Michelle O’Neill

Taxes on petrol and diesel must be cut immediately to bring down costs at the pumps. Sinn Féin Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald met with the British government today to press this case directly. Ordinary workers and families are already struggling to make ends meet and cannot afford to pay sky-high fuel costs as a consequence of reckless and illegal wars.

🙌🏻 Delighted to be in North Belfast as work begins on a new multi-million pound youth and cross-community centre. This £3.4 million funding, including a significant sum from the Executive Office, will transform a derelict site into a top-class community facility. This will bring young people and residents from across North Belfast together to grow, learn, and socialise. That is what politics is all about, providing first-class community facilities and bringing people together. I look forward to calling back and visiting the Ardoyne Youth Enterprise and local young people when it’s completed! 👏🏻

Those responsible for the hijacking of a delivery driver and the attack on the PSNI station in Lurgan have nothing to offer our communities but harm, fear, and disruption. I’ve spoken with the Assistant Chief Constable and local representatives to offer my full support, and to thank them for their work in supporting those impacted in the local community.

💜 An absolute joy to speak with 800 young women from across 60 schools at the Waterfront Hall to celebrate the SistersIN programme. A truly incredible and inspiring group of young women who I have no doubt will go on to do amazing things in life and be future leaders in our society. SistersIN is an amazing mentoring programme that supports and empowers young women, and it was a joy to witness that impact firsthand as a mentor this year! 👏🏻

The special educational needs summer schemes must be restored. These schemes are invaluable for vulnerable children and parents. I have raised this issue directly with Education Minister Paul Givan and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt. I have urged them to work at speed to find a solution. I will continue to make the voices of parents and providers, and most importantly, children heard.

We must do everything possible to prevent the tragedies that have affected far too many women and families here. I am determined to continue working with Executive ministers to root out the deeply ingrained misogyny that exists in our society.

🩷💙 Paid leave for miscarriage will come into effect in the North from the 6th of April. The North will be leading the way as one of the first places in Europe to provide this vital support. Thank you to baby loss support organisations, the parents who shared their experiences, and Sinn Féin Minister Caoimhe Archibald for delivering this much-needed support 👏🏻

🩷💙 Paid leave for miscarriage will come into effect here from the 6th of April. I’m proud that the North will be leading the way as one of the first places in Europe to provide this vital support. Thank you to baby loss support organisations, the parents who shared their experiences, and Sinn Féin Minister Caoimhe Archibald for delivering this much-needed support 👏🏻

Today, my thoughts are with the family and friends of Natalie McNally. Natalie was a beautiful and talented young woman with her whole life ahead of her. Her life was cruelly taken in the most monstrous and grotesque way. I send my love and support to her parents Bernie and Noel, and to all Natalie’s family and friends . Their strength, courage, and resilience over the past few years has been extraordinary and an inspiration for so many. Through unimaginable circumstances, they have become powerful advocates for ending violence against women and girls. They have ensured that Natalie’s spirit, her kindness, and everything she brought this world continued to shine in the darkest of moments. No family should ever go through what the McNally’s have. We must do all we can to end violence against women and girls.

I believe in the people of Derry and the North West, and I share their ambition for the future. Investing in the North West has been a priority, and we are seeing real progress, with the expansion of Magee, the growth of Derry Airport, major investment secured for local communities, and the creation of many jobs. As your First Minister, I am committed to doing all I can to ensure the North West reaches its full potential. Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for the invitation 👏🏻

I have been in contact with Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, and I back his call for an urgent meeting with Keir Starmer on the need for action as energy costs spiral. The proposed £35 payment per household by the British government, while some people’s bills have doubled, is completely tone-deaf to the severity of this crisis. There must be immediate and meaningful action to support all workers and families.

In 24 hours, the war in the Middle East has driven gas prices up 20% and pushed oil prices higher again. Families are paying the price for this illegal war. It is unfair and unsustainable for people who are already struggling with the cost of living crisis. Today, our Finance Minister John O’Dowd met and again urged the British government to put proper support in place for workers and families.

Families are feeling the pressure as heating bills rise and they deserve political leaders fighting their corner. All parties should work together to put all our people first, and challenge the British government to deliver proper financial support.

☘️ Delighted to join the local community in Kinturk today for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations! The finest thing about St. Patrick’s Day is how it brings communities together, at home and across the world, to celebrate all that makes us proud of our Irish culture and heritage. Wishing everyone a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day! 💚

☘️ Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone who calls our incredible island home, and to the Irish diaspora celebrating in every corner of the world. I hope you all have a fantastic day with your family, friends and community. 💚

Sinn Féin will continue to challenge the British government on the need for a proper and meaningful support package to help families with rising energy costs.

🌺❤️ Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible women who go above and beyond for your children and grandchildren every single day of the year. Today is all about you. I hope you’re being spoilt by your nearest and dearest, you all deserve it! 💐

I am working hard every day to ensure our communities and public services get a fair share of investment. Today I challenged Keir Starmer on the disgraceful decision taken at Westminster which has stripped funding from community groups and public services here.

Families across the north are struggling as the cost of home heating and fuel continues to spiral. Today our Sinn Féin delegation met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to make the case for an urgent support package for people here. Support was provided when energy prices surged after the war in Ukraine. With the conflict in Middle East now causing oil prices to rise again, families need urgent help to heat their homes. I will keep working night and day in the days and weeks ahead to keep the pressure on the British government to provide support for families here.

The spiralling cost of home heating and fuel is causing real concern for so many families. I’ve been working with our Finance and Economy Ministers as we make the case to the British government for a support package to help people and small businesses with rising bills. While world leaders make reckless decisions, ordinary workers and families are left to pick up the tab.