July 2007 archives for Press Releases
July 31, 2007
Morgan pledges support for Unions in battle against privatisation of ESB
Speaking today as ESB Unions met to discuss possible strike action over plans to hand over the National Transmission Grid to private company Eirgrid, Sinn Féin Workers’ Rights Spokesperson Arthur Morgan said Sinn Féin will support any plans to fight the privatisation of the ESB. View more
July 31, 2007
Call to expunge record of former political prisoners
Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris has broadly welcomed the Law Reform Commission's proposals that some old convictions would not have to be disclosed during job applications and interviews. However, Deputy Ferris said a major issue which needs to be addressed now is that of the discrimination former political prisoners. View more
July 30, 2007
Morgan welcomes ICTU proposals on mortgage relief
Sinn Fein spokesperson on Housing Deputy Arthur Morgan has today welcomed the Irish Congress of Trade Unions requests to the Taoiseach regarding the need for significant changes to be made to the rate of mortgage interest relief in order to protect householders against recent rises in inflation. View more
July 30, 2007
Morgan welcomes news of stranded seafarers going home
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers’ Rights Deputy Arthur Morgan has today welcomed the news that after a ten-week long dispute, the Russian crew members that were stranded off the Wexford coast on the MV Lillian will finally return home. Deputy Morgan said the Government must now make real efforts to ensure that the rights of all sea faring workers are protected. View more
July 25, 2007
Ó Snodaigh slams government for 16% increase in disability discrimination
Responding to the Equality Tribunal annual report published today Sinn Féin Equality and Human Rights spokesperson TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh said he is deeply concerned with the reports finding that there has been a 16% increase in the number of cases of discrimination against people with a disability in the access of services in 2006 compared with 2005. View more
July 23, 2007
Dermatology disgrace in North East region – Ó Caoláin
“An absolute disgrace” is how Sinn Féin Dáil leader and Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has described the situation for people requiring dermatological treatment in the North East region (Cos. Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath). All GPs in the region have been informed that from August 1st no new referrals will be accepted for the Dermatology Department in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where there is a two-and-a-half-year waiting list. View more
July 20, 2007
Government policy causes health funding chaos – Ó Caoláin
Commenting in the proposed rise in average VHI charges by 8.5%, Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said the Government’s policy was causing “health funding chaos”. He called on the Government to establish a Health Funding Commission to plan the transition to a fairer and more efficient system. View more
July 20, 2007
Joint Policing Committees should accommodate community involvement in tackling social problems – Ó Snodaigh
At today’s meeting of the Dublin South Central Joint Policing Committee (JPC) Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD will call for more community involvement in dealing with social problems. Deputy Ó Snodaigh will call on the JPC to host public meetings in the area to discuss the problem of alcohol abuse and its implications for communities, anti-social behaviour and issues related to poor estate management. View more
July 19, 2007
Ferris Challenges Minister Over Brazilian Beef
The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD, has challenged Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan to justify her claim that Brazilian beef imported into this country is safe to eat. Deputy Ferris was responding to the Minister’s reaction to an IFA investigation which shows that Brazilian beef is produced under conditions that would be unacceptable in any EU state. View more
July 19, 2007
Morgan rejects EU interference in Irish public transport
With the likelihood of a formal investigation to be conducted regarding state subsidy of public transport operators, Sinn Féin Arthur Morgan TD this morning rejected EU interference in this state’s public bus operations. View more
July 19, 2007
Campaigners should not be left languishing in jail – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Dublin South Central TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has today demanded that a new mechanism be put in place so that protestors who when arrested refuse to accept conditions attached to their bail are not left languishing indefinitely in jail. View more
July 18, 2007
Ó Snodaigh refutes Lenihan’s claims on Garda Authority
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has strongly refuted the new Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan’s claim that An Garda Síochána could not be placed in the hands of an independent authority because of its role in the State’s security. Speaking today Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, “Not only is it possible because all members of a policing board could be bound by the Official Secrets Acts but it is also obligatory under the equivalence and security provisions of the Good Friday Agreement.” View more
July 17, 2007
Closure of A&Es must be resisted – Ó Caoláin
Commenting on reports that the Health Service Executive is to close A&E units at three more hospitals, Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has called for a “united national campaign” against these service cuts. View more
July 13, 2007
Sinn Féin expresses solidarity with imprisoned fishermen
Speaking today in support of a Shell to Sea organised protest in solidarity with the three Erris fishermen who were this week sentenced to three months in prison for allegedly assaulting a Garda, Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh slammed the State authorities and An Garda Síochána for their “concerted campaign of intimidation and assault against a local community and peaceful demonstrators”. View more
July 12, 2007
Ferris calls for ban on Brazilian beef imports
The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD, has come out in support of a campaign to force the EU Commission to impose a ban on the import of beef from Brazil. The demand is based on substantial evidence which proves that such beef is being produced under conditions that violate health and safety standards within the EU as well as carrying the substantial risk that the meat is contaminated with Foot and Mouth Disease. View more
July 11, 2007
State land should be used for social housing – Morgan
Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD has said British Prime Minister Gordon Browne’s plan to allocate state land for the building of much needed housing was an example of how governments can take real action to tackle a housing crisis if the will exists. Deputy Morgan said today that surplus land in the ownership of the State should be used to build much needed social housing as Sinn Fein has long demanded. View more
July 10, 2007
Morgan pledges Sinn Féin support for Eircom Workers
Sinn Féin Workers Rights Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD has called on Eircom to pay its staff the increases due to them under the National Pay Agreement without any further delay. As the Communications Workers Union (CWU) voted in favour of industrial action today Deputy Morgan said it is totally unacceptable for management at the company to be making further demands on their workers in order to receive what they are already due. View more
July 10, 2007
Parlon CIF appointment raises serious ethical questions
Reacting to the announcement that former PD junior Minister Tom Parlon who lost his seat at the last election is taking up a position as Director General of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD said that the move demonstrated the necessity for post service restrictions on former government minister and senior civil servants to prevent them unethically utilising knowledge from their public employment to the benefit of the private sector. View more
July 9, 2007
Government must take responsibility for scale of mortgage debt – SF
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Arthur Morgan said that the scale of mortgage debt revealed in a department of environment report today did not surprise him. Sinn Féin according to Morgan repeatedly challenged the Government over recent years on their repeated claims that their were no affordability problems in the housing market and in relation to the fact that first time buyers were precariously over-borrowing for overpriced houses. View more
July 6, 2007
Money wasted on PPARS would have paid for over 136,000 medical cards for full year – Ó Caoláin
Commenting on the final abandonment of the failed PPARS system by the Health Service Executive, Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin said the money wasted on it could have proved medical card services for tens of thousands of people. View more
July 6, 2007
Communities should be involved in alcohol licensing decisions – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh has said there should be a significant role for communities in the determination of alcohol licensing regulations. Deputy Ó Snodaigh has made a detailed submission to the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) Sub Group on Alcohol which meets today. In the submission Sinn Féin outlines its proposals for the liberalisation of licensing laws towards European models involving flexible opening and closing times to prevent drink-related disorder. View more
July 5, 2007
Public representatives must listen to the views of trade unionists – Morgan
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers Rights Arthur Morgan TD today attended the third day of the biannual conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Speaking from the conference in Bundoran Arthur Morgan said it was important that public representatives listened to what the trade unions were saying. He reiterated Sinn Fein’s commitment to work with the trade union movement on key areas of social and economic concerns to union members. View more
July 5, 2007
Ferris criticises use of Justice Bill against fishermen
The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Fisheries, Martin Ferris TD, has strongly criticised the use of provisions in the Criminal Justice Bill against fishermen in several ports around the coast. He was responding to raids conducted by the Garda National Investigation Bureau on boats and homes in Dingle, Castletownbeare, Killybegs and Galway. The raids were in connection with allegations of over-fishing. View more
July 5, 2007
Resources must be focussed on ending Crumlin/Drimnagh feud before more lives are lost – Ó Snodaigh
Speaking in the Dáil today Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has said the shooting in Stillorgan yesterday, which is reported to be part of the ongoing Crumlin/Drimnagh feud, highlights the need for extra Garda resources to be put into ending this feud. Deputy Ó Snodaigh said he discussed this feud with the Assistant Garda Commissioner this week however he could not get a commitment from him to establish a special Garda Task force with the specific aim of bringing this feud to an end. View more
July 5, 2007
Health Service privatisation must be resisted – Ó Caoláin
The approval by the Board of the Health Service Executive of successful bidders to develop private for-profit hospitals on public hospital sites represents the privatisation of our health services, according to Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. He was speaking at a Sinn Féin protest outside the HSE Board meeting at Dr. Steeven’s Hospital in Dublin today. View more
July 4, 2007
Ferris criticises compensation for salmon fishermen
The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Fisheries, Martin Ferris TD, is has raised the issue of the compensation scheme for drift net fishermen in the Dáil today. Deputy Ferrus attempted to have the House adjourned in order to debate the issue. View more
July 4, 2007
Exchequer deficit exposes folly of pre-election auction politics – Ó Caoláin
Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has said the deficit of €1.4billion in the exchequer for the first half of the year, reported in this morning’s papers, highlights the folly of the auction politics that preceded the general election by all the major political parties. Deputy Ó Caoláin went on to describe Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny as hypocritical in his criticism of the Government during leaders Questions this morning given that his party also engaged in the same reckless auction politics prior to the election. View more
July 4, 2007
Passenger Names Record agreement must be amended to address human rights concerns – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Human Rights Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called on the Government to amend the proposed Passenger Name Records (PNR) agreement before its full adoption by the European Council on Tuesday. View more
July 4, 2007
Morgan exposes Fine Gael hypocrisy on incineration
Sinn Féin Environment Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD has said in their haste to highlight the Green Party’s u-turn in their policy on incineration Fine Gael have exposed their own hypocrisy on the issue. Speaking in the Dáil this evening Deputy Morgan commended the Fine Gael motion opposing incineration to the house but said Fine Gael speaks out of both sides of its mouth on the issue. View more
July 3, 2007
Every available resource must be used to tackle drugs – Ó Snodaigh
In light of yesterday's massive cocaine find in the sea off West Cork, reported to be worth at least €100 million, Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said the scale of the seizure is indicative of the market for the drug in Ireland and called on the Government “use every resource available to underpin and implement all five pillars of the national drugs strategy”. Speaking in the Dáil this morning Deputy Ó Snodaigh said the funding shortfalls for local drugs task forces from Budget 2007 must be reversed. View more
July 3, 2007
Tackling educational disadvantage must be prioritised – Morgan
Speaking this morning, Sinn Féin’s Arthur Morgan TD said Ireland’s educational apartheid must be tackled if this government has any aspiration of ensuring a more inclusive and fairer society. Speaking ahead of the publication of a report from the Higher Education Authority which is expected to confirm that students from poorer backgrounds are at a disadvantage Deputy Morgan said Ireland’s Celtic Tiger economy has failed to address educational disadvantage which remains a blight on the record of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats. View more
July 3, 2007
ESRI report further evidence of idiocy of pre-election tax cutting promises – Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has said that the latest ESRI quarterly economic commentary published today was further evidence of the folly of the pre-election tax cutting promises made by all the other major parties. Ó Caoláin argued that the projections from the ESRI demonstrated that the money was not there to proceed with these cuts while continuing to deliver and improve public services. Government failure to moderate house price increases over the last decade is to blame for the threat of rapid house price deflation which now hangs over the housing market according to Ó Caoláin. View more
July 3, 2007
Sinn Féin challenges Government to full debate on Standing Orders
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin is challenging the Government to provide Dáil time to allow a proper debate on changes to Dáil rules. The Government is proposing changes which will copper-fasten the exclusion of Sinn Féin TDs from full speaking rights in the Dáil, while Sinn Féin is proposing changes to allow such full access. The Government wants its motion approved without debate. Ó Caoláin challenged the Green Party to prevail on its Government partners to allow an open debate. View more
July 2, 2007
Ó Snodaigh to question Assistant Garda Commissioner on measures to tackle Crumlin/Drimnagh feud
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD will this evening ask the Assistant Garda Commissioner to establish a special Garda Task Force to tackle the escalating feud between Crumlin and Drimnagh criminal gangs. The feud between these gangs resulted in a grenade attack on a house in Crumlin last week. Deputy Ó Snodaigh will put his proposals to tackle the feud to the Assistant Commissioner at the meeting of the Dublin Joint Policing Committee this evening. View more
July 2, 2007
Co-location based on mirage of 1,000 beds – Ó Caoláin
Commenting on the expected awarding by the HSE this week of the contracts for the development of private for-profit hospitals on public hospital sites, Sinn Féin Dáil leader and spokesperson on Health & Children Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said the plan was based on false claims on the part of the Government. View more
