February 19, 2013

Sinn Fein housing spokesperson, Dessie Ellis TD has tonight described the government’s response to the shortage in social housing as nothing more than a charade. He made his comments during a Dáil debate on a Sinn Fein motion tabled by Deputy Ellis dealing with social housing and mortgage distress.
Deputy Ellis continued;
“The government in is Housing Policy statement and in its speeches to housing bodies across the country have engaged in nothing more than a charade peppered with meaningless platitudes. They have not put their political will behind providing secure and adequate housing for the many people in need in this state .
NAMA was heralded a great help in providing housing but this is simply a leasing scheme which out of a promise 3900 has only delivered 179 since it was founded in the winter of 2009.
We have 100,000 people on waiting lists, 94,000 in Rent Supplement and 23, 000 in the Rental Accommodation Scheme. This state is in a continuing housing crisis which is leaving the worst off in our society sleeping on couches and raising their children in unhealthy, damp and crowded conditions.
The government is turning a blind eye to this, more interested in paying someone else’s bank debt than providing for the rights of its people.
The state must use the Pension Reserve Fund, the European Investment Bank, incentivised investment from the private pension sector and social housing bonds to raise funds to start to end this crisis finally.
Sinn Fein have set out how to do this. Fine Gael and Labour now need to listen to new ideas and start delivering for the people who need help.”
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February 19, 2013

Sinn Fein transport spokesperson, Dessie Ellis TD, has described the new proposed taxi regulations as “disproportionate and repugnant to our Constitution”.
He made his comments when raising the concerns of many drivers, former republican prisoners, who work as taxi drivers.
Deputy Ellis continued:
“These regulations could see many former political prisoners barred, disqualified or suspended from the industry and without a livelihood despite having worked as drivers for years without any problem.
“This state, with the backing of the people in a referendum signed up to the Good Friday Agreement which recognised the special circumstance of the conflict.
“It also recognised that those imprisoned for offences directly related to the conflict were not ordinary prisoners and should be afforded special attention to aid reintegration into society and the securing of gainful employment.
“I also believe this measure is at odds with the constitution and its recognition of an individual’s right to a livelihood or property rights.
“A similar regulation was been attempted in the north of Ireland but was defeated with a former republican prisoner took a case to the High Court. If Minister Alan Kelly will not accept our points on this issue then I expect this to be the outcome again and this section of the Bill will be rendered null and void.
“I am very disappointed by the minister’s response. He completely ignored the Good Friday Agreement which his government is bound by. It is a disgraceful approach to such an important agreement and I hope he will reconsider as we continue to debate.
“Anyone convicted of an offence directly related to the conflict should, under the agreement this state signed up to be supported in getting employment, not thrown out of work as this Bill does. I recognise this government did not sign the agreement but it is time they started living up to it.”
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