Sinn Fein
The Week in Review
20-23 January 2014

Sinn Fein urge British Political Parties to back Haass proposals
This week Sinn Fein continued to press the case for the parties to move forward in implementing the Haass proposals, and stepped up the pressure on the British government.
On 21 January, Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy travelled to London today to brief MPs on the current situation and to specifically call on political parties in Britain to express support for the Haass proposals.
Mr Molloy held a number of meetings, including with the British Labour Party’s Shadow Secretary of State for the north of Ireland, Ivan Lewis MP. He said `Gerry Adams has already called on the Irish and British Governments to make clear statements of support for the Haass/Sullivan proposals and work with all parties towards their implementation. I will be urging all those I meet to support this call and demand the government in London step up to the plate on this matter’.
His trip came as party leaders in the north met again today `to plot a course forward based on Haass’ proposals’. He said there was a `frustration’ at the lack of progress in the general population and that the current position of the British government was `simply not good enough’. He added that `saying the proposals “have merit” is not enough, nor is standing aside and seeking to leave it to the parties’. He described as `farcical’ the suggestion by Secretary of State Theresa Villiers that that the costs of implementation of the proposals should come out of the block grant to the North, `which has already been sliced by the coalition government’s policy of austerity’.
He concluded: `It is for the parties to implement what is there and for the governments to encourage those who are stalling to get on with it. I hope Labour and others will play a positive role in helping us move this issue on.’

Engagement with wider community over need for progress
On 23 January Sinn Fein MP Conor Murphy announced that the party would hold a wider public meeting in London next week on 28 January to discuss the next steps after the Haass talks. The meeting will hear renewed calls upon the British government to clearly back the Haass proposals.
Mr Murphy will also speak to British MPs in Westminster and host a separate meeting for representatives of London-based Embassies on the current political situation.

The public meeting (details below), will be attended by the wider Irish community activists and other individuals and organisations.
Speaking in advance of the meeting, Mr Murphy said: `Sinn Fein have made clear from the start our support for these proposals. We have called upon the Irish and British Governments, as guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, to make clear statements in support of the Haass proposals and work with all parties towards their implementation. In recent weeks, our MPs have been in London to press this case and to urge all those with political influence and who support progress to do likewise. It is time the government in London stepped up on this matter”.
He added `Not only do people at home want to see progress, but people in Britain, and particularly among the Irish diaspora, also want to see politics moving forward. There is immense goodwill towards the peace process and a transformation in relations between our two islands. The vast majority of people north and south, and in Britain, want to see this continue.’
 `After the Haas Talks – what next’ Tuesday 28 January, 7pm, Wilson Room, Portcullis House, House of Commons, London SW1A OAA. Speaker Conor Murphy MP, Hosted by Sinn Fein MPs. (Westminster Tube, public entrance to Portcullis House, Victoria Embankment.) Further information: fisherj@parliament.uk or 07940 565123.

Martin McGuinness address to Six County AGM
On 18 January around 500 Sinn Fein activists gathered in Guladuff, County Derry for the annual Six County Cuige AGM. The meeting was addressed by deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. In the course of a wide ranging address Mr McGuinness dealt with the ongoing political fallout in the wake of the Haass negotiation.
Mr McGuinness said the Haass Talks were `like previous negotiations marked by a willingness by Republicans to take risks, to stretch ourselves and to seek to make agreements which consolidate the Peace Process, bed down further the political institutions and offer hope and opportunity for all citizens, particularly our young people.’
He said it was `a matter of regret that political unionism did not come to the table with the same objectives or intent’. He said this was `not only was this a mistake, it is a disservice not just to the political process but more importantly to the vast majority of people from whatever background or tradition they come from’.
`Ordinary unionists’, he added `want to see their political leaders make agreements. They want to see their political leaders reach compromises. They want to see their political leaders be peace makers’.
He said the past year had seen `the tiny minority have shouted the loudest; who have thrown the most stones and petrol bombs; who have blocked the most roads have been the ones allowed to influence the political direction of unionism instead of the silent majority who seek peace with their neighbours and an Assembly and Executive delivering for them and their children’.
However, he said that despite this he was `proud of the fact that despite the provocations, despite the negativity and the deliberate attempts to derail the efforts, Republicans were able to respond with generosity and with a total desire to see progress made’. That was evidenced `by the decision of the Ard Chomhairle last weekend to endorse the Haass package as the basis for moving forward’. The five political parties, supported by the Irish and British governments now needed to make this happen.
He said the final Haass document was a `compromise’ and that UUP leader Mike Nesbitt had claimed before the end of the talks that he was 80 or 90% content with the text. Mr McGuinness said `I have some advice for Mr Nesbitt as someone who is new to these sorts of negotiations from someone who has been around them all – if you have 80 or 90% of what you want in a negotiation – close the deal!’
He also noted that Peter Robinson had responded in the media to his interview on the View on Thursday evening: `Suffice to say this. There has been a leadership deficit within some sections of political unionism for a long time. There is very important work to do to give all our people the society they deserve. That is the responsibility of every party not some.’
He said Peter Robinson’s claims that he had a `visceral hatred of the Orange Order’ were `not true’ and that he wanted `to see the Orange treating its catholic neighbours with respect’ and upholding law and order. Mr McGuinness said he respected the Loyal Orders right to march, adding `they do that without incident in my city. That is what should happen everywhere’. He said he was `happy to meet the Orange at any time and discuss these matters’. He said `Orange is one of our country’s national colours. The Orange Order of Ireland is one of our national traditions. I want all our traditions to live together in peace and respect and with tolerance from everyone for everyone’.
He expressed frustration `at the failure of political unionism to so far take that leap into a better future’ and that the issues involved in the Haass Talks `are not going away’. He said it was `simply not tolerable to allow these matters to hold back progress and even worse contaminate the daily business of trying to deliver for citizens who want to see welfare, education, health and other issues to the fore, not those we have spent so much time on over the past 12 months’.
He concluded by commending Sinn Fein’s activists and members who had `not allowed the issues around flags or parades to deflect you from our job – to build our party, to advance our struggle and to create the political conditions within which Irish reunification will happen.’

Adams raises imprisonment of peace activist and writer Margaretta D’arcy case with Taoiseach
On 21 January Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams TD raised the imprisonment of Galway peace activist and writer Margaretta D’arcy with the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.
The 79-year-old Aosdana member is serving a sentence at Limerick Prison in relation to her involvement in protests at the use of Shannon Airport by the US military en route to wars in the Middle East.
Ms D’arcy was previously jailed at Armagh women’s prison for her protest activities in support of republican prisoners there. Her book Tell them Everything, is an account of her experience in Armagh Jail.
Speaking to the Taoiseach, today Gerry Adams pointed out `Ms D’arcy suffers from Parkinson’s disease, is reliant on the use of a zimmer frame and is undergoing cancer treatment. She is not a criminal and poses no danger to the public.’
He asked whether the Taoiseach believed that Limerick Prison was an appropriate place for a woman of Margaretta’s D’arcy’s age and condition.

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