Family farms must be protected – O’ Súilleabháin

Keeping as many families on the land as possible should be a government priority according to a local spokesperson for Sinn Féin. Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in New Ross last week, Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin said that Irish farming was responsible for up to 300,000 jobs, €9 billion of exports and €8 billion being spent back into our own economy by farming families. Mr O’ Súilleabháin also said that he fully supported the IFAs Day of Action on October 9th.

Mr O’ Súilleabháin said;

“Successive Irish governments have neglected the agriculture sector and rural communities. In 2009 our agriculture output was less than it had been two decades earlier which resulted in farm income falling by 30%. Irish agriculture has been in decline for many years because of this neglect. Nationally the number of farms has fallen from 228,000 in 1975 to 128,000 in 2006. It is projected that this decline will continue, reaching 105,000 in 2015, as more small farmers are forced off the land.”

“The government must make keeping as many families on the land as possible a priority. In other countries we have seen family farms taken over by corporations and large agri businesses. Not only has this led to a drop off in productivity on these farms, it has also led to a reduced local economy. In rural areas the local economy is far more dependent on small farms than our government may realise. Every year farming families spend €8 billion in this state and for every €100 of agriculture output there is a further €73 of output to the wider economy.”

“On October 9th the IFA will be holding a Day of Action to highlight the real need for Irish farming to be defended at home and abroad. Farmers must be assured fair prices at home from retailers and factories. The reform of the Common Agriculture Policy is vitally important for Irish farming. Unless our government makes a stand for our agri sector in the EU, the impressive growth targets laid out in documents like Food Harvest 2020 will be unachievable. I fully support the IFAs Day of Action.”

Kelly: Rural Regeneration is a Sinn Féin Priority

Speaking at the today’s National Ploughing Championships in New Ross, Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that rural regeneration is a Sinn Féin priority. Cllr Kelly was part of a delegation, which included Martin McGuinness and the six county Minister for Agriculture Michelle O’ Neill, that met with leaders of the IFA at the annual farming event.

Cllr Kelly said;

“The regeneration of decimated rural communities must be an absolute priority at this time. All around the state today there are villages and communities that are literally dying from the effects of prolonged austerity. Long term unemployment and debt has been amplified by the disappearance of so many young people who have been forced to emigrate in search of work. Public services have been slashed but struggling families find new taxes coming at them every budget.”

“We have seen schools and garda stations close in rural Wexford this year. The effects of these closures are already apparent as crime rates soar. I know of cases where old age pensioners are staying awake at night and sleeping during the day because they fear somebody will break in to their homes.”

“The regeneration of rural communities could stem these problems and stabilise the local economy. Sinn Féin believes that sustainable rural economies that can offer employment to young people can be built. We believe that the implementation of the correct measures now could stop the brain drain from these communities being caused by emigration and could act as the catalyst for real local economic growth in communities across the state.”

“The EU LEADER fund should be used to help develop much needed facilities for rural communities, facilities that are absence in many of our rural areas in County Wexford. Leisure, cultural, recreational and arts facilities could be developed in these areas. The maintenance and development of public utilities such as roads and street lighting could also be funded.”

Saturday Elections should now be the norm - O’ Súilleabháin

Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin has welcomed the government’s decision to hold the Children’s Referendum on a Saturday. The Sinn Féin spokesperson for North Wexford said that his party had been campaigning for all elections to be held on Saturdays for many years now. Mr O’ Súilleabháin said that Sinn Féin would be calling on the government to give a commitment that all future elections would be held on Saturdays to accommodate students and the many people who now work away from home during the week.

Mr O’ Súilleabháin said;

“Sinn Féin welcomes the government’s decision to hold the Children’s Referendum on a Saturday. It’s a decision that makes perfect sense. The only wonder is why this will only be the second referendum in the state’s history to be held on a Saturday.”

“Sinn Féin has campaigned for all elections to be held on Saturdays for many years now. It would certainly benefit those people who are away from home on election days, such as students and people who work away from home. In the current climate many people are working in the UK during the week. Surely holding elections on a Saturday could benefit all these people.”

“It almost makes you wonder why a government wouldn’t want to hold an election on a Saturday. Maybe some of our TDs wouldn’t be comfortable with the addition of college student’s votes?”

“Sinn Féin will be calling on the government to give a real commitment that all future elections will be held on Saturdays to accommodate the many people who find it impossible to vote on a weekday due to the obligations of college or work.”

Sugar Beet Wexford 2015 - The resurrection of the Irish Sugar Beet Industry

Foreword - Agriculture in crisis

Successive Irish governments have neglected the agriculture sector and rural communities for many years now. This is most evident in the fall off in production in the agri food industry. In 2009 our output in that sector was less than it had been two decades earlier which resulted in farm income falling by 30%. Today rural communities are being subjected to the same mismanagement under Fine Gael and Labour as they endured under Fianna Fail and the Greens.

Irish agriculture has been in decline for many years. This has been a global trend. Nationally the number of farms has fallen from 228,000 in 1975 to 128,000 in 2006. It is projected that this decline will continue, reaching 105,000 in 2015, as more small farmers are forced off the land.

The most recent census of agriculture taken in 2010 found that there were 4,424 farms in County Wexford. The average size of a farm in the county is 41.2 hectares.

Despite the assessment that farming is once again very profitable, the reality is very different for many farming families in County Wexford. The majority of small farms in this county are run on a part time basis, with the farmer often holding another 9-5 job. Unfortunately many of these jobs were in the now decimated construction industry.

Clearly Farming has been neglected despite the huge benefits which it provides for our economy. The IFA estimates that farmers and farm families spend €8 billion per year in our economy. It’s thought that 300,000 jobs are supported by the agriculture, food and related industries. For every €100 of agriculture output there is a further €73 of output to the wider economy. 71% of raw materials used by our agri and fishing industries are sourced in the domestic market.

A strong, sustainable agricultural sector will benefit every citizen in this state.

Decline of South East Sugar Beet Industry

County Wexford agriculture was dealt a terrible blow in 2005 when the sugar processing plant in Carlow was closed. Around 700 farmers in County Wexford were engaged in this industry. The factory was closed despite the fact that Greencore was making annual profits in excess of €20 million. Sugar is still a very profitable industry and no attempts to rectify the mistake of closing the industry in the south east has been made by either the present or the last government.

A report by the European Court of Auditors in 2010 found that the closure of the last two sugar plants in Ireland, the Greencore plants at Mallow and Carlow, were needless because both businesses were profitable at the time.

One of the causes for the eradication of the Irish Sugar Beet Industry was the EU’s decision to radically reform the quota system for sugar protection across the Union. Greencore, which incredibly had been allowed to own the entire Irish sugar quota, decided it was a good time to get out.

2015 - The resurrection of the Sugar Beet Industry

Greencore was allowed to sell out Irelands sugar beet quota, leading to the end of a clearly profitable, vitally important agri business. We no longer legally have the ability to produce sugar beet in this state. This is not permanent however and a window of opportunity exists to allow Ireland back into the sugar trade.

The present quota regime runs until the 30th September 2015, though attempts are being made by vested interests to move this deadline to 2020. If the deadline is not tampered with, 2015 will be the perfect time for our sugar beet industry to be ready for full production.

A 2011 feasibility study completed by the Irish Sugar Beet Bio-Refinery Group recommended that the industry should be revived in its traditional growth region of the south east through the construction of a new integrated bio-refinery plant for the production of sugar and ethanol from sugar beet and grain.

The think tank stated that such a factory would cost €350 million, would create five thousand jobs and be profitable within the first year. In order to be so lucrative, sugar beet prices need to be above €570 a tonne. When you take that sugar beet prices currently stand at €850 per tonne for imported sugar, the revival of our domestic sugar beet industry makes total economic sense.

Wexford farmers were allowed to lose their livelihoods so the factory could be sold in a misguided attempt at property development. In addition to sugar beet being a profitable venture, growing it also enhances soil fertility and yields of other tillage crops. Sinn Féin believes that it is not too late to bring this industry back to the south east.

New Ross - The perfect site for a new plant

Following the closure of Irelands last sugar beet processing plant in 2006, former beet farmers came together all over the country to look at ways to resurrect their industry and look at a locations for new processing plants. One of the locations that was proposed at this time by the experts in the field, the farmers themselves, was New Ross.

Historically Wexford and Cork were the two dominant counties in the production of sugar beet. Wexford had the most farmers involved in the production of sugar beet in the south east, and its long tradition of beet farming and strong crop growing sector would evidently mean that it would have the most again should the industry be revived. This, coupled with the availability of the now empty Rosslare to Waterford Rail Line network and the standing logistical infrastructure already in place in Wellingtonbridge, makes this county the perfect location for a new bio-refinery plant.

The benefits would be mutual. Ireland would have back a profitable agri industry that should never have been allowed to go in the first place, while Wexford would see much of its unused rail network back in service and funding could become available for a number of key infrastructure projects that would benefit the entire population of the county. For example, there would be a new urgency for a second bridge in New Ross if a new processing plant was located there.

As well as the five thousand jobs that would be created directly through the opening of a new plant, many more jobs would be created through the development of new, and maintenance of existing, infrastructure utilised by the resurrected sugar beet industry.

Summary of our proposals

- The government must negotiate Irelands re-entry into the sugar market when the current EU quota system ends in 2015.

- A new bio-refinery plant for the production of sugar and ethanol from sugar beet and grain to be built in New Ross.

- Consideration should be given to the reopening of the unused rail lines in County Wexford for use in the transport of sugar beet into Ross. Most notably the recently closed Rosslare to Waterford Rail Line, which always played a prominent role in beet production in Wexford, should be reopened.

- The utilisation of re-education groups like FAS/SOLAS to train unemployed people for future careers in the sugar processing sector.

References

2010 Census of Agriculture
Food Harvest 2020
IFA Pre Budget Submission 2012
Awakening the West – Overcoming Social and Economic Equality
2011 feasibility study by the Irish Sugar Beet Bio-Refinery Group

Double Home Taxation will be opposed - Gaughan

A spokesperson for the Loch Garman against the Household tax group as said that the government's planned property tax is a blatant form of double taxation. Dominick Gaughan said that Minister Phil Hogan had recently admitted to retaining stamp duty after the introduction of the new property tax next year, something that the Loch Garman group feels is a very overt case of forcing householders to pay double tax on their properties.

Mr Gaughan said;

"The government's plan to retain stamp duty after the introduction of the new property tax is an absolute insult to the intelligence of the Irish people. Do they really expect people to warmly welcome, or even concede to such a blatant form of double taxation?"

"We have heard Fine Gael and Labour reps mutter consistently about the need for fairness. In relation to a family who have paid stamp duty now having a property tax imposed on them where is the fairness? How can this form of double taxation be fair on any low to middle income earning household?"

"And as we predicted when we were opposing and calling for the Household charge to be abolished we now see that ordinary low to middle income households and families will be paying 3, 4, 5 and 6 times as much money as they were asked to pay last time round. The Government told us we would have a fairer property tax. How could paying 3,4, 5 and 6 times more be conceived as fairer?"

"It is impossible for hundreds of thousands of Irish families to pay this unfair tax with all the cuts and extra tax's being imposed on their households. People made very cleared when they boycotted the household charge this year, not because they were troublemakers, but because they were bled dry from unrelenting austerity. The government has clearly ignored the people. Is that fair?"

"No one with an iota of sense could accept that imposing stamp duty and a property tax on a household and then claiming that it is not double taxation is fair. It is not fair and it will certainly be met with mass opposition. We have seen an enormous resistance against the household tax and we will see an even greater form of defiance to this property tax from the people of Loch Garman."

It's time to revive our sugar beet industry - Sinn Féin

A strong, sustainable agricultural sector will benefit every citizen on this island. 

That was the message from the Sinn Féin team at the National Ploughing Championships today.

The Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty, along with local Sinn Féin rep Oisin O’Connell launched the party’s plan for the revival of the Irish Sugar Beet industry in New Ross today.

Mr O' Connell, the Chairperson of County Wexford Sinn Féin and a local tillage farmer, has called for the construction of new bio-refinery plant for the production of sugar and ethanol from sugar beet and grain in New Ross.

Mr O' Connell said;

“The collapse of the Irish sugar beet industry in 2006, brought about by the loss of our national quota and the closure of our processing plants, not only adversely affected tillage farmers and others directly involved in the sector, but also had a knock on effect right across Irish society. People sometimes forget that a successful industry like sugar can have huge benefits for all of society.

“The IFA estimates that farmers and farm families spend €8 billion per year in our economy. It’s thought that 300,000 jobs are supported by the agriculture, food and related industries. For every €100 of agriculture output there is a further €73 of output to the wider economy. It's very evident that a strong agri community can lift a stagnant economy like ours and help get people back to work."

Deputy Doherty pointed to the job creation benefits of revitalising the industry:

“What we need is investment in sustainable, lucrative industries like sugar beet processing. Sinn Féin is proposing the construction of a new bio-refinery plant for the production of sugar and ethanol from sugar beet and grain at a cost of €350 million. It will create 5,000 jobs and be profitable within the first year. Why? Because to be so gainful sugar beet prices need to be above €570 a tonne. When you take that sugar beet prices currently stand at €850 per tonne for imported sugar, the revival of our domestic sugar beet industry makes total economic sense."

“There are obviously those out there who may feel different. I know many beet farmers were stung hard when Greencore sold their industry away. In order to make this industry work they will need to be certain guarantees. No one company should ever again be allowed to control 100% of the Irish quota. Beet growers and those working directly in the industry must have access to fair profits. The industry will need to be safeguarded and never again sacrificed for the personal profits of select individuals."

“In the coming weeks and months Sinn Féin will be seeking to meet with interested parties whether they be ex beet farmers, rural community groups or agri contractors, to discuss how best we can resurrect the Irish sugar beet industry. In 2015 the current EU quota scheme changes and we will have a window of opportunity to revive our domestic sugar sector.”

Revival of Irish Sugar Beet Industry in County Wexford would create 5000 jobs

Wexford Sinn Féin has proposed that County Wexford should be the base for the revival of the Irish Sugar Beet Industry in 2015.  Speaking ahead of next week's National Ploughing Championships in New Ross where the party will unveil its own local plans for the construction of a new Sugar Beet Processing Plant in Wexford, County Chairperson Oisin O’ Connell, himself a tillage farmer, said the conditions were now ripe for the revival of an industry which should never have been allowed to go.

Mr O’ Connell said;

“County Wexford tillage farming was dealt a severe blow in 2005 when the sugar processing plant in Carlow was closed.  Around 700 of our county farmers were engaged in this industry.  The factory was closed despite the fact that Greencore was making annual profits in excess of €20 million.  In fact it was actually closed because Greencore, who incredibly had been allowed to maintain the entire sugar production quota for the nation, decided to opt out after learning of the EU’s decision to radically reform the quota system for sugar protection across the Union.”

“To say this was a mistake is an understatement.  Sugar beet continues to be a profitable crop, whether for the production of sugar or ethanol, and as any tillage farmer will tell you, it is a crop that benefits the ground it is grown in by actually enhancing the soil fertility and so increases the yield of the next crop to be grown there.”

“A 2011 feasibility study completed by the Irish Sugar Beet Bio-Refinery Group recommended that the industry could and should be revived in its traditional growth region of the south east through the construction of a new integrated bio-refinery plant for the production of sugar and ethanol from sugar beet and grain.  It is my personal belief that there are several suitable locations in County Wexford for such a plant.”

“The construction of such a plant would cost an estimated €350 million.  It would create five thousand jobs, be profitable within the first year and would bring lucrative new income opportunities for struggling tillage farmers.  In order for the plant to be profitable sugar beet prices would need to be more than €570 per tonne.  Current prices stand at €850 per tonne for imported sugar, and no one believes that prices would fall below €570 anytime soon.”

“Sinn Féin believes the construction of a bio-refinery plant in County Wexford could bring huge economic benefits to County Wexford and the South East.  We will be unveiling part one of our document outlining the resurrection of the Irish Sugar Beet industry at the National Ploughing Championships.  I would invite those with an interest to visit our tent."

Labour shamed as they support household tax bully tactics

A spokesperson for North Wexford Sinn Féin and vigorous campaigner against the household tax has said that the Labour party's support for household tax bully tactics as revealed their true ethos and shamed their illustrious history.  Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin also urged Wexford County Council not to become complicit in the current attacks on those who had not paid what he terms 'the unfair household tax'.

Mr O’ Súilleabháin said;

"Minister Ruairi Quinn's very public support for the initial decision taken by Clare County Council to withhold college grants for children of household tax boycotters was sickening and a startling revelation of the true ethos of the current Labour party.  Mr Quinn was so busy cheerleading the crude bully tactics that he forgot to realise that it would be a clear breach of the rights of the applicant who must be independently assessed for a grant."

"Mr Quinn and his Labour party colleagues seem to also have forgotten the claim their party made to represent the interest of ordinary citizens before all else.  Clearly this claim is now void of any credibility."

"The Labour party has shamed itself and has obviously betrayed the mandate it was given by its voters at the last election.  They certainly did not vote for the intimidation of college students."

"Pressures are certainly being placed on county councils across the state to take radical measures in relation to the collection of the household charge.  Sinn Féin would urge Wexford County Council not to follow suit, not only because the household tax is a totally unjust charge that has been democratically rejected by the majority of the electorate, but because they took an oath to serve the people of Wexford."

It's beyond time that politicians like Minister Quinn, and those Clare County Councillors who sought to bully the parents of students into submission, remembered that they exist to serve the electorate, not the other way around."

Neglect of Rural Wexford affects us all - Kelly

Successive Irish governments have neglected the agriculture sector and rural communities of County Wexford for many years now according to Cllr Anthony Kelly.  Speaking ahead of this week's National Ploughing Championships, the Sinn Féin rep outlined his party's plan for investment in rural Wexford.

Cllr Kelly said;

"Wexford agriculture and rural communities have been neglected by successive governments over the years.  Despite pre election promises our rural communities are being neglected under this government just as they were neglected under the Fianna Fail and Green Party government.  This neglect affects us all; every man, woman and child in this county regardless of whether you live in a town or on a farm."

"Wexford has always been a county with a big agri presence.  The most recent census of agriculture taken in 2010 found that there were 4,424 farms in County Wexford.  According to the 2010 National Farm Survey commissioned by Teagasc the average income for these farms was €17,771 per annum.  To put this in comparison with other sectors, the average industrial wage in this state is currently €35,486.88 per annum."

"Clearly Farming in this county has been neglected despite the huge benefits which it provides for our economy.  The IFA estimates that farmers and farm families spend €8 billion per year in our economy.  It’s thought that 300,000 jobs are supported by the agriculture, food and related industries.  For every €100 of agriculture output there is a further €73 of output to the wider economy.  71% of raw materials used by our agri and fishing industries are sourced in the domestic market."

"Sinn Féin is committed to protecting the rural way of life and to keeping as many people on the land as possible.  It is estimated that with current population trends global food production will have to been increased by up to 70% in the coming decades.  Ireland has the potential to produce food for up to 36 million people."

"We need to invest in our rural communities now in view of the huge benefits that real sustainable investment will bring.  The revitalisation of the Irish Sugar Beet industry could see the creation of 5000 jobs through the construction of a new bio-refinery plant.  The immediate reduction in excise duties on fuel would not only benefit hard hit farmers and agri contractors, but also ordinary families struggling to commute."

"The EU LEADER fund could and should be used as the vehicle for a stimulus for rural wexford.  Grants should be made readily available for the restoration of old farm buildings for tourism purposes; the development of open farms and traditional farm craft centres; the launch of cottage industries creating home produce speciality food products; and the setting up of more farm shops selling and sourcing locally grown foods and manufactured products."

Austerity government has no clothes - Mythen

Cllr Johnny Mythen has accused the Fine Gael/Labour government of obeying the orders of unelected bankers as they prepare more mass austerity measures for budget 2013.  The local Sinn Féin councillor said that attempts by the government to justify the paying out of over €60 billion into dysfunctional banks while vital services were cut was an clearly an example of the emperor having no clothes.

"Again we witness a government obeying the orders of unelected bankers and huge corporations. I ask the question when are they going to even attempt to stand up for our nation?  This is the kernel of our problem. Under the cloak of convenience they cut grants to education, threaten reductions in pensions and disability payments, cut winter fuel allowances while on the 1st of October they will willingly and without a whisper hand over one billion euro's to senior unsecured, unguaranteed bond holders."

"We, the ordinary citizens of this country have already poured €60 billion into dysfunctional banks.  Compared to our size and population no other Country in the E.U. was asked to pay as much per capita."

"As long as this austerity policy continues to be pursued by our Government our unemployment level will rise, our young talented people will continue to emigrate, and our domestic economy will crumble.  Someone please tell the king "he has no cloths" before it's too late."

Government should target the super rich, not the elderly - Sinn Féin

Proposals to increase taxes on old age pensioners will be resisted according to a spokesperson for North Wexford Sinn Féin.  Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin said that the government should lay off easy and vulnerable targets and suggested that those who can afford to pay more should be made do so.

Mr O’ Súilleabháin said;

"Recent comments made by Minister Brian Hayes suggesting that old age pensioners were 'getting away unscathed' were reckless and crudely designed to introduce another pre budget scapegoat into a growing mix.  In the past few months we have seen other government reps do the same thing to a wide range of groups including farmers, parents, nurses and the disabled."

"Old age pensioners and other vulnerable groups should be safeguarded against any cuts in the coming budget.  There is absolutely no justification for placing these people in the firing line when other progressive options have not been addressed."

"Sinn Féin believes that those who can afford to pay more should pay more.  It's a simple proposition which makes clear sense yet our government seems incapable of getting it.  The introduction of a wealth tax would make far greater economic and moral sense than the targeting of old age pensioners."

Howlin's failure to tackle high earners will fall back on most vulnerable - Kelly

Cllr Anthony Kelly has criticised the Minister for Public Reform Brendan Howlin for failing so spectacularly to tackle excessive pay across the upper echelons of the public sector.  The Sinn Féin rep said that Minister Howlin's failure to make the promised €75 million of savings by cutting allowances paid to high earning public servants will now fall back on the most vulnerable members of society in the next budget.

Cllr Kelly said;

"Minister Howlin promised reform of allowances and premium payments which would result in savings of €75 million.  Instead these savings are now only likely to reach about €3.5 million.  Unfortunately it is the most vulnerable members of society; the unemployed, the elderly, the sick and disabled, and the working poor, who will end up paying for the Ministers short fall in the next budget."

"Fine Gael and Labour entered government with a promise of change.  The upper echelons of the public service was to be radically reformed.  There was to be no more wasting of tax payers money on excessive wages and over generous allowances.  That promise of change is now a distant memory for our government TDs."

"Instead of scaremongering the Irish people with threats of cuts to the most disadvantaged in the state in this year's budget, the government needs to immediately get serious and tackle the high earners in the top levels of our public service.  Secretaries’ General, hospital consultants, special advisors and indeed Government Ministers are all in receipt of annual salaries way above and beyond what their European counterparts earn.  An annual saving of €265 million could be generated through the capping of the wages of these high earners."

Removal of Gluten-Free food from medical card list is regressive step - Sinn Féin

A change to the medical prescription list which removes gluten-free products from it will cost many sick Wexford people up to an extra €80 a month.  According to Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin the changes will impact on hundreds of people across County Wexford who suffer from coeliac disease; a condition which prevents them from eating any food products which contain gluten.  The Sinn Féin rep said the government's decision to axe gluten-free products from the medical card prescription list was a regressive step which left those suffering from this affliction 'stranded and abandoned.'

Mr O’ Súilleabháin said;

"At least one in every hundred people suffer from coeliac disease; a condition which prevents sufferers from eating any food product which contains gluten.  Unfortunately for them, gluten is a common protein found in wheat, barley and rye.  This makes gluten-free products luxury items which cost five times the amount ordinary products costs."

"Recently the HSE removed gluten-free products from the medical card prescription list.  The move was abrupt and caught coeliacs by surprise.  Now they face paying up to an extra €80 a month, an extra expense many cannot afford.  These sick people have been stranded and abandoned by a government that is more willing to ransack our health service than look at common sense revenue raising measures like the instigation of a wealth tax."

"In addition to the removal of gluten-free products from the medical prescription list, three drugs have also been taken off. These are Glucosamine, Omega 3 triglycerides and Orlistat.  Glucosamine, used to treat wear and tear of the joints in osteoarthritis patients, and Omega 3 triglycerides, used in conjunction with cholesterol-lowering drugs to treat cardiac patients, are particularly important to older people."

"Minister James Reilly is trying to give the impression that it is the HSE who are orchestrating these cuts but it is the Minister himself who is conducting them by axing funding for our health service.  Its time Fine Gael and Labour stopped punishing the most vulnerable citizens and began to look at making those who can afford to pay more do so.  It makes more sense to ask the wealthy to contribute a little bit more than to cut the most necessary health benefits to sick people."

Free travel scheme should not be reviewed - Kelly

Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that Minister Joan Burtons review of the free travel scheme should not go ahead.  The Sinn Féin councillor has called on local Labour party reps to petition the Minister to rule out making any cuts or adding restrictions to the scheme in Decembers budget, saying that the unconfirmed rumours about possible cuts were causing huge worry to the most vulnerable citizens; the elderly and disabled.

"The free travel scheme should not be reviewed," Cllr Kelly said, "The scheme is an integral part of the lives of many of the most vulnerable citizens in this state.  Many pensioners and people with disabilities rely upon it to reach hospital appointments and carry out their weekly errands.  It is nonsensical that a government 'working group' is reviewing the value of a scheme that it priceless to those who need it most."

"Minister Burton has been incredibly reckless in her handling of this situation.  She has said that pensioners should not be 'enormously worried' about changes to the scheme, yet she has refused to rule out cuts to it.  Are the Minister and her Labour party so out of touch with ordinary citizens that they can't see the fear and panic that they are causing to the dependent people who rely upon this scheme?"

"This is yet another example of the government moving in the same direction as their fianna fail predecessors by cutting the most needy instead of making those who can afford to pay more do so.  How can this government rule out a wealth tax on high earners or a cap on politicians wages when they are happy to consider cutting things like the free travel scheme for pensioners, the children's allowance and rent supplement?"

"I would call upon local Labour party reps to petition Minister Burton to rule out making any adverse changes to the free travel allowance scheme, and to make a speedy public announcement on her intentions towards the scheme.  People are worried and they should be told now, one way or the other, what the Minister plans to do with this crucial scheme on budget day."

Mythen slams bond holder pilfering

Cllr Johnny Mythen has slammed what he calls the 'greatest pilfering of this country since the Normans invaded.'  The Enniscorthy Sinn Féin rep was referring to the fact that the tax payer funded AIB bank is to hand over €1 billion to an unsecured bondholder on October the first, just weeks before the introduction of a budget which will bring in further severe austerity measures against ordinary families.

Cllr Mythen said;

"On October the first the A.I.B. bank,  which is 98.7% owned by the Irish tax payer, is going to hand over €1 billion to senior unsecured bondholders ( bond no. x50455308923).  This has to be the greatest pilfering of this country since the Normans and the Danes invaded our shores.  So far, we the ordinary people of Ireland have paid €20.7 billion to the A.I.B. groups."

"This is an economic crime against every citizen in this country.  It is directly responsible for the introduction of all the extra taxes this present government are lashing onto every man woman and child in this country.  It is directly responsible for all the cuts in our hospitals and public services.  It is directly responsible for the amount of young, well educated people leaving our .   It is directly responsible for the stagnation of our economy and the highest unemployment rate ever. 

"This is a gross case of bad planning and mismanagement of tax payers money. Surely the Government can immediately refuse to pay these money launderers on the grounds they will be paying 1Billion€1 billion of our sovereign money over to an unsecured debt; money extracted from the Irish people.  If they are serious about renegotiating our Debts then the majority of all the decent citizens of this country would strongly suggest they begin here."

Target Express workers should be commended

The ex-Target Express Wexford workers who ended their sit-in after eight days should be commended according to local Sinn Féin.  Cllr Anthony Kelly has described the stance the laid off employees took as a strike for workers rights and has wished them all the best in the future.

Cllr Kelly said;

“Wexford Sinn Féin commends the action taken by the ex-Target Express workers in Ardcavan following the appalling conditions surrounding their lay-offs.  They must be particularly commended for continuing their protest after last Friday night’s meeting with the liquidator who could not give them adequate guarantees.  The sit-in they organised was a strike for workers rights and I have no doubt that it has expedited the process of their welfare payments.”

“Cllr Johnny Mythen and myself were glad to be able to offer our full assistance to the workers during their sit-in.  Wexford Sinn Féin would wish the workers all the best in the future.  They have highlighted the glaringly obvious lack of protection for workers when companies cease trading, and in making a stand for their rights they have made this town and county proud.”

Bord Gáis price hike unacceptable - North Wexford Sinn Féin

North Wexford Sinn Féin has criticised the Commission for Energy Regulation for granting Bord Gáis permission to introduce a 8.5% price hike.  Local spokesperson Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin said that the hike was unacceptable and would unquestionably lead to further poverty for struggling bill payers.

Mr O’ Súilleabháin said;

"The energy regulators granting of permission to Bord Gáis to hike up their prices by 8.5% represents an annual increase of €62 for the average Irish home.  This will leave struggling families facing yearly gas bills of close to €800."

"In May Bord Gáis announced that they would have to increase their prices due to the high global price of oil and gas.  That same month they announced a profit of €120 million.  This price hike is not absolutely necessary as Bord Gáis are attempting to portray and will do untold damage to an already ravaged local economy."

"With this price hike we will see more families spiralling into poverty, more bill payers forced to go into arrears and more vulnerable people such as the elderly and sick being placed in critical danger as they struggle to heat their homes this winter.  We will also see rivals suppliers quickly adapt and raise their prices meaning nobody will be safe."

"Sinn Féin would call upon the energy regulator to immediately review this decision and reject Bord Gáis's application for a price increase."

Concerns raised over future of Wexford hospital

Cllr Anthony Kelly has raised concerns over the future of Wexford General Hospital and the viability of its new A&E unit following the announcement that €130 million will be cut from the HSE's budget this year.  The Sinn Féin rep has called on Minister Brendan Howlin to clarify the situation and make it clear if he will stand by his government's massive cuts to our health service even if it leads to downgrading of services at Wexford General and a lack of staff to man the new A&E unit.

Cllr Kelly said;

"These latest cuts to our health service are truly horrific and will impact worst of all on the most vulnerable in our society.  As well as cutting services for home health, there is to be a further reduction in spending on the use of agency staff and on overtime.  With the recruitment embargo still in place, agency staff and the use of overtime has been a necessity to keep basic services running."

"Sinn Féin would have great concerns that there will be no staff available to man the new A&E unit at Wexford General Hospital when it's completed.  This new round of cuts increases our worries and places the future of this new A&E unit, and other vital services at Wexford General Hospital, in a precarious position."

"The Chairman of the Labour Party, Colm Keaveney, and Deputy Pat Rabbitte have both made statements in the wake of the announcement of these new cuts that indicate that the their party will not stand over this regressive move.  Sinn Féin would welcome local Minister Brendan Howlin's view on the situation.  In particular we would call on the Minister to clarify whether or not he will stand by the government if they implement cuts that endanger the new A&E unit or lead to any downgrading or loss of services at Wexford General Hospital."

Well attended Peter Daly Commemoration defies neo-nazi vandalism act

The annual Peter Daly commemoration held in Monageer last night saw a large crowd, representing several political groupings and campaign organisations from the Irish left and republican socialist traditions, descend on the small Enniscorthy village.  They came to honour the life and ethos of Irish republican and socialist Peter Daly who died fighting fascism in Spain seventy five years ago.

During the week a group of neo-nazi thugs vandalised the Monageer monument to Peter Daly, attacking the stone with a hammer causing minor damage.  They also threw paint over the monument and painted a reference to former Ku Klux Clan leader Davin Lane on it.  It's a credit to the Peter Daly society and the people of Monageer that the monument was cleaned up and restored to full health in the space of a few hours.

It was obvious from the large crowd in attendance that the work of vandalism by a small minority of racist thugs failed miserably to destroy the legend of Peter Daly or the respect that the people of the monageer area feel for him.  Former hunger striker Tommy McKearney spoke about the life of Peter Daly on the night and was followed by well known folk singer Pól MacAdaim who sang a rousing version of Viva la Quinca Brigada.

Peter Daly was wounded once in the Irish civil war and twice in the Spanish civil war fighting for freedom.  He died after been badly wounded trying to take the fortification over the town of Quinto on September 5th 1937.

 

Wealth tax instead of property charge - Sinn Féin

A spokesperson for North Wexford Sinn Féin has said that the government's proposed value based property tax is not workable.  Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin said the introduction of a wealth tax which takes account of ability to pay would be the most progressive move that the coalition government could take in budget 2013.

 

Mr O’ Súilleabháin said;

"The Government has not mentioned any linking of their proposed value based property tax with ability to pay or the taxes already paid on the property.  In fact this tax does not take any account of personal circumstances such as ability to pay or variations in value based on location."

"Sinn Féin has been calling for the introduction of a wealth tax for many years now.  It is a far more equitable proposal which links ability to pay with a percentage tax on all property, physical, material and financial, over €1 million. Our wealth tax allows a 20% write-off of the value of the principal residence. It is estimated to bring in €800 million in a full year."

"The introduction of such a wealth tax and the abolishing of the household charge and tearing up of plans for a property tax would be a progressive move by the government which would generate confidence at home and abroad.  It's time that we accept that not only is it more equitable to operate on the basis of those who can afford to pay more should do so, but it is also more efficient."

Record fuel prices must be taken into account in next budget - Sinn Féin

The record prices for petrol and diesel we are seeing at the pumps will have to be taken into account by the government before they introduce budget 2013 according to the Chairperson of County Wexford Sinn Féin.  Oisin O' Connell said that the rising fuel prices are already seriously impacting on ordinary families, but are also having an adverse affect on struggling businesses, the transport industry and the agri sector.

Mr O' Connell said;

"The escalating prices of fuel at the pumps over the past two weeks has been frightening and shows no sign of settling yet.  The rise in prices has already had an heavy impact on ordinary families who have found their weekly transport costs dramatically increased.  They will feel this increase more later in the year as it is a certainty that as fuel prices rise so too will everything else."

"Struggling businesses have been struck hard by the rising prices.  The transport industry has been particularly exposed.  Many businesses will not survive.  Sinn Féin has called on the government to lower its tax on petrol and diesel in a bid to create stability.  At the moment the government takes €6 in every €10 spent at the pump through levees and duties."

"The agri sector has already been devastated by the bad weather conditions over the summer months.  The rise in fuel will be profoundly felt by this industry.  Fuel is one of the main expenditure items on farms.  Agricultural diesel has gone up by a massive 55% while road diesel has increased by almost 35% in the past two years.  Farmers have actually had to increase their fuel usage this year due to the extreme weather conditions."

"In last December’s budget Fine Gael and Labour added 1c on a litre of fuel.  In the three years before that Fianna Fáil added 14c onto the price of a litre of petrol and diesel.  It goes without saying that no further increase can be tolerated in budget 2013.  Instead the government needs to cut its excise duty on fuel immediately."