Campaign News

Sinn Féin MLA, and Mid-Ulster by-election candidate, Francie Molloy, has welcomed the Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín’s refusal to support European proposals for a unilateral suspension of eel-fishing.

Mr Molloy facilitated an emergency meeting between Minister Ní Chuilín and representatives of the Lough Neagh Eel Fishermen’s Co-operative on Tuesday morning.  The meeting was arranged by Mr Molloy after Minister Ní Chuilín voiced her public opposition last week to the blanket European proposals.

Speaking after the meeting in Stormont this morning, Mr Molloy said:

“I strongly welcome the intervention of Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín on this issue.  Lough Neagh is a unique social, environmental and economic asset to the north.

“In particular, the Eel Fishermen’s Co-operative has, for almost fifty years, ensured a sustainable economic model and environmental management of eel fishing on the Lough.  Around 300 families rely on the Co-operative’s work, and it is a sign of Minister Ní Chuilín’s commitment that she agreed to this urgent meeting.

“Together with Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill, Minister Ní Chuilín is convening – at my request – a roundtable stake-holders event this Thursday to consider a broader strategic plan for opposing this damaging, counter-productive and illogical proposal from some elements of the European Parliament.

“This will be a long-term fight. I pledge Sinn Féin will be at the forefront of defending and protecting indigenous sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits around Lough Neagh.  Minister Ní Chuilín’s intervention also provides an opportunity to think once again about the longer-term planning for Lough Neagh.

“This is a timely opportunity to restate the benefit of bringing Lough Neagh into public ownership, a campaign currently being led by Michelle O’Neill at Executive level.”

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD this morning was in Mid Ulster on the campaign trail with Sinn Féin’s Mid Ulster candidate Francie Molloy.

Mr. Adams accompanied Francie Molloy on a tour of An Carn cultural centre outside Maghera.

Speaking after a canvas in Maghera Mr. Adams said,

“Francie Molloy is a life long Republican activist and leader. He was a founding member of the Civil Rights Movement, and through the decades of conflict and the subsequent peace process he has been a first class representative for the people of Mid Ulster.

 “As a Councillor and MLA Francie Molloy has fought hard for the rights of the people of Mid Ulster. He makes no distinction between constituents and is dedicated to improving the social and economic conditions for citizens in this constituency."

Mid-Ulster MLA, and Sinn Féin’s Westminster by-election candidate, Francie Molloy has expressed support for Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín’s refusal to consider a potential suspension of eel fishing by the EU.

 Responding to the Minister’s statement this evening, Mr Molloy said:

“I want to welcome Minister Ní Chuilín’s strong statement of support for Lough Neagh’s eel fishing community. The Minister has adopted a measured approach in refusing to consider any EU proposals, especially without a full range of procedural, scientific and consultative actions involving those most affected.

 “The Lough Neagh Eel Fisheries Co-operative is one of the most important, sustainable and marketable enterprises in the entire North, and indeed in Ireland. It is of grave concern that proposals being considered in Europe might result in efforts to suspend eel-fishing.

 “All stakeholders need to join together behind Minister Ní Chuilín in opposing what could be a devastating impact on the entire Lough Neagh community, particularly those living in Mid-Ulster.

 “I have therefore tonight asked the Minister to facilitate an early meeting between myself and representatives of the Eel-Fishing Co-operative, as she makes her Assembly statement next week. I am also calling on Minister Ní Chuilín to jointly convene, with Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill, a meeting of all stakeholders in Mid-Ulster next week to discuss this important issue.”

Francie Molloy MLA and Martina Anderson MEP have organised a meeting in the Loughshore on Friday 22nd February to explore the training needs of the Specialist Manufacturing and Engineering industry.

The meeting is taking place in the Tilley Lamp, Ardboe beginning at 12.30pm. Martina Anderson MEP is the author of two reports currently making their way through the European Parliament focusing on the need for quality apprenticeships and training opportunities as part of a ‘Youth Jobs Guarantee’.

Martina Anderson MEP said,

“Sinn Féin is committed to developing a thriving local economy which is based on supporting and growing indigenous businesses. In times of deepening economic austerity there are obligations on public representatives to assist with and be imaginative in the development of new ideas and initiatives which assist in creating employment opportunities.”

Francie Molloy MLA said,

“Within Mid-Ulster, our engineering and manufacturing sector is one area of productivity which is experiencing notable levels of growth globally with specialist engineering and the manufacture of products such as those for the quarrying and aircraft industries. There are further growth opportunities within the manufacturing of these and other specialist products locally. We need to ensure that all assistance is given to specialist companies, for developing future employment opportunities within these and other growth sectors. Be it through marketing opportunities, developing new products or providing skilled apprentices and graduates. We believe that collectively we can contribute towards improving upon these opportunities.”

“Being aware of the continual need for properly skilled apprentices to be available to enter as employees into this sector as well as having the right people trained up with the appropriate skills sets, and available at the right time is crucial to the success of companies, we are delighted that under the Department of Education and Learning (DEL) that an Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Working Group has been created to further analyse what are the specific training requirements of the specialist engineering sector. It is only then when this work is completed that we can we collectively go forward with a clear picture of what is required to address the sector`s specific training needs.”

Francie Molloy MLA was supported by GAA great Peter Canavan today in Cookstown as he welcomed the announcement that the Mid Ulster By Election will be held on Thursday 7th March. The writ was moved this afternoon in Westminster.

The Sinn Féin candidate in the by election, Mr Molloy MLA said,

 “Sinn Féin are more than prepared for this by election, we hosted our launch last week in Galbally Community Centre with over 500 people in attendance, and hundreds of activists have been out over the past 2 weeks delivering 40,000 newsletters to homes across every part of Mid Ulster. We are mobilised and energised by this election campaign, and we welcome the announcement today, to give us a date to work towards.”

“In the time ahead my message to everyone is simple: the people of Mid-Ulster can rely on Sinn Fein’s record of results. Martin McGuinness and the entire Sinn Féin team in Mid Ulster have laid a solid foundation, and I will continue to champion the right to hope for citizens and communities in Mid-Ulster. We will seek to develop a range of social economy projects – including an engineering training centre; and new local business opportunities to serve the people of the area. We will prioritise the demand that planning decisions must serve the needs of citizens and communities, not simply lines on a map.”

“Sinn Féin will continue to create practical social and economic opportunities and partnerships for the people of this area. We will deepen and strengthen the peace and political process, on the road to Irish unity and independence. So help us continue to build on our record of results, on Thursday 7th March, vote Sinn Féin, vote Francie Molloy.”

Mid Ulster MLA Francie Molloy has wished Cookstown Father Rocks good luck in the All Ireland Intermediate Final against Kerry Champions, Finuge and is convinced they can make history by being the first Tyrone club to win two All Irelands. The match will be played at Croke Park tomorrow night.

Mr Molloy MLA said,

“A superb battling performance in the semi-final against Connaught champions Charlestown has brought Father Rocks to another All Ireland final with the possibility of being the first Tyrone club to win two All Irelands. With the determination and performances they have demonstrated to date, I believe they can do it, and I want to wish them good luck. Adh mor ort Cookstown, all Tyrone Gaels stand firmly behind you.”

Óige Phoblactach Shinn Féin have organised a youth canvass on Saturday 16th of February as part of the Mid Ulster by-election campaign. The canvass will take place in the Coalisland area at 1.00pm and all young people are being asked to meet at the local Sinn Féin advice centre.

 Urging young people to attend, Torrent Councillor and Sinn Féin Republican youth activist Pádraig Quinn said;

“I believe that it is very important for young people to get involved with this campaign. With the current state of the economy, prospects are dim, jobs are scarce, and more and more young people are being forced to leave their friends and family and emigrate in search of work.
It is therefore vital that young people come out and be vocal and demand a better, sustainable future. Francie as part of the Mid Ulster Sinn Féin team has been heavily involved in tackling these pressing issues.

In my own area for instance we have organised multiple suicide prevention courses, we have assisted developing business’s creating hundreds of jobs and we continue to argue for the lowering of the voting age to 16.

I would invite all young people throughout Mid Ulster area, to come along on Saturday 16th February and play your part in ensuring your rights and future is fought for.”

Sinn Féin MLA Francie Molloy has said that ‘Internet Safety Day’ on Tuesday 5th February should be used to highlight cyber bullying and how we can make the Internet a safer and enjoyable place for children.

Mr Molloy said,

“The internet can be a great educational and fun experience and a way to keep in contact with friends and family across the globe. However like all aspects of life there are those who abuse it for their own means like grooming and bullying children.

“We recently heard of cases where young people took their own lives due to cyber bullying and initiatives like ‘Internet Safety Day’ should be used to discuss ways of making the internet a safe experience for children.

“It is important that we look at ways of protecting our children from Internet bullies. There is no doubt that in today’s cyber world of technology this form of bullying is as dangerous as the infamous schoolyard bully.

“I would ask parents to look at their children’s computer routines and without being too intrusive ensure that they are not being pressurised by others online.”

Mid Ulster Sinn Féin MLA, Francie Molloy has emphasised the need to tackle youth unemployment and has called for the urgent implementation of the EU 'Youth Jobs Guarantee'.

Mr Molloy who was in Brussels last week as a member of the Committee of the Regions said,

“There are more than 5 and a half million young people across the EU not able to find work. Across the European Union, 22% of people between the ages of 15-24 are jobless, a figure that swells to as much as 50% in Greece and Spain. Long-term youth unemployment reveals an even starker reality: over 30% of young people have been unemployed for more than twelve consecutive months.

“Martina Anderson MEP has lobbied for the use of the European Social Fund to support programmes aimed at tackling this problem. The global economic downturn has meant that young workers can often only access precarious, temporary jobs or traineeships which offer little real prospect of career progression.

"Many young people now see emigration as the only option open to them so we must ensure that deliberate and determined interventions are put in place to give young people choices. The ‘Youth Jobs guarantee’ aims to ensure that member states guarantee every young person under 25 a job, training or educational placement within a set number of months of becoming unemployed.”

“Sinn Féin as members of the GUE/NGL group urged the Commission and the European Council to dedicate a sufficiently financed specific fund to create a true ‘youth guarantee’ which would secure the future of Europe's youth by guaranteeing them real rights to qualified, adequately paid and stable employment and social security, the right to housing, and the establishment of an ‘autonomy allowance’ mechanism in the context of a European minimum wage.

"With these objectives as a basis, Sinn Féin will campaign for the realisation of this kind of project across Ireland together with young people, their associations and unions."

Over 500 Republicans packed into Galbally Community Centre, County Tyrone on Sunday 3rd February for the Mid Ulster Sinn Féin By Election Campaign Launch.

The launch was addressed by DARD Minister Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Féin Vice President Mary Lou McDonald TD, Joint First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA and the Sinn Féin candidate for the by Election, Francie Molloy MLA.

All speakers paid tribute to Francie Molloy’s life of service and commitment to the people of Mid Ulster, a journey which started with the pivotal housing protests of Caledon in 1968, his momentous work as Bobby Sand’s MP Director of Elections in 1981, and taking up elected office for Sinn Féin from 1985 until today, fulfilling both roles as Councillor and MLA.

Francie Molloy MLA spoke of his long record of results,

“In health, education and welfare, I have been at the forefront of campaigns to protect the rights of my constituents – fighting for the best services at Antrim, Mid-Ulster and South Tyrone hospitals; lobbying successfully for new build schools and sustained educational funding across the constituency; and providing a first-class service for those seeking welfare advice and assistance.

On planning, I have prioritised the rights of rural dwellers – in terms of their home and business needs. I have challenged those who would stand in the way of genuine local business development and I have championed the rights of young people seeking reasonable house building opportunities. I have campaigned on the issue of unapproved roads, and been successful from Gortview in Coalisland, to Cove Close in Ballyronan, to The Hawthorns in Maghera. I helped lobby for the A6 inquiry that has now agreed with Sinn Féin’s suggestion of an alternative route for the link-road.

I have been working closely with the Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill on our shared agenda to bring Lough Neagh back into public ownership, for the benefit of all those working and living around the Lough. My colleague, Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín, also hosted the first major international conference on Lough Neagh last year. Our work has resulted in the Assembly agreeing that the Executive, under Michelle’s leadership, should bring forward recommendations on the future position of the Lough in coming months.

I have been a member of Sinn Féin negotiating teams that collectively delivered all-Ireland institutions; the repeal of the Government of Ireland Act 1920; equality and power-sharing at the heart of politics; new human rights laws; strong police accountability mechanisms; a new judiciary; and the opportunity to build towards Irish unity through purely peaceful and democratic methods.”

Making a pledge to the people of Mid Ulster, Mr Molloy MLA said,

“In the time ahead, in this forthcoming election, my message to everyone is simple: the people of Mid-Ulster can rely on Sinn Fein’s record of results. I will continue to champion the right to hope for citizens and communities in Mid-Ulster.

We will seek to develop a range of social economy projects – including an engineering training centre; and new local business opportunities to serve the people of the area. We will prioritise the demand that planning decisions must serve the needs of citizens and communities, not simply lines on a map.

Sinn Féin will continue to create practical social and economic opportunities and partnerships for the people of this area. We will deepen and strengthen the peace and political process, on the road to Irish unity and independence.

 We will widen and protect the rights and opportunities for those from a Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist background within our new Ireland; and we will take Sinn Féin into every home and every parish, and embrace everyone willing to support our democratic political project towards Irish unity and equality.”