North Belfast Sinn Féin Councillor Conor Maskey said the decision to £1million of ratepayers money on commemorating centenary events in 2012 without firm knowledge on how it will be spent was ‘not inclusive’ as a similar level of funding may not be forthcoming for other events.
The SDLP voted along with Unionists to spend the £1m on events such as Belfast city centenary and the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.
“We completely disagree with the SDLP that the unionist parties in Belfast City Council have some new sense of appreciation of Irish culture and history and it is because of this vote that we are determined to ring fence monies for important centenaries around core principles which everyone can agree,” said Conor.
Sinn Féin councilors abstained from the voting and said the cost and range of events for 2012 hadn’t been agreed and that the SDLP were blindly following the DUP.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Excellent speech by Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty on the 26-county budget
Cut and paste RTE link below
http://www.rte.ie/news/av/2010/1207/media-2867737.html
http://www.rte.ie/news/av/2010/1207/media-2867737.html
Monday, 6 December 2010
Ní Chuilín comments after north Belfast power shortage
Sinn Féin MLA for north Belfast Carál Ní Chuilín has commended community workers and NIE Staff after a major power shortage affected homes across the constituency.
“As a result of this evening’s power cut at one stage almost 1300 homes were left without power. Given the adverse weather this is obviously a cause of great concern particularly for families and elderly people,” said Ní Chuilín.
“I want to commend and thank the efforts put in by NIE workers to restore power to the effected homes and pay tribute to north Belfast community worker Malachy Mulgrew for taking to the streets to assist the effected residents.”
“As a result of this evening’s power cut at one stage almost 1300 homes were left without power. Given the adverse weather this is obviously a cause of great concern particularly for families and elderly people,” said Ní Chuilín.
“I want to commend and thank the efforts put in by NIE workers to restore power to the effected homes and pay tribute to north Belfast community worker Malachy Mulgrew for taking to the streets to assist the effected residents.”
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Make a Stand! Protest the cuts and bank bailout
By Sam Baker, West Belfast Sinn Féin chairperson
People across the island - and across the world - are stunned at the brazen actions this week of the Fianna Fáil/Green coalition in Dublin in signing away the state to the IMF and the European Central Bank.
A government with no mandate and no political authority has signed a deal that amounts to economic treason. It condemns this and future generations of Irish people to economic bondage for many years to come. And this is being done not to address the state's deficit problem - but to shore up a corrupt banking system and protect international financial gamblers.
The crisis in the south is unprecedented. People have been infuriated by the actions of this government over the past three years. They want change.
The landslide result in the Donegal South West by-election on November 25, which Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty won with almost 40% of the vote, shows that people are responding to our message of a better, fairer way. Sinn Féin is the only voice in the Dáil that is breaking the consensus for cuts.
Gerry Adams's announcement that he will seek election to the Dáil in the General Election has also energized and raised the profile of the Sinn Féin alternative.
And the massive rally in Dublin on Saturday - where more than 100,000 people protested the bank bailout and cuts in one of the biggest protests in the state's history - shows that people are prepared to fight for change.
It is important for the West Belfast community to stay informed and aware of the travesty that is unfolding in the south. It is important that we recognise the implications that this has not just for communities in the south but for the entire Irish nation. And it is important that we stand with the people suffering the impact of this attack and fight for an all-Ireland alternative.
We all need to stand up and be counted. West Belfast Sinn Féin is urging the local community to join the national mobilisation in Dublin against this government's budget and its failed economic and political policies. Make a stand!
* Sinn Féin National Mobilisation: Make a Stand - There is a Better Way. Saturday December 4, 1.30pm at Parnell Square, Dublin. Main speaker: Gerry Adams. Free buses from Belfast (Colin, Falls Road, Andersonstown and Ballymurphy), leaving at 11am. Phone Connolly House on 02890 808 404 to book a spot on the bus
Full story: http://www.westbelfastsinnfein.com/news/18216
People across the island - and across the world - are stunned at the brazen actions this week of the Fianna Fáil/Green coalition in Dublin in signing away the state to the IMF and the European Central Bank.
A government with no mandate and no political authority has signed a deal that amounts to economic treason. It condemns this and future generations of Irish people to economic bondage for many years to come. And this is being done not to address the state's deficit problem - but to shore up a corrupt banking system and protect international financial gamblers.
The crisis in the south is unprecedented. People have been infuriated by the actions of this government over the past three years. They want change.
The landslide result in the Donegal South West by-election on November 25, which Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty won with almost 40% of the vote, shows that people are responding to our message of a better, fairer way. Sinn Féin is the only voice in the Dáil that is breaking the consensus for cuts.
Gerry Adams's announcement that he will seek election to the Dáil in the General Election has also energized and raised the profile of the Sinn Féin alternative.
And the massive rally in Dublin on Saturday - where more than 100,000 people protested the bank bailout and cuts in one of the biggest protests in the state's history - shows that people are prepared to fight for change.
It is important for the West Belfast community to stay informed and aware of the travesty that is unfolding in the south. It is important that we recognise the implications that this has not just for communities in the south but for the entire Irish nation. And it is important that we stand with the people suffering the impact of this attack and fight for an all-Ireland alternative.
We all need to stand up and be counted. West Belfast Sinn Féin is urging the local community to join the national mobilisation in Dublin against this government's budget and its failed economic and political policies. Make a stand!
* Sinn Féin National Mobilisation: Make a Stand - There is a Better Way. Saturday December 4, 1.30pm at Parnell Square, Dublin. Main speaker: Gerry Adams. Free buses from Belfast (Colin, Falls Road, Andersonstown and Ballymurphy), leaving at 11am. Phone Connolly House on 02890 808 404 to book a spot on the bus
Full story: http://www.westbelfastsinnfein.com/news/18216
Trade union and Rural Women hosted in Brussels by de Brún
Sinn Féin MEP, Bairbre de Brún will this week put a focus on gender equality issues and the role played by women in rural development when she hosts a 25 strong joint delegation from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the north's Rural Women's Network to the European Parliament in Brussels.
The women activists will tomorrow (Wednesday) meet with officials from the European Commission and the European Congress of Trade Unions on a range of issues including funding opportunities for transnational programmes as well as the dire consequences for public services across Ireland if budgets are cut. Speaking in advance of tomorrow's (Wednesday) meetings, Ms de Brún said:
"I am delighted to have been able to make this visit possible.
"The 25 strong women's delegation from Ireland will focus on the need to advance the gender equality agenda across the European Union in tackling the deep economic crisis that we now face.
"Women are playing a leading role, especially in rural communities, in attempting to build vibrant local communities and economies where people are not forced to emigrate in search of work, where transport links are improved and where there is access to proper public services such as health.
"The message being delivered in Brussels this week by women activists from across Ireland is that now more than ever we must move toward a more economically, socially and environmentally sustainable economic system."
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Women POWs mark 30 years since 1980 Hunger Strike
Upwards of 25 Republican Ex-Prisoners returned to Armagh Women’s Gaol to mark the 30th Anniversary of the 1980 Hunger Strike.
Women from across the Six Counties reunited today to mark this historic event in Republican history. They will be joined by former Armagh Chaplain Fr Raymond Murray and Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew.
Speaking afterwards former Hunger Striker Mary Doyle said;
“This is obviously an emotional time for Republicans the length and breath of Ireland and beyond as we mark 30 years since the 1980/81 Hunger Strikes.
It was a very humbling experience for the women POWs, who were imprisoned at the time, to come together here today and mark this important occasion.
When political status was withdrawn from republican prisoners in 1976, republican women in Armagh Prison reacted with a work strike and other acts of resistance. Punishment included strip searches, raids, beatings and the loss of educational opportunities and remission.
In February 1980 the prison administration attacked the women political prisoners, assaulting them and withdrawing toilet facilities forcing the women to embark on a no-wash protest; in response we were locked in our cells for 23 hours a day as punishment.
After seven Comrades in Long Kesh embarked on a hunger strike on October 27, 1980, they were joined by myself, Mairéad Nugent and Mairéad Farrell on December 1.
We felt it vitally important to return here today to remember those times and the journey we have travelled on since then and to take the opportunity to remember those comrades and friends who took a stand during the darkest days of struggle and are no longer here with us.”
Prospects for Cancún and beyond' Bairbre de Brún MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún will this week be travelling to Cancún as part of the European Parliament's official delegation to the United Nations Climate Summit, which takes place from November 29 to December 10.
Sinn Féin and its partners in the European United Left/Nordic Green Left have campaigned strongly within the EU for a strong, legally binding global climate treaty that is based on science; that recognises the differing obligations between developing and industrialised countries; and that provides adequate levels of assistance to developing countries for adaptation and mitigation.
The MEP will be speaking at a seminar on the climate summit in Belfast, hosted by South Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey, before departing for the conference.
James Orr from Friends of the Earth and Gary McFarlane from Stop Climate Chaos will also speak at the seminar.
Speaking in advance of Friday's seminar, Ms de Brún said: "I will work with environmental NGOs and local communities to keep up the pressure for an ambitious climate deal that really counts for the world's poor."
"I look forward to discussing the steps that we need to take now in the Assembly, in the EU and in the wider international community.....
"The global economic crisis cannot and must not be used as an excuse for inaction or for denying climate justice. On the contrary, developing a low-carbon economy is our most promising path out of the present crisis."
The seminar will be held at 11.30am on Friday December 3 in the Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast (registration at 11am). All welcome. RSVP to Conor Keenan at Alex Maskey MLA's office on conor.keenan@sinn-fein.ie or on 02890 243 194.
Sinn Féin and its partners in the European United Left/Nordic Green Left have campaigned strongly within the EU for a strong, legally binding global climate treaty that is based on science; that recognises the differing obligations between developing and industrialised countries; and that provides adequate levels of assistance to developing countries for adaptation and mitigation.
The MEP will be speaking at a seminar on the climate summit in Belfast, hosted by South Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey, before departing for the conference.
James Orr from Friends of the Earth and Gary McFarlane from Stop Climate Chaos will also speak at the seminar.
Speaking in advance of Friday's seminar, Ms de Brún said: "I will work with environmental NGOs and local communities to keep up the pressure for an ambitious climate deal that really counts for the world's poor."
"I look forward to discussing the steps that we need to take now in the Assembly, in the EU and in the wider international community.....
"The global economic crisis cannot and must not be used as an excuse for inaction or for denying climate justice. On the contrary, developing a low-carbon economy is our most promising path out of the present crisis."
The seminar will be held at 11.30am on Friday December 3 in the Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast (registration at 11am). All welcome. RSVP to Conor Keenan at Alex Maskey MLA's office on conor.keenan@sinn-fein.ie or on 02890 243 194.
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