Kelly outraged as Kunjumons are forced to leave

Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast, Gerry Kelly, has spoken of his outrage that the Kunjumon family have finally been forced to leave the New Lodge district.
Speaking after a further attack on the family home at the weekend Kelly said:
“I am outraged that the Kunjumon family have been left with no alternative but to leave their family home in the New Lodge.
“Unfortunately, a small minority have constantly targeted the family and indeed their neighbours when they came out to support them, in what can only be described as a series of racially motivated attacks.
“The local community, elected representatives, neighbours and everyone else has stood shoulder to shoulder against these attacks and the dangerous, racist actions of a few. “On Saturday I attended a very special Christmas' event in North Belfast celebrating the Indian community which typifies all that is positive about inclusion and integration, and which showed in the strongest most positive terms how welcome the Indian Community are and the massive contribution they make in key areas such as the health service.
“However, the Kunjumons leaving does not end the predicament that this family finds themselves in. The will still have a mortgage and will be having to pay rent on alternative accommodation which will undoubtedly place massive financial hardship on the family.
“It is very clear that they are victims here after five years of attacks on their home. They have had little quality of life and have not had the right that we all take for grated, to feel safe in ones own home.
“The PSNI Chief Constable must sign the certificate that will allow the family to be included in the SPED scheme. What needs to happen to this family before this happens the PSNI believe the qualify for the scheme? To state that this is simply anti social behaviour is wholly unacceptable.
“I have written to the Chief Constable, Matt Baggot and the members of the Policing Board outlining our serious concerns on this case. The PSNI now need to come out publicly and explain why it is possible to issue these certificates for some and not for others.
“Further to this those responsible need to be arrested and placed in front of the court’s. Anyone with information should pass it on immediately. This behaviour cannot be allowed to destroy a community.”

Report highlights continued failings of Prison Service - Conor Maskey

Sinn Féin Councillor Conor Maskey has slammed the findings of yet another report highlighting delays in the implementation of numerous recommendations within Maghaberry Prison since the death of prisoner Colin Bell.
“There has obviously been a huge deal of concern throughout the community as a result of Colin Bell’s death and the findings of the subsequent investigation by the Prisoner Ombudsman as well as this latest result,” said Conor.
“Unfortunately, it seems as though all the warnings have been ignored, recommendations have gone unimplemented and we have seen vulnerable prisoners die as a result. It is clear that a fundamental sea-change is needed within the Prison system.
“The latest findings indicate yet again that the Prison Service has to do substantially more to ensure the safety and wellbeing of prisoners being held in the system here; the findings also fly in the face of commitments made by British Minister Paul Goggins following the death of Colin Bell.
"I intend that this tragic death will be a watershed for the North’s Prison Service. I am determined that the Prison Service will instil a consistent culture of care for all prisoners, but especially those who pose a danger to themselves."

Christmas fire safety appeal

Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has called for people to heed the Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Christmas Fire Safety Appeal which calls for people to be ‘fire aware during the holiday period’.
“The facts show that the festive period brings with it additional fire hazards. Within an 18 day period last Christmas, the Fire Services were called out to 60 house fires, an average of between three to four fires a day,” said Ní Chuilín.
“In almost 25 per cent of these fires there was either, no smoke alarm or one that didn’t work.
“The economic recession is making it difficult for families to manage a budget and at the same time provide their children with a festive Christmas but I would appeal to everyone not to be tempted to take risks with fire safety.
“In 50% of deaths, caused by fire in the home, the smoke alarm was faulty and failed to work. Make sure your fire alarm is working and if you don’t have one get one.
“Don’t use faulty electrical equipment and make sure that electrical equipment, including festive lights, don’t over heat and are switched off when not in use. “Make certain that all naked flames are put out at night and when the house is unoccupied.
“Enjoy the Christmas period but exercise care and ensure that there are no possible fire hazards within your home.
“If a fire should start don’t be tempted to deal with it yourself. Get everyone out of the house immediately and call the Fire Service.
“Property is replaceable, a life is not. Detailed information on fire safety and what to do in the case of a fire can be found on the Fire Service’s web site at http://www.nifrs.org/home_page.php or by contacting, the Corporate Communications Officer, Tel 02892 664221 or Mb 07789208811 or the Temporary Corporate Communications Officer, Tel 02892 664221 during office hours.”

Huge alarm at fuel poverty figures – Ní Chuilín

Sinn Féin's Assembly Chief Whip Carál Ní Chuilín MLA has said she is concerned at figures contained in The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) Annual Update on Fuel Poverty and Health 2009 which has warned that levels of fuel poverty are expected to increase in the North as improvements in energy efficiency are negated by increasing fuel costs.
“The annual update from the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) Fuel Poverty and Health 2009 is very worrying indeed,” said Ní Chuilín.
“It has warned that levels of fuel poverty are expected to increase as improvements in energy efficiency are negated by increasing fuel costs.
"People living in the North of Ireland know only too well the effects of the high price of fuel costs and many households are struggling to meet energy bills.
“It must also be remembered that wages here fall well short of the average used in many of these studies and the shortfall in pay scale is not matched nor is there a rise in benefits to offset those costs,” said the Sinn Féin MLA.
"I was alarmed to read that winter deaths as a result of cold has increased steadily. There was a 23% increase in the number of people dying in the winter of 2008, compared to the winter of 2007.
“Excess winter deaths are now approaching 1,000 per year in the North.
“It has been clearly established over recent years that households headed by older people are much more likely to be living in fuel poverty. Older people are more likely to live in older houses which are less likely to be energy efficient.
"It's scandalous that people are missing out on millions of pounds in benefits that they are entitled to tackle issues such as fuel poverty.
“I would appeal for as many people as possible to check with the many excellent community advice centres and elected representatives constituency services to ensure that they are receiving all of the benefits to which they are entitled.
“They could find that they are missing out on that much needed extra ten or twenty pounds a week or should be getting help with such things as their rates or are entitled to a home insulation grant."

Poor will pay the price for weak Copenhagen text

Speaking from the Copenhagen climate talks after world leaders failed to produce an agreement that would effectively tackle climate change, Irish GUE/NGL MEP Bairbre de Brun criticised the myopia of the COP-15 outcome and called for reinforced determination from climate justice campaigners.
"This document which the summit decided to 'take note of' clearly shows that the work was not done in time for Copenhagen and was not done at Copenhagen either,” said the Sinn Féin MEP.
“This lamentable lack of political leadership sends the wrong signals.
"Unless people across the world now tell their leaders we need much more courage and ambition from them the chances of effectively tackling climate change are nil.”
"It is left to Mexico at the end of 2010 to try and find the legally binding deal we should have negotiated here. We have not even given them the right tools to work with.
“The vague and badly written political declaration is a disaster for those hit hardest by climate change in the developing world. We needed ambitious targets on emissions reductions, clear sources for the substantial new finance needed and clear commitments, measures, and procedures on a range of other issues in order to limit the global increase in temperature to less than 2 degrees celsius.
"Without these the future of the planet looks bleak. For those who want climate justice, the tragedy and waste of this COP-15 must give way to even greater determination to see a substantial agreement struck during 2010 to avert catastrophic climate change.”

Housing waiting list not being tackled by DSD

By Carál Ní Chuilín
Sometimes I feel like I may as well just write a note to Santa asking for him to address the housing waiting list in North Belfast.
At least I would have a chance of getting a straight answer! The latest juggling of the figures on the face of it would give you the impression that the Housing Executive and the SDLP minister Margaret Ritchie are tackling the generations of stark inequalities between the nationalist and unionist communities housing needs.
That impression is wrong and it’s long passed the time when communities in need will be fobbed off with rearranging the deck chairs whilst the Titanic sinks.
In March 2002 nationalists made up over 80% of those on the waiting list in North Belfast. Six years on the differential is slightly less. In March 2008 nationalists made up just over 70% of those on the housing list in North Belfast.
Closer examination of these statistics tell a more alarming story. The slight lessening of housing inequalities between nationalists and unionists in North Belfast cannot be attributed to a proactive effort on the part of the NIHE or the DSD.
Things have not got better for the nationalist community. The number on the waiting list has risen steadily year on year and reached 1053 by March 2008.
The differential has been closed because Unionists are increasingly represented on the social housing waiting list.
Since 2002 the numbers of nationalists on the waiting list increased by 38% while the number of unionists waiting for social housing increased by 132% to 421.
Whilst two and a half times as many unionists across the North of Ireland are in need of housing for older households as nationalists .
There are also significantly more nationalists than unionist ‘small family’ and ‘large family’ households on the waiting list, and slightly more ‘single’ nationalist.
Thus the increasing demand for the aging Unionist population simply increases the total demand and gives the impression of addressing inequality.
Let me make Sinn Féin's position clear. Equality is indivisible. Need must be addressed wherever it exists and nowhere is that more stark than in this constituency. The insulting attempt to represent the change between Nationalist and Unionist housing need as tackling the problem, whilst the overall demand increases, is pathetic. Worryingly the projections are that the social housing new build programme will fall by a quarter over the coming five years in Belfast.
Also the small impact that ring fencing had on the crisis in North Belfast gets axed in yet another strategy which housing campaigners still await a coherent explanation of.
We on Sinn Féin's DSD team battle on a daily basis because for us these are issues of social justice. DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie has a duty to manage the budget effectively and not just produce endless strategies and glossy master plans that fail to tackle housing need objectively.

No Reprieve for 11+ petition submitted at Assembly

Sinn Féin Education spokesperson John O’Dowd MLA has congratulated all those involved in signing and the collecting of a petition of over 10.000 names delivered this week to the Assembly Education committee opposing any return to the failed 11plus.
“The signature of over 10.000 names collected in a two week period shows the strength of feeling in regards opposition to the 11plus and academic selection,’ said John O’Dowd.
“While sections of the media solely concentrate their attention on those schools and parents who support selection, it is clear that there are many who are opposed to selection and who have a right to have their voice heard.
“There is no educational requirement for Academic selection, there are schools all across the Island of Ireland who prove on a daily basis as to why there is no requirement to select and reject 10 and 11 year old children.
“Academic excellence is a priority for Sinn Féin and I have no doubt those 10.000 people who signed the petition are as keenly interested in the education of their children and their broader family as anyone else.
“It is time we moved education into the 21st century an education system based on Equality, Excellence, the needs of the Economy and one which encourages all children to meet their potential,” said the Sinn Féin MLA.

All-Ireland economy a must - Kelly

Monaghan County Councillor Matt Carthy has welcomed as ‘extremely positive’ the engagement between the members of the Border, Midlands and Western Regional Assembly (of which he is one) and Gerry Kelly who is a Sinn Féin Junior Minister in the Six County Assembly.
Speaking after the Assembly meeting, which was held in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, South Monaghan Sinn Féin Councillor, Matt Carthy, said that said that there is a growing need for strong, focused co-operation through all sectors of business and government across the island to produce practical, mutually beneficial outcomes.
He stated that the demand for a United Ireland must be made louder than ever as it is clear that partition has failed every corner of Ireland. He welcomed Gerry Kelly’s remarks especially on those areas, which could have a significant and positive impact on the County Monaghan economy in the short term.
It is clear, he said that the Dublin government alongside their Stormont counterparts must work together to immediately develop a harmonised All-Ireland economy.
“That is the only way forward if this country is to develop its full potential” he said.
In a wide-ranging address to the Assembly by Gerry Kelly he highlighted the need for All-Ireland integration particularly in the current economic climate.
He said there was a recognition, across all parties in the Northern executive, of the importance of co-operation with their neighbours on a North/South and East/West basis and that importance is reflected in their Programme for Government.

Economy

“The key issue facing both jurisdictions presently is the economic downturn. At the North South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting in January 2009, the First Minister and deputy First Minister and other Executive Ministers outlined the steps that are being taking to mitigate the effects of the downturn, including access to credit and establishing the Cross Sector Advisory Forum,” said Gerry.
“In turn the Taoiseach and Irish Government Ministers outlined the steps they are taking, particularly on infrastructure, innovation and banking.
“It was agreed by all that there was a need for continuing practical and mutually beneficial North South cooperation to assist in Government efforts to deal with the challenges of the downturn.

“Looking to the island as a whole the apparent lack of trade interdependence currently between the two economies of Ireland may also suggest that the two jurisdictions are missing out on lost opportunities to co-operate and gain mutual economic benefit.
“In making the transition to innovation-oriented economies both the North and the South face the challenge of increased global competition.
“Every source of competitive advantage must be sought and all island economic co-operation can be one such source. The Comprehensive Study of the All-Island Economy makes clear the strong economic imperative behind driving North/South co-operation.
“Appropriate areas for action for co-operation arise where the border creates impediments to faster economic growth, and where public goods such as infrastructure and public services could be more efficiently provided on a co-ordinated basis.
“The gains from collaborative action fall to both economies and will lead to mutual advantage,” said the North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA.

Infrastructure

Gerry outlined some of the Infrastructure projects that are currently being progressed and Cllr. Carthy has welcomed the fact that a key element of this includes the re-opening and development of the Ulster Canal.
He also stated that they are continuing to take forward co-operation to help deliver real benefits in areas such as infrastructure, trade and business, tourism, education and in tackling major issues such as child protection, suicide prevention, barriers to mobility, the environment and transport.
The Sinn Féin MLA outlined that, in Education for example, work is being taken forward on important issues such as special education including the all island Centre of Excellence for children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders at Middletown.

The Sinn Féin Minister also outlined the positive steps that had been taken to combat illegal dumping on a cross border basis and to work together on other environmental issues.

North should set legally binding emissions targets - Kelly

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has added his voice to calls on the Environment Minister and the Executive to make Climate Change a priority by setting legally binding targets to reduce CO2 emissions by 80 per-cent on 1990 levels by 2050.
Gerry was speaking whilst on party business in the USA as the news broke from the Assembly's Environment Committee that it had completed its enquiry into Climate Change.
“This report is only a start for the Environment Committee at Stormont and its important to emphasise that. A lot more could and should be done by the Department of the Environment,” said Gerry.
“Unfortunately this leaves us lagging behind places like Scotland who are leading effectively by setting legally binding emissions targets.
“The DUP have changed their Environment Minister twice and have still not delivered anything substantial in regard to the important issue of tackling Climate Change. Unfortunately much of this is due to political divisions within their own ranks.
“I welcome the report and its recommendations relating to All-Ireland co-operation and the consideration of a plastic bag levy. However, there can no longer be any excuse for not setting legally binding emissions targets for this administration”

Gerry Kelly marks 25 years of McBride Principles in New York

Sinn Féin junior Minister, Gerry Kelly MLA has travelled to New York to take part in a major celebration of 25 years of the Mac Bride Principles of Fair Employment.
Gerry Kelly spoke at the event, organized by the Irish Echo, which is being hosted by the Speaker and President of New York City Council Christine Quinn.
Current and past Comptrollers from New York City and New York State will also be in attendance. The offices of both Comptrollers have consistently used powerful American pension funds to back MacBride. As well as strongly challenging patterns of structural inequality in the workplace, the Comptrollers are now supporting sustainable investments in areas of the North suffering decades of systematic discrimination.
MacBride signatory, Inez McCormack, will address the gathering alongside Irish Government representative Consul General Niall Burgess.
Speaking ahead of the event, Gerry Kelly told said:
“It is important that we recall twenty-five years of MacBride. MacBride was central to ensuring the development of new laws and policies that promote equality of opportunity – particularly within the Good Friday Agreement. It reinforced the argument that the North’s inequalities are structural and institutional.
“Political power and financial muscle from America – filtered through tough contract compliance measures – can continue to play a hugely positive role in the North.
“Americans understand that investments which embed inequality in the North are not cost-neutral. In fact, failure to positively promote equality carries huge long-term economic and social costs.
“Any investor who chooses to ignore the North’s structural inequalities is, by default, helping to reinforce them. Investment has to have at its core ending inequality – for people and for places in the North.”
“Citizens have an unconditional right to equality - in jobs, in housing, and in life opportunities.
"If the peace process is to mean anything it must deliver sustainable social change by integrating economic growth with tackling the deep-rooted inequalities and discrimination that still exist.”

Gerry Kelly condemns bomb threat at family home

Gerry Kelly has said that those responsible for a bomb threat at his family home this morning will in no way detract him from his work as a public representative.
Speaking from the United States, where he is marking 25 years of the McBride Principles, Kelly said:
“My constituency office was phoned this morning and a man claimed that a bomb would go off outside my family home within an hour.
“My home was subsequently checked and nothing was found. I condemn this cowardly threat against my family.
“As a public representative I have received threats before and this latest one will in no way detract me from carrying out my work on behalf of the people who elect me. Be assured that we will not be intimidated.
“It shows the calibre of the people responsible that they would threaten my family and neighbours in such a way.”

de Brún supports Stop Climate Chaos event

Speaking in support of tomorrow's (Saturday) Stop Climate Chaos events in Belfast and Dublin which are being billed as 'The Wave', Sinn Féin MEP, Bairbre de Brún called on world leaders to reach a legally binding deal at the UN Climate Change summit in Copenhagen.
She said such a deal must be 'strong enough to tackle the challenge of climate change while being just and fair to developing countries."
The Sinn Féin MEP who is travelling to Copenhagen as part of the European Parliament's official delegation continued:
"The EU must continue to set and implement binding effective targets for emission reductions. We must see the development of new cleaner technologies and far greater commitment to climate justice so that developing countries are not left to reap what the developed world has sown"
"I will take part in 'The Wave' action in Bank Square in Belfast and I urge people to support tomorrow's (Saturday) Stop Climate Chaos events in Belfast and Dublin.
"The costs of inaction on climate change will be far greater than the costs of taking action. Even in Europe we will not escape the effects of climate change including a rise in extreme weather events like those we have seen recently.
"On the other hand, ambitious climate measures would contribute to solving the current economic problems, securing new jobs and social cohesion in both developed and developing countries."
MEP de Brún said the message from the EU in Copenhagen should be "no more excuses from others and no excuses from us."

Victims of miscarriages of justice should come forward - Coiste na n-Iarchimí

Coiste na n-Iarchimí has appealed for former political prisoners who feel they have been the victims of miscarriages of justice to come forward.
The call comes after three Derry men appeared in Belfast’s Court of Appeal last Friday where they were due to see their convictions overturned.
Although the case was adjourned, senior Counsel for the Crown has already told the Court of Appeal that they “do not seek to stand over the convictions” of Peter McDonald, Eric Wright and James Brown, who were 16 years old when they were arrested and jailed in the mid 1970s.
“That in effect concedes that these men have been victims of a miscarriage of justice,” Coiste’s Jim McVeigh said at a press conference last Friday.
“Very soon these men will be found innocent after many years of persistent campaigning but this is only the most recent in a line of similar cases that have been sent back to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Case Review Commission (CCRC).
“All of them have made allegations of torture, some including waterboarding and electric shock treatment, and ill-treatment at the hands of their RUC interrogators. Others have maintained that statements were fabricated by the RUC or indeed that other vital evidence that would have proven their innocence was suppressed by detectives in order to secure convictions.”
Jim estimates that there could be hundreds of cases that will eventually see convictions quashed, but that, he says, is only “the tip of the iceberg”.
“Coiste na n-Iarchimí has been contacted by dozens of former political prisoners who have sought assistance in preparing applications for the CCRC. Dozens of others have gone to their solicitors who are currently preparing applications on their behalf. These cases are, in our view, clearly only the tip of the iceberg.”
Peter McDonald and three other people who have initiated proceedings in a bid to see their convictions quashed detailed their stories at the press conference.
Peter McDonald, Charlie McMenamin, Breige-Anne McCaughley and Liam Coogan all told of being tortured until they signed statements that saw them locked up when they were teenagers.
Coiste Chairman Raymond McCartney said the accounts reflect the inadequacy of the Diplock courts which were established in the North in 1972.
“These are very emotional circumstances7 and I want to thank the speakers for opening up on such personal terms,” he said.
“What we have heard here is a damning indictment of the Diplock system.”
While all of the speakers came from nationalist backgrounds, Jim was keen to point out that the issue is not one that is exclusive to nationalist communities.
“While many of these people have been individuals from the nationalist community, this is not an issue restricted to one community. A number of individuals from the unionist community have also been successful in having their convictions overturned.
“This is not an issue simply for republicans or loyalists, this is an issue of human rights and justice.”
Coiste na n-Iarchimí can be contacted on 90 200770.

Kelly calls for respect for residents wishes over Apprentice Boys march

Sinn Féin assembly member Gerry Kelly said the Apprentice Boys could make a last minute decision to use a different band out of respect to the McKenna family and people of the area.
Kelly was speaking as the Apprentice Boys are due to march past Ardoyne on Saturday morning with a band commemorating a UVF killer.
UVF man Brian Robinson was shot dead by undercover British soldiers after he had murdered Ardoyne man Paddy McKenna in 1989.
"This decision to use this Brian Robinson tribute band is extremely insensitive. It is bad enough they want to parade through the area without using a band that commemorates Brian Robinson,” said Gerry.
"Of all the bands they could have used they chose this one but it is not too late to withdraw the band and use another that isn't so disrespectful."
He also added he is supporting residents’ group CARA in their opposition to any protest against the parade.
"I met with CARA and told them I would support them. They said they didn't want a protest and had another way of dealing with it. We will help and support them any way we can. These are the residents of the area and we respect their wishes.”

Welcome for removal of MLA pay increase motion – Ní Chuilín

Sinn Féin Chief Whip and north Belfast MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed the removal of a motion on pay increase for MLA’s from today’s Order Paper at the Assembly.
“This is a welcome move and one which Sinn Féin fully endorses; our party was the only party who continually highlighted our objections to the proposed pay-increase,” said Ní Chuilín.
“We submitted an amendment to the original motion calling for the removal of those recommendations contained in the report which proposed that increase.
“Any pay rise for MLA’s must be left to an independent body, MLA’s should not be voting for their own pay-increase, this goes against the very fundamentals of accountability and transparency.
“I am sure that the broad public will agree with the Sinn Féin position, particularly in this time of economic hardship and in the run up to Christmas it is unacceptable that any pay-increase for MLA’s would be considered.
“I welcome the fact that the other parties seem to have bowed to public pressure on this issue, it is unfortunate however that it took that much to bring them to this position,” said the republican representative.