News | MATT CARTHY TD

Sinn Féin ready to deliver working Mental Health services in government

Sinn Féin ready to deliver working Mental Health services in government – Matt Carthy TD

Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy has described systemic failures within mental health services as ‘a humiliation’, stating that the experience of many is marred by delays or access to the system.

The Cavan Monaghan representative was speaking during the debate of a Sinn Féin motion on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the Dáil last week. The motion mandated the government to broaden a review into the services to include capacity deficiencies, geographic inequalities and whether persistent consultant vacancies have contributed to substandard care.

Carthy told the Dáil that individual managers with the health services needed to be held to account for failures such as those exposed in the Kerry CAMHS scandal.

He said:

“Our health services are an embarrassment.

“Within that our mental health services are a humiliation. I say that not as a criticism of those on the front line but to recognise that systemic failures have happened too often and are too prevalent.

“In this Chamber and in this debate, we hear all of the correct things being said by Government representatives. It has ever been so. On delivery, the proof is in the experiences of children and adults.

“For many, the experiences are positive once they enter the system, but for far too many the experiences are marred by delays in entering the system or being denied access to that system.

“For others, the experience of the system has been a bad one. The reports from Kerry CAMHS are scandalous, but they are not new. This specific incident might be new, but the story is all too familiar.

“There is a failure in our health services. It is brought to the attention of HSE management but nothing is done other than the ostracisation of those who brought the issue to the attention of the management. Eventually, the reports are made public and that is followed very quickly by an apology and the rhetoric “we have learned the lesson.”

“Nobody in the HSE management is held to account. That is the most predictable trajectory of any of these scandals.

“Those who failed to monitor the care being provided to children and those who failed to heed the warnings are either moved sideways or left in place; their salaries and pensions secure.

“Unless and until individuals within management are held to account for their failures nothing will change.

“Three Government leaders came together and agreed, without any process, rationale or justification, a pay rise of more than €81,000 per annum for the Secretary General of the Department of Health.

“If the same leaders decided that the Government would prioritise mental health services, as Sinn Féin’s motion calls on them to do, and they were determined that there would be accountability within the HSE, then it would happen, but nothing in the Government’s remarks tonight suggest that it is up to delivering that necessary change.

“Sinn Féin are.”

Speaking following the debate Deputy Carthy said that, as well as supporting Sinn Féin’s motion, government need to act on it.

He stated:

“This motion can only serve as a starting point, we also need to see the re-appointment of a National Director of Mental Health within the HSE, the end of the practice of placing children into adult psychiatric services, the delivery of 24/7 access to mental health services, and a consistent 7-day week outpatient model for CAMHS.

“Critically, the current health expenditure on CAMHS amounts to under 6%, against a World Health Organisation recommendation of 12%. Sláintecare recommends 10%, and that must be the minimum benchmark that government must secure in the short-term.”

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Monaghan Vigil to remember Derry’s Bloody Sunday

Monaghan Vigil to remember Derry’s Bloody Sunday

A large crown gathered on Monaghan’s Diamond on Sunday evening to remember the Bloody Sunday atrocity in Derry when the British Army’s Parachute Regiment murdered fourteen innocent people who were participating in a march against internment on 30^th January 1971.

50 years later, those gathered in Monaghan from 6pm on Sunday evening held black flags and candles. Among those in attendance was local Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, who organised the event, Fianna Fáil TD Niamh Smith and former Dáil Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. Councillors Brian McKenna, Cathy Bennett, Sean Conlon, Pat Treanor, Colm Carthy and Noel Keelan were also present. The Monaghan vigil was replicated across the country with similar events held in dozens of towns and villages in each of the 32 counties. In Derry a weekend-long series of commemorative events culminated in a march on Sunday morning.

Speaking following the Monaghan vigil, Deputy Matt Carthy said:

“Bloody Sunday was a seminal moment in Irish history. For many people in this country and across the world it was the moment of realisation as to the aggressive, oppressive role of the British military in the north of our country.

“26 innocent people were shot by the British army that day. 14 were to die of their wounds. The response by the British government was to spread lies about those who were murdered.

“I want to pay tribute to the Bloody Sunday families, their determination and dignity over the past 50 years has been remarkable. It is because of their tireless efforts over many decades that the truth of what happened on Bloody Sunday is now known throughout the world.

“All those who lost love-ones during the conflict deserve the truth. This is particularly necessary for families of victims of British state murder because Westminster governments have gone to such lengths to deny access to truth and justice. The most recent incarnation of that is the attempt by the current British government to introduce an amnesty for all their agents during the conflict, in direct violation of previous commitments.

“I commend all those who, over the past 50 years, supported the families of Bloody Sunday victims and all others who suffered at the hand of British aggression. In many instances those who supported the victims were themselves attacked by the establishment north and south. They have been vindicated.

“In 2022, we owe it to the victims of Bloody Sunday and their families to work to build a new and better future for all citizens, one that will never allow the injustices of the past to be repeated”.

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Just 10 new FDI jobs in County Monaghan in 2 years

Just 10 new FDI jobs in County Monaghan in 2 years – Matt Carthy TD

The IDA is failing to bring investment to County Monaghan. So said local Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, this week when he described the record of the IDA in County Monaghan as ‘dismal’. He described the delivery of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ‘badly balanced in regional terms.’

Deputy Carthy was responding to information provided to the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which contained a breakdown of figures on job creation due to Foreign Direct Investment. The documentation showed that just 10 new FDI jobs were created in County Monaghan in 2019 and 2020.

Deputy Carthy said:

“There were 23,791 new FDI jobs created across the state in 2019 and 2020. Just 10 of them were in County Monaghan. This compares badly with almost every other county other than those that suffered significant job losses.

“There is clearly a systemic failure to attract Foreign Direct Investment to this county which epitomises the poor regional balance strategy in this area.

“Government representatives are quick to state that over half of new IDA employment is based outside of Dublin. What that means in effect though is that almost 50% of all FDI investment goes to a single county.

“There are several reasons for this – poor infrastructure, particularly broadband and public transport plays a role – but key is the lack of political leadership from government parties over many years.

“It is clear that County Monaghan requires a county-specific job creation strategy that encompasses the work being carried out by the Local Enterprise Office while setting targets for Enterprise Ireland and the IDA to resolve the long-standing failures to bring new businesses to our county which has been neglected for too long”.

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Action on fertiliser costs needed now

Action on fertiliser costs needed now – Matt Carthy TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture Matt Carthy TD has called on both the Irish government and European Commission to take action to mitigate extreme fertiliser costs.

He was speaking during a hearing on Wednesday evening with Mr Fabien Santini of the Commissions Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development at the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture.

Teachta Carthy said:

“Family farmers operate on extremely tight margins.

“Increases in input prices can put huge pressure on farm incomes, but the sharp hike in fertiliser has been beyond anything that can be managed at an on-farm level.

“Urea fertiliser has increased in cost by 160% in the last 12-months, while CAN prices have increased by a staggering 228%.

“Limited supplies are having a devastating impact on the grass-based model of farming for which Ireland is renowned.

“Farmers are crying out for something to be done.

“But the Irish government have done nothing. The European Commission have done nothing.

“That is not good enough.

“In fact, the EU is adding to the problem by imposing levies on imports of fertiliser from outside the EU and adding further anti-dumping duties of up to €43 per tonne.

“This is providing the European fertiliser industry with a protection that Irish food producers do not have. That industry is making massive profits.

“Gas prices have been cited as the cause of hikes, but fertiliser price increases have been greater than gas rises, and since gas prices have reduced fertiliser costs have not followed suit.

“We’re told that this is a global problem, but farmers are paying 16% more than their counterparts in the United States.

“There are concrete actions that can be taken to mitigate the consequences.

“The first relates to addressing those import levies and anti-dumping tariffs. While European fertiliser companies rake in profits of up to 40% and there is a supply shortage, there can be no justification for these measures.

“Equally, if required, direct state aid and intervention must be considered, as was highlighted as an option by Mr Santini.

“Because while the Agriculture Committee may come at this primarily from a farm input cost – the alternative suggestion posited by Mr Santini that costs simply be borne by consumers is simply not tenable.

“We did also hear of positive indications regarding the potential for green ammonia. Reductions in the use of artificial fertilisers can and should be delivered but they way to do this is through working in partnership with farmers rather than forcing them out of business with extreme input cost shocks.

“Urgent action by both the Irish government and the EU commission is needed now.”

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Public Accounts Committee to query €200k pay package for HRI chief

Public Accounts Committee to query €200k pay package for HRI chief – Matt Carthy TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Matt Carthy TD, has welcomed the agreement of the Public Accounts Committee to seek clarification and answers following the decision of two Fianna Fáil Ministers to approve a salary package for the new CEO of Horse Racing Ireland worth over €52,000 above the agreed rate.

While the starting salary for the CEO had initially been set at €137,356, the Department of Agriculture successfully advocated in favour of a salary and car allowance worth in excess of €203,923 annually.

Teachta Carthy said:

“Horse racing in Ireland receives substantial taxpayer funding in recognition of the success of the sector and its importance to the rural economy.

“But there are serious questions as to the distribution of that state support and whether best value-for-money is being achieved. These questions will intensify following reports that two Fianna Fáil Ministers, Charlie McConalogue and Michael McGrath, approved a pay package for the new CEO of Horse Racing Ireland worth over €52,000 per annum above the agreed rate.

“What is particularly bizarre is the manner in which the salary for this role has been adjusted. From the information to hand, it seems that the Department of Public Expenditure simply took a lead from the Department of Agriculture, who in turn were directed by Horse Racing Ireland itself.

“Horse Racing Ireland is set to receive some €70million in state funding in 2022. There should be full transparency and accountability as to how that money is spent. Clearly, many in the sector have raised concerns that this funding has not always been expended in a manner that has the widest beneficial impact.

“Prior to the approval of the Horse and Greyhound fund Sinn Féin proposed an amendment that directed the Minister to conduct a full review of this Exchequer funding to examine the social and economic impact of the fund, including the efficacy of the fund in supporting the development of the sectors and to ensure that the best value for money is being delivered. Government rejected that amendment.

“The importance of Sinn Féin’s proposal is again evidenced by the agreement of two Fianna Fáil Ministers to approve a €200,000 plus salary package for a CEO based upon a business case provided by HRI itself.

“I welcome the agreement of the Public Accounts Committee to raise questions with both departments to secure the full rationale behind awarding this substantial pay package – taxpayers are entitled to full transparency as to how their money is spent by government and all state-funded agencies”.

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RTÉ employment practises could led to further multi-million-euro penalties

RTÉ employment practises could led to further multi-million-euro penalties – Matt Carthy TD

Sinn Féin member of the Public Accounts Committee Matt Carthy TD has said that that the committee hearing with RTÉ has confirmed that the employment practices at the broadcaster are likely to leave it liable to significant future settlements with Revenue, the Department of Social Protection and the workers involved.

RTÉ were before the Oireachtas Committee on Public Accounts following revelations last year that the broadcaster had reached a €1.22 million settlement with the Revenue arising from contractors at the station being found to have ‘attributes akin to employment.’

Teachta Carthy said:

“As a result of employment practices at RTÉ the state was denied tax revenue while workers were denied their entitlements.

“It is now probable that the expanded review of the Department of Social Protection will, aside from its own settlement, beget a further settlement with Revenue.

“It is welcome that that RTÉ are engaging with relevant state authorities on these issues. However, it is disappointing that the hearing was effectively dominated by a broadcaster highlighting its financial difficulties while simultaneously answering questions on employment practices that could lead to further multi-million-euro settlements.

“What was particularly concerning was the failure of RTÉ to give a commitment that workers found to have been bogusly self-employed will receive what they would have been entitled to.

“The Department of Social Protection will receive it’s PRSI – workers should not be deprived of what that PRSI would have entitled them to.

“In relation to maternity leave, holiday pay, sick pay and pension contributions it is disgraceful that those workers were denied their rights in the first place.

“RTÉ representatives described the organisation as ‘both a fair and equitable employer’. Their response to these issues will determine whether that is, in fact the case.

“On a wider issue, this debacle exposes the long-term implications of the practice of bogus self-employment – it needs to be tackled by government in every sector where it is still prevalent.”

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Carthy calls for Domestic Violence Refuges for Cavan and Monaghan

Carthy calls for Domestic Violence Refuges for Cavan and Monaghan

Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, has called for the urgent provision of emergency accommodation for Domestic violence victims in counties Cavan and Monaghan.

Cavan and Monaghan are two of nine counties that have no Domestic Violence Refuge Services despite calls for such being made by the Tearmann Domestic abuse service for several years.

Deputy Carthy was speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday evening during a debate on a Sinn Féin Private Members Motion on Gender Based Violence, introduced following the brutal murder of Ashling Murphy in Tullamore.

Teachta Carthy said:

“I want to add my voice to the hundreds of thousands of messages of condolences to the loved ones of Ashling Murphy on her tragic death.

“The outpouring of grief that has followed Ashling’s murder has been phenomenal – the spontaneous organisation of vigils across our cities, towns and villages – and the huge numbers of men, children and especially women who turned up in sympathy, solidarity and anger – was simply amazing.

“All of us in society, but men in particular, have a responsibility to do our part in ending the violence, the threat of violence, the fear of violence that is the hallmark of the lives of every woman and girl.

“But, all of us in this house have a greater responsibility to listen.

“To listen to all those who attended vigils and demanded that Ashling Murphy’s death mark a turning point.

“To listen to all those women who came on the airwaves to share their own harrowing, often shocking experiences of humiliation, of harassment, of attacks endured while they were going about their daily business.

“To listen to those in this house who have bravely told their own stories – including my colleague Pauline Tully who in such an honest and powerful way outlined her experience of domestic abuse that almost cost her life.

“Above listening though, we have a responsibility to act.

“It will be our actions for which we will be judged.

“The counties in my constituency, Cavan and Monaghan, have no domestic violence refuge accommodation.

“For years the Tearmann Domestic abuse service have appealed for emergency accommodation provision. Their calls have gone unheeded by successive governments.

“If this government, and this house, are genuine about the words spoken in this chamber tonight – never again will Tearmann have to make that appeal.

“The evidence of whether we’ve listened will be in the delivery of refuge accommodation in every county and the implementation of the dozens of other immediate actions that have been rightly demanded over the past week.

“I commend this motion to the house”.

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Ombudsman report again lays bare levels of British state collusion in murder of Irish citizens

Ombudsman report again lays bare levels of British state collusion in murder of Irish citizens – Carthy

Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, has said the findings of the norths’ Police Ombudsman’s report into the killings of 19 people, including Sinn Féin elected representatives, has laid bare the scale of British state collusion with loyalist murder gangs in the murder of Irish citizens.

The Cavan Monaghan representative said:

“For many years the assertion that the British state was directly involved in the murder of Irish citizens was dismissed by many as Republican propaganda. It is now a statement of irrefutable fact.

“Our thoughts over the past week are with the families and loved ones of the 19 victims whose killings by loyalist paramilitaries were investigated by the Police Ombudsman.

“This report is damning and confirms what was allowed to remain unsaid for too long; British state forces were working with the loyalist murder gangs that killed these 19 people, among them Sinn Féin councillors Eddie Fullerton and Bernard O’Hagan and a number of party election workers.

“The Ombudsman report is a further indictment on the northern state – it reflects the lived realities of Irish citizens who were forced into that state. In what other society in the world would state involvement in the killings of democratically elected representatives and civilians not be properly investigated and the people involved charged to face due process?

“This report has exposed the sheer scale of collusion and the fact that British state agents and UDR personnel within the UDA were directly involved in killings and were allowed to continue to kill, while the RUC Special Branch failed to make some of the victims aware of threats to their lives.

“It has also laid bare the role played by the British state in importing South African weapons which were used in at least ten of these killings.

“Some of these weapons were given to the UDA by Ulster Resistance, a group linked to the DUP.

“This is further evidence of why the British government wants an amnesty for its state forces and why victims, families, political parties and human rights groups continue to vigorously oppose these plans.

“The Ombudsman report also highlights the urgent need to address the legacy of the past by implementing the mechanisms agreed at Stormont House in a human rights compliant manner to ensure that families are not waiting any more decades for truth and justice.

“This report exposed once again the nature of the northern state and the role of the British government in Ireland – it is disappointing that the findings were not conveyed more extensively in national media; I intend to raise this matter in the Dáil at the next available opportunity.”

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Carthy commends Sinn Féin legislation to tackle derelict sites rules as Regional Assembly identifies over 1,500 vacant residences in Co. Monaghan

Carthy commends Sinn Féin legislation to tackle derelict sites rules as Regional Assembly identifies over 1,500 vacant residences in Co. Monaghan

Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, has urged government to support his party’s legislation which aims to tackle the housing crisis by addressing the failure to collect levies applied under the Derelict Sites Levy.

Deputy Carthy was speaking this week after the Northern & Western Regional Assembly published a report that shows 1,562 residential properties in County Monaghan are vacant or derelict while there are 417 vacant commercial properties in the county.

He said:

“Right across this state, there are thousands of potential homes falling further and further into disrepair. Many of these are being left idle and rotting in the middle of a housing crisis. In County Monaghan alone, according to the Northern an Western Assembly there are over 1,500 such properties.

“The Derelict Sites Levy was introduced as one of a number of tools available to local authorities to tackle dereliction.

“This has failed and it is time for the Minister, the government and local authorities to be held to account for this failure. The Sinn Féin legislation, drafted by my colleague Cork TD Thomas Gould, would impose transparency and accountability across local and national government where there are failures to collect the Derelict Sites Levy.

“It would create a requirement for a local authority who has collected less than 75% of the Derelict Sites Levy to publish a report outlining the reason why it was not collected, the reasons for the failure to collect the amount and the level of engagement they have undertaken with the property owners. This would include a requirement to outline any concerns the local authority has in relation to resourcing, staffing or other issues preventing them from collecting levies.

“The Minister would then be required to publish a reply, addressing the issues raised.

“it is imperative that local authorities are applying levies on all eligible properties and collecting these levies. Not only will this act as a deterrent and ultimately reduce levels of dereliction but in the meantime, the additional funding will support local authorities to build houses and resource communities.

“The levies currently represent over €12million in untapped potential revenue. Considering that local authorities are struggling year-on-year to balance budgets this could be an important resource invested into our housing needs.

“It is so frustrating, that in the middle of a Housing Crisis, that there are derelict homes left idle in almost every town and village – these homes should be repaired and made available for families who need them.

“The Minister and government have acknowledged that this is a problem but have done nothing about it. The legislation to tackle dereliction exists, it’s time we started to enforce it.

“Sinn Féin in government would tackle the housing crisis and stand up for ordinary workers and families by delivering affordable homes. We have the policies and solutions to deliver the change that people need.”

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Revoking of findings on Gardai in Shane O’Farrell case illustrates urgent need for Independent Public Inquiry

Revoking of findings on Gardai in Shane O’Farrell case illustrates urgent need for Independent Public Inquiry – Matt Carthy TD

The reported decision of Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, to revoke the findings of negligence against two Gardaí who faced disciplinary sanctions over their role in the case of Shane O’Farrell further illustrates the urgent need for an independent public inquiry into the matters raised by Mr. O’Farrell’s family, according to Cavan Monaghan TD Matt Carthy.

Shane, a 23 year old Carrickmacross man, was killed in a hit and run on 2^nd August 2011 by Zigimantas Gridziuska, a known criminal who had breached several bail conditions at the time and had 42 previous convictions in three different jurisdictions. A lengthy GSOC investigation resulted in just minor disciplinary sanctions against three Gardaí; two of which have now had these findings overturned, according to The Times (Ireland) journalist Mark Tighe.

Deputy Carthy said:

“Shane O’Farrell was failed by the state. The person who killed him should have been imprisoned at the time of his killing.

“Shane’s family have been failed by the state at every juncture since. Serious questions have been levelled at Gardaí, the Department of Justice, the Courts Service and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“A lengthy GSOC investigation failed to answer those questions. In fact, its findings resulted in just three Gardaí facing minor disciplinary sanctions. We now learn that the Garda Commissioner has revoked these findings in the case of two of the Gardaí.

“The GSOC report on Shane’s case was significant primarily for its omissions.

“So much so, that both Houses of the Oireachtas passed resolutions calling for an Independent Public Inquiry into the case.

“Rather than delivering that, government initiated a ‘scoping inquiry’ in early 2019 – an inquiry that, bizarrely, has yet to deliver its report.

“It is entirely understandable that this has led to a fear that the scoping exercise is just another mechanism designed to delay the full truth in this instance.

“This most recent development has simply further illustrated the urgent need for a full independent inquiry to be initiated without any further delay. I will continue to press Minister Helen McEntee and the Taoiseach on this matter at every opportunity until this necessary measure is commenced.”

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