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Tag: 2022

  • PRESS RELEASE : Trevor Clarke welcomes major breakthrough against human trafficking [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Trevor Clarke welcomes major breakthrough against human trafficking [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the DUP on 22 November 2022.

    The DUP’s Lead Policing Board representative Trevor Clarke has welcomed a major breakthrough in the fight against human trafficking across Northern Ireland.

    On Monday the PSNI confirmed that 27 brothels had been raided and a number of individuals arrested in the successful operation, which was supported a by a range of criminal justice partners.

    Responding, Trevor Clarke MLA said:

    ‘‘This is an extremely welcome development and I commend the PSNI on a successful and professional operation.

    The scale of sexual exploitation in this case will come as a shock to many. Indeed, it reached almost every corner of Northern Ireland. This underlines why victims of modern slavery are often described as being hidden in plain sight. Police enforcement alone will never be enough. Public awareness must be transformed if we are to prevent harm and ensure earlier intervention.

    For the countless vulnerable individuals preyed upon by this organised crime group, this breakthrough provides a platform to rebuild their lives. It is crucial that they get the support they deserve. As a Party, we successfully campaigned to ensure the Justice Bill passed by the last Assembly included a statutory commitment to provide tailored support to slavery victims for up to 12 months, and longer, where necessary. This will be critical to ensuring the risk of re-trafficking is mitigated.

    The 2015 Human Trafficking Act spearheaded by my colleague Lord Morrow set the standard for how we crack down on those criminal gangs who promote and profit from sexual exploitation. It is encouraging that policing outcomes now starting to reflect that vision. However, there are elements of the legislation that remain outstanding and these need to be implemented in full if further ground is to be taken in the fight against modern slavery. We will continue to press for the Department of Justice to address these issues and build on the firm foundation provided by recent policing operations.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Phillip Brett – glorifying the IRA is misleading young people [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Phillip Brett – glorifying the IRA is misleading young people [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the DUP on 21 November 2022.

    DUP MLA Phillip Brett has said whilst people in the Europa were celebrating Local Women at the weekend, Michelle O’Neill was celebrating and “honouring” a gunrunner and convicted IRA terrorist.

    He was speaking after the latest public incident of someone chanting “ooh ah, up the Ra”, whilst dissident republicans have been involved in attacks against police officers in recent days.

    The North Belfast MLA said

    “It’s time there was a proper conversation as to why we have seen an upsurge of incidents where people seek to glorify the IRA. That conversation needs to take place primarily within nationalism. Sinn Fein must accept that their attempt to blur the rights and wrongs of the past is perpetuating it today.

    Michelle O’Neill tells dissident republicans that “these people that reach for the past need to hear that it’s not available to them”, but what she is really saying is that reaching for the past is only available to Sinn Fein.

    On the same weekend as Arlene and others celebrated “Local Women” Michelle O’Neill was celebrating and “honouring” an IRA gunrunner in the Republic of Ireland.

    Similarly, Michelle O’Neill claims that there was “no alternative” to IRA terrorism, yet those who copy the IRA’s tactics today she says “are wrong”. It is sadly predictable that such deliberate doublespeak by Sinn Fein inspires a new generation to glorify IRA terrorism, even to the face of an IRA victim, whilst other republicans seek to emulate the very same actions of the IRA and engage in acts of terrorism against police officers and others.

    All of these incidents are connected and related. The common thread is the lack of challenge to those who have failed to provide political leadership.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Gary Middleton – “terrorism was wrong in 1990 and it is wrong in 2022” [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Gary Middleton – “terrorism was wrong in 1990 and it is wrong in 2022” [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the DUP on 21 November 2022.

    DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton has condemned those who hijacked a van and forced a man to drive it to the Waterside police station.

    Mr Middleton said,

    “This mirrors the attack of October 1990 when the IRA held Patsy Gillespie’s wife and children at gunpoint and forced the 43-year-old to drive a bomb into a checkpoint at Coshquin. It was sickening then and it is sickening today. It was wrong then and it is wrong today.

    I was on the ground all night. I commend the community centre staff for rallying to help families. Babies who needed milk. Children who needed somewhere to sleep. Nurses coming off shift who needed somewhere to lie down. The disruption has been incredible but so has the community response.

    We need political leadership to say that terrorism was wrong in 1990 and it is wrong in 2022. Those who justify the violence of the past and say there “was no alternative” are misleading this generation and sanitising brutal sectarian violence.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Essential role for Europe in managing constitutional change in Ireland – Declan Kearney [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Essential role for Europe in managing constitutional change in Ireland – Declan Kearney [December 2022]

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 10 December 2022.

    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.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : British government should withdraw Legacy Bill – Gerry Kelly [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : British government should withdraw Legacy Bill – Gerry Kelly [December 2022]

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 9 December 2022.

    Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has welcomed a call from the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights for the British government to ‘consider withdrawing’ their Legacy Bill.

    The North Belfast MLA said:

    “I welcome a call from Commissioner Dunja Mijatović, for the British government to ‘consider withdrawing’ their Legacy Bill and return to ‘previously agreed principles’ which provide the basis for a human rights compliant approach.

    “She has also made it clear that any steps to address the legacy of the past must put the rights and needs of victims at its heart.

    “The Commissioner said the Legacy Bill ‘raises a number of serious issues of compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly relating to the closure of avenues for victims to seek truth and justice.

    Gerry Kelly added:

    “The British government’s cruel, callous, and offensive Legacy Bill seeks to give an amnesty to British soldiers who killed Irish civilians 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.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Chris Heaton-Harris must tell people when they will get £600 energy payment – Conor Murphy [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Chris Heaton-Harris must tell people when they will get £600 energy payment – Conor Murphy [December 2022]

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 9 December 2022.

    Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has challenged the British Secretary of State to clearly spell out what he is doing to restore the Assembly and Executive.

    The Newry/Armagh MLA also called on Chris Heaton-Harris to tell struggling families when they will get the £600 energy payment.

    Conor Murphy said:

    “Chris Heaton-Harris needs to get real and tell people here who are struggling to pay their bills when they will get the £600 energy payment that they are entitled to.

    “Weeks ago, he announced that he was changing the law to deny people their right to a voice on the DUP’s boycott of the Assembly and Executive. He claimed this would provide space to make progress on restoring the Executive.

    “The fundamental and simple questions remain, and he must now outline what efforts has he taken to restore the Executive and end the DUP’s blockade of the political institutions? What progress is his government making to begin political talks with the EU and find solutions so businesses can continue to benefit from the Protocol?

    “What is clear is that Chris Heaton-Harris has left people here in a state of limbo and paralysed our politics through his inaction.

    “As the British Secretary of State is fully aware, the Assembly and Executive has no role in negotiations between the British government and the EU. Continuing to hold people and society to ransom is unacceptable and it must end now.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Health workers deserve fair pay rise and safe staffing – Colm Gildernew [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Health workers deserve fair pay rise and safe staffing – Colm Gildernew [December 2022]

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 8 December 2022.

    Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said the pay award announced today by the Department of Health falls short of what is required to ensure workers have fair pay and safe staffing.

    The party’s health spokesperson said:

    “I note that the Department of Health will give health workers the £1,400 payment that workers in England and Wales received months ago.

    “The health unions have already made it clear that this falls way short of what is required to ensure workers have fair pay.

    “This won’t address the key challenge posed by unsafe staffing levels which is necessary to ensure that patients and health workers feel safe.

    “The Tories need to get real on fair pay awards for public sector workers and end the attacks on our public services.

    “Sinn Féin will continue to support our health workers in their demand for a fair pay rise and safe working conditions.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : ‘Families will pay more for energy as Tories cut support’ – Archibald [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : ‘Families will pay more for energy as Tories cut support’ – Archibald [December 2022]

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 8 December 2022.

    Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said families in the north will pay more for energy because of a move by the Tory government to reduce support here.

    The party’s economy spokesperson said it’s another blow to workers and families following the announcement that people here won’t receive the £600 energy payment before Christmas.

    Caoimhe Archibald said:

    “People in the north will pay more for energy because the Tories are cutting support for local workers and families to a lower level than that provided in Britain from January.

    “Power NI should have been slashing electricity bills by 14% from 1 January but instead they will remain the same because of this cruel decision by the British government.

    “Wages in the north are significantly lower than in Britain and families are struggling right now with their energy bills.

    “This is the latest blow to people here after receiving confirmation they will not receive the £600 energy support they are entitled to before Christmas because the DUP have blocked an Executive being formed.

    “Sinn Féin is ready to form an Executive today, to work together with all parties, and get the energy payment to families who need it right now.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Vital PSNI communicate with family of Matthew McCallan – Linda Dillon

    PRESS RELEASE : Vital PSNI communicate with family of Matthew McCallan – Linda Dillon

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 8 December 2022.

    Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has said it is vital that the PSNI communicate with the family of teenager Matthew McCallan to help them get the answers they need as soon as possible.

    The Mid-Ulster MLA said:

    “It is vital that the family of Matthew McCallan get the answers to questions they have about the search operation.

    “It is essential there is good communication between the PSNI and Matthew’s family. And if there is any learning from the tragic events of this week that it is taken forward so no other family is in this position again.

    “A notification has been made by the PSNI to the Police Ombudsman’s Office about the case.

    “However, today at the Policing Board I called for a review of procedures so that Matthew’s family are able to get the answers they need as soon as possible.

    “And importantly for Matthew’s mummy and daddy that if there is a need to improve processes and protocols this can be done now.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ní Chuilín writes to Speaker over ‘unacceptable comments’ [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ní Chuilín writes to Speaker over ‘unacceptable comments’ [December 2022]

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 8 December 2022.

    Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has said comments by UUP leader Doug Beattie about women on the floor of the Assembly were totally unacceptable.

    The North Belfast MLA has written to the Speaker to raise serious concerns about this incident and for acknowledgement that it fell below standards.

    Carál Ní Chuilín said:

    “Comments by Doug Beattie on the floor of the Assembly yesterday about women and girls were totally unacceptable and inappropriate.

    “I have written to the Assembly Speaker to raise serious concerns about these comments, which in my view fall way below what is expected from a public representative and that must be acknowledged.

    “Women and girls in public life, or anywhere, should not be faced with this type of language and what this incident has demonstrated, is that we still have a long way to travel to ensure women have full equality.

    “This has caused hurt for many women. Everyone has a responsibility to recognise the impact this type of unacceptable commentary in the political institutions can have on young women and girls.”