Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has urged voters to “not give in” following a decision by the parliamentary parties of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party to support the formation of a coalition government in Dublin which would see FF leader Micheál Martin become the next Taoiseach. Following a deal by the party leaders, the three parliamentary parties have announced that they have backed a draft Programme for Government, which will now go to the members of each party for their endorsement or rejection.
Mary Lou McDonald attacked Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin for excluding her party from the coalition talks.
The Sinn Féin leader said that a right-wing government does not represent the change “that people voted for in February” and said it would “protect the status quo”.
“Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin set about excluding Sinn Féin from government talks and, in doing so, they excluded the demand for change that came from the people. Grassroots members of the Green Party know this is true. Grassroots members of Fianna Fáil also know this is true.”
On Monday afternoon, Mr Martin, Mr Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan signed off on a well-flagged deal. The document promises a number concessions to the centre-left Green Party, but many have already been criticised for rehashing existing policy plans or being tokenistic.
Addressing party supporters and progressives generally, Ms McDonald said “many people are disappointed watching Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil pushing back change.
“Many might feel like giving up on change. I know you are fed up of seeing the same old parties grabbing power to suit themselves. It’s okay to be fed up at times.”
But she added: “I urge you not to give up. Do not be disheartened by those who want to have everything their own way. Do not turn-off or tune-out. Do not be defeated.”
Despite his party languishing in the low teens in terms of party support, Micheál Martin, a veteran of four disgraced Fianna Fáil governments, is incongruously set to become the next Taoiseach. Leo Varadkar will be his Tánaiste, before the two rotate the positions in December 2022.
The deal requires a tricky two-thirds majority support of the Green Party membership. Tonight 13 members of its 17-strong parliamentary party gave their approval.
There have been rumblings in Fianna Fáil, as over 50 councillors launched a campaign to “defeat” the newly agreed programme for government.
But barring a surprise over the coming weeks, Sinn Féin now looks set to become the main party of opposition in the Dublin parliament.
Ms McDonald today laid down a marker when she said her party “will not allow Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to waste the potential, the possibilities and the aspirations of our people.
“There is a better way and a fairer way. That means putting people and communities first. Sinn Féin will defend the change that the people voted for. Sinn Féin will continue to stand up for workers and families.”
STATEMENT OF UNITED STATES SENATOR AND DEMOCRATIC SENATE LEADER CHARLES E. SCHUMER ON THE DEPORTATION OF MALACHY McALLISTER
“President Trump’s deportation of Malachy McAllister is profoundly unjust and serves no rational public purpose or positive benefit. Mr. McAllister has been a valued member of the Irish American community ever since seeking asylum in the United States following an assassination attempt on him and his family during the Troubles. He is a father and grandfather to U.S. citizen children, a strong supporter of the Irish peace process and a productive businessperson. Mr. McAllister has unfairly faced deportation for years and the looming threat has been tragically realized today.
“For years, I and a bipartisan group of senators and House members, including Rep. Pete King and Sen. Bob Menendez and Cardinal Dolan, have fought against Malachy McAllister’s deportation, supporting both administrative and legislative remedies to keep Mr. McAllister in the U.S., where he belongs. We have implored President Trump – and presidents before him – and U.S. DHS secretaries to intervene in McAllister’s deportation case. In the past, rational and just decisions to defer action have been granted. But, appallingly, not this time. Additionally, for ICE to ignore the critical injuries Mr. McAllister suffered from being hit by a car while riding his bike and to move forward with this unfair, unjust deportation is a terrible mistake.
“The deportation of Malachy McAllister is grave injustice by President Trump. And, sadly, it is part of President Trump’s reflexively hardline and cruel immigration policy towards would be immigrants and asylum seekers that has caused untold pain and misery to countless people like Malachy McAllister, who, if allowed and granted some measure of mercy and common-sense administrative action, would only make America a better place.”
—U.S. Senator Charles Schumer
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For Immediate Release June 10, 2020
ENGEL STATEMENT ON MALACHY MCALLISTER
Washington—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement on Malachy McAllister being taken into custody for removal from the United States:
“I am outraged that the Trump Administration is kicking Malachy McAllister out of the United States. He first fled Belfast in 1998 during the Troubles and came to this country fleeing attempts on his life and the lives of his family. Now, despite strong bipartisan and bicameral advocacy from Congress about his model contributions to American society, Mr. McAllister is being forced from his home of more than two decades in the midst of a global pandemic and while he suffers from a broken collarbone.
“Malachy McAllister is a staunch supporter of the Good Friday Agreement and an invaluable member of the vibrant Irish-American community in New York and New Jersey. By following through with his removal, President Trump and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Wolf are forcing Malachy to leave behind his American-born children and grandchildren and breaking with decades of bipartisan agreement across Republican and Democratic Administrations. I consider myself lucky to call Malachy McAllister a friend and have been honored to fight for his continued residency in the United States. I will continue to fight to pass legislation to allow Malachy and his family to be reunited in the United States permanently.”
Yesterday Malachy McAllister surrendered at noon after a quarter century legal battle and despite A tape was made including remarks by AOH members Sean Pender, Dan Dennehy and myself who were there with him.
Below is Malachy’s emotional statement read in front of his children and grandchildren.
He is due to be flown back today, despite the pleas of Senators, Congressman, Cardinal Dolan, law enforcement and despite painful inuries including a broken collarbone, nerve damage and a fractured rib.
We will circulate the tape as soon as it is available and have further updates.
I know some of you have seen this but wanted to make sure everyone got it.
Martin
Mo Chairde, (My Friends) I think we have all concluded that the only one that can stop my deportation now is President Trump and so while I am still on American soil (my home) I’m not giving up hope…But I want to take this opportunity if I have to say goodbye to thank everyone for your support over the years. We are going though an historical difficult time with so much suffering due to Covid-19 and recent disturbing events that unfortunately remind me of the persecution of Catholics and Nationals in Belfast in the 70’s and 80’s.during the civil rights protests and the Troubles.The pandemic has given us a new sense of how important health, family and life is and it’s been remarkable to witness the courage of our first responders whom have saved so many lives. Since April 2016 my family and I have endured the constant stress and worry of deportation and really its a testament to all your hard work that I’m still here. But the journey we started after fleeing Belfast 32 years ago is reaching a conclusion.The focus has always been the protection of our children however, they are not children anymore and I’ve been blessed with several grandchildren whom I’d hoped to be with for the foreseeable future however, I can only hope and pray that God has another plan for me when I return to Ireland. Mothers Day (May 10th) marked the 16th anniversary of Bernadette’s passing which would have been her 61st Birthday. She sacrificed so much for our children and for me and I hope someday her courage in the face of adversity in Ireland and here in the U.S. will be remembered and acknowledged. I will now be able to bring some dignity to her memory and put her in her final resting place. I’ve been blessed with another wonderful person in my life, my wife Catherine and our eight year old son Cadán born in New York. In the last four years and especially the last several months they’ve endured so much stress and anxiety due to my situation and it has had profound affect on us all and I don’t want hist to repeat itself.Selling the home our son grew up, taking him away from his school, his relatives, friends and from the country we love has been heartbreaking.. We’ve been separated for 6 months and had hoped and prayed that President Trump’s order and promise last November to resolve my case would finally bring an end to the threat of deportation. However, as always it is the people you love the most that suffer (as was the case with Bernadette and my older children)So for the sake of everyone concerned, my family, my health and mental well being today has to be the end.! But it’s not the end of my story just the 2nd chapter and I will continue on the other side. I will look back on my years in the U.S. with bride and hopefully I have represented the AOH, Ireland and Irish America well and been able to gain the respect from the community I love and admire. I will not forget the commitment and support you have all given me and no matter where life takes me I will continue my support for the GFA and for Peace and Justice in Ireland.I love you all and I won’t forget our time together. Tiocfaidh ár lá agus Slán go Foill, Malachy
