Latest news with #MichelleONeill
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Discrimination' concerns over Stormont constituency jobs
Dozens of Northern Ireland Assembly members are recruiting staff in a way that could risk claims of unlawful discrimination, a BBC News NI investigation has found. They include First Minister Michelle O'Neill, as the "essential criteria" for some jobs in her constituency office suggested applicants should hold certain political beliefs. Recruitment guidance issued to members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) says they should give "equality of opportunity to all candidates irrespective of... political opinion". The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland said that, while there are "exceptions" in employment law, the job ads could be "open to a claim for unlawful discrimination". An assembly spokesman said MLAs are given "advice on best practice" and "it is for each MLA to appoint employees on merit after a fair and open competition". Sinn Féín said staff are employed by MLAs to "pursue their priorities for constituency and assembly business", and "these priorities may legitimately be influenced by their own political perspective". MLAs claimed more than £8m in expenses in 2023-24 for constituency office staffing costs including wages. The job ads and criteria for almost 300 constituency office posts were examined by BBC News NI. The documents for many of them stated that applications were welcomed from "all backgrounds" regardless of "political opinion". Some said candidates should have an "understanding of" the objectives or values of the MLA's political party. But others suggested applicants must hold those political beliefs. Most of those jobs were with Sinn Féin MLAs. In the "essential criteria", they said candidates should have a "strong" or "proven commitment to Sinn Féin's values". This included posts with Michelle O'Neill, the party's deputy leader. Some jobs with MLAs for the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) had similar wording. Caseworker jobs in former UUP leader Doug Beattie's office said candidates needed a "strong commitment" to the party's values. Some jobs for Cara Hunter also said candidates should have a "strong commitment to SDLP principles and values". Belfast-based employment solicitor Cormac Rice expressed concern over job vacancies being "contingent upon a predisposition towards a specific political persuasion". He said it "may undermine equality of opportunity and the need to ensure that the best candidate is appointed". Stormont's "best practice guidance" issued to MLAs for recruitment of their office staff advises that "equality of opportunity is integral". It said recruitment should be "solely on the basis of merit" and provide "equality of opportunity to all candidates", irrespective of protected characteristics including gender, religion and "political opinion". The Equality Commission said all employers must "operate within our equality laws". "Any employer who states or implies in a job advertisement that an applicant must hold, or not hold, a particular political opinion to be eligible for the role, may leave themselves open to a claim for unlawful discrimination," a spokeswoman said. However, she said the Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998 "includes an exception in relation to political opinion" where the "essential nature of a job requires it". "We advise employers to contact us for advice before publishing job advertisements that rely on this exception," she added. A Sinn Féin spokesman said: "Every MLA is resourced to employ staff to support them to serve their constituents and pursue their priorities for constituency and assembly business. "These priorities may legitimately be influenced by their own political perspective. "MLAs can seek HR support from the institution to ensure fair and consistent recruitment processes that promotes equal opportunities." An assembly spokesman said MLAs employ staff to support their work. "This is distinct from support that may be provided centrally by their political party," he added. "Guidance published to MLAs by the Assembly Commission provides advice on best practice in recruitment, including the need to ensure that no unlawful discrimination occurs when making employment decisions. "Taking this guidance into account, it is for each MLA to appoint employees on merit after a fair and open competition." The UUP was approached for comment. The SDLP said it "remains committed to ensuring a fair and transparent process for all job applicants and appointments are made solely on merit". "We are confident we have upheld these principles throughout," a party spokesman added. The recruitment documents were obtained through Freedom of Information requests. They also give an insight into who is being recruited by MLAs, and the kinds of jobs being advertised. Eleven of the 90 MLAs have declared employing family members. More than 60% of the staff recruited since May 2022 were members of their MLA employer's political party. Many of the jobs advertised have titles such as constituency caseworker, manager or policy adviser. Nearly 50 had "communications" in their title, while a further 19 were "social media officers". Pat McCartan, a former member of an independent Stormont panel which set rules on MLA expenses, expressed concern about some of the job titles. "It's very far removed from assisting people with their constituency enquiries," he said. "They're not paid to be extra party workers." Mr McCartan said there was a need for a "serious audit of the financial arrangements". An assembly spokesman said MLAs employ staff for "a range of roles such as casework, research and communications". "This is distinct from support that may be provided centrally by their political party," he added. He said staff support MLAs "to serve their constituents and pursue their priorities for constituency and assembly business". "Those specific priorities will differ for each member and may be naturally influenced by their political perspective." Stormont spend on business-class flights 'out of touch' MLAs could get pay rise under plans for new board
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Casement Park: 'Crunch week' for decision, says Michelle O'Neill
It is a "crunch week" for a decision to be made on funding for Casement Park and Northern Ireland's public finances, First Minister Michelle O'Neill has was speaking after meeting the Secretary of State Hilary Benn in week the government will publish a Spending Review, which will lay out funding for Whitehall departments and the devolved nations for the next three is being billed as the juncture for the government to state whether it will make a financial contribution to the redevelopment of the west Belfast stadium. On Monday Sinn Féin's finance minister John O'Dowd said he believed the Treasury is in "solution-finding mode" when it comes to agreeing on a for her view, O'Neill said they needed to "wait and see" the final outcome but that there needed to be a push from all sides to get Casement Park over the line. Stormont's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons reiterated a promised £62.5m from the Stormont executive, the GAA say it will pay £15m while the Irish government has pledged around £ Park, with a proposed 34,500 capacity, had been earmarked to host football games at the Euro 2028 football tournament but, with the project on hold, the plan has been has defended his handling of the planned Casement redevelopment and insisted the hold-up is not his Monday, he said the GAA would need to make its plans for Casement Park more affordable if the UK government fails to cover the gap for the current proposed rebuild."I've made it very, very clear as sports minister, I want to see more money for sports infrastructure in Northern Ireland," the minister said."But what we do need to make sure is that any additional public funding that comes forward for sport is done on a fair and equitable basis."I think we had a fair and equitable basis for the funding of sport back in 2011 when the funding for Windsor [Park] and for Ravenhill and Casement was set out."I welcome additional funding for sport, but it should be done on a fair and on an equitable basis." Why has the Casement Park redevelopment taken so long? In 2012, stadium designers were appointed to the project and it was expected the new Casement Park would be built by 2015. But it didn't turn out that first big obstacle came in 2014, when the High Court overturned planning permission for the residents had lodged a legal challenge over objections to the stadium's size - they said it would block out light from local homes and cause serious traffic in 2015, came possibly the most contentious year of the Casement Park it emerged that a Safety Technical Group (STG) formed to oversee safety issues around the new stadium had not approved the design plans due to concerns over how long it would take people to leave the ground in an one of the STG members, safety expert Paul Scott, told a Northern Ireland Assembly committee that he had been put "under pressure" to approve the plans by government also complained of bullying- he later settled an industrial tribunal case with Sport the original Casement plan now scrapped, the GAA went to work on plans for a new stadium, revising the capacity down from 38,000 to about 34, submitted a fresh application for planning permission in 2017, which was granted in in 2022, local residents lost a legal challenge against the new project against the plan - the stadium could now go then funding issues have plagued the project.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Michelle Gildernew 'disappointed' at losing Sinn Féin job
The former Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew has spoken of her "disappointment" at having her employment contract ended by the party last Gildernew, who was an elected representative for Fermanagh and South Tyrone at both Stormont and Westminster for more than two decades, said she was "ready to do something different".Speaking to BBC News NI she said she had "no complaints" about how the party handled her exit and that she remains a member."It was a proper meeting, all above board, it was handled very professionally... but yeah I was disappointed," she said. "None of us are owed anything, the party and the cause of Irish freedom and unity is bigger than any one individual."I'm still an activist and a member of Sinn Féin, I will always be an advocate for Irish unity."She said she was "very lucky" to have other opportunities to now look year, Gildernew stepped down from her role as an MP to run in the European Parliament, but she failed to win a seat. Relationship with O'Neill 'okay' At the time, Sinn Féin's deputy leader Michelle O'Neill said there would "absolutely have to be a role for Michelle going forward".Gildernew said she had not spoken to O'Neill since she had been informed her contract was being ended by Sinn Féin, but described her relationship with the first minister as "okay".In her last paid role for Sinn Féin Gildernew was part of the team conducting the internal governance review ordered in the aftermath of last year's safeguarding scandals on either side of the 55 year old said she had never seen herself as a politician, and said she had "served" the Sinn Féin leadership well."Nobody's journey in life always goes smoothly, I have to look at opportunities now and it'll give me the chance to do something different," added Gildernew."I have had the privilege of working with some extraordinary people north and south."The party has to get bigger and encourage more people to vote for Sinn Féin, we will never see the transition to Irish unity without a Sinn Féin government."I still want to see the achievement of the thing I've been working towards my entire life."Gildernew added that she had "probably" given up further aspirations of being an elected representative again, but said she did not "at this stage" see herself quitting membership of the party as she remained a committed republican.
BreakingNews.ie
27-05-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
O'Neill ‘determined to see Casement Park over the line'
Northern Ireland's First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, has said she is 'determined' to see the redevelopment of Casement Park. The planned refurb of the derelict GAA ground in west Belfast has faced years of delay due to legal action by concerned residents and funding uncertainty. Advertisement Asked for an update on the situation during Executive Office questions on Tuesday by SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, Ms O'Neill said she consistently raises Casement Park with all levels of the British and Irish Governments. First Minister Michelle O'Neill (Liam McBurney/PA) She was also due to meet with Northern Ireland Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to discuss it on Tuesday afternoon. Currently plans for a 34,000-capacity venue on the site are in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million (€178.8 million). Last year the UK government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. Advertisement The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million (€74.4 million) to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly €50 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million (€17.8 million). The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. On Tuesday, Ms O'Neill said: 'We have to put every bit of energy and effort that we have to ensure that it is will be built. Advertisement 'This is an Executive flagship project. 'I am determined to see it over the line, and I'm determined to work with all partners to ensure that that is the case.' DUP sports minister Gordon Lyons takes his seat at his first GAA match, the Armagh vs Derry Senior Football Championship, at the Athletic Ground in Armagh on Saturday (Peter Morrison/PA) Referring to Mr Lyons attending his first GAA match in post at the weekend, Ms O'Neill said she hopes he 'got a sense of how important it is to Gaels right across this island to play games in their own stadiums'. 'But I am absolutely determined to ensure that we get movement on Casement Park, and that means working with the minister, that means working with the British government, the Irish government, the GAA and all partners who are committed to ensuring that this project gets over the line. Advertisement 'It is going to take all the partners working together to ensure that it is across the line. 'We missed a huge opportunity in terms of the Euros not being able to play and have our part in all of that, and the economic benefit that that would have brought to us all. 'It's a long overdue home for Ulster Gaels, and it is now time to get it built. 'I can say that I am determined to continue to work with everybody to ensure that the funding contribution is put on the table so that we can get on with actually building the project.' Advertisement
BreakingNews.ie
27-05-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
O'Neill urges for Irish citizens in north to have vote in presential elections
Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O'Neill has urged the Taoiseach to 'rectify an anomaly' by allowing Irish citizens in Northern Ireland to vote in presidential elections. It comes after the Northern Ireland Assembly voted last month to back extending the right to vote in elections for president of Ireland to all Irish citizens on the island of Ireland. Advertisement The motion, proposed by Sinn Féin MLAs, was passed by 46 votes to 25. It comes just months ahead of the next Irish presidential election due to take place later this year following the end of Michael D Higgins' term. Ms O'Neill was asked by Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney during Executive Office questions on Tuesday for the assessment of the motion by the office she shares with deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. First Minister Michelle O'Neill with deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (Liam McBurney/PA) Ms O'Neill replied: 'There is no agreed position on this issue.' Advertisement Mr Kearney went on to ask whether Ms O'Neill agreed that the extension of voting rights in Irish presidential elections for Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland 'should be taken forward as a matter of priority by this Irish government'. Ms O'Neill said that was her personal view on the issue, adding that she has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin. 'I think the outcome of that debate and the vote that was put in this Assembly chamber certainly was decisive in terms of the support of the elected members of this chamber in terms of voting in the presidential election,' she said. 'This is obviously my personal view on this, but I actually took the time then to actually write to the Taoiseach to inform them of the fact that this was something that was endorsed here in this Assembly chamber, and I think that it's time for the Irish government to certainly correct what has been a deficit in terms of our democratic right to vote in this election. Advertisement 'And I think that we encourage, and continue to encourage, that the Taoiseach moves to rectify what is an anomaly in terms of our citizens in the north – the fact that you can stand for election in the north, but you can't vote in that election. 'I don't think that's a tenable or credible argument. 'It is 12 years beyond the constitutional convention that was held when participants at that convention overwhelmingly endorsed the extension of this franchise, and now the majority view in this house is that this is something that needs to be endorsed in terms of the extension to citizens who live here in the north.'
