Sinn Fein
The Week in Review
02 – 09 December 2016

British government can’t ignore Good Friday Agreement for Brexit – Paul Maskey MP
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has said that the British government cannot ignore the Good Friday Agreement in its approach to Brexit. Speaking from London, Mr Maskey said;
“This hearing in the British Supreme Court is a major political and constitutional challenge to the British government’s Brexit agenda. I attended the court today while the sections of the hearing relating to the North took place.”
The West Belfast MP continued, “Regardless of the outcome of the case the fact is that the majority of people in the North voted to see their future in the EU and that must be respected.”
Mr Maskey concluded, “It is also our view that the British government’s approach is in conflict with the Good Friday and subsequent agreements which state that the constitutional position of the North can only be changed by the agreement and consent of the people of the North.”

May’s Brexit proposal is ludicrous – Chris Hazzard MLA
Sinn Féin MLA and Minister for Infrastructure Chris Hazzard has said that Theresa May’s desire for a so-called “red, white and blue Brexit“ is ludicrous.
Speaking after attending discussion with the British, Welsh and Scottish Governments, Mr Hazzard said:
“My party colleague John O’Dowd and I travelled to London today for the latest Joint Ministerial Council meeting which concentrated on Brexit. The British Government cannot claim on one hand to want to work with the devolved administrations and then on the other make such ultra Unionist statements as we have heard from Theresa May.”
Mr Hazzard continued, “Not only is it a trite and meaningless phrase, it also shows a total lack of understanding of or thought about the impact of Brexit on the North and the Good Friday Agreement. It is clear Theresa May and her government do not understand the North or how it will be affected by their directionless approach to Brexit. What she cannot ignore, however, is that the majority of people in the North voted to remain in the North and that vote must be respected. Rather than causing further difficulties to an already difficult process the British government, and the Irish government, should work to achieve designated status for the North within the EU.”

Education Committee agrees to conduct hearings on Brexit – Carol Nolan TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education and Skills, Teachta Carol Nolan, has welcomed the fact that the Oireachtas Committee on Education has committed to conducting hearings on the impact of Brexit on the Education sector after she proposed the item on this week’s agenda.
Teachta Nolan said: “I welcome the fact that the Committee has agreed to conduct hearings with relevant stakeholders on the potential impact of Brexit on the education sector. There are huge issues in respect of student mobility north and south and also in respect of third level funding for research and development.”
The Offaly TD said, “It is important that the various stakeholders have an opportunity to present to the committee so that we have a full overview of the issues affecting the sector and the plans of government to deal with them. I look forward to meeting with all of the relevant stakeholders as soon as possible to discuss in detail the relevant concerns for the sector and help inform the debate and the government’s approach to this issue.”

DUP must step up to plate on Irish language – Gerry Adams TD
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD has said the DUP must step up to the plate and live up its responsibilities in government to the Irish language.
He was speaking on Saturday morning at the Sinn Féin Slógadh taking place in Richmond Barracks, Dublin.
Teachta Adams said: “Despite the continuous opposition of the leaders of Unionism, Sinn Féin have delivered considerably for the Irish language in government – through negotiations and through our departments the north. Sinn Féin Ministers have consistently improved the condition of Irish medium education. We have supported Acht na Gaeilge and have continuously called on both the Irish and British governments to fulfil the commitments made in the St. Andrew’s Agreement.”
The Sinn Féin President explained, “Carál Ní Chuilín brought an Irish language strategy to the Executive in the last term, but it was rejected by the DUP and UUP. In relation to the recent Programme for Government, we were successful in including a commitment to an tAcadamh, taking forward the Gaeltacht Quarter Action Plan and securing an acknowledgement of the importance of Gaeilge to our cultural heritage. We tried to get agreement on the inclusion of an Irish language strategy right up to the close of negotiations and we recognise the frustrations of the Irish language community regarding its absence. I share those frustrations, and it is crucially important that the voice of Pobal na Gaeilge is heard.”
Teachta Adams called on the DUP to “step up to the plate, and acknowledges that Irish identity, culture and the Irish language are as equal and valid as any other cultural background and must be treated as such.”
He concluded, “There is a real need now for a collective recognition that an Gaeilge is an asset to our nation and communities, and organisations are equipped with the means of growing use the language. Unionist leaders must acknowledge that the Irish language is not a threat to anyone.”

Counselling is one of the ways we can connect with people before they reach crisis – Michelle O’Neill MLA
One of the best ways of keeping people from reaching crisis point is to equip them with the skills to cope with life’s more difficult challenges such as relationship break up, bereavement, redundancy, exam pressure, and so forth.
That was the key message from Health Minister Michelle O’Neill as she visited the newly refurbished Lenadoon Community Counselling Service in west Belfast.
The Minister said: “We must bear in mind why services such as those provided by Lenadoon Community Counselling are so vital. The fact is that there are too many tragic deaths by suicide in this area and in the north of Ireland as a whole. Many more people die by suicide here per year than die in road traffic accidents. Each loss leaves behind grieving families and friends. All sudden deaths are difficult to come to terms with, but bereavement through suicide is particularly traumatic.”
The Minister noted, “In the north of Ireland, the suicide rate in the 20 percent most deprived areas is three times higher than in the 20 percent least deprived areas. The association between suicide and deprivation is very clear. That is why it is so important to have the necessary services located in the areas where people are most in need of them.”
The Minister concluded: “We all have times in our lives when we feel like we can’t cope. You might think that things are not going to get better and that no-one else has ever experienced what you are going through. If you are feeling like this, you should know that you are not alone. Talking can help so speak to a friend, family member, your GP or a counsellor and get the help and advice you need.”

Gerry Adams TD sends best wishes to Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness
Speaking after the North’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness withdrew from a planned visit to China to enable doctors to conduct a medical assessment Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD said; “I’m sure everybody who values his work will send best wishes to Martin, Bernie and their family. I met with Martin as normal at Stormont on Monday. I have been in regular contact with him since and he is totally committed to fulfilling his duties.”

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