MATT CARTHY TD

Campaign against Mercosur trade deal intensifies as Carthy announces Cavan, Donegal and Galway public meeting details

The campaign against the controversial EU-Mercosur trade deal is due to intensify as Sinn Féin MEP, Matt Carthy, has announced that he will be hosting a series of public information meetings on the subject this week and next week in the Midlands Northwest constituency.

The Midlands Northwest MEP along with local Sinn Fein representatives from each county will host the events in Cootehill, Co. Cavan on Wednesday the 28^th of August, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal on Thursday the 29^th of August and Maam Cross, Co. Galway on Monday September 2^nd.

Speaking ahead of the events, MEP Carthy said “We are reaching a critical juncture in the fight against the Mercosur trade deal. The EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malstrom has now confirmed that the deal will require the unanimous support of all member states.”

Sinn Fein recently tabled a Dáil motion that the EU-Mercosur trade deal be rejected because of the devastating impact it will have on the environment, the Irish economy and on crucial indigenous sectors, especially agriculture. This motion was adopted and it is imperative that political pressure is exerted to ensure that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil adhere to it and reject this deal at EU level.

“We know the pressures that Irish family farmers are already under, pressures that forced them onto the picket lines at factory gates in recent weeks. With so many operating at a loss, and with the threats of Brexit looming large it is nonsensical that the EU is contemplating the importation of 100,000 tonnes of additional beef.”

Carthy continued “Rural Ireland has been under sustained attack for decades. The Mercosur trade deal must mark the juncture when rural communities fight back.  It’s time for us to take a stand and send a clear message that we will not allow our communities to be decimated by corporate greed. I have been working at an EU level in opposition to the EU-Mercosur deal, and it is vitally important we tackle the issue at a local level too. I hope the people of Midlands Northwest come out in force at these public meetings to show that the political opposition to this deal will only intensify.”

The “Stop Mercosur!” public meetings will feature contributions from many Farm organisation Representatives. All are welcome. Full details below:

Stop Mercosur! Public Meetings

Wedneday – August 28th – 8.30pm

Errigal Hotel, Cootehill, Co. Cavan

Thursday – August 29th – 8.30pm

Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Monday – September 2nd – 8.30pm

Peacocke Hotel, Maam Cross, Co. Galway

ENDS

Sinn Féin MEP, Matt Carthy, has called on Minister Creed and Meat Industry Ireland to engage urgently with farm organisations to resolve the critical situation that beef farmers are in.  Carthy made his remarks as nationwide protests by the Beef Plan Movement intensify, bringing many processing factories to a halt.  Over 20 demonstrations have taken place.

Matt Carthy, who has visited protesting farmers in Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan; Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo and Clones, Co. Monaghan, said:

“The fact that farmers, during the busy Summer period, have gathered in such large numbers at sites across the state is just the most recent signal that they are at breaking point.  As the protests enter their second week it is unbelievable and unacceptable that neither the Minister for Agriculture nor Meat Industry Ireland have made any real effort to engage with the farmers.

“The farmers I have spoken with are very clear that they cannot afford to walk away from these protests unless they receive firm commitments that measures will be put in place to address the inequalities that underpin the beef sector in Ireland today.  I commend the farmers for taking a stand and also those hauliers and veterinarians who have demonstrated solidarity by not crossing the picket.

“Throughout recent years farmers have articulated the crisis they are in.  Rather than enacting measures to address that crisis the Irish government and the European Commission have overseen its exacerbation.  The free rein that has been given to the factories and retailers to manipulate the market position of farmers has been such that the emergence of these types of protest has come as no surprise.

“Farmers are not asking for anything radical, they are simply requesting that they receive a fair price for their product and a guarantee that they will be paid more than their cost of production. The current situation whereby processors receive 50% more from an animal that they keep for 3 days than a farmer that raised and fed the animal for 2 years is not tenable and is unfair by any standard.

“The beef farmers share of the supermarket sale price amounts to just 20%, is it any wonder that farmers are at the constant brink of bankruptcy.  At €8,300, cattle rearing incomes amount to around a third of what is considered the living wage.  That the European Commission and the Irish government know this and yet proceed to propose the flooding of the EU market with cheap Brazilian imported beef is further evidence that they are intent on allowing the Irish family farm to be consigned to history.

“I call on Meat Industry Ireland to drop its preconditions to talks and come to an agreement with the farmers that offers them a viable future.

“The silence from the Agriculture Minister, Michael Creed, since the Beef Plan protests began, has been deafening.  He cannot play the role of the detached observer – the government has a role to intervene to resolve this dispute as a matter of urgency and Minister Creed has a responsibility to personally intervene.

“For our part, Sinn Féin will continue to stand with farmers on the picket line for as long as it takes because we understand that without our family farmers rural Ireland as we know it will not survive”.

“Preparations for ‘no-deal’ Brexit must be stepped up” – Matt Carthy MEP

The Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands North West, Matt Carthy, has called on the government to step up preparations for the prospect of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit scenario which he described as a ‘very live possibility’.  Carthy said that preparations must include a comprehensive financial package for vulnerable sectors, plans to protect the rights of Irish citizens in the north and planning for a referendum on Irish unity.

Matt Carthy said:

“In the first instance, all Irish political voices must remain steadfast in support of the withdrawal agreement and the backstop contained therein as the only available mechanism to minimise the damage that Brexit will cause to our country.  Recognising that the British government’s strategy is to insert the prospect of a crash-out in order to force the EU into softening its position on the backstop, it would be folly for any Irish representatives to fall into that trap.

“However, the very dangerous position of the British government under Boris Johnson has increased the potential for that ‘no-deal’ scenario to materialise.  It is now a very live possibility that must now be fully planned for by the Irish government and the European Union.

“A comprehensive financial package will be required for those sectors and regions most at risk.  Britain remains our largest trading partner and therefore many export-led sectors, including agriculture, expect huge shocks in the event of a British crash-out from the EU.  They need assurances that supports will be available to allow them to survive the turbulence.  The measures mooted so-far are wholly insufficient and therefore the Irish government must engage at an EU level to have a suitable financial package in place.

Good Friday Agreement

“There are 142 areas of co-operation between the north and south of our country and between the island of Ireland and Britain.  All will be impacted by Brexit.  Brexit preparations now require contingency measures for each of those areas.

“We know that the Good Friday Agreement will be severally undermined by Brexit, particularly a no-deal Brexit.  Crucially there are concerns for the rights of those Irish citizens who live in the north and questions as to how Brexit will impact on them.  These concerns have not been adequately addressed by the government but they no longer have the luxury of ignoring these issues.  Plans must include provision to defend and protect that status of Irish citizens across the island”.

United Ireland

The Monaghan based representative said that a conversation on a United Ireland had now begun in a real way and that this conversation will undoubtedly intensify in the event of a no-deal Brexit.  Carthy continued:

“Economics, demographics and natural progress have meant that many have already been discussing what a United Ireland might look like and how it can be brought about.  Those discussions will become live debates in the event of a crash-out.  In the north especially a new cohort will clearly see Irish unity as the only vehicle to remain part of the European Union.

“Therefore there is an onus on all political parties to come together to map out how we can bring about a United Ireland and make it a success for everyone who shares this island.  For too long our government and some political parties, particularly Fianna Fáil, have dismissed calls to engage in a process of planning for the re-unification of Ireland.  A no-deal Brexit will make that stance appear incredibly reckless.  We must all come together and plan a roadmap towards the inevitability of a referendum on unity taken place.

“The aspiration of Irish Unity is legitimate, sensible and in line with the Good Friday Agreement.  If the stated direction of the British government remains unchanged it may be the only way that we can minimise the devastation that Brexit will cause to our economy and the political and social progress we have seen over the past two decades.  Our government must begin the planning now.”

ENDS

Commission confirmation that Mercosur will require unanimity will put FG & FF rhetoric to the test – Matt Carthy MEP

Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy has described as “pivotal” an admission this week by EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malstrom that the trade deal with Mercosur will require the unanimous support of all member states.  The Midlands North West representative said that this now meant that the rhetoric of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil representatives would be put to the test as Ireland is clearly in a position to reject this “devastating” trade agreement.

Speaking in the European Parliament’s International Trade committee on Tuesday Ms. Malstrom stated “Mercosur is a mixed agreement so yes there will have to be unanimity there (at EU Council level) and the Member States parliaments also ratifying it”.

Matt Carthy said:

“The Dáil has already supported a Sinn Féin motion that that the EU-Mercosur trade deal be rejected because of the devastating impact it will have on the environment, the Irish economy and on crucial indigenous sectors, especially agriculture.  That vote must be respected and implemented by the government.

“Since the announcement of the political agreement of this deal we have heard plenty of rhetoric from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil representatives supporting Sinn Féin’s analysis that it will be bad for Ireland.  Admittedly, the language coming from Fine Gael has softened as it appeared more likely that they would be in a position to block the deal.  The confirmation from the EU Commissioner responsible for trade that Mercosur will require unanimity will now put the rhetoric to the ultimate test.  Will Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael be willing to stand up for Irish interests in the face of pressure from the European Commission and foreign corporations?

“For Sinn Féin, our position is clear and we will continue to fight this devastating agreement at domestic and EU level.  Many people with a concern for our environment, economy and our crucial agriculture sector will be watching closely to see who is with us”.

ENDS

Matt Carthy calls on Minister Creed’s intervention to stop Lead-bullet ban

The Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands North West, Matt Carthy, has confirmed that he has written to Agriculture Minister, Michael Creed, requesting that he intervene to ensure that an EU proposal to ban the use of lead shot bullets is withdrawn until such stage as there is a meaningful consultation with all stakeholders.

While the transposition of this ban will be under the competence of the Minister of the Department for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan, Matt Carthy contends that the implications for farmers are such that an intervention from the Agriculture Minister is warranted.

Matt Carthy said:

“These proposals for a ban on lead shot bullets, as currently muted, are unworkable in my view and would negatively impact farmers as well as game clubs, arguably the most important partners in the delivery of landscape and wildlife conservation.  It is suggested that up to 80% of shotguns in Ireland will be rendered unusable with the cost of replacing these guns amounting to over €150m.

“Farmers account for more than half of gun users in Ireland.  With the cost of replacing a gun ranging between €750 to €1,000, this is a burden that many will be unable to bear.  If farmers seek to have their guns modified to comply with the new legislation, which would ban lead shot in favour of steel, they cannot do so in this country as the facilities for doing so do not exist here.  In addition, many guns are not suitable for conversion.

“At this point there has been almost no consultation with those to be affected by the proposal.  The European Commission enacted a consultation process that had several shortcomings.  Considering the particular impact that the proposal would have in Ireland it would be appropriate for the government to withdraw its intention to implement any such legislation until such stage as a comprehensive consultation has taken place with all affected stakeholders at an Irish level; including farming organisations, game clubs and conservation bodies.

“While the matter will, in the last instance, fall on the desk of Minister Josepha Madigan, it would be entirely appropriate for the Agriculture Minister to intervene and demand that the process is halted until a full and robust dialogue has taken place.  He should be pressed to do so by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs from the constituencies that will be most affected.  Their silence to date on this issue has caused deep concern among gun-owners who have been kept in the dark regarding the government’s plans in this regard.

“For our part, we in Sinn Féin will continue to engage with all interested parties.  Of course, we are keen to see measures enacted that will protect and conserve our environment but we will not endorse unworkable or tokenistic proposals that would isolate the very partners we need in the delivery of these objectives”.

ENDS

Brexit process entering crucial period

“United position required to protect Irish interests” – Matt Carthy MEP

The Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands North West, Matt Carthy has said that Irish political voices needed to be united and resolved in the face of challenges that will present in the Brexit process over the coming weeks and months.  Carthy was speaking on the eve of the likely election of Boris Johnson as British Prime Minister.

He said that there must be no equivocation from the Irish government or EU negotiators in respect of the backstop and any attempt to alter it must be rebuked forcefully and immediately.

Matt Carthy said:

“There is no such thing as a good Brexit from an Irish point of view.  The backstop is the least worst option in terms of protecting our economy and the political & social progress that we have seen since the Good Friday Agreement.  Regardless of who occupies 10 Downing St, Ireland’s position must be clear and unchanging.  Any hardening of the border in Ireland would be disastrous for all of our country but primarily to those who live in the border region, north and south.  The backstop is the only proposition on the table to minimise the damage that Brexit presents and Irish political voices must be united and resolved in defence of it.

“With the prospect of the elevation of Boris Johnson to British Prime Minister it is inevitable that there will be demands from that quarter for a renegotiation of the withdrawal agreement.  The Taoiseach needs to be unequivocal and clear in stating that there will be no scenario in which the Irish government will consent to any attempt to dilute the backstop.

“For our part, we in Sinn Féin will continue to support the government in holding the line and building support for this position at EU level.  Since the European elections both Martina Anderson and I have continued to meet with MEPs and European officials to set out the challenges that Brexit presents, the need to protect the peace process and the rationale for unique arrangements to apply in order to uphold the Good Friday Agreement.  These meetings have included engagements with Michel Barnier and will continue throughout the months ahead.

“Now, more than ever, we need a united Irish position that is backed up with our undivided resolve in the face of the challenges that are coming.”

ENDS

“Louth Respite Centre must remain opened” – Matt Carthy MEP

Midlands Northwest MEP Matt Carthy has branded the HSE’s plans to close respite services at Sruthan House in Dundalk as “heartless, irresponsible and ill-informed”.

Sruthan house has been offering a vital respite service for over twenty years to families in Louth, Meath, Monaghan and further afield.  A recent letter from the HSE to service users stated that these services would cease by the end of 2019 with a suggestion of alternative services in Dublin, Roscommon and Sligo.

Matt Carthy said “It is the responsibility of any government to first and foremost look after the needs of the most vulnerable in our society.  The provision of nearby a respite service is the least that should be provided to family members looking after the needs of a person with disability.  To suggest replacement facilities that involve multiple hour journeys is nothing short of callous.  The proposal to close the respite services in Sruthan House is heartless, irresponsible and ill-informed.  Government supporting TDs in both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil must join the Sinn Féin demand that the Minister for Health intervene to reverse the move.”

The Sinn Féin MEP has confirmed that he has written to the Minister of Health asking that he take the necessary steps to ensure the continued delivery of the much needed respite services in Sruthan House.

Carthy concluded “Having worked closely with many families who have used the services of Sruthan House I know that they are in turmoil due to the mooted removal of respite facilities.  This irresponsible proposal by the HSE would severely disrupt their lives.  The government should be providing better and more support services to people with disabilities, not poorer and less.  The minister must intervene to reverse this proposal.”

ENDS

Sinn Féin MEPs to vote against Right-Wing nominee for EU Commission President

Speaking this evening, Monday, Sinn Féin MEP, Matt Carthy, confirmed that he and his party colleague Martina Anderson, will be voting against the candidature of Ursula Von der Leyen during her ratification process in the European Parliament on Tuesday.

Matt Carthy said:

“We will vote to reject the council nomination of Ursula der Leyen because we believe that her leadership of the Commission would represent more of the same and that her political disposition means that she will be unable to address the fundamental reform that we consider vital for the future of the EU.

“Ms. Von der Leyen’s record is one of championing austerity in Germany and across Europe, she supported imposing billions of Euros of private banking debt on the peoples of Ireland, Greece and other bail-out countries that resulted in extreme hardship in these states.

“She wants to further centralise economic policies and further reduce the margin of manoeuvre for governments while at the same time she opposes taking effective action on corporate tax avoidance and evasion.

“Throughout her political career Ursula Von der Leyen has been weak on social justice and human rights.  Her strong support for EU militarisation, including the advancement of an EU army has been well documented she has been content to see arms sold to the repressive regime of Saudi Arabia.

“It’s no wonder that Leo Varadkar is her Director of Elections.  He would agree with her on almost everything.

“But, for Sinn Féin, we strongly believe that Ursula Von der Leyen is not the type of Commission president that the people of Ireland support or the EU needs at this critical juncture.

“Of course, we welcome Ms. Von der Leyen’s stated position on Brexit in supporting the Withdrawal Agreement and the backstop which is in line with the expressed views of all other mooted candidates for the role of commission president.

“Sinn Fein has played an important role in ensuring widespread support for special arrangements for the north of Ireland in any withdrawal agreement even during a period when the Irish government’s position was weaker than what was required.  Thanks to our efforts, and the campaigning work of communities particularly in the border region, the position of the Irish government and the EU has since been rock solid in support of the withdrawal agreement.  Our party will continue to work with all players in the negotiations, including whoever is elected as Commission president, to ensure that Irish interests are protected throughout the Brexit process.

“By acting as the spokesperson for the most right-wing EPP prime ministers in the European Council, Leo Varadkar has done more damage to the position of Ireland than our vote on Commission President ever could.  He has made unnecessary enemies in the Council and in the Parliament.

“By opposing her nomination, Sinn Féin will ensure that all political groups in parliament can understand that the backstop is not just the property of Leo Varadkar and the EPP, but a pivotal position that requires support from all quarters”.

ENDS

Sinn Féin MEP for Midlands North-West Matt Carthy has described the government decision to reappoint Phil Hogan as Ireland’s commissioner as “a missed opportunity”.

Mr Carthy said that Phil Hogan had failed as a Minister and subsequently as a European Commissioner.

Matt Carthy said:

“Phil Hogan’s periods as a Government Minister were marked by failure – most notably in his handling of water charges and the establishment of Irish Water.

“Likewise, during his period as European Commissioner, he has failed to address the inequalities in European agriculture or to stand up for Irish farmers when required.

“His recent defence of the disastrous trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc shows that he was always more concerned about placating EU power-brokers than protecting agriculture interests or the economies of countries such as Ireland.

“This was just the latest of a long line of disappointments in his period as Commissioner including his failure to address unfair trading practices effectively and his support for an EU budget that proposes a 15% cut in CAP while funnelling billions into the European arms industry.

“Phil Hogan’s big political achievements amount to being a wily operator within Fine Gael and playing big roles for the winning candidates during party leadership contests.

“These are the factors that cabinet has rewarded by this appointment.  This is clearly a victory for cronyism over competence. This is a missed opportunity.

“At a time when Brexit looms large and when a major debate on the future of the European Union demands an Irish commissioner with a proven track-record, the government should and could have nominated a person with that record that would have the confidence of the majority of Irish people.

“This nomination clearly fails that test.”

“Dáil rejection of Mercusor deal an sends an important message that must not be ignored” – Matt Carthy MEP