Sinn Fein
The Week in Review
16-24 April 2014

Sinn Féin Westminster Manifesto Launch
Speaking at the launch of Sinn Féin’s Westminster election manifesto in Ranfurly House, Dungannon, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said; “This manifesto represents Sinn Féin’s commitment to the electorate. It is our vow to continue to resist the disastrous agenda of Tory austerity in Ireland. It is our pledge to defend the most vulnerable, to protect public services and deliver a new and better future for this society. It is now clear that British governments, of whatever hue, will continue to impose austerity on our society.”
He added, “Sinn Féin is the only party in the North at this election firmly opposed to austerity and with a proven track record in negotiations. Following this election Sinn Féin will be seeking an immediate negotiation with the incoming British Government to secure a viable budget to deliver public services; return economic powers to promote growth, jobs and prosperity and protect those most in need. A new budget is required to end austerity and we need the fiscal powers necessary to determine our own economic policy, to stabilise the political institutions and build on the progress of the peace process.”
Watch video of launch here and read the manifesto here.

Inclusive dialogue the only way to resolve contentious parades
Sinn Féin MLA and North Belfast Westminster Candidate Gerry Kelly has said inclusive dialogue is the only way to resolve contentious parades.
Mr Kelly said; “This latest Orange Order stunt in commissioning its own report into parading will not address the outstanding issues around contentious parades. The only way to resolve issues around parading is through genuine and inclusive dialogue with local communities. Until they agree to that no amount of so-called independent reports will change the parading situation. The fact that this move by the Orange Order was very quickly welcomed by Theresa Villiers is a clear indication that this was choreographed as part of the grubby deal between the DUP and Tories over parading.”
He reiterated that, “Narrowly self serving deals based on sectarian parades will not solve difficulties. That will only come about through dialogue with local communities.”

Gildernew condemns attack on election billboard
Sinn Féin Westminster Candidate for Fermanagh & South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew has called the attack on election billboards in Dungannon an attack on the democratic process.
Ms Gildernew said; “An election billboard for my campaign was targeted by arsonists in Milltown Street, Dungannon yesterday and extensively damaged. This is the latest in a series of incidents involving my election posters and billboards. These attacks have followed personal attacks on me by representatives of the negative unionist alliance. It happened just hours after Sinn Féin held a successful election manifesto launch in the centre of Dungannon.
She stated that, “This is clearly an attempt to attack the democratic process. Election posters and billboards from all parties should be treated with respect.” And added that “These attacks will not deter me or any other Sinn Féin activists from delivering first-class representation, protecting communities from austerity.”

Vote Sinn Féin for a brighter future for Carlow & Kilkenny
Sinn Féin candidate for the forthcoming by-election in Carlow & Kilkenny Cllr. Kathleen Funchion has stated that electing a Sinn Féin TD will be the first step in securing a brighter future for the people of the constituency.
Speaking after the government announced May 22nd as the date for the by-election, Cllr. Funchion said: “The people of Carlow & Kilkenny at last know the date of when they can use their vote to bring about a meaningful and fundamental change in how our communities are represented. This election can be a watershed in Irish politics. Our constituency can send the loudest possible message to this government that they have failed and that their ill-spent time in office is coming to a close. The voters of Carlow and Kilkenny will be presented with a clear choice when they enter the polling booths on May 22nd.
She added that, “Voting for Sinn Féin means that you are rejecting the type of political representation that has brought about a housing crisis of frightening proportions, overcrowded hospitals, mass emigration & unemployment and a marginalised rural community. This is what Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the Labour Party have brought about between them.
Cllr. Funchion also said that electing yet another TD from one of the establishment parties will not make a blind bit of difference to the lives of ordinary people. She said: “Electing another TD from the establishment parties will not make a blind bit of difference to lives of ordinary people here. They will go to the Dáil and they will be happy to get lost in the crowd. Either with their active support or through their indifference, they will rubber-stamp the type of decisions that have left families struggling to get by. We need a new era in Irish politics – an era in which the interests of ordinary people, not self-serving politicians, are put at the centre of the political process.
She concluded by saying that “Electing a Sinn Féin TD will be the first step in winning a brighter future for Carlow & Kilkenny.”

Kearney welcomes MEPs to Belfast
On 21st April, Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney welcomed a group of MEPs from the GUE/NGL group in the European Parliament to Ireland for a two-day fact-finding mission. The South Antrim Westminster candidate said;
“This delegation of MEPs from the European United Left/Nordic Green Left parliamentary group in the European Parliament will be in Ireland this week at Sinn Féin’s invitation to conduct an assessment of the political situation since the Stormont House Agreement It follows on from my visit to the European Parliament in January when I met with representatives of various groupings to discuss the political process. It is a very significant initiative to have this delegation here and it includes, Stelios Kouloglou, a representative of Syriza, the new Greek government party. The visit came about after the European Parliament unanimously supported a motion in November urging support for the Irish peace process.”
See video of the visit here.

Tánaiste has no choice but to call for an inquiry into Siteserv deal
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has described the conflicting claims by Alan Dukes and Michael Noonan over the Siteserv scandal as another reason why the government must hold a public inquiry.
Mr Adams said: “The Tánaiste should come into the Dáil this morning and announce a public inquiry. Siteserv is not the only deal which saw a write down of debt by IBRC. It is a matter of public record that as the debt was being written down in Siteserv, more than €64 million was written off in Blue Ocean Associates before it was bought by a consortium also involving Denis O’Brien. There was also an almost fifty per cent write down of €300 million debts in the purchase of Topaz.”
He continued, “Pearse Doherty raised all of these queries with Minister Noonan in 2012, and over the following two years. When he asked how much IBRC had written off in debt forgiveness, he was consistently told that the overall total was commercially sensitive. This is only the tip of the iceberg. The government has no choice. The Tánaiste should announce a public inquiry today.”

Gerry Adams comments on news of a visit by Britain’s Prince Charles
Responding to news on Tuesday that Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are to visit Ireland next month Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said; “The visit by the British Queen to the Garden of Remembrance, her words of reconciliation and the subsequent meetings with Martin McGuinness demonstrated the potential of these events. I am conscious that Prince Charles is the symbolic head of the British Army’s Parachute Regiment and the grievous wrong they have done including to the people of Derry and Ballymurphy where I grew up. However I am also conscious that the British Royal family have also been directly affected by the actions of republicans. I hope this visit will be an occasion to promote reconciliation, respect and understanding.”

Week in Review is circulated by the Sinn Fein London office. Until May 7, you can reach us at irishunityconference@yahoo.com or follow the news on Twitter @sinnfeinireland or at www.sinnfein.ie.