Tag: Sinn Fein

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 23 December 2022.

Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill has called on the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to end the ‘unacceptable’ refusal to negotiate with NHS unions and to agree a fair settlement to avoid further strike action.

Criticising the British Government’s handling of the current dispute with healthcare staff, the First Minister Designate said:

“Our health and social care system in the north is in crisis as a result of 12 years of Tory austerity which has underfunded and undermined our public services.

“Striking workers are not only taking a stand for fair pay and safe staffing levels but they are also standing up in defence of the heatlh and social care system which continues to deteriorate and is facing into possibly its worst ever winter of pressures.

“Without fair pay and safe working conditions, it becomes much more difficult to retain skilled health and social care workers. That needs to be addressed because it is a key reason why our health service is in crisis.

“It is totally unacceptable that the British Government refuses to even negotiate with the workers’ trade union representatives.

“Our nurses and health workers shouldn’t have been forced onto the streets to take strike action in the freezing cold for fair pay and conditions.

“I raised this dispute with the British Prime Minister when he visited Belfast last week and I have written to him today again urging him to ensure his government immediately engages positively with the representative trade unions and pursues a suitable resolution that incorporates a fair pay and conditions settlement for health workers.

“Our nursing and healthcare staff are crucial to the functioning of the NHS so it’s time that the British Prime Minister started listening, and started negotiating.”

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 21 December 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has called on the British government to honour its commitment made by a British Prime Minister at Weston Park in 2001 to hold a public inquiry into the murder of human rights solicitor Pat Finucane

Speaking after a judge in Belfast High Court today quashed a decision by the British Secretary of State not to hold a public inquiry at this time Gerry Kelly said:

“Today’s decision by a High Court judge is a victory for the Geraldine Finucane, the widow of murdered human rights solicitor Pat Finucane, and her campaign to hold the British government to its commitment to hold a public inquiry into his killing.

“Justice Scoffield ruled that there has not as yet been a human rights compliant inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane in 1989.

“He has also quashed the decision by a British Secretary of State not to hold a public inquiry at this time into Pat Finucane’s killing.

“Judge Scoffield also ruled that the British Secretary of State acted unlawfully by failing to reconsider his refusal to hold a public inquiry after the PSNI concluded its investigation in May last year.

“The British Government now need to end their stalling tactics and fulfil the promise it made in 2001 and hold a full and independent public inquiry into the killing of Pat Finucane.

“No family should have to go to the courts again and again to force the British government to act within the law.

“The Finucane family has campaigned with courage and dignity for decades. They simply want the truth behind the murder of their father, husband and brother.

“Further delays are unacceptable and fly in the face of justice for Geraldine Finucane and her family.”

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 21 December 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said the British government should scrap visa requirements for travel in Ireland under its regressive Nationalities and Borders Act.

The Sinn Féin MLA said:

“This Nationalities and Borders Act being imposed by the British government is deeply damaging for the people of Ireland introducing the unacceptable prospect of visa requirements for certain people travelling across this island.

“This is an affront to the Good Friday Agreement and would cause untold damage to community, societal and business relations on the island.

“Representatives of the tourism industry including hoteliers have highlighted the negative consequences for tourism and the failure to properly engage or consult with them by the British government on potential solutions.

“70% of international visitors to the north arrive through Dublin Airport so the imposition of unnecessary additional bureaucracy needs to be avoided.

“These unnecessary and unwanted checks will be a hammer blow to Irish tourism and the British Government needs to immediately scrap these requirements.”

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 20 December 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said nurses and health and social care workers should have fair pay and safe conditions.

Speaking as nurses begin their second day of strike action, the party’s health spokesperson said the British government should get on with delivering a fair pay offer.

Colm Gildernew said:

“Our nurses and health workers shouldn’t have been forced onto the streets to take strike action in the freezing cold for fair pay and conditions.

“They should have fair pay and conditions for the amazing work that they do, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise.

“Without fair pay and safe working conditions, it becomes much more difficult to retain skilled health and social care workers. That needs to be addressed.

“The British government needs to get on with delivering a fair pay award for our nurses and health workers now.

“I want to offer Sinn Féin’s support to our nurses, and to all health workers, who are on the picket lines for fair pay and better conditions.”

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 19 December 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has welcomed confirmation from the EU Commission that the supply of veterinary medicines to the north will be extended.

The party’s Brexit spokesperson said:

“Confirmation that the supply of veterinary medicine supplies will be extended is very welcome. The Commission’s decision will provide reassurance and certainty to those directly affected.

“Once again this demonstrates the EU’s commitment to delivering practical solutions to ensure progress on the Protocol.

“The British government must show similar flexibility and engage positively with the EU to reach a durable, pragmatic resolution which ensures all our businesses have certainty and stability.”

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 19 December 2022.

Speaking on the appointment of US Special Envoy, Joe Kennedy, First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill MLA said:

“I very much welcome today’s appointment of Joe Kennedy as US Special Envoy by President Biden.

“The US remains a critical partner for peace. They are an important stakeholder whose support for the Good Friday Agreement is deeply valued.

“This appointment puts renewed emphasis on the economic development of the north, and the benefits we can yield through dual access to both the EU single market and British market which uniquely positions our economy.

“Joe Kennedy has a strong record in promoting the interests of the north and I look forward to working with him in the time ahead. I believe he will bring very considerable expertise and experience to the task.

“As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in April next year the opportunity must not be missed to restore power-sharing and North-South cooperation which I hope will see President Biden come to Ireland.

“My focus is on political cooperation with all other parties, and making politics work. At this time of a serious cost-of-living crisis when household and business budgets are badly squeezed we really need to help people, and confront the many challenges facing this society and economy.”

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 19 December 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said confirmation that households will finally receive the overdue £600 energy payment will be a relief to people who are struggling with their bills.

The party’s economy spokesperson said:

“Finally people have confirmation from the British Government that they will receive the £600 energy payment from January in a single payment.

“This will be a relief to workers and families who are struggling to heat their homes and keep the lights on as the cold winter begins to bite.

“We need immediate clarity on the how vouchers for pay as you go customers will be rolled out.

“It shouldn’t have taken this long to confirm when people would get help that they are entitled to because it was held up by the DUP’s boycott of the Executive and Tory government delays.

“Sinn Féin will continue to push the British government until this money is in people’s pockets.”

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 16 December 2022.

Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill has said the British Prime Minister must give people a definitive date when they will receive the £600 energy payment.

Speaking as Rishi Sunak visits Belfast today, Michelle O’Neill said people are freezing cold and cannot wait any longer for this money.

Michelle O’Neill said:

“I met with Rishi Sunak last night and I made it absolutely clear that people here need the £600 payment now to heat their homes this winter.

“And while he is visiting the north today, he should take the opportunity to give workers and families a definitive date for when they will receive payment. No more delays.

“Temperatures have fallen well below zero degrees and people are freezing cold. People should have had this money long before Christmas.

“It’s unacceptable that the DUP’s refusal to form an Executive and work together has held this payment up long enough and there is no room for more Tory government delays.

“Sinn Féin remains ready to form an Executive now to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and support workers and families who are struggling.”

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 15 December 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has said today’s court ruling confirms that DUP Minister, Edwin Poots, acted unlawfully in attempting to halt checks at ports.

The party’s Brexit spokesperson said:

“Attempts by former agriculture minister Edwin Poots to halt checks at ports were clearly reckless and irresponsible and we now have confirmation that they were also unlawful.

“This court ruling also follows on from repeated threats by the Tory government to break international law.

“Local businesses need stability, certainty and political leadership. It’s time for the belligerence and blocking to stop.

“The DUP boycott of the Executive is an act of reckless political negligence which abandons ordinary people in a cost-of-living crisis. The DUP should get back to work now.”