Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, John Brady TD, has expressed his deep sadness and sorrow following the death of a member of the Irish Defence Forces on peacekeeping duties in Lebanon.
The Wicklow TD said:
“I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the death of a member of the Defence Forces while on peacekeeping duties in Lebanon.
“My thoughts, and those of everyone in my party, are with the family of the deceased, and the families of the three soldiers who were injured. We wish them a swift and full recovery.
“I also want to extend my sympathy to the wider Defence Forces on the death of their colleague.”
Speaking ahead of the Oireachtas Gender Equality Committee’s launch of its final report, Sinn Féin committee members Sorca Clarke TD, Réada Cronin TD and Senator Fintan Warfield have called for a commitment from the incoming Taoiseach that delivery of the Citizens’ Assembly’s recommendations will be a priority for his government.
Women want to see tangible progress by government in delivery of both reports’ recommendations during the remainder of its term in office, including holding a referendum on Article 41.2 of the Constitution in 2023, fully recognising the societal and economic value of care work, policies and investment that provide equality of opportunity for women and girls with disabilities and the elimination of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).
Teachta Clarke said:
“It is accepted across government that gender inequality remains embedded in Irish society.
“The work undertaken by the Citizens’ Assembly and complemented by the work of our committee provides a coherent framework for ministers to develop a policy implementation plan against which progress can be monitored and evaluated. This work must be coordinated across government and expedited.
“Building on the work of the Citizens’ Assembly our committee has made a number of important recommendations relating to care work, people with disabilities, their families and carers. Like other feminised sectors the pay, terms and conditions for those in community care work are inadequate, as are the social protection provisions for carers. Neither reflect the true societal and economic value of this work.
“Our committee wants to see increases in wages and improvements in working conditions and progression opportunities across the caring professions. We also want the Department of Social Protection to bring social protection rates for carers in line with a minimum essential standard of living (MESL).”
Teachta Cronin said:
“I want to commend the work of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality for the massive contribution they’ve made to public policy under the stewardship of Dr Catherine Day.
“Our committee has sought to complement the work of the Citizens’ Assembly and now that we have delivered our final report responsibility for delivery of its recommendations lies squarely with the incoming Taoiseach and his Ministers.
“Like the Citizens Assembly a considerable amount of our committee’s time was given to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, and we are very grateful to all those who contributed so frankly to our considerations.
“Whilst the strategic objective of the Third National Strategy is to eliminate DSGBV women and their children in the here and now must be protected from abuse, violence and coercive control. As the Minister for Justice acknowledged during her evidence to the committee there is an urgent need to dramatically increase the provision of refuges across the country.”
Senator Warfield said:
“It is important to recognise that women’s experience of gender equality still begins at an early age. I want to make special note of the powerful young women who contributed to the work of the committee.
“We know that a majority of students consider their experience of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) to be poor. A new RSE/Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum is long overdue.
“The revised curriculum must address consent, gender power dynamics, and domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This is not just the view of the Citizens’ Assembly and Committee, it is what young people are demanding of us.
“Students must also have access to a broad range of subjects to choose from, and these choices must not be rooted in gender stereotypes as remains the case across our educational system.
“The Department of Education must support and resource the education system by providing the resources necessary to truly open up all subjects to all young people.”
Speaking ahead of the Oireachtas Gender Equality Committee’s launch of its final report, Sinn Féin committee members have called for a commitment from the incoming Taoiseach that delivery of the Citizens Assembly’s recommendations will be a priority for his government.
Women want to see tangible progress by this Government in delivery of both reports’ recommendations during the remainder of its term in office, including holding a referendum on Article 41.2 of the Constitution in 2023, fully recognising the societal and economic value of care work, policies and investment that provide equality of opportunity for women and girls with disabilities and the elimination of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).
Committee member Deputy Sorca Clarke said, “It is accepted across government that that gender inequality remains imbedded in Irish society. The work undertaken by the Citizens Assembly and complemented by the work of our committee provides a coherent framework for Ministers to develop a policy implementation plan against which progress can be monitored and evaluated. This work must be coordinated across Government and expediated.
“Building on the work of the Citizens’ Assembly our committee has made a number of important recommendations relating to care work, people with disabilities, their families and carers. Like other feminised sectors the pay, terms and conditions for those in community care work are inadequate, as are the social protection provisions for carers. Neither reflect the true societal and economic value of this work. Our committee want to see increases in wages and improvements in working conditions and progression opportunities across the caring professions. We also want the Department of Social Protection to bring social protection rates for carers in line with a minimum essential standard of living (MESL).”
Committee member Deputy Réada Cronin said, “I want to commend the work of the Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality for the massive contribution they’ve made to public policy under the stewardship of Dr. Catherine Day. Our committee has sought to complement the work of the Citizen’s Assembly and now that we have delivered our final report responsibility for delivery of its recommendations lies squarely with the incoming Taoiseach and his Ministers.
“Like the Citizens Assembly a considerable amount of our committee’s time was given to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, and we are very grateful to all those who contributed so frankly to our considerations. Whilst the strategic objective of the Third National Strategy is to eliminate DSGBV women and their children in the here and now must be protected from abuse, violence and coercive control. As the Minister for Justice acknowledged during her evidence to the committee there is an urgent need to dramatically increase the provision of refuges across the country.”
Committee member Senator Fintan Warfield said, “It is important to recognise that women’s experience of gender equality still begins at an early age. I want to make special note of the powerful young women who contributed to the work of the committee.
“We know that a majority of students consider their experience of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) to be poor. A new RSE / Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum is long overdue. The revised curriculum must address consent, gender power dynamics, and domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This is not just the view of the Citizens’ Assembly and Committee, its what young people are demanding of us.
“Students must also have access to a broad range of subjects to choose from, and these choices must not be rooted in gender stereotypes as remains the case across our educational system. The Department of Education must support and resource the education system by providing the resources necessary to truly open up all subjects to all young people.”
Sinn Féin Leader in the Seanad, Seanadoir Niall Ó Donnghaile, has welcomed comments by the Minister for Sport in favour of removing an unfair rule which blocks athletes in the north representing Ireland at some athletics fixtures.
The World Athletics’ political boundary rule dating back to 1934 blocks athletes in Ireland from representing Ireland the nation, at European and world championships if they are from the north.
The measure means athletes do not have the choice to represent Ireland if they wish to, and runs contrary to the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement.
Seanadoir Ó Donnghaile said:
“All qualifying athletes on this island who wish to represent Ireland should be able to do so. The political boundary rule is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement; it discriminates against athletes who want to represent Ireland.
“World Athletics should grant a derogation from the political boundary rule to the island of Ireland. This would remove the current unfair rule. This is about respecting people’s identities and their right to an Irish identity.
“Minister Jack Chambers’ comments this morning in the Seanad in a Commencement Matter in his support for a derogation of this unfair rule were encouraging. I welcome his contribution on this matter. In particular his assurance that he shared the objectives of those seeking a derogation from the political boundary rule; which he said was a shared position between both jurisdictions on the island; that he supported athletes from all parts of Ireland having the choice to decide who to represent at international competitions and that fostering dialogue between officials from Sport Ireland, Athletics Ireland, Athletics Northern Ireland and Sports Northern Ireland, was essential in taking the matter further.
“Minister Chambers said he had spoken directly to Lord Seb Coe, the President of World Athletics, and made his position clear to President Coe and that he wanted to see the matter advanced.
“The Minister’s intervention is timely and an important contribution to the growing conversation around this issue. I am determined to see progress on this issue and will continue to follow up with the Minister on ways that we can advance these objectives.
“Our athletes do us proud, as they represent us on the world stage and act us role models for local communities. It is right that they should have the choice to represent their own country.”
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has said reports of crisis situations in Emergency Departments in the Royal and Mater hospitals are deeply concerning.
The North Belfast MLA will meet with the Belfast Trust on Thursday along with Belfast MPs John Finucane and Paul Maskey.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Carál Ní Chuilín said:
“Ongoing reports of issues in the Emergency Departments in the Royal Victoria and Mater hospitals are deeply concerning.
“Staff have told us of the huge pressure they are facing while trying to care for very sick and vulnerable patients in unsafe conditions due to a lack of staff and planning for winter pressures.
“Patients and health staff deserve to be treated and work in safe conditions.
“This reinforces the need to form an Executive now to deliver a three-year budget and to invest an extra £1 billion in the health service to hire more doctors and nurses and tackle chronic waiting lists.
“Sinn Féin will meet with the Chief Executive of Belfast Trust tomorrow regarding the need to tackle this crisis in the Emergency Departments in the RVH Children's Hospital and to ensure the safety of staff and patients.”
Sinn Féin today introduced the Cost of Renewables Taskforce Bill 2022 in the Dáil, aiming to reduce the high cost of producing renewable energy here and bring Ireland into line with other European countries.
Darren O’Rourke TD said:
“Today we introduced a bill in the Dáil that aims to reduce the cost of generating renewable energy here.
“The cost of producing electricity from wind and solar is too high and we want to bring this down, both to reduce household electricity bills and ensure we are competitive to export renewable energy to Europe.
“Our bill has a central aim; to quickly establish a cross-departmental taskforce to examine the high cost of producing renewable energy here and bring forward recommendations on ways to reduce this cost per megawatt-hour.”
Réada Cronin TD said:
“In our latest RESS auction, wind energy cleared at almost €98 per megawatt-hour. In other European countries, you will see prices in the €50s and, in Spain, even in the €20s per megawatt-hour.
“As we strive to reach 80% renewable energy generation by 2030, it is essential the cost of producing this green electricity comes down.
“Importantly, this bill also mandates the taskforce to recommend mechanisms to ensure any savings made on the costs of producing renewable energy are passed onto consumers.
“Our transition to a zero-carbon energy system must benefit the climate and also our citizens.”
Senator Lynn Boylan said:
“Delays in the planning system, the design of the auctions, commercial rates and grid connection costs are all pushing up the price of generating green energy in Ireland.
“The aim of this taskforce is to identify all of these contributory factors and bring forward recommendations, looking at international best practice, on how to reduce the cost of producing green energy per megawatt-hour.
“Cheaper wind power, solar energy and green hydrogen will be a winner for households, businesses and the environment.”
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said trade data released today confirms the positive impact that the Protocol is having on the local economy.
The party’s economy spokesperson said:
“Today’s data debunks false claims around the Protocol. This is clear evidence of its positive impact on our economy.
“Trade from Britain to the north has increased. The all-Ireland economy and trade with the rest of the world have been protected.
“The Protocol is mitigating the negative impact of Brexit, creating jobs, boosting our economy and helping businesses to grow.
“Businesses need certainty and stability. Negotiations between the British government and the EU must now reach an early and successful negotiated settlement."
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said the ongoing crisis in emergency care is deeply concerning as staff at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital struggle to cope with the volume of patients that require treatment and admission.
The party’s health spokesperson said:
“Reports coming from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and the huge pressure facing staff in the Emergency Department are deeply concerning.
“A lack of care packages in the community means many patients deemed medically fit for discharge cannot leave and not enough beds are available for urgent care.
“I recently met with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, and it was clear that this is a system wide issue that needs Executive intervention.
“We need an Executive now to deliver a three-year budget and to invest an extra £1 billion in the health service to hire more doctors and nurses and tackle waiting lists.
“The DUP should end its boycott of the Executive and get back around the table with the rest of us and work together to prioritise health.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, has criticised the failure of Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to tackle the crisis in emergency departments across the state.
Teachta Cullinane said that the Minister is in "constant crisis management mode" and does not have a long-term plan to fix the health service.
The TD for Waterford said that the Minister’s failure to make progress on the issue over the last two and a half years is laid bare in this morning’s HIQA Overview Report of Monitoring against National Standards in Emergency Departments.
Teachta Cullinane said:
“This morning’s overview report on HIQA’s monitoring of Emergency Departments in 2022 makes for stark reading.
“It is clear from the report that the Minister for Health has made little progress over the last two and a half years. His failures are laid bare in the HIQA report.
“The emergency department crisis is worse now than before this Government took office, and they can no longer hide behind the pandemic.
“The health service is experiencing record overcrowding, with more patients admitted without a bed in November this year than in any previous year.
“Emergency Departments are now under ‘unprecedented strain’ according to the regulator, backing up the fears previously expressed by the INMO that our hospitals face a nightmare winter.
“It is a huge concern that routine triaging – where a decision is made on whether a patient should attend the emergency department or be sent to another unit – is taking over an hour in many instances, and took over three hours in Mayo in at least one instance. This should be performed within 15 minutes.
“This inefficiency – which is down to a combination of understaffing and ineffective resource management – is a significant contributor to overcrowding.
"Some hospitals, like St Luke’s in Kilkenny and Waterford University Hospital, have shown how effective quick triaging can be at clearing waiting rooms.
“But the failures of Government in wider health policy, such as the collapse of out-of-hours GP care, long waiting lists for home care, and underutilisation of community recovery beds, are resulting in more patients attending hospital and in many patients remaining in hospital far longer than they need to.
“Not only is the Government failing to properly manage resources within hospitals, they are failing to tackle the problems in primary and community care which are causing record attendances and driving delayed discharges because they have not invested in alternatives to hospital care.
“The Minister is in constant crisis management mode and does not have a long-term plan to fix the health service.”
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has called on the British Secretary of State to give people a date for when they will receive the £600 energy payment.
The Newry/Armagh MLA said:
“It’s unacceptable that people here still have no clarity from the British Secretary of State on when they will receive the £600 energy payment that they are entitled to.
“Chris Heaton-Harris must urgently tell people and families who are struggling to pay their bills when they are getting the £600 payment.
“People could and should have this money already, long before Christmas. It has been held up by the DUP’s refusal to form an Executive in an act of cruel abandonment of people who are freezing cold this winter.
“Temperatures have now fallen below zero degrees. There is no room for anymore British government delays on getting this money out the door. It has been delayed too long already.
“Sinn Féin will meet Chris Heaton-Harris this week and we will make it clear to him that people must be given a date for the payment of this money.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise Trade, Employment, and Workers’ Rights, Louise O’Reilly TD, called on the government to challenge the injunction taken against the Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for workers in the security sector before Christmas.
She was speaking after a meeting with some members of the Irish Security Industry Association, who also want the ERO implemented so workers can benefit from better pay and conditions.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“For the second time in three years, the same group of employers have stopped workers in the security sector receiving a pay increase under an Employment Regulation Order (ERO).
“Workers who were due to receive a pay increase under the ERO on August 29th have not received this.
“This is a shocking situation when you consider these workers have not had a pay increase since 2019 despite working throughout the Covid crisis, and now facing a cost-of-living crisis.
“This ERO was meticulously and impartially agreed between employers and worker representatives before being ratified by the Labour Court.
“Indeed, the three employers who secured the court injunction fully participated in this process.
“It is high time that these companies stop this nonsense and comply with a system that aims to improve the basic rights for employees.
“The right to a basic rate of pay, the right to sick pay, and the right to payment should they get injured on the job.
“I was reminded today that these three companies are an outlier in the sector when I met with some members of the Irish Security Industry Association (ISIA), who are desperate to have the ERO implemented so workers can benefit from better pay and conditions.
“Indeed, in the meeting, Gill O’Riordan, Chair of the Guarding Division and Vice President of the ISIA, stated that the situation is now at ‘a critical juncture as it is imperative that this impasse is resolved before Christmas to ensure the third phase of the ERO can be implemented on February 1st 2023’.
“Lorraine O’Neill, President of the ISIA, reinforced this point highlighting that ‘with a cost-of-living crisis it is a disgrace that front line colleagues have not received a well-deserved pay increase’.
“Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English, who has responsibility for the implementation of this ERO, must immediately move to have this injunction overturned before Christmas.
“Sinn Féin offers its full support to the workers, and their Trade Union, SIPTU, and also to the decent employers in who want the ERO implemented.”
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy has said the removal of security fencing on the Derry Walls is welcome news.
The Foyle MLA said:
"It's welcome news that sections of security fencing overlooking the Bogside are now being removed.
“This reflects the positive relationships that have existed across our city over many years, as we have already seen with the removal of security gates almost 10 years ago.
“And it will also improve the appearance of the historic walls for the thousands of people who visit Derry every year from across the world.
“Sinn Féin will continue working to build a better future for everyone in our city.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Martin Kenny TD, has today expressed his concern at the drop in Community Gardaí across Dublin. His comments come after an analysis by the party has revealed a reduction in Community Gardaí during a time when the closure and downgrading of Garda stations also was overseen by Fine Gael.
Speaking today, Teachta Kenny said:
“We are all aware that the closure of over 130 Garda stations all over the country in 2012 and 2013 by then Fine Gael ministers. At the time these closures were said to be required in order to free up Gardaí for frontline duties within their communities.
“I have no doubt that Gardaí trusted this statement and expected to be redeployed to these frontline duties.
“However, figures released to me show that in Dublin the number of community Gardaí fell by over 4% between 2016 and 2022. In fact, DMR north central – which covers the majority of the north inner city - saw a 48% drop in its community Gardaí. This occurred at a time when Garda numbers also took a nose dive.
“To be quite frank, this promise to free up Gardaí by closing stations was just more Fine Gael spin.
“The closure of stations, and reduction in frontline and community Gardaí in areas where they are needed and wanted has left communities feeling unsafe and unprotected. This is again more evidence of the fable that Fine Gael is the ‘party of law and order’.
“Fine Gael have held the Justice Ministry for more than a decade. During this time they have failed to deliver the staffing levels, resources and investment that the Gardaí need. Sinn Féin in government would stand up for communities and ensure that the Gardaí can do their jobs safely."
Paul Donnelly Sinn Féin TD for Dublin West and spokesperson on Community Development said:
“Recently we have seen yet again the escalation in so called ‘gangland’ violence in Dublin. The lack of Garda on the ground is not acceptable and people are fearful in their own homes. Everyone should have a right to feel safe and protected, whether in Dublin or anywhere else in Ireland.
“Every day, Gardaí in Dublin and beyond do vital, courageous work to protect communities. The very least they deserve is to have the staffing levels and resources that they need to do this crucial work.
“Fine Gael need to get to grips with policing in Dublin. For far too long, they have failed to invest in the Gardaí. It’s time for change.”
Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill MLA has said the British Secretary of State must clearly set out his plan to restore the Executive and Assembly.
Michelle O’Neill said:
“The British Secretary of State has legislated to now create multiple deadlines yet appears to have no actual plan to restore the Assembly and Executive but has instead fuelled political paralysis.
“He has invited the parties to meet with him on Thursday and I expect him to outline what his government’s plan is to help restore power-sharing rather than host window dressing meetings.
"It's not good enough that as temperatures begin to fall below zero that people here still have no clarity on when they will receive the £600 energy payment that they are entitled to.
“Sinn Féin stands ready to form an Executive and help people through this cost-of-living crisis.
“Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister at the end of October and has yet to engage with the parties here to spell out how he intends moving things on. There has been complete radio silence and it’s simply not good enough. I have requested an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister.
“It’s my understanding that the Protocol Bill is currently making its way through the House of Lords will be put on ice until after the New Year and private talks with Brussels create a pathway towards a negotiated settlement. The British government must urgently clarify this.
“The fundamental question now is how Chris Heaton-Harris is using the space created to now get a deal with the EU and restore the power-sharing institutions.
“The DUP’s boycott of the Executive is clearly having no effect on the British government and is simply punishing the public with no purpose other than to create further hardship at a time when people and business need our help.
“It is now well past time that the British government prioritised restoring the Assembly and Executive. We need stability and certainty for politics to work and to help workers and families who are struggling now.”
Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd has said the DUP should focus on getting back to work rather than undermining striking postal workers.
The Upper Bann MLA said:
"The DUP need to get back into the Executive and work with the rest of us to help us tackle the issues in the health service rather than undermining postal workers striking for fair pay and conditions.
“Claims by DUP MP Carla Lockhart on the impact that postal strikes are having on our health service is galling given that the DUP are refusing to form an Executive that can invest an extra £1 billion to start fixing the health service.
“Public representatives should be standing up for postal workers and their legitimate asks for fair pay and conditions from a company that handed out £400 million to shareholders during a cost-of-living crisis, rather than undermining them.
“The DUP need to get back into the Executive and help us to deliver for workers and patients rather than trying to pit one against another and distracting from their own responsibility to deliver for people.”
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA has called for the support of European democratic and progressive parties in helping to secure Irish unity.
Speaking at the 7th Congress of the European Left in Vienna today, Declan Kearney said:
“Constitutional change in Ireland is being increasingly viewed as the means by which to deliver real economic and social change in the interests of all citizens.
“That is to transform health and social care through an Irish national health service; to guarantee the rights of all citizens within a new constitutional settlement; and for a united Ireland to rejoin the Europe Union.
“If Brexit teaches us anything, it is that constitutional change requires planning and foresight so that Ireland does not repeat the mistakes made during that referendum.
“Sinn Féin and other significant voices within Irish society are campaigning for the Irish government to establish an all island Citizens’ Assembly on future constitutional change.
“A Citizens’ Assembly will be an important stepping stone towards securing a unity referendum and shaping the future of Ireland.
“It would provide a forum to initiate all-island planning on issues such as the economy, health and education, policing and justice, and the protection of identity and cultural rights.
“The Irish government should start preparing and planning for the transition to a united Ireland now. It makes common sense.
Emphasising the important role of European democrats in the past and for the future, the Sinn Féin National Chairperson said;
“European democrats and progressives and from elsewhere, helped us develop the peace process in Ireland. Now we are appealing for the support of all progressive political and civic forces across Europe, and in the European Parliament to help advance the process of future constitutional change.
“Brexit, and British government attempts to rip up the Protocol, and its repeated threats to break international law, have made the division of Ireland, and our island’s future, a European issue.
“European democrats have an important role to play again in helping us navigate the transition towards a united Ireland, and to bring all of Ireland back into the heart of Europe.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, has announced the party will bring forward a motion in the Dáil next to stop nurses and midwives being forced to emigrate due to the cost of living and housing crises.
Speaking today, Teachta Cullinane said:
“Government has failed to tackle the housing and cost of living crisis and this is driving young nurses and other healthcare professionals to emigrate and stopping others from coming home.
“Sinn Féin in government would train and retain more key frontline staffand fix the housing crisis to help healthcare workers come home.
“Sinn Féin will bring forward a motion in the Dáil next week to tackle the housing and cost of living crises that are driving nurses, doctors, and health professionals abroad and bring them home. Many returned during Covid only to feel compelled to leave again. Nurses and midwives do incredible work every day caring for patients and looking after our communities. Despite this invaluable work, nurses and midwives feel badly let down by this government.
“Too many nurses and midwives are being forced to emigrate abroad, as their wages can’t match the spiralling cost of living and the catastrophic housing crisis under this government. They want to be able to work in Ireland, to care for their local communities and to be near their families and friends.
“This is causing a huge drain of talent for the health service and is adding to staff shortages across Ireland. This in turn is worsening an already appalling trolley crisis and record waiting lists, with patients forced to wait hours without a bed in A&E or years languishing on waiting lists to access time-sensitive care.
“These failures reflect the government’s total inability to deliver on fundamental issues which communities need. The housing crisis has been causing hardship and misery for ordinary people for years and has continued to spiral on Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s watch. This crisis has seen entire generations locked out of home ownership, forced to live in cramped accommodation with family or trapped paying sky high rents they can’t afford.
“Now, we are seeing this shameful crisis deepen other failures of this government. The housing crisis is undermining the health system’s ability to recruit and retain staff, which is making the existing crisis in health even worse.
“It is clear that the government is unable to get these fundamental issues right, bringing the housing system and health service to their knees.”
Teachta Cullinane added:
“Our motion next week contains a package of measures including demanding that the government act now to end the crises in health and housing. It demands that the government urgently review its housing plan and increases its targets for social and affordable housing to rent or buy. It also calls for one month’s rent to be put back into renters’ pockets and for a ban on rent increases in the next three years.
“Our motion calls for a job’s guarantee for healthcare graduates. It also urges the government to identify, examine and consider all potential mechanisms to address cost of living barriers to recruitment and retention of key workers.
“It also mandates the government to immediately engage with General Practice to ensure GPs are supported to take pressure off hospitals and emergency departments, especially by expanding out of hours care, and engage with other primary care professions such as pharmacies to ensure late night options are available across the state.
“This package of measures would address this crisis and ensure that nurses and midwives no longer feel forced to emigrate. Sinn Féin’s proposals would ensure that the health service receives much-needed support to take pressure off staff and ensure that they can do their jobs safely and deliver high quality, timely care to patients.
“I am urging all TDs to back our motion in the Dáil next week. The government’s shambolic approach to health and housing must end.”
Fill in our survey here to share your experiences.
Sinn Féin has today launched a survey to hear about people’s experience of how high energy costs are impacting them.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Justice, Senator Lynn Boylan, said:
“We want to hear from people about how they are managing their energy bills. We all know that people are struggling to heat their homes and keep their lights on.
“Despite the urgency of this issue, the government has failed to act. Energy poverty isn’t a priority for this government. The last energy poverty strategy lapsed in 2019, and we’re still waiting on the new one to come out.
“Have you had to turn off your heating? Have you had to make cuts to other parts of your household budget?
"Are you struggling to afford energy efficiency upgrades? Please fill in the survey here to share your experiences."
Speaking today, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Action, Darren O’Rourke TD, said:
“There is a serious lack of data in this area – which means energy poverty cannot be properly identified or tackled.
“Sinn Féin published the Energy Poverty Strategy Bill 2022. The Bill would force the government not only to measure how bad energy poverty is, but to come up with a plan to which must be revised and updated every five years.
“The government cannot bury their heads in the sand on this issue and pretend this crisis isn’t happening.
“In the absence of government action, we want to hear about your experiences of high energy costs.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has stated that Sinn Féin will be supporting next week’s Dáil motion of no-confidence in the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien.
Speaking this afternoon, he said:
“The housing emergency has dominated life in Ireland for over a decade.
“On Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s watch, the crisis has worsened year after year. They are incapable of solving it.
“House prices have soared past their Celtic Tiger peak. Rents are astronomical and keep going up, and a record number of people have been pushed into the nightmare of homelessness.
“This has happened because the government is wedded to the policies that caused the mess in the first place.
“Sinn Féin has no confidence in the Minister for Housing or his plan, or indeed the government he is part of.
“This is the worst Minister for Housing we have ever had.
“The only way the housing crisis will be resolved will be with a new government, a new Minister for Housing and a new housing plan focused on delivering genuinely affordable homes for working people and families.”
