By Sinn Féin Councillor Matt Carthy in Monaghan

ONE of the most bizarre aspects of being a Sinn Féin councillor is the Christmas cards and gifts you receive from senators from opposing political parties.

In years past I have received books, ties, pens, DVDs, diaries and chocolates from senators whose parties are in bitter battles with us in a crazy bid for a senate... Free article

By Matt Treacy

IN The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein described the “three trademark demands” which accompany IMF intervention in an economy as “privatisation, government deregulation and deep cuts to social spending”. We have already been given a taste of the third in the recent Budget; the rest are on the way.

The background for privatising state assets and deregulating the economy... Free article

THE death has occurred of long-standing Sinn Féin Athy Town Councillor Paddy Wright.

Paddy was first elected to both Kildare County Council and Athy Town Council in 1985.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has expressed his sincerest condolences to Paddy’s family:

It was with great sadness that I learned today of Paddy Wright’s death.

Paddy was a dedicated and committed Irish... Free article

THERE are 33 people in a critical condition in the North from the resurgence of ‘Swine Flu’ but it seems that Health Minster Michael McGimpsey has ‘gone missing on the job', Sinn Féin vice-chair of the Assembly Health Committee has said.

Michelle O’Neill MLA said there were 33 people this week suffering from Swine Flu and last month there were 185 people being treated for the... Free article

AN SDLP call for changing rules to allow the Assembly to sack a minister would mean handing unionists a veto over nationalist ministers, Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey has said.

The Belfast MLA said:

SDLP representative Conal McDevitt needs to get real if he thinks that nationalists in the North are about to stand by and watch him try and barter away hard-fought gains in... Free article

THE revelation by the Revenue Commissioners that 22 judges have refused to make voluntary contributions in lieu of paying the public service pension levy has been described by the chairperson of Dublin Sinn Féin as "a breath-taking decision by well-paid figures sitting in judgment on others".

Dublin West Dáil candidate Paul Donnelly said:

I hope that none of those 22... Free article

NEWS that wording for the children’s rights amendment to the Constitution has been agreed between Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews and Attorney General Paul Gallagher has been welcomed by Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin but the Sinn Féin Dáil leader is worried that TDs’ input through an Oireachtas committee may have been diluted.

The Government’s approved wording was not... Free article

SINN FÉIN is to meet the North’s Housing Executive CEO on Friday to review the HE’s response to the winter crisis and an estimated repair bill to housing of more than £100million.

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Fra McCann MLA has said that figures released yesterday are “staggering” and warrant urgent investigation.

Fra McCann said:
Despite it not featuring very highly in the... Free article

THE rise increase of 5,200 unemployed people on the Live Register in December shows that the Fianna Fáil-led Government still hasn’t grasped the concept of job creation, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Arthur Morgan TD has said.

And he pointed out that it must be remembered that the true extent of unemployment is hidden behind casual employment in... Free article