Sinn Féin TD for Dublin North West Dessie Ellis has welcomed comments from the office of the Minister for Health stating the continued priority of delivering a Primary Care Health Centre for Finglas despite recent stalls in the project.

Deputy Ellis continued;

“Finglas was identified rightly as a area of high priority with considerable need for the benefits brought by a Primary Care Health Centre. This centre will ofer a large number of medical and social services for the community.

Recently problems arose with the local councillors relating to the site which had been identified by the HSE and was to be purchased from Dublin City Council. This has caused the project to stall and brought its future in to question.

I have no doubt these issues can be resolved and the project can progress again shortly but I am glad that the Department are aware of the issues and will do what they can to see that the stalling does not put it into jeopardy.

The people of Finglas need this service and we must all work together, local representatives and the HSE, to ensure it is delivered without further unnecessary delay.”

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin North West Dessie Ellis has welcomed the publication of the Constitutional Convention’s report recommending marriage equality.

Deputy Ellis said;

“The Constitutional Convention delegates delivered a decisive vote of 79% in favour of amending the constitution to provide for marriage equality last April.

“As this new report notes, over 1000 submissions lodged by citizens, advocacy groups and representative organisations were considered by the convention.

“The government must now consider the convention’s recommendation and provide a response within four months.

“Last month Labour leader and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said he expects a referendum on marriage equality in 2014.

“Marriage equality will make a real difference to same sex couples and of course their children by providing equal legal protections for these families.

I personally look forward to campaign for this important step towards equality for LGBT people.”