Politics can be difficult to understand, that's why we have asked some important questions to help break it down.
Paul Maksey - Sinn Féin
Mental Health
Mental health challenges continue to impact our communities. Too many people are having to wait to get the care they need. Barriers to accessing mental health services continue to persist, particularly for those in deprived communities and rural areas.
Sinn Féin want to see a Mental Health Strategy delivered and recruitment and retention challenges within mental health care services addressed.
Sexual Health and Education
Modernising the curriculum to make it relevant to the needs of our young people is important. Sinn Féin wants an education system that delivers for all and doesn’t leave anyone behind. Age appropriate Relationships and Sexual Education (RSE) available to students is an important part of that.
The Climate Crisis
Sinn Féin was to the fore in delivering climate legislation for the north that is ambitious, fair and deliverable in reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 in line with the rest of Ireland. We want a just transition away from fossil fuel dependency and towards a fairer and greener society powered by renewable energy.
Sinn Féin Economy Minister Conor Murphy has included decarbonisation as one of the key principles within his Economic Vision.
Housing and the Cost of Survival
People, including students, are entitled to homes that are good quality, safe, secure, comfortable, and affordable.
The previous Minister for Communities Sinn Féin's Deirdre Hargey introduced legislation to protect private renters. We want the Executive and Assembly to build on these improvements with further legislation to protect private renters from unfair rents, improve housing standards and end unfair letting fees.
It is important the Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons publishes his strategy for Housing.
Israel/Palestine
Sinn Féin has been at the forefront of condemning the Israeli onslaught against Gaza and calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Sinn Féin believes that all available diplomatic, legislative and political options must be deployed by the Irish government to press the case for an end to all military actions and to achieve a ceasefire.
As a strong pro Palestinian voice, we will use every opportunity we have to stand up for Palestine to call for a ceasefire, for humanitarian aid, for Israel to be held to account and for a peace process and a viable Palestinian State.
Sinn Féin is committed to playing a constructive role with the Irish Government and international community to encourage and actively support dialogue and to develop a durable, inclusive, and sustainable conflict resolution process.