Sinn Fein
The Week in Review
5-12 March 2014

Peace agreements made must be honoured – Adams
On 11 March, speaking in the Dáil, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD called on the Irish government to `remind the British government’ of its outstanding obligations to the peace process.
The Sinn Féin leader expressed concern that `the unionist parties – particularly the DUP – have put back the issues that were dealt with by Richard Haass and Meghan O Sullivan until after the Local Government elections which then brings us into June and that means the marching season.’
The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny was in London that day meeting British Prime Minister David Cameron. Gerry Adams welcomed the Dáil contribution by the Tánaiste in which he clearly said that there should not be `any unpicking of difficult decisions that were made and arrangements that were put in place … the issue post the St. Patrick’s period is the continuation of the Haass O’Sullivan talks … it isn’t satisfactory to the Irish government that this is an issue that is parked until after the elections in May.’
The Sinn Féin leader raised the issue of the OTRs, which is among several legacy issues in common with all conflict resolution processes. Gerry Adams put to the Tánaiste that there `needs to be a very basic principal, in terms of peace keeping that when agreements are made, when commitments are given, they have to be kept …’
The Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said he agreed that `when agreements are made they have to be kept.’

Villiers comments smack of `partisan approach’ to the North
On 8 March Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy said British Secretary of State Theresa Villiers’ comments regarding the North and the OTR issue displayed `yet again her government’s partisan view when it comes to the North’.
The Newry/Armagh MP said that whilst Theresa Villiers talked about victims of the conflict in the North, she failed to mention `those many victims of the British State’.
He said it was `ironic that in one part of her speech Theresa Villiers talks about dealing with legacy issues and then goes on to say that the OTR issue, which is a legacy issue, is not going to be dealt with’.
Mr Murphy said the comments revealed a `complete lack of understanding of the Peace Process and the political view points of republicans and nationalists, something which has been typical of her tenure in the North’.
He concluded: `Both the British and Irish governments signed up to deal with this anomaly at the Weston Park talks and this current British government adhered to it. To renege on this agreement between governments, following pressure from unionists, is a sign of bad faith.’
Sinn Fein MPs were also in London during the past week, to continue to press MPs on the case for progress and to not allow agreements to be reneged upon.

Sinn Féin launch proposals on Diaspora
On 11 March Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams TD launched new Sinn Féin policy proposals on the Irish Diaspora.
Joined by Sinn Féin Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Spokesperson Seán Crowe TD, Mr Adams outlined seven key proposals to improve the relationship between the state and Irish citizens overseas.
Later that day Mr Adams moved Sinn Féin’s Constitutional Amendment Bill 2014. The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to allow the voting age be lowered to 16 and to introduce votes in Presidential elections for citizens in the north and for the Irish diaspora, as recommended by the Constitutional Convention.
Mr Adams said Sinn Féin was `committed to real, participatory democracy, based on equality and inclusivity’. He added `We advocate extending the right to vote in Dáil and Presidential elections to all adults of voting age and legally resident in the country for at least five years, a reformed Seanad and proper representation for the the diaspora in the Oireachtas’.
He said the diaspora was `an important part of the Irish nation’ and that since the beginning of the economic crisis in 2008, `approximately 300,000 Irish people have emigrated, leaving them with no voice in the Dáil’.
He said the `current inequality of citizenship, which punishes Irish citizens living outside the State must be ended’ and urged the creation of a new Minister of State for the Irish Overseas and Irish Diaspora which would `provide permanent representation for those forced to leave our shores’. He said the new Minister of State `would be tasked with working with Irish community groups, helping to improve the relationship between Ireland and its diaspora’.
Mr Adams added, `Last year the Constitutional Convention took a significant step forward in its recognition of the equal rights of all Irish citizens by recommending voting rights in Presidential elections for citizens living in the north and those abroad. This was a significant contribution to the peace process and an important decision for all democrats, but particularly for citizens in the north.’
He concluded: `Sinn Féin urges the government to consider our recommendations and also to accept the Sinn Féin Bill, allowing time for its transition through the Houses of the Oireachtas, thereby triggering a referendum on an issue of huge importance for the Irish people.’

* Extending the right to vote in Presidential elections to Irish citizens living and working outside the State.
* Extending the right to vote in Dáil and Presidential elections to all adults of voting age and legally resident in the country for at least 5 years.
* Introducing appropriate diaspora representation in the Dail by way of reserved constituency, with voting rights subject to a valid passport and regular registration requirement.
* Reform of the Seanad and provide diaspora representation.
* Appointing a Minister of State for Diaspora Overseas.
* Establishing a Government taskforce on emigration.
* Providing permanent provision for diaspora representation on the Council of State

Sinn Fein MPs to join St Patrick’s diaspora celebrations
This week and next week Sinn Fein MPs and TD will join a range of St Patrick’s events in cities across Britain. On 11 March Sinn Fein TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn joined the `Champ’ cross-party event in the House of Commons in London, which was addressed by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, British Secretary of State Theresa Villiers and Labour leader Ed Miliband.
Later on 16 March Sinn Fein Senator Trevor O’Clochartaigh will join the Manchester St Patrick’s Parade, whilst MP Francie Molloy will be in London at the capital’s parade and festival. Mr Molloy will travel to Nottingham on 17th to lead the parade as special guest in the city, and later return to London for the Westminster All-Party Irish in Britain cross-party MPs’ group reception. On 19 March Paul Maskey MP will also be in London for the Annual Irish Embassy event, at the invitation of the Ambassador.
In advance of his visit, Francie Molloy said `It is important for us to join people for the St Patrick’s celebrations, and to recognise the important role of the diaspora in building the social, economic and cultural life in all of these cities. I will be delighted to be in London and Nottingham, whilst colleagues will also join other events in Manchester and elsewhere. It is particularly important in a week when we launched our own proposals for the diaspora, to create greater political rights and representation, which have been denied for too long. It is doubly important at a time when we need the involvement of the diaspora community in pressing forward with the peace process. At a time of celebrations around St Patrick’s Day, we need to remember all of the progress that has been made, and ensure it continues to go forward.’

Sinn Fein MP at Cuban Five International Inquiry
Sinn Fein MP Conor Murhpy attended the International Inquiry into the Miami Five in London on 8-9 March, at the Law Society. Mr Murphy joined over 300 delegates from across Europe and wider, to hear evidence and testimony in relation to the case of the 5 and the unfair nature of their trial and continued imprisonment of three of the mend, and continued calls for their release. International judges, including from South Africa and India, presided, and leading lawyers and international figures such as Alice Walker and MEP Miguel Angel Martinez were among speakers, alongside the families of the Five. Mr Murphy also added his name to a call for one of the Five, Rene Gonzalez, to be given a visa in order to attend Britain to give evidence to the Inquiry, after the British government denied him one.

Michelle Gildernew joins `Walk in her shoes’ event for International women’s day
Michelle Gildernew MP joined women in London on International Womens’ day for the `Walk in Her Shoes’ event in the City, organised by Care UK, to raise money to help women and girls overcome poverty and raise awareness of the issue. The event underlines the difficulties of women who walk miles every day to collect water for their familes and often fail to go to school, and so are unable to reach their full life potential. She was joined by one of the organisers, Dr Helen Pankhurst, grand-daughter of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and CARE International UK Ambassador, who has spoke out about the issues affecting womens rights globally.

* Meanwhile on 20 March, Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey will host the annual new year `Newroz’ celebrations with the Kurdish community in the House of Commons. Mr Maskey said he was `delighted’ to be hosting this year’s event alongside other MPs.

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