Mary Lou hits out at Barroso

Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald has hit out at European Commission President José Manuel Barroso after he questioned the holding of referendums on new EU treaties. Barroso suggested the practice “makes our life in the EU more complicated”.

McDonald said Barroso’s comments betrayed arrogance and ignorance.

“Arrogance because the French and Dutch people, after an informed debate, democratically rejected the EU Constitution; ignorance because some member states, including Ireland, are constitutionally bound to hold referendums on most new EU treaties.”

McDonald called on Barroso to publicly endorse the principle that “each EU member state is free to choose how it ratifies or rejects EU treaties in a way that is consistent with their own constitutions and free from interference from Brussels”.

 

Soaring house prices in  North ‘damaging’

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson and West Belfast Assembly candidate Councillor Fra McCann has said that the revelation that house prices increased 36 per cent in the Six Counties last year, faster than anywhere else in Western Europe, is further evidence of the corruption of the housing market by property speculators and the buy-to-let market. He warned that it is damaging the social fabric of many communities.

 

Brolly and Leonard stand in East Derry

Sinn Féin in East Derry have confirmed that sitting MLA Francie Brolly and local Councillor Billy Leonard are the party’s candidates in the March 7 Assembly election.

Both men are high-profile candidates in the context of rising Sinn Féin support as recently witnessed in the December Skerries by-election result in Portstewart and Portrush. Both Leonard and Brolly feel they can take a second Assembly seat in the constituency.

 

Doolan appointed to Dublin Docklands Authority

Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan has been appointed by Dublin City Council to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA).

The DDDA was established through government legislation in 1997 and has spent €7 billion of both private and public money on its developments in Dublin’s north and south inner city. It is projected that the population growth on the 1,300 acres of land being developed by the DDDA until 2012 is to grow from 17,000 (in 1997) to 45,000.

Doolan says he intends to use his new position to advance the cause of sustainable community development that addresses the social needs of people in the inner city.

 

Call for children’s vote on election day

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health and Children, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, has called for the proposed 26-County referendum on children’s rights to be held on the same day as the general election.

While expressing regret at the limited nature of the proposed reforms, which fall short of Sinn Féin’s proposals, Ó Caoláin stated that the proposals amount to progress for children