Cllr Denise Mullen: SF Continue To Play Politics With Survivors’ Pensions
Aontú Cllr Denise Mullen has criticised SF for continuously politicising the issue of pensions for survivors of the Troubles, with the Northern Executive found to be unlawfully delaying the progression of a pension’s scheme by the Belfast High Court.
Cllr Mullen: “Sinn Féin have continuously and incessantly worked to stonewall the payment of pensions to survivors of the Troubles. This week, SF’s Martina Anderson said that £800 million for pensions would be going to agents of British collusion and those who fought the Brits dirty war – meaning that anyone who needs the pension, either colluded with the British during the Troubles or helped fight the Brits dirty war. What a disgusting statement, but sadly SF have shown form in this regard. An issue I and thousands of others have campaigned for is that eligibility for pension payments would be extended to those suffering from psychological injury and PTSD. Our campaign was successful, but now Sinn Féin have been stonewalling the payment of pensions at least partially on this issue.”
“Sinn Féin have also refused nominate the Justice Department to administer the pension’s scheme – where the cost is to be borne by the Northern Executive. A Belfast High Court Judge ruled that this refusal violated the ‘clear, unqualified and unconditional’ obligation they are under to designate a Department to progress and administrate the scheme. This was to be done by establishing a victims’ payment board by the 29th of May. It is now practically September without any nomination or groundwork having been done.”
“SF have slighted the survivors of the violence of the Trouble’s, have compared them to agents of British collusion, have told PTSD victims they should not be eligible, and violated their legal duty to provide for pensions for these survivors. They are playing politics with the lives and suffering of survivors – Shame on Them.”
