Fifth Estate MIL OSI

Source: Sinn Féin

16 January, 2019 – by Louise O’Reilly TD

Speaking in the Dáil this evening Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly TD has called on the Minister for Finance to sit down with nursing unions and strike a deal in order to address the causes of the recruitment and retention crisis and avert strike action.Teachta O’Reilly said:“The recruitment and retention crisis affecting the nursing and midwifery professions and the associated issue of pay is one of the most significant problems affecting the health service, and it has been an ongoing issue for many years now.“The government cannot pretend that this issue has taken them by surprise, since I walked through the gates of Leinster House one of the issues which I have raised week in week out with the government is the recruitment and retention crisis amongst staff in our health service.“Last April Sinn Féin introduced a Private Members Motion entitled ‘Nurses’ and Midwives’ Pay and Recruitment’ which was unanimously passed by the house, however, the government refused to implement its recommendations.“Fine Gael have had nearly 8 years to address the nursing recruitment and retention crisis; but, not only have they completely failed in this regard, they have allowed the situation to become worse.“Indeed, the response by government TDs, government Ministers, and even the Taoiseach to nurses and midwives raising their concerns has been to verbally attacked them, to threatened them, to insulted them.“Members of the INMO and the PNA have not taken this decision lightly – this is their last resort.“A strike is the last thing they want to have to undertake, but the nurses and midwives in our health service have been forced to undertake this action due to the ignorance, arrogance, and ineptitude of this government.“Nurses, midwives, and their unions have continuously sought engagement with the Minister for Finance in order to address the core problems of staff shortages and pay in order to avert this escalation to industrial action and they have put forward sensible and responsible solutions to address this crisis and avert strike action.“Nurses and midwives not only make a significant contribution to the health service, they make a significant contribution to society and they deserve our support in their demand for a better health service which treats them as essential skilled workers with dignity and value and which pays them appropriately.“This strike can be averted, but to do that Minister Donohoe must engage with nursing and midwifery unions and strike a deal.”

MIL-OSI UK News

Source: Sinn Féin

16 January, 2019 – by Maurice Quinlivan TD

Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan has said that Ireland’s people, Ireland’s economy and Ireland’s peace process all need to be protected and that the Taoiseach needs to stand firm on the backstop.
The Limerick City TD said;
“With every day that passes – we lurch closer to the possibility of a ‘no-deal’ scenario and the return to the hard border that we had.
“Yesterday, prior to the vote in Westminster, the Tánaiste briefed parties on contingency plans in the event of that situation transpiring.
“Those contingency plans focus primarily on East-West matters. These are important matters to protect trade and commerce between our islands.
“The Tánaiste said that the legislation required to deal with these matters will not be published until the 22nd February.
“Sinn Féin will assist in crafting and passing all necessary legislation but the government are coming to this very late in the day.
“We believe that the government needs to revise this schedule and we need to see the legislation much earlier.
“We need urgent clarity on what preparations are being put in place for our ports and airports. This is particularly relevant to us in the mid-west, as Shannon Airport and Foynes Port would require substantial investment and infrastructure to accommodate whatever the new trading relationship with Britain will be.
“The outcome of these shambolic Brexit negotiations will not just impact those living on the border, but everyone across Ireland, including those living here in Limerick; however the Tory government in London has shown they have zero regard for anyone but themselves.
“The Taoiseach has had nothing to say on a contingency plan to protect our all island economy, to protect our citizen’s rights to protect the Good Friday Agreement in the event of a crash Brexit.
“Ireland’s people, Ireland’s economy and Ireland’s peace process all need to be protected as we go forward now.
“The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and our partners at a European level need to stand firm and not move away from or attempt to dilute the backstop.
“We need to say clearly to the British that if they wish to Brexit then that’s a matter for themselves but any Brexit agreement needs to recognise, understand and protect the people, the economy and the peace process on this island.” 

MIL-OSI UK News

Source: Sinn Féin

16 January, 2019 – by Gerry Adams TD

Speaking today during the debate in the Dáil on a Fianna Fáil motion on the pending nurses strike Sinn Féin TD for Louth Gerry Adams expressed his support for the Nurses.
The Louth TD also read to the Dáil an email from a woman who outlines her personal experience with midwives.
Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, Independents for Change and the Social democrats have submitted an agreed amendment to the Fianna Fáil motion.
Teachta Adams said:
“Sinn Féin supports the thrust of the Fianna Fáil motion but there are obvious gaps. So, the amendment we have tabled, along with Independents for Change, the Social Democrats and the Labour Party, is about closing these.
“In particular, our amendment tackles the issues of pay and of recruitment and retention. The series of planned strikes by the INMO and Psychiatric Nurses Association are actions of last resort. The pending strikes are a result of bad government policy.
“In the two hospitals in my constituency, Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda and Louth County Hospital in Dundalk, working conditions for nurses have become increasingly difficult.
“Instead of tackling the very real issue of recruitment and retention of staff the government and HSE in 2017 spent thirteen and a half million euro on agency staff between the two Louth Hospitals. This is a short sighted policy that contributes to the crisis in health.
“In December I spoke with the INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha and north east representative David Miskell. They outlined the scale of the crisis in the health service.
“Last November was the worst ever month for overcrowding in our emergency departments. By the end of 2018 almost one hundred and ten thousand admitted patients had been forced to wait in emergency departments. This is the worst figure since records began.
“On Tuesday Dr. Fergal Hickey of the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine, described our Emergency Departments as “warehouses for admitted in-patients”. Dr. Hickey said the problem is not enough beds.
“More beds, needs more nurses. That means tackling the problem of pay and the related issues of recruitment and retention”.
Addressing the Dáil Gerry Adams read the email sent to him and other Dáil TDs today on the Nurses strike. The woman has asked to remain anonymous.
In her email she writes:
“While part of the dispute is about pay, the working conditions of nurses and midwives need to be addressed immediately. 
I have on a number of occasions needed nursing and midwifery care. 
On one of these occasions, nearly 9 years ago, I was an hour away from giving birth to my stillborn son. 
At this time, the nurses and midwives were again looking for better working & pay conditions from the government and I commented to the midwife that I was sorry about how badly they were being treated by the government. 
The midwives that delivered my stillborn son were amazing. 
The care they gave to myself, my son and my family was full of love, empathy & compassion. 
It saddens and angers me greatly, that 9 years later, the working conditions have gotten worse for the nursing and midwifery staff. 
 I would also like to make you aware that I have a hospital appointment for the 30th January. 
This is for a simple test which will be the final test of 4 tests needed for a diagnosis. 
Not getting this test will delay my treatment. 
Even if my treatment is delayed, I will give my full support to the nurses and midwives on the day. 
I will also be joining the nurses and midwives on the picket line”.
Concluding she says: “Please give your support to the nurses and midwives & improve their lives and working conditions. They deserve every cent.”

MIL-OSI UK News

Source: Sinn Féin

Movement on Protect Life 2 welcome – Flynn | Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin – On Your Side

16 January, 2019 – by Órlaithí Flynn

Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn has welcomed confirmation from the Health Permanent Secretary that he intends to implement the Protect Life 2 Suicide Prevention Strategy.
The party’s Mental Health spokesperson and said:
“This strategy will play a crucial role in helping to ensure there is greater cooperation and coordination of services to help save lives lost to suicide.
“As much as the new strategy will help it needs to be adequately funded to help deliver for those individuals and communities in crisis.
“Sinn Féin will be requesting a meeting with the Health Permanent Secretary to ask him to outline the plans for the implementation of the suicide prevention strategy and express our frustration it took so long.”

We use cookies to give the best experience on our site. By continuing to browse our site, you agree to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. View our privacy policy
×

MIL-OSI UK News

Source: Sinn Féin

16 January, 2019 – by Caoimhe Archibald

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has written to principals in the Roe Valley and surrounding area in response to a letter sent to parents earlier this week regarding school budget concerns.
The East Derry MLA said:
“Along with my colleague and party spokesperson on education, Karen Mullan MLA, I have met and consistently engaged with the Permanent Secretary of the Education Department, the Education Authority, teaching unions and sectoral bodies over the past two years to highlight concerns around budgets and other issues being brought to our attention by school principals.
“There is no doubt that many schools are suffering as a result of the Tory austerity agenda, now supported by the DUP, which has seen our block grant slashed over the past nine years, resulting in huge cuts to departmental budgets.
“I have written to all of the principals who signed the letter offering to meet and discuss the issues and concerns highlighted.
“My party colleagues and I will continue to oppose Tory austerity and make the case for additional resources for our public services and in particular for education.”

MIL-OSI UK News