“The Magdalene Women are an inspiration”
This evening the Dáil has been debating the McAleese report on the Magdalene Laundries. In my contribution to the debate I praised the Magdalene women:“Despite their experiences all those I have met...
View ArticleGovernment fails households in mortgage distress
Last week the Irish Central Bank held a conference on ‘How to fix distressed property markets’. In this state this issue is of huge importance because of the numbers of citizens in mortgage...
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Wee Beau and Gael Arás Mhic Ardghail
Brother Beau agus mise Last night I came face to face – sort of – with a very old friend. Brother Thomas Finbar Beausang – or wee Beau, as he was endearingly called by those of us he taught in St....
View ArticleGibraltar - 25 years on
Reimagining Ireland25 years ago next week Mairead Farrell, Dan McCann and Sean Savage died on the streets of Gibraltar. They were three extraordinary republicans. In their short lives they repeatedly...
View ArticleDisabled targeted by government
On Monday evening the Fine Gael and Labour government announced that it was scrapping the Mobility Allowance Scheme and the Motorised Transport Grant Scheme. There was no prior notice given to the...
View ArticleIrish government must act on EU Jerusalem Report
I have written to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste calling on them to use the good offices of the Presidency of the EU to publicly raise the details contained in a report by the EU Heads of Mission in...
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Protecting Workers Rights
Mary Lou, mise agus Senator David Cullinane Today Sinn Féin is holding a conference in Liberty Hall looking at the last century of workers in struggle.I gave the opening speech, welcoming guest...
View ArticleCondolences on death of President Chávez
I learned tonight with sadness of the death of President Hugo Chávez.On behalf of Sinn Féin I want to extend my sincere condolences to Vice President Nicolás Maduro and to the people and government of...
View ArticleIsrael flouts international law
In separate letters to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and in the Dáil on Tuesday, I urged the Irish government to use the good offices of the Presidency of the EU, which it currently holds, to raise...
View ArticleRelease Marian Price and Martin Corey
I had the opportunity today (Tuesday) to raise the continued wrongful imprisonment of Marian Price and Martin Corey in prison in the Dáil during Taoiseach's Questions.I said: "Marian Price and Martin...
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A Treasure Trove of Art
Our Lady's Nursing Home, Falls Road By Kieran Trainor The west Belfast Féile an Phobail is a remarkable community based enterprise. It never ceases to surprise and amaze me. This year marks 25 years...
View ArticleThe Property Tax - A Tax too far
This week saw Sinn Féin publish a Bill which seeks to repeal the Property Tax. The Financial Local Property Tax Repeal Bill is about lifting the burden of this unfair tax off families and households...
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Government made huge mistake on Cyprus crisis
Two weeks ago the European Council met. The meeting focused on the “European Semester” and the economic priorities for the EU in 2013. It is clear, both from the economic priorities emanating from the...
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Become champions for deaf children – Adams
Today I hosted a briefing in the Dáil by parents from the Happy New Ear group. The group have been campaigning for the introduction of a bilateral cochlear implant programme. Currently, children in...
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LONG JOURNEY HOME.
US Secretary of State John Kerry This blog was written as I returned from the USA two weeks ago following a few hectic days marking St. Patrick's feast day. I get to travel a lot even when I don't...
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A truth process for all
Drumboe was cold but the welcome was warm. This year the powers that be had decided I would be the main speaker at the Drumboe commemoration in County Donegal. People were glad to see me and I them....
View ArticleThatcher’s Legacy in Ireland
Margaret Thatcher was a hugely divisive figure in British politics. Her right wing politics saw Thatcher align herself with some of the most repressive and undemocratic regimes in the late 20th century...
View ArticleThe Good Friday Agreement - The promise of a new society
On the signing of the Good Friday Agreement George Mitchel famously said that that was the easy bit. The hard part was going to be implementing it. And he was right. The twists and turns from April...
View ArticleChange is possible now: Ard Fheis 2013
The Ard Fheis is over. It was an excellent weekend of discussion and debate and craic. Mayo gave us a warm céad míle fáilte. The Ard Fheis is a big undertaking. It involves countless numbers of people....
View ArticleThe Innocents of Boston and Iraq
I have visited Boston many times over the years. It’s a beautiful city and full of Irish and Irish Americans. Despite its sprawling size and population, and unlike New York and Los Angeles, it has the...
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