News Archives for February, 2008
28 February, 2008
Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney has said that the Assembly must take the lead on standards in public life and particularly in ensuring that there is openness when it comes to employing family members and in family members receiving payment for offices. Read full article
28 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Campbell has welcomed the news that Donegal Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty has had a motion passed in the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs which recognises the importance of the Irish Language Newspaper Lá Nua and calls on all Government Departments to advertise in it if appropriate. Read full article
28 February, 2008
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney was part of a cross-party delegation of the Assembly's Regional Development Committee that travelled to Holland last week on a study visit exploring public transportation and in particular rapid transit. Read full article
28 February, 2008
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney has said that the Assembly must take the lead on standards in public life and particularly in ensuring that there is openness when it comes to employing family members and in family members receiving payment for offices Read full article
28 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Policing Board Member, Martina Anderson MLA (Foyle) has expressed serious concern at revelations that large numbers of prison officers have been allowed to stay in employment despite being found guilty of gross misconduct. Read full article
27 February, 2008
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney has welcomed a new campaign to highlight the highly negative effects drug and alcohol have on communities and young people across Ireland Read full article
27 February, 2008
A public consultation in the Guildhall this week is an opportunity for the people of Derry to demand more resources for the city, Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has said. Read full article
27 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Elisha McLaughlin has said she was shocked to learn from a new study carried out by the charity " Beatbullying" that more than seven out of ten children admit to bullying their classmates and some pupils felt they had to act first before they were bullied themselves Read full article
27 February, 2008
The Stand Up For Derry campaign is to be taken to a nationwide TV audience, Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has revealed. Read full article
27 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has expressed concern about possible changes to the Firefighters Pensions Scheme (FPS) that may have a catastrophic impact on firefighters and their families. Read full article
27 February, 2008
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martin Anderson has called for people to support Sport Relief after taking part in a sponsored walk for the charity at Stormont this week. Read full article
27 February, 2008
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has called on the British-Irish Council to close a legal loophole which allowed a convicted sex offender to attack a teenager in Derry. Read full article
27 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Tony Hassan has welcomed the statement from the Housing Minister on her plans to provide more affordable housing but expressed concern about the lack of detail on how to tackle the crisis in social housing, with over 36,000 people on the waiting list. Read full article
27 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Billy Page says that the family of deceased Strabane pensioner Maureen McGinley, who sustained 32 rib fractures following her death at Altnagelvin hospital on the 3rd January 2007, have been given renewed hope that they will secure the answers they deserve following meetings with Health Minister Michael McGimpsey and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Assembly Health Committee at Stormont yesterday. Read full article
26 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Equality and Human Rights spokesperson Foyle MLA Martina Anderson , has welcomed the new regulations on the conduct of Employment Agencies but stressed there are many other issues in relation to the rights of Agency workers that need to be addressed Read full article
26 February, 2008
The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis will take place in the RDS in Dublin this weekend (Friday 29th and Saturday 1st). 2,000 delegates and visitors are expected to attend the Ard Fheis, the main theme of which is 'Unity-Prosperity-Equality'. The other big issue to be debated is the Lisbon Treaty. Read full article
26 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Councillor Billy Page has said more needs to done to help people improve their healthy daily food intake after a survey by the Food Standards Agency found that many people still do not manage to eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day Read full article
25 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson, Councillor Tony Hassan said he would welcome any initiative taken by Derry City Council to identify available locations for development of social and affordable housing. Read full article
25 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Deputy Mayor Councillor Patricia Logue has appealed for motorist to heed traffic warnings and speed limits on the Foyle Bridge. Read full article
25 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has insisted that more must be done to give Derry's young people the opportunity to make a live for themselves in their native city. Read full article
23 February, 2008
Constituency services Culmore /Greater Shantallow Read full article
23 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Regional Development Spokesperson, Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney commenting on news that NI Water had miscalculated the costs to householders has said that the Assembly Regional Development Committee will meet NIW next week and demand answers Read full article
23 February, 2008
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has welcomed a commitment from Ilex Chairman Roy McNulty to fully include the community and voluntary sector in the city's planned regeneration Read full article
23 February, 2008
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney has said that a poll published showing clear support from all sections of the community for the transfer of powers by May, supports the evidence coming from local people and undermines the myth that community confidence was not present for such a move Read full article
23 February, 2008
Ógra Shinn Féin have created an online petition calling for the ending of the University of Ulster's political protocol which prohibits political parties organising on campus and censors political debate. Read full article
22 February, 2008
This weekend (Sat 23rd - Sun 24th February) Strabane Ógra Shinn Féin will host a number of events to coincide with the Strabane Memorial Flute Band's annual commemoration parade in the town for Volunteers Charles Breslin, and brothers Michael and David Devine, who were executed by the British SAS in 1985. Read full article
21 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Peter Anderson has welcomed the news that the BBC, RTE and the GAA have agreed a new deal that will see more GAA matches being broadcast live on BBC over the next three years. Read full article
21 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Billy Page has praised Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún in raising awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which kills an estimated 200,000-300,000 people in Europe every year. Read full article
21 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Lynn Fleming has said that the project of getting young people off the streets currently operating in the Top of the Hill area is an example of best practice that could be exported to other areas. Read full article
20 February, 2008
Sinn Féín MP for Mid Ulster Martin McGuinness has today paid tribute to Maggie Hughes the mother of IRA Volunteer and Hunger Striker Francis Hughes who passed away earlier this week Read full article
20 February, 2008
On Thursday 21st February 2008 Martina Anderson MLA has arranged to walk Roy McNulty Chairperson of Ilex Urban Regeneration Company through the Bogside, Brandywell. Bishop Street and Foyle Road area to discuss Ilex plans for the city and their impact on these communities. Read full article
20 February, 2008
Figures showing that child poverty in Derry far exceeds anywhere else in the North proves the need for intervention, Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has stated. Read full article
20 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Peter Anderson has welcomed the news from the Competition Commission that Banks will have to provide greater rights to customers in the North over the next twelve months. Read full article
19 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Billy Page has said that the treatment of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease needs to given the same priority and funding as any other major illnesses. Read full article
19 February, 2008
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney has welcomed the start of International Solidarity Week with the Basque Country. Read full article
19 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Councillor Billy Page has backed a new campaign by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) to encourage members of the public to report any side -effects after taking medicines by using the Yellow Card reporting forms Read full article
19 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Deputy Mayor Councillor Patricia Logue has called for an immediate Fire safety inspection and Environmental impact assessment on a disused former recycling plant on Bligh's Lane following a fire at site on Monday night shortly after 9.00pm
Councillor Logue also called for the site to be cleared and 24 hour security put in place there Read full article
19 February, 2008
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has said that the resident parking scheme being proposed by the Department of Regional Development will help ease the problems currently experienced by residents close to the city centre. Read full article
19 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Tony Hassan has welcomed the erection of 15 new street lights in the Glencaw Park area. Read full article
19 February, 2008
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney, has said that if we are to overcome the barriers faced by people living with disability in the workplace then we need to listen directly to their experiences. Read full article
19 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Martina Anderson said the British Government need to tackle the social exclusion faced by older people. Read full article
19 February, 2008
Derry Republicans were shocked recently by the sudden death of well known Derryman and respected Republican John Joseph Doherty, fondly known as JJ. Read full article
18 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Elisha McLaughlin has said that the Fit Future Schools Yoga Evaluation Programme is a worthwhile project that should be supported. Read full article
18 February, 2008
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has welcomed confirmation that door to door transport schemes operated by Disability Action and Bridge Accessible Transport are to continue unchanged. Read full article
18 February, 2008
Fit Future Schools Yoga Evaluation Programme Read full article
18 February, 2008
Derry Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Councillor Paul Fleming has said that 'Sinn Féin is determined to push through the much needed education reform that is necessary to give all of our children a fair start in life'. Read full article
18 February, 2008
Sinn Féin's alternative guide to the Lisbon Treaty -PDF Read full article
16 February, 2008
Martin McGuinness has told a large gathering of community and voluntary organisations in the city that the tools are now in place to deliver genuine equality for the people of the North. Read full article
16 February, 2008
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA and Policing Board member Martina Anderson has criticised the extent of CS spray deployment here following a new report showing that police use it more often than handcuffs. Read full article
15 February, 2008
Sinn Féin deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA has said that the Executive's commitment to make the economy their top priority was nowhere more relevant than in the North West Read full article
14 February, 2008
One of Ireland's youngest councillor's Johnny McGibbon has today signalled the beginning of a major recruitment drive for Sinn Féin. Read full article
14 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Campbell has urged 'all of those who support the growth of the Irish language and diversity to mobilise on Saturday for the 'Ta; say yes tot he Irish language' rally. Read full article
14 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has appealed for people not to get caught out by scammers, after it was revealed by Trading Standards that bogus lotteries and large prize draw scams are costing people in the North £100million a year.
Martina Anderson also went on to call for tighter controls on "Junk Mail" Read full article
14 February, 2008
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney has welcomed the establishment of a Taskforce by Education Minister Caitríona Ruane to ensure children and young people have the necessary literacy and numeracy skills to succeed in life Read full article
14 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has warned that failure by the DUP to agree the Transfer of Powers on Policing and Justice "risks reintroducing an element of uncertainty into the political situation, and eroding the widespread support that now exists for the political institutions". Read full article
13 February, 2008
Local community shocked at Donegal killing - Doherty Read full article
13 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Peter Anderson has called for Derry City Council to support the initiative recently launched by Education Minister Caitriona Ruane called the Curriculum Sports Programme. Read full article
13 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Tony Hassan has said that the number of social houses being provided for the Greater Shantallow area will have little or no impact in addressing the waiting list problem we currently face. Read full article
13 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Elisha McLaughlin has welcomed safer internet day.
Councillor McLaughlin said,
"The risks of sharing too much personal data on the internet has long been known about but yet every year we hear about children being groomed on the internet and personal information stolen and internet fraud. Read full article
13 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Councillor Billy Page has called for a review of weighing equipment used at hospitals and health centres across the North after concerns were raised about the safety and accuracy of such equipment. Read full article
13 February, 2008
Derry Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Councillor Paul Fleming has called on the Western Education and Library Board to try and bring some form of stability to the mid term break school holiday system, which is currently leaving many parents with a logistical and financial headache due to many schools taking separate holidays Read full article
13 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Elisha McLaughlin has said she fears that if the budget for the Housing Executive Heating Replacement Scheme does not materialise for 2008 the roll out of natural gas to households in the North West will be jeopardised. Read full article
12 February, 2008
Responding to a RTÉ decision to scrap its medium wave transmission which will affect the reception of RTÉ 1 in six county homes, Sinn Féin Gerry MacLochlainn , said that more clarity is needed on this issue as a matter of urgency. Read full article
12 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Councillor Billy Page has called for more awareness programmes and resources to be made available to help people suffering from depression to get active and exercise as a way of help combating the illness. Read full article
12 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Tony Hassan has said that he concerned that the Housing Executive will not be carrying out commencement of tenancy (COT) and routine maintenance until April. Read full article
12 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has called on Ministers to be more precise in spending projections as the British Treasury appears to be restricting future access to unspent resources. Read full article
12 February, 2008
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has welcomed a commitment from Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew to phase out the use of battery cages before they are banned in 2012. Read full article
12 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Peter Anderson has welcomed the call from The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for credit card companies to make the details of the contracts of their products more easily understandable so that customers can compare the various deals on offer and save money. Read full article
11 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has said that Arlene Foster's report on the 'Emerging Findings' of the review into PPS 14 on Rural Planning shows progress away from the totally restrictive position of the 'presumption against' planning in rural areas Read full article
11 February, 2008
Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has endorsed party colleague, Bairbre de Brún MEP's call for schools, community organisations and individuals to support Trócaire's Lenten campaign ADMIT and help developing countries adapt to climate change. Read full article
11 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Tony Hassan has condemned those involved in an attack on the Fire Service leaving the scene of a fire at premises at Lenamore Business Park on Saturday night and has appealed to local businesses to ensure that all materials are secured at night time so they cant be used to start fires Read full article
11 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Policing Board member, Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has said that there is growing public demand for local politicians to take greater responsibility for policing and justice issues through the transfer of powers on Policing and Justice to address key issues such as sentencing and community safety. Read full article
11 February, 2008
Derry Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Councillor Paul Fleming has welcomed the recent introduction of the new 'Curriculum Sports programme' by the Education Minister Caitríona Ruane which is aimed at developing physical literacy skills and encouraging participation in sport amongst young children. Read full article
11 February, 2008
Derry Sinn Féin housing spokesperson councillor Tony Hassan has spoken of his concern at recently published figures on the rising level of home repossessions published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. Read full article
11 February, 2008
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has called for an assurance that funds earmarked for priority schemes such as Ilex will be delivered despite the winding down of the Integrated development Fund (IDF), Read full article
10 February, 2008
Sinn Féin members from across Ireland are meeting in Dublin this afternoon to finalise plans for the party's campaign in opposition to the Lisbon Treaty. Speaking in advance of the meeting Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams welcomed Bertie Ahern's comments that the referendum would take place in the summer but he called on him to name the date so that the real debate can begin." Read full article
10 February, 2008
10 reasons why the Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal for Ireland Read full article
8 February, 2008
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has expressed her hope that the review of public sector jobs will lead to more Civil service jobs in Derry. Read full article
8 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has said whilst he welcomes the news that incidents involving attacks on the Fire Services have reduced it is worrying that there were 285 reported attacks in 2007. Read full article
8 February, 2008
Derry Sinn Féin Health Councillor Billy Page has called on Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey to initiate a public inquiry into deaths where the C-Diff virus has been identified as either a direct or contributory factor in the deaths. Read full article
8 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Councillor Billy Page has backed calls to have specialised diet food packets removed from sale from the internet site eBay. Read full article
8 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Tony Hassan has welcomed the initiative by the Food Standard Agency (FSA) to target homeless people with a view to improving their diet. Read full article
8 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Billy Page has welcomed a scheme between Derry City Council and Altnagelvin Hospital designed to improve home safety especially for the elderly and those with young children. Read full article
7 February, 2008
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson launched a blistering attack on PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde at yesterday's Policing Board meeting. Read full article
7 February, 2008
JOIN DERRY ÓGRA SINN FÉIN
click for full text -link to Bebo site Read full article
7 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor and DPP member Elisha McLaughlin has said that the British government and its agencies have a long track record of breaking the law when it comes to 'bugging' the conversations of MPs in Ireland. Read full article
7 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Campbell has called for urgent action from both the Irish government and the Executive to tackle the financial crisis facing the Irish language media and in particular Lá Nua, Ireland's daily Irish Language newspaper. Read full article
7 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney commenting on the PSNI dissident warning in the media has said that these groups have no support and called upon them to end their activities Read full article
7 February, 2008
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has called for Derry to be a priority in a review of insurance costs here Read full article
7 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Campbell has called on the campaign of intimidation against two gay men in the Creggan area to stop immediately. Read full article
7 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Equality and Human Rights Spokesperson, Foyle MLA Martina Anderson commenting on the publication of the supplement of the 'Eighth Report of the Equal Opportunities Unit' today into equal opportunities in the Civil Service in 2007 has said that women and Catholics are still under represented at senior grades. Read full article
7 February, 2008
Mar fhreagra ar ráiteas ó Jim Nicholson FPE mar gheall ar úsáid na Gaeilge i bParlaimint na hEorpa, dúirt FPE Shinn Féin, Bairbre de Brún, Read full article
7 February, 2008
Children have found themselves the victim of 'scaremongering' by the SDLP, Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has said. Read full article
7 February, 2008
Sinn Féin representatives Raymond McCartney,Aengus Ó Snodaigh, and Francie Brolly will participate today in a joint meeting of Leinster House party whips and the Assembly Committee on Procedures. Read full article
6 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Human Rights and Equality Spokesperson Martina Anderson MLA speaking in the Assembly today has said that the Irish experience of immigration should make us more aware of the problems and difficulties faced by immigrants living here. Read full article
5 February, 2008
Donegal Sinn Féin Councillor Padraig MacLochlainn has been appointed as the party's Director of the Lisbon Treaty referendum campaign. Read full article
5 February, 2008
Derry Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Councillor Paul Fleming has said that the failure of DUP MLA Sammy Wilson to move a motion on Youth Services in the Assembly today would suggest that he views the provision Youth Services as a political football in his campaign against Sinn Féin Education Minister Caitríona Ruane. Read full article
5 February, 2008
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney has welcomed the fact that the Minister of Enterprise and Learning Reg Empey has confirmed in answer to a written question that officials from his Department have been in contact with the European Commission to explore the possibility of assistance from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund which provides assistance to workforces where 1000 people lose their jobs as a result of globalisation. Read full article
5 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Maeve McLaughlin has said that she is concerned that the PSNI intend to amalgamate domestic violence victims, child abuse and missing persons under the heading public protection. Read full article
5 February, 2008
Derry Ógra Shinn Féin take part in a number of events to mark the 36th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday Read full article
5 February, 2008
Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams was the guest speaker at the Sinn Féin Cúige Uladh AGM which was held on Saturday 2nd February in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny. Hundreds of Sinn Féin delegates from throughout the nine counties of Ulster attended the event. Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson and Donegal Councillor Pádraig Mac Lochlainn also spoke at the event Read full article
5 February, 2008
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney has said that the young people who burned a car and damaged others in Fahan Street after the annual Bloody Sunday march not only committed criminal acts against their own community but besmirched the memory of those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday. Read full article
5 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Elisha McLaughlin has accused the PSNI of penalising the entire Shantallow community in order to police a commemoration in memory of INLA Volunteer Neil McMonagle. Read full article
5 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has appealed to all road users to take extra care, drive sensibly and safely and to give consideration to the current weather conditions. The MLA made his appeal after what he described as the latest dreadful sequence of accidents over the weekend, which have seen multiple deaths on roads throughout the island Read full article
5 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has called on the British and Irish Governments to introduce a 'super-profit' tax after Shell Oil announced profits for 2007 had soared to $31.3bn from $25.4bn the previous year. Read full article
1 February, 2008
This April marks the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Before that point the Irish language in the north was in a different place from where it is today. That is not to say that everything now is fine, it isn' t. But the growth of the Irish language in education, in the community, in its everyday usage, is greater now in this part of the island than at any time since before partition. Read full article
1 February, 2008
Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams MP MLA, writing in Lá Nua today outlines Sinn Fein's priorities for the Irish language, our record on the language and our vision for the future. Read full article
1 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Equality and Human Rights spokesperson Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has welcomed a landmark legal case which favoured a London carer who was discriminated against by her employers.
The case, taken to the European Court of Justice, sends a message to Irish employers and also highlights the need for a Bill of Rights in the six counties. Read full article
1 February, 2008
Bloody Sunday 2008
Truth and Lies Read full article
1 February, 2008
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has welcomed the news that the regional suicide prevention Help Line is going live today. The Help Line will cost £3.5million to run per annum Read full article
1 February, 2008
Sinn Féin Councillor Elisha McLaughlin the youngest member of the Derry District Policing Partnership has called on young people in particular to play an active role in holding the PSNI to account and ensuring that a human rights based approached is adhered to at all times. Read full article
1 February, 2008
Foyle Sinn Féin Martina Anderson has praised the work of local charity Destined which supports people living with learning difficulties. Read full article
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