Léargas

It was once famously said that a week is a long time in politics. Make that a day. For weeks the government parties in Dublin have been rejecting any suggestion that there should be a Commission of Investigation established to look into the activities of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation.

Yesterday, in the face of an increasing storm of popular and political protest the government did a sharp u-turn and announced the very Commission of Investigation it has been vigorously and vociferously opposing. Then last night an email appeared in my inbox from the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, outlining draft Terms of Reference for the Commission and asking for Sinn Féin’s opinion of them.

It’s all a far cry from the government’s Programme for Government four years ago in which the two government parties claimed that a “democratic revolution” had taken place and that they were committed to openness and transparency.

The events of the last few days and weeks have exposed the shallowness of those claims and the disdain in which the government holds the Dáil and Seanad.

The roots of this current crisis lie in the nationalisation of Anglo-Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society and the creation from them of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation. Its function was to sell off assets and reduce the bank debt that the state was taking on as a result of the economic collapse. Among the assets sold was a company called Siteserv. The controversial circumstances around this have been at the centre of a very public debate which for a time last week bordered on a constitutional crisis.

Siteserv had borrowed €150 million from Anglo Irish Bank. IBRC then sold Siteserv to Millington, a company owned by businessman Denis O Brien. It paid €45.42 million. Tax payers lost €105 million and shareholders, including chief executives at the company, received €4.96 million for a busted company. Subsequently Siteserv won the contract for the imposition of water meters.

In 2012 Pearse Doherty and I submitted a range of Parliamentary Questions about IBRC. The responses from government were less than fulsome. More recently Independent TD Catherine Murphy spent a year asking a series of Freedom of Information questions. She faced evasion and prevarication. When pressed on RTE about why Catherine Murphy had to ask 19 Parliamentary Questions before she receved a comprehensive reply the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said that the questions were “adequately answered” and “you don’t produce full files when one specific question is asked.”

As a result of Teachta Murphy’s efforts we now know that O'Brien’s company was not the highest bidder for Siteserv.

We also know that the Minister for Finance was briefed by Department of Finance officials about their concerns about this deal and other transactions involving IBRC. For example, €64 million was written off for Blue Ocean Associates before being purchased by a consortium, also involving, Denis O'Brien. The government ignored these concerns.

I raised this issue in the Dáil with the Taoiseach and demanded that the government establish an independent Commission of Investigation to look into all these matters. The government refused and chose instead to appoint the special liquidators, who had helped close IBRC down, to review all transactions at IBRC over €10 million. The liquidators are from KPMG auditors which oversaw the sale of Siteserv.

Sinn Féin and others on the opposition were justifiably angry at an ‘insider’ review process that was less than transparent and involved the same individuals and company involved in the original sale of Siteserv.

RTE then acquired information on Denis O Brien’s dealings with IBRC. O’Brien, reputedly Ireland’s richest businessman, went to the High Court to prevent the information from being broadcast. On May 18^thhe successfully secured an injunction against RTE, or any other Irish media, carrying any of the detail of his private financial dealings with IBRC. The media was effectively gagged.

Last Thursday, May 28^th, Catherine Murphy introduced a Private Members Bill into the Dáil. It was supported by 45 TDs including Sinn Féin. The purpose of the Comptroller and General Auditor (Amendment) Bill was to try and ensure that IBRC would be subject to independent scrutiny by that agency and not by the ‘insiders’ who had been appointed by the Minister for Finance and who were part of the original sale by IBRC of Siteserv and other companies. Ms Murphy told the Dáil: “It is a web of connections and conflicts that requires outside eyes to unravel.”

The Independent TD also used parliamentary privilege to read into the record of the Dáil her understanding of the details of Mr. O’Brien’s arrangements with IBRC which were the subject of the court injunction. These were published in the Dáil record several hours later and are available online at www.oireachtas.ie

The media interpreted the court injunction as a bar on the carrying by it of any report of Catherine Murphy’s remarks. Mr. O’Brien claimed her information is wrong. Ms Murphy defends her sources.

Article 15, section 12 of the Irish constitution is very explicit in its endorsement of Dáil privilege and the right of those to publish remarks made within the Oireachtas. The court injunction and refusal of the Irish media to publish Teachta Murphy’s remarks for a time created a political furore and a significant constitutional crisis.

On Tuesday the legality of the issues were back for debate in the High Court where Mr. Justice Binchy confirmed that it was never his intention to silence TDs in the Dáil or to inhibit the media in reporting on matters arising in the Dáil. So, absolute Dáil privilege has been restored.

But the whole affair has raised a number of important issues of concern.

Firstly, neither the Taoiseach Enda Kenny nor the government demonstrated any leadership on this issue. No one from the government rushed to defend the rights of the Oireachtas and of Oireachtas members. They did not ask the Attorney General to clarify the issue of Dáil privilege nor did they go to court to assert it. The government left it to the media. A clear abdication of their constitutional and political responsibility.

Secondly, the government refused my request and that of other TDs to recall the Dáil to debate this very important matter of public concern.

Thirdly, the issue which gave rise to this controversy has not been resolved. The decision by the government to eventually concede a Commission of Investigation into IBRC is only part of the answer to this. I have written to the Taoiseach setting out a range of suggestions for strengthening the ability of the Commission of Investigation to get to the truth.

I am not hopeful that this government, which like Fianna Fáil before it, never takes on board what opposition parties propose, will do the right thing and amend the Terms of Reference accordingly. If it fails to do this then the Commission risks not having the confidence of the Oireachtas or of the public.

The Commission of Investigation must have the power to examine the political oversight of IBRC by the Minister for Finance and the Department of Finance. The government is trying to distance itself from all of this and from the Commission of Investigation. That is not good enough.

The Commission must also be allowed to review transactions, activities and management decisions involving KPMG in its role as special liquidator; and the government’s 31^st December timeframe for completion of the report is unacceptable. There is understandable concern that there may be an election called between now and 31^st December. The Investigation should be tasked to produce its report no later than 31^st October 2015.

Fourthly, for those tens of thousands of families who are struggling to pay mortgages, or who cannot pay and live under the threat of eviction, and those small businesses who can’t get credit from the banks, all of this is evidence of the government’s differential treatment of banks and of the elites. Owe thousands and the state and the banks will relentlessly and ruthlessly pursue you. Owe millions and kid gloves are used.

The same concerns also exist around theNational Asset Management Agency (NAMA). It also has been handling billions in debts arising from the economic crash; mainly from the collapse of the construction industry. There is a lack of transparency here also.

And finally there is the a lá carte attitude of sections of the media and of some in the Dáil to the issue of Dáil privilege. Mary Lou McDonald named former politicians in the Dáil last November with alleged links to off-shore accounts following information released by a whistleblower.

She was pilloried by some of those, especially in Fianna Fáil and the government parties, who have been vocal in recent days defending Dáil privilege in respect of Catherine Murphy. The Fianna Fáil Chief Whip Seán Ó Fearghail went so far as to report her to the Committee on Procedures and Privileges.

It would appear that here is one law for those who aren’t electoral competitors and another for those who are. Either Oireachtas members have absolute privilege or they don’t.

The Committee on Procedures and Privileges came out against Mary Lou. No surprise there. How will they respond, in light of the media’s rush to the High Court to defend freedom of speech, to accusations by some, including Denis O’Brien, that Catherine Murphy similarly abused privilege?

With the good weather in the Mediterranean the numbers of refugees seeking to cross to Europe has dramatically increased. Last weekend an estimated 7000 men, women and children were rescued from the Sea off the coast of Libya. They were among the 100,000 refugees and migrants who have arrived illegally in Europe since the start of the year. That’s close to the entire population of West Belfast. The Irish Naval Service described the number of migrants being rescued as "biblical" in proportion.

In the same period almost 2000 refugees have drowned. In one terrifying event an estimated 900 refugees drowned when a boat capsized. Many of those victims died because the traffickers locked refugees, including women and children, in the ship’s hold.

Since then hundreds more have drowned. Almost every day graphic and distressing images emerge of boat loads of refugees. They are fleeing wars and civil wars in Syria and Libya, Somalia and Nigeria and many of the other conflicts taking place in that region of the world. Like our ancestors fleeing the Great Hunger in Coffin Ships they are also fleeing famine and poverty in sub-saharan Africa.

Too often help for the refugees on these overcrowded boats comes too late. Boats sink and refugees drown. The statistics of death and tragedy in the Mediterranean are distressing.

The most recent United Nations report states that:

· In one week in April 10,000 Migrants were rescued.

· 218,000 refugees are estimated to have crossed the Mediterranean in 2014

· 3,500 Migrants died attempting the crossing last year

In May Pope Francis appealed to the international community to prevent drownings in the Mediterranean. He described those who died taking the perilous journey as: “Men and women like us who seek a better life. Hungry, persecuted, injured, exploited, victims of wars. They were looking for happiness".

Of the many conflicts in that part of the world the most disastrous at this time is in Syria. It is an inconceivable human tragedy. As many as 300,000 people have been killed in a war that is now in its fifth year. The number of refugees is unprecedented. About 3 million Syrians have fled their country, and an additional 6.5 million are internally displaced.

International organizations do what they can, but they have limited resources and conditions in the conflict areas are dangerous. Conditions are appalling. Children are especially vulnerable.

Last year the number of asylum applicants to EU nations rose by 44 percent with the total reaching six hundred and twenty six thousand. Eurostat, the EU agency responsible for statistics, has reported that one hundred and ninety one thousand more people applied for asylum in European countries in 2014 than in the previous year.

The number of Syrian asylum applicants rose to one over hundred thousand, more than twice the previous year. Germany, Italy, Hungary, Sweden and France have all reported significant increases in asylum requests.

In May the Foreign Ministers of the EU met and produced a ten point plan. EU leaders met several days later and approved this plan. Since then it has begun to fall apart under the strains of its own inadequacy.

The EU leaders proposed that the EU states would resettle 5,000 immigrants. When set against the numbers trying to get into Europe this is a derisory figure. They also came up with the idea of offering migrants return travel packages. Is it reasonable to expect that refugees would accept a travel scheme that sends them back to the war, to poverty or famine they are trying to escape from?

They then announced a quota scheme for EU member states. The proposal was that numbers of refugees would be allocated to each state based on economic and social factors. The British Tory government and the French and Spanish governments have now opposed the quota system.

So too have the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia. In remarks three weeks President Hollande insisted that all purely economic migrants would be deported. He warned that: “People who come because they think that Europe is a prosperous continent, even when they are not hired by companies ... must be escorted back.”

Unless effective and compassionate immigration rules are introduced, and substantial aid is provided to the home nations, asylum seekers will increasingly be forced to turn to the human traffickers. They will also be forced to remain in Libya which is in a state of chaos.

Recently, the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, addressed the UN Security Council seeking support for military action against the people traffickers. It cannot progress without the support of Libya. However, with two rival governments in that country there is no evidence that this agreement is imminent.

Amnesty International has warned that military action could leave migrants trapped in Libya in desperate conditions. A recent Amnesty report entitled "Libya is full of cruelty" has given graphic accounts of the plight of refugees in Libya where abduction, and torture and rape are widespread.

If the EU organises military action against the traffickers but leaves refugees trapped in Libya how will that ease the humanitarian crisis?

The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol are there to help and protect refugees. According to their provisions, refugees deserve, as a minimum, the same standards of treatment enjoyed by other foreign nationals in a given country and, in many cases, the same treatment as nationals. Nor should a refugee be returned to a country where he or she faces serious threats to his or her life or freedom.

This must be a fundamental right accorded to those who might be stopped entering the EU. But clearly much more is needed.

The colonial record and the more recent policies of some European countries toward north Africa and the Middle East have contributed enormously to the difficulties in this region.

Tackling the issue of migrant refugees means taking a stand against those from either the extreme right or left, be they fundamentalists, bigots, racists or homophobes, who seek to impose by violence and intimidation their values on others.

The European Union needs to do more to help the economic migrants and the political refugees. It needs to pro-actively participate in initiatives to end the conflicts in Iraq and Syria and elsewhere in the region.

It especially means Europe pushing harder for a resolution of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. For many this conflict lies at the heart of much of what is happening in that region today.

The British establishment knows something about hypocrisy and brass-necked politics. Especially when it comes to Ireland. This week was a case in point. The British media extensively covered the celebration of the signing 800 years ago by the English King John in 1215 of the Magna Carta.

The long history of colonisation between England and Ireland left no room for celebration on this island. While they were busy taking from the Irish the English Barons – fed up with the abusive behaviour of King John - but more importantly wanting a greater share of the economic spoils and of political power – demanded that John agree to a charter that would limit the power of the King.

The Charter was essentially the Barons telling John that he was not above the law and to back off from excessive taxes. However, within a couple of months the English King retracted it all and secured the support of the Pope, in a papal bull, in renouncing this ‘illegal, unjust, harmful to royal rights and shameful to the English people.’

Standing at the site of the signing of the Magna Carta at Runnymede British Prime Minister David Cameron waxed lyrical about human rights and how people around the world ‘see how the great charter shaped the world for the best part of a millennium helping to promote arguments for justice and freedom…’

He then signalled his government’s intention again to repeal the Human Rights Act and to end Britain’s involvement with the European Convention on Human Rights. These are two key foundation stones for the Good Friday Agreement. They are essential elements of that historic peace treaty and of subsequent agreements, especially in respect of policing and justice.

The European Convention on Human Rights has been an indispensable tool in holding successive British governments to some sort of account for their human rights violations in the north during the years of conflict. And for that reason, as well as because he wants to pander to the anti-EU element of his party, Cameron wants to tear it up.

His performance at the Magna Carta celebrations was, as the Director of Liberty described it as a ‘masterclass in bare-faced cheek.’ Allan Hogwarth of Amnesty International put it nicely. He said: ‘David Cameron’s use of the anniversary of the Magna Carta to justify scrapping the Human Rights Act will have those 13^th century Barons spinning in their highly ornate, lead lined coffins.’

But that’s only part of the story.

Another and more deadly aspect of British policy in Ireland was put under the spotlight in an RTE documentary on Monday night - How Police & soldiers helped terrorists kill & maim in Northern Ireland: Collusion - An Investigation. It brought into sharp focus the role of the British state, at its highest political level, in planning, ordering and sanctioning state murder on a massive scale.

Much of what it contained was not new. The BBC spotlight programme of a few weeks ago touched on the same issue. And for citizens in the north collusion has been part of the political agenda for decades.

It took 30 years for RTE to make this programme. So, for many citizens in the south it was their first real opportunity to see the reality of Britain’s dirty war in Ireland. While David Cameron and others in that establishment were speaking of the great record of Britain in defending human rights the truth of that lie was being laid bare on RTE. The policy of state sponsored collusion between British state forces and unionist death squads was part and parcel of Britain’s political and military strategy in the six counties.

In her essential work on this issue – Lethal Allies – Anne Cadwallader of the Pat Finucane Centre concluded that it was an ‘inescapable fact, established beyond doubt by these events’ that ‘successive British governments and their law enforcement agencies entered into a collusive counter-insurgency campaign with loyalist paramilitaries. It was thoroughly unethical – and it failed dismally. It was also illegal under international law.’

Regrettably successive Irish government’s failed to uphold the rights of the hundreds of Irish citizens who were killed or the thousands more who were injured, imprisoned or tortured, as a consequence of British policy. The most obvious example of this is the Dublin Monaghan bombs which killed 33 citizens. But there are also the deaths of Councillor Eddie Fullerton, of Jack Rooney and Hugh Watters who were killed in Dundalk and of Seamus Ludlow and others.

The SDLP, Irish governments and others used to regularly ridicule claims of collusion. No longer. Nor can it be dismissed as a ‘few bad apples’. It was pervasive and strategic and policy driven by the British government from 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet, to its military and intelligence agencies.

The emotional and psychological cost of collusion is still felt by families and survivors across Ireland, including the families of Sinn Féin members and family members who were killed.

I have raised this issue with the Taoiseach twice this week in the Dáil. I urged him to meet with Relatives for Justice.

The Taoiseach should be a champion of this agreement and particularly those elements which are within the authority of the governments.

As a co-equal guarantor of the Good Friday and subsequent agreements he has a responsibility to press the British government to move ahead with the implementation of thoseelements of the Stormont House Agreement that deal with the past and legacy issues. They have the authority to advance many of the protocols dealing with the past.

These include: the establishment of the Historical Investigations Unit (HIU); putting in place processes that are victim centred; improving Legacy inquests to ensure that they are conducted to comply with ECHR Article 2 requirements; ensuring that both governments provide full disclosure to the HIU; and establish the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR). The Taoiseach should press Mr. Cameron to implement all other elements of the Stormont House Agreement that are the responsibility of the two governments.

In this way the bereaved families and victims will have access to mechanisms that can help to bring truth and justice and closure.

Finally, it is worth recalling some of the bald statistics of collusion:

· The Glennane Gang which was responsible for up 150 murders, including the Dublin Monaghan bombings, was made of agents and serving members of the RUC and UDR.

· The Stevens Inquiry found that of 210 Loyalist it identified, 207 were agents for elements of the British security services.

· Stevens recommended the arrest and prosecution of 24 Special Branch officers and British Army handlers of loyalist killers for their involvement in scores of murders. The British government refused to arrest or prosecute those responsible.

· DaSilva found that 85% of all Loyalist Intelligence came from the British agencies.

· British intelligence agencies armed loyalists, provided intelligence, and safe passage, and covered up their activities.

· The former head of RUC Special Branch Raymond White recalls how he raised the issue of the use of agents and collusion with former British PM Thatcher only for his concerns to be dismissed. He was essentially told: “carry on – just don’t get caught”.

Where to begin? Fr. Des will be 90 on July 8th. It’s hard to believe. He has lived a full life. A good life. And in the course of his years of service Fr. Des has helped thousands of people. During the dark years of war and violence he lived and worked in Ballymurphy and Springhill and was often in the thick of it standing up for citizens against the British Army and RUC, comforting the bereaved, and helping frightened people.

It feels like I have known him all my life. He has been a crucial part of the greater Ballymurphy family from the time he was first moved to St. John’s parish in 1966. Ballymurphy was one of those post second world war estates that was built without thought or planning. No schools, no shops, no play facilities for children, no local employment and no church. Corpus Christie was built to serve the Ballymurphy and Springhill communities but someone neglected to build a priests house.

Fr. Des and Fr. Hugh Mullan came up with the radical idea of getting a council house within the Ballymurphy estate. Most priests lived separately from the working class communities who made up the bulk of their parishioners. Theirs was a novel proposal. Unsurprisingly the idea was not well received and Fr. Mullan found himself in Springfield Park – a small estate of semi-detached houses, just across the Springfield Road from Ballymurphy.

On August 9^th1971 Fr. Mullan was one of 11 local citizens who died in the Ballymurphy Massacre – victims of the British Army’s Parachute Regiment. Fr. Mullan had gone to the aid of neighbour Bobby Clarke who had been shot in the back. Fr. Mullan was waving a white babygrow when he too was shot in the back. Eye witnesses said Father Mullan could be heard praying as he lay bleeding to death.

Fr. Des eventually secured a small four bedroomed terrace council house – 123 Springhill Avenue – and took up residency in January 1972. From that point on it was an ‘open house’ – Springhill Community House - a place of refuge and learning and spirituality. Fr. Des made everyone welcome. His home was also one of the few places in that huge sprawling area with a working phone. Consequently each day harassed parents, mainly mothers, were there trying to get news of those arrested in British Army swoops; or to phone the local dole office about the non-arrival of social benefits.

Father Des teamed up with Frank Cahill and other local activists. They founded the Rock furniture group and other co-ops, started a Peoples’ Theatre and developed outreach with working class unionist communities.

The Church hierarchy looked increasingly with disapproval on the work of Fr. Des. More and more he found himself at odds with the political stance of the hierarchy. In 1975 he resigned from the Church but not from the priesthood and continued with his work.

During this time I approached Fr. Des and Fr Alec Reid to see if they were prepared to act as facilitators to help bring an end to the occasional inter republican conflicts that broke out in Belfast. They agreed and helped put in place a process of arbitration and mediation that undoubtedly saved lives. They also started a dialogue with loyalist paramilitaries and both priests were very supportive of the republican prisoners, especially during the hunger strikes. Springhill Community House was also very active in the campaign to end the strip searching of the women prisoners in Armagh Women’s prison.

Along with Noelle Ryan and others Fr. Des successfully turned Springhill Community House, into the largest academic outreach centre in west Belfast. It provided a meeting place for people to discuss and study whatever was of interest to them. Its objective was to promote social inclusion and self-help and to assist the most disadvantaged and prepare them for further education and training. By 1980, there were over 200 enrolments. Many of them were young people expelled from school or adults who had left school early to find work.

In 1982 Springhill Community House extended its programmes into Conway Mill with the opening of the Education floor. The old Mill, which had been lying derelict for years, was part of an innovative self-help project founded by the late Tom Cahill. Tom proposed that Conway Mill should be turned into a community enterprise project providing education, self-help and local employment opportunities.

The first management committee included many well-known local republican and community activists, including Frank Cahill, Liam Burke, Alfie Hannaway, Jimmy Drumm, Jean McStravick, Sean O’ Neill, Tom Cahill, Colm Bradley and Fr. Des Wilson

To facilitate the provision of education one floor of one of the two main buildings was given over to education. It was run under the auspices of Springhill Community House and for much of the time with the indefatigable Else Best present. The floor was cleared, classrooms constructed, toilets installed and a theatre and stage built. Halla na Saoirse (Freedom Hall) was frequently used for the staging of plays written by local people.

A crèche was established and staffed by ACE (Action for Community Employment) workers and teachers and tutors were provided by the Workers Educational Association (W.E.A.) and the Ulster Peoples College.

Regrettably Conway Mill also became a target for the British state. Under the then British Secretary of State Douglas Hurd a policy of political vetting against community groups with any alleged republican connection was introduced. The first to be targeted was the Conway Mill crèche. The British decision, which was supported by the SDLP, caused outrage.

There were also threats and attacks by unionist paramilitaries. However Dr. Des and his colleagues refused to be coerced or intimidated and continued to fundraise and to develop the Mill. Today it is a fine building providing employment and education for the people of west Belfast and it is a fitting tribute to the courage and vision of Fr. Des and his friends.

Through the 70s, the 80s, the 90s and into the 21^stcentury Springhill Community House, and Fr. Des have been at the heart of many of the positive initiatives to emerge from west Belfast. As well as creating jobs and providing education Springhill Community House was deeply involved in justice, policing and human rights projects. They organised some of the first surveys and inquiries into living conditions, education provision and unemployment in West Belfast.

With his friend Fr. Joe McVeigh, Fr. Des also established the Community for Social Justice. Its role was to highlight the real nature of violence in Ireland and to challenge the leaders of the Church.

Fr. Des is also a prolific and insightful writer. As well as penning a weekly column in the Andersonstown News – which touches upon every issue imaginable – he has also written several books – An End to Silence; Democracy Denied; and The Way I See It. He is also a pamphleteer – Diary of 30 years – 1972; The Chaplin’s Affair – 1976; The Demonstration – 1982; Against Violence in Ireland – 1983; The Laughing Christian – 1999.

Fr. Des is a leader, a man of great courage and vision, a good neighbour, an honest down to earth decent human being. I am pleased to be able to call him friend. I will leave the last word to him. Writing about moving into Ballymurphy in 1972 Fr. Des later wrote:

I found the people very sophisticated; they don't get the credit for it. I used to make a joke: If suddenly the Pope came out on the balcony of St. Peter's and announced that he was going to get married, it's the people of Ballymurphy and Springhill who would take a very rational view; whereas a lot of middle-class people would react as if the world was falling apart - and a lot of ecclesiastical people too. But the people here would consider it very rationally, as they do so many things - because they're so close to the reality of life. A lot of the so called "problems" which the Church talks about are false problems; they're manufactured problems about marriage, etc. They've created these problems - like crossword puzzles. The problems that people in Ballymurphy face are real, not theoretical. They're not whether you stand up or sit down at the Creed. It's whether you live!

Fr. Des has lived well and he has more living to do. Go raibh maith agat. Lá briethe shona duit.

The future of the political structures created by the Good Friday Agreement hangs by a thread. In the 17 years since it was achieved the Agreement has faced many challenges but the determination of the British Tory government, and of the unionist parties, to implement swingeing austerity cuts represents the gravest threat yet to the political institutions.

Last week the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle agreed to give conditional support to the Budget nos 2 Bill that Arlene Foster has introduced into the Assembly. It is a technical piece of legislation that gives effect to the budget which Sinn Féin and the other parties agreed during the Stormont House negotiations at Christmas time. Sinn Féin’s support for the Stormont House Agreement was based on full protection for all successful claims for social security benefits under the control of the Executive for the next six years.

In February the DUP defaulted on this part of the agreement and provided only for current recipients.

The Budget nos 2 bill has been described by some as a ‘fantasy’ budget. But failure last week to pass the budget bill would likely have resulted in an immediate crisis in the political institutions. The Sinn Féin decision provided a space in which solutions might still be found. However the ability of the parties to do this has been severely undermined by four years of consistent Tory cuts that have targeted public services and the most vulnerable in society. In total one and a half billion pounds has been slashed form the Executive’s budget in addition to cuts to welfare spending at Westminster.

This austerity agenda has caused real hardship for many families and impacted badly on the provision of public services.

Throughout this time Sinn Féin’s priorities have been to ensure the efficient functioning of the power sharing institutions; create jobs and reduce unemployment; protect the most vulnerable in society, and to bring forward working budgets that ensure the delivery of frontline services.

Sinn Féin deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, has also played a central role in the Executive’s successful job creation strategy that has seen unemployment falling. We sought to strengthen these objectives through the negotiations at Stormont House, by working to create a coalition against Tory cuts within the Executive and wider society, and by setting out an alternative to austerity.

Part of this was agreeing to the budget for 2015/2016. We agreed this budget in good faith in the context of it being a finalised budget with no further cuts, and in anticipation of the delivery of all aspects of the Stormont House Agreement.

There has been limited progress on the Stormont House Agreement. The DUP is still refusing to honour the agreement on social security protection safeguards and the newly elected British government intends to impose further cuts of £25 billion to public spending. A cut of £38 million from the 2015/2016 budget in the six-counties has already been determined.

London has so far failed to detail the wider impact of these cuts in the north but the Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has told DFM Martin McGuinness that ‘they will be eye watering.’

Sinn Féin’s position has been consistent and clear. We are totally opposed to the Tory cuts agenda. We are opposed to it in principle and in practice. Tory cuts and austerity are incompatible with democratic values. Sinn Féin cannot and will not be agents of cuts imposed on citizens in the north at the behest of millionaires in London.

Others who may be prepared to perform this role should be mindful that these cuts will affect unionist and loyalist citizens as well as everyone else.

To date the most vulnerable have been cushioned from the worst of the Tory cuts to the block grant, however there are also cuts in spending by government departments that have been announced but have yet been given full effect by the voluntary and statutory agencies and bodies that have seen their funding reduced.

Republicans want the political institutions to work and deliver for citizens. Despite the inevitable problems associated with a unique and experimental power sharing system there can be no doubt that the Executive and Assembly and all-Ireland institutions have worked much better for citizens than the years of direct rule by unaccountable British Ministers and the decades of one party control by the Ulster Unionist Party.

Consequently our preference is for the current institutions to stay in place. But it cannot be at any price.

Sinn Féin does not expect conservative governments in Dublin or London to change their political or ideological positions. They are both wedded to the austerity agenda.

However, we do expect both governments to accept the special circumstances of the north, as a society coming out of conflict, and the need for an economic dividend to the necessary process of peace building and change. We also demand that they fully implement the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements.

Specifically, the two governments should implement those elements of the Stormont House Agreement that deal with the past and legacy issues. Victims and their families should not be prevented from achieving truth and closure because of the failure to reach agreement on other issues. The two governments can and should proceed with establishing the Historical Investigations Unit (HIU); improving Legacy inquests and establish the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR).

In the meantime Sinn Féin Ministers will continue to maintain frontline services as far as possible. And strive to protect vulnerable citizens.

At this eleventh hour I would urge civic society, the business, voluntary and community sector, the churches and trade union movement to play a full and positive role in defending citizens against austerity and in defending public services and democratic political institutions. The British Tories need to be persuaded to agree a realistic funding for the Executive which delivers for citizens. Without a working budget this is not tenable.

NAMA is once again in the news. This time over the sale of its northern loan portfolio. Regular readers of this blog will know that the Fianna Fáil Government established the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) in 2009 as part of its response to the economic crisis. Acting as a ‘bad bank’ NAMA took over all of the loans – “good” and “bad” – of all property borrowers arising from those banks bailed out by the Irish taxpayer.

As a consequence of the decisions of successive Irish government’s bad banking debt was then turned into public debt with citizens taking on the financial burden of debts amounting to over €64 billion. NAMA was intended to recoup the losses to the Irish taxpayer.

Sinn Féin TDs, particularly my good self, Mary Lou MacDonald, Pearse Doherty and Peadar Toibin have consistently raised concerns about NAMA. At the beginning of June the Irish government was forced into establishing a Commission of Investigation into the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC) over concerns about the write down of debt in the selling off of public assets held by that bank.

In the Dáil debate I said: “It’s also important to state that the concerns around IBRC are not confined to that bank. Similar concerns surround the operation of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA).

NAMA also has been handling billions of euro in debts arising from the economic crash, mainly from the collapse of the construction industry. NAMA has been ordered to wind up faster than its 2020 remit demands.

Sinn Féin is concerned that this may result in a failure to get full value for the taxpayer and that NAMA is undertaking a firesale of assets to meet an arbitrary deadline. So, the distinct impression that citizens are left with after weeks of exposure to the IBRC scandal is that a culture of secrecy exists at the heart of this Government.”

On Thursday independent TD Mick Wallace raised similar and valid concerns around NAMA and the sale of its northern loan portfolio to a US vulture capitalist firm called Cerberus Capital Management back in April 2014.

This sale by NAMA included loans owned by debtors – property developers and investors - from the North who had borrowed from Anglo-Irish bank, AIB and Bank of Ireland. Their loans were secured by assets held across the island of Ireland, Britain and in parts of Europe.

The value of these loans had a par value of £4.5 billion and the whole purpose of NAMA selling this loan portfolio was to recoup the losses to the Irish taxpayer who shamefully, have been forced to bail out the banks who lent the money in the first place. But of course that is not what happened.

What we now know did happen was that NAMA sold the £4.5 billion of loans to Cerberus - it is alleged for only £1.5 billion.

Before the sale even took place Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty questioned the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan in the Dáil on whether or not NAMA had jumped too soon and received the best value for the portfolio on behalf of the taxpayer.

Pearse asked, "Fire sales at the cusp of property price and economic recovery ring every alarm bell there is.”

Asking further he quizzed the Minister on, “…the number of bidders; the date the bidding process commenced; if he instructed NAMA to dispose of their entire North of Ireland portfolio; the criteria used to establish the successful bidder; and if he will disclose the ultimate price paid for the portfolio.”

In response Michael Noonan said that, “the sale of the loans relating to debtors in the North was conducted on NAMAs behalf by the corporate finance advisor Lazard. The sales process commenced in January 2014 and the decision to dispose of the portfolio was taken by NAMA in response to an improvement in market conditions. As part of the process, Lazard identified and engaged with those parties which, in its expert view, had the capacity to engage in a transaction of this scale. NAMA recently announced its intention to proceed with the sale of the portfolio, subject to contract, to affiliates of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. The process is, accordingly, on-going and it would be inappropriate to comment any further on the matter given that the transaction has not yet concluded.”

Needless to say the sale went ahead. Cerberus got a bargain and the people got taken for fools by the Government and the golden-circle, yet again.

On the day the sale went through NAMA Chairman, Frank Daly, and NAMA CEO, Brendan McDonagh issued a public statement which said;

“This transaction represents a significant achievement for NAMA. It is NAMA’s biggest single transaction to date and we are satisfied that the sales process will deliver the best possible result for the Irish taxpayer. NAMA management of this portfolio has been measured and supportive taking into consideration the particular circumstances in the Northern Ireland economy. We are assured by Cerberus that they will adopt a similar approach.”

I’m not sure everyone would agree with that assessment.

One year on we are being told of serious concerns being experienced by local businesses and entrepreneurs in the north, many of whom were in fact “good” borrowers, who agreed their repayments with NAMA before it sold off the northern portfolio, and who have yet to miss a repayment.

Sinn Féin warned of this at the time and Cerberus promised to work with local business and gave assurances, “to act in the best interests of Northern Ireland and, like Nama, would not seek quick fixes by embarking on a “fire sale” that would drive down property prices.”

However, despite such promises Cerberus certainly do appear to be seeking quick fixes and embarking on a “fire sale” to secure the par value of the loans of £4.5 billion. This is to the detriment of the local economy, particularly in these increasingly challenging times as the Tory party inflict deep cuts to the local economy. We must avoid at all costs any further assault or negative downward impact on small business, employers and the wider economy.

Cerberus cannot come to Ireland as profiteers and not be scrutinised or held to account. We can assure them that is what will happen.

Further allegations raised by Deputy Mick Wallace TD in the Dáil which suggest a cabal involved in insider trading and political cronyism, must be fully investigated by the Assembly, PSNI, DPP and other relevant authorities.

I welcome the statement from the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who has called for an intensive investigation into these matters.

I also welcome the decision by Daithi McKay, the Sinn Féin Chair of the Assembly Finance Committee, who has said that he intends to convene an emergency sitting of the committee to consider its response to the NAMA allegations. Cerberus was previously invited by the Assembly Committee to give evidence but didn’t. Daithi intends calling them again. He also plans to call NAMA officials and the Law Firm mentioned in the current controversy to speak to the committee, and I understand that he intends inviting Mick Wallace to appear before the committee also.

The disclosures around this latest controversy involving NAMA underlines the need for a Commission of Investigation to be established into the management and decisions of NAMA by the Irish government.

As a first step, and in light of the revelations and allegations over the last 24 hours it is imperative that the Minister of Finance Michael Noonan comes into the Dáil on Tuesday and makes a full statement on the handling of this sale by NAMA and states whether he is assured that the sale was value for money and not open to abuse.

Bobby Ballagh and mise

Wynn’s Hotel in Lower Abbey Street in the centre of Dublin played a pivotal role in the formation of two of the key groups that shaped the 1916 Easter Rising; Oglaigh na hÉireann – the Irish Volunteers, and the Cumann na mBán.

On November 11th 1913 a small group of republican activists met at Wynn’s Hotel. Present were Bulmer Hobson, Eoin Mac Neill, Padraig Mac Piarais, Sean Mac Diarmada, W.J. Ryan, Eamonn Ceannt, The O'Rahilly, and several more. It was agreed to hold a public recruiting meeting for a body called the Irish Volunteers whose aim was ‘to secure and maintain the common rights and liberties of Irish men’.

Three of those in attendance; Pádraig Mac Piarais, Sean Mac Diarmada, and Eamonn Ceannt were among the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation. They were subsequently executed by the British.

Two weeks after that first inaugural meeting - on November 25th- over seven thousand joined the Volunteers at a meeting in the Rotunda Rink in the grounds of the Rotunda Hospital. On the same night a special section set aside for women was also full.

On April 2nd 1914 the first official meeting of the Cumann na mBán took place in Wynn’s Hotel.

Relatives of 1916 leaders

Last Friday morning Wynn’s Hotel was crowded for the launch of Sinn Féin National Launch 1916 Commemorative Events. Mary Lou MacDonald chaired the event; Martin McGuinness spoke about the importance of 1916, and in particular about the National Monument in Moore Street where the 1916 Leaders met for the last time and which the government has failed to protect or develop properly. James Connolly Heron, the great grandson of James Connolly also spoke. So did I.

The centenary programme is first class. It is our intention to launch it in Belfast in the near future.

The programme includes a re-enactment of the funeral of veteran Fenian Jeremiah O Donovan Rossa on August 1st this year.

Under the title ‘Revolution 1916’ a visitor exhibition will run for 33 weeks in the Ambassador Theatre (part of the Rotunda complex) in O Connell Street commencing on February 27th 2016. This will feature a day-by-day account and legacy of the 1916 Rising through different mediums and artefacts.

Outside the GPO on March 8th 2016 a rally will be held to celebrate the role of women in the Revolutionary period.

A parade of the Irish Citizen Army will take place from Liberty Hall to St. Stephen’s Green with a special emphasis on the Diaspora.

Nationwide Easter Commemoration Parades will take place. Dawn Vigils
will be held outside Kilmainham Gaol on the dates our leaders were executed and in Cork on 9th May and Pentonville on August 3rd 2016.

Over April 24th – 29th 2016 (the actual dates of the Rising) a light show will use the portico of the GPO to depict the story of the Rising.

On Sunday 24th 2016 the Citizens’ Initiative will be holding a national march and rally to ‘Reclaim the Vision of 2016’.

In Belfast there will be events to mark the life of James Connolly and on May 15th 2016 at Arbour Hill there will be an oration and ceremony.

I have no doubt other events local and national will be organised between now and next year.

Tim Pat Coogan and Martin McGuinness

This programme is Sinn Féin’s contribution to the centenary celebration of the 1916 Rising – a seminal event which shaped the history of this island for the following 100 years. Other organisations and individuals will also organise and hold their own events.

There has been widespread criticism of the government’s failure to produce a programme of any substance and public reaction to its promotional video – Ireland Inspires 2016 – was so angry that it had to be withdrawn. The 80 second promotional video failed to mention the Rising or the Proclamation or the executed leaders. It did however include images of David Cameron, Queen Elizabeth, Bono, and Bob Geldof.

In stark contrast the video presented at Friday mornings launch of our centenary programme of events is an excellent production which captures the essence of the period and its impact.

This shambolic approach by the Irish government is an accurate reflection of the Fine Gael and Labours leadership’s attitude to 1916, and in particular the Proclamation. Little wonder they don’t want to celebrate the Proclamation.

They don’t believe in it. They are embarrassed by its content.

The government’s failure to protect and properly develop the National Monument in Moore Street, as well as the laneways of history – those adjacent streets and lanes where the men and women of 1916 valiantly fought the British Army – has been shameful.

The Easter Rising saw an alliance of organisations come together, including the Irish Volunteers, the Irish Citizen Army, Sinn Féin, the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the woman's movement, and Irish language activists.

They rose up against British rule in Ireland and declared a Republic. For Ireland and for the British Empire this was a point from which all changed utterly. It was a hugely courageous act. A few hundreds of Irish men and women taking on the might of what was then the largest empire in history, and the foremost global power.

For the British the Easter Rising, and struggle for self-determination and sovereignty, set an example that was to be imitated successfully in the following decades in its countless colonies around the globe.

The British hoped by the speed and scale of the executions that followed that they could extinguish the flame of freedom. They were wrong. At his court martial Pádraig Pearse got it exactly right:

'Believe that we, too, love freedom and desire it. To us it is more desirable than anything in the world. If you strike us down now, we shall rise again to renew the fight. You cannot conquer Ireland. You cannot extinguish the Irish passion for freedom.'

That is absolutely true.

The revolutionary period was followed by a counter revolution. The counter revolutionaries won. Partition and small minded narrow, mean and conservative states were forced upon us. But though the counter revolutionaries won they did not defeat us.

So the centenary celebration of the Easter Rising is a time to build. It is a time to rededicate ourselves to the achievement of the politics of Wolfe Tone, of Padraig Pearse and James Connolly, of Maire Drumm and Mairead Farrell, and of Bobby Sands.

The Proclamation summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom. We are those children. I invite you to join in that great historic enterprise.

Today - Wednesday - the Dáil debate an all-party motion in support of the Ballymurphy Massacre Relatives. Their story is one of great tragedy, courage and tenacity. Its also a story of my home place - where I grew up and the people I knew. Below are my remarks from today.

Support the Ballymurphy Families!

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Taoiseach as díospóireacht uile-pháirtí an lae. Seo céim thábhachtach chun tosaigh do theaghlaigh Bhaile Uí Mhurchú agus iad sa tóir ar an fhírinne agus cóir.

Today's motion is an important step forward in the search for truth and justice for the Ballymurphy families. Ballymurphy is a large housing estate at the foot of Black Mountain in west Belfast. Like other housing estates throughout these islands, it was badly built in the 1950s - jerry-built houses in an area which lacked many of the basic facilities for education, recreation, jobs, and for young people. My mother was allocated a home there in the late 1950s, so the people who are gathered in the Visitors Gallery today are my neighbours or the children or grandchildren of my neighbours and friends. They are the relatives of the 11 citizens killed in Ballymurphy in August 1971. Tá fáilte mhór rompu uilig.

I also want to welcome the British ambassador, Dominick Chilcott, here today. I trust he will convey the feeling of this Oireachtas to his Government and ask why, decades into a peace process, the Government in London does not accept the right of these victims of British state terrorism to have their truth acknowledged.

I also welcome the relatives of some of the victims of the McGurk's pub bombings, who have accompanied the Ballymurphy relatives today. Tá gaolta na ndaoine seo ag lorg na fírinne. They are the victims of a war which commenced in the north-eastern part of the island in the late 1960s. War was the British state’s response to the civil rights struggle. The Irish Government of the day stood idly by as ordinary people found themselves caught up in a carnival of reaction against very modest demands for civil rights.

On 9 August 1971, internment was introduced. By that time British troops had been on the streets for two years. They enforced their will through curfew, rubber bullets, gas, water cannon and lead bullets. On the back of the initial internment swoops, the Parachute Regiment was deployed in Ballymurphy. They, like the royal marine commandos, were the shock troops of the British military, deployed against communities which were deemed to be particularly rebellious. When I was growing up in Ballymurphy it was not particularly rebellious at all, but the events of 1969, 1970 and 1971 politicised and republicanised an entire community. Ballymurphy never went to war. The war came to us.

The bombing at McGurk’s pub in north Belfast was another horrific example of that war. It took place in December 1971, four months after the events in Ballymurphy. In both instances, as in many others involving British state forces, the establishment sought to cover up and to deny any responsibility for the deaths. The McGurk's families have initiated legal proceedings against the PSNI, the British Ministry of Defence and the Norther Ireland Office, NIO.

An investigation by the Police Ombudsman for the North found the RUC had exhibited an investigative bias by blaming the loyalist attack on republicans. New evidence uncovered by researchers for the families at the British National Archives in London reveals links between the McGurk's bar bombing and other similar incidents, including the Kelly's bar attack on 13 May 1972 in Ballymurphy. These links provide evidence of collusion between British state agencies and Unionist death squads. We have also seen this in the recent RTE and BBC television programmes which looked at collusion, and which reinforce the view that the issue of collusion warrants a stand-alone debate in this Dáil. We have put this case to the Taoiseach and I ask once again that a debate be scheduled in the autumn.

Ach inniu táimid ag díriú isteach ar an slad a tharla i mBaile Uí Mhurchú. For the Ballymurphy families with us today, their story begins in the early hours of Monday, 9 August 1971. Thousands of British soldiers, supported by the RUC, smashed their way into hundreds of Nationalist homes.

I was in Ballymurphy that night. I watched my own home being smashed into. I watched other male members of my family being dragged off. I watched my mother and my younger brothers and sisters fleeing. The house was occupied for days by the Parachute Regiment. They destroyed everything. They shit on beds, they urinated in wardrobes, they broke up family and religious memorabilia They dragged away over 300 men and boys into the night, many of them to be tortured later. In the following hours in the Murph, they shot dead ten citizens: nine men, including a local priest, and a mother of eight children. Contrary to what the Tánaiste implies, there was gunfire only from one side when these citizens were killed. That gunfire came from the Parachute Regiment.

The innocent victims were Fr. Hugh Mullan, Francis Quinn, Daniel Teggart, Joan Connolly – a mother of eight - Joseph Murphy, Noel Phillips, Edward Doherty, John Laverty, Joseph Corr and John McKerr. An 11th man, local community worker Paddy McCarthy, died from a heart attack after a British army patrol subjected him to a mock execution. Eleven families lost loved ones and 57 children were bereaved.

As a consequence of internment, many Belfast citizens fled their homes seeking safety in refugee camps in this State. Among them were some of the Ballymurphy families and their children. Some of those in the Visitors Gallery today watched the funerals of their parents on news footage broadcast by RTE. Others were too young to comprehend the enormity of what happened.

Five months later the same paras were on the streets of Derry and shot dead 14 people. The main difference between what happened on Bloody Sunday in Derry and what happened in Ballymurphy was that a part of the assault in Derry was televised. It immediately became a huge issue of controversy while, in Ballymurphy, only the people there knew what had happened. Of course, the British, the regiments, the commanders and the British Ministry of Defence knew.

Six months after Bloody Sunday, the paras returned to west Belfast and carried out another attack in Springhill, the housing estate adjacent to Ballymurphy, where they shot dead another five people, including three children and another Catholic priest. Two Catholic priests were killed in the one community. Margaret Gargan was aged 13, John Dougal was 16, Davy McCafferty was 15, Patrick Butler was aged 40 and the second Catholic priest, Fr. Noel Fitzpatrick, was aged 40.

For 44 years the Ballymurphy families, like many others, have demonstrated extraordinary courage and determination in the face of British secrecy and obstruction. Le fada an lá ní bhfuair scéal Bhaile Uí Mhurchú cluas éisteachta. It was the forgotten massacre. Ach d’fhág sé brón a bhí chomh fíor agus chomh trua le haon slad eile.

For four decades the families have campaigned with great dignity and with grace. I have accompanied them to meet successive British Secretaries of State and shadow Secretaries of State. Truth to tell, I have lost count of the number we met. None of them did anything of any consequence, although some of them were moved to tears by what they were told. We have also briefed successive taoisigh and Ministers for Foreign Affairs, and today the families briefed the Oireachtas. Are we also going to let them down? It is obvious that the memories from that cruel period in our history are still fresh and the pain and grief is as strong as it was 40 years ago, but the families have also refused to be broken. They have refused to hate. They go forward with positivity. They have compiled significant evidence which shows that all who died were killed unlawfully and in breach of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, ECHR. The case also raises serious questions regarding human rights abuses committed by the British Army and exposes a culture of impunity in which members of the British forces routinely acted outside the law and were protected while so doing.

In November 2010 the families made an application to the Attorney General to re-open the inquests. A year later he agreed. That was a welcome development but the families and I remain concerned about the limitations of the inquest system. Consequently, they have proposed the appointment of an independent panel to examine all documents relating to the context, circumstances and aftermath of the deaths of their loved ones. The British Secretary of State has rejected this proposal. She is one in a long line. For that reason the families are looking to the Government and to Oireachtas Members to demand that the British Government stop blocking and hiding and agree to an independent review. This all-party motion is an important step on the road to achieving that, but let no one think that voting for this is enough. It is not enough to say that we support the families or other victims. As the Dáil knows only too well from its experience with successive British Governments in respect of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, for example, motions on their own will not make a difference.

The Government has not done it yet, but it needs to put in place a strategic approach which ensures the British Government is challenged on this issue at every meeting and in every international forum. Unless we do that, the British Government will continue to refuse to give the people of Ballymurphy, and in particular the families and other families what they deserve. If our Government does not do it, how on earth can we expect anyone else to do it? If we are not making this the main issue of this time on the back of the all-party Oireachtas motion we cannot expect anyone else to do it. The matter must be on every agenda between Irish and British officials. The full resources of the State must be employed to challenge the actions that took place. It would be good for the people of Britain for the lid to be lifted on this phase of our joint history. It is not enough to raise the issue, tick the box and talk quietly on the side. It is only when one has a build-up, using diplomatic and other influences, that one will get the British Government to respond as it did on Bloody Sunday. Of course Mr. Cameron deserves commendation for his apology at that time, but we should remember that it too took decades to get.

We should not forget the pain, suffering and tragedies from decades of conflict because for many they are as real today as they were when they first occurred. Almost 4,000 people died and countless others were injured in a war that was vicious and brutal. Fuair tuairim is ceithre mhíle duine bás le linn cogadh a bhí géar uafásach. Over the years I have met many victims, including victims of the IRA. I am prepared to do that, as are other leaders of Sinn Féin. The grief of all victims of the conflict must be respected and acknowledged and all of us in political leadership have a responsibility to do all that we can to ensure no future generation suffers the pain of war. We who have survived have a duty to set them free. For many however, the past remains a reality of the present. Even though it was over 40 years ago, it is as if it was yesterday. I found myself getting emotional when making my opening remarks here today, even though it is almost half a century ago. The past is the present for so many people, and it remains an obstacle to dealing with the future or a pretext or excuse for refusing to build a new future of equality, fairness and prosperity for everyone.

For that reason Sinn Féin endorsed the measures in the Stormont House Agreement for addressing legacy matters. Notwithstanding the difficulties that exist, there is an onus on the Irish and British Governments to implement those elements of the Stormont House Agreement that deal with the past and legacy issues. There is no need to wait for the local political parties - none at all. Issues of security and for the forces involved are the responsibility of the two Governments. They are not the responsibility of Sinn Féin, the DUP, the UUP, the SDLP or the Alliance Party. The Governments can put together the process for dealing with the past and Sinn Féin will co-operate with it. The peace process needs continuous nourishment. It needs to be at the top of the Government’s agenda. Notwithstanding any of the other political priorities, that is where we need to put it. Unfortunately, that is not the case currently, although the Oireachtas all-party motion is very welcome and is a good step in the right direction. I commend the motion to the Dáil.

It only seems like yesterday when BBC newsrooms would have to scramble to find an actor to pretend to be me when they wanted to carry an interview. I always felt like I was making some small contribution to the Arts by keeping some actors in occasional employment. Some of them also clearly improved my diction.

The broadcasting ban, which barred my voice from being heard on the British media, was one of the more bizarre responses of the British state to the conflict.

Of course political censorship by the Irish and British governments went much further than that. It pervaded all aspects of media broadcasting. It went much further than coverage of the war and of the political endeavours to bring it to an end. Sometimes the law was perverted as in the Broadcast Ban introduced by Margaret Thatcher or in Section 31 used by the Irish government, but just as often it was the sly use of political influence or the natural conservative bias of sections of the media, both in Ireland and Britain.

The Brits had very formal structures and believed – and still do as is evident from Iraq and Afghanistan – in the use of psyops (psychological operations) propaganda. But the all-pervasive Section 31 simply banned any member of Sinn Féin speaking on any issue whatsoever.

At its core political censorship is about the state managing how citizens get the news. It misinforms citizens. At its most brazen it is about the demonising of political opponents – trying to persuade citizens through the omission or distortion of information – that those who are being censored are dangerous, subversive, criminal, fanatical, sectarian and so on. You get the idea I’m sure.

But it isn’t just the state that uses censorship or which distorts the opinions of those it doesn’t like. The ownership of the media by a relatively small number of individuals or companies means that these too exercise a huge influence over public opinion. The recent election in Britain is a case in point where the largely conservative owned newspapers lashed the British Labour Party at every opportunity while giving the Tory party largely positive coverage.

We have our equivalent of that in the south of Ireland. The Independent group of newspapers at times fixate on Sinn Féin and especially on me. On one occasion late last year the Sunday Independent had 90 named references to me in 13 separate negative articles.

And then it reached absurd levels when the Independent Group tried to claim that a reference I made in a speech in New York last November, to the response of Michael Collins to the Independent’s attack on the IRA of his day - was an implied threat by me of journalists. By any standard this was a daft and irresponsible assertion but it was one they made anyway.

In my speech I had pointed out that Michael Collins's response to the Irish Independent’s “criticism of the fight for freedom was to dispatch volunteers to the Independent’s offices. They held the editor at gunpoint and then dismantled and destroyed the entire printing machinery! Now I’m obviously not advocating that.”

Regrettably others picked up on the Independent’s line, including the NUJ who working on the same presumption that my remarks constituted a threat to journalists, criticised my comments. Seamus Dooley the Irish secretary of the NUJ said that he “found my comment ill-judged and inappropriate in the context of the daily threats of violence against journalists” and apparently a “number of members, including those employed at Independent Newspapers, found the Collins reference sinister and intimidating.”

In my reply to him I rejected his view that my comments were in any way ill-judged or inappropriate. I suggested that anyone who takes the trouble to read my script will understand the absurdity of the Independent News & Media Group's campaign. And I invited him to read it in full. The speech can be found my logging into http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/32141 and to get the full picture read the blog The Good old IRA at http://leargas.blogspot.ie/2014/11/the-good-old-ira.html#sthash.HZFAnEcj

The idea that any journalist at the Independent, who bothered to read what I had actually said, would interpret it as “sinister” is difficult to accept. The fact is I was simply referencing a historical fact. I did so in my speech to highlight the hypocrisy of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil leaders who hail IRA leader Michael Collins as a Gandhi-like figure while condemning modern republicans such as Bobby Sands, Mairéad Farrell, or Máire Drumm as 'terrorists'.

Several months later in a further report on 9th March on the New York speech the Irish Independent claimed that I had “openly joked about holding the editor of the Irish Independent at gunpoint”.

I complained to the Press Ombudsman that my remarks were reported out of context and that I had clearly referred to the actions of Tan War hero Michael Collins. The Press Ombudsman upheld my complaint. The Irish Independent appealed the decision to the Press Council and this was heard on 3 July. The Press Council rejected the appeal and affirmed the Press Ombudsman's decision in my favour. It said that it was “upholding this complaint on the grounds that the report breached Principle 1 of the Code. The relevant section of this Principle is 1.1. This states:

In reporting news and information, newspapers and magazines shall strive at all times for truth and accuracy.”

This latest development follows a series of decisions by the media watchdog to uphold complaints by me about articles in the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent. The constant stream of biased and offensive coverage of Sinn Féin by the Irish Independent, and of myself in particular, is unprecedented in the history of Irish newspapers. The decision of the Press Council to uphold the Press Ombudsman's findings is another significant and positive development. But I have no illusions that the Independent Group will continue with its campaign and that these will probably increase the closer we get to a Dáil general election.

Since this blog last posted on the latest NAMA scandal a number of weeks ago, details are still emerging bit by bit and this scandal is now the focus of a criminal investigation and an Assembly inquiry.

Readers of this blog will recall that the scandal surrounds the sale by NAMA of loans owned by debtors from across the north of Ireland who had borrowed from Anglo-Irish bank, AIB, Bank of Ireland which had a par value of £4.5bn.

The sales process of this loan book was called, “Project Eagle”.

NAMA sold the entire loan portfolio to US vulture capital fund, Cerberus.

However, what has raised public concern is the allegation that these loans were sold to Cerberus for £1.5bn.

According to NAMA that was their market value at the time of sale. The loss to the taxpayer, was €280m.

One of the questions of public concern is why did NAMA sell the loans as one lot? Why did they not wait until there was a rise in the northern property market and therefore the value of the assets, in order to get a better return?

The whole purpose of NAMA you will remember is to recoup the losses to the Irish taxpayer who are burdened with the toxic debt of the bank bailout at a cost of €64bn.

This in itself is unfair and unjust.

Sinn Féin is on the record in the Dáil as having raised our deep concerns about the sale of the “Project Eagle” loan book from the beginning.

Our Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD, questioned the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan, on whether or not NAMA had received the best value for the portfolio.

Pearse stated, "Fire sales at the cusp of property price and economic recovery ring every alarm bell there is.”

He asked the Minister about, “…the number of bidders; the date the bidding process commenced; if he instructed NAMA to dispose of their entire North of Ireland portfolio; the criteria used to establish the successful bidder; and if he will disclose the ultimate price paid for the portfolio.”

At the start of this month Independent TD Mick Wallace pulled no punches when he too raised similar and valid concerns in the Dáil. He directed those at the Labour party leader and Tánaiste, Joan Burton. What he had to say has rightly give rise to much media commentary since.

The Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) then held a hearing. That took place on 9^th July.

The PAC called NAMA Chairman Frank Daly and it’s CEO Brendan McDonagh to answer questions about these issues and to probe a series of related events of deepening public concern.

Frank Daly told the PAC committee that they first became aware of investor interest in the purchase of the North’s loan portfolio when Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan gave them a letter he had received from then DUP Minister for Finance, Sammy Wilson on 24 June 2013.

In that letter Sammy Wilson stated, that he had already had discussions with some of those interested in purchasing the loans and that a law firm, Brown Rudnick, had been instrumental in introducing him to these potential investors.

Brown Rudnick wrote to Sammy Wilson with their proposal and he passed it onto the Finance Minister, Michael Noonan in Dublin for consideration – and, on the exact same day that he received it, 24 June 2013.

Normally takes at least 10 working days for correspondence to be considered and processed by Officials in any Department, before an advised response is forthcoming by Ministers.

Anyway, Brown Rudnick stated in that correspondence to Sammy Wilson that, “Two of our clients have each confirmed that they would, independently, be committed to a process of a potential outright purchase of the NAMA Northern Irish Borrowers Connections Loan Book…”

The letter went onto detail a series of conditions expected from their clients. It also stated that, “The integrity of the transaction is our main concern. Proceeding with one party on a limited exclusivity, will ensure a focused, expedient process with guaranteed confidentiality, which we would see as absolutely vital for such a process."

It was a full month later, on 25 July 2013 when Michael Noonan replied to Sammy Wilson.

In his response Minister Noonan pointed out that parties interested in acquiring NAMA loans or assets should make direct contact with NAMA themselves. He also said that NAMA's policy was that loan and asset sales should be openly marketed and they did not favour granting exclusive access to any potential purchaser as that would militate against achieving optimal value for the assets concerned.

A prudent response from Minister Noonan, right?

NAMA informed the PAC that in September 2013, Brown Rudnick law firm made an unsolicited approach to them to say that their client PIMCO was interested in acquiring NAMA's northern loan portfolio, but that they wanted a closed sale, rather than an open one.

This is against NAMA policy. So, NAMA engaged with PIMCO they say to try persuading them of an open market approach to the sale.

In early December 2013, PIMCO did then make a bid, but still wanted a closed sale.

A week later, the NAMA board met and decided that the loans would be openly marketed through competitive bidding and a minimum price reserve was agreed which they claim reflected the market value of the assets.

A company called Lazard were appointed by NAMA on 8^th January 2014 to oversee the sales process of the loans.

However, NAMA then received what they described to the PAC as a “letter of intent” or Memorandum of Understanding. This they said was sent from Peter Robinson through his private office in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister on 17 January 2014.

This letter related to the proposed management of the northern loan portfolio and according to NAMA, appeared to outline an agreement between PIMCO and the Executive in the North.

This was news to Martin McGuinness. As Deputy First Minister it did not have his approval, consent or knowledge.

We now know that on 10 March 2014, PIMCO disclosed to NAMA that they had discovered that their proposed fee arrangement with Brown Rudnick law firm also included the payment of fees to Tughans solicitors, and to a former member of NAMA’s northern advisory committee, Frank Cushnahan who had resigned from that committee on 8 November 2013.

NAMA have stated that their board met the following day to consider the most appropriate course of action.

PIMCO were then told to withdraw from the bidding process by NAMA due to their concerns about the proposed fee arrangement which PIMCO had disclosed to them.

We now know from NAMA that this fee was £15m.

Under questioning from Sinn Féin TD Mary Lou McDonald at the PAC committee, NAMA Chairman Frank Daly confirmed that he had alerted Minister Michael Noonan of this serious development on 13 March, including the £15m fee arrangement and how it was to be divided up.

Mary Lou asked the NAMA chairman did the Minister at any stage have a conversation with him about suspending the entire sales process, given this irregularity.

Frank Daly confirmed Minister Noonan had not.

This is not only astounding, but also ill-judged on the Minister’s part.

Surely, it was crystal clear that this entire sales process was now flawed and compromised.

It is alarming that Minister Michael Noonan and NAMA did not act to alert the Executive and relevant authorities in the North of this development and their concerns about such an important matter.

This failure is unacceptable and requires explanation from Minister Noonan.

Martin McGuinness has written to both Minister Noonan and An Taoiseach Enda Kenny to express his concerns after only becoming aware of these matters through the PAC hearing this month.

We now know that Lazard had interest from nine bidders but that it was the US vulture capital fund, Cerberus who landed the deal.

This sale was completed on 20 June 2014.

NAMA stated that given their concerns around the £15m fee arrangement disclosed by PIMCO, that they sought a declaration from Cerberus that nobody connected with NAMA, including any former member of an advisory committee, would be paid any fee, commission or other remuneration or payment in the Project Eagle sales process.

It has since been discovered that Cerberus did contract Brown Rudnick, who in turn used Tughans and that firms managing partner departed company after a dispute over £7m being diverted to an Isle of Man bank account.

That issue is being investigated by the Law Society.

The final commercial deal between NAMA and Cerberus is not yet clear. Ditto whether there were “fixers” fees paid and if so, to whom exactly?

That issue is being investigated by the British National Crime Agency.

For Sinn Féin the core issues are whether the taxpayer got best value for money from the sale of Project Eagle in the South?

Why NAMA and the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan failed to abandon the sales process when PIMCO made such a serious disclosure about fixers and fee arrangements, and why they then failed to inform the Executive of these serious concerns?

All of this warrants independent examination in our view. This requires the establishment of a Commission of Investigation by the Irish Government.

To date the Minister for Finance has failed to even come before the Dáil and make a full statement on the matter.

However, Sinn Féin will table a Dáil private members motion at the first opportunity on all these issues.

We are therefore putting the Government and Minister Noonan on notice.

In the North there also remain outstanding questions including public concern that there may have been unethical political influence as part of this broader NAMA scandal, as reported widely in the media.

All of these issues must be fully examined in an open and robust way, otherwise our political institutions risk being brought into disrepute.

The Assembly Finance and Personnel Committee have agreed terms of reference and began their first, in a series of hearings at Stormont yesterday. The Committee have now agreed to invite former DUP Finance Ministers Sammy Wilson and Simon Hamilton to appear before them.

They should obviously appear without delay.

The role of Cerberus cannot be ignored either.

They must refrain from adding to any negative, downward impact on small businesses, employers and the wider economy through a “fire-sale” of assets.

There is rightly a high public expectation that those responsible for inspecting and considering these critical issues - whether law enforcement agencies or Assembly scrutiny committees - will do so in a fair and robust way that ensures the public interest is put first.

We can be sure that this is the beginning rather than the end of this saga. There is no doubt that more will come to light y from both Dublin and Belfast - and perhaps further - in the time ahead.

Following the hugely successful referendum vote in May in support of marriage equality in the south the denial of this basic human right for citizens in the six counties has now taken on an added significance.

Last week I spoke at a packed meeting in the Ulster Hall. It was a panel discussion looking back at the challenges faced by the LGBT community in Belfast over the last 25 years. It was also an opportunity for the hundreds of LGBT activists to ask questions of the panel of political representatives about their support for LGBT rights. I was there for Sinn Féin and there were representatives also from the SDLP, the Alliance Party and the Ulster Union Party. The DUP did not send a representative. It was an excellent discussion with spirited contributions from the floor.

The growing public awareness of and support for the LGBT community was equally evident in Belfast on Saturday when tens of thousands of citizens took part in the colourful 25^thannual Gay Pride parade. The huge turnout included Belfast Mayor, Arder Carson, who along with other councillors carried a banner calling for marriage equality. The Belfast Gay Pride parade has come a long way from its small beginnings in 1990 when only a couple of hundred participated.

Sinn Féin has a long and proud track record in defence of equal rights for gay and lesbian citizens. As Irish republicans our starting point on all issues of human and civil rights, and equality is the 1916 Proclamation. It enshrines the republican belief in civil and religious rights and our commitment to cherishing all the children of the nation – whatever their sexual orientation or gender or colour or race or age – equally. There can be no exceptions. Nothing less can be tolerated in a modern, progressive and inclusive society.

The issue of LGBT rights was debated by republican prisoners writing in their own magazine - An Glór Gafa/The Captive Voice, in 1991. Before that and following the brutal murder of Declan Flynn in a homophobic attack in Fairview Park in in Dublin in 1984, local Sinn Féin members marched with others to the park in an act of solidarity. The issue was generally shunned by the political establishment at that time.

At our Ard Fheis in 1986 Sinn Féin adopted a policy to end the criminalisation of homosexual acts and for gay rights. Sinn then significant strides have been made in Ireland, north and south, in tackling political, societal and legal obstacles and discrimination facing LGBT citizens.

But significant challenges remain. Consequently Sinn Féin is committed to working in solidarity with the LGBT community to build public and political support north and south. The party has had a formal policy on promoting LGBT equality for over three decades, and an official presence at LGBT Pride events for many years. We are also committed to ensuring that the party itself is a welcome place for LGBT republicans.

To this end, we have appointed an LGBT officer to work together with other interested activists to further develop party policy, raise internal awareness of and publicly campaign on issues affecting the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families.

As part of our political activism republicans are advocating a number of key measures that we believe can promote LGBT equality. These include:

Eliminating legalised homophobic and transphobic discrimination against LGBT education and healthcare workers in the 26 Counties, by amending Section 37 of the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2011.

Amending the 1937 Constitution to include expressed equality protections for LGBT citizens and equal treatment for all family forms.

Introducing equality protections for LGBT citizens and prohibitions on homophobic and transphobic discrimination in a Bill of Rights for the north.

Progressing the northern Sexual Orientation Strategy, including legislation to provide for same-sex civil marriage.

Legislating north and south for equal treatment of prospective LGBT parents in reproductive and adoptive services, and in related social and other public services.

Ensuring the law treats all children equally regardless of family status or the sexual orientation or gender identity of their parents.

Introducing into criminal law a provision that makes committing an offence with a homophobic or transphobic motivation or aim an aggravating circumstance allowing for a more severe penalty and updating the incitement to hatred laws to address the use of the internet and social media to promote homophobic and transphobic messages.

These are just some of the measures we believe are necessary to ensure equality for LGBT citizens. But crucially, and at this defining point in our history, we support the right to marriage equality across the island of Ireland.

Why can’t two people who love each other be recognised and valued and accepted in the same way as all other citizens?

Why should our family members, our friends and work colleagues, our neighbours who are gay and lesbian or transgender be denied the same right to marriage that the rest of us have?

There can be no fudging or dodging this important societal issue. It is a fundamental human right and it must be pursued. To that end Sinn Féin has brought this issue before the Assembly four times where it has been blocked by a DUP petition of concern. We are determined to secure its passage and intend bringing it forward again.

If you really believe in equality and in treating others as you would expect or want to be treated yourself than you should support the right of LGBT citizens to marriage equality.

The process of transforming and modernising society on the island of Ireland was given a huge boost with the success of the May referendum. Citizens in the north now have the opportunity to take all of that one step further.

So, write to your elected representatives. Make your voice heard on this issue. Support the campaign for marriage equality in the north and help ensure that we create a better more compassionate and equal society now and for our children.

The funeral cortege for O'Donovan Rossa moves through Dublin

In February Sinn Féin launched our national campaign to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising. It was and is a first class programme which included a re-enactment of the funeral of veteran Fenian Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa.
In stark contrast the initial launch of the Irish government’s centenary programme last November and especially of its 80 second promotional video, was widely criticised. It failed to mention the Rising, the executed leaders, or the Proclamation but managed to include David Cameron, Bob Geldof and the English Queen. The government’s programme also neglected to mention O’Donovan Rossa. The video was withdrawn and the government was forced to go back to the drawing board.

One consequence of this was that a new improved government programme, which I welcomed, was produced. It included a government sponsored re-enactment of the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa to take place on the same day as the Sinn Féin event.

Some comrades expressed concern at this but most took the view that it was right that the government honour the memory of O’Donovan Rossa and it was a challenge to Sinn Féin to make the maximum effort to make our event a memorable and different type of event from that of the state.

Two weeks ago we succeeded in doing that. The official Irish state commemoration, which was attended by hundreds, was full of the pomp one would expect from government planned events. Consequently it was a rather sterile and stuffy affair.

In marked contrast Sinn Féin's full funeral re-enactment was a popular people's event. Thousands participated and many travelled from every corner of Ireland, north, south, east and west. Many also dressed in period costume. There was great good humoured rivalry between comrades over who had the best and most authentic costume.

Huge crowds gathered inside and outside the rotunda of Dublin City Hall where Rossa's 'lying in state' was held and from where the funeral procession departed.The atmosphere was electric with everyone, young and old, getting into the spirit if the occasion.

A stirring prayer was delivered at City Hall by Sligo priest Fr Michael Flanagan, played by actor Alan Keating, as two of O'Donovan Rossa's great-grandsons, Rossa Williams Cole and Williams Rossa Cole listened.

The procession to Glasnevin cemetery, along O Connell street,was a an amazing sight with onlookers enjoying the wonderful pageantry provided by the Cabra Historical society, which included uniformed Volunteers and cavalry outriders.Four splendid black-plumed horses drew the funeral carriage through the streets of the capital to Glasnevin. The hearse was flanked by 22 members of the Cabra Historical Society in Irish Volunteers and Citizen Army uniforms.

At Glasnevin Cemetery Mary Lou McDonald introduced singer Red Hurley who gave a stirring rendition of a specially commissioned song - The Spirit of the Gael – by Pete St John.

I welcomed everyone and remarked on the historic significance of O’Donovan Rossa’s funeral before Edward Cosgrave gave the now famous and powerful graveside oration of Pádraig Pearse.

Three volleys of shots were fired by the Irish Volunteers and Citizen Army and the Cabra Historical Society finished proceedings with a rousing performance of Amhrán na bhFiann.

The Sinn Féin event showed what a real commemoration of the life and death of a national hero can and should be - no corralling of people behind barriers, no elitist segregation and no policing of popular pride in Ireland's revolutionary heritage.

The media largely ignored the Sinn Féin event or used images from it to illustrate the government one. Fianna Fáil stupidly went so far as to accuse us of competing with the government which is a bit daft given that the government had clearly forgotten about O’Donovan Rossa until they saw our programme.

The Sinn Féin event also exposed the shallowness of the government’s and Fianna Fáil’s approach to commemorating the struggle for independence and sovereignty. The reality is that the leaderships of Fine Gael, of Labour and Fianna Fáil long ago abandoned any real belief in or commitment to a united, free and independent Ireland. Partitionism dominates their politics.

They have forgotten or chosen to ignore the real meaning of Pearse’s famous remarks at the graveside.

“Life springs from death; and from the graves of patriot men and women spring living nations. The Defenders of this Realm have worked well in secret and in the open. They think that they have pacified Ireland. They think that they have purchased half of us and intimidated the other half. They think that they have foreseen everything, think that they have provided against everything; but the fools, the fools, the fools! — they have left us our Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.”

Peace is not just the absence of violence it is the presence of justice. It is the resolution of those core issues that lie at the root of conflict and division in Ireland – the denial of national self-determination, partition and the British government’s continued interference in Irish affairs.

The Proclamation, with its demand for a republic based on the island of Ireland, inclusive of all its citizens and founded on equality and civil and religious freedoms and rights, is an embarrassment to a southern political establishment which long ago decided that ‘Ireland’ and the ‘republic’ were 26 counties.

For them the struggle for Irish freedom ended with the Treaty vote and the Civil War.

Of course, it didn’t. That struggle continues today. And the centenary celebration for 1916 is a reminder of the unfinished business of the Proclamation and the Rising.

There is a continuum of struggle which today takes a different form from that of 1916 or of the Tan War or of the three decades of recent conflict.

Whether in the Assembly or in Local government; or in the Dáil or in Europe or Britain; Sinn Féin representatives and party activists across this island, in neigbourhoods and communities in rural and urban Ireland, are pursuing a strategy which is about ending the union with Britain and building the republic envisioned in the Proclamation.

To paraphrase the Proclamation the struggle for Irish unity and sovereignty today summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom. We are those children. I invite you to join in this great historic enterprise.

Below are my remarks at the re-enactment of O’Donovan Rossa’s funeral.

Ar dtús ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le gach duine a ghlac páirt san ócáid speisialta seo inniú - daoine a tháinig ó gach cuid den tír agus daoine a tháinig anseo ó thar lear.

I want to thank everyone who has taken part in this very special event. I want to thank our organisers and reenactors.

Especially Bartle and Mick and God who organised the weather.

Who was Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa?

He was from a family of tenant farmers from Roscarberry, County Cork.

In 1856, not long after the Great Hunger, he established the Phoenix National Literary Society whose aim was the "the liberation of Ireland by force of arms”.

In 1858, he was jailed without trial for 6 months.

In 1865, he was charged with plotting a Fenian rising, and sentenced to penal servitude for life.

He served his time in Pentonville, Portland and Chatham prisons in England.

His prison conditions were horrendous.

Infamously he was manacled with his hands behind his back and had to eat his food like a dog from a dish on the prison floor.

In an 1869 by-election he was elected by 103 votes for the constituency of Tipperary, but the election was declared invalid because Rossa was a prisoner.

In 1870 he was exiled to America with other Fenians.

There he established The United Irishman newspaper and organised a bombing campaign in England known as “the dynamite campaign”.

He also organised a fund to support the fight against British rule.

Isn’t it great that this morning the Irish government celebrated this old Fenian and his activities?

Jeremiah was married 3 times and had 18 children.

He was in many ways a very active republican.

At the time of his death, aged 83, a new generation of revolutionary republicans were organising and preparing for a Rising.

They were determined to have Rossa brought home and buried in Ireland.

Rossa’s funeral mobilised and galvanised all sides of progressive opinion.

The funeral committee included 11 of the leaders of the Rising who were executed 10 months later.

They stood where we are standing today.

This afternoon we have with us people whose parents or grand-parents or other relatives stood here exactly 100 years ago.

Fáilte speisialta do na daoine sin.

Like us, they were men and women who believed in Irish freedom.

They were in the IRB, the Irish Volunteers, the Irish Citizen Army, Cumann na mBan, Na Fianna Éireann, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Conradh naGaeilge and many other organisations, as well as tens of thousands of citizens.

There were trade unionists, feminists, writers and artists, labourers, the working poor, intellectural and poets.

Their common cause was the unity and independence of Ireland.

At that time Ireland had been dragged by England into an imperialist war.

Even the most limited form of autonomy had been denied to us.

Partition was being plotted and planned by the ruling class.

But those who gathered at Rossa’s graveside resolved not to accept this, to protest, to resist and, ultimately to take on the might of the British Empire.

The funeral of O’Donovan Rossa was a prelude to the Easter Rising of 1916.

Today almost a century later we have many gathered here, like O’Donovan Rossa, who spent years as political prisoners, or were on the run or were forced into exile.

Fáilte mór romhaibh.

We remember also all those who suffered and died in the most recent conflict, including our patriot dead, some of whom are laid to rest in this cemetery.

We also welcome members of O’Donovan Rossa’s family.

We have with us also many younger people who, thankfully, have not known directly the terrible reality of armed conflict in our country.

Let us be very clear that the Peace Process and the political progress we have achieved were made possible because of the sacrifices of countless republicans over the generations.

Mar thoradh ar an bPróiséas Síochána tá bealach siochánta agus daonlathach chuig Éire Aontaithe ann.

Agus tá sé mar dualgas orainn dul ar aghaidh le chéile ar an mbealach sin.

It is hugely positive and progressive that we today can pursue the complete unity and freedom of the Irish people, by peaceful means.

And we are pursuing that cause.

Today is a reminder, as the events of the Centenary of the Easter Rising in the coming months will be reminders, that the business of Pádraig Mac Piarais and James Connolly and Constance Markievicz and Bobby Sands, Maire Drumm and Máiréad Farrell is unfinished business.

Some people in high places do not like to be reminded of that unfinished business. It is a pity about them.

The fools. The fools. The fools.

Our country is still partitioned. And Ireland divided never can be free.

We do not yet have a national Republic. But republicanism is growing, as never before.

The Proclamation has yet to be implemented.

Equality has yet to be achieved.

But we are living in a time of great change and great hope, and great potential.

Níl Éire saor agus Gaelach againn, i bhfocail an Phiarsaigh ag an uaigh seo.

Ach bí cinnte go mbeidh.

Because we are as determined to move forward and as determined to achieve complete freedom as the men and women who gathered here 100 years ago today.

Bobby Sands put it well,

“There’s an inner thing in everyone,

Do you know this thing my friend?

It has withstood the blows of a million years,

And will do so to the end.

It lies in the hearts of heroes dead,

It screams in tyrants’ eyes,

It has reached the peak of mountains high,

It comes searing ‘cross the skies.

It lights the dark of this prison cell,

It thunders forth its might

It is ‘the undauntable thought’ my friend,

That thought that says ‘I’m right!’

Thank you Bobby. Thank you Padraig MacPiarais, and James Connolly. Thank you O’Donovan Rossa.

Thank You For Being Right.

Féile an Phobail is the largest community festival on these islands – and the best in the world. This year it celebrated its 27^th birthday. It was born in 1988 at a time of great hurt and conflict. It was one response by the people of west Belfast to efforts by the British government, and others to demonise this community.

It was evidence of our collective determination to demonstrate to the world that the people of west Belfast are a generous, humourous, talented, gifted and inclusive community.

Notwithstanding the concerns raised about the Frankie Boyle event the Féile was a huge success. For 11 days west Belfast resounded to the sound of ceol and comedy and craic. There were plays, exhibitions, sport, walks, and debates and discussions. West Belfast Talks Back in St Louise’s saw British Labour leader contender Jeremy Corbyn take part. The Ballymurphy Massacre families again organised a series of events highlighting their case and this year there was a focus on the next generation – the grandchildren of those who were killed - and impact of August 1971 and the actions of the Paras, on them.

Once again Féile succeeded in showcasing the talent and genius of the people of this part of the city. It is has now become after almost three decades a vital part of the social fabric of Belfast with something for everyone.

Despite a painful back I managed to get to quite a few events over its ten days. I would like to thank and to extend my congratulations to all of the staff, at all of the events, and to all of the participants, past and present who have contributed to the growth of the festival from its relatively small beginnings in 1988 to the massive community and international Féile it is today.

Finally, one event that I spoke at and found very interesting was the unveiling last Friday of the memorial mural to Patrick O’Connell on the wall of Sean Graham’s bookies at the junction of the Whiterock and Falls Road.

I had never heard of this remarkable Irishman until a few months ago when Danny Devenny told me that he and Marty Lyons were painting the mural. Unfortunately on the day of the unveiling Danny couldn’t be present as he took ill several weeks ago but best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.

Patrick O'Connell, who captained Ireland and Manchester United in his soccer playing career and later, as a manager, famously saved FC Barcelona from extinction during the Spanish Civil War, was a truly extraordinary individual.

Despite his achievements, and more than half a century after he died, O'Connell is better remembered in Spain where he earned the affectionate nickname Don Patricio. His remains currently rest in an unmarked grave in Kilburn, London where he died destitute in 1959 aged 72.

Patrick was born in 1887 and grew up in Drumcondra, Dublin beside Croke Park. He was one of 11 children. He secured his first professional soccer contract with Belfast Celtic in the early 1900s in the Irish League, which was then a 32-county league and included Shelbourne and Bohemians.

This was Ireland before Partition. There was one Irish national team and in February 1912, O’Connell was called up for the first time. He was a centre-half. Ireland played England – at Dalymount Park. England won 6-1. Like many Irishmen since he later went on to play professional soccer in England.

But it was in Spain that Patrick wrote probably the most heroic chapter in his sporting story. He guided the Real Betis club to their only title in 'La Liga' and it remains a miracle how he transformed the second-biggest team in Seville into the best side in the whole of Spain.

And when FC Barcelona's very existence was threatened, after club president Josep Sunyol was murdered by General Franco’s assassins in the descent towards civil war, O’Connell rescued the players by leading them into exile in Mexico.

The money which O’Connell’s side generated by playing exhibition matches on their extended tour was lodged in a Swiss bank account, beyond the clutches of Franco’s fascists, ensuring Barcelona would survive to become the biggest club in Europe.

Sadly, Patrick died penniless in London in 1959 and for 56 years his remains have lain in an unmarked grave there.

The mural tells Patrick's story of heroism from his time of Belfast Celtic to FC Barcelona. It features 'Celtic Park' which is now the site of the Park Centre on the Donegal Road and shows Patrick in his Belfast Celtic kit. Importantly the mural also reflects Patrick's courage during the Spanish Civil War at FC Barcelona. So if you get a chance stop off and take a closer look.

I want to commend The Patrick O'Connell Memorial Fund Group which comprises soccer fans from Ireland, Scotland, England and Spain. It includes Mike O’Connell, Patrick’s grandson, and Mike’s wife Sue who have spent many years researching Patrick' history. I also want to thank Belfast Mayor Arder Carson, Maureen O’Sullivan TD, and Cork Mayor Chris O Leary, Brian Wilson of Celtic, Fergus Dowd of the Memorial Fund, and all of those who contributed to the event.

The main aim of the Fund is to raise money to build a memorial at the London cemetery befitting Patrick's achievements. I also want to thank them for giving Patrick's story a new life. His story in part of the history of Dublin, of Belfast, of Barcelona and indeed of soccer in Ireland and Britain. It is right and fitting that we remember and retell that story and that we honour this outstanding Irishman.

Eimear Ferguson is a Sinn Féin Councillor on Meath County Council. She represents East Meath which is part of the Louth constituency. Her father, Dessie, is a former inter county Gaelic footballer with Dublin. He played his club football with St Vincents. He won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with Dublin in 1958 and 1963. He moved to Meath and began playing with Gaeil Colmcille winning senior titles with them in 1966 and 1968. So the GAA is in Eimear’s blood.

A few weeks ago she and I and MEP Matt Carthy visited St. Colmcilles GAA club in East Meath. It was my second visit. It’s an amazing place. St. Colmcilles run many voluntary and community based activities, including mental health projects and it has opened up its sporting facilities for local citizens. The club members provide essential and positive support for hundreds of citizens.

St. Colmcilles is a leading proponent of the GAAs Health Club Initiative which seeks to connect the GAA with communities through health and wellbeing projects. The GAA initiative is a partnership effort involving Healthy Ireland, the Health Service Executive and the National Office for Suicide Prevention. It is funded by the HSE and in February it received a three year – one million euro – investment from Irish Life.

The project is rooted in the volunteer spirit of the GAA. It is about health promotion. It involves a wide range of specific initiatives including mental health, health screening, bullying, diet and nutrition, inclusion and community outreach, drug and alcohol awareness, life skill and personal development, anti-smoking, facilities development and engagement with older community members.

The focus is not only on helping GAA members and their families but is about reaching into the wider community and making available the skills within the GAA that can help citizens. It’s about plugging some of the gaps that occur in the existing community and family supports provided by state agencies.

The Healthy Club project commenced in March 2013. 18 clubs initially took part in the two year pilot phase. It is intended to roll it out across the state. The success of the Healthy Club Project is evident in the decision to select it to participate in a European wide research venture aimed at promoting its implementation as part of the Sports Club for Health (SCforH) programme in EU members states.

Early evaluations of its activities have been very positive.

St. Colmcilles is a first class model of a project which provides advice and support for neighbours.

Even before the Health Clubs project was launched in 2013 the East Meath Club was already involved in its own home grown extensive community outreach programme around mental health. Its ‘How are you feeling today’ programme which has been running for several years, has proven very successful.

Over 100 local people packed into the single storey club house for the first public meeting in 2012 and the project has grown in strength since then. More than 250 citizens, many of whom have no connection to the Club, are now involved in its various programmes, all of which are free but which cost the club over €20,000 to run each year.

The St. Colmcilles initiative is a remarkable example of how a community based organisation like the GAA can strengthen its roots into the community while opening up its facilities and encouraging the development of mental health, youth and other important initiatives. All of these make a significant contribution to society and in some instances are lifesaving.”

The GAA is an outstanding organisation of very dedicated men and women, boys and girls. It exists in every part of this island. Because of our diaspora it is also strong in many other countries. I have watched GAA matches in Chicago and San Francisco and met GAA activists in different parts Europe.

GAA players are role models for our children and as an organisation it contributes significantly to the well being of our citizens and of our society.

The GAA and clubs like St. Colmcilles are making a real and positive difference in peoples’ lives. They contribute freely of their time and talent and they deserve our thanks, our solidarity, our support and our encouragement to continue to do what they do.

April 9th 2015:

Below is the text of a letter which I have been trying to get the Irish Times to carry for the last two weeks. It has refused.

A chara,

The Irish Times has set out its clear opposition to Sinn Féin in advance of the next General Election.

Last week the paper published three editorials in the space of seven days questioning Sinn Féin's political bona fides and fitness for Government.

In addition Political Editor Stephen Collins (Sinn Féin casts a dark shadow over Irish democracy, The Irish Times, 14th March) made a highly charged, direct appeal to the entire political establishment to unite against Sinn Féin.

Fintan O'Toole accused us of putting party interests first; of lying and of being incapable of understanding the concepts of accountability, openness and honesty.

Each of these extraordinary anti-Sinn Féin polemics has been based on erroneous information and spurious claims.

On March 7th, the editorial made the outrageous, unsubstantiated and entirely false claim that a portion of Sinn Féin's income was derived from illegal sources. There was no attempt to back up this slanderous accusation with any evidence.

On March 11th another editorial claimed, completely erroneously, that Sinn Féin had “plunged the political process” in the North into crisis. The facts contradict this. The crisis was sparked by the DUP resiling from a key part of the Stormont House Agreement providing social protections for citizens. However this is now history. The effort must be to fully implement the Stormont House Agreement. That is Sinn Féin’s focus.

Then, on March 14th the paper claimed that Sinn Féin had refused to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies in relation to the serious issue of sexual abuse. Not true. Sinn Féin and I have co-operated fully with An Garda Síochána in relation to these matters.

That the attacks on Sinn Féin will intensify as the election draws closer will be no surprise. But as the so-called ‘paper of record’ the Irish Times’ should not resort to misreporting, misleading comment or false accusations.

Is Mise,

Gerry Adams TD,

Teach Laighean,

Baile Átha Cliath 2.

There are countless dates in Ireland’s long struggle for freedom that deserve commemoration and celebration but none resonate more deeply in the Irish psyche than the Easter Rising of 1916.

One reason for this is the astonishing bravery of the women and men who participated in it and the astonishing steadfastness and resolve of the leaders who faced death with great courage and were executed following it. Another is the Proclamation of the Republic and of the great principles of sovereignty, of freedom and equality, and of civil and religious liberty that it sets out in clear and impassioned language.

However, none of this would have occurred but for the coming together of Irish separatists, republicans, socialists, nationalists, suffragettes, and Irish language activists who coalesced in a great revolutionary effort to liberate Ireland and establish a democratic and egalitarian republic on this island.

It was a transformative moment in Irish history.

It is these principles and ideals that have inspired and motivated subsequent generations of Irish republicans. And it is these which successive Irish governments sought to erase from the story of Easter 1916. The commemorative Programme unveiled by the Irish government last November was widely criticised as short term, shambolic and superficial. Public anger at its promotional video – Ireland Inspires 2016 – was so stinging that it was withdrawn. The video failed to mention the Rising or the Proclamation or the executed leaders. It did however include images of David Cameron, Queen Elizabeth, Bono, and Bob Geldof.

The new programme launched at the end of last month is a much better effort but it still contains gaps. The government approach has been to strip away any politics and context to the rising. To reduce it to a tragedy in which death and injury was inflicted equally on all sides, and so all sides must be equally remembered.

This is a shallow and wholly self-serving approach to our history. Devoid of context or politics the Rising is portrayed by some as a moment in history that should be kept in a little glass case and studied; or in the view of those in the Redmondite wing of Fine Gael an unnecessary moment of madness.

Without a doubt war is brutal. It visits death and injury on all sides. Terrible things are done. We have seen that in our own time during three decades of war. The grief of a mother and father, brother and sister, or son and daughter is not diminished by the circumstance of that loss. The grief experienced by the family of an RUC officer, British soldier, IRA Volunteer or civilian is no different in these times from that of those who died in the GPO or the streets of Dublin and elsewhere in 1916. All have the right to be respected and remembered.

However it is wrong for the state commemoration of 1916 to be reduced to solely to an act of remembrance for a collection of individuals.

While each is a story of individual courage and loss, those involved in the Rising were more than a collection of individuals. They shared an abhorrence of colonialism and imperialism and believed that Ireland’s future must be in the hands of those of us who live on this island. Their view of the world in which they lived was shaped by their experience of the British Empire and the world war.

Those who took part in the Rising gave their lives and liberty, to deliver the republic enshrined in the proclamation. A republic built on the principles of equality and sovereignty, of human rights and civil liberties, and of unity and nationhood. Principles that remain a challenge to successive governments in this state.

It is these principles that the Irish government has a problem with. For Fine Gael and Labour it is easier to deal with the notion of individual loss and sacrifice, than to promote the ideas of the proclamation.

So the government does not address the inequality, division and lack of sovereignty, that drove a generation of republicans onto the streets of Dublin. Heaven forbid that the north is mentioned or that the continued failure that is partition is debated.

The memory and ownership of 1916 does not belong exclusively to Sinn Féin or any other party or to the government. Nor can it be limited to the 26 counties. The south is not the nation. Nor should the commemoration of the rising be limited to a lecture, an exhibition or a parade. It belongs to all the people that share this island and the Irish nation spread across the globe.

While the commemoration must be an opportunity for remembrance, it is also be an opportunity for national renewal, for building a new republic. When it has come and gone there should be more left behind that a memory of a good day out.

That is why Sinn Féin developed a programme of events to mark 1916. We are seeking to encourage communities to engage with their heritage and to rise to the challenge of delivering a republic for citizens.

The most fitting tribute to the loss of this and past generations including republicans, British and civilians is to deliver the republic promised on the steps of the GPO. A 32 county republic in which citizens have equality and rights and the sovereignty of the nation is protected.

This generation has the opportunity and ability to deliver such a republic without the sacrifice of previous generations. The democratic and egalitarian principles contained in the Proclamation are as urgently required in the Ireland of 2015, as they were 99 years ago.

Austerity – whether imposed by a British Tory government or a Fine Gael/Labour government - are anathema to the ideals of the Proclamation.

The year ahead is a time for renewal and planning, a year for promoting the republican ideals of democracy and equality. It is a time for focussing on delivering a genuine republic for the people of this island. This includes securing, in the time ahead, a referendum on Irish Unity so that each and every one of us, working together, can build a new, dynamic country.

Ireland today needs another Rising – a peaceful rising to take control of the ideals of the Proclamation and to put them into practice.

100 years ago in 1915 James Connolly wrote in the foreword to his pamphlet ‘The Reconquest of Ireland’; “The conquest of Ireland had meant the social and political servitude of the Irish masses, and therefore the re-conquest of Ireland must mean the social as well as the political independence from servitude of every man, woman and child in Ireland.”

Our goal must be the reconquest of Ireland by all the people of this island.

Dublin Launch of Referendums Campaign

Two years ago this week the 100 members of the Constitutional Convention, meeting in the Grand Hotel in Malahide in north Dublin, delivered a decisive vote of 79% in favour of amending the Irish constitution to provide for marriage equality. The three Sinn Féin delegates voted in favour of amending the Constitution to include a positive obligation on the State to give effect to a guarantee of marriage equality and to the equal rights of the children of these marriages. It was described by advocacy groups as ‘an historic step’ and it was.

But like all such historic steps toward ending discrimination in all its forms and building real equality into society, there has to be a next step and a next step. In January the government finally published the wording for the referendum on same-sex marriage.

In just five weeks’ time two referenda will be held. One is to reduce the eligibility age for a candidate for the Presidential elections. The second is on marriage equality. This referendum vote will decide whether the proposed new wording should be added to the constitution: ‘Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.’

Launch of Yes campaign in Louth

Early opinion polls indicated that there was an overwhelming majority for a Yes vote. Last December the polls indicated as many as 80% of voters would cast a Yes vote. More recent trends have suggested a small decline in that. An Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll at the end of March had the Yes side remaining relatively strong at 74%. However campaigners on both sides are very conscious of the volatility of the electorate and the inaccuracy on occasion of polls.

In 2013 opinion polls indicated that the Yes side in the referendum to scrap the Seanad would comfortably win with 62% of the vote. On referendum day however the proposal to abolish the Seanad took only 48% of the vote losing by four per cent to the No campaign.

So there can be no room for complacency in advance of May 22^nd. Sinn Féin is for a Yes vote. I would appeal to everyone to vote Yes and I would especially urge Yes voters to become active campaigners for a Yes vote.

Many of us will have a member of our family or extended family who is gay. All of us, whatever age we are or wherever we live or work, know someone who is gay. They are our family, our friends, our workmates and our neighbours. They are of all ages and from all walks of life. They want what we want – the right to live their lives as full and contributing citizens and to share in the love of a family of their own.

This month there has been a lot of focus on the Easter Rising. Sinn Féin, the Irish government and many other individuals and organisations have commemorated that historic event and have been setting out their plans for next year’s centenary celebrations.

At the heart of the Easter Rising is the Proclamation of the Republic. It is the founding document of modern Irish Republicanism and for me it is the starting point for my approach to issues of human rights, injustice and inequality.

The Proclamation declares that: ‘The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts, cherishing all of the children of the nation equally …’

And there you have it. Irish republicans are for equal rights and equal opportunities for all; we are resolved to pursue the happiness of everyone in the nation; and to cherish all the children of the nation equally. It does not say unless you are gay or bisexual or transgender. It doesn’t say unless you are black or a traveller or a woman or a Catholic or a Protestant. There are no exceptions. It doesn’t say whether you are disabled or sick or old. It says ALL its citizens.

The Proclamation wants all of the children of the island of Ireland to be cherished equally and to be happy.

Irish republicans want a society which is inclusive and which respects our diversity. Nothing less can be tolerated in a modern, progressive and inclusive society. A lot of progress has been made on this in recent years. But much more is needed, including tackling the worsening problem of race crime.

On May 22^ndthere is an opportunity to take another historic step forward. I would urge everyone to vote Yes. I would also appeal again for everyone to join the campaign for a Yes Vote. If you feel you can’t become part of any of the formal campaigns being organised then become part of the informal campaign.

Talk to your friends, to your workmates, to your family and neighbours and ask them to vote Yes. Text them. Facebook them. Use Twitter. Let’s get the biggest vote possible and ensure that on May 22^nd the marriage equality referendum is passed.

Dublin Launch of Marriage Equality Yes campaign

Canvassing in Dundalk

A view from Rathlin

Rathlin Island, off the coast of County Antrim, is our most northern off shore island. I was there at the weekend. The journey over in the ferry from Ballycastle was sublime. It teed up our expectation and anticipation of a wonderful day to come on one of Ireland’s last inhabited islands. The sky was clear, the sea was relatively calm, though still a bit bumpy in parts for those with shaky sea-legs, and the view was breath-taking.

We were greeted as we stepped ashore by the friendly faces and good natured banter of islanders and visitors alike. We were all there to take part in the Rise Foundations Rathlin Ramble to help raise money for a wonderful charity. The Foundation was established in 2009 by the singer and activist, Frances Black. The Black family have deep roots on Rathlin. Their father was an islander.

Santana, Frances agus Mise

Rise stands for ‘Recovery In a Safe Environment’ and its mission is to support families who are impacted by a loved one's addictive behaviour through awareness, education and therapy. They are dedicated to working towards helping family members to free themselves from the stress, anxiety and worry of having a loved one with addictive behaviour.

Rise helps family members understand the nature of addiction and how it impacts on relationships. In this way it hopes to aid families as they work to recover from the effects of the addiction and to support and strengthen families through a very difficult period in their lives.

Two years before the charity was established Frances contacted me and outlined her hopes of establishing an organisation that would help families faced with addiction. Part of her vision for what became ‘Rise’ was the opening of an addiction, education and awareness centre for families on Rathlin Island.

I thought it was a great idea and asked Conor Murphy, who was then the Minister for Regional Development to see what help and advice he could provide for the project. Conor quickly moved to ensure that part of this engagement with Rathlin would explore opportunities to reverse the years of underinvestment and neglect endured by the islanders.

Eventually out of this emerged a new government policy toward Rathlin. But equally importantly for the Rise Foundation the Commissioner of Irish Lights agreed to let the Foundation lease two houses at Rathlin’s remote East Lighthouse. Both are in need of work and Saturday’s ramble around Rathlin is one of the fundraising efforts created by Frances Black and her dedicated team at Rise.

The ramble covered 7 miles (11.2 km). Rathlin has spectacular scenery and a long history that takes it back to the Neolithic period. It currently has a population of 120 hardy souls. Locals claim that Rathlin was probably the first of our islands to become inhabited. Standing on the north cliffs you get an amazing view of the islands of Scotland and the Mull of Kintyre.

Rathlin has a long association with mythical and historical figures from the Tuatha de Danaan to St. Columba. It is also said in the Annals of Ulster that Rathlin experienced the first Viking raid on the island of Ireland. However, one of the best stories told is of the Scottish King Robert the Bruce who hid in a cave – imaginatively named Bruce’s cave - on Rathlin after his defeat by English forces in 1306. Bruce was deeply depressed at his defeat but in his despondency he watched a spider valiantly try seven times before succeeding to bridge a gap between rocks.

English soldiers searching for Robert did not search the cave. When they saw the spider's web they concluded that he could not be in the cave without breaking the web. For his part Robert concluded that If the spider did not give up then he should persevere also and off he went and retook his throne.

The Saturday of the Rise Ramble was a beautiful day but in bad weather the treacherous tides and the high cliffs of the island have seen their share of boating tragedies. There have been many Ship wrecks. As a consequence Rathlin had three lighthouses, one of which is the East Lighthouse where the Rise Foundation is hoping to establish their centre.

Our task on Saturday was less formidable than that of Robert the Bruce but nonetheless very challenging. Our walk along Rathlin’s narrow roads and the stunning views gave us plenty of time to look at the local fauna and admire the many varieties of wildlife that inhabit Rathlin. There is an amazing diversity of birds, from peregrines, and skylarks to lapwings. Along the cliff faces battered by the wild Atlantic there is a huge seabird colony of puffins and others, like guillemots and razorbills birds. They gather in their thousands in the summer months to breed. The uniqueness of this small island is reflected in its recognition as a Special Area of Conservation and the existence of a RSPB nature reserve.

Rathlin also has a great song and music tradition, influenced by the Scots Gaelic heritage. It is a special place. When we arrived back to Bruce's Kitchen for soup and sandwiches a music session was in full swing. Four fiddlers and a box player jigged and reeled us all into The Drawing Of The Raffle organised by the formidable Cathy Farrelly, I didn't win anything. But RISE raised over 7000 euros. Well done to everyone involved.

Later that night there was a ceili. And a sing song. Unfortunately I had to leave before this. But the voyage back to the mainland was shortened by more lively ceol as some of the musicians travelled back with us.

So, well done Frances Black and the Rise Foundation. Thanks for all your work and thanks for a great day out. For more information on Rise check out www.therisefoundation.ie.

Following the economic crash eight years ago two toxic banks in the 26 counties – Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide - were amalgamated into the state owned Irish Bank Resolution Company set up for that purpose. The then Fianna Fáil government handed it the responsibility of managing a range of loans that were in serious trouble. Redeeming them if possible or where necessary selling then on and getting the best price possible for the taxpayer.

On the 18 April 2012, Sinn Féin’s Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty received a reply from Minister for Finance Michael Noonan to a question he had asked several weeks earlier about a deal just undertaken by IBRC concerning loans to a company called Siteserv.

Siteserv had borrowed €150 million from Anglo Irish Bank. The company was broke and appeared set to close. The deal, agreed by IBRC involved the acquisition of Siteserv by Millington, a company owned by businessman Denis O Brien, for€45.42 million euros. Seventy per cent of the money it owed IBRC was written off. The tax payers lost €105 million on the deal.

There was another sting in the tail. Shareholders, including chief executives at the company, received €4.96 million. For a company that was busted.

The taxpayer took a hit of over €100 million, and the shareholders walked away with millions.

So Pearse asked the Minister what exactly was going on. And Minister Noonan responded with one of those gloriously obnoxious lines that could only be thought up by a Fine Gael, Labour or Fianna Fáil minister: “Notwithstanding the State’s ownership of the bank, IBRC operates at an arm’s length capacity from the State in relation to commercial issues.”

Basically – ‘even though we own the bank, we don’t take any interest in what is going on’.

And that’s the line the Irish Government has been running with since Freedom of Information requests by independent TD Catherine Murphy brought a renewed focus onto the Siteserv deal. Political anger and media interest has now put the spotlight on a host of other deals involving IBRC and the writing off of hundreds of millions in taxpayers' money.

In respect of Siteserv we now know that as well as shareholders getting a sweetener of €5 million to ensure the deal went ahead, the same legal advisers acted for both the purchaser and seller.

We also know that Denis O'Brien’s company was not the highest bidder but yet emerged as the successful bidder. We know the Minister for Finance was briefed by Department of Finance officials on serious concerns over this transaction and briefed equally on broader concerns over other transactions and the modus operandi of IBRC.

The Minister claimed that IBRC reviewed the Siteserv sale. Mr. Noonan – a former leader of Fine Gael – sat down with Alan Dukes the Chairman of IBRC and also a former leader of Fine Gael and Fine Gael Minister for Finance- and accepted his verbal assurances that IBRC was behaving properly. The concerns of Departmental officials were ignored.

The Siteserv deal is not the only one that saw debt written down. More than €64 million was written off for Blue Ocean Associates before being purchased by a consortium, also involving, as it happens, Denis O'Brien. There was an almost 50% write-down of €300 million in debts in the purchase of Topaz. Mr. O'Brien is also involved in this.

The Sunday Times ran this story on its front page on Sunday April 19^thbut two days later when challenged on it in the Dáil the Taoiseach said he had not read the reports. He then appeared to pluck out of the air a suggestion that the Comptroller and Auditor General could look at the circumstances surrounding the deal to determine whether the taxpayer had got value for money.

This was the government trying to kick the issue to touch. Last week in the Dáil during Leaders I asked the Taoiseach three questions. The first was why the Minister for Finance failed to ask the IBRC chairman, Alan Dukes, to conduct a full and independent review of the sale as recommended by Department of Finance officials. The second was what were the other large transactions conducted by IBRC? The third was for him to establish an independent Commission of Investigation of these matters. The Taoiseach failed to answer these questions.

As it happens it quickly emerged that the Comptroller and Auditor does not have the authority to investigate Siteserv. The Taoiseach is bound to have known this – so a different approach was needed.

Desperate to avoid a Commission of Investigation the Minister for Finance then announced that the special liquidators, who helped close IBRC down, would be asked to review all transactions at IBRC over €10 million. The liquidators are also from KPMG, one of the four big world auditors, and we know that when the Siteserv deal was being done, the sales process was overseen by KPMG and stockbrokers Davy.

Alan Dukes was not amused and held a press conference at which he said that the Department of Finance was kept abreast of the sales process at all stages. He also said that the IRBC board never had a review of the Siteserv transaction. This contradicts Minister Noonan's claim that there was a review.

Last Sunday new Freedom of Information reports revealed that share activity in Siteserv significantly increased in the month before it was sold off by IBRC and that the share register, which contained the details of those who bought the shares, was given to the liquidator in July 2012.

The following day, and in an obvious attempt to defuse public concern about the involvement of KPMG and to avoid having to establish a Commission of Investigation, the government announced the appointment of a retired High Court Judge Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O' Neill to oversee ‘any actual or perceived conflicts of interests.’

Murkier and murkier. The twists and turns of this story have stayed in the media headlines now for two weeks and there seems to be little prospect of the story going away.

Of course, there is a much wider political issue here centring on Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil’s refusal to ever accept accountability for events that happen on their watch.

It’s also all about the relationship between the parties and big business and their compliant attitude to the elites – the Golden Cicrle – in contrast for example to struggling households and working families.

But IBRC was not the only government owned agency handling massive debts arising from the economic crash. NAMA took over much of the debt arising from the collapse of the construction industry and is handling billions in taxpayers' money. Minister Noonan has ordered NAMA to wind up faster than its 2020 remit demands – meaning NAMA is rushing sales processes and there is a lack of transparency there too. Last year, it sold off it’s entire loan book for the north at a €400 million discount - €400 million the Irish taxpayer will never see again.

Irish taxpayers’ assets are being disposed of by NAMA at a rate of hundreds of millions every month – and we don’t know if we’re getting full value for money.

We do need an inquiry into what happened in IBRC- during its operation and its liquidation. And that inquiry should include NAMA. The public good and taxpayers interests require that all transactions, including the acquisition of assets by NAMA be subjected to thorough independent scrutiny in a Commission of Investigation.

National Hunger strike March is on Sunday August 23^rd. Assemble 2.15pm Bailigh at 2.15 to walk to New Inn, Newry Road at 3pm

1981 was a tumultuous period in modern Irish history and the 1981 hunger strike was a watershed moment from which all changed.

Thursday was the 34^th anniversary of the death of Mickey Devine, the last of the ten republican hunger strikers to die that year. The following day marked the 34^th anniversary of the election of Owen Carron in the by-election in Fermanagh South Tyrone which followed the death of Bobby Sands.

Tomorrow August 23^rd Sinn Féin will hold the annual hunger strike march and rally in Dundalk. It is an occasion for remembering the 10 hunger strikers – as well as Frank Stagg and Michael Gaughan - and reflecting on their courage and selflessness.

The elections which took place in 1981, including the June general election in the south which saw Kieran Doherty elected as a TD for Cavan Monaghan and Paddy Agnew elected for Louth - changed the shape of Irish politics. It also accelerated the debate within Sinn Féin on electoralism.

The intervention of H Block and Armagh women candidates, in those and other constituencies, and the refusal of the Haughey government to support the prisoners, contributed at that time to the worst result for Fianna Fáil in 20 years. Subsequently, Fine Gael and Labour entered into a coalition. From that point until this there has never been a single party government again.

34 years ago none of us knewany of this. We were conscious of the history of hunger strike in Ireland and of the names of Thomas Ashe… Terence MacSwiney… Sean McCaughey... Michael Gaughan... Frank Stagg and others who had died on hunger strike. Bobby Sands and and his comrades knew that history also.

In his prison diary on the first day of his hunger strike Bobby set the context for it all. He wrote: ‘I am dying not just to attempt to end the barbarity of H Block, or to gain the rightful recognition of a political prisoner, but primarily because what is lost in here is lost for the republic ...’

Though the hunger strikers lost their lives, the British government lost the battle of criminalisation. In the years since then Sinn Féin has succeeded in increasing popular support and political strength for our political objectives, including ending partition. We are about achieving fundamental political change and promoting the principles of equality and inclusiveness, and of a rights based society that are the heart of the Proclamation.

Sinn Féin is for building the republic that “guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts, cherishing all the children of the nation equally”.

Bobby Sands and Francie, Raymond, Patsy, Joe, Martin, Kevin, Kieran, Tom and Mickey were inspired by these words. They resonate through the poems and songs and writings of Bobby Sands. They are a promise to every citizen on this island that they will be treated as equals; will be free; can chose their representatives; educate their children; enjoy prosperity and provide for each other on the basis of equality.

Writing on scraps of paper, with an infill of a biro pen he hid in his body, Bobby used the power of his words to rail against those who ignore injustice, and exploit and oppress working people.

Writing in his prison diary on the 11^thday of his hunger strike, and paraphrasing one of his heroes James Connolly, Bobby condemned those who ‘bubbling over with enthusiasm (or patriotism) for his country, who walks through the streets among his people, their degradation, poverty, and suffering, and who (for want of the right words) does nothing, is, in my mind, a fraud’.

Bobby was right. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and to its shame Labour, have been in government in one guise or another for decades. Their tweedledee and tweedledum politics have failed. The political corruption and conservative politics that have dominated the southern political system have ensured, as the current homeless crisis highlights, the inability of the state to house all of it is citizens, or educate them adequately or equitably. In fact, in nearly every measure, in almost every facet of life and society – from healthcare, transport, economic development - the state has failed its citizens.

Our collective responsibility as we are about to celebrate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising is to finish the work that the men and women of 1916 and of 1981. That means working to build the republic envisioned by the Proclamation and the leaders of that time but suited to the needs of the 21^st century.

The IBRC scandal won’t go away

A Biblical crisis

Collusion - Britain’s shameful record on human rights

Lá breithe shona duit Fr. Des

The gravest crisis - institutions of Good Friday Agreement hangs by a thread

NAMA at centre of new scandal

Reclaiming the Vision of 1916: Sinn Féin's Programme for 2016

The tragedy and courage of Ballymurphy

Press Council uphold complaint against Irish Independent

NAMA scandal

Support marriage equality

Following the hugely successful referendum vote in May in support of marriage equality in the south the denial of this basic human right for citizens in the six counties has now taken on an added significance.

Celebrating O’Donovan Rossa - A continuum of struggle

Well done Féile

St. Colmcilles – A Remarkable GAA Club

Irish Times: Anti-Sinn Féin Polemics

2016 – A time for Renewal

Vote Yes for Marriage Equality

Rambling On Rathlin

A scandal at the heart of government

Remembering the Hunger Strikers - National Commemoration Sunday August 23rd