Johnny Guirke
Meath West · Sinn Féin · Ireland
“Extending the temporary reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel is welcome, but it needs to be extended until budget day and then reviewed. In my county of Meath, public transport options are limited and cars are necessity. For families, fuel is an unavoidable expense, whether for a car or to heat a home.”
“People are struggling right now. They cannot wait any longer. That is why Sinn Féin has called for an emergency budget to put €500 back in the pockets of workers, electricity credits worth €400, a €500 payment for people with disabilities and other measures.”
“Since first being elected to the Dáil, I have repeatedly raised water outages in Trim, Clonard and Ballivor in County Meath. Outages and disruption are causing huge frustration for residents in these areas, and rightly so.”
“Just yesterday, parliamentary questions seeking answer on this issue from the Minister were disallowed, stating that the Minister has no responsibility to the Dáil for this matter. Nobody is responsible for anything. Can the Taoiseach commit to coming back to me with a start date for the upgrade to Ballivor water storage project?”
“UEFA defends its stance by claiming that politics should play no part in sport but, hypocritically, has no problem in banning Russia from the competition. FIFA, UEFA and the Irish Government should not have put the football association in the position in which it finds itself.”
“As of 6 May 2026, more than 72,600 Palestinian had been directly killed by the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Thousands of those were women and children. The United Nations and many humanitarian organisations believe the Gaza health ministry’s figures to be a significant under count with thousands of Gazans still unaccounted for.”
The complete record
Every one of 170 lines we hold for Johnny Guirke, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 4.
“In Sinn Féin, we stand in solidarity with workers across all sectors who, through their hard work, keep our economy moving. Far too often, though, workers face insecure pay, unstable conditions, and a bargaining environment that favours the few over the many. That needs to change. I thank Labour for bringing this Bill forward and I want to give my strong support to ensuring robust, fair and enforceable collective bargaining for every worker. Central to this effort are joint labour committees that set legally binding employment conditions and rates of pay for workers in sectors such as childcare, cleaning, security and hospitality. When joint labour committees function effectively, they raise standards, protect workers' rights and provide a level playing field for employers who commit to fair labour practices.”
“This is happening to thousands of students right across the country going to college in Galway and other places. I was talking to someone this morning who has two kids going to college. That is an additional €3,500 compared with what they paid last year. At the same time, the Government is imposing another €500 in student fees.”
“I wish to tell the Tánaiste how much it is costing students to go to college this year. I will tell him about a student in my constituency of Meath West who goes to college in Galway. Last year, she paid €8,632 to go to college. This year, it will cost her €10,380 for the same room, just moving across the hall. How is that happening? There is an additional €350 in rent. Last year, they were talking about charging in utility bills. This year, it is service charges. They just change it. Last year, the utility charges totalled €1,100, while this year they are €2,000. That is an increase of over 80%. In addition, the Government is putting up students fees by €500. That will cost this student €1,748 more than last year to go to college. How is that affordable?”
“We demand a clear, funded plan to guarantee sufficient school places for children with additional needs within their local communities. There should be no more endless reshuffles, no more arbitrary delays. We demand reliable transport and support services, with transparent communication between transport providers, schools and families. Education for children with additional needs is non-negotiable. Every child deserves parity of access and quality of school provision. These parents and children deserve more than excuses. Every child with additional needs must be able to access a suitable school place and reliable transport without fear of another unnecessary battle in the future.”
“Parents of children with additional needs are worn out. If they are not fighting for a school place, they are fighting for a seat on a bus or an SNA. It is a constant battle after battle that many families face and solutions seem out of reach. This year, many children with additional needs have got tickets for school transport, while parents are then told at the last minute that no bus operator has been hired to do that school run. What needs to be looked at is why operators are not tendering for these school runs or why the process cannot begin sooner. This Government has led to too many of these children being denied the education they deserve. By allowing these gaps to persist, the State is effectively denying children access to education, thereby violating their rights.”
“Every year, families do not fight for a favour, they fight for a basic right: the right to a school place or a school bus for their children with additional needs. This is not a one-off problem. It is one that circles back year after year, with no lessons having been learned from the previous year. In too many communities, children with additional needs cannot even access education in their local schools. Places are not there where they live, so they are pushed to attend distant schools. Even then, a place is not guaranteed. It is as if education has become a lottery. I spoke to a parent in County Meath who told me their child endures a three-hour round trip every day just to get to a school that should be within reach. This shapes a child's life and often hinders his or her ability to integrate into their local communities.”
“This Bill is important to families like Darren’s as it would give them closure by having the correct verdict recorded. Darren’s family has asked for a joint meeting with the Minister for justice and the Minister for Health. The Minister for justice has said he is open to meeting. The Minister for Health has had three submissions for a meeting and Jim and Vera have yet to hear back. It would be great if both Ministers could meet Darren’s parents and listen to their story. We are looking for Government support for this Bill. It should be a no-brainer.”
“I am delighted to introduce this Bill along with my colleagues Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Mark Ward. It gives the coroner the option of recording iatrogenic suicide as a verdict. Iatrogenic is the ending of one’s own life where the effect of medical treatment undertaken by the deceased, including any prescribed medication, is the primary cause of such action. I welcome Stephanie and John to the Public Gallery and also Jim and Vera Connell. I knew Jim and Vera’s son Darren. He was a great footballer. He played with Meath under-14s and played right up to minor level. He was a friend of my own son. He was looked up to by everybody and he was a great young fella. We have a 50-mile walk that we do every year for cancer and he walked it. He probably would be with the Meath team in Croke Park next Sunday if he were still around.”
“The Government has ruled out any meaningful cost-of-living support but there is no surprise there given that there is no election this year. Families and workers cannot afford to wait on political games; they need action. Profiteering is no doubt part of the cause of many families struggling. This Government needs to examine the root of those making millions. It is time for the Government to recognise this crisis and take concrete steps to support families, workers and small retailers and shops. At the end of the day, no one should have to choose between feeding their family and paying their bills.”
“I do not blame small retail shops in villages right across Ireland. They are struggling to keep the lights on and the doors open. What needs urgent attention are the wholesalers and the larger supermarkets, which are driving these price hikes with price gouging. Workers in this country have never worked so hard, yet they have very little to show for it. Approximately 70% of people said that they were concerned about the cost of living. Almost 20% of families have had to cut back on heating costs in the past six months, according to research from Barnardos on the impact of the rising cost of living. Two in five people say that they are going without other essentials, including food and medical appointments.”
“The rising cost of food has been a worry for many families. Food inflation is now running at double the rate of general inflation, with many families being forced to fork out an additional €3,000 per year just to keep food on the table. The prices of the likes of meat, cheese bread and beef have skyrocketed. The cost of a pound of butter has increased by more than €1 in the last year alone. The economist Oliver Browne has calculated that grocery prices have increased by 36% over the past four years. Meanwhile, more than 103,000 calls for help have been made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul this year, with nearly half of those requests related to food support. We see it everywhere, from the cost of baby food putting enormous strain on families to students facing soaring fees and no meaningful support in the upcoming budget.”
“I will ask the Minister what his fellow Ministers are also asking. Will the Government reverse the decision to charge students and their families an additional €1,000 this year and work towards scrapping student fees once and for all?”
“I have a question the Minister should be fairly familiar with. Many parents and families have contacted me in the past few days wondering how they are going to pay their children's student fees and rent. People are beginning to see through this Government. The reason it decided to put a halt to the promises made to students and not to include a cost-of-living package in this year's budget is that this is not an election year. Families are being squeezed for every penny they have and the Government has now decided to add an additional cost of €1,000 for each child attending college. One lady who called my constituency office asked me not to let the Government do this. She said that an additional €1,000 would put her family in arrears with their mortgage and that they are living day by day as it is.”
“This is unfair and unacceptable for workers who serve the public interest. We cannot keep discussing workers' rights when we have not sorted out our own house. This must be addressed as it is essential to how the Oireachtas functions. We have no right to criticise other groups outside the Oireachtas when this House struggles to get it right.”
“Oireachtas broadcast workers are calling on the Government to end their low-hour contracts and poor working conditions by integrating them into the Civil Service. The team of around 20 manages the live broadcasts of all Dáil, Seanad and committee proceedings, ensuring they are all accessible to the public. However, the team says they are currently paid half the standard industry rate for comparable roles and calls on the Government and Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to take action to ensure they are treated with the fairness and respect they deserve. Despite their vital role, they are paid just €12,000 a year on average, denied permanent contracts and lack job security. Many are forced to rely on social welfare or to seek additional jobs just to survive, especially during recess.”
“Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said last week he hoped Irish citizens around the world, including in the North, would be able to vote in presidential elections in seven years' time. Let us make that happen. Speaking to Irish News last week, Leo Varadkar also said that a 50%+1 majority is enough for the reunification of Ireland. It is time for the Irish Government to set up a citizens' assembly on unity and help plan a referendum. We all look forward to the unification of our country. The recent vote on the issue by Stormont was a watershed moment. As a result, the Government must act now and the presidential election later this year should be the last that excludes some Irish citizens across our Thirty-two Counties from voting.”
“This has left Irish citizens in the North once again feeling abandoned by the Government in the South. We all know that someone in the North can stand for election as President of Ireland. If they can run for office, then it is only fair that they should have the right to vote in presidential elections. This is about equality and recognising those in the North that identify as Irish. Next weekend we have the All-Ireland football quarter-finals. Players from two of those teams, Armagh and Tyrone, are not able to vote in the presidential election, yet all those players are as Irish as anyone here. Multiple Bills have been introduced to amend the Constitution and extend voting rights, but they have lapsed, first in January 2020 and then in November 2024, due to dissolution of the Dáil and political inaction.”
“I welcome the Minister of State's work on reciprocal driving licences. I know he is committed to it, so I thank him for that. Sinn Féin has long called for the extension of voting rights in presidential elections to all on the island. It is about equality and shared identity as Irish people. In 2013, the constitutional convention recommended that Irish citizens living outside the State should have the right to vote in presidential elections. Since then, there have been repeated calls and efforts to make this a reality. Sinn Féin introduced legislation in the Dáil in 2015 to enact this change, reflecting widespread political support and the clear will of ordinary citizens, yet despite these commitments, successive Governments have repeatedly delayed action.”
“Sinn Féin has long stood with workers, particularly those who have protested, organised and called for justice, to fight for a future in which dignity, fairness and justice are fundamental rights for all. We will support those who keep our economy moving, our communities thriving and our future bright. We, as legislators, have a duty to stand with them now and always.”
“The cost-of-living crisis has left many families struggling, while Government policies have long failed to deliver on promises to improve living standards. Sinn Féin’s alternative budgets and policies aim to address these injustices by supporting a real living wage, introducing fairer tax structures and protecting workers’ rights at every turn. We will continue to call for laws that enshrine workers’ rights, ensuring they cannot be denied their rightful entitlements. We will stand against practices like fire and rehire, bullying and exploitation. We believe in genuine collective bargaining and empowering workers and their unions to negotiate fair terms. We will never forget those who have called for support and been left behind. This Bill promises that when businesses falter, the lowest-paid workers will not have to bear the burden alone.”
“It extends protections to the most vulnerable, including sole traders and those facing gender discrimination. We have always championed the rights of the lowest paid, whether through advocating for fair wages, better working conditions or stronger protections against exploitation. We have always believed that legislation must prioritise workers’ rights, especially during their most vulnerable moments when a company is in insolvency. Let me be blunt. The Government has too often failed those who need support most. Promises to increase sick pay, raise minimum wages and end discriminatory pay practices have been delayed, broken or ignored. For years, low-paid workers have protested and pleaded for support, yet many remain without a safety net. Insolvency is driven by rising costs - costs the Government has failed to adequately address.”
“These workers, many of whom are low-paid, have faced hardship and despair because their Government failed to protect them when they needed it most. We acknowledge that the Bill is about ensuring that even if a business ceases trading informally without going through a formal liquidation, workers can still claim their unpaid wages and entitlements from the insolvency payments scheme. It is about justice, dignity and making sure that those who have worked hard, often in low-paid jobs, are not left to suffer alone when their employer walks away. For decades, these workers have been calling for support and for the Government to stand with them on the front line in their struggle. Fairness should never be limited by outdated legal technicalities.”
“Time and again, Sinn Féin has stood shoulder to shoulder with them, advocating, fighting and demanding that their voices be heard. Our history has been one of standing with workers. We have supported low-paid workers when they called for fairness, staged protests and demanded justice. We have championed their right to fair wages, decent working conditions and protection when their employers abandon their responsibilities. The cases of Clerys and Debenhams are stark reminders of how corporate greed and mechanisms such as tactical liquidation have been used to avoid obligations to workers. More than 1,000 people at Debenhams lost their jobs overnight. Their redundancy and other entitlements were wiped out because the company sought to evade its legal obligations.”
“Time and time again, low-paid workers have been on the front line. Those working in retail, hospitality, cleaning and other essential sectors have protested and demanded that their voices be heard. They have faced the pain of losing their jobs, their livelihoods, and their dignity when their employers went into liquidation or simply abandoned their responsibilities. However, it is often overlooked that these workers have consistently called on the Government to stand with them, protect their rights and ensure they are not left behind. For years, workers have protested on the streets demanding support and fair treatment and that those who profit from their labour do not walk away without consequences. They have called for better protections, fair entitlement payments and the security they, as workers, deserve.”
“The Bill is quite complex and technical, and it is important that the State protects workers. I take this opportunity to reaffirm a core principle that has always guided Sinn Féin, namely, our commitment to standing with workers. Throughout our history, we have been to the forefront in the context of workers’ rights, fairness and dignity in the workplace. For too long, workers have been left vulnerable, especially in times of crisis. When a business becomes insolvent, it is not just about profits or corporate failure; it is about people - families, communities, lives - being thrown into turmoil. This is not just about recent cases or the present. For decades, workers, particularly the lowest paid and most vulnerable, have called out for support, fairness and justice from the Government.”
“Most of the world is just plain sick of this victimhood and right of entitlement to slaughter the Palestinian people at will. The people of Palestine will liberate their land because it is their land. In Ireland, we need to do more. The Taoiseach is not using all the tools at his disposal. Get off your backsides and stop the mealy-mouthed pretence of horror. At the very least, enact the occupied territories Bill.”
“More than 20,000 children have been killed, with many left with injuries that cannot be properly treated. Day in, day out Palestinians are being massacred by Israel using military grade weapons on tents, burning children to death. Apache helicopters are deliberately targeting and shooting fleeing families. The world has failed the people of Palestine. The European Union has failed the people of Palestine. What haunts the Palestinian people is not just famine; it is also the fear of outsiders arriving under the guise of aid to then start laying the foundations of colonisation and using the weaponisation of food. Israel must be stopped now. They are the Nazis of the modern world. It is a disgusting, Zionist regime of supremacist beings who attack everyone who stands against them as anti-Semitic.”
“In Gaza, we see a situation so dire, it defies comprehension. An Oxfam worker with 20 years of experience working in conflict zones worldwide has said he has never seen anything like this. Children in Gaza are being starved. Israel has blocked all aid supplies from entering, leaving millions to go hungry for the past 11 weeks. It is genocide. That is what is happening and yet most of the world remains silent as a humanitarian catastrophe unfolds. Women and children make up the majority of those killed. Nearly every piece of infrastructure has been levelled. People are being displaced all the time. Places where people are told to seek safety turn out to be death traps. The childhoods of the children of Gaza are being destroyed and they have lost entire families.”
“Waiting lists are rising, schools do not have the resources and 93% of children in 2025 are not being assessed as promptly as the Disability Act recommends.”
“We know that early assessment is crucial to ensure children and parents get the supports needed so that children on the autism spectrum can live fully and have happy childhoods. When the wait time for an assessment of need is 32 months, however, early intervention is impossible. These assessments are needed early so that these children can avail of specialist school support to help them learn. Without the assessment, they will not be added to a specialist class or a hub but on this element, too, the Government is failing. The failure to implement the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 has meant the education system is struggling to deliver for children in the school environment. At every hurdle, the Government parties have stumbled on this issue.”
“On average, children are waiting 32 months, more than five times longer than the Disability Act allows for. This is what parents are facing. This is the level of failure when it comes to children with disabilities. I was contacted by a family whose son was referred for an autism assessment in September 2022, when he was four years old. They are loving parents and they want a good quality of life for their child, like the parents of any other child in this State. To date, however, he has not had that assessment. If he waits 32 months for the assessment, the young lad who was four years old when the referral went in will be seven years old when he is fully assessed. That is just not good enough. With these wait times, children and their families are being failed.”
“In 2025, just 7% of assessments have been completed within the legal timeframe set out in the Disability Act 2005. To say that some children are being failed is an understatement; 93% of children requiring an assessment of need are being failed. Experts in the field advise that early intervention is critical. It allows for a family to plan the supports that a child with an autism diagnosis will need and to arrange the provision of any additional supports the child may need when entering the education system. The inclusion in the Disability Act 2005 of a legal requirement for children to be assessed within six months of referral demonstrates how important this is, yet 15,296 children are on assessment of need waiting lists. This list looks set to only grow, with an estimate of 24,000 children being on the list come the end of 2025.”
“It is time to prioritise investment and proper planning to prevent future crises and to support the communities that rely on our water systems every day. From my experience of Uisce Éireann in recent years, I can say that its customer service for elected Members is very poor. A Member could send it an email and receive no reply, despite repeated follow-ups. As I have said before, Uisce Éireann is hard to deal with. Elected Members need to be treated with priority. If we ask it questions, we are representing our constituents in many cases, who want answers from us.”
“This legislation is about safeguarding the fundamental right to reliable water services and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for failures that have persisted for far too long. It is time-----”
“This has been highlighted with Uisce Éireann by me and the Lough Bane Anglers' Association. The Bill reaffirms our commitment to improving the quality and resilience of our water services. It is a clear message that water is a public good and not a commodity to be privatised or charged for unfairly. The proposed legislation aims to ensure Uisce Éireann properly communicates with and supports households and businesses during water outages, an issue that continues to cause severe disruptions in Meath West. Sinn Féin has brought forward this Bill to reflect the deep frustration of impacted communities and to hold Uisce Éireann to account. We need a proactive approach that ensures our water infrastructure is fit for purpose and capable of meeting the demands of our growing population.”
“I welcome the introduction of the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Bill represents a crucial step forward in ensuring that access to clean, safe and reliable water remains a fundamental right for all our communities. For too long, residents in areas like Enfield, Clonard, Ballivor and Trim have faced ongoing water outages, with one example of over 300 residents in Clonard relying on water tankers daily. Recent Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, reports have highlighted serious deficiencies in water infrastructure, revealing the urgent need for reform. Water levels in lakes such as Lough Bane in my area are dropping dramatically and are not keeping pace with increasing demand. During periods of good weather, the situation gets worse and water levels get lower.”
“Genuine collective bargaining, where workers and employers negotiate on an equal footing, is vital for fair wages, safe working conditions and job security. Sinn Féin remains unwavering in its belief that workers must be empowered, protected, and respected. We will continue to champion reforms that enshrine trade union recognition as a legal right, eliminate exploitative practices and promote genuine collective bargaining. Only when workers are recognised and their voices heard can we build workplaces of equality, dignity, respect and fairness for all.”
“Only six months after the general election, it has been broken promise after broken promise. Instead of prioritising workers’ rights, the Government cites economic uncertainty as an excuse to delay or weaken reforms, but economic challenges must not be used as an excuse to undermine fundamental rights. Protecting workers’ rights is an investment in our society. It is an investment in fairer, more productive workplaces that benefit everyone. Sinn Féin is committed to continuing the fight for legislative reforms that make trade union recognition a legal right, not a matter of voluntary agreement or employer discretion. We will push for laws that protect workers from anti-union practices, bullying, and harassment.”
“If the court finds that a trade union is genuinely representative of at least 20% of the workforce, it will recommend that it be recognised, either through recognition orders or other appropriate redress. Transparency is key. All decisions made by the Labour Court would be published and made available for inspection, with protections for the contents under absolute privilege. This openness would create trust and accountability and ensure fair treatment. Legislation alone cannot solve all issues. We recognise that the current voluntary system of trade union recognition often fails many workers, especially those in sectors such as retail and hospitality. Unfortunately, recent developments have shown a worrying retreat by the Government from commitments made during election campaigns.”
“This legislation is not just about legal formalities; it is about empowering workers, ensuring that their voices are heard and safeguarding their rights in an increasingly complex employment landscape. Recognition is a fundamental step towards fairer industrial relations, allowing workers to negotiate for better wages, improved conditions,and secure employment rights. Such measures are necessary to uphold the rule of law, prevent abuse and ensure that employers cannot bypass or undermine workers’ rights by means of delaying tactics or intimidation. Moreover, the legislation would empower the Labour Court to investigate disputes relating to recognition thoroughly. After an investigation, the court would issue written recommendations, including the reasons for its decision.”
“I thank People Before Profit for bringing forward this Bill. I wish to reaffirm our commitment to the rights of workers across Ireland and outline our support for any meaningful reforms that will strengthen a worker’s ability to be heard, respected and fairly represented in the workplace. Every worker deserves dignity, fairness, respect and the right to collective bargaining. These are fundamental principles that are essential for building a just and equitable workplace. Sinn Féin supports the Trade Union Recognition Bill, and it is something we have campaigned for. This is crucial legislation that aims to establish a clear, accessible and enforceable legal framework for trade union recognition.”
“They are looking for these section 5 applications on buildings that would never be exempt from planning like industrial units with no windows. According to the programme for Government, the only hotel in a town will not be taken for an IPAS centre. Will the Tánaiste give a commitment today that this will not happen? It is hurting tourism and businesses in small towns right across the country.”
“I want to raise with the Tánaiste the issue of section 5. It probably had its uses, but when abused, as it is being at the moment, it is a very serious tool. Anybody can make a section 5 application, even if he or she does not own the building, to check if it is exempt from planning for an IPAS centre. The owner of the building in a lot of cases does not even know that somebody has made a section 5 application, as happened in Trim last week. This is creating a lot of unnecessary problems for communities right across the country and needs to be urgently addressed. A 'For Sale' sign on a building is enough for some of these unscrupulous people to make a section 5 application, where they know they can make a lot of money overnight.”
“We have had enough of the Government's broken promises and betrayal of workers. We need a Government that will stand up for everyday people and the SMEs, not just the wealthy and powerful. We need to see genuine action, a living wage, proper sick pay, fair pensions, the right to collective bargaining and the right to organise without fear of retaliation.”
“There are workers who give up their time in their own jobs and a day's wage to volunteer in organisations such as the Civil Defence, the Irish Red Cross, Meath River Rescue, and Boyne Fishermen's Rescue and Recovery. Over the past week in Trim, County Meath, which is in my constituency, I witnessed their outstanding work as they searched tirelessly for a missing person. These are the workers and volunteers who go above and beyond in their paid jobs and in their own time, risking their safety and dedicating their skills and energy to work for which they do not receive half enough credit. They are the true heroes and they deserve our respect, recognition and support. While the Government turns its back on their rights and futures, these volunteers, being selfless, brave and committed to our communities, exemplify the best of Ireland.”
“It wants to privatise pensions and leave workers to fend for themselves. The Government's betrayal is most stark when it comes to workers' rights to organise and bargain collectively. It has consistently failed to legislate for the right to unionise, outlaw the blacklisting of trade unionists and strengthen protections for workers facing unfair dismissals. While it cuts corners on workers' rights and continues to give tax breaks to developers and big business, with so many super junior Ministers it is more interested in lining its own pockets than building a fairer, more equal society. I want to raise an issue that often goes unnoticed, namely that relating to volunteer workers.”
“Let me be clear: the real scandal is how the Government is using economic uncertainty as a smokescreen, a cover for its own failures. It is using the crisis of the world economy as an excuse to turn its back on its own commitments, commitments that would have made a real difference for hard-working families. While it abandons workers, it continues to give handouts to the wealthy and corporations. It refuses to tax the super-rich, crack down on tax havens and ensure big business pays its fair share. Meanwhile, workers are left to pick up the pieces. What about the so-called auto enrolment scheme? Sinn Féin has always supported it but the Government's approach is half-hearted and poorly managed. The Government talks about protecting retirement savings but leaves workers exposed to market volatility and a lack of transparency.”
“While it backtracks on promises, it continues to allow employers to exploit workers through sub-minimum youth rates, low pay and insecure jobs. Ireland still ranks as one of the worst in the EU for low wages. One in five workers is paid a low wage, a shocking statistic that has remained stubbornly unchanged despite decades of empty promises from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The Government is failing workers at every turn. It talks about creating a business-friendly environment, but what about creating a worker-friendly environment? Where is the support for those on the breadline? Where is the fight for fair pay, decent sick leave or secure pensions? Instead of fighting for them, the Government is retreating from commitments, abandoning workers to cope with the soaring cost of living, rising energy prices and a broken housing system.”
“In August, the former Government promised double child benefit, yet it is now quietly rolling back on such promises. It is abandoning workers when they need support most. The Government's action, or, rather, its inaction, reveals its true priorities. Instead of standing up for workers, it is caving in to big business, pandering to the wealthy and turning its back on the ordinary people. It is using the global economic turbulence as an excuse for its failures, but the truth is that its failure to deliver on promises has left workers more vulnerable than ever. It promised fairness and progress but what we in Sinn Féin see is a Government that is content to watch workers struggle, watch working families fall into poverty and abandon the very commitments it made to improve lives.”
“This May Day, we come together to honour the generations of workers who fought for fairness, dignity and decent pay and to recommit ourselves to that same struggle today. It is also a day to hold the Government to account for its betrayal of those very workers. Let me be brutally honest: the Government, including the Minister, has been shamefully untrustworthy when it comes to workers' rights. Before the last election, it made promises it knew it would not keep. There were seven promises to improve workers' lives, amounting to seven broken commitments already. The Government promised seven days' sick pay, pension improvements, free HRT, hikes in the minimum wage, the scrapping of the means test for carers and the enhancement of the old-age pension and the auto enrolment schemes. I have no doubt many more promises will be broken.”