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The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 28 October 2022.

Sinn Féin Leas-Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill said that today’s bizarre U-turn by the British Secretary of State adds to the uncertainty and instability which has left society in a political limbo.

Michelle O’Neill said:

“Today’s indecision by the British Secretary of State is a bizarre U-turn.

“We are now in a political limbo as a result of this announcement.

“This further adds to the uncertainty and instability in our politics. We are now with no Executive in place, no Assembly in place, and not even caretaker ministers at the helm in the face of an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis.

“We now have no way to help families and workers, no way to protect our health service and our health workers.

“Responsibility for this lies entirely with the DUP who have refused to take part in an Executive because they didn’t like the result of the last election.

“This is a completely unacceptable situation. It cannot continue, that will be my message to the British and Irish governments and to the US administration.”

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 27 October 2022.

Sinn Féin First Minister designate Michelle O’Neill has said the Westminster Joint Committee on Human Rights’ damning view of the British government legacy plans reinforces the need for the legislation to be scrapped.

Michelle O’Neill said:

“A leading Westminster Committee on Human Rights is the latest body to give a damning verdict on the British government’s legacy plans.

“It is hugely significant that this cross-party committee has urged the British government to reconsider the Legacy Bill and the risk it poses to breaching human rights law.

“The British state wants to cover up its role in the conflict and this bill is to give an amnesty to British state forces who killed Irish citizens and to attempt to block families from pursuing justice through inquests, prosecutions and civil cases.

“The British government is fast-tracking this plan through Westminster and ignoring the voices of victims and families, all the political parties on this island, the Human Rights Commission and leading figures and bodies in the US, EU and UN who have pointed out flaws in this legislation.

“The Tories must listen to the widespread opposition and bin their legacy plans now. This British Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris must withdraw this Bill without further delay and focus on delivering the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement in a human rights’ compliant manner.

“Sinn Féin will continue to stand with the families in their campaigns for truth and justice.’’

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 27 October 2022.

Sinn Féin Caoimhe Archibald has said everyone should be free to take part in an informed debate on the constitutional future.

The East Derry MLA said:

“As night follows day, the publication of a report on Irish Unity by Professor Colin Harvey and Mark Bassett has been followed by criticism from unionist politicians about the use of Professor Harvey’s university logo.

“How these unionist politicians still refuse to understand the concept of academic freedom is beyond me, university Vice-Chancellors do not and should not tell academics what to study, teach or research.

“The attempts by unionist politicians to stifle academic debate need to stop.

“Everyone is free to discuss, argue and participate in an informed debate on our constitutional future, the work of Professor Harvey and others is a vital part of that informed debate.

“I hope our universities will robustly defend their academics and their right to freedom of expression in the face of these attacks on academic freedom.”

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 26 October 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said the DUP’s boycott of the Executive is punishing businesses, workers and families and they should get back to work in an Executive immediately.

Commenting on the statement today by the NI Chamber of Commerce, the party’s economy spokesperson said:

“Everyday I speak to businesses in my constituency of East Derry and across the north and the message is clear. They want an Executive formed immediately to take important decisions to help tackle the challenges of the cost of doing business and the cost of living, and improve our economy.

“Today the NI Chamber has highlighted the time lost for decisions to be made over recent months and the need for a functioning Executive.

“Other leading business organisations such as the CBI and regional chambers have recently made similar calls.

“The DUP’s boycott is punishing businesses, workers and families and it is untenable. Small businesses across our communities are struggling to keep their shutters up with businesses closing on a daily basis.

“The DUP should join with the rest of us and get back into the Executive so we can all get on with our jobs and support people and businesses through this unprecedented crisis.”

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 25 October 2022.

Government must establish All-Island Citizens Assembly on Constitutional Change – MacManus

Sinn Féin MEP for Midlands North-West Chris MacManus has called on the Irish Government to establish all-island Citizens Assembly to look at constitutional change on the island of Ireland.

MacManus was speaking at the planting of a ‘Crann na Saoirse’ at the Jim Gralton Monument in Effrinagh, south Leitrim, alongside Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald and members of the Gralton family.

MEP MacManus said:

“Our constitutional future is being discussed by people from all walks of life in both public and private gatherings, formal and informal, across the island of Ireland. Europe is no different. As an MEP, I can tell you that without a doubt, decision makers from across EU are paying close attention to the debate on Irish Unity.”

“In Brussels, like in many parts of Ireland, the conversation is moving more and more from ‘When Ireland is reunited’ rather than ‘if’. That is why I am calling on the Irish Government to establish an all-island Citizens Assembly that would include our diaspora to look at constitutional change on the island of Ireland.”

MacManus concluded by saying that the EU should also play a role in discussions around re-unification.

“As an MEP I have repeatedly expressed in Brussels, that the EU Institutions must also engage with civic society from across the island of Ireland so we know exactly what supports would be available to ensure a smooth transition from partition to Irish unity.”