Sinn Fein
The Week in Review
23-30 October 2015

Talks `intensify’ – Sinn Fein MPs host London public meeting
This week Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said that talks aimed at resolving the current difficulties were `intensifying’, and that, with good will on all sides, agreement was `achievable’.
Speaking to the media at Stormont, Mr McGuinness said there were `big challenges ahead’ adding `with a good will on all sides [agreement] is achievable and that’s what we in Sinn Fein are working for. He also said, in terms of timeframe `we are talking more about days than weeks.’
Meanwhile Sinn Fein MPs were in Westminster to brief MPs and others on current developments, including concerns over the effects of the Conservative government’s plans for further cuts, including the negative effects of the tax credit cuts. They also alerted MPs and peers across the political spectrum of concerns over British government’s attempts to roll back on commitments made to deal with the past (see Gerry Kelly statement below).
Sinn Fein MP for West Tyrone, Pat Doherty, met political representatives across the spectrum on 27-28 October.
Next week Sinn Fein MPs Paul Maskey and Mickey Brady will host a public meeting to discuss the current situation and raise awareness among the wider Irish community, the trade union movement as well as MPs.
The meeting takes place on Tuesday 3 November, 7.30pm, Grimond Room of Portcullis House, House of Commons, SW1A OAA (nearest tube Westminster, public entrance on Victoria Embankment). Further information: Jayne.fisher@parliament.uk. ALL WELCOME

Serious concerns over British Government’s dealing with the past
On 29 October Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly has said relatives and victims’ groups were `seriously concerned at the British government’s attempts to roll back on commitments made on dealing with the past’.
Mr Kelly said that he had met representatives of a number of victims’ groups `many of these people have been campaigning for truth for decades’. He said they were `anxious and upset after meeting a representative of the British government to discuss the progress of legislation on dealing with the legacy of the past’.
He said that the British and Irish governments had agreed at Stormont House on the need to provide justice and truth recovery mechanisms that would give disclosure to families of victims of the conflict. But, he warned that the British government’s legislation on dealing with the legacy of the past was `in clear breach of that Agreement’.
Legislation being proposed by Theresa Villiers was `unacceptable’ as it was `about hiding the British state’s role as a central player in the conflict and its collusion with unionist death squads’.
He concluded that `all measures to deal with the past, including any legislation, must reflect the commitments made at Stormont House by the parties and the two governments.’
Earlier on 21 November, Sinn Fein MP Francie Molloy attended a briefing meeting with a number of groups, including CAJ and Amnesty International, in the British House of Lords, hosted by Lord Dubs and attended by Labour Shadow Spokesperson Vernon Coaker among others. The meeting echoed concerns over the legislation. Mr Molloy said it was `vital’ to get the legislation right, in line with agreements.

Martin McGuinness at Unite economic policy launch:
`Tory austerity must be challenged at every opportunity’
On 28 October Sinn Féin MLA Martin McGuinness addressed the launch of Unite the Union’s economic strategy at Stormont, alongside Sinn Fein MPs Paul Maskey, Francie Molloy and Mickey Brady. He said today that Tory austerity `must be challenged at every opportunity’.
He said `we cannot stand aside and passively accept the swingeing cuts being pursued by a Conservative government wedded to an austerity agenda. The Tories may have been dealt a major blow this week after the House of Lords voted to delay tax credit cuts and to compensate those affected in full. But George Osborne’s assault on the welfare system and the most vulnerable people in society isn’t over. He will be back because this is a matter of ideology for the Tories.
He added `This arrogance must be confronted and challenged at every opportunity. These challenges are best faced by working together and I welcome the proposals put forward by Unite.
He concluded; `It is time for everyone across civic society to join together to challenge Tory austerity in order to protect the least well off in our communities.’
Elsewhere Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy said Mike Nesbitt’s UUP were `still wedded to the cuts agenda of the British Tory Party’ after British Lords closely associated with the Ulster Unionist Party sided with Tory plans to cut tax credits.
He added, `While growing numbers of people across a wide spectrum of society are opposing Tory austerity policies the UUP is standing shoulder to shoulder with David Cameron’s cabinet of millionaires in its efforts to drive thousands of local people, including children, deeper into poverty.’

Maskey welcomes `significant step forward’ for Ballymurphy justice campaign
On 27 October Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey said the discovery of a bullet in the body of Joseph Murphy, one of those killed in the Ballymurphy Massacre of August 1971, was `a significant step forward in the families’ campaign for justice.’
He said the families `have been campaigning for many years and hopefully the British Government now do the honourable thing and grant them their inquiry’. He concluded `this is a very emotional time for the family but they have been very determined in their pursuit of truth and justice.’

A united Ireland would create a better society for everyone
On 30 October Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy, speaking at a major united Ireland conference in Belfast, said a united Ireland `would create a better society for everyone on the island’.
Speaking at a major United Ireland conference in Belfast, Mr Carthy said;
He said British control of the northern economy was `failing the people of the north’ and that there was `a better solution for the north of Ireland than British austerity politics’.
He said Sinn Féin were aware that `serious work is to be done to deliver a United Ireland and we are up for the challenge’, adding `Sinn Féin in government north and south will implement a strategy to promote and achieve the democratic objectives of national self-determination, reconciliation and unity and ensure all the people of Ireland have the right to vote in a referendum on Irish Unity.’
He said Sinn Fein would `drive forward an open and inclusive National Conversation on Irish Unity’ to `involve the people of Ireland north and south, including all of the social partners, which constitute civil society.’
He said the party would publish a Green Paper on Irish Unity to `identify steps and measures for a successful transition to a united Ireland including planning for a new state and a new society that all the people of Ireland can share.’

Society must do more to achieve greater women’s representation
On 30 October Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada urged greater action to increase women’s representation in government.
Speaking after a meeting of the Countess Markievicz Circle of Women for Election in Brussels, Ms Ní Riada said,
`The fact that in 2015, almost 100 years after the election of Ireland’s first female Member of Parliament, there are currently only 27 female TDs and 23 female MLAs is astounding. Women make up 51% of the Irish population and to think that we are not equally represented at cabinet level is inexcusable.
She added `It is important that we change attitudes and remove glass ceilings so we encourage more young women into politics. A diversity of voices in politics would lead to more robust decisions and help create a fairer, more inclusive society.
She said that `decisions and policies drawn up at all levels have a direct impact on women right across the country and they need to be front and centre in all areas, from local government to National government.’
She concluded, `While Sinn Féin has been progressive in promoting women in politics and almost 28% of our representatives of our MLAs, TDs and MEPs are female, we are well aware that more can be done and other parties should be recognising the importance of this.’

Week in Review is circulated by Sinn Fein MPs. Email jayne.fisher@parliament.uk to join the list. For further information visit www.sinnfein.ie or follow us on twitter @sinnfeinireland