SF Highlight Importance Of TDs Getting Back To Work

Sinn Féin has highlighted the importance of elected representatives being allowed to continue with their work to tackle the crisis in housing and health.

Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, Deputy Adams also highlighted the need for a Dáil debate on the sale of NAMA's Northern loan book.

Deputy Adams said: "Sinn Féin strongly believes that those of us returned to the Dáil should be allowed to get on with the work we were elected to do.

"We have a responsibility to fulfil the functions assigned to us as representatives. That does not include adjourning the Dáil until April to facilitate play acting by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

"Sinn Féin have already lodged four motions for debate before the Dáil: on scrapping water charges, on the health and hospital crisis, Moore Street and to make the case for the establishment of a commission of investigation into the sale of NAMA's Northern Loan Book.

"The sale of NAMA's northern loan portfolio was the biggest property deal ever in the North and raised serious questions about the manner in which it was conducted.

"The Assembly Finance Committee has been critical of both Michael Noonan and NAMA for the way they handled the sale. The Taoiseach needs to make a statement on the matter, sooner rather than later and the whole debacle needs to be debated by the Dáil.

"It is our firm view that the caretaker government should be held to account by the Dáil and it should meet at least one day a week over the coming period to hold Ministers to account and debate the issues of concern to citizens.

"The five and a half thousand people who were homeless on yesterday remain homeless today. There are Magdalene laundry survivors who have not gotten full pensions despite assurances from the Department of Justice.

"There are children with long term illnesses who can't get full medical cards. There were 511 patients on trolleys in our hospitals this morning.

"Issues affecting citizens cannot be postponed. They need solutions and accountability, not their newly elected representatives leaving today until after Easter, or even longer, and being left unable to hold Cabinet Ministers and the Taoiseach to account."

(MH/JP)