Sinn Fein
The Week in Review
26 June – 2 July 2014

Adams tells Cameron governments must act as champions for change
On 2 July Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams TD, Martin McGuinness MLA, Mary Lou McDonald TD and Michelle Gildernew MP met the British PM David Cameron.
Sinn Féin had earlier met Ed Milliband, the Labour Party leader, and Ivan Lewis the Labour Shadow Secretary of State on the north.
Speaking after the meeting, Gerry Adams said it was the `first meeting with David Cameron since he took office four years ago’. He said it was `a useful and frank discussion, which was held at our request’. He said they had agreed to meet again in the Autumn.
Mr Adams said the meeting `provided the Sinn Féin leadership with an opportunity to express our serious concerns to Mr Cameron at his government’s disconnect from its responsibilities under the terms of the Good Friday and other agreements’.
He said Sinn Fein’s view was that `the political process in the north of Ireland has deteriorated in recent months’, adding `recently Mr Cameron has begun to indicate an awareness that the process is in difficulties. He did so again today’.
Mr Adams said `If he is serious about making progress then the British government has to defend the integrity of the Good Friday Agreement and engage positively with the process. This includes supporting the Haass compromise proposals and implementing outstanding issues arising from the Good Friday and other agreements.’
Sinn Féin was `engaging constructively in the current negotiations and despite the difficulties we are committed to achieving progress’ Mr Adams said, but concluded `this will only happen when the two governments act positively as champions for change and co-equal guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement.’

Sinn Féin Westminster event spells out the next steps for peace process and Sinn Fein’s social and economic alternative
On 1 July Sinn Fein MPs hosted a well-attended annual Summer Reception in Westminster, at which Vice President Mary Lou McDonald sent a clear message that Sinn Fein offers a `viable alternative to austerity’. Ms McDonald, and West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty, also spelt out the need for the British government to fulfil its responsibilities in relation to the peace process.
Sinn Fein MPs Michelle Gildernew and Conor Murphy also co-hosted the event in Portcullis House, which was attended by a wide range of cross-party MPs and members of the House of Lords, and Irish community organisations, the trade unions, international guests and many others.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Sinn Fein Vice President said the party had `made clear that we are for progressive alternatives to the austerity policies of Fine Gael, Labour or Fianna Fáil in Dublin, or Tory imposed cuts in the north. What we need is a real discussion about having a different economic approach’.
She said Sinn Féin was `ambitious for change and believe we can deliver on jobs, housing and health. But we will not enter government merely to give cover to the agenda of conservative parties’.
She said Sinn Fein offered `a viable, political alternative’ and called for `a realignment of politics’, adding `let those on the Irish left who really believe that a government without Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil is possible begin working together towards that end.’
Ms McDonald also urged the British and Irish governments to `live up to their responsibilities to the peace process’. She Sinn Féín had `demonstrated very clearly during the Haass negotiations our seriousness and determination to find a way forward’.
Sinn Fein had `made compromises’ and that `for any process aimed at resolving these issues to succeed unionist political leaders need to show a similar willingness. That has not been evident so far.’
Party leaders in the Assembly have agreed an intensive round of talks starting this week and Sinn Féin was `engaging positively in this process’ Ms McDonald said, adding `key to this is that the British and Irish governments – the co-guarantors of the Agreement – up their game’.
She concluded: `There is a responsibility on all political leaders in Britain and others in civic society, in particular in the Irish diaspora community, in the trade unions and across the political and social spectrum to join us in ensuring the peace process continues to be driven forward positively.’

Francie Molloy MP attends Home Rule centenary at Irish Embassy
Elsewhere on 1 July Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy represented the party at an Irish Embassy event in London commemorating the centenary of the Home Rule Act.
Mr Molloy said that the event was originally scheduled for the Westminster Speakers’ residence, but added `Unfortunately the Conservative party speaker, John Bercow, decided to put himself outside of the consensus that the various centenary events, which occur at this time should be respectful and inclusive’.
He said, `For reasons of political posturing Mr Bercow attempted to exclude Sinn Féin MPs from attendance at this event. Fortunately the Irish Ambassador to Britain took a more mature and inclusive view of the situation and the event will now take place at the Irish Embassy.’
Mr Molloy said that the period 2012-2023, marked the centenaries of a number of significant historical events, `which have helped to shape our identities’, adding `these include the commemorations of the Battle of the Somme, the Home Rule Act, The Dublin Lockout of 1913, the Easter Rising of 1916 and the Suffragettes movement to name a few.’
He said there was `no doubt that this decade will bring a number of challenges for all of us as we face up to the history of Britain’s involvement in Ireland and consider how it impacts on our present’.
He concluded `a wide section of civic society including political parties, community and voluntary organisations, churches, civic leaders and business leaders have appealed for these centenaries to be respectful and inclusive. Sinn Féin will play our part in ensuring this is the case.’

McGuinness calls on parties to work for peaceful marching season
On 29 June Martin McGuinness said he was seeking the support of other party leaders for a joint statement appealing for a peaceful parading season.
The Deputy First Minister said: `I have circulated a draft statement acknowledging the efforts made around contentious parades by community leaders and police.’ He added, `The statement calls for further dialogue and local agreement in areas with unresolved parading issues and affirms that violence is not acceptable or inevitable.’
He said, `Whatever we may think of the wisdom of its determinations, the Parades Commission is the lawful authority dealing with such matters and its decisions must be observed.’

Sinn Fein at Pride events: Government must set date for marriage equality referendum
On 28 June, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, alongside many Sinn Fein elected representatives and activists, attended the Dublin Pride Parade. Mr Adams said that the Government must set the date for the marriage equality referendum.
Deputy Adams also commended the organisers of the Dublin Pride Festival, which he said was ‘another positive step towards a more equal society’.
He said: `This Government has committed to holding the referendum in 2015. I am calling on them to set the date. The right to marry is of huge significance and it would not be denied to the LGBT community in any real republic.’
He said he was `very pleased’ to be attending the Parade, adding `As an Irish republican party, equality for all citizens is at the core of Sinn Fein’s political approach. Nothing less than full equality of rights before the law for the LGBT community should be tolerated in a genuine republic.’
He said that the party had, two days previously, launched the party’s LGBT rights document, Equality, Diversity, Solidarity – Fighting with PRIDE for LGBT rights in Ireland. In the proposals Sinn Féin has outlined its commitment to LGBT equality in Ireland.
Mr Adams said Sinn Féin would `continue to work in solidarity with the LGBT community to support equal rights and create positive change in Irish society’ and concluded `I want to commend those involved in the organization of the Dublin Pride festival and hope everyone enjoys today’s events, which are another positive step towards a more equal society’.
The document can be found here.

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