Successful Liam Mellowes Weekend in Gorey

There was a large turnout for events over the weekend commemorating the 90th anniversary of the execution of Republican Socialist leader Liam Mellows by Free State forces .On Friday the North Wexford Historical Society hosted a packed lecture in Goreys VEC building which was given by Dr. Ruan O'Donnell.

There was also a large turnout for the annual Liam Mellows Commemoration which was held in Castletown on Sunday. The Ed O'Brien Republican flute band led the large crowd to Castletown cemetery where Aengus Snodaigh T.D. gave the main oration. In a scathing attack on the Labour Party he described their stance as "spineless" and having "betrayed the ordinary citizens of this country". "Sinn Féin are leading the fightback and are giving voice to the anger that is out there and putting forward real, costed alternatives as we did in our 28-page pre-budget submission"

Wreaths were lain by various Sinn Fein cumainn from throughout the county.

Commemoration chairman, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, in his address focussed on last weeks budget and the relevance of Mellows writings and life to that of modern day Ireland."While Fianna Fáil sold out the the nations sovereignty, the Labour Party had, just like in Mellows time, sold out the ordinary working people of Ireland. They broke their contract with the electorate and have continued the savage policies of austerity of their predecessors" He quoted from Liam Mellows writings, which he said were "prophetic." - “The Irish Republic stands for the ownership of Ireland by the people of Ireland. The last thing it needs is a change of masters. If her industries and banks were controlled by foreign capital, they would be at the mercy of every breeze that ruffled the surface of the world's money-markets

The Irish Labour Party have betrayed not alone the Irish Republic but the labour movement in Ireland”.

Music was later provided in the Golden Anchor pub by the popular local balladeer Darren McGovern.

Sinn Féin also held a budget protest over the weekend on Goreys Main Street which was very well received by passing motorists.

Kelly welcomes confirmation that operating theatre 2 will reopen

Cllr Anthony Kelly has welcomed the confirmation that operating theatre 2 at Wexford General Hospital will reopen on the 14th of January next. The Wexford Sinn Féin rep, who broke the news of the closure on the 8th of October last and led a campaign calling for the reopening of the theatre, received the guarantee after submitting a parliamentary question through the office of Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caolāin.

Cllr Kelly said;

"Sinn Féin welcomes the news that operating theatre 2 will reopen on the 14th of January 2013. The closure of the theatre at Wexford General Hospital has caused serious discomfort to the people of this county, particularly those who have had procedures cancelled due to the closure."

"Operating theatre 2 should not have been closed. The explanation that it was a cost saving measure that will save the HSE €110,000 simply does not justify the loss of an operating theatre for three months."

"During our campaign to reopen the operating theatre it emerged that the management of Wexford General Hospital had closed operating theatre 2 on at least two previous occasions under that radar. No doubt the news of the current closure would have been suppressed too had we not found out and informed the local media."

"If the HSE was prepared to close operating theatre 2 in the past to save money, they will no doubt do so again. In fact it is only a matter of time. I would urge local government oireachtas members to join my own party in opposing any further closures of operating theatre and in making their absolute unconditional opposition to any form of downgrading at Wexford General Hospital in 2013 publicly known."

"Mirror mirror on the wall, where is the fairest budget of all"

Responding to last Wednesdays budget, local Cllr. Johnny Mythen said, "anyone who thinks this is a fair budget must live in fairy land."

"Most other European Countries produce their budgets well in advance of their launch dates," the Sinn Féin Councillor said, "The various cuts and tax measures are scrutinizes by the opposition parties who have an opportunity to challenge and work out the best way forward.  In Ireland we have an archaic system which stymies the domestic economy for months.  Politicians drip feed snippets, resulting in an air of uncertainty and fear, which causes people to stop spending and hold onto any disposable income they are lucky to possess."

"This year was no exception. The governments feeble cry of "fair play" must be challenged.  Every worker in the state, earning over €18000 will pay an extra €265 per year because of the change in P.R.S.I.  A couple on the minimum wage will pay €530 extra with no clause of inability to pay afforded to them."

"A new property tax of .18% on all homes also trounces the people who are already in negative equity on their mortgages again with no  inability to pay included.  Generously the government  has said such families can defer these payments, but in doing so  will incur a penalty of €400. A fair price indeed!  In fact it's even better than a marriage vow; even in death you cannot part from this tax as it passes on to your estate."

"Lastly, three of the most unfair cuts of them all, respite grants, the home package ,and children's allowance.  These three alone are the difference between families surviving  or going under.  This government can receive all the accolades from Europe and beyond, but ordinary folk will not forget fairness means treating people equally and just in all circumstances."

The right choices were not made in Budget 2013 - Sinn Féin

Budget 2013 was a failed opportunity which will send thousands of more Irish people into poverty according to the Chairperson of County Wexford Sinn Féin.  Oisin O' Connell said that though he agreed with some of the more progressive measures taken in the budget, the overall plan is regressive, fails to address job creation and will cause untold hardship to the most vulnerable members of society.

Mr O' Connell said;

"It was essential for this state and its people that the government should make the right choices in Budget 2013.  Unfortunately cutting old age pensioners, children, low income workers, under pressure mortgage holders and the severely handicapped while avoiding the necessary big steps like the introduction of a wealth tax does not constitute making the right choices."

"This budget will cost the average Wexford family €790 per annum.  That amounts to health insurance for two children or six weeks of food shopping.  This budget ignores the wish of the vast majority of people for the abolition of the household charge by introducing a property tax which will be three times as expensive and will be subject to collection by the revenue commissioners.  This budget cuts €350 off the respite grant for the severely handicapped instead of targeting those who earn above €100,000 per year."

"Clearly the wrong choices have been made."

"The government must ask themselves; what are our priorities?  Is it to get people back to work and make them self sufficient and free from social benefits?  Or is it to regard people as national debt-servicing machines?  If so, won’t this increase the likelihood of more people, under more pressure, flooding further into the social welfare system, as their supports get removed elsewhere?"

"Sinn Féin has consistently argued that those who can afford to pay more should do so.  To put it simply; if a lifeboat is full of children, the elderly and the infirm and contains one international rugby player, it makes sense that the rugby star would do the majority of rowing.  Our economy is a lifeboat now and it is not unreasonable to ask those who can afford to pay more to take more of a share in the pain.  If not, our lifeboat is going nowhere."

"Sinn Féin would welcome some of the more progressive measures outlined in the budget plan.  The rebate on haulier's diesel and the introduction of energy efficiency, retrofitting and upgrading via incentivised investment are to be welcomed and were two parts of our recent jobs plan."

"There were alternatives available to the austerity measures that were delivered in Budget 2013.  Sinn Féin has consistently argued for the introduction of a wealth tax.  In the coming weeks we will be holding information meetings across the county on the sensible alternative to a property tax; the immediate introduction of a wealth tax.  To find out more information on this and on our reaction to the budget I would ask people to visit www.budget2013.org."

Budget 2013 is attack on children’s rights – O’ Súilleabhan

Cuts to child benefit and the back to school allowance will increase child poverty and constitutes an attack on children’s rights according to a local primary school teacher.  Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin, who is also a spokesperson for North Wexford Sinn Féin, said that these cuts made a mockery out of the government’s recent referendum pledge that ‘every child matters.’

Mr O’ Súilleabháin said;

“Only a month ago the government was pledging their commitment to children’s rights.  In this budget we witness their true loyalty, or lack of, to our children.  Today there are an estimated two hundred thousand children living below the poverty line in this state.  How many will be living in poverty when the full effects of cuts to child benefit and the back to school allowance are felt?”

“Across the board benefit cuts of €10 for the first and second child, €18 for the third child and €20 for the fourth and following children is ludicrously unfair and will impact most severely upon those who are already suffering most.  A family of four children will be down €58 per month in child benefit cuts alone.”

“The Back to School Allowance has never been more important to children and struggling parents alike.  It is a social failsafe that provides families under a certain income with money to buy vital necessities like school uniforms, children’s footwear and text books.  In a time when the provision of this allowance has never been so critical, our government has cut it by €50.”

“In addition to this, the annual respite care grant for children with severe disabilities has been cut from €1,700 to €1,375 for each care recipient.  These handicapped children and their parents have their respite cut so that unsecure bondholders can be paid and an incompetent corrupt banking system can be protected.”

“During the campaign for the Children’s Referendum Fine Gael and Labour put up hundreds of posters around this county urging people to vote yes for children’s rights.  Fine Gael placed their slogan, ‘Every child matters’, on their posters.  It’s a pity that they didn’t consider the children of Ireland on Budget day as they voted them into a future of poverty and hardship.”

Liam Mellows must be turning in his grave

“Liam Mellows must be turning in his grave, as Fianna Fáil - The Bankers Party pay tribute" - Ó Súilleabháin

“Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin followed in the footsteps of Bertie Ahern this weekend in trying to claim the mantle of Liam Mellows, as he gave the oration at the graveside of the Republican socialist leader on Sunday. Liam Mellows must be turning in his grave”. This is according to the Sinn Féin spokesperson for North Wexford, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin. (Ahern had addressed a similar Fianna Fáil commemoration in Castletown a mere 6 years ago)

He was speaking as he announced details of a number of events being organised by various groups to celebrate the life and ideas of the republican socialist leader Liam Mellows the90th anniversary of whose execution occurs on Dec. 8^th

His party’s commemoration this Sunday (Dec. 9th) will be addressed by Aengus Ó Snodaigh T.D.
“People won’t be fooled by their political somersaults and selective amnesia and know that it was Fianna Fáil-The Bankers Party who sold out the last remnants of sovereignty of the 26 county state and beggared us as a people.

are responsible for the destruction of this state and in a cynical move are now trying to re-invent themselves in opposition. No doubt they railed against a whole host of austerity measures currently being implemented, but which they in fact introduced in their 4 year Plan 2011-2014.(A property tax and proposed water taxes are just two of many measures which spring to mind)
The radical socialist and republican leader, Liam Mellows must be turning in his grave.”