Press Releases
July 3, 2008
Ferris commends Sarkozy for taking tough line with Mandelson
Speaking at today’s Oireachtas Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Committee following a presentation made by the IFA on the current round of WTO negotiations and its implications for Irish farming industry, Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris commended EU President Sarkozy for his tough line with Peter Mandelson and noted that it is incumbent on all stakeholders to ensure the best possible deal was achieved for Irish farmers. View more
July 3, 2008
HSE changes show centralisation is failing – Ó Caoláin
Commenting on the proposed changes in the structure of HSE management, Sinn Féin Health & Children spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said it showed that the highly centralised approach of the Government and HSE management to healthcare delivery is failing. Democratic accountability and policy change are needed for real reform to take place, he stated. View more
July 3, 2008
Emergency legislation in breach of Good Friday Agreement commitments – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Human Rights Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, speaking at a meeting of the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee in Leinster House this morning, said the continued use of emergency legislation by the Irish Government is in breach of its commitments under the Good Friday Agreement. View more
July 3, 2008
Student Services Charge Subsidising 3rd Level Budget Deficits
In the Seanad today Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty today impressed upon the Education Minister the need to commit to ensuring the proper dispersion of the Student Services charge by higher Education institutions throughout Ireland, and to guarantee that all monies collected through the Student Services Charge are invested in student services, and are not used to pay down institutional debt. View more
July 2, 2008
Government did not act on Haulbowline contamination warnings
Speaking during this afternoons Dáil debate on the contamination of Haulbowline Island Deputy Morgan slammed the government for its silence on reports outlining the islands contamination from as far back as 1995. The TD demanded that the Environment Minister immediately publish all reports as the matter is one of public health and safety. View more
July 2, 2008
EU Court ruling highlights Britain’s spying agenda – Ó Snodaigh
Responding to the ruling at the European Court of Human Rights against the British State for invasion of privacy both here and in Britain Sinn Féin Human Rights Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD called for an apology from the British government and for a legally enforceable confirmation that the blanket interception of communications between the citizens of Ireland and Britain is at an end. View more
July 2, 2008
Government must outline economic strategy – Morgan
Speaking following the publication of the exchequer returns for the first six months of 2008 Sinn Fein’s Economic Affairs spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD said the failure of the Government to outline its economic strategy to deal with the current situation was farcical. He demanded assurances from Government that there would be not cuts in public services or social protections. View more
July 1, 2008
Concern at proposals on Passenger Name Records – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Justice and Equality Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, speaking at a meeting of the Oireachtas EU Scrutiny Committee, expressed concerns at proposals to collect, retain for 13 years and share with other countries, personal details of all people flying in and out of the EU. View more
July 1, 2008
Morgan urges Taoiseach to put the needs of the low paid centre stage in pay talks
During Taoiseach’s questions in the Dáil this afternoon, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers’ Rights Arthur Morgan TD called on An Taoiseach Brian Cowen to ensure that the needs of the low paid would be put centre stage at partnership pay talks. View more
July 1, 2008
Morgan challenges Taoiseach on Junior Ministries
Speaking in the Dáil today Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan directly challenged the Taoiseach Brian Cowen to justify his decision to appoint 35 Ministers including 20 Junior Ministers for a population of 4.2 million given that he has been just recently been ‘swanning around the Country’ telling people that 27 Commissioners for an EU population of 496 million is too many and unmanageable. View more
July 1, 2008
Ó Snodaigh welcomes removal of age restriction on jury participation
Sinn Féin Justice and Equality Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has welcomed an amendment to the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 which removes the age limit for participations on a jury. However, speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Ó Snodaigh there is a need to remove other discriminatory barriers also. View more
July 1, 2008
Common Fisheries Policy must be renegotiated – Ferris
Sinn Féin Fisheries Spokesperson Martin Ferris TD, speaking in the Dáil this evening on a Private Members Motion on Irish Fisheries, called for a fundamental renegotiation of the Common Fisheries Policy as is affects Irish fisheries. View more
June 26, 2008
Ó Snodaigh gives guarded welcome to Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has welcomed the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008. However Deputy Ó Snodaigh was critical of the Government’s failure to act on recommendations made by the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol in 2004. Deputy Ó Snodaigh went on to call for the establishment of Local Licensing Fora to play a key role in licensing decisions and for mandatory training with accreditation for bouncers and bar staff. View more
June 25, 2008
Harney and Lenihan holding up services for disabled people – Ó Caoláin
The Department of Health & Children and the Department of Finance are holding up the provision of residential, respite and day services for disabled people. This has been confirmed by the Health Service Executive in a reply to a Dáil Question from Sinn Féin Health & Children spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD. View more
June 25, 2008
Ó Snodaigh calls for extra resource to fight Inner City feud
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has sought a meeting with the Garda Superintendent at Crumlin Garda Station to discuss the escalating feud in the Inner City which resulted in a number of shootings yesterday. View more
June 25, 2008
Harney playing Pontius Pilate with waiting list figures – Ó Caoláin
Commenting on new figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund showing over 16,000 adults and children waiting more than three months for surgery and over 2,000 waiting for longer than a year, Sinn Féin Health & Children spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said: View more
June 25, 2008
Taoiseach has failed to walk the walk of Democracy
Speaking during today’s Dáil debate on the recent EU Council of Ministers meeting attended Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh charged the Taoiseach with having “talked the talk of democracy but has failed to walk the walk. He has not accepted the Irish people’s verdict on Lisbon, nor have his Council counterparts.” View more
June 25, 2008
Government forfeiting of debate on PNR disgraceful
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has described today’s rushing through with no debate of a motion which will instate an Agreement between the European Union and Australia on the processing and transfer of EU-sourced passenger name record (PNR) data as “disgraceful.” View more
June 24, 2008
Time for Government to Outline its Economic Strategy – Morgan
Responding to the gloomy forecast contained in the ESRI’s latest Quarterly Economic Commentary, Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Economic Affairs Arthur Morgan TD, demanded that the Government outline how it intends to manage the current economic decline and ensure an early recovery. View more
June 24, 2008
British Army lie on murder of Aidan McAnespie exposed – Ó Caoláin
Sinn Féin Dáil leader and Cavan-Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has said that the findings of the Historical Enquiry Team (HET) on the fatal shooting of Aidan McAnespie at Aughnacloy on the Monaghan/Tyrone border in 1988 have exposed the lie told by the British Army about the killing. View more
June 24, 2008
Increase in work place deaths highlights need for Corporate Manslaughter Legislation – Morgan
Sinn Féin Workers’ Rights Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD has said the report published today by the Health and Safety Authority which shows an increase in work place deaths highlights the need to legislate for corporate manslaughter. View more
June 24, 2008
Ó Snodaigh condemns Drimnagh shooting
Dublin South Central Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has condemned the shooting of a woman in his constituency this afternoon. Deputy Ó Snodaigh was speaking following the shooting of a woman in Drimnagh today. View more
June 24, 2008
Super-prison should not be developed – Ó Snodaigh
Speaking in the Dáil today on the Prison Development Bill 2008 Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD raised serious concerns about the development of super-prisons in which he said gangs will flourish. View more
June 24, 2008
Government must do better than Civil Partnership Bill
Speaking following the Government’s proposal to legislate for Civil Partnerships for same sex couples Sinn Féin Equality Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said the Government must do better to ensure equality for gay and lesbian people. View more
June 24, 2008
Ó Snodaigh welcomes Victims Rights Bill 2008
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has welcomed the introduction of the Victims’ Rights Bill 2008 in the Dáil this evening. Deputy Ó Snodaigh said the first priority must be crime prevention and community safety in all its aspects. View more
