Pat Sheehan
West Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does she agree that the Minister's School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill was poor legislation and a missed opportunity?”
“The last point that you made reminded me of one of the witnesses — a young girl — who came to the Committee. During the winter, she wore her own overcoat, but she had to take it off 100 yards from the school gate because she was not allowed to wear it into the school.”
“Agus iad ag ullmhú le haghaidh scrúduithe GCSE agus ard-leibhéil, féadann an imní agus an éiginnteacht sin drochthionchar a imirt ar a n-oideachas agus ar a bhfolláine.”
“Is scannalach go deo an foréigean ciníoch a chonaic muid le seachtain anuas. Tá ionsaithe ar theaghlaigh, ar thithe agus ar ghnólachtaí doleithscéil, agus tá siad dochosanta. Níor cheart eagla a mbáis a bheith ar dhaoine neamhurchóideacha mar gheall ar a gcine, a gcúlra ná a gcreideamh.”
“One of the reasons, Daniel, is that, if we were to have blocked the Bill at the Executive, the SDLP would be saying tomorrow morning "This place is dysfunctional. You're blocking legislation. Sinn Féin is blocking legislation, and the DUP is blocking legislation". No, we are not blocking legislation.”
“I have not once today argued against inspections. Not once. The Bill is about one thing and one thing only: intimidating and punishing teachers.”
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“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra.”
“Does the Minister agree that changing how we live with water can produce many benefits in the future?”
“<BR /> <BR />Tá muinitir na hÉireann ag seasamh go diongbháilte i gcoinne na gcoireanna atá Iosrael a dhéanamh in Gaza, ar an Bhruach Thiar agus ar fud an Mheánoirthir. Níl sa chás i gcoinne Liam Óig ach bealach le hiúl na ndaoine a thógáil den fhíorchoir. Cúis náire é nár cuireadh ateangaire ar fáil do Liam Óg. De réir cosúlachta, ní raibh teacht ag an bhreitheamh ar ateangaire. Seasaímid le Kneecap; seasaímid leis an fhírinne; seasaímid leis an cheartas. <BR /> <BR />Saoirse don Phalaistín. Lig saor Mo Chara.”
“Bhí Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh ó Kneecap os comhair Chúirt Dúiche Westminster faoin Terrorism Act an tseachtain seo caite. Cúis imní dúinn uilig an cúiseamh éagórach sin. Sheas Feisirí de chuid Shinn Féin i gcuideachta na gcéadta eile taobh amuigh den chúirt le tacaíocht a thabhairt do Liam Óg. <BR /> <BR />Is cinedhíothú é an rud atá ag tarlú in Gaza, agus ina ainneoin sin, tá Rialtas na Breataine ag coinneáil leis ag soláthar arm agus tacaíocht mhíleata do Iosrael, soláthar a fhágas go bhfuil sé comhpháirteach i gcearta an duine agus an dlí idirnáisiúnta a shárú. Ach tá Liam Óg, ar ceoltóir é, tá sin á chúiseamh as sceimhlitheoireacht as labhairt amach i gcoinne na gcoireanna sin. Netanyahu is cóir bheith os comhair na cúirte, chan Kneecap.”
“It is clear that the co-design group is very disappointed that a number of important issues that it raised were not included in the draft anti-poverty strategy. Will the Minister tell us what those issues were and why he thought that he could disregard them completely?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a ráitis.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra.”
“<BR /> <BR />Anois ó tugadh na gealltanais maoinithe, caithfimid a chinntiú go gcuirfear an tionscadal seo i gcrích — deireadh leis an mhoill, deireadh leis na leithscéalta. Caithfidh iomlán an mhaoinithe bheith ann le gur féidir tús a chur ar an obair lom láithreach.”
“Baineann sí le dóchas a thabhairt: dóchas do pháistí faoi ocht mbliana atá ag tosú ag imirt agus don té a bhfuil dóchas aige nó aici geansaí Aontroma a chaitheamh agus iad ag imirt ar son a gcontae i bPáirc Mhic Asmaint. <BR /> <BR />Dá mbeadh Páirc Mhic Asmaint i mbun gnó, ní haon áibhéil a rá go rachadh sí go mór chun sochair do gheilleagar an cheantair. Cruthóidh an tionscadal poist sna hearnálacha tógála, fáilteachais agus turasóireachta, chomh maith le poist san fhiontar áitiúil. Cruthóidh sé deiseanna agus tarraingeoidh sé isteach infheistíocht a bhfuil géar-ghá léi. Nuair a bheas an staid faoi lán seoil rachaidh sí chun sochair ní hé amháin do ghnólachtaí áitiúla ach do gheilleagar an cheantair uile.”
“Faoi dheireadh thiar thall, d’fhógair Rialtas na Breataine an tseachtain seo caite go gcuireadh siad maoiniú ar fáil le Páirc Mhic Asmaint a athfhorbairt. Má bhí muid fada go leor ag fanacht léi, níl aon amhras ná gur céim mhór chun tosaigh í an tacaíocht sin le staid den scoth a dhéanamh dár gcluichí náisiúnta i gcroílár iarthar Bhéal Feirste. <BR /> <BR />Ligeadh Páirc Mhic Asmaint a dhul chun anró le 12 bhliain anuas. Sin 12 bhliain de dheiseanna caillte agus 12 bhliain nuair ab éigean dár nGaeil óga inspreagadh a fháil in áiteanna eile. Ceileadh an deis bheith ag imirt i bPáirc Mhic Asmaint, ceileadh sin ar ghlúin iomlán. Tá i bhfad níos mó i gceist le hathfhorbairt Pháirc Mhic Asmaint ná áis den scoth a thógáil.”
“I have to say that the media did a very bad job of portraying the arrests of four people, because the four arrested were pro-Israeli protesters, whereas the media gave the impression that they were people from the pro-Palestinian group. <BR /> <BR />Furthermore, I commend Queen's University for following the lead of Trinity College Dublin by ending all its ties with Israel. Despite what Arlene Foster has said, that is a progressive and welcome step. Let us hope that other universities and institutions take the lead from those two universities and cut all ties with a rogue state that is involved in the genocide of the Palestinian people and that is starving men, women and children by using starvation as —”
“I suppose that we can count our blessings that no one was hurt or injured — that we are aware of so far — because, when another ship sailed from Malta in May, it was hit by two Israeli drones. We are also cognisant of the fact that, in 2010, the Israelis attacked another ship, the Mavi Marmara, and killed 10 people on board. <BR /> <BR />I also commend the people who took part in the Great March for Gaza between Lurgan and Omeath yesterday. Thousands participated in the march, which was 25 miles long. That is the length of the Gaza Strip. They were harassed along the way by a small number of pro-Israeli protesters.”
“I commend the activists who sailed on the ship the Madleen to bring aid to Gaza. That aid consisted mostly of baby food and rice. Everyone here is aware of the blockade that Israel has imposed on the Gaza Strip for a number of months. Everybody is also aware that the Israeli Government are using starvation as a weapon of war. We have seen horrific footage of starving and malnourished children, who are suffering as a result. <BR /> <BR />The Madleen was commandeered in the early hours of this morning in an act of piracy by the Israeli Navy, which forcibly abducted the crew, among whom are Greta Thunberg, the well-known environmentalist, and Liam Cunningham, an actor from here in Ireland.”
“Why has the Minister decided to introduce an application process?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a freagra.”
“Does the First Minister agree that it is long past time for the British Government to state what their funding contribution will be to the redevelopment of Casement Park?”
“The same British justice system says nothing about the British Government's complicity in Israel's path of murder and destruction. Tens of thousands of people have died since the Israeli onslaught began in October 2023, but the people who are being hounded and dragged through the courts are an Irish language hip-hop group from west Belfast. I commend Kneecap on their unwavering determination in the face of a campaign to silence them. Kneecap are not the story. Genocide is the story, and it should stop now.”
“Famine, disease, devastation and death, caused entirely by Israel, are the daily experiences of the Palestinian people as the world's so-called powers turn a blind eye. While Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant avoid the arrest warrants for war crimes and crimes against humanity that were issued by the International Criminal Court, Kneecap are being dragged through the British justice system. That is the same British justice system that says nothing about the British Government's complicity —.”
“As those with the power to act enabled Israel to carry out a genocide against the Palestinian people, Kneecap and others such as Sue Pentel shone a light on the atrocities that were being committed. While defenceless men, women and children were murdered in their sleep by Israeli bombs, and homes, mosques and schools were destroyed with impunity, Kneecap never wavered in their steadfast support for the Palestinian people and utter condemnation of the Israeli war machine. Kneecap have used their platform for good while Benjamin Netanyahu, his Israeli Government and the Israeli occupation forces continue to break international law and commit war crimes on a daily basis. <BR /> <BR />Gaza is on the brink.”
“We have been in contact with the police and the networks in an attempt to ensure that there is better security around that infrastructure and that those responsible are caught and held to account for what they are doing. <BR /> <BR />My two colleagues have already articulated clearly the problems that exist, and I will not detain anyone any longer.”
“My two colleagues have already outlined major difficulties that exist with the mobile phone network in West Belfast. I live just off the Glen Road, and I can attest to the fact that the signal is woeful. On many occasions, I have had calls drop. On one occasion, I had a phone call from my GP, and, as soon as I answered, the call dropped off. Everybody, I am sure, is aware of how difficult it is to make a phone call to a GP and get an answer. <BR /> <BR />The vandalism to some of the telecommunications network has already been mentioned. It is not just random vandalism; there are some people, who I would describe as the "tinfoil hat brigade", who have been involved in a fairly concerted campaign of vandalism on that particular infrastructure.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“The Minister will be aware that there is a high degree of scepticism in the anti-poverty sector about whether the strategy is ambitious enough. Will the Minister commit to listening to the sector as part of the public consultation process? Will he invite or has he invited any of the co-design groups to any briefings as part of the process?”
“Minister, the Assembly and a number of councils have raised concerns about the design of the RAISE programme and how it might divert much-needed funding from areas that need it most. Has the Minister reflected on any of those criticisms?”
“It is time to end the occupation, the genocide and the starvation of poor, innocent, defenceless children. It is time for all that to end now.”
“Professor Avi Shlaim, the renowned Jewish Israeli academic said this to those who justify Israel's action by saying that Israel has a right to self-defence:”
“Children are dying of hunger. Hospitals have no medicines, anaesthetics or painkillers. The blockade is not just a violation of international law; it is an instrument of genocide as defined by the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Dr Mike Ryan, the Irish executive director of the World Health Organization's health emergencies programme, called it what it is:”
“I will make a statement on the worsening situation in Gaza. Despite Israel's publicly declared strategy of starving the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip and the plans to increase the attacks on Gaza even further and displace the population, the US, British, French and German Governments continue to pander to the murderous Israeli regime. We know that 20,000 children have been killed and tens of thousands of other Palestinians are dead, with many of the bodies still buried underneath the rubble, and that schools, hospitals, universities, mosques, churches and United Nations food depots have all been destroyed. Now, the Israelis have decided to use starvation as a weapon of war against an already malnourished population. <BR /> <BR />More than two months have elapsed without a single aid truck entering Gaza.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“An té a théann chun a chuid oibre ar maidin ba chóir dó bheith cinnte go bhfillfeadh sé chun an bhaile go slán sábháilte tráthnóna. <BR /> <BR />Mar sin de, iarraim ar an Tionól seasamh go diongbháilte lena ngealltanas áiteanna oibre sábháilte córa a chruthú do chách, beag beann ar an earnáil a bhfuil siad ag obair inti nó an taobh tíre arb as iad.”
“Is tubaiste é nuair a mharaítear duine ar bith i dtaisme san áit oibre, nó fágann siad ina ndiaidh teaghlach a bheas faoi bhrón is faoi chrá croí lena mbeo. <BR /> <BR />Ní leor dúinn bheith ag caint ar shábháilteacht san áit oibre — caithfimid beart a dhéanamh de réir ár mbriathair. Caithfear infheistíocht chuí a dhéanamh i gcórais sábháilteachta, san oiliúint agus sa mhaoirseacht. Lena chois sin, caithfimid cultúr a chothú ina dtabharfar tús áite do shláinte agus do shábháilteacht na n-oibrithe. Tá freagracht orainn uilig sa Tionól, go háirithe agus beartais phoiblí á leagan amach againn, tá freagracht orainn a chinntiú go ndéantar gach beart is féidir le líon na dtaismí agus na mbásanna san áit oibre a laghdú, agus a laghdú go mór.”
“Bhí Lá Domhanda na Sábháilteachta agus na Sláinte san Obair ann an tseachtain seo a chuaigh thart. Tá sé tábhachtach aitheantas a thabhairt don obair atá ag dul ar aghaidh le háiteanna oibre a dhéanamh níos sábháilte agus níos sláintiúla. <BR /> <BR />Thuairiscigh Feidhmeannacht Sláinte agus Sábháilteachta Thuaisceart Éireann gur cailleadh 19 n-oibrí san áit oibre sa Tuaisceart le linn 2022. Sa tréimhse chéanna, tuairiscíodh gur gortaíodh 239 nduine go trom. Bheir na figiúirí don bhliain 2023 le fios dúinn go bhfuair 10 bás agus gur gortaíodh 233 dhuine san áit oibre. Is fíor gur laghdú é sin, agus laghdú a gcuirimid fáilte roimhe, mar sin féin, ní thig linn ár maidí a ligean le sruth. Tá an líon i bhfad ró-ard go fóill.”
“We have all been inspired by the Caleb's Cause campaign. In that light, can the Minister assure us that she will listen to the voices of young people and their parents when it comes to improving services?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a freagra.”
“What signage will be provided at Grand Central station, and when will that happen?”
“<BR /> <BR />Go dlúth sna sála ag an dá fhéile rathúla sin atá mé i ndiaidh a lua, fógraíodh go mbeidh Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann á cheiliúradh i mBéal Feirste sa bhliain 2026 — an ceiliúradh is mó ar domhan ar chultúr agus ar cheol na hÉireann. Meastar gur fhreastail breis agus leath-mhilliún duine ar imeachtaí na fleidhe anuraidh. Is dea-scéala amach is amach é sin, agus ba mhór a rachas an borradh eacnamaíochta sin chun sochair don toghcheantar. Scéala é a thógfas croí agus meanma ár saoránach agus ár ngnólachtaí, agus is cinnte go mbeidh tionchar dearfach aige ar ár bpobail go ceann na mblianta fada. Comhghairdeas le Comhairle Cathrach Bhéal Feirste as glacadh le hiarratas Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.”
“Tá coicís ó shin, thug mé ráiteas os comhair an Tionóil inar mhol mé Coiste Uladh as a chinneadh an cluiche craoibhe idir Aontroim agus Ard Mhacha a imirt in Aontroim. Ach chuathas siar ar an chinneadh sin ó shin, agus seasaim le foireann Aontroma agus iad ag déanamh a gcáis lena mbuntáiste baile a choinneáil. <BR /> <BR />Déanaim comhghairdeas le heagraithe Fhéile an Earraigh agus Sheachtain na Gaeilge agus gabhaim buíochas leo as coicís d’imeachtaí a eagrú i mo thoghcheantar: imeachtaí ceoil, laetha spraoi agus seoltaí leabhair, gan ach cuid imeachtaí a lua. Saibhríonn na himeachtaí sin ár bpobal, pé acu as Gaeilge nó as Béarla iad. Guím gach rath orthu sna blianta agus sna féilte amach romhainn.”
“I welcome the commencement of a public recruitment competition for the new Irish language commissioner. Does the First Minister agree with me that that appointment will be hugely welcome among Gaeilgeoirí and the Irish language community in general, and represent another step forward in building a society that is underpinned by rights and respect for all?”
“Will the Minister address the underfunding of education here compared with other jurisdictions, as highlighted by the independent review of education?”
“I welcome the Minister's commitments to an evidence-based approach to improving our education system and tackling underachievement. Given the overwhelming evidence against the use of academic selection from academics, educationalists, children's rights groups, charities, trade unions and others, can we expect the Minister to look at ending the practice of academic selection and rejection during his tenure?”
“. I commend you for organising that event. However, I became so engrossed in engaging with some of the visitors that I clean forgot that I had a question for oral answer. I apologise to you and your officials for not being in my place.”
“. Earlier, I attended the excellent event for Seachtain na Gaeilge in the Seanad”
“Does the Minister agree that the Department and NI Water should be working closely together to prioritise unlocking more housing connections in west Belfast?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra.”
“Will the Minister give more information on the special educational needs proposal?”
“With the right amendments, it can make a real difference to working families across the North. Sinn Féin will continue to stand up for families who are struggling with those costs, and we support the passing of the Bill at Second Stage.”
“I also note the potential for a financial cap on uniform costs, which is an important measure. However, Sinn Féin will press to ensure that that is not left as an optional guideline but is a firm and enforceable limit that genuinely reduces costs for families. Sinn Féin is committed to fairness and equality in education. No child should be at a disadvantage because their family cannot afford an expensive uniform. The Bill is a step forward, but we will work constructively at Committee Stage to strengthen it, ensuring that it delivers for families not just in words but in real, enforceable action. <BR /> <BR />Uniforms should not be a barrier to education, and the Bill has the potential to ease financial pressures on parents and ensure a fairer approach to school uniform policy.”
“For too long, families have been locked into costly single-supplier agreements for school uniforms, and the Bill rightly seeks to challenge that. We must ensure that it fully ends the practice of schools restricting parents to one expensive provider. Schools should be required to permit non-branded alternatives and ensure genuine choice for families. Likewise, the excessive cost of PE kits needs to be tackled head-on. Parents should not be forced to purchase expensive branded sports gear when perfectly suitable and affordable alternatives are available. There must be a clear and enforceable limit on branded items in uniform policies.”
“The commitment to addressing unfair costs, promoting clothing banks and supporting uniform lending schemes are positive measures that should help hard-pressed families who are already struggling in the face of a cost-of-living crisis. However, while the Bill lays the groundwork, there are areas where it must go further to ensure real change.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak at the Second Stage of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />The cost of school uniforms has been a serious issue for families across the North for far too long. No parent should have to choose between heating their home, putting food on the table and ensuring that their child has the correct school uniform. Sinn Féin has consistently called for action on the issue, and I welcome the Minister's recognition that reform is needed. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is a welcome step. It places a legal requirement on the Department of Education to issue clear guidance to schools to ensure that affordability is central to uniform policies. That is an important move.”