Bliain Úr Faoi Mhaise daoibh uilig ó Shinn Féin Thuaisceart Bhéal Feirste

Pipe bomb places New Lodge residents at risk

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín, has slammed those who have left a device in Stratheden Street in the New Lodge area stating that they have placed local residents at risk.

“Whoever is behind this device needs to seriously consider their actions. They have placed local residents at risk, and two days before Christmas in sub zero temperatures have forced 50 families to leave their homes,” said Ní Chuilín.

“Whatever the reason behind this it is simply wrong. There is no justification and these actions are not wanted in this community.

“I am calling on whoever is responsible for this to come forward and explain the ridiculous rationale behind what they have done to this community. Further to this they need to bring these futile actions to an end.”

SDLP vote against communities in most need - McCabe

Speaking after he demanded an emergency meeting of the group campaigning for a leisure facility on the Bone Hills, Sinn Féin Councillor Gerard McCabe has hit out at the SDLP for again joining with the DUP’s anti-equality agenda in the City Hall.
The councillor’s comments came after the SDLP voted against need being the primary factor for leisure funding.

“The SDLP's decision once again to side with the back woodsmen of the DUP Council group and vote against equality is utterly disgraceful,” said McCabe.

“Sinn Féin is battling tooth and nail for leisure services to be allocated on the basis of need. Nowhere is that need more acute than North Belfast. Nationalists cannot safely access the four major leisure centre’s surrounding this area, Ballysillan, Shankill, Grove and Valley. Years of Unionist discrimination meant a sectarian carve up when those facilities were built.

“Honestly I'm gutted by their decision. The SDLP should hang their heads in shame for opposing Sinn Féin's campaign to prioritise need when leisure resources are divided up.
“This decision by the SDLP will severely damage the prospect of getting a local leisure facility for our young people.
“All our good work has been set back years by this anti-equality vote. When challenged at Monday's campaign group's emergency meeting SDLP Councillor Nichola Mallon couldn't explain how she had done a total u-turn.
“The SDLP are on record supporting prioritising need in this campaign, yet when it came to the City Hall vote the SDLP councillors completely buckled and sided with the DUP.

“However, even at this late stage it's not too late for the SDLP to reverse their position. They did so previously when the community strongly challenged them after they voted with the DUP against changing rooms for children at the Cricky Pitch.

“I don't know how SDLP councillors can face this community when they refuse to prioritise areas like Ardoyne and the Bone in greatest need. With unionism, it's a sectarian agenda, but with the SDLP it's just in total opposition to the needs of the community and that beggars belief,” said the republican represenative.

No vote no voice

Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has called on students returning home for the Christmas and New Year holidays to make sure they are on the electoral register.
“I would encourage any student who thinks that they may not be on the electoral register to contact their local electoral office and check if they are registered to vote,” said Ní Chuilín.

“There have been problems encountered in the past for students trying to get forms signed and returned once they leave home particularly if they are going to universities in Scotland or England.
“Students who are away from home on a three-year course can also apply for a postal or proxy vote for the duration of their studies. I think this year more than ever, as we face into a winter of savage Tory cuts especially in higher education, that it’s important our students have a voice and have a vote.

“We have very serious concerns that there are thousands of young people across the North that could be disenfranchised because they are not on the register so it's vital they do not lose their democratic right to vote and now take this opportunity to get registered.” 




To check if you are listed on the Register you can contact the Electoral Office on 0800 4320 712. The registration form is available in a range of languages, including Irish, on the registration page of the Electoral Office website at www.eoni.org.uk.





Kelly joins Sinn Féin activists clearing snow

Gerry Kelly, has joined teams of Sinn Féin activists in clearing and gritting paths of snow in North Belfast including Ardoyne and Newington.

Speaking from outside the Ardoyne shops where the team was well under way in clearing a path to the local shops, chapels and folds Kelly said:

“I want to thank all of the people who have come out in sub zero temperatures to help clear pathways in front of areas where local people would be most affected both here in Ardoyne and in Newington.

“We have cleared and gritted the pathway in front of Ardoyne shops and have a team of volunteers who are also clearing the path to the local Holy Cross and Sacred Heart chapels in advance of Sunday services.

“We have also cleared the path at the nearby Fold in order to give the elderly living there access to and from their homes.

“On Friday as the snow began to fall our office, through our Councillors had contacted the Roads Service and requested grit to be left in several areas in advance and this delivery really has made all the difference.

“This truly is a community effort with all ages turning up to help. I would like to take this opportunity to remind people at these times to check on elderly neighbours to see if they need any help or just a bit of company as many are housebound due to the snow.”

Local MLAs in Christmas visit to older citizens

Residents of Camberwell Court off the Limestone Road welcomed Sinn Féin MLAs Gerry Kelly and Carál Ní Chuilín to their fold this week to talk about the problems and issues facing the North's elderly population. The visit came after the Stormont Assembly agreed last week to legislate for an Older People's Commissioner.
Gerry Kelly said speaking to the Camberwell Court residents added to his determination to see the commissioner implemented fully.

"It's vital that older people have a voice at the heart of government and we are here today to clearly spell out how the new Older People’s Commissioner will do just that," said the Sinn Féin junior minister.

"The commissioner will give older people a role in making decisions that will directly affect their lives. Aging is a key issue for the community and involving older people in shaping government policy is vital.”
During the visit the two MLAs and local councillor Conor Maskey handed over gifts to the elderly residents.

"We try as often as possible to get around these older peoples dwellings and Christmas seems to be a good time. We are always warmly welcomed and having worked on the issue of the Commissioner personally I'm delighted to bring this Christmas present here," said Gerry Kelly.

"I am also calling for everyone to make an extra special effort looking out for your older neighbours during the freeze and over the Christmas holidays. A few minutes of your time can make all the difference to someone that is isolated or house bound. Finally ensure you have all your benefits sorted and don't go cold unnecessarily."

De Brún urges MEPs to stop EU funding to Israeli Military

Bairbre de Brún MEP has today urged her colleagues in the European Parliament to vote to end the European Union's funding towards Israeli companies which engage in military activities while Israel continues to break international human rights law.

An amendment by Ms de Brún put forward to the EU's budget, which was co-signed by 40 Members of the European Parliament from different countries and political groups states, "No company which conducts research for the Israeli military will receive funding under this title while Israel fails to comply with international human rights standards."

Speaking from Strasbourg Ms de Brún said "Part of this funding, which is administered under the heading of 'Directly financed research operations' continues to go towards companies such as Israel Aerospace Industries, a major supplier of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and manufacturer of the ‘Heron’ unmanned aerial vehicle which was used extensively in the siege on Gaza. They receive EUR 4 million of EU funding"

"We must make sure, that while Israel ignores international human rights law, the EU sets an example and gives no money to companies which engage in either military research or the production of weapons."