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Week in Review 19-26 March 2015‏

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Sinn Fein
Week in Review
19-26 March 2015

Sinn Fein election message: `We stand for equality – a clear alternative to austerity’Kearney
Writing on 20 March, Sinn Féin Chairperson and South Antrim Westminster candidate, Declan Kearney said increased austerity offered `nothing more than a political and economic race to the bottom’.
Speaking at the launch of his election campaign Mr Kearney labelled the `cruel age of austerity’ as a `result of the policies of the Tory-led British government in London’.
He said Sinn Fein opposed austerity `throughout the length and breadth of Ireland’ and were `standing up for equality’. He said there was an alternative to austerity, and urged people to `stand together, republicans, nationalists, unionists, loyalists and everyone in society and face outwards’.
This, he argued, was the way to `create a better society for all our people, a society which cherishes all the children of the nation equally’. Sinn Fein stood for `creating a society where there is no place for bigotry, intolerance, sectarianism, homophobia or inequality towards everyone’.
He concluded: `that is the vision Sinn Féin is taking forward into this election.’
* Declan Kearney can now be followed on twitter: @DeclanKearneySF

Sinn Fein launch election campaignsGildernew
Last week saw the launch of a number of election campaigns for Sinn Fein Westminster candidates across the north of Ireland. Michelle Gildernew was among them, launching her campaign to retain the seat for Fermanagh South Tyrone.
Speaking at the launch, alongside Party President Gerry Adams, and MEP Martina Anderson, Ms Gildernew said the election was `about the future of our children and grandchildren’ and `about the future of this island, which in our lifetime, will be united’.
She said she had held this seat since 2001 and had `worked very effectively as a proud abstentionist MP’. She said the election was a chance to send `a clear, unambiguous message that Fermanagh and South Tyrone is staying Sinn Féin’, and retaining an MP `that fights against austerity’.
She said that unionist opponents `would like to turn this election into a sectarian headcount’ but, she said `Sinn Féin don’t do sectarianism, I don’t do sectarianism and I will continue to represent everyone regardless of creed, colour or sexual orientation’.
She said Sinn Féin’s three Senators, four MEPs, five MPs, 14 TDs, 29 MLAs, 264 councillors, over 10 thousand members and half a million votes across this island `make us the largest party in Ireland’, adding `Let us in Fermanagh and Tyrone make that even bigger’.
KellyElsewhere, Sinn Féin North Belfast candidate Gerry Kelly appealed to voters in North Belfast to `vote for equality and change’ in the upcoming Westminster elections.
He said that his constituency of North Belfast `has often been described as a microcosm of the conflict. It suffered more casualties and fatalities than any other constituency’.
He added `Time moves on and we are well into a post conflict situation. Demographics have changed. The Nationalist potential vote has moved marginally past the Unionist vote for the firsttime since partition. That is why the DUP went for a Unionist pact with other unionists in this constituency.’
He said it was `the first time in generations we have the opportunity to have a Nationalist elected as MP’, but added `the SDLP has refused point-blank to discuss an alignment of Nationalists to maximise that progressive political strength. So I am appealing above the heads of the SDLP leadership to the voters to come out and vote for equality, to vote for power sharing, to vote for change.’
He concluded: `Sinn Fein can bring that change about as we have repeatedly demonstrated over the years.’

British government `part of the problem, not a neutral broker’Murphy
On 19 March Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy said it was the austerity policies of David Cameron’s Tory-led government which caused the current difficulties at Stormont.
Speaking after British Secretary of State Theresa Villiers called on the political parties to work together, Mr Murphy said Villiers would be `better employed acknowledging that her government’s cuts to the block grant and their proposed welfare cuts have caused the difficulties we are facing’.
He said the the budget announced that week would `only serve to deepen those difficulties in the years ahead’.
On the talks, Mr Murphy said the British Secretary of State was `not an independent honest broker in these talks’ but was `part of the problem’.
He said Sinn Fein were trying to resolve the current difficulties and `working constructively’, concluding: `we are making progress on the schemes required to protect children with disabilities, adults with severe disabilities, the long-term sick and large families.’

St Patrick’s Day events take place at `vital time for political process’LabIrish
On 18 March Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey was in London to attend the Labour Party’s Irish Society’s St Patricks event in the House of Commons, bringing the parties St Patrick’s Day engagements in London and other cities to a close.
Mr Maskey said it had been `a full week of St Patrick’s celebrations across London, and indeed in cities and towns across England’. ÓSnodaighHe added, `Sinn Féin has over many years travelled to Britain to join events here to mark and acknowledge the vast contribution the Irish diaspora have made to the social, economic and political life of London and across this island.’
Sinn Fein TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD had earlier joined the all-party Irish in Britain group of MPs and Irish in Britain umbrella group for their annual reception at Westminster, where he outlined Sinn Fein’s support for extending the vote to Irish citizens overseas.
The previous weekend MPs Pat Doherty and Francie Molloy joined large St Patrick’s parades in London and Manchester respectively. Mr Maskey said the events `not only celebrate being Irish, but also the diversity and inclusivity of those cities’. LondonPat Doherty, had he said `paid tribute to the role of Irish businesses in London, attending the annual St Patrick’s Ball, hosted by key Irish business organisations, many who literally built the city’.
Mr Maskey said the visit came `at an important time politically when we are working to resolve the current difficulties in the political process in the North’. He said the visit would be an opportunity `to also brief MPs here, before parliament is dissolved for the election, on that progress, and the need for current and future British governments to also fulfill their obligations in this regard’.
He said the upcoming election `will give voters here and the diaspora community in particular, the chance to put some pressure on the parties in Britain to do this.’
ManchesterEarlier on 15 March, Francie Molloy MP was in Manchester for the annual ‘Manchester Irish Festival’ and the traditional ‘An t-Aifreann Lá Fhéile Padraig’ in the Irish World Heritage Centre, after which he was a special dignitary in the Manchester St Patrick’s Parade. The Sinn Féin MP said it was `good to meet with the Irish community in Manchester’ adding `the Parade had a great turnout and I was delighted to meet people from Altmore, Donaghmore, Dungannon and Coalisland.’ He reiterated Sinn Féin’s commitment to the diaspora and the extension of voting rights to them

Sinn Fein repeats diaspora voting rights pledgeVICA
Sinn Fein Diaspora spokesperson Senator Trevor O Clochartaigh was in London this week, where he reiterated the party’s commitment to support voting rights for the diaspora in Britain, and around the world, for the presidential elections, and also for representation in the Dail.
Senator O Clochartaigh said it was the first of many trips to London to engage with Irish community groups and organisations across the spectrum. His meetings included with the Votes for Irish Citizens Campaign, with the Aisling return to Ireland project, the Irish in Britain organisation, the new Irish networking, listings and blogging site Craic-it London and politicians from the British Irish Parliamentary Association and All-Party Irish in Britain Parliamentary group.
The Sinn Fein Senator said it was a `very positive’ visit, and that he would be following up on a range of issues raised, and had invited some of the groups to Ireland, to help raise some of the issues including with the Irish government.
Sinn Fein’s diaspora document can be found here.

‘On the runs’ report politically driven by opponents of Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has said the report by a Westminster select committee into the ‘on the run’ scheme was politically driven and drawn up by opponents of Sinn Féin.
Mr Kelly said that the previous Hallet report into the administration of the ‘on the run’ scheme, published in July of last year, `found that the scheme was both legal and in the public domain’.
He added, `The British government themselves identified that extraordinary measures were required to deal with the issue of on the runs. It was a key component of the Weston Park agreement announced by both the British and Irish governments.’
He concluded: `The report also reflects the fact the clear political bias of this committee against Sinn Féin’.

Vote YES to marriage equalityOClochartaigh
Sinn Féin Senator Kathryn Reilly this week delivered a powerful speech in the Seanad urging people to support the upcoming Marriage Equality Referendum.
Senator Reilly said that a YES vote would allow `our fellow citizens across Ireland to marry the person they love.’
She said the starting point for Sinn Féin `on all issues of human and civil rights and equality is the Proclamation of 1916’, which was `the mission statement for every generation of Irish citizens.’. She said this meant achieving `one of its most noble aspirations, that of cherishing all the children of the nation equally.’
She said that Sinn Fein believed in `a real republic… where all citizens are equal, regardless of the colour of their skin, religious belief, sexual orientation, where they live or what they do. To only offer same-sex couples civil partnership is to only offer them a second-class right. This is absolutely and entirely unacceptable in the Ireland of 2015.’
She concluded: `Sinn Féin has always campaigned on issues that can bring about positive change for all the people living on this island, and for that precise reason we will be actively campaigning for a YES vote in the upcoming referendum. This May the Irish people have an exciting opportunity to say that we value all of our relationships equally, that we value all of our citizens equally.’

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

Economic Fundamentals and a Unified Irish Economy

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By Michael Burke

Originally appeared on Irish Left Review, Monday 16th March 2015

SFAF2015This article is based on a background paper which was delivered to a fringe meeting at the recent Sinn Féin Ard Fheis

In Ireland there are two separate economic entities. Their separation means they run up against the fundamental laws of economics, as first identified by Adam Smith[1].

In the first instance it is the size of the home market which determines the scope of the division of labour. But in Ireland both economies, by their separation, have a truncated home market. This was not always the case. As part of the British Empire the North East portion of the island was highly integrated into what was then the largest ‘home’ market in human history. At the same time most of the rest of the island was primarily a breeding ground for cattle, to help feed the large metropolitan imperial centres.

Post-Partition the situation has dramatically changed. The Empire is gone while the southern economy has both developed a home market of a certain size while integrating itself to one of the world’s largest markets in the EU. This is the key fundamental fact which explains the dramatic changes in average living standards in the two parts of the Ireland since Partition.

This is illustrated in Fig.1 below, which shows per capita GDP using common international Dollars (adjusted for Purchasing Power Parities, first Angus Maddison and then OECD). It amounts to a startling transformation of relative prosperity within Ireland.

To specify the data, Maddison shows that per capita GDP in Ireland in 1921 was $2,533 and that in Britain it was $4,439 (and from a variety of sources that average incomes in the north-east counties of Ireland was at least on a par with Britain). From OECD data per capita GDP in RoI was $37,581 in 2013 and in the UK it was 34,755 (and the ONS data shows NI per capita output was 82% of the UK level).

photo fig1_mb_zpszwkyc0hd.jpg
Fig.1 Relative Per Capita GDP 1921 and 2013

As the size of the home sets the boundary for the scope of the national division of labour, it follows that increasing the size of the national market would increase the scope for all enterprises to benefit from the increased size of the home market. This is true of enterprises whether they operate in the public or private sectors, or both; an airline or a bank as much An Post as or the NHS.

The arithmetic of a unified Irish home market is straightforward. In 2013, in common currency terms (OECD PPPs) the RoI economy produced $210bn and the NI economy produced $50bn. Therefore a unified Irish economy would increase the scope of the home market for all enterprises currently operating in RoI by nearly 25% while the home market for NI enterprises would increase by fourfold.

International Division of Labour

The home market is decisive only in the first instance, as domestic enterprises are established and develop. The division of labour also occurs on an international or even global scale through the medium of overseas trade[2]. This is increasingly the case and is the underlying power of ‘globalisation’ which draws billions of producers into world markets, and into greater prosperity.[3]

After removing itself from the dominant relationship with Britain, the RoI economy has become more integrated into the world economy. The same is not true of the NI economy. NI ‘external sales’ amounted to just £14.3bn[4] in the most recent annual data[5]. In RoI the value of exports in 2013 was €89bn[6]. The composition and quality of international trade is equally important. A key problem is that its trade is increasingly dominated by Britain, which accounts for more than half the total. By contrast Britain is the destination for about one-eighth of RoI’s exports.

This is important because trade is not simply the exchange of commodities, especially in advanced economies. International trade reinforces the international division of labour and the level of productivity through the exchange of the most advanced capital goods. RoI’s trade (both exports and imports) is mainly with countries that have a higher level of productivity than Britain[7], Fig.2. Britain has one of the lowest levels of productivity in both the G7 and among the major EU economies. Any economy whose trade is mainly confined to that of Britain is unavoidably cut off from the most advanced global output. Because of the trends in British relative productivity this problem is increasing in scope.

photo fig2_mb_zpsti89fn8n.jpg
Fig.2 Productivity (output per hour worked) in selected EU economies. Source: ONS

Investment

One of key effects of the division of labour is the rise in the proportion of capital goods and fixed capital in the economy[8]. Production of certain goods used in the production of ther goods is the physical embodiment of the division of labour. Machinery, transport goods, computers etc. represent the embodiment of someone else’s skilled labour. The more advanced the machinery used, the higher the output per hour and therefore the greater prosperity in the economy as a whole.

Therefore the level of investment plays a decisive role in realising the potential created by the division of labour, along with the educational quality of the workforce. The long-term relative decline of the NI economy is in part a function of the low level of investment. In RoI the misdirection of investment towards housing (which is unproductive capital) helped to cause the crisis and the failure of investment to recover is prolonging it (and productivity is falling in the recent period, shown in Fig.2).

The potential benefits of a unified Irish economy can only be realised with increased investment. The independence and reunification of the very diverse economies of India and China required investment to realise their potential. But German reunification provides a cautionary tale, as post-reunification growth is slower because investment was cut.[9] The important question remains of how will the potential of a unified Irish economy be realised. In different degrees, the private sector in both parts of the Irish economy is not providing the investment necessary to lead to sustainable economic development.

This requires a political answer to an economic question. Unifying the Irish economy will require a political leadership at governmental level, but also one willing to prioritise investment. Only in this way can the very substantial potential of a unified Irish economy and increased prosperity be realised.

Notes

[1] In The Wealth of Nations Smith’s genius was to identify the division of labour as the primary driving force of all increases in prosperity. From this it follows that size of the market, the central role of labour in the creation of value, the inherent trend of increasing in the stock of capital goods and the key role of international trade are all derived, and more besides. Rather than the ‘hidden hand of the market’ which is phrase invoked by neoliberal economists who appear not to have read Smith, his focus was on the powerful effects of increasing division of labour. This is what Marx more scientifically designates as the increasingly socialisation of production; the increasing complexity of the production procession requiring both greater collaboration of individuals, firms and countries in economic development and expressed through the accumulation of productive capital.

[2] Difficulties of road transport meant that even in Smith’s time bulk goods were more likely to be transported by sea, which made international trade the near-equivalent of domestic trade- it was as easy to ship goods from Newcastle to the Low Countries as it was to London.

[3] Global growth rises and falls with the growth of international trade. The many critics of globalisation are expressing discontent with the distribution of the effects of globalisation, particularly regarding inequality within economies. Yet the greater the integration of any economy into the world economy, the faster it will grow; because it is increasing its participating in the international division of labour and access to the most efficient global production.

[4] http://www.detini.gov.uk/stats-manufacturing-sales-exports

[5] DETINI has produced new data showing external sales somewhat higher, this series only has experimental status http://www.detini.gov.uk/measuring-ni-exports.pdf?rev=0

[6] http://www.cso.ie/multiquicktables/quickTables.aspx?id=tsa01

[7] US, Germany and France each have a productivity level (output per hour worked) 28% higher than Britain.

[8] Smith calls this ‘stock’

[9] Both parts of the reunified Germany now grow more slowly than when they were separate. This is because the German government engaged in a process of disinvestment, scrapping productive capacity primarily in the East and not replacing it http://martinamep.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Mick-Burke-Reuniting-Ireland-contribution.pdf

Sinn Féin Árd Fheis – Sinn Féin will deliver a future for Young People

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By Joe Dwyer

Originally appeared on Student Broad Left, Friday 13 March 2015

SFAF2015On Friday and Saturday (06-07 March) Sinn Féin hosted their annual Árd Fheis [Conference] in the City of Derry. This location holds particular significance for Irish Republicans as Derry saw a central role in the northern conflict. In the 1960s the City cradled the non-violent Civil Rights Association, an alliance of moderate Irish Nationalists, Republicans and radical students, who mobilised against the conservative and sectarian Stormont regime. In January 1972, Derry was the site of ‘Bloody Sunday’ – an infamous day which saw the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment of the British Army enter the Irish Nationalist Bogside and proceed to shoot 26 unarmed civilians. Tragically 14 died – 7 of whom were below the age of 21. Many called the Civil Rights Association the 15th casualty of Bloody Sunday as the north swiftly descended into a long protracted conflict. Unsurprisingly, this difficult past was prominently recognised at the Árd Fheis – but so too was the vibrancy and positivity of Derry today. The Army watchtowers are now gone and today the City is seen as exemplary for its management of cross-community relations – a fact manifested by a Loyalist Bands Forum addressing one of the Fringe Meetings. The City tangibly exhibits the progress that has been made under the Peace Process and was accordingly a fitting place to hold Sinn Féin’s national Árd Fheis.

Irish Youth and Student politics was well represented by the large number of young delegates. The weekend’s debates and discussions saw many excellent contributions from the Party’s youth on a wide range of topics. Numerous motions were passed expressing the Party’s continued desire to represent and deliver for the needs of young people. Motion 74 commended the Party’s Youth Guarantee Document ‘Youth Matter’s: Not for Export’ and called for a continued commitment to seriously address the current youth unemployment crisis and the social exclusion that results from it. While Motion 135 criticised the recent threat made by Stephen Farry, Minister for Employment & Learning, to cut University places in the 6 Counties. The Árd Fheis also condemned the consistent cuts to the Third-Level Education Sector in the 26 Counties and re-affirmed Sinn Féin’s commitment to publicly-funded Third-Level Education north and south.

KathrynReillySenator Kathryn Reilly, Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Youth Affairs, gave a rousing speech in which she slammed that the current Fine Gael-Labour coalition Government in the south for showing an: “entrenched disdain for disadvantaged, marginalised young people.” She said young people in Ireland deserved: “far more than just zero hour contracts and precarious employment. […] What they deserve is paid work, decent work, a living wage and most importantly: they deserve respect.” And concluded that: “We need a future for young people and we in Sinn Féin can – and will – deliver that future for them.” This was met with loud cheers and applause from the floor – demonstrating that Sinn Féin is a party which proudly embraces intergenerational solidarity.

The weekend saw many international guest speakers appeal for co-operation between progressive-left movements. The Greek Foreign Minister Euclid Tsakalotos spoke of SYRIZA’s solidarity with Sinn Féin and its opposition to austerity. While the former South African Minister and member of the National Executive of the ANC, Sue Van Der Merwe praised the high quality of debate from the younger delegates, commenting during her address: “I’d like to say at this point how impressed I have been particularly with the younger people who have taken this platform – they have articulated their arguments with passion and maturity – and it would seem to me that Sinn Fein’s future is in very good hands.”McGuinness

The spirit of the weekend was perhaps best summarised by Martin McGuinness MLA, who said that: “The youth, the energy and the determination in this Árd Fheis is palpable.”

Anyone looking for more information on the Sinn Féin Árd Fheis can go here where they can find videos of the weekend’s proceedings and read through the motions and procedures.

Gerry Adams TD seeks Presidential voting right for emigrants and citizens in North

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AdamsSinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams TD has called for an extension of voting rights in Presidential elections to Irish citizens abroad and in the North and for the voting age to be lowered to 16 years. Mr Adams accused the Government of ignoring the decision of the Constitutional Convention to do this.
Speaking in the Dáil this evening to a Sinn Féin Private Members Bill to put the issue to a referendum, Gerry Adams said:
“President Michael D Higgins and before him, Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese, spoke and acted as Presidents of all of this island. This is how they are regarded in the North too.
Former President McAleese, if she had still been living in her native Belfast at the time of her election, could not have voted for herself. That is illogical.
Sinn Féin isn’t just seeking voting rights for republicans or nationalists in the North. Unionists also deserve the opportunity, if they wish to exercise it, to elect the President.”
The Sinn Féin Leader said that emigration has been embraced as a policy choice by successive Irish Governments who have long viewed it as a safety valve against political radicalisation and a bulwark against demands for social change.
“In 1987, Brian Lenihan Senior commented on the high rates of emigration of the 1980s dismissively saying that ‘we cannot all live on a small island’. This was also the attitude of successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael-led Governments to emigration, particularly after the economic collapse in 2008.
The argument put forward by successive governments for a failure to deliver on voting rights – that citizens abroad no longer have sufficient connections with their home country – is disgraceful and patently untrue.
Most Irish emigrants retain close connections with this country and this of course will be attested to when various Ministers fly out from here to various parts of the world this weekend for St Patrick’s Day.”
He said a new generation of emigrants, including organisations such as ‘We’re Coming Back’ are actively campaigning for voting rights for the Irish abroad.
More than 120 countries have legislated for their citizens living outside of the state to cast their vote. There has been an accelerating international trend towards allowing overseas citizens to vote.
He said the Government Ministers would next week be highlighting its recently launched Diaspora policy this in various parts of the world but that the Government’s refusal to hold a referendum on this issue is a slap in the face to all of those Irish citizens who want to contribute to the Irish nation.
Deputy Adams said:
“Sinn Féin favours a reserved Dáil constituency for citizens in the North and the Diaspora. This would allow the government to deal with voting rights with limited disruption to the current electoral system.
The Government should now drop all its lame excuses and deliver voting rights in Presidential elections for Irish emigrants, citizens in the North and those citizens aged 16 and upwards.”

Conor Murphy MP sets out Sinn Féin dossier on welfare

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MurphySinn Féin MP Conor Murphy has said documents released today by Sinn Féin clearly show the DUP acted in bad faith over the Welfare Reform Bill.
Launching a dossier of exchanges between Sinn Féin and the DUP over the bill at Stormont today, Mr Murphy said;
“This dossier sets out the documentation which informed the welfare agreement on December 19. At all times Sinn Féin was absolutely clear, privately and publicly, that the agreement was to provide full protection for current and future claimants of benefits under the control of the Executive. These documents illustrate that this is the case.
This was confirmed by DUP minister Mervyn Storey in the Assembly when he said no one would be adversely affected by the changes.
The protection of existing and future claimants was the basis on which Sinn Féin endorsed the Welfare Bill.
However, three weeks ago the DUP then attempted to roll back from the commitments made in the Stormont House Agreement by attempting to limit protections to existing claimants only.Welfare
This is a clear example of DUP bad faith as these documents plainly demonstrate.
We stressed that any movement away from full protection for current and new claimants would not be agreed by Sinn Féin.
The dossier also shows that key documents were withheld from Sinn Féin during the negotiations.
Despite a series of meetings between Sinn Féin and the DUP to resolve the issue, they continued to act in bad faith.
We were committed to finding a solution but despite repeated attempts to arrange a meeting between Sinn Féin and the DUP from March 6, the DUP did not make themselves available and in fact failed to turn up.
In face of these blatant displays of bad faith and in order to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable Sinn Féin submitted a Petition of Concern and the Bill had been withdrawn.”

British and Irish governments must live up to responsibilities – Michelle Gildernew MP

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GildernewSinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew has said the British and Irish governments must live up to their responsibilities to support the peace and political processes.
Speaking from London after attending St Patrick’s Day events in the Irish Embassy and House of Lords, the Fermanagh/South Tyrone MP said;
“I’m delighted to travel to London to join these events, marking what is now a fortnight of events to mark St Patrick’s Day.
These events have been an increasingly important opportunity to come together with politicians and representatives from the wider Irish diaspora. They mark the political progress made and celebrate the role of the Irish community in Britain and their contribution to that process and society more widely.
We are currently facing a growing crisis. The failure of the DUP to stick to the Agreement made on welfare as part of the Stormont House Agreement has thrown this progress into serious jeopardy.
As Martin McGuinness made clear, Sinn Féin will not be supporting legislation which fails to protect the most vulnerable in society.
People in my constituency do not want to see any further Tory-imposed cuts and austerity foisted upon them. Sinn Féin will not be complicit in this, today nor in the future.
The current British government has repeatedly failed in its responsibilities to drive forward the peace process. Alongside the Irish government, it must fulfil its responsibilities and put the maximum pressure on the DUP to ensure what was agreed at Stormont House is honoured.
As the Westminster election approaches, many thousands of Irish voters in England, Scotland and Wales, who have shown great support for the peace process, will be looking to the parties seeking their votes.
Now more than ever, it is up to those parties to demonstrate they will ensure the necessary step-change is made to implement agreements and in ending the wholly negative impact of austerity politics.”

Week in Review 04-11 March 2015‏

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Week in Review
4-11 March 2015

Murphy sets out Sinn Féin position on welfare – dossier shows `DUP acted in bad faith’Welfare
On 11 March, Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy said documents released that day by Sinn Féin clearly show the DUP `acted in bad faith’ over the Welfare Reform Bill.
Launching the dossier containing exchanges between Sinn Féin and the DUP over the bill, Mr Murphy said it `sets out the documentation which informed the welfare agreement on December 19’. He said `at all times Sinn Féin was absolutely clear, privately and publicly, that the agreement was to provide full protection for current and future claimants of benefits under the control of the Executive’, adding `these documents illustrate that this is the case’.
The Sinn Fein MP went on `this was confirmed by DUP minister Mervyn Storey in the Assembly when he said no one would be adversely affected by the changes. The protection of existing and future claimants was the basis on which Sinn Féin endorsed the Welfare Bill.
`However, three weeks ago the DUP then attempted to roll back from the commitments made in the Stormont House Agreement by attempting to limit protections to existing claimants only. This is a clear example of DUP bad faith as these documents plainly demonstrate.
`We stressed that any movement away from full protection for current and new claimants would not be agreed by Sinn Féin. The dossier also shows that key documents were withheld from Sinn Féin during the negotiations. Despite a series of meetings between Sinn Féin and the DUP to resolve the issue, they continued to act in bad faith.
He said: `We were committed to finding a solution but despite repeated attempts to arrange a meeting between Sinn Féin and the DUP from March 6, the DUP did not make themselves available and in fact failed to turn up.
He concluded: `In face of these blatant displays of bad faith and in order to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable Sinn Féin submitted a Petition of Concern and the Bill had been withdrawn.’ The full dossier can be read here: The facts: Sinn Fein position on welfare.

Sinn Féin oppose passage of welfare bill after DUP renege on Stormont House Agreement commitmentsMcGuinness
On 9 March Sinn Féin MLA Martin McGuinness said the DUP were `acting in bad faith’ on welfare protections, and that the party would consequently oppose the passage of the welfare bill in the assembly, due to be voted upon that day.
The Deputy First Minister said that the DUP had `reneged’ on its commitments in the Stormont House Agreement to protect the most vulnerable people in society.
Martin McGuinness said `Since the turn of the year Sinn Féin has engaged proactively and positively with the Party Leaders’ group to ensure the full implementation of the Stormont House agreement’.
Sinn Fein had `honoured our commitments and have worked constructively to put in place the welfare protections agreed last December’, he said and that `this package protects children with disabilities, adults with severe disabilities, the long-term sick and children in large families. We have been clear that the enactment of these protections is a red line issue for Sinn Féin.’
Sinn Fein had `faithfully supported the implementation of the agreement on the floor of the Assembly’. He added `At Stormont House the five parties agreed a series of measures to protect the vulnerable and safeguard current and future welfare claimants under the control of the executive’.
However, Mr McGuinness said `the DUP have acted in bad faith and are now reneging on their commitments to protect the most vulnerable. It is their intention to provide only partial protection to current recipients of benefit and no protection whatsoever for future claimants’.
`That is totally unacceptable. If the DUP want to strip benefits from children with disabilities, from adults with severe disabilities, the long-term sick; or push children further into poverty, then they need to explain and justify that. Sinn Féin certainly will not accept that approach.
`Until such times as the minister can produce a scheme for agreement which gives effect to the intent of the Stormont House Agreement by providing full protection for current and future claimants, Sinn Féin will not be in a position to support the Welfare Bill going through the Assembly.
He said that Sinn Fein would be pursuing a Petition of Concern: `The DUP have attempted to effect Tory welfare cuts by subterfuge but at the heart of this crisis is the ideologically driven attack on the welfare state by the Tory-led government in London.’
He concluded: `As we have repeatedly stated publicly Sinn Féin will not be part of any agenda that punishes the most vulnerable in our society.’
Later on 10 March, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams TD was speaking in the Dáil and raised the issue with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the difficulties in the political process caused by the DUP reneging on commitments in the Stormont House Agreement.
Deputy Adams said the resolution to the present difficulties `will only be found by everyone adhering fully to the terms of the Stormont House Agreement and asked the Taoiseach, `do you agree with me that a resolution to the present difficulties will only be found by everyone adhering fully to the terms of the Stormont House Agreement?’

Sinn Fein announce Bill on extension of voting rights including for diasporaÓClochartaigh
On 9 March Sinn Féin Diaspora spokesperson Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh announced the launch of Sinn Féin’s Private Bill calling for a referendum to extend voting rights to citizens in both the north and the Diaspora, as well as enable 16 year olds to vote in presidential elections. The Bill was brought to the Dail last Tuesday evening.
Senator Ó Clochartaigh said he was `delighted that this Bill is being brought in front of the Dáil’, arguing `for too long the government have been vacillating on the issue of voting rights for the Diaspora, those living in the north, as well as those aged 16 and upwards in presidential elections. These measures were advocated in the much trumpeted Constitutional Convention, and it’s now time for the government to practice what they have been preaching.’
He noted that Government ministers would be travelling next week to all corners of the globe `to extend their hand to the Irish community overseas’, adding `the passing of this Bill would enable them to truly engage with the Diaspora in a way which is meaningful and incisive.’
He said `The Irish Diaspora have long deserved representation in the Dáil and Seanad. Sinn Féin is working hard to ensure that the fundamental rights of Irish citizens are recognised, regardless of where they live. We have also persistently campaigned for Irish citizens aged 16 and 17 to have voting rights in presidential elections.’
He concluded: `It is now time for the government to act above and beyond the bandying about of niceties. Representation of the Diaspora in our Houses is long overdue and I sincerely hope that Sinn Féin’s Bill will be passed this week. Our global network of citizens deserve better.’

Sinn Fein reps in London and Manchester for St Patricks engagements
Later, Trevor O Clochartaigh will be in London on 26 March to meet diaspora groups to discuss some of the issues arising from the Bill and wider issues of concern and interest.
Sinn Fein representatives are also active in participating in a number of St Patricks events in London and elsewhere, including Michelle Gildernew who attended the CHAMP St Patrick’s reception in London on 10 March, and the Embassy of Ireland National Day event that evening. This weekend MP Pat Doherty will be in London for the Annual St Patrick’s parade and festival on Sunday, and will join Ministers and the Ambassador and the Chairperson of St Patrick’s Ball committee, at their dinner on Saturday evening. Francie Molloy will travel to Manchester to join their parade on Sunday; and on 17 and 18 March TD Aengus O Snodaigh and MP Paul Maskey will join the All Party Irish in Britain group reception and the Labour Irish Society event, respectively. More details: fisherj@parliament.uk

Over 2,000 at `vibrant’ Sinn Fein Ard Fheis takes place in DerryAdams
The Sinn Fein Ard Fheis took place last weekend on 6-7 March in Derry, with more than 2000 people in attendance. With a huge range of debates, keynote speeches and international guests, the conference under the heading `make the change’ addressed the central issues. Debates included:

    * Delivering a fair recovery – anti-austerity, dealing with debate and fair taxation
    * Shaping our future through reconciliation
    * A republic for all – towards a united Ireland and Building the peace
    * A fair recovery – getting Ireland back to work, workers’ rights; investing in public services; rural Ireland; housing and education
    * International solidarity
    * Political reform and equality
    * An Ghaeilge; – Justice and policing

International guest speakers included the Euclid Tsakalotos of Syriza, the Greek Minister for International and Economic Relations, the Palestinian Ambassador to London and representatives from the Basque country and the ANC. The Rev Steve Stockman and Fr Martin Magill spoke on the crucial issue of reconcilliation. During the live session, a guest speaker urged support for Marriage Equality in the upcoming referendum. And ICTU President John Douglas spoke during the Fair Recovery discussion.
In his Presidential speech, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said the party were `ready to lead’, and we reproduce an edited version of his speech below. For full coverage and speeches at the Ard Fheis, visit the Sinn Fein website.

GERRY ADAMS PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH 2015

    Mar a déarfadh Bobby, “It’s good to be back home in Derry”. Taoiseach, if you’re watching – Dia duit – greetings from the north. Taoiseach, mar eolas duit, this is not a foreign country.
    This is Ireland. Derry is a special place. The attack on the Civil Rights march at Duke Street 1968, the Battle of the Bogside, and Bloody Sunday are key events in the history of modern Ireland. Comhghairdeas daoibhse agus buíochas do mhuintir Doire Cholmcille; and in particular to the representatives of Bloody Sunday families who are with us this evening.
    I extend best wishes also to the representatives from the Londonderry Bands Forum. You are also very welcome at this Ard Fheis. The accommodation on loyal order parades here stands out as an example of what can be achieved when citizens have the will to solve problems. Let’s see the same approach to contentious parades in Belfast and elsewhere.
    Best wishes also to another son of Derry, John Hume who was central to the peace process.
    To Mitchel McLaughlin who recently became Ceann Comhairle of the Assembly. And to Martin McGuinness for his continued courageous and visionary leadership. These qualities were demonstrated again during the negotiations that led to the Stormont House Agreement.
    Despite the negative approach of the British and Irish governments, and a reluctance by some of the local parties, progress was made. And agreement was achieved. I want to commend the hard work and dedication of Sinn Féin’s Executive Ministers and our MLAs and Assembly team.
    Tá an-áthas orm go bhfuil moltaí faoi choinne Acht na Gaeilge foilsithe ag Caral Ní Chuilin, go bhfuil Michelle O’Neill ar chamchuairt faoin tuath ag buaileadh le muintir na feirme, go bhfuil John O’Dowd fós ag athchóiriú scoileanna, agus go bhfuil Jennifer McCann ag cosaint cearta daonna agus cearta leanaí.
    During the Stormont House talks this party put in place additional protections for children and adults with severe disabilities, and the long term sick. We succeeded in protecting those on benefits. We negotiated that there will be no reductions to any benefits under the control of the Executive. That is fundamental to this Agreement and Sinn Féin will hold to that and hold other parties to that commitment.
    Progress was also made on the issues of Parades, Flags and Emblems and the Past. Dealing with the past is very difficult.
    Every day marks an anniversary for someone, for some family, for some community. I hope the Stormont House Agreement will bring closure to victims. That is the intention. I want to extend solidarity to all of the victims groups campaigning for truth and justice. I welcome to this Ard Fheis the representatives of the Ballymurphy Massacre families. Failte fosta roimh Liam Shannon, one of the Hooded Men.
    There are those who attack the Stormont House Agreement. They attack Sinn Féin. Let us be clear that Agreement did not resolve the issue of British Tory cuts to the block grant. Over one and a half billion pounds has been stripped away by London. Those who opportunistically attack us should focus on that. Why should a British government of millionaires have the authority to impose economic punishment on citizens here.
    Sinn Féin will continue to oppose austerity – north and south. Those who argue that power should be handed back to London need to get real. That would be the road to disaster.
    Instead there needs to be an island wide campaign to promote progressive policies and Sinn Féin will build a positive alliance with everyone who has this position, including other parties, the community and voluntary sector and the trade union.
    Austerity is not the solution. It is part of the problem. Sinn Féin is not the problem. We are part of the solution.
    Supporting austerity in the north is a logical extension of Fine Gael and Labour’s policies. Their budgets have been among the most regressive in the State’s history. There has been a huge growth in social inequality. A third of our children now live in consistent poverty. Public money which should be used to end the scandal of patients lying on trolleys; to house our citizens; and to create jobs is being used to repay private bank debt. That’s Labour’s Way. That’s Fine Gael’s way. That’s Frankfurt’s way. That’s not the Sinn Féin way.
    During the boom Sinn Féin called for the wealth to be invested in public services. We called for the wealth to be socialised. We were accused by the establishment parties of ‘fairy tale’ economics. They have delivered nightmare economics. They refused to socialise the wealth. But they have no problem socialising the debt.
    Fianna Fáil wrecked the economy, drove hundreds of thousands out of work, and forced many of our young people to emigrate. Fine Gael and Labour made things worse by delivering Fianna Fáil policies. They made working people, senior citizens, patients and children pay the price for private banking greed. To add insult to injury, hard-pressed citizens were told that the crash happened because “we all partied”. The Taoiseach said people went mad. Raiméis atá ann.
    191 individuals held €62 billion of the banking debt. 50% of the Irish loan book of Anglo Irish bank was held by just 20 greedy people. Bankers and their political cronies are the golden circle. It is corrupt bankers and corrupt politicians who should be in jail, and not water charge protestors. When I suggested to the Taoiseach on numerous occasions that he should stand up for Irish people at EU summits he said, “We will not have the word defaulter stamped on our forehead”.
    He refused to negotiate on bank debt. Neither the Taoiseach nor the Minister for Finance have ever asked for retrospective recapitalisation of the pillar banks.
    If and when Sinn Féin have the mandate we will work with others across the EU to find a sustainable long-term solution to the Eurozone debt crisis. It took the government of Greece to break the conservative pretense that austerity is the only way.
    Failte romhat Euclid Tsakalotos of Syriza, the Greek Minister for International and Economic Relations. Venceremos.
    Sinn Féin is the effective voice of opposition in Leinster House. We offer constructive and sustainable solutions and have held the Government to account. The Government claims that a recovery is underway. If there is, it’s an unequal and unfair two tier recovery.
    Sinn Féin wants to deliver a fair recovery. The cost of the recession has been borne by those who played no part in the economic disaster and who are least able to pay. The economy should serve the people – not the other way around. Sinn Féin is pro enterprise. We believe in a strong, competitive economy which creates real jobs with decent pay and conditions.
    A strong economy is required to pay for public services and a living wage for workers. To combat poverty, and to support those with disabilities. For that reason Sinn Féin advocates a model of fair and progressive taxation and stable public finances where everyone pays their fair share.
    And where wealth is used to fund social equality. That means that in government Sinn Féin will abolish water charges. We will scrap the Property Tax. Sinn Féin will introduce a Wealth Tax. We will bring in a third rate of income tax for those individuals earning over one hundred thousand euro; that’s seven cents on every euro over One Hundred Thousand Euro. And Sinn Féin will take a further Two Hundred Thousand people out of the Universal Social Charge.
    A fair recovery must be built on real investment in real jobs. Foreign direct investment is an important part of the economic mix for the island of Ireland. So are the arts – so is the social economy. But the biggest employers on this island are Small and Medium enterprises.
    They are the greatest source of future job growth. Tá Sinn Féin tiomanta do na daoine seo a chuidiú.
    We are also for the exploitation of our natural resources for the common good and not merely the profits of multi-nationals. The economic crisis and austerity policies of Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil have forced half a million of our people to leave. It’s time to bring our emigrants home. But emigrants should not be denied a voice in our democracy.
    Next week Sinn Féin will introduce legislation to extend the right to vote in Presidential elections to Irish citizens in the north and overseas as recommended by the Constitutional Convention. Impím go láidir ar gach ball den Oireachtas tacaíocht a thabhairt don Bhille seo.
    The Fine Gael/Labour Government has been a disaster for rural Ireland. Rural Ireland needs a new deal. A new deal that will create and retain jobs in rural communities, protect rural schools and services, ensure access to health services and maximise support for hard pressed Gaeltacht and island communities.
    That’s the thing about rights. You have rights no matter where you live. These have to include the right to a health service, to an education system, to quality childcare, to a home, to a job, to a clean environment and to civil and religious liberties.
    Sinn Féin will invest in local authority housing and introduce rent controls to help stem the rising tide of homelessness. Families in mortgage distress need to be able to remain in the family home. Last year Sinn Féin introduced legislation to curb repossessions and to give other protections to families in mortgage distress. The Government rejected our proposals.
    Instead they gave the banks a veto. Sinn Féin will end that veto.
    All citizens whether they live in the Bogside or Baile Mhuirne, or on the Shankill or Southhill are entitled to equality before the law, regardless of background, sexual orientation or gender. That is why Sinn Féin supports marriage equality for LGBT citizens. Most people know a family member, work colleague or a neighbour who is gay, and we love them for who they are. Tá na saoránaigh seo i gceart Chothrom na Féinne. On May 22nd I am calling for a resounding YES vote.
    The centenary of events from 1912 to 1922 – from the signing of the Ulster Covenant to the Civil War – provides a unique opportunity for all our people, north and south, nationalist and unionist, to critically examine our past. The fact is that the revolutionary period was followed by a counter revolution. That’s why Ireland is partitioned. Two conservative states with narrow minded, mean spirited elites were created. Our people suffered, emigrated and died as a result. Our potential is stunted – our communities divided. It’s little wonder that the response of the Irish Government to these centenaries has lacked ambition and substance. It is little wonder they don’t want to celebrate the Proclamation. For their part they are embarrassed by its relevance for Ireland today.
    For our part the 1916 Proclamation remains the mission statement of modern Irish republicanism. The Government’s failure to protect the National Monument in Moore Street has also been shameful. “Mór mo náire. Mo chlann féin a dhíol a mháthair”.
    In the year ahead, Sinn Féin will celebrate at home and abroad the courage and vision of those who participated in the Easter Rising. Sinn Féin’s goal, like theirs is to build a real Republic. But Sinn Féin cannot transform politics or the social and economic conditions on our own. There are strong elements in both parts of the island who are against positive change. These include unionists who see no alternative to the union; but there are others who are not so sure. They too have been politicised by recent developments.
    In particular the peace process. They are also learning that austerity is the price of the union. Republicans have to listen and pay heed to constructive criticism of our alternative.
    The Unionist parties say they are against Irish unity but will support measures that are to the mutual advantage of both sections of our people.
    That’s welcome and sensible. We have to build and hold them to that. Politics in both parts of this island is in flux. Many people now realise that that it makes no sense to have two economies, two education systems, two health systems, two tax codes, two currencies on one small island. The sense of one island, one Ireland can work for everyone. I believe we need a national conversation on all of this. A conversation about the future.
    I believe all genuine progressive social and political forces across this island, including unionists and working class loyalists, should develop a common platform for political progress. A new Citizens’ Charter, encapsulating fundamental principles could take us towards a citizen-centred, rights-based society. It could be a new departure in Irish politics.
    The people of this island, whether urban or rural, from whatever background or tradition, share a common history and our futures are bound together. We need reminded again and again that our flag is Orange. Orange as well as green. Orange is part of what we are.
    That is our potential. And our challenge. To unite Orange and Green in equality and mutual respect.
    The immediate period ahead will see elections to the Dáil, Westminster, the Assembly and a by-election in Carlow/ Kilkenny. So let’s be ambitious not just for ourselves but for our people. On May 7th the people of the north will go to the polls. Good luck to all our candidates here.
    The imposition of an unfair water charge has been the final straw for many families in the south. The huge demonstrations are proof of that. The water charge protestors should be released.
    Sinn Féin has seen unprecedented growth in the last European and local government elections thanks to the work of our activists and especially our voters.
    Sinn Féin wants a mandate for government. I believe we can win that mandate. Sinn Féin will not prop up either a Fine Gael or a Fianna Fáil government. Sinn Féin wants to lead the next Government. I am confident that when it comes to making a choice, the people will make the change. The future hasn’t been written yet. Let’s write it together. Let’s make it happen! Make the change. Ar aghaidh linn le chéile.

Sinn Fein join Colombia Peace Talks initiative in WestminsterMurphy
On 10 March, Sinn Fein MP Conor Murphy addressed a packed House of Commons meeting with a high profile, cross-party platform and FARC negotiators at an event in Parliament to debate the country’s historic peace talks. The meeting was the first time the FARC addressed MPs on the subject.
The meeting was organised by Parliamentary Friends of Colombia, the All Party Group on Conflict, and the NGO Justice for Colombia are hosting the event at which both negotiators from the FARC insurgency and the Colombian Government have been invited to discuss the progress of the talks.
Chaired by Seumas Milne of The Guardian, other speakers include Jeffrey Donaldson MP and Mark Durkan. Conor Murphy said he and Sinn Fein had been engaged in experience sharing with the other parties and Colombian negotiators since 2012.
The head of the FARC negotiating team, Ivan Marquez joined the discussion via a live video link. Organisers, Justice for Colombia said `the Good Friday Agreement has been an object of study by both sides. This event will allow a fascinating insight into the negotiations and the role of Northern Irish politicians in helping to bring peace to Colombia.’

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

Week in Review 26-03 February/March 2015

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Week in Review
26 February – 3 March 2015

Austerity `part of the problem, not the solution’ – AdamsAdams
As Sinn Fein stepped into a strong election footing, with candidates selected across Ireland, on 2 March Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD addressed the launch of the election campaign for west Belfast MP Paul Maskey. In his remarks, Mr Adams asserted Sinn Fein’s position as `consistently opposed to the economics of austerity’ as `economically counterproductive and unjust’.
Austerity politics `championed by governments in the EU, in London and in Dublin’ had `failed across Europe, Britain and failed in Ireland’ he said.
He said the working poor, the unemployed, the sick, the young and old and by those forced to emigrate were `paying the price for austerity which `British and Irish governments continue to impose’.
He said the recent Stormont House Agreement provided for `progress on a number of issues’, and that when the SDLP `folded on welfare’, Mr Adams said Sinn Féin `stood firm and put in place additional protections for children with disabilities, adults with severe disabilities and the long term sick’. Sinn Fein had `ensured no one would pay the bedroom tax and we protected large families from the impact of the benefit cap through a unique system of top-ups and flexibilities’.
He said there would be `no reductions in benefits under the authority of the Executive’.
Progress was also made, he added `on the issues of the past, parades, flags and emblems’.
However, he warned that the Agreement `did not resolve the issue of the ongoing budget cuts to the block grant in the north’ and that the British Government still continued to `strip hundreds of millions from the budget in the name of austerity’ whilst `their partners in the Irish Government stood silently by supporting the Tories’.
He called for a `progressive alliance against British Government cuts’ and said that it was `misguided and a diversion to attack the Stormont House Agreement’. Some who did this, he added were `motivated by party political interests’. The responsibility for the cuts `comes from Westminster, not from any party in the Executive’, Mr Adams said.
He warned that simply handing over power in the north to Tories for direct rule would `be wrong and will only increase hardship’. He said that the `hard-fought safeguards on welfare would be lost and any protection of public services surrendered’ and that it would `give back powers on all aspects of life including equality, parity of esteem, policing and justice back to a British government’.
He said the solution `has to be found by building a campaign that increases the budget and delivers the powers for the people in the north to determine and deliver a fair recovery’.
He concluded that Sinn Féin had `shown that austerity is not the solution. It is part of the problem. There are fairer alternatives. There are other choices that a Government can make. Sinn Fein has made clear our opposition to punitive, regressive taxes aimed at those who can least afford them and for a reformed, progressive tax system, which could sustain public services, accessible to all.’

Over 2,000 visitors expected at Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Derry this weekend
On 3 March Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald launched the Clár for the party’s Ard Fheis which takes place in the Millenium Forum in Derry this weekend.
Deputy McDonald said the party was `delighted’ to be holding our Ard Fheis in Derry for the first time, and that recent years had seen the party has grow `from strength to strength’.
She said that some 2,000 visitors would be coming to Derry for the Ard Fheis and 218 motions on a number of key themes would be discussed, including standing with communities against austerity; delivering a fair recovery; and 2016 and building a United Ireland.
Gerry Adams Presidential Address will be at 8.30pm on Saturday, covered live on RTE and BBC. There will also be a live section between 11am and 1pm. The entire Ard Fheis will be live streamed from www.sinnfein.ie
Ms McDonald said that a number of fringe meetings would take place over the weekend with speakers on issues as wide ranging as the culture of marching bands – Londonderry Bands Forum, the future of the Irish language, Palestine, women for independence and unity, TTIP, collusion, Tar Isteach and the all-Ireland economy.
Some 52 exhibitors and over 30 campaign groups will be in attendance, as well as a wide range of international guests and members of the diplomatic corps. Guest speakers at the Ard Fheis will include Euclid Tsakalotos – Syriza Foreign Minister for International Economic Relations; Ahmad Abdelrakez – Palestinian Ambassador; Gorka Elejabarrieta – Sortu, Basque Country; and Sue van der Merwe from the ANC.

Sinn Fein MPs in London and Manchester for St Patrick’s celebrations 2015
Next week, as a fortnight of St Patricks events being, Sinn Fein MPs and Senators will travel from Ireland to join community and political events in London, Manchester and elsewhere.
On 10 March MPs Michelle Gildernew and Conor Murphy will be in Westminster for the cross-party CHAMP event in the British House of Lords; and for the Irish Embassy reception in London, hosted by the Ambassador Dan Mulhall.
Later, on 15 March, Pat Doherty MP will join the London St Patrick’s Parade and St Patricks Ball in London and Francie Molloy MP will travel to Manchester for their annual community parade. Senator Aengus O Snodaigh and MP Paul Maskey will join the All-party Irish in Britain Group of MPs event in the House of Commons, and the Labour Party Irish Society reception, respectively on 17 and 18 March.
Pat Doherty MP said that Sinn Fein welcomed the opportunity `to join such a wide range of ever-growing events with the Irish community and political parties across the spectrum’ around St Patrick’s Day. He said that, in the run up to the Westminster election, the events were also an opportunity to keep the political issues on the agenda. He added `it is clear from our discussions that Irish people in Britain, who will have votes in the upcoming election, care about what positions the political parties take in relation to the peace process and the need to continue to positively engage and drive forward all of the Agreements.’ He said that the political parties had to listen to the concerns of the diaspora, who were also facing the same kinds of effects of austerity policies and cuts `that we are facing at home in Ireland, north and south – thanks to austerity governments in Dublin and Westminster’. Mr Doherty commended the organisers of the London St Patrick’s events, and the range of other events across many cities and towns.

Government continuing to treat Irish immigrants as second class citizens – Ó ClochartaighOClochartaigh
On 3 March Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Diaspora, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh responded to the Government’s policy document Global Irish published that day.
Senator Ó Clochartaigh said that whilst it was good that the Government had `finally set out its stall in relation to its diaspora policy’, it was a lengthy document which he would `need to read carefully to make an informed assessment of its policy proposals’.
However, he added, `it would appear Minister Deenihan has once again dropped the ball in terms of the Irish diaspora. For example, while acknowledging the importance of voting rights for the Irish abroad he goes on to say the Government would first need to analyze the issues that might arise if the franchise was extended.’
`In other words, the decision to extend voting rights to Irish citizens living abroad has been put on the long finger. In light of the return of high levels of immigration, this is simply not good enough.
He said Sinn Fein was calling for diaspora representation in the Seanad and the extension of voting rights to Irish citizens living abroad.
He concluded: `Until this happens the government is continuing to treat the Irish abroad as second class citizens.’

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

South Armagh murder attempt despicable – Conor Murphy MP

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MurphySinn Féin MP Conor Murphy has said the attempted murder of a young man outside Crossmaglen today was an attack on the peace process.
Conor Murphy said the man was injured when a device exploded close to his family home as he went to remove a poster, attacking members of the local community, which was erected by an organised criminal gang in the area.
The Newry and Armagh MP said;
“Over recent months criminal gangs masquerading as republicans have threatened the family of the young man injured.
Police recently visited the family and told them there was a threat from this group.
Now these people have attempted to kill a member of the family with a device placed close to their home.
In recent months death threats have also been made against a number of Sinn Féin activists, including myself.
Let me be absolutely clear; this was the work of a gang of criminals and I unreservedly condemn this latest cowardly action.
These thugs are opposed to the peace process and opposed to policing because of their involvement in organised crime.
My party colleagues Megan Fearon, Gerry Kelly and I recently met with the Assistant Chief Constable to discuss the ongoing threats to the local community and I have demanded the PSNI take action against them.
The threats have now escalated to what is clearly an attempt to murder people in the community opposed to their criminal activities.
It’s well past time for the PSNI to act before someone is killed.”

Week in Review 18-25 February 2015

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Week in Review
18-25 February 2015

Next election `a choice between Fine Gael or Sinn Féin-led Government’Adams
On 21 February Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams said the next election in the south would be `a choice between a Fine Gael or Sinn Féin-led Government with very different visions for Irish society’.
Gerry Adams was commenting after a speech made by the Taoiseach, which he said `failed to address the growing polarisation in our society under Fine Gael and Labour and [had] no new vision for the future’. He said Fine Gael Ministers, at their Ard Fheis, had revealed `unbridled arrogance’ and were `entirely insulated from the effects of their policies’, and the party `no longer has any mandate for the socially destructive agenda it is imposing’.
He also said it was `notable that the Taoiseach barely mentioned the North in the course of his address… because he views the North as a foreign country’. Mr Adams criticised the Taoiseach for having `shamefully allied himself with the British Tories’ at the recent Stormont House talks, which he said, achieved agreement `not because of this Fine Gael-led Government’.
The next election would be `a choice between a Fine Gael-led or Sinn Féin-led Government’ which Mr Adams said was `a choice between two diametrically opposed visions for Irish society’.
Fine Gael’s way meant `further inequality, the continued pursuit of austerity with a continuation of cuts and charges aimed at low and middle income families, the destruction of public services including health, downward pressure on workers’ wages and conditions, further attacks on rural Ireland and continued mass emigration’, he added.
He said Sinn Féin’s way meant `growing our economy out of recession, a recovery for all, real jobs with proper terms and conditions, decent public services accessible to all, including those in rural Ireland, and the building of a United Ireland and a citizen-centred, rights-based society’.
He concluded: `rather than making speeches defending his record in the face of growing public opposition, Enda Kenny should call an election now and let the people decide which future they prefer.’

Pat Doherty reiterates Finucane inquiry calls at Westminster event.Doherty
On 23-24 February Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty was in London for a round of meetings across the political parties. He also joined a meeting in Westminster which marked the 26th year since the killing of solicitor Pat Finucane, hosted by Rights Watch and Baroness Helena Kennedy, and with members of the Finucane family speaking.
Mr Doherty strongly backed the calls at the meeting for a full public inquiry into the case. He said that in 2001 at the Weston Park agreement British and Irish governments had agreed an inquiry into the murder, `yet the British government has refused to implement the Weston Park agreement with the tacit support of the Irish Government’.
He said it was `apt that the campaign for justice for Pat Finucane is brought to the very place where the policy of collusion was instigated and that the Pat Finucane story is told’.
He commended the organisers for holding the meeting and paid tribute to the family `for their dignity and courage in pursuing truth and justice for Pat Finucane.’ He said that collusion was so deeply rooted in the British state that it was a `fundamental issue’ and therefore moves to hold a truly full and independent inquiry would continue to be met with resistance.
The meeting also welcomed the British Labour Party’s commitment to hold an inquiry, should they be in Government after the next elections, but stressed the need to ensure this commitment was upheld and on the vital necessity to keep up public pressure in both the run up to, and after, May.

Agreement can be a `catalyst for reconciliation’Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney urged new political and community relationships in order to achieve genuine reconciliation.
Speaking at a reconciliation event in east Belfast, Mr Kearney said the recent Stormont House Agreement created `a new political context’ which `has opened up the opportunity for a new phase of the peace process to be developed based on reconciliation’.
He said there was a need for `new political and human relationships based on trust and respect’. Failure to agree on the past `must not be allowed to hold back the future’, he said.
Calling for a `public discourse on reconciliation, free from recrimination, and based on mutual respect, driven from within the democratic process and civic society’, the Sinn Fein chair said this could be `an initiative of common acknowledgement from all sides for the pain caused by, and against each other, could make a powerful contribution to forgiveness and healing.’
The recent Agreement could establish the frameworks `to assist in dealing with the past and facilitating discussion on the issues that divide our society’, he said.
He said that the two governments were `a co-equal guarantor for this Agreement and its implementation’ and that there needed `full commitment of all parties and governments’ alongside all sections of civic society.
He called on `political, civic, community and church leaders.. to work jointly on a strategy which ensures the process of reconciliation is embedded in society.’

Inclusive dialogue key to resolving contentious parades – KellyKelly
On 20 February Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has said inclusive dialogue was `key’ to resolving contentious parades on North Belfast.
Speaking after Teresa Villiers called for fresh efforts to resolve issues around a contentious Orange march through nationalist Ardoyne, Mountainview and the Dales, Gerry Kelly said that Sinn Féin had been `consistent in promoting dialogue and discussions as the only way to find a resolution to this contentious North Belfast parade’.
Discussion must be `open and without preconditions or predetermined outcomes’, he said, adding that the example from other areas had shown that `talking is the only way to resolve such issues’.
He said Sinn Fein were `committed to finding a solution through local dialogue and encourage others to adopt the same approach.’

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