Sinn Fein
The Week in Review
12 – 19 August 2016

Sinn Féin mark the 35th Anniversary of the 1981 Hunger Strike
On 14 August, Sinn Féin activists from all over Ireland gathered in their thousands in a celebration of the life and sacrifice of the 1981 H-Block hunger strikers.
A transcript of the day’s speeches featured can be read here.

Martina Anderson MEP meets women’s groups to discuss Brexit
Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson met with a group of women involved in the women’s sector in Derry on 17 August to discuss the impact of Brexit.
Following the meeting, Ms Anderson reiterated Sinn Féin’s belief that leaving the European Union will pose particular risks which would have negative impacts on women. Of particular concern is the potential “roll back” of rights and equality legislation.
Ms Anderson noted that there remain serious concerns, among many sectors, about what will happen if the British government succeeds in its plan to drag the north of Ireland out of the EU.
Ms Anderson concluded: “The reality is that the majority of people in the North voted to remain in the EU and that democratically expressed view must be recognised and respected.”

Mickey Brady MP calls for immediate release of Palestinian hunger striker
Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has called for the immediate release of Palestinian prisoner Belal Kayed, currently being held on Administrative Detention.
Mr Brady, who has visited the Middle East on a number of occasions on what he described as “fact finding missions and to express solidarity with the Palestinian people”, said Mr Kayed’s detention amounted to internment.
Mr Brady noted that there are serious human rights concerns surrounding the treatment of Belal Kayed. Mr Brady commented “He should have been released after the completion of his 14-year sentence. However the Israeli authorities are continuing to hold him despite a continued deterioration in his health and he is being tied to a hospital bed by his hands and legs.”
Mr Brady called for the intervention of the international community and called on the Israeli government to end the administrative detention of Palestinian prisoners.
Mr Brady’s colleagues Fra McCann MLA and Senator Paul Gavan are currently part of of an international parliamentary delegation to Palestine. As part of their visit they have met with Palestinian prisoner and human rights groups in Ramallah. These engagements were hosted by the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights organisation and it’s Director Saha Francis. Sinn Féin representatives also met with Defence For Children and the Palestine Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement.

Brokenshire needs to look no further than Remain vote – John O’Dowd MLA
Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said if British Secretary of State James Brokenshire wants to canvas public opinion in the North on Brexit then he should look at the results of the referendum.
Mr O’Dowd commented: “The people of the North have spoken and they have clearly stated at the ballot box that they want to stay in the European Union. Before embarking on his grand tour Mr Brokenshire needs to acknowledge and respect that vote.”
Mr O’Dowd continued, “We have heard much about the British Government’s wish to consult and listen to the devolved administration. However, if you want proof of what value they actually put on consultation you only have to look at the announcement by the Chancellor at the weekend, there was zero consultation and no attempt to ensure the needs of the people of the North were being met.”

Sinn Féin did not have any knowledge of alleged contact with NAMA witnesses
Sinn Féin MLA Martin McGuinness has said Sinn Féin did not have any knowledge of any alleged contact with witnesses appearing before the Assembly’s NAMA inquiry.
Mr McGuinness said; “I want to state categorically that I had absolutely no knowledge of this exchange or contact. And having spoken to all relevant personnel in the Assembly I am now entirely satisfied that Sinn Féin had no knowledge of any such contact.”
Later, following his resignation, Mr Daithi McKay apologised “whole-heartedly” for his “inappropriate, ill-advised and wrong” contact with Jamie Bryson ahead of the blogger’s appearance before the Stormont Nama inquiry.
Carál Ní Chuilín, Sinn Féin’s chief whip in the Assembly, commented that Mr McKay had “accepted that he made an error of judgement” and had been suspended from the party. She added that the party would: “co-operate fully with any inquiry” and that “any examination of the facts will confirm that Sinn Féin had absolutely no knowledge of, or involvement in, these events.”

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