure due to a constant flow of resignations.
“More than 100 Gardai resigned alone last year, which is more than the numbers trained in Templemore in 2022.
“Figures released to Newstalk show that in 2020, the overtime costs stood at €99 million. In 2021 the bill rose to €114 million, and now stands at €130 million for 2022. The fact that their overtime bill has again risen by a third is just a symptom of the recruitment and retention problem - basic policing duties must be met and there are not enough Gardaí to go around.
“We simply do not have enough Gardaí, and Fine Gael have contributed to that with their lax attitude towards policing and the continual under resourcing of Gardai.
“While I welcome the news that exit interviews are to now be conducted with those resigning, we also need to look beyond the traditional routes where gardai usually came to the force from.
“Fine Gael have been responsible for the Justice Ministry for more than 10 years and the legacy of that will be a Garda retention crisis.”
Sinn Féin TD for North Kildare, Réada Cronin, has criticised Minister Roderic O’Gorman for trying to delay her Bill giving workers the legal right to parental bereavement leave, calling his actions “uncalled for and cruel”.
The Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill, co-sponsored by Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers’ Rights, Louise O’Reilly TD, sets out to establish such leave on a legal basis, independent of, and separate to, all other leave, and to have it recognised as a period of continuous employment in the matter of any subsequent length-of-service, pension or other considerations.
In the Dáil today, Teachta Cronin asked the Minister to withdraw his amendment to delay the proposed legislation for 12 months.
Teachta Cronin said:
“Bereaved parents should not have to wait for the legal right to take ten days’ leave within six weeks of the death of their child. It is certainly not excessive, and such a right is long overdue.
“Employees must be able to avail of this leave as a legal right, not as a favour requested from, or granted, by an employer.
“Our bill is a gentle bill, but a strong one. It shows compassion for employees and gives clarity to employers on what is expected at a time of profound loss and shock.
“I expect many workers think this leave already exists - that if the worst happened, leave would be there for them automatically as their right. But it is not, and it needs to be - urgently.
“The Minister’s attempts to delay this long-overdue right. His refusal to show compassion in action and legislation, not merely words, are inexplicable.
“The government is cynically trying to delay the passage of this legislation with their amendment. This is just plain wrong – they know what the right thing to do is and they should drop their amendment.”
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“This legislation is about taking a compassionate approach to bereavement and ensuring that parents have some time off to grieve and to make necessary arrangements – many employers already provide this leave on a grace-and-favour basis.
“And, indeed, it is not lost on those working in the private sector that this leave is already available to serving civil servants, but this needs to be put on a statutory footing to ensure that all workers can benefit from it.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, John Brady TD, has condemned the continuing campaign of death by Israeli forces under its military ‘Break the Wave’ campaign.
The campaign in the last year has left approximately 200 Palestinians dead, including 30 children, along with a further 9,000 Palestinians injured.
Nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman being killed today during an Israeli raid in Jenin. A children’s ward of a local hospital was also hit by Israeli tear gas.
The UN has described 2022 as the deadliest year for Palestinians since 2006, with 29 Palestinians killed including five children, 2023 is set to be even worse.
The Israeli military attacks come less than a week after 100,000 Israeli citizens marched in protest against attempts by the new right-wing government led by Benjamin Netanyahu to undermine democratic checks and balances in Israel.
Teachta Brady:
“After a year of military attrition against the Palestinian people under the military ‘Break the Wave’ campaign, which has witnessed the deaths of approximately 200 Palestinians, including dozens of children.
"A further 9,000 Palestinians have been injured during the year long Israeli military onslaught against the Palestinian people. Nine Palestinians were killed today by the Israeli military in a city which they illegally occupy.
“The Israeli campaign of oppression has focussed on Jenin and Nablus, where alongside the official military campaign of terror, illegal Israeli settlers have also carried out attacks on Palestinian families, which the Israeli military does nothing to stop.
“The appointment of a number of extreme right-wing officials within the new Israeli government clearly spells out the intent of the current government to continue to seize Palestinian territory.
“Bezalel Smotrich, appointed head of the Israeli army body responsible for administering the West Bank, has openly encouraged violence against Palestinians.
“Smotrich oversees the system which excludes Palestinians from securing permits to build dwellings in Area C in the West Bank. This system is designed to prevent Palestinians from obtaining permits to build on their own land – illegally occupied by the Israeli military, and then tear down their homes, and evicts them from their own land.
“Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right extremist minister for national security, has described the flying of the Palestinian flag as an act of terrorism, ordering police to remove all flags. Ben-Gvir is intent on a campaign to eliminate Palestinian expressions of identity and free speech.
“The international community cannot continue to stand idly by and offer nothing but platitude in the face of what is being inflicted upon the Palestinian people by Israeli authorities, as they continue to flout international law on a daily basis.
“The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mícheal Martin must ensure that the voice of Ireland is at the forefront of global discourse, and in particular within the EU in demanding that action be taken to halt Israel’s continuing onslaught against the Palestinian people.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has called on the government to introduce timely, targeted and temporary mortgage interest relief to support borrowers with rising interest rates.
The Donegal TD raised the issue with Minister Eamon Ryan in the Dáil today.
Teachta Doherty said:
“Since June, the ECB has hiked interest rates by 2.5 percentage points with a further 1 percent hike expected by the end of March.
“These rate hikes have immediately impacted approximately 300,000 borrowers on a tracker rate.
“There are also more than 100,000 borrowers who have had their mortgages sold to vulture funds.
“Many of these borrowers are now being charged interest rates as high as 7 percent and by March could be charged up to 8 percent – with no option to fix and vulture funds refusing to engage.
“Borrowers will be paying thousands of euros more in interest this year.
“The Central Bank confirmed yesterday at the Finance Committee that we are entering a new period of mortgage arrears.
“It is clear that the Central Bank must step up its supervision of and reign in vulture funds in the interests of struggling borrowers.
“Today I also called on Minister Ryan and the Government to introduce timely, targeted and temporary mortgage interest relief to support hard-pressed borrowers at the sharp edge of interest rate hikes.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Martin Kenny TD, has appealed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tánaiste Michéal Martin, to immediately intervene with the Spanish authorities to initiate a fresh investigation into the 2008 disappearance of Dublin teenager Amy Fitzpatrick.
Deputy Kenny’s call follows the submission by Amy’s paternal aunt Christine Kenny of a letter, written by Amy’s father Christopher, which asked for assistance in Amy’s case from both the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Teachta Kenny said:
“I met with Christine outside the Dáil this week along with Mary Lou McDonald and Deputy Denise Mitchell.
“Christine, Christopher and their family are utterly heartbroken and have been since Amy’s disappearance in the Costa Del Sol on New Year's Day 2008 when she was just 15 years old.
“While I have previously raised the matter privately with the Minister for Justice, the response received was less than satisfactory.
“Amy’s father Christopher has never been officially notified of his daughter's disappearance and has had no contact from the Spanish police.
“For their part, the Department of Foreign Affairs here has not been of any support to Christopher either. On a very basic human level, that to me is completely unacceptable.
“I raised the family’s case today in the Dáil directly with the government because this is a child who went missing without a trace, an Irish citizen abroad, and neither her father nor his family have received much, if any, support from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“I have also requested a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Michéal Martin in relation to the case, so that he can speak directly with Christine and her brother.
“Christine has now asked that the Minister, with the Spanish police, move to have Amy’s case upgraded as a murder case, which would allow for a revitalised investigation. I am standing with Christine and Christopher in their call for this.
“New information has come to light about a possible burial site, which has not been investigated by Spanish police, despite the information being passed onto them when it was received a number of years ago.
“At the very least, both the Minister for Justice and Minister for Foreign Affairs have a duty to engage with the Spanish authorities and see that this information is acted on without any further delay.
“Not only has Christopher lost his daughter, he later lost his son Dean.
“Christine has said that all she and her brother want is for Amy to be found and brought home to be buried with her brother.
“I will continue to raise Amy’s case with both Ministers on Christine’s behalf so that this family can get the support and, hopefully, the closure that they deserve.”
Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway-Walsh, has called on the Minister for Housing to ensure that homeowners in Mayo, Donegal and other counties who have already paid to repair or rebuild homes hit with Pyrite and Mica are reimbursed through the Defective Concrete Block Scheme in a "fair and timely manner".
Speaking in the Dáil today, Teachta Conway-Walsh said:
“For years we have been advocating for a retrospective element in the defective concrete block scheme, so that people who repaired or rebuilt their home would not be disadvantaged.
“I welcome the fact that the Minister has finally indicated a willingness to introduce these changes to scheme.
“The inclusion of retrospection in the defective apartment scheme - launched to repair Celtic Tiger era defects that would affect constituents in the Ministers own constituency in Dublin - seems to have showed the error of the previous position.
“Regardless of how the change of approach came about, Sinn Féin stands ready to work with the Minister to ensure these changes are brought in as soon as possible.
“The changes must be introduced as quickly as possible as many of those impacted have already been waiting a long time.
“We must also ensure that the bureaucracy - in terms of demonstrating the cause of damage and cost of the work carried out - is proportionate and reflects the reality of constructing a family home in rural Ireland."
