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SEANAD BREAKTHROUGH

For the first time, a Sinn Féin representative has been elected to the Seanad in Leinster House. The election of Pearse Doherty brings to five the number of Sinn Féin representatives in the Oireachtas and was a significant success in the wake of a disappointing General Election for the party.

Proposals for an inclusive Seanad

Sinn Féin’s newly elected Senator, Pearse Doherty, talks to the media, accompanied by Northern Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and the party’s Dáil Leader, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD

In 2003, Sinn Féin made a submission to the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Seanad Reform. Sinn Féin believes that the Seanad, as currently constituted, is fundamentally undemocratic and elitist and duplicates the role of the Dáil. The party envisages the creation of a reformed, democratic, transparent, accountable, and relevant second house of parliament. Sinn Féin wants to see a democratically elected Seanad that would afford a role for civic society, and provide for fuller representation of all sectors of society in the legislative process. The election of Pearse Doherty will mean that the issue of Seanad reform will remain on the agenda, rather than be raised briefly only to be forgotten about until the next election.

Photo: Sinn Féin’s newly elected Senator, Pearse Doherty, talks to the media, accompanied by Northern Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and the party’s Dáil Leader, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD

O'Loan reopens Shoot-to-Kill probe

The Six-County Police Ombudsman is to re-examine files compiled by John Stalker, the former British police officer tasked with investigating allegations of summary execution, known as shoot-to-kill, carried out by the RUC in the early 1980s. The Ombudsman is to focus on the killing of Gervaise McKerr, one of a number of shoot-to-kill victims initially investigated by Stalker.

Photo: Nuala O’Loan

HET whitewash exposed

The family of Barney Watt, shot dead by the British Army 35 years ago, has dismissed the Historical Enquiries Team as a sham. Angry, disgusted and used is how Barney's widow, Theresa Watt, described her feelings towards the HET after they failed to answer any of the outstanding questions surrounding the controversial killing. "We were badly let down in 1971 and we've been badly let down now," said Theresa.

Cold shoulder for SF in Fingal

Sinn Féin is the only party in Fingal still not represented on the area's Joint Policing Committee (JPC). A spurious technicality was initially used to exclude Councillor Felix Gallagher, which he was quick to point out all over the local media. The establishment parties' brass necks could have been pulled in earlier this month, when two vacancies arose, but as it transpired, the discriminators were not for turning and had yet more tricks up their sleeves to keep Gallagher in the public gallery.

Photo: Felix Gallagher

McLaughlin vows to fight minimum wage cuts

Sinn Féin Economic spokesperson, Mitchel McLaughlin MLA (South Antrim) has pledged that the party will fight any attempts by the British government to lower the minimum wage in the North. This follows reports that new British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is considering regionalising the minimum wage, which is currently set at £5.35. Under the plan, the minimum wage in the Six Counties could fall to as low as £4.80 an hour. The rate would also be cut in Scotland, Wales and the North of England, while it might actually rise to around £7 an hour in London.

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