May 2008 archives for Press Releases
May 30, 2008
Ó Snodaigh welcomes adoption of cluster munitions treaty
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has welcomed the formal adoption of an international treaty banning the use of cluster bombs. View more
May 30, 2008
Sinn Féin Response to SIPTU Lisbon Decision
Speaking following the announcement by SIPTU that it would recommend support for the Lisbon Treaty only if the Government promises to legislate for the right to collective bargaining, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Workers’ Rights Arthur Morgan TD said that this was a recognition of fact that Charter of Rights does not deliver on collective bargaining. He said that the Government could meet the SIPTU demand by supporting a Sinn Féin bill published yesterday which seeks to enshrine the right to collective bargaining in the Constitution. View more
May 29, 2008
Loss of political strength will put Ireland at a serious disadvantage within Europe
Sinn Féin Louth TD Arthur Morgan said that the Lisbon Treaty will involve a serious loss of power for Ireland. He said “No matter how the government tries to spin it the loss of a permanent Commissioner and a 50% reduction in our voting strength will put Ireland at a serious disadvantage within Europe." View more
May 29, 2008
Green Ministers hysteria no substitute for reasoned debate
Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has called on the Government to stop the cut of 120 staff at Crumlin Chilldren’s Hospital. View more
May 29, 2008
Green Ministers hysteria no substitute for reasoned debate
Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has called on the Government to stop the cut of 120 staff at Crumlin Chilldren’s Hospital. View more
May 29, 2008
Concern about jobs at Cappaquinn Chickens Waterford
Sinn Féin Enterprise, Trade and Employment Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD has called for a concerted effort to keep Cappaquinn Chickens in operation, after it was announced in a Dublin Court yesterday that the Waterford firm was going into examinership. View more
May 29, 2008
Concern about jobs at Cappaquinn Chickens Waterford
Sinn Féin Enterprise, Trade and Employment Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD has called for a concerted effort to keep Cappaquinn Chickens in operation, after it was announced in a Dublin Court yesterday that the Waterford firm was going into examinership. View more
May 29, 2008
Cervical cancer tests should not be exported – Ó Snodaigh
Speaking in the Dáil today Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh said it is a disgrace that successive Governments failed to roll out a national cancer testing programme. View more
May 29, 2008
Cervical cancer tests should not be exported – Ó Snodaigh
Speaking in the Dáil today Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh said it is a disgrace that successive Governments failed to roll out a national cancer testing programme. View more
May 29, 2008
Cervical cancer tests should not be exported – Ó Snodaigh
Speaking in the Dáil today Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh said it is a disgrace that successive Governments failed to roll out a national cancer testing programme. View more
May 29, 2008
Legal Services Ombudsman long overdue – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has welcomed the Legal Services Ombudsman Commission Bill 2008. Speaking in the Dáil today Deputy Ó Snodaigh said the introduction of an independent body to hold legal professionals accountable is both welcome and long overdue. View more
May 29, 2008
Cuts and privatisation preventing progress on mental health – Ó Caoláin
Commenting on the Report of the Mental Health Commission, Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said it highlights the very serious situation where cuts imposed by the HSE are affecting mental health services. He said privatisation was also preventing progress in the neglected area of mental health. View more
May 28, 2008
Gardaí must be allowed to inspect US Military planes at Shannon – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin International Affairs Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called for an end to the use of Shannon airport and short of that for the Government to ensure that all US military and CIA-related planes passing through Shannon Airport are inspected to ensure that rendition flights are not passing through Ireland. View more
May 28, 2008
Plans to cut PRSI must be reversed in face of increasing unemployment – Morgan
Sinn Féin Enterprise, Trade and Employment Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD said today that plans to cut PRSI must be reversed by the Government in the face of growing unemployment. View more
May 28, 2008
Sinn Féin welcomes call from Taoiseach for transfer of powers on policing and justice to proceed
Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin today welcomed the comments of the Taoiseach Brian Cowen in the Dáil urging Peter Robinson to complete the task of implementing the St. Andrews Agreement including the transfer of powers on policing and justice. View more
May 28, 2008
Lisbon Treaty is Bad for Public Services
Speaking from Leinster House Sinn Féin Dáil leader and Health Spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD outlined to media the consequences of the Lisbon Treaty on Ireland’s public services. Deputy Ó Caoláin was joined by South West Representative Seán Crowe. View more
May 28, 2008
Justice Minister rules out review of Garda operation in Bellanaboy – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD today asked the new Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern to support a request from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to review the Garda approach to policing protests including the operation at the site of the proposed Shell Gas pipeline in Bellanaboy County Mayo in light of a high number of complaints about Garda abuse. Minister Ahern refused the request. View more
May 27, 2008
Sinn Féin to oppose super-prison at every opportunity – Ó Caoláin
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has said his party will oppose at every opportunity the construction of a super-prison at Thornton Hall. View more
May 27, 2008
Sinn Féin Introduces Trade Union Recognition Bill
Sinn Féin Workers’ Rights Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD today introduced the Twenty Ninth Amendment of the Constitution Bill which seeks to enshrine the right to trade union recognition and collective bargaining in the 1937 Constitution. View more
May 27, 2008
Ferris highlights issue of fuel costs for fishermen
The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Fisheries, Martin Ferris TD raised the issue of the effect that spiralling fuel costs are having on Irish fishermen in the Dáil this evening. The Kerry North TD attempted to have the House adjourned in order to debate what he described as a further serious burden on fishermen and one that is making it increasingly difficult for many of them to survive. View more
May 27, 2008
Pay talks must prioritise those on low pay – Morgan
Speaking in the Dáil today Sinn Féin Workers’ Rights spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD said the current round of pay talks must prioritise those on low pay. Deputy Morgan said any pay increases awarded to the lowest paid in these pay talks must be designed to outstrip inflation and provide an acceptable standard of living. View more
May 27, 2008
Class sizes must be treated as an emergency – Ferris
Speaking in the Dáil this evening on a Private Members’ Motion on class sizes Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris said the Government needs to treat the issue of class sizes as an emergency. Deputy Ferris questioned whether Fianna Fáil was ever committed to its pre-election manifesto commitment to reducing class sizes. View more
May 26, 2008
European Commission Economical With Truth on International Trade Veto
Responding to a statement by the European Commission office in Dublin on the question of international trade agreements Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson Martin Ferris TD has accused the Commission of being “economical with the truth”. View more
May 23, 2008
Government inaction on superbugs is costing lives – Ó Caoláin
Sinn Féin Health & Children spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has said that Government inaction on hospital superbugs is costing the lives of patients. He was responding to news that 101 cases of Clostridium Difficile (C Diff) have been recorded since doctors were legally obliged to report cases from 4 May. View more
May 23, 2008
EU Scrutiny report greatly exaggerates significance of protocol on national parliaments – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin member of the Oireachtas EU Scrutiny Committee Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has said the report published by the committee today is not fully endorsed by the committee. Deputy Ó Snodaigh, as the only dissenting voice on the committee, said he does not endorse the report and criticised other members of the committee for not allowing room for dissenting voices. View more
May 22, 2008
Ó Snodaigh welcomes Walkinstown heroin seizure
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has welcomed the seizure of €1million worth of heroin in the Walkinstown part of his constituency. Speaking today Deputy Ó Snodaigh said this seizure is a stark reminder that the heroin problem has not gone away. View more
May 21, 2008
Trade union recognition must be made obligatory – Morgan
Speaking in the Dáil today Sinn Féin Workers Rights Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD criticised British Telecom for refusing to negotiate with trade union representatives of its workers in the South of Ireland while willingly dealing with union representatives in the North and in Britain. View more
May 21, 2008
Rural Ireland must reject Lisbon – Ó Caoláin
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, Senator Pearse Doherty and MEP Bairbre de Brun today launched an information guide outlining the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on Ireland’s rural economy. The guide also addresses the implications of the Lisbon Treaty on international trade and Irish agriculture. View more
May 21, 2008
Morgan expresses disappointment at ICTU decision on Lisbon
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Workers’ Rights Arthur Morgan TD today expressed disappointment at the decision of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) executive to advocate a Yes vote in the forthcoming Lisbon Treaty referendum. View more
May 21, 2008
Current cancer strategy failing North-West and North-East – Ó Caoláin
Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson and Dáil Leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has moved an amendment to a Private Members Motion in the Dáil on cancer services in the North West. View more
May 20, 2008
Sinn Féin demand Commission back up claims on Veto
Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson Martin Ferris TD has today challenged the European Commission to publicly state where in the text of the Lisbon Treaty does it say that the veto on international trade agreements is retained by member states. View more
May 20, 2008
Government must intervene in regeneration projects – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called on the government to intervene to guarantee the completion of any regeneration projects affected by the withdrawal of the private side of the public private partnerships. View more
May 20, 2008
Ó Snodaigh meets RGDATA and Nightclub association on sale of alcohol
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD this morning met with RGDATA, the group representing the independent grocers and the Irish Nightclub Industry Association to discuss the sale of alcohol. View more
May 20, 2008
Health Minister must ensure full disclosure on North East cancer reviews – Ó Caoláin
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson and Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has said there must be full disclosure of all the facts relating to the reviews of thousands of chest x-rays and CT scans in the North East HSE region. View more
May 20, 2008
Government must stop delay in introducing agency workers’ legislation following British introduction – Morgan
Sinn Féin Workers’ Rights Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD has called on the Government to end its delay on legislation for agency workers, after the British Government today agreed on agency worker legislation going through their parliament this Autumn. View more
May 20, 2008
Ferris Calls on Minister to Clarify Position Regarding WTO Veto
The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD has called on Minister Brendan Smith to clarify what he believes the position to be regarding Ireland’s veto on any WTO deal that threatens the interests of Irish farmers. View more
May 20, 2008
Morgan welcomes OECD report on Public Service Reform
Speaking in the Dáil today on the OECD report on Public Service Reform Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Economy Arthur Morgan TD said Sinn Féin’s priority is to deliver increased quality and capacity within public services. View more
May 20, 2008
Resources must be made available to expedite review of chest x-rays and CT scans in North East – Ó Caoláin
Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD today secured a debate on the adjournment of the Dáil on cancer misdiagnoses in the North East area. View more
May 19, 2008
HSE axing of service for self-harm patients is disgraceful – Ó Caoláin
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson and Cavan-Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has revealed that the Health Service Executive has axed a service to patients who self-harm and who have presented at Accident and Emergency Departments in Cavan and Monaghan. View more
May 19, 2008
Huge concern as builder pulls out of five regeneration projects in Dublin – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called on the Government to step into the gap created by McNamara builders when they announced that they will not proceed with five planned regeneration projects in Dublin. View more
May 16, 2008
Begg is wrong on Europe – Charter of Rights does not guarantee right to collective bargaining
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Workers’ Rights Arthur Morgan TD has criticised trade union leader David Begg for misleading workers by claiming that the Charter of Rights contained in the Lisbon Treaty will give legal status for collective bargaining and strike action in Ireland. View more
May 16, 2008
Bogus charities must be challenged – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has said businesses and individuals posing as charities are having an impact on genuine charities as well as causing anti-social problems by calling to areas in the early hours of the morning. View more
May 16, 2008
Kenny showing lack of understanding on Lisbon – Ferris
Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson Martin Ferris TD has said Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is wrong when he says Ireland will be better able to deal with the consequences of the conclusion of the WTO if Lisbon is passed. View more
May 15, 2008
Morgan welcomes all party motion on Democratic Process in Zimbabwe
Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan speaking in the Dáil today welcomed the all party motion on the Democratic Process in Zimbabwe. View more
May 15, 2008
Ferris – Government spin won’t hide the negative implications of losing a permanent Irish Commissioner
Sinn Féin TD for Kerry North Martin Ferris has accused Mícheál Martin of being totally naïve in relation to the loss of a permanent Irish Commissioner. View more
May 15, 2008
Sinn Féin to oppose Dáil resolution on Thornton Hall prison – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh this afternoon attended a briefing from officials at the Department of justice at which he was informed that a Dáil resolution will be brought forward next week in order to give the final go ahead for the construction of a super-prison at the Thornton Hall site. Speaking afterwards Deputy Ó Snodaigh said Sinn Féin will be opposing the resolution. View more
May 14, 2008
Ferris calls for extension of Farm Waste Management Scheme
Speaking in the Dáil today Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson Martin Ferris TD called for a debate on the need to extend for another year the Farm Waste Management Scheme which is due to finish in December 2008. View more
May 14, 2008
Morgan addresses Laois Lisbon Treaty meeting
Louth Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan was the main speaker at a public meeting in Laois yesterday evening on the Lisbon Treaty. Also speaking at the meeting were Laois Sinn Féin Councillor Brian Stanley and Unite trade union official Brendan Ogle. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of Laois Sinn Féin Alan Hand. View more
May 14, 2008
Ó Snodaigh gives Defamation Bill extremely qualified welcome
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has given the Defamation Bill 2006 an extremely qualified welcome. Speaking in the Dáil this evening Deputy Ó Snodaigh said Sinn Féin will be tabling substantive amendments to the Bill and his party’s position on it will depend on the Government’s response to those amendments. View more
May 13, 2008
Fine Gael turns its back on rural Ireland
Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson Martin Ferris TD has this afternoon criticised Fine Gael’s support of the Lisbon Treaty. Deputy Ferris said “this Treaty will impact negatively on rural Ireland, particularly for the farming and agriculture communities. View more
May 13, 2008
New Children’s Minister’s response totally inadequate – Ó Caoláin
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health & Children Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has described as “totally inadequate” the response of the new Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews to the crisis in child protection as revealed in the Prime Time Investigates programme. View more
May 13, 2008
Dial to Stop Drug Dealing roll-out must be part of new National Drugs Strategy – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD will attend this evening’s consultation meeting on the new National Drugs Strategy in Dublin. View more
May 13, 2008
Health Partnership Report confirms centralisation drive – Ó Caoláin
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson and Cavan/Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, commenting on the publication of the previously leaked ‘Health Partnership Report’ recommending Navan as the location for a regional hospital in the North East, stated: View more
May 11, 2008
Sinn Féin makes substantive submission on review of Garda training and development
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has sent a substantive submission to the Chairperson of the Garda Training and Development Review Group in which he has detailed the areas of policing which Sinn Féin believes need further training and development. View more
May 9, 2008
Sinn Féin to meet with Diageo on future of James Gate
Sinn Féin's South West Inner City Councillor Críona Ní Dhálaigh has today welcomed the opportunity to meet Diageo this afternoon to discuss the future possibilties for their site at St James Gate, Dublin. View more
May 8, 2008
Hanafin should introduce paternity leave and increase maternity benefit
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Social, Community and Family Affairs Arthur Morgan TD responding to Mary Hanafin’s announcement that she wants to put an emphasis on family in her new role, said that the first step for the new Minister should be to introduce paid paternity leave and raise maternity benefit payments. View more
May 8, 2008
Rural Ireland Deserves Better – Vote No to Lisbon
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, Martin Ferris TD and Senator Pearse Doherty today launched the party’s ‘Rural Ireland Deserves Better – Vote No to Lisbon’ state wide leafleting campaign. Today’s event in Dublin is the beginning of a national role out of the campaign targeting rural constituencies to highlight why Sinn Féin believes the Treaty is bad for rural Ireland. View more
May 8, 2008
Dermot Ahern must bring forward Covert Surveillance Bill – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called on new Justice Minister Dermot Ahern to bring forward the Covert Surveillance Bill. View more
May 8, 2008
Harney must intervene in HSE dispute with psychiatric nurses – Ó Caoláin
Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has called on the Minister for Health Mary Harney to intervene immediately in the escalating dispute between the HSE and psychiatric nurses. View more
May 8, 2008
Ó Snodaigh welcomes Garda operation against Limerick criminals
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh has welcomed the large scale Garda operation against drug dealing and organised crime in Limerick. View more
May 8, 2008
Private Management Companies must be regulated – Ó Snodaigh
Speaking in the Dáil today Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said strong regulation of management companies must become a part of a robust tenant protection regime. View more
May 7, 2008
Government policy needs to change dramatically to meet new challenges
Speaking ahead of today’s election of Brian Cowen as Taoiseach Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has said that government policy needs to change dramatically to meet new challenges. View more
May 7, 2008
Change in Government direction must accompany change of Taoiseach – Ó Caoláin
Speaking on the nomination of Taoiseach in the Dáil today Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said “Sinn Féin TDs will not be supporting the nomination of Brain Cowen as Taoiseach. The record of Governments dominated by Fianna Fáil since 1997 has been such that we cannot endorse them by voting for their nominee. View more
May 7, 2008
Justice Minister attempts to bury findings of sixth Morris Tribunal Report – Ó Snodaigh
Responding to the publication today of the sixth Morris Tribunal Report Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD accused Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan of attempting to bury the findings of the report by publishing it on the day of the election of the new Taoiseach and the formation of the new cabinet. View more
May 7, 2008
New cabinet will face many massive challenges – Ó Caoláin
Speaking in the Dáil this evening after new Taoiseach Brian Cowen named his first cabinet Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said the new cabinet will face many challenges. Deputy Ó Caoláin said he deplores the proposal to retain Deputy Mary Harney as Minister for Health and set out the challenges Sinn Féin see are facing the new cabinet. View more
May 7, 2008
Challenges ahead for Lenihan in Finance – Morgan
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Arthur Morgan TD congratulated Brian Lenihan on his appointment as Minister for Finance. He expressed his hope that Minister Lenihan would take a more hands on approach to economic management than his predecessors and would prioritise ensuring public finances were adequate to fund essential public services. View more
May 7, 2008
Drugs crisis must be priority for Dermot Ahern as he takes up Justice Ministry – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has congratulated Dermot Ahern on his appointment as Minister for Justice and called on him to prioritise the fight against drugs with the resources that it requires. View more
May 6, 2008
National asthma management strategy needed – Ó Caoláin
In a statement marking World Asthma Day today (6 May), Sinn Féin Health & Children spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has called on the Government to formulate a national strategy to address the condition, especially as it effects children in growing numbers. View more
May 6, 2008
Government must support working families facing home repossessions – Ó Snodaigh
Speaking amid predictions that 40,000 first time home buyers could be in negative equity by the end of this year Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh called on the Government to put in place measures to help those on low and middle incomes to keep up with repayments. View more
May 6, 2008
Ó Caoláin to set out Sinn Féin stall ahead of election of Brian Cowen as Taoiseach
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD will address the media at 11:30am tomorrow on the plinth at Leinster House ahead of the election of Brian Cowen as Taoiseach. View more
May 6, 2008
Morgan welcomes opening of new Boyne Visitor Centre
Speaking after attending the opening of the new Boyne visitor centre by Bertie Ahern and Ian Paisley today Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan welcomed the significant media attention on what should be a hugely successful tourist attraction. View more
May 3, 2008
Fine Gael must tell truth on Ireland’s loss of VETO
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has today criticised Fine Gael for misleading its own base as well as the wider farming and agricultural communities on the implications of the Lisbon Treaty to their livelihoods. View more
May 1, 2008
Ferris welcomes indication of possible change to fisheries sanctions
Sinn Féin Fisheries Spokesperson, Martin Ferris TD has welcomed an indication by Minister John Browne that there may be a move away from criminal sanctions in cases related to alleged illegal fishing. The Kerry North TD was speaking following an adjournment debate in the Dáil. View more
May 1, 2008
Morgan supports Ballymun workers at Plaza Hotel
Sinn Féin TD and Spokesperson on Workers’ Rights Arthur Morgan will join a rally in Ballymun at 5pm to support fired workers at the Plaza Hotel. View more
May 1, 2008
Morgan critical of Labour on May Day
Speaking ahead of the Annual May Day March in Dublin this evening Sinn Féin Workers’ Rights Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD said it is disappointing that the Labour Party, in supporting the Lisbon Treaty, is supporting a treaty that will fundamentally undermine workers’ rights. View more
