Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has called today on the British government to immediately scrap its flawed and unjust legacy bill and end its attempts to ride rough shod over the needs of victims and their families.
Gerry Kelly was responding to comments by NIO Minister Lord Caine who rejected a call from the Victims Commissioner Ian Jeffers to withdraw the bill which is going through the British House of Lords.
Gerry Kelly said:
“The British government’s legacy bill has been rejected by the families of victims of the conflict, by the Council of Europe, the UN, International human rights bodies and by all the political parties on this island.
“The Victims Commissioner has added his voice to calls to withdraw this flawed and offensive legislation. The NIO Minister Lord Caine rejected this latest call.
“The British government continues to set its face against putting the needs of victims at the heart of any legislation to tackle the legacy of the past.
“It’s simply not good enough for the British government to continue to ride rough shod over the needs of victims and their families.
“The British government’s cruel, callous, and offensive Legacy Bill seeks to give an amnesty to British soldiers who killed Irish citizens and shut down victims’ and families’ access to the courts in an effort to achieve truth and justice.
"The British Government should stop treating victims and their families with contempt and implement the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House in a human rights compliant manner.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has said that the Government's failed housing policy is "driving house price inflation".
The Dublin Mid-West TDs comments were made as 'MyHome.ie' released its Q4 house price report showing house prices rose by 6% last year.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
"The latest MyHome.ie house price report makes for depressing reading.
"House prices rose by 6% across the state last year. In nine counties the cost of a three bed property increased by double digits, with Roscommon seeing a 25% rise.
"Counties in the Midlands, West and Border Region saw increases ranging from 11% to 19%.
"Average house prices are now €330,000 state wide and €436,000 in Dublin.
"Average prices are now almost eight times average incomes, the highest level since the financial crash.
"The reason is very simple. The Government's failed housing policy is driving house price inflation.
"Minister Darragh O’Brien will not have met any of his affordable housing targets in 2023 and the targets were too low in the first place.
"In many cases what is being delivered is far from affordable.
‘Meanwhile his controversial policies such as the Shared Equity Loan scheme are contributing to house price rises.
"Government needs to urgently revise their affordable housing plans. They must provide Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies with increased capital and more ambitious targets.
"They must also strip away the red tape that is slowing down the delivery of much needed affordable homes.
"Short of this, the Government's housing crisis will continue to get worse in 2023."
Speaking after the death was announced by the Vatican of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, First Minister designate Michelle O’Neill MLA said,
“All those from across our society of a Catholic faith will be saddened by the news that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has sadly passed away.
“As noted by the Archbishop of Armagh, Reverend Dr Eamonn Martin, Pope Benedict had a steadfast interest in Ireland, and our peace process.
“His very significant contribution to theological and academic work, and his thought leadership over many years are widely regarded by both supporters and critics alike.
“I wish to extend my sincere condolences to Archbishop Eamonn Martin, Holy See representative to Ireland, Reverend Monsignor Julien Kabóre, Pope Francis and all members of the Catholic faith here in Ireland, and across the world."
Speaking today on the announcement by the British government that it intends to legislate to provide a legal basis for the construction of post-Brexit checks at ports of entry, Sinn Féin Brexit Spokesperson, Declan Kearney MLA said;
“This announcement by the British government is long overdue, but also necessary.
“The EU and British government negotiated the Protocol recognising a solution was necessary to help mitigate against the worst impacts of Brexit on the island of Ireland, and to avoid a hard border.
“In February 2021 former DUP Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons asked his officials to pause work on the procurement and building works necessary for post-Brexit checks on agri-food goods arriving from Britain to our local ports of entry.
“Sinn Féin insisted at the time that this political stunt very seriously departed from agreed Executive policy, and that the legal requirements imposed on the Minister arose as a matter of domestic law, European law and international law, irrespective to whether he agreed with this obligation or not.
“I have been encouraged in recent weeks by the intensified engagement between the EU and British Government. It is not without significance that in person meetings have become regularised between the lead British Minister and the European Commission Vice President
"Prior to Christmas both Rishi Sunak and Ursula Von Der Leyen asserted their shared determination to find a joint solution to the Protocol and one that protects the Good Friday Agreement. In a further confidence building measure the EU has now addressed the issue of access to veterinary medicines.
“Sinn Féin support a joint solution and a pragmatic, durable outcome.
“The onus rests clearly on this British Government to demonstrate its commitment to implementing the Protocol it negotiated as part of this ongoing process. Providing a legal basis for the construction of post-Brexit check facilities is a requirement. Our local businesses need certainty and stability; that means a final end to Tory procrastination and DUP political obstruction.”
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has today expressed his condolences following the death of former North Belfast Sinn Fein Councillor Bobby Lavery who passed away in the US last night.
Gerry Kelly said:
“I’m deeply saddened to hear that former North Belfast Councillor Bobby Lavery passed away last night in San Francisco.
“Bobby Lavery was a committed Irish Republican and trail blazer for Sinn Féin in the north of the city.
“Bobby was a former Republican Prisoner who on his return to his community of the New Lodge in the mid 1970s immediately set about building Sinn Féin in the area.
“Bobby threw himself into work for the Republican community, driving the advice centre, tackling housing issues, campaigning for youth and community services, and tackling poverty.
“Bobby campaigned day and night on behalf of the Republican prisoners in Armagh Gaol and the H-Blocks of Long Kesh in their battle for political status and supported local families fighting against the state’s use of paid perjurers to jail dozens of local people in the 1980s.
“When Sinn Féin contested the 1985 council elections Bobby and his friend and comrade the late Gerard McGuigan made history becoming the first Republicans elected in north Belfast to Belfast City Council in 60 years.
“Bobby was an energetic and dynamic councillor and he and his family were targeted first for harassment and intimidation by British state forces and then by loyalist death squads colluding with the British state.
“In 1992 his brother Martin was murdered in his Crumlin Road home while he wrapped Christmas presents with his five-year-old daughter.
“And tragically in August 1993 just months after Bobby had been re-elected to represent North Belfast his son Sean was shot dead by loyalists in the family home on the Antrim Road.
“In the years which followed Bobby campaigned to highlight the collusion between loyalist death squads and the British State Forces. Loyalists continued to threaten the lives of Bobby and his brother Danny.
“Bobby was elected again in the 1997 council elections where he was joined by his brother Danny who won a seat in the Castle constituency.
“Bobby eventually stepped down from elected politics ands made the US his new home.
“He frequently returned to north Belfast often to campaign for Sinn Féin candidates in Assembly, Westminster and council elections.
“In the US he remained a staunch advocate of a United Ireland for all and often spoke at Irish American events while also advocating for wide range of international human rights struggles.
“Bobby Lavery is a huge loss to all who he knew him and I extend my condolences to his wife Susana, his children and grandchildren, his family, friends and all his former colleagues on the council.”
First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill MLA has expressed her deepest sympathies to the families of those tragically killed and injured in today’s Tyrone road traffic collision.
The Mid Ulster MLA said:
“It is deeply tragic news to learn that three adults have been killed and a woman and four children injured as a result of this terrible road traffic collision in Co. Tyrone.
“I offer my heartfelt sympathies to the families of those tragically killed and every best wish to those injured for a full and speedy recovery.”
Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill has called on the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to end the ‘unacceptable’ refusal to negotiate with NHS unions and to agree a fair settlement to avoid further strike action.
Criticising the British Government’s handling of the current dispute with healthcare staff, the First Minister Designate said:
“Our health and social care system in the north is in crisis as a result of 12 years of Tory austerity which has underfunded and undermined our public services.
“Striking workers are not only taking a stand for fair pay and safe staffing levels but they are also standing up in defence of the heatlh and social care system which continues to deteriorate and is facing into possibly its worst ever winter of pressures.
“Without fair pay and safe working conditions, it becomes much more difficult to retain skilled health and social care workers. That needs to be addressed because it is a key reason why our health service is in crisis.
“It is totally unacceptable that the British Government refuses to even negotiate with the workers’ trade union representatives.
“Our nurses and health workers shouldn’t have been forced onto the streets to take strike action in the freezing cold for fair pay and conditions.
“I raised this dispute with the British Prime Minister when he visited Belfast last week and I have written to him today again urging him to ensure his government immediately engages positively with the representative trade unions and pursues a suitable resolution that incorporates a fair pay and conditions settlement for health workers.
“Our nursing and healthcare staff are crucial to the functioning of the NHS so it’s time that the British Prime Minister started listening, and started negotiating.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, has expressed serious concern at crisis-level overcrowding in hospitals.
Teachta Cullinane said that record overcrowding is being driven by the government’s consistent failure to drive investment and reform in the health service.
Teachta Cullinane said:
"Emergency department dysfunction such as this is a symptom of everything going wrong at the same time in a health service which does not have enough capacity.
"After nearly 2½ years in the job, the Minister for Health has yet to produce a multi-annual plan for the health service.
"Hospitals are dangerously overcrowded yet there is no urgency to tackle this.
“This is now an emergency and must be treated as such. All options must be on the table including utilising private health care capacity. We must mobilise all available resources to take pressure off our hospitals, our front line health care workers and to provide better care to patients.
“This emergency was entirely predictable. A shortage of capacity in our hospitals, insufficient GP capacity and particularly out of hours services and a lack of care options in the home and community are all factors driving patients to EDs.
“The Minister for Health clearly has no plan and no strategy. Crisis management will not solve the core problems facing our health services.
“Last year's budget was the time to plan for this year's winter, and yet not one single additional acute in-patient hospital bed was funded beyond existing commitments.”
MacManus hails success Of Coworx Digital Hub in Edgeworthstown
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has commended all involved in the establishment of the Coworx Digital Hub in Edgeworthstown and says that it is a model that should be replicated in rural towns and villages across the State. The Midlands Northwest representative was speaking after meeting with Coworx Manager Luiz Roque at the hub in Edgeworthstown alongside Sinn Féin Local Area Representative James Donnelly.
MEP MacManus said:
“I was pleased to visit the Coworx Digital Hub in Edgeworthstown recently alongside my colleague James Donnelly. I would like to thank Luiz for taking the time to meet us and show us around this very impressive facility.
“The closure of the former Ulster Bank was an enormous blow to the local community but it is fantastic that the building now has a new lease of life as a digital hub. I would like to commend the Edgeworthstown District Development Association and Longford County Council who showed tremendous vision to repurpose the building and convert it into a hub.
“There is a mix of all kinds of workers and companies making use of the facilities in the hub, including some bushiness who are based full-time there. There are a number of different resources made available to them at the hub and it is clear to see why it is such an attractive space for these companies and workers.
“It is a great asset to the local community, especially given the rise in remote working following the pandemic and the lack of reliable broadband in many parts of this region.
“Many of our rural towns and villages are suffering greatly from a withdrawal of services, closure of local businesses and their main streets are often full of vacant properties. This project is an example of what can be achieved when local people and Local Authorities work together to revitalize and regenerate their town. It is a huge success story and is a model that should be replicated by other development groups and Local Authorities across the State.
“I would like to wish Luiz and all at Coworx continued success into the future. ENDS
See attached photo from Coworx of (L-R): Chris MacManus MEP, Luiz Roque and James Donnelly
MacManus commends North Leitrim Men’s Group work in tackling Social Exclusion
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has commended the North Leitrim Men’s Group for their work in tackling social exclusion in the local area. The Midlands Northwest representative was speaking after visiting the group in Bee Park Community Centre in Manorhamilton alongside his Sinn Féin colleague Cllr Padraig Fallon.
MEP MacManus said:
“I was pleased to visit the North Leitrim Men’s Group at Bee Park Community Centre in Manorhamilton recently alongside my colleague Cllr Padraig Fallon.
“It was great to speak to some of the men who participate in the group on their experiences of it and how the group benefits them and their community.
“Groups such as this are vital for tackling social exclusion which is a significant problem, particularly in rural communities. The pandemic exacerbated this problem and it was a difficult and lonely time for many in our community, especially those who are elderly or living alone. Thankfully that is now behind us and these groups are back to their normal activities and tackling social issues among men in the local area.
“The group has a large catchment area, covering all of North Leitrim and surrounding areas and many are involved in Community Employment schemes.
“A number of issues were raised during our meeting, including the lack of transport in rural areas such as this and the shortage of housing, which is affecting some of the group participants. In particular the low level of pay for Community Employment participants was discussed. The maximum payment is 230 euros per week, which is totally inadequate given the rising cost of living and the benefit that their work brings to the local community, and must be addressed by Government.
“I would like to thank the group for having us in Manorhamilton and I wish them all the best for the future. ENDS
See attached photo of (L-R): Cllr Padraig Fallon, Joel Smith (North Letirim Men’s Group) and Chris MacManus MEP
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Action and Transport, Darren O’Rourke TD, today called for the acceleration of the development of our offshore wind energy and the front-loading of investment in public transport to help meet our climate targets.
The Meath East TD said:
“We are mid-way through the first carbon budget, which requires emissions to fall by an average of 4.8% per year. However last year emissions increased by 5.4% and they will rise again this year.
“This highlights that the government’s plan is not working, and a new approach is needed.
“Sinn Féin wants to see state-led renewable energy development, investment in public transport, an acceleration of shallow retrofits and solar panel installations and support for farmers to diversify their incomes to help reduce emissions across the board.
“The development of our offshore wind energy is essential to cutting emissions in the energy, transport and heating sectors.
“However, survey and planning delays are now jeopardising projects, and a lack of investment in our ports means the first wind farms will not be built from this island.
"We need urgent action to address these problems.
“Sinn Féin has also called for the dividends policies of our semi-states to be revised, to increase the level of reinvestment into renewable energy in this decade.
"This would enable them to capture a greater share of overall new green energy production, thereby improving our energy security and positioning these companies to return dividends to the taxpayer from green energy generation into the future.
“This Climate Action Plan is heavy on additional charges for motorists, but light on detail when it comes to more buses, trains and trams.
“Increasing the cost of transport does not work if the alternatives are not in place. The huge increase in the price of fuel this year has proven this point. People still need to drive to get to work and education.
“Instead of front-loading investment in sustainable transport, the government have opted to prioritise the punitive charges.
“Sinn Féin’s Alternative Budget called for a €200m injection in our public transport services next year to help reduce emissions, by cutting fares, investing in new rail infrastructure, accelerating the rollout of rural bus services and making public transport safer and more accessible.
“There is no acceptance that the government’s retrofit plan is not delivering. Most people simply cannot afford to retrofit their home, and this plan fails to address this central issue.
“Instead, this plan repeats the target of 500,000 B2 retrofits by 2030, despite the fact that the government will miss their own target of 8,640 B2 retrofits this year.
“Sinn Féin called for an overhaul of the current retrofit schemes, to accelerate shallow retrofits, introduced tiered grants, install more solar energy and prioritise energy upgrades for those living in energy poverty.
“Back in 2020, the government set a target of planting 8,000 hectares of forestry per annum. This hasn’t been met in any year since then and will likely be missed yet again this year.
“We need a focus on delivery and meeting the existing climate targets we have, not rehashing and relaunching the same policies over and over again.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has said that it is deeply disappointing that the long-awaited memo on the Celtic Tiger-era building defects redress scheme did not go to cabinet today.
The Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien, previously told both the Dáil and affected homeowners that the memo, outlining the government's intentions for the redress scheme, was to be tabled before the end of the year.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“Darragh O’Brien informed both the Dáil and affected homeowners that a memo on the Celtic Tiger-era building defects redress scheme was to be tabled at cabinet today.
“The memo was to set out the government’s intention with regard to the shape and timing of the redress scheme for those living in homes with fire safety and other structural defects.
“However, the long-awaited memo was not tabled. Homeowners have been informed that it will instead be brought to the first cabinet meeting in January.
“Homeowners have been waiting too long for a redress scheme to fix defects caused by lax government regulation and shoddy industry practice. Across the state, thousands of affected homeowners were eagerly awaiting news from cabinet today.
“Instead, they have been told they will have to wait until January. This is deeply disappointing. For the sake of the homeowners, I hope there are no further delays.
“Homeowners and tenants living in defective homes need 100% redress. They also need funding for emergency interim fire safety measures.
“Any redress scheme must be end-to-end, must be managed by a single public agency and must be retrospective. Homeowners who did nothing wrong deserve nothing less.”
Public Accounts Committee chairperson, Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley, has called on the Department of Finance and the Central Bank to explain how €750m in exchequer funds was released without authorisation in October 2022 and what changes will be put in place to ensure such a breach of procedure does not occur again.
His remarks follow a report published this afternoon by the state’s financial watchdog in which the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) expressed “serious concern” at a breach of controls within the Department of Finance and the Central Bank.
Teachta Stanley said:
“The Public Accounts Committee will be writing to Mr John Hogan, the Secretary General of the Department of Finance, seeking an explanation of how €750m of exchequer money was drawn down without adequate authorisation.
“This was a serious breach of control, and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) needs to see substantial assurances that such a breach will not happen again.
“As outlined in the C&AG’s report, on October 28th 2022, there was a failure between the Central Bank and the Department of Finance to identify that the total amount of money being requested for withdrawal from the Central Fund exceeded the value of credit remaining at the start of the day. This resulted in €750m of exchequer funding being withdrawn without adequate approval.
“The law requires the Minister, in advance, to seek independent assurance of the appropriateness of withdrawals and this did not happen. In fact, the C&AG was not informed of this breach until November 1st.
“Minister McGrath confirmed on Newstalk this morning that an internal review of what went wrong has taken place. I believe the PAC should receive a copy of this review.
“The PAC needs to know how this happened, why it happened and who is responsible for the breach.
“This matter has undermined the financial prudency of the Department of Finance and the Central Bank with regards to exchequer funds and we need to restore trust in our processes.
“The PAC also needs the department and the Central Bank to detail exactly what changes are being put in place to ensure that no such breach occurs again.”
Link to report: Unauthorised release of funds from the Central Fund of the Exchequer (audit.gov.ie)
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has called on the British government to honour its commitment made by a British Prime Minister at Weston Park in 2001 to hold a public inquiry into the murder of human rights solicitor Pat Finucane
Speaking after a judge in Belfast High Court today quashed a decision by the British Secretary of State not to hold a public inquiry at this time Gerry Kelly said:
“Today’s decision by a High Court judge is a victory for the Geraldine Finucane, the widow of murdered human rights solicitor Pat Finucane, and her campaign to hold the British government to its commitment to hold a public inquiry into his killing.
“Justice Scoffield ruled that there has not as yet been a human rights compliant inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane in 1989.
“He has also quashed the decision by a British Secretary of State not to hold a public inquiry at this time into Pat Finucane’s killing.
“Judge Scoffield also ruled that the British Secretary of State acted unlawfully by failing to reconsider his refusal to hold a public inquiry after the PSNI concluded its investigation in May last year.
"The British Government now need to end their stalling tactics and fulfil the promise it made in 2001 and hold a full and independent public inquiry into the killing of Pat Finucane.
“No family should have to go to the courts again and again to force the British government to act within the law.
“The Finucane family has campaigned with courage and dignity for decades. They simply want the truth behind the murder of their father, husband and brother.
“Further delays are unacceptable and fly in the face of justice for Geraldine Finucane and her family.” CRÍOCH/ENDS
MacManus calls for greater promotion of Cavan Tourism following Swanlinbar visit
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has commended the Swanlinbar Development Association for their work for their work in supporting the local community and attracting tourism to the area. Speaking after a recent visit to Trivia House in the village alongside his Sinn Féin colleagues Pauline Tully TD and Damien Brady, the Midlands Northwest representative said that places like Cavan deserve greater promotion from the national tourism bodies.
MEP MacManus said:
“I was pleased to meet Aidan and Tony from the Swanlinbar Development Association on a recent visit to Trivia Guesthouse alongside my colleagues Pauline Tully and Damien Brady.”
“It is a wonderful facility used by a range of different community groups and providing a number of different services to the local community, including their digital hub. As a Guesthouse it also plays a key role in attracting tourism to the local area, and the Development Association should be commended for their hard work in providing this fantastic service.”
“They have worked with many different funders over the years to improve infrastructure in the local area, including walks and the community playpark, and it is vital that they continue to be supported in developing the local area.”
“The area has a lot to offer to tourists with attractions nearby such as the boardwalk and caves. It highlights that there is much more to Ireland than just our cities and the Wild Atlantic Way.”
“Every time I return to Cavan I’m reminded of just how much it has to offer as a tourist destination. However the area has been undersold for a long time in terms of tourism and places like Cavan must be properly promoted by our national tourism bodies in order to encourage even more tourists into the local area.”
“I want to thank Aidan and Tony for having us in Swanlinbar and wish them and the Development Association continued success.” ENDS
See attached photo of (L-R): Damien Brady, Aidan Curry, Chris MacManus MEP, Pauline Tully TD
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said the British government should scrap visa requirements for travel in Ireland under its regressive Nationalities and Borders Act.
The Sinn Féin MLA said:
"This Nationalities and Borders Act being imposed by the British government is deeply damaging for the people of Ireland introducing the unacceptable prospect of visa requirements for certain people travelling across this island.
"This is an affront to the Good Friday Agreement and would cause untold damage to community, societal and business relations on the island.
"Representatives of the tourism industry including hoteliers have highlighted the negative consequences for tourism and the failure to properly engage or consult with them by the British government on potential solutions.
"70% of international visitors to the north arrive through Dublin Airport so the imposition of unnecessary additional bureaucracy needs to be avoided.
"These unnecessary and unwanted checks will be a hammer blow to Irish tourism and the British Government needs to immediately scrap these requirements."
MacManus visits Charlestown Maypole Disaster Art Exhibition
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has commended those involved in St Attracta’s National School’s Maypole disaster exhibition in Charlestown Town Hall Art Centre. The Midlands Northwest representative was speaking after visiting the exhibition alongside his colleague Cllr Gerry Murray and meeting with artist Tom Meskell and teachers Principal Brian McDermott and Jennifer Henry.
MEP MacManus said:
“I recently visited the Charlestown Town Hall Art Centre alongside my colleague Gerry Murray and viewed the fantastic exhibition on the Maypole mining disaster, put together by pupils from the local St Attracta’s National School."
“I was pleased to meet with the artist Tom Meskell who worked with the pupils on the project and their teachers Principal Brian McDermott and Jennifer Henry."
“The exhibition was very impressive, featuring 75 flat cap lanterns, and huge credit must go to the pupils, artist and teachers."
“The project was a fantastic learning experience for the children through working as a team, learning about history and developing their artistic skills."
“There are significant links between Charlestown and Maypole, with several of the miners who lost their lives in the disaster coming from the local area, so it was a very appropriate project to choose and a fitting way to commemorate the disaster."
“While the exhibition was open to the public I understand that hundreds of people visited throughout the week with huge buy-in from parents and the local community. This is brilliant for encouraging arts in the local area, especially among children, and sets a fantastic example for others working in this sector to follow."
“I would like to thank Tom, Brian and Jennifer for having us and wish them continued success." ENDS
See attached photo from the exhibition in Charlestown Town Hall Arts Centre of (L-R): Cllr Gerry Murray, Brian McDermott (Principal), Chris MacManus MEP, Jennifer Henry (Teacher), Tom Meskell (Artist)
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has said that while the nameplates in the Taoiseach’s office and Department of Finance have changed this week, the government’s stale policies have remained the same.
Deputy Doherty was responding to comments from the new Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, who today admitted the government has no plans to introduce additional measures to support people at risk of falling into poverty.
Teachta Doherty said:
“In a first world and wealthy state, we have 3,000 people of all ages queuing outside the Capuchin Centre to receive a €50 gift card to help them through Christmas, while distraught parents are ringing St Vincent de Paul and other charities because they simply cannot cope this winter.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg.
“At a time when people are really struggling, we have a revolving door in both the Taoiseach’s office and in the Department of Finance between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil - two parties joined at the hip, out of ideas, and offering no new solutions.
“The nameplates might have changed but the policies remain the same.
“More and more households are falling into poverty every day. The government does not comprehend the extent of those struggles.
“The new Minister of Finance, Michael McGrath, offered no hope to struggling households when interviewed today, and no hope to our young people who feel they have no option but to emigrate to seek a better life.
“People need support. People need hope.
“We need to ensure our Social Protection system protects people from poverty, so that they do not have to go to food banks or queue for food vouchers.
“We are now really seeing the effects of the government waiting until January to raise payment rates by €12 per week, which because of the current rates of inflation, is still a cut in real terms.
“This government has opposed Sinn Féin solutions to provide relief and certainty during the cost of living crisis at every turn - ignoring proposals to protect renters by banning rent increases, to make home ownership more affordable and to cap the cost of energy.
“All the indications from the new Taoiseach and new Minister for Finance are to expect more of the same.
“It is clear that people don’t need a change in Taoiseach or a change of Finance Minister, what they need is a change of government.
“They need a government that would put workers, families, and communities first
“They need a government that would do what is necessary to improve their lives by fixing a broken housing system, by tackling the crisis in our hospitals, and by working to build a fairer, sustainable, modern economy.”
“EU decision on gas price cap is too little, too late” - Chris MacManus MEP
Chris MacManus, Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands Northwest, has called for European decision-makers to put people’s fundamental right to energy at the core of the EU’s energy policy. He made his comments following a meeting of the EU’s energy ministers on 19 December, where an agreement on a cap for gas prices was finally reached. “Unfortunately, this gas price cap is too little, too late. Many governments have been calling for a gas price cap for months, and when the Commission finally made a proposal, it was for a price cap that would only ever operate in very limited circumstances. Then, Member State governments took weeks to come to an agreement on the proposal, delaying a series of other proposals that could help accelerate the energy transition.”
The price cap agreed targets the Dutch Title Transfer Facility, the EU’s main gas trading hub which serves as a benchmark price for gas trading in the EU. Under the Commission’s proposal, the price cap would only be activated if this gas price benchmark exceeded a very high level, which was not even reached during this summer’s gas price peaks. “Member States gave the Commission a mandate to propose a gas price cap; the Commission’s proposal was not credible and would not help households who are struggling now. Member States adapted the Commission’s proposal to a more workable price cap that would come into force at a lower price level, but it is unacceptable that it took a month to reach this decision.”
Member State’s dithering over the gas price cap also delayed agreement on a series of other policies that would enable the joint purchase of gas and speed up the granting of renewable energy permits. “Short-term measures around gas prices are crucial for tackling energy poverty, and need to be implemented quickly so as to have a real impact on citizens’ energy bills,” said MacManus. “At the same time, more long-term measures to increase our renewable energy generation cannot be neglected.”
The meeting of energy ministers also dealt with a series of other issues relevant to the energy and climate crises. The Council adopted its position on a new law to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas production. The Council introduced higher leak detection limits and repair thresholds, releasing oil and gas companies from the responsibility of controlling smaller leaks of this incredibly potent greenhouse gas. “At a time when households and small businesses are being called on to reduce their energy use, why is the Council introducing loopholes for large oil and gas companies?” questioned MacManus. “Leak detection and repair is a low-hanging fruit in terms of reducing methane emissions, and companies need a robust legal framework to incentivise action here.”
MacManus concluded, “The discussion around price caps and energy market reform do not end here. The Commission is set to propose further measures early in 2023, which need to be much more daring and far-reaching than their proposals to date. Ultimately, debates over markets and economic ideologies need to take a back seat to people’s right to clean, affordable energy. This should be the guiding light of all policy decisions in the energy crisis.” ENDS
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson has said the families of those killed in the loyalist gun attack on Annie’s Bar 50 years deserve truth and justice.
Ciara Ferguson said:
“50 years ago today, loyalist gunmen opened fire in Annie's Bar in Derry’s Waterside killing five people Michael McGinley, Charles McCafferty, Charles Moore, Frank McCarron, and Bernard Kelly as they watched a football match.
“The families of those killed in Annie’s Bar are entitled to truth and justice. It’s a matter of disgrace that they have been waiting five decades.
“If the British government’s flawed and reckless Legacy Bill goes ahead, they will effectively pull down the shutters on the families right to access justice through the courts.
“The Tory government should bin this shameful legislation, and implement the legacy proposals agreed at Stormont House in 2014.
“Sinn Féin will continue to stand with the Annie’s Bar families as they continue to campaign for truth and justice.”
