Sinn Fein
The Week in Review
10-17 July 2014

Welfare cuts agenda ‘obviously failing’
On 16-17 July Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty was in London to speak to MPs and brief the media about growing concerns over welfare cuts. He said that Sinn Fein opposed austerity, and the Tory-led government’s attempts to impose its agenda on the north of Ireland’s devolved institutions.
Mr Doherty said his discussions with MPs in Britain `underlined the evidence of the devastating effects the so-called welfare reforms are already having on peoples’ living standards in Britain’.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey said the DUP `must face the fact that the British government’s welfare cuts agenda is failing’.
Mr Maskey said that `voices of opposition to these devastating welfare cuts are growing day by day’ with even Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander `coming out against the bedroom tax and calling or a change of approach’.
He said the British government was `failing to meet its own targets and the welfare cuts are proving to be a complete disaster. The debacle over universal credit is proof of that’.
He added, that these and other cuts `devised by millionaires in the Tory cabinet are accelerating people into poverty’. He said that `many others across society, including churches, charities, trade unionism and now even allies of the Tories are joining the opposition to these drastic cuts’.
However, he concluded `despite that the DUP appear determined to implement these cuts as quickly as possible at the behest of their Tory masters, with no regard for the impact they will have on working class communities across the North.’
He said that Sinn Féin would `continue to defend the working poor, the disabled and the disadvantaged.’

Tory welfare cuts put contentious loyalist parades issue into perspective
On 16 July, writing in his Belfast Telegraph column Sinn Fein chair Declan Kearney
Writing about the recent Twelfth weekend, he said that there was `considerable relief’ that the it passed off without widespread incidents of disorder, some `deserved respite’ for the nationalist and unionist communities of the areas involved.
Mr Kearney said that `everyone in our society is entitled to live free from sectarian threat or harassment’ nor be `subjected to hate crime’. He also pointed out that political unionism had `shown the influence which it can exert over events on the ground’ and that this leadership `clearly restricted the ability of extremists to inflame tensions and cause instability’.
He welcomed this `positive development’, calling for it to be built upon, including through dialogue and resuming talks between the Orange Order and local residents’. He said `Political unionism walked away from the talks table two weeks ago. It was a pointless stunt’, adding `the only question, which arises, is not whether the DUP and UUP will come back into talks, but when, and to which format. They should give leadership and make it sooner, not later.’
This would, he said, also be `an incentive for the Irish and British governments, with support from the US, to put the correct framework in place to address all the outstanding issues’.
He concluded that whilst the political process and institutions `have taken a hammering due to the absence of leadership and real engagement’, there remained `no alternative to pro-Agreement politics; Good Friday Agreement principles, process; and power sharing itself’.
Challenges to be addressed included `permanent resolutions to contentious parades; eradicating sectarian and racist hate crime; agreeing the compromises needed to deal with the past; and, leading a popular fight back against neo-Thatcherite welfare cuts’.
He concluded that the current Tory welfare cuts `put parades into perspective’ and would `adversely affect the lives of all our citizens, regardless of religious or political affiliation’. He urged `united leadership’ against welfare cuts.
Read Declan Kearney’s column in full.

Parades Commission must not be ‘undermined’
Speaking on 13 July Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams TD said that `the fact that this year’s Twelfth commemorations have passed off relatively peacefully will have come as a relief to people across the North, and I welcome this’.
However, he added, `there is urgent political work to be done to deal with ongoing difficulties which have bedevilled the political process’. He said `these include outstanding elements of previous Agreements and the need to resolve the issues of flags, parades and dealing with the past’.
Earlier on 10 July Sinn Féin Assembly Member Gerry Kelly said that nothing should be done `to help unionists undermine the Parades Commission’.
Speaking after unionist leaders and the Orange Order called for a Commission of Inquiry into the parade through nationalist Ardoyne, Mountainview and the Dales, Gerry Kelly said the Commission had been `set up and constituted by statute as an independent body to deal with disputed parades’.
Unionists were, he added `asking for a Commission of Inquiry simply because they didn’t get their own way’. He said that neither unionists nor the British Secretary of State `should do anything to undermine it’ and that the `myth of the hollowing out of British culture flies in the face of the facts’.
Mr Kelly pointed out that the number of parades and loyalist bands had `doubled in the last five years’, and more than 95 per cent of all loyalist parades were `uncontested’.
He concluded: `Walking out of talks with their partners in government and demanding that the British Secretary of State imposes a unionist solution can only raise tension and inflame the situation.’
Later, on 14 July, Sinn Féin Assembly Member John O’Dowd raised concerns at the actions of the Orange Order in Portadown the previous day as `a clear breach of a Parades Commissions determination’ which ruled that `no parade or gathering was permitted at the controversial arch at Victoria Terrace at the bottom of the Garvaghy Road’. He said he would be `seeking a full explanation from police as to why they claimed to unaware of this illegal assembly’.
Elsewhere on 12 July Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said loyalist bands had made `multiple breaches’ of a Parades Commission ban on music outside St Patrick’s Church in Donegall St.
She said several loyalist bands had `clearly flouted the Parades Commission’s ruling that bands should play only a single drumbeat close to and outside St Patrick’s Church in Donegall St’ and one had played in the infamous sectarian `Famine Song’ as they passed the chapel.

Bonfire ‘lynch figures’ and burning of election posters condemned as ‘hate crime’
On 11 July Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams described an image of a lynched figure on an bonfire at Ballycraigy on the outskirts of Antrim Town as `deeply offensive and a clear hate crime by those responsible.’
The Sinn Féin leader said he had asked his solicitor to report it to the PSNI as a hate crime and called on the Orange Order and Facebook to ensure its `immediate removal.’
Mr Adams said that what happened at Orange events was `clearly the responsibility of the Orange Order’ and that it was `a disturbing escalation of sectarian and hate crime’.
Elsewhere, Sinn Féin councillor Paul Fleming also condemned the burning of images of people on election posters on loyalist bonfires as a `hate crime’.
Many election posters of Sinn Féin councillors appeared on a number of bonfires, with numberous examples. One in Derry appeared on a loyalist bonfire at Lanark way in Belfast, Mr Fleming said, included posters `featuring myself and my party colleagues Martina Anderson, Kevin Campbell, Mickey Cooper, and Liam Friel’. He said posters of Belfast councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir had been placed on a loyalist bonfire at Lanark Way in west Belfast and of Patricia Logue on a bonfire in Derry. Images of Sinn Fein candidate in Castlereagh Nuala Toman was also put on a bonfire, alongside those of Alliance candidate Anna Lo.
He said Sinn Féin was `strongly opposed to the burning of election posters on bonfires’ adding `these are hate crimes against sections of our community and should be treated as such’.
He said `the Orange Order and unionist politicians claim these bonfires are expressions of culture and should be welcoming for families but there is little evidence of that’ and concluded `We need to see strong voices and leadership from political unionism in order to see that these despicable practices are stopped.’

Sinn Fein join rallies in solidarity with Gaza and urges ceasefire
Sinn Fein politicians and activists across Ireland joined rallies and protests at the rising death toll in Gaza and in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
On 17 July Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams welcomed that morning’s ceasefire in the Gaza strip and urged inclusive dialogue, involving all of the combatant forces, including Hamas, to resolve all of the core issues.
Mr. Adams condemned the most recent Israeli attack which killed four children on a beach in Gaza. The Sinn Féin leader said the Israeli assault on Gaza had killed 200 people, `most of whom are civilians and children’. He said thousands more had been forced to flee their homes `under threat from the Israeli government’.
He said the ceasefire was a `welcome development’, but added `it will only be another temporary lull in the cyclical violence in that region unless a real and inclusive dialogue takes place involving all of the combatant groups, including Hamas, and if the core issues of statehood for the Palestinian people, an end to the Israeli theft of Palestinian land and water rights, and the lifting of the siege of Gaza are not agreed.’
Earlier on 15 July Sinn Féin Assembly Member Pat Sheehan urged people to `show their solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza’ by attending a protest that day organised Belfast Friends of Palestine. He called for the `onslaught’ on Gaza to end.
Elsewhere in Newry, Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy MP addressed a vigil at the Town Hall and said `people from Ireland and particularly people from this area know what it is like to live under oppression’. He said the party was present at the protests `in solidarity and to show the world that we recognise the right of the Palestinians to freedom and self determination.’
In Europe, on 15 July, Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson echoed calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and international recognition for Palestine. Speaking at a GUE/NGL press conference in Strasbourg, Ms Anderson said `the Israeli bloodbath undermines the two-state solution and obstructs the potential Palestinian unity government.’ She called upon the international community to `become involved to help the people of Gaza’.
In Dublin, Sinn Fein’s City Councillors delivered a letter to the Israeli Ambassador. Sinn Fein Councillor Chris Andrews said the party was `utterly opposed to the indiscriminate slaughter taking place in Gaza’.

Fully independent inquiry into Kincora needed
On 15 July Sinn Féin MLA Martin McGuinness called for a `fully independent, international’ inquiry into the abuse of children at the Kincora Boys Home in the 1970s.
The Deputy First Minister said that the British state was `unwilling and incapable’ of investigating its own agents and intelligence services.
Martin McGuinness said there had been `a number of scandals around the activities of the British intelligence services in Ireland, including the murder of human rights solicitor Pat Finucane and collusion in the killings of hundreds of nationalists’.
The British government had, he added `spent decades trying to cover up the activities of its intelligence services in Ireland’ and the British state was `clearly incapable of investigating itself’.
He concluded: `to be effective, any inquiry into the abuse of children at the Kincora Boys Home during the 1980s needs to be international, independent and have the powers to sub poena witnesses and access documents.’

Cabinet reshuffle `different folks, same strokes’
On 11 July Gerry Adams spoke about the Taoiseach’s Cabinet reshuffle and new priorities for the government.
Mr. Adams said the reshuffle was `a mediocre piece of political drama’. He said that in keeping with the government’s record there was `little of substance in today’s manoeuvre’ adding `What citizens want, what they need and what they clearly voted for in May, as they did in the General Election in 2011, was political change’.
He said the government had `not delivered this’ and had `let the people down’. He said the government had `no mandate’ and instead of reshuffling the Cabinet, should call a General Election.

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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.

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