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Tag: Comments

  • John Brady – 2022 Comments on Raising the Irish Protocol with the US Administration

    John Brady – 2022 Comments on Raising the Irish Protocol with the US Administration

    The comments made by John Brady, the Sinn Fein spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, on 16 May 2022.

    I am travelling to the United States this week for a series of meetings in Washington and New York. I will be using this opportunity to brief members of the US administration and the representatives of the Republican party on developments around the British government’s actions on the Irish Protocol.

    The support for the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) in the US cuts across party lines, and there is zero tolerance for the antics of the British government, who are threatening to tear up an international agreement. The Biden administration has been very strong in their support for the GFA.

    I will also be meeting with representative of the Irish emigrant community and will be raising the issue of the undocumented with the administration.

    During my visit to the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, I will be meeting with the members of the Irish Permanent Mission to the UN. I will also be attending a public session of the UN Security Council, on conflict and food security- an issue I raised with Minister Coveney last week.

    I will also be participating in a debate at UN on the Future Agenda for Global Diaspora Engagement: paving the way to achieving Objective 19 through regularisation and further inclusion, which will focus on the issue of the undocumented Irish emigrants in the US.

    It is my intention to use the opportunity of this visit to brief law makers in the US on the situation in Ireland in respect of the Irish Protocol, and the importance of their continued support. I will also be raising the issue of undocumented Irish emigrants in the US.

  • Grant Shapps – 2022 Comments on Nigel Steven’s Appointment as Transport Focus Chair

    Grant Shapps – 2022 Comments on Nigel Steven’s Appointment as Transport Focus Chair

    The comments made by Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport, on 16 May 2022.

    As we roll out the biggest reforms to rail in a generation and put passengers at the heart of the network, we must ensure that the industry stands ready to deliver these changes.

    Nigel has years of experience championing the needs of passengers within the transport industry and I look forward to working alongside him as we continue revolutionising our railways.

    Nigel Stevens brings decades of experience working in senior roles within the transport industry, particularly focusing on passengers, including as CEO of Transdev UK and Ireland and COO of UK and Ireland at Keolis Group.

  • Kerry Law – 2022 Statement on the Personal Conduct of Jeremy Webster

    Kerry Law – 2022 Statement on the Personal Conduct of Jeremy Webster

    The statement made by Kerry Law on behalf of the University of Leicester on 16 May 2022.

    The University of Leicester has a longstanding history of supporting art, fostering creativity and protecting creative freedom. It does not condone any form of defacement and takes any act of defacement extremely seriously. This matter will be addressed in line with the university’s own procedures.

  • Liz Truss – 2022 Comments on Government’s New International Development Strategy

    Liz Truss – 2022 Comments on Government’s New International Development Strategy

    The comments made by Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, on 16 May 2022.

    In an increasingly geopolitical world, we must use development as a key part of our foreign policy. Malign actors treat economics and development as a means of control, using patronage, investment and debt as a form of economic coercion and political power. We won’t mirror their malign tactics, but we will match them in our resolve to provide an alternative.

    The new strategy, launched today, will ensure that our international development work brings benefit across the globe and here at home. Our strategy will deepen economic, security and development ties globally, while delivering jobs and growth in both the UK and partner countries.

  • Steve Rotheram – 2022 Comments on Bradford’s City of Culture Bid

    Steve Rotheram – 2022 Comments on Bradford’s City of Culture Bid

    The comments made by Steve Rotheram, the Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, on 16 May 2022.

    Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year was a catalyst for transformation across our whole city region, and we’re still reaping the rewards almost 15 years on. Bradford’s bid could be a boost for the whole North.

  • Simon Lightwood – 2022 Comments on Selection as Labour Candidate for Wakefield

    Simon Lightwood – 2022 Comments on Selection as Labour Candidate for Wakefield

    The comments made by Simon Lightwood on 15 May 2022 following his selection as the Labour candidate for the Wakefield by-election.

    I’ve lived, worked and studied in Wakefield. Twenty years ago, I joined the Labour Party right here in the city.

    It is the privilege of my life to be selected by local members as Labour’s candidate for the Wakefield by-election.

    Thank you for your support.

  • Colm Gildernew – 2022 Comments on Bank Closures in Northern Ireland

    Colm Gildernew – 2022 Comments on Bank Closures in Northern Ireland

    The comments made by Colm Gildernew, the Sinn Féin MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, on 16 May 2022.

    These latest closures are a hammer blow to rural communities which will be deprived of banking services and I would urge Dankse Bank to listen to customers and maintain services.

    It is Sinn Féin’s view that there should be no bank branch closures and planned closures should be paused to evaluate customer behaviour post-pandemic.

    While the trend is towards increasing digital banking, for some customers this is not convenient or possible and for rural communities, important services are disappearing.

    Sinn Féin would like to see a future banking forum so that policy makers, banks and other stakeholders can discuss issues including banking in a digital age and how banks and other service providers can best respond to serve customers and communities that rely on their services.

  • Priti Patel – 2022 Comments on Increasing Stop and Search Powers

    Priti Patel – 2022 Comments on Increasing Stop and Search Powers

    The comments made by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, on 16 May 2022.

    The devastating impact of knife crime on families who have lost their loved one is unbearable. No one should have to endure the pain and suffering of the victims of these appalling crimes and we have a responsibility to them to do everything in our power to prevent future tragedies.

    Since 2019, the police have removed over 50,000 knives and offensive weapons from our streets and in the 2 years to March 2021, over 150,000 arrests were made following stop and search, preventing thousands of possible fatal injuries.

    I stand wholeheartedly behind the police so that they can build on their work to drive down knife crime by making it easier for officers to use these powers to seize more weapons, arrest more suspects and save more lives.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on Affordable Homes in London

    Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on Affordable Homes in London

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 13 May 2022.

    I am delighted to be able to announce that record-breaking numbers of genuinely affordable homes are being built in London. Fixing the housing crisis is an enormous challenge, but these latest figures show that even in the face of the pandemic, Brexit and soaring construction costs, we are continuing to turn the tide.

    I would like to thank councils, housing associations and the wider London housing sector for their work in helping us to continue building a better, more affordable London for everyone.

    We have once again exceeded our annual targets, but we still have a mountain to climb. I urge the Government to recognise the progress we are making in London and to provide the additional funding for housing we need to go even further and faster.

  • Sajid Javid – 2022 Comments on Freezing Prescription Charges

    Sajid Javid – 2022 Comments on Freezing Prescription Charges

    The comments made by Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 15 May 2022.

    The rise in the cost of living has been unavoidable as we face global challenges and the repercussions of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine. Whilst we can’t completely prevent these rises, where we can help – we absolutely will. This is why I am freezing prescription charges to help ease some of these pressures and put money back in people’s pockets.