News in Brief

Work Safety Bill debated

Speaking during the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill debated in the Dáil last Thursday, Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said the legislation had been long awaited, especially by workers who are being denied what should be their right to a safe work environment. Ó Caoláin said it was deeply regrettable that there have been 35 work-related deaths so far this year. He pointed out that in 2002, over three million workdays were lost due to work-related injuries and illnesses. He said that Sinn Féin welcomed any legislation which would bring about a reduction in the number of people killed and injured in work-related accidents, but added that the Health and Safety Authority had to be properly resourced to fulfil its responsibilities under the legislation.

Labour Party forum in Six Counties

A move by the Irish Labour party to establish a forum for people living in the Six Counties has been welcomed by Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty.

The West Tyrone MP said it followed the logic of the all-Ireland political map drawn by the Good Friday Agreement. However, he added that he would encourage the party to embrace this new all-Ireland approach, follow the Sinn Féin lead and fully organise themselves on an all-island basis, so they could go on to contest elections in the Six Counties.

Racists attack families in County Down

Racist thugs carried out a double attack on Indian and Turkish families in Comber County Down in the early hours of Friday morning 15 October.

In the latest offensive against ethnic minority families living in unionist areas of the Six Counties, rocks were thrown through the windows of the families' cars.

Nazi swastikas and 'Turks Out' graffiti were daubed on walls at the scene of the attacks, which were carried out on the homes in Charles Way and Lower Crescent in the small County Down town.

It has also been reported that a meeting of the North Down Policing Partnership board was told on 29 September that there has been evidence of a series of racist attacks in the North Down area this year. Racist attacks throughout the Six Counties have doubled over the past year.

MEP welcomes peace funding

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has welcomed an announcement from the European Commission that it is to provide €60 million for the peace programme and €15 million for the International Fund for Ireland over the next two years.

Describing the funding as "a practical demonstration of continued EU support for the Peace Process", de Brún added that this EU money "is vital to the work of peace building and social inclusion carried out by numerous community projects.

"We in Sinn Féin, along with others, worked hard to secure this much needed funding at a time of uncertainty in the Peace Process and it will undoubtedly contribute to peace-building and national reconciliation".

De Brún, however, went on to criticise the British Government, which "did not actively lobby for a consistent level of funding to underpin the Peace Process".

Anger as British fly over Clones

Clones Councillor Pat Treanor has hit out at the latest British Army incursion over Clones town and surrounding area.

On Sunday 17 October at 5pm, a large helicopter flew up to two miles into County Monaghan and then over Clones town on its return to County Fermanagh.

Treanor expressed the concern and suspicion of people in the Clones area, who witnessed the incident, when he said: "This was a totally illegal and provocative incursion into County Monaghan by the British Army. It was particularly outrageous at the present time, when serious efforts are being made to bolster up the Peace Process. People are rightly suspicious and concerned by this incident. I have reported it to the local Gardaí and have asked for an investigation.

"My 12-year-old daughter, Cáit, and two of her friends were playing at Bishopscourt, about a mile out of Clones. They were able to describe a large green helicopter with camouflage colouring, flying overhead."

Cllr Treanor contacted Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who will raise the issue with the Dublin Government. He also contacted the Sinn Féin representative on the British/Irish Intergovernmental Body, Arthur Morgan, who raised it at a meeting in Wales on Monday.