Sinn Féin general election candidate for Louth Cllr Ruairí Ó Murchú has commended the National Drugs and Organised Crime Unit on this evening's arrest of two men and seizure of cannabis worth over €3 million.
Councillor Ó Murchú, who is Chairperson of Louth Drug and Alcohol Forum, said;
"This is a seizure of a huge volume of illicit drugs which would have made their way into the local supply chain.
"The removal of these drugs and the arrest of two individuals is extremely welcome news and represents a highly successful operation by An Garda Síochána.
"In addition Dundalk Gardaí seized €5,000 and made one arrest in Muirhevnamor on Sunday 27th October.
"Almost daily I am contacted by constituents who have concerns regarding drug use, addiction services, mental health supports or the crime and intimidation associated with the drug trade.
"In the past week I have conducted meetings in Dundalk with the Family Addiction Support Network and with the Manager of the Cox's Demesne Youth and Community Project.
"On both of those occasions the prevalence of drugs within communities in Dundalk was cited. Also the hugely detrimental impacts of drug use on the addict themselves, their family members, their community and wider society was discussed.
"Community project managers have told me that low level drug dealing is rife in some areas of Dundalk.
"Whereas in the past this activity was undertaken by a limited number of drugs dealers; currently drugs pushers are using a whole network of people, often children, in the sale and supply chain."
Sinn Féin TD for Louth Gerry Adams added;
"I have raised the issue of drugs in Louth and the associated crime and violence many times with the Minister for Justice.
"This evening's success demonstrates that targeted Garda resources can be successful against the drug criminals.
"It is every parent's worst fear that their child will get caught up in the drugs empire. Any interventions to take drugs and drug pushers off the streets must be welcomed and I wholeheartedly commend this evening's operation in Louth."
The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement this morning issued a report on ‘Communities and Cross-Border Cooperation: Challenges and Opportunities’.
The report examines the impact of Brexit on border communities, including Louth, and makes findings and recommendations to counter the detrimental impact of Brexit.
Specifically, the Committee listened to evidence from organisations which operate along the border area from the East Border Region – covering Louth; through the Mid and Central Ulster area, covered by ICBAN; and the North West region.
Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams ,whose party colleague Teachta Sean Crowe is the Chair of the Joint Committee, said:
“Whatever the outcome of the current Brexit debacle, the fact is that whether it’s a soft Brexit or hard Brexit, the implications are serious for the island of Ireland and in particularly for the border region.
"The Committee heard of the serious concerns around the future of EU funding beyond 2020, particularly the PEACE and INTERREG programmes which have contributed so much to the border region and the peace process.
"The report recommends that these programmes be maintained. However in the event that this is not possible the Committee calls for the creation of comprehensive successor programmes is essential.
"The Committee heard how communities along the border, both north and south, are lagging economically since 2016 in stark contrast to strong economic growth and employment in other parts of the island, north and south."
Key recommendations of the report include:
· Development of an island-wide territorial cohesion policy, which would include a Cross-Border Infrastructure and Investment Plan/Fund, to replace any loss of common INTERREG and Peace funds.
· Promotion of the three border regions as areas of national importance.
· Comprehensive upgrading of infrastructure, both transport and broadband, to assist connectivity in the region.
· Both governments formally recommit to the long-planned A5-N2 Dublin to Derry dualling project.
· If the National Broadband Plan cannot be advanced further to deliver in its current format, that an alternative solution is quickly realised for these border areas.
· Promoting the border region as alternatives to the Dublin area for Foreign Direct Investment.
· A Regional Employment Strategy which would form the basis for enterprise and employment creation by all stakeholders.
Teachta Adams continued:
"In the context of Brexit the reported emphasised the importance of maintaining an open, free flowing border allowing for the continued development of the all island economy.
"The Committee also endorsed the role of local authorities along the border in developing a bottom-up needs-based strategy for the Border Corridor to offset the challenges and identify any opportunities associated with Brexit.”
Note To Editor:
The eight council members of the ICBAN partnership
are: Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo and Armagh City Banbridge and
Craigavon, Fermanagh and Omagh and Mid Ulster.
East Border Region is a local authority led cross border network comprising of six local authorities; Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council in Northern Ireland and Louth, Monaghan and Meath County Councils.
The North West Strategic Growth Partnership is a unique partnership that brings together senior Government officials from all Government departments in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to meet with Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council to deliver on strategic priorities aimed at bringing real and positive change for the North West City Region.
Sinn Féin TD for Louth Gerry Adams is in Washington DC to attend an event this evening at which US Congressman Richie Neal will receive a Life Time Achievement Award from the Democratic Party.
The Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will present the award.
Speaking this morning at the National Press Club in Washington, Deputy Adams said:
“No matter what the outcome is from the current negotiations and this week’s European Summit meeting, the issue of Brexit will continue to impact on Ireland and Britain for years to come.
"The backstop is about preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland. It is the least worst option.
"The fact is that if the North is taken out of the EU and the vote of the people of the North to remain is ignored then that will be bad for Ireland and for both economies on the island.
"It will also be bad for human and civil rights and for the Good Friday Agreement dispensation which these are at the heart of.
"I want to commend the approach of Speaker Pelosi and Congress leader Neal and their colleagues who have made clear their rejection of any measures which will adversely impact on the Good Friday Agreement.”
Commenting on the absence of an Executive and Assembly, Teachta Adams said:
“There have been no institutions in place for almost three years because of DUP opposition to the Good Friday Agreement’s rights agenda.
"We did have a deal with the DUP in 2018 but that party walked away from it.
"If the institutions are to be re-established on a durable basis, the issues of equality, rights, integrity and respect which caused the collapse of the Assembly must also be addressed and resolved.”
Finally Mr. Adams TD said:
“Political unionism has lost its electoral majority in four consecutive elections and successive opinion polls, including the exit poll in the wake of the Local Government and European elections in the South, show a majority of citizens across the island in support of Irish unity.
"The issue of a referendum on unity is now centre stage. The drivers for this are the demographic changes in the north, the politicisation of sections of the community there and the focus on rights which are being denied by a DUP led minority and Brexit."
Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Máire Drumm was born 100 years ago on October 22 1919.
On October 28th 1976 she was shot and killed by a unionist death squad while in hospital for an eye operation.
On Tuesday 22 October a commemoration will be held at Kelly Roads, close to her family home, at a monument erected in her memory.
A wreath laying and re-enactment of some of her most famous speeches will take place, and later Gerry Adams will launch a new book on Máire which he has written.
Gerry Adams said:
“In the years since her death Máire Drumm has become an iconic figure in Irish republicanism. She was an extraordinary, larger than life leader who was a woman, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a political activist and visionary. She was a gifted leader and organiser, and an inspirational public speaker.
"Máire is best remembered for her leadership in the years following the pogroms of August 1969 when nationalist areas of Belfast were attacked by unionist mobs, the RUC and B Specials. Hundreds of homes were destroyed and thousands of men, women and children became refugees in their own city. And citizens died.
"It was a time for courage and leadership and Máire Drumm stepped up to the plate. Despite harassment, death threats, imprisonment and a vicious and scurrilous campaign of hate by the British media, whipped up by the NIO, Máire refused to be bowed or broken and led from the front.
"Her leadership qualities and her enormous courage led to her being elected as Sinn Féin’s Vice President. I met her many times including when I was on the run in Belfast. She was always genuinely concerned about how everyone was doing. When the politics was discussed it was like meeting your Mammy.
"Well-known for her defiant speeches at rallies and in courtrooms, she told a judge on one occasion: 'Interning or putting a middle-aged woman in jail will not quench the flame of the Irish people because nothing but the destruction of the Irish people will ever quench that flame. Long live the IRA! God save Ireland!'
In October 1976, just days before her 57th birthday she was in the Mater hospital for an eye operation. A Unionist gunman, clearly acting in collusion with British forces, entered Máire’s room and shot and killed her.
Four decades later she remains an inspirational figure for today’s generation of activists.”
Note to Editor:
Assemble: McKevitt’s Petrol station at 7.30pm
Walk to the Kelly’s Road monument for wreath laying and re-enactment.
Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams has welcomed the news that a “comprehensive public consultation process will be undertaken as part of the review” into the N52 Ardee by-pass.
Teachta Adams said: “However, I am concerned, from the correspondence I have received from Louth County Council, at the length of time the process of preparing terms of reference, appointing a consultant and a new tendering process might take”.
Teachta Adams received a PQ response from Louth County Council on Thursday to questions he had submitted in September.
“In September, a technical review of the Ardee by-pass proposal was announced.
"The current proposal for the Townspark Road and the Mullanstown Road would result in them becoming cul-de-sacs and the Silverhill Road having a staggered ghost island junction.
"In the last 13 years there have been significant community, demographic, sporting and environmental changes which the proposal fails to take account of.
"In addition, the bog land between the Townspark Road and Silverhill Road is now a National Heritage area which seeks to protect our natural fauna, bird life and other wildlife. The current plans pre-date this development and no environmental impact assessment has been carried out.
"I raised this issue in the Dáil and wrote to Minister Shane Ross; Louth County Council, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, asking specifically about the length of time the review would take; if changes are recommended what impact that will have on the current plans; will local residents be consulted and will funding that has been allocated be ring fenced.
"I have written to the Council asking how long the preparatory work will take and when will the Consultant will be appointed.”
In its response Louth County Council revealed that:
"Our Staff and our colleagues in West Meath Road Design Offices are currently working on a Consultants Brief, which will contain a terms of reference for the review, along with the other suites of documents required to procure consultants to bring the scheme through to completion.
"Currently these documents are not yet completed; however the crux of the review will consider the junction strategy for the scheme and the facilities for vulnerable road users.
"The review will commence immediately on appointment of a Consultant. If the outcome of the technical review warrants a change to the layout of the current scheme then this will require Planning Consent.
"The current estimate is that that the scheme would go to tender for construction in twelve to eighteen months depending on the statutory procedures and outcomes of same, however we will endeavour to reduce this time scale where possible
"A comprehensive public consultation process will be undertaken as part of the review to ensure that all interested parties have the opportunity to engage in an open and equitable process.
"The ring-fencing of monies for the scheme is a matter for TII. Louth Co. Council receives an annual budget for schemes from TII, the extent of which varies dependent on what phase the scheme is in. TII have indicated that they will provide funding for the N52 Ardee by-pass as project expenditure occurs."
Louth TD Gerry Adams has described the Government Budget as “an opportunity missed. It is short on solutions and fails to adequately invest in the priority areas of social and affordable housing, homelessness, health, education and the environment.”
Teachta Adams said:
“This budget could have been so much better for the people of Louth and across this state. The government had the opportunity to put money back into people’s pockets and improve access to public services. It could have tackled the rip-off costs confronting families in this constituency facing extortionate rents, exorbitant childcare costs, and rip-off insurance premiums. It chose not to.
"Instead of putting people first the government has protected the banks, the speculators, the vulture funds, and implemented policies that are forcing thousands of children into homelessness and are responsible for hundreds of citizens every day languishing on hospital trolleys.
"The Government pumped billions into AIB, Bank of Ireland, Permanent TSB, Anglo and Irish Nationwide. Today that bill stands at 42 billion euro. Taxpayers will be paying over 1 billion every year on this debt for years to come. At the same time the banks are enjoying a privileged tax break which means that they will pay no corporation tax for the next 20 years.
Today there are almost 600,000 citizens on the Outpatient waiting lists. This is highest number since records began. Over ten thousand citizens are homeless and average rents have increased by twenty percent since Fine Gael took office.
"At the same time Fine Gael, supported by Fianna Fáil, is wasting taxpayers money on the National Broadband Plan and the National Children’s Hospital.
"In addition, the decision by the government and Fianna Fáil to increase carbon tax will impose a new burden on many families unable to afford it. This is a regressive tax which will hit poorer households, rural areas, and single parent families hardest.
"Sinn Féin in our costed alternative budget showed that it is possible to manage the public finances in a compassionate, fairer and more effective manner.”
Cllr Ruairí Ó Murchú commenting on the 2020 Budget said:
“Families in Louth will take little comfort from the government’s budget. There is nothing in it to offer respite to those families struggling to make ends meet.
"In our alternative budget Sinn Féin showed how it is possible to manage economic growth in a way that invests directly in living standards for families.
"More money for citizens in Louth who need respite care services and for citizens with disabilities, including investing in additional personal assistant hours; increasing the Carers Support Grant and the Carers Allowance and benefit and Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension.
"Sinn Féin would also reinstate the Rehabilitative Training Allowance which was removed by the Government earlier this year.
"We would have focussed additional resources on mental health services, including toward a 24/7 crisis intervention service and 7 day week outpatient model of CAMHS services.
"The government’s budget 2020 is a missed opportunity.”
Sinn Féin TD for Louth Gerry Adams has expressed his “deep sadness at the death of his friend Ulick O'Connor.”
Teachta Adams said:
“Ulick was a strong republican. He first spoke on a platform with me in the 1980’s. He was a strong supporter of Féile an Phobail and brought his play Executions and other works to the Féile.
"He was also a regular visitor to Sinn Féin Ard Fheiseanna for decades until ill-health prevented him from attending.
"He was a fine poet, artist, social commentator, athlete, author and playwright.
"I want to extend my sincere condolences to Ulick’s family and friends. Go ndeanfaidh dia trocáire air."
Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams speaking in the Dáil last evening during statements on Climate Action called on the Irish government to introduce a moratorium on all new oil and gas exploration. He described the Government’s own Climate Action Plan as lacking ambition.
Teachta Adams said:
“It does not address the substantive issues of pollution, over-consumption, or corporate responsibility and opposition to the use of fracking gas.
“Two weeks ago the Court House Square in Dundalk was alive with the chants of young people as they spoke out against climate change. They, and the millions more who took part in a global day of action, have demonstrated an energy and commitment that is inspirational.
"A few days later, speaking in New York at the UN climate change summit, Greta Thunberg berated the political leaders of the world for not honouring past agreements on climate change. Thunberg accused governments of failing humanity and warned of 'the beginning of a mass extinction'.
"The Swedish climate activist said: 'We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line'.
"The Science Advisory Group to the summit produced a report - United in Science. It brings together the most recent data from the world’s six leading environmental organisations. The report found that current plans to meet the 2015 Paris agreement are insufficient.
"Last October the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that we have only 12 years to limit climate change. If we fail the people of the world face extreme droughts, heat, floods, increased food insecurity and water supply, and increased poverty for hundreds of millions of citizens.
"It also means that Belfast, Dublin, Dundalk and other coastal towns and cities will face significant serious flood dangers. Without resolute action millions are at risk.
"Our future, the future for our children and grandchildren, depend on the decisions we take now as a society. Moreover, any strategies to tackle climate change must be rooted in the principles of social justice and equality.
"Governments, including the Irish government and the EU, need to significantly step up their climate change commitments and challenge the big polluters.
"In his speech to the UN the Taoiseach announced that oil exploration will end. He also announced that gas exploration will continue. Five months ago the government granted consent to a subsidiary of the Chinese National Offshore Oil Company for an exploratory oil and gas well in the Porcupine Basin.
"This new licence allows for drilling in an area where that company and ExxonMobil already hold licences to 2033 to explore for oil and gas.
"Will the government introduce a moratorium on any further, new exploration for fossils fuels in Ireland? And will the government remove its opposition to the Climate Emergency Measures Bill?
"Finally, An Taoiseach’s plamas at the UN that he wants Ireland to be known as a ‘green country’ is worthless rhetoric when set against the government’s policies on environmental issues. His own Climate Action Plan lacks ambition.
"It does not address the substantive issues of pollution, over-consumption, or corporate responsibility and opposition to the use of fracking gas. The reality is that this state will spectacularly fail to meet our 20% reduction target by 2020.
"Sinn Féin’s approach is clear. We want to see 80% of our energy produced by renewables by 2030. This has to be done in a manner that protects lower income families and ensures that ordinary people do not carry an unjust share of the burden. In the last two weeks young people in cities across the world have shown the way forward. Their example must guide us in the time ahead”.
Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams has described the year on year rise in Louth of the number of people who are suffering from homelessness as “deeply worrying and depressing” and “evidence of the government’s inability to get to grips with this significant policy failure”.
The Louth TD was speaking following the publication of the Dept of Housing ‘Homelessness Report August 2019 which revealed a dramatic increase in the number of children and families living in homelessness across the state.
Gerry Adams said:
“In our Alternative Budget, published today, Tuesday 1st, Sinn Féin commits to delivering 17,216 social and affordable homes in 2020 – almost nine thousand more than the government.
"We would also implement an emergency freeze on rents for three years and provide renters with a tax break equal to one month’s rent during this period. These are real commitments that would begin the process of fixing our broken housing system.
"According to August’s official homeless figures there are 10,338 people living in emergency accommodation across the state, of which 3,693 are children.
"This is a shameful statistic which fails to give any real sense of the emotional and stressful circumstances for these adults and children.
“In Louth the number of homeless adults is 170. This compares to 125 homeless adults last August. The number of children in homeless accommodation has dropped from 62 in 2018 to 40 this year but clearly the overall situation has worsened.
"The statistical data, and the reports from families of conditions in homelessness accommodation, is evidence that the Government’s housing strategy, supported by Fianna Fáil, is not working.
“For the seventh month in a row the number of people officially classified as homeless across this state has remained above 10,000.
“These figures do not provide the full picture and do not include women and children in domestic violence shelters funded by Tulsa, adults and children in hostels not funded by Government departments, rough sleepers and those still living in Direct Provision despite having secured their leave to remain.
"Clearly the government’s housing strategy – Rebuilding Ireland – is not working."
