09/03/2015

Sinn Féin To Oppose Passage Of Welfare Bill

Sinn Féin has announced it is to oppose the passage of the welfare bill in the assembly.

Martin McGuinness MLA has accused the DUP of acting in bad faith on welfare protections.

The Deputy First Minister said the DUP had reneged on its commitments in the Stormont House Agreement to protect the most vulnerable people in society.

Mr McGuinness said: "Since the turn of the year Sinn Féin has engaged proactively and positively with the Party Leaders' group to ensure the full implementation of the Stormont House agreement.

"We have honoured our commitments and have worked constructively to put in place the welfare protections agreed last December.

"This package protects children with disabilities, adults with severe disabilities, the long-term sick and children in large families. We have been clear that the enactment of these protections is a red line issue for Sinn Féin.

"We have faithfully supported the implementation of the agreement on the floor of the Assembly."

He accused the DUP of acting in "bad faith" and said they are now reneging on their commitments to protect the most vulnerable.

Mr McGuinness continued: "That is totally unacceptable. If the DUP want to strip benefits from children with disabilities, from adults with severe disabilities, the long-term sick; or push children further into poverty, then they need to explain and justify that. Sinn Féin certainly will not accept that approach.

"We are now pursuing a Petition of Concern."

(CD)


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