Hogan’s electoral reform is a threat to democracy – Kelly

Cllr Anthony Kelly has branded electoral reform plans being put together by Minister Phil Hogan as a threat to democracy and has called on local Councillors, especially members of Fine Gael and Labour, to voice their discontent and stop Minister Hogan’s plan. Cllr Kelly said that reform of local government was needed, but it had to be meaningful reform which was executed in the best interest of the public.

Cllr Kelly said;

“Rumours are rife that Minister Phil Hogan is planning to abolish town councils across the state in his plan to bring about a stronger more cohesive local government. Closing local councils obviously will not create stronger local government. It is another misguided step from the man who brought us the household tax. Minister Hogan’s plans are a clear threat to democracy.”

“Sinn Féin agrees that electoral reform is needed, but it must be meaningful reform. It cannot become reform for the sake of reform. The structure of local government must be changed in order to make it more accountable and efficient. Councillors must be given more responsibility. They were elected to serve the people and must be allowed to do that. Currently much of the decision making in local authorities is handled by the county manager. This must change.”

“Ireland needs strong local government, but it must be a local government which serves its purpose. For that reason Sinn Féin would argue that greater power be placed in the hands of local councils. These would include full control over services such as water, refuge collection and public transportation. Many of these services have previously been held by local authorities but were eroded away over time. These powers must be restored.”

“It is wrong to say that Ireland has too many local councils. In fact Ireland has the second lowest proportion of Councillor per head of population in the entire EU. France has a councillor for every 118 people. The ratio is 250 per head of population in Sweden and rises to 350 per head in Germany. The figure in this state is one councillor to every 2,336 people. Clearly we do not have an outrageously high number of councillors as some people have claimed. Getting rid of more local authorities will further increase this ratio and can only be seen as a threat to democracy.”

Government comments on unemployed youth disgusting - Kelly

A Wexford Sinn Féin Councillor has described comments made by a junior minister attacking young unemployed people as disgusting and highly inappropriate comments from a member of a government supposedly committed to job creation and recovery. Cllr Anthony Kelly challenged local Fine Gael TDs to make their feelings on junior minister Shane McEntee’s comments known and asked that they provide a realistic blueprint for job creation for the seventy thousand young unemployed in the state.

“The comments made by Fine Gael TD Shane McEntee are highly inappropriate from a member of a government committed to job creation and recovery,” Cllr Kelly said. “Currently there are seventy thousand people under the age of twenty five unemployed in this state. Thirty nine percent of those people are out of work for more than a year. This is at a time when it is estimated that fifty thousand people, many of them under thirty, are emigrating every year. For a Fine Gael junior minister to imply that these young people are unwilling to work shows a government which is sadly out of touch with the realities faced by the young unemployed.”

“Deputy McEntee also implied that many young people out of work were spending their benefits on alcohol. This is a disgusting generalisation to make. Imagine what would be said if Deputy McEntee had accused old people of spending their benefits on alcohol. It would be an entirely false and deeply offensive thing to say. Accusing young unemployed people of the same thing is no different. Deputy McEntee owes the seventy thousand young people out of work in Ireland today a sincere apology.”

“This incident has highlighted the dangerous views held by government members about youth unemployment. It would now be apt for the government to bring forward a comprehensive and effective job creation strategy to help get our young people back to work. I’m calling on our local government TDs to make their feelings on Deputy McEntees comments known and to offer us a realistic blueprint for youth job creation.”

“This would be a far more proactive and positive move than attempting to vilify seventy thousand young people who are out of work through no fault of their own.”

Vinegar Hill sees renewed pledge of resistance against household tax

Despite adverse weather conditions, up to one hundred protestors against the household tax took to historic Vinegar Hill overlooking the town of Enniscorthy today. The protestors were keen to renew their pledge of resistance against attempts to make them pay the controversial charge and to send a message to County Wexford’s five TDs urging them to vote yes to a Dail bill which seeks to reverse the household tax this week.

Among those who spoke at the event were Dominick Gaughan, Owen Dunbar, Breda Fowler, Deirdre Wadding and Daithi Kavanagh, who finished the rally with a rousing rendition of Boolavogue.

“We are now in the second phase of the campaign against the household tax,” Dominick Gaughan told the crowd, “Our level of commitment and resolve has not changed. This campaign has not gone away. In the words of Larkin, the great no longer appear great because we are on our feet.”

“The threat of 'compliance letters' being sent to non paying households over the next weeks and months can be seen as a measure of desperation by the government to quieten the storm of protest that will meet the beginning of the septic tank registration, water meter installation in October and the drafting of legislation for the property tax. The upcoming measures all point to an average of one thousand euro or more a year on household bills.”

The organisers of the event also led a picket on the Enniscorthy Constituency Office of Paul Kehoe TD this morning where they were confronted by an angry Deputy Kehoe. During a heated debate, the protestors told Deputy Kehoe that he was a “disgrace” and informed him that he was not representing the electorate of County Wexford by backing a tax that had clearly been rejected by the public.

Local Sinn Féin elected reps, Cllr Anthony Kelly from Wexford and Cllr Johnny Mythen from Enniscorthy also attended the rally on Vinegar Hill. Earlier in the day they had been part of a group who had handed out several hundred leaflets informing the public about the revenue raising alternatives to the household charge that are available and about the Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012 which is being put before the Dail by Sinn Féin next week.

If successful the bill will abolish the household tax and fully reimburse all those who have paid the charge. A protest will be held outside the Dail this Wednesday evening at 5pm during which time it is expected that voting will take place on the Household Charge repeal bill. Buses will be running from Wexford.

Kelly calls for yes vote (To Household Tax Repeal Bill)

Cllr Anthony Kelly is calling on Wexford's five Oireachtas members to vote yes on June 20th. The Wexford Sinn Féin Councillor is urging members of all political parties to support his party’s household charge repeal bill, which if successful, will abolish the controversial home tax.

Cllr Kelly said;

“Sinn Féin has opposed the household charge since its inception on the grounds that it is a regressive flat tax which takes no account of a person’s ability to pay. Next Tuesday (19th) we will introduce the Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012. This Bill aims to reverse the Household Tax and reimburse all those who have paid the charge.”

“The Household Charge was introduced by the Fine Gael/Labour coalition in last years budget. In a calculated manoeuvre the government redirected vital funding for local authorities to the bailout kitty for zombie banks. The public were then threatened with a collapse of local services if they didn’t pay what was essentially a form of double taxation.”

“Despite the threats, despite the scaremongering and the bullyboy tactics, people have not paid this unfair tax in their thousands and it is clear that it is the democratic wish of the majority of people on this island that this tax should be abolished and consigned to the history books along with other mistakes of governments like electronic voting and the Bertie Bowl. The Sinn Féin Bill can do just that if the majority of TDs support it.”

“There are real alternatives available to the household charge. The government could introduce a new third rate of tax of 48% on income earned by individuals in excess of €100,000 which would raise €410 million. They could abolish ‘Group relief’ which is availed of by multi-national companies to transfer losses to profitable companies and write down tax receipts which would raise €450.3 million. Capping all public servants wages at €100,000 per annum would save €265 million.”

“Not only would these alternatives work; they would also be readily accepted by the political opposition and the mass public resistance to the household tax. The public now has an opportunity to put pressure on government TDs to reverse this unjust and unworkable household tax. I am calling on County Wexford’s five sitting TDs to listen to their constituents and put an end to the household charge controversy by supporting this repeal bill.”

Abolishing Household Tax makes economic sense – O’ Súilleabháin

A Gorey anti austerity campaigner and spokesperson for North Wexford Sinn Féin has called on local TDs to back a Dail bill which seeks to abolish the household tax and fully reimburse those people who have already paid the contentious charge. Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin said that County Wexford’s five sitting TDs had a democratic obligation to honour the wishes of the electorate who have categorically rejected this regressive tax. He also insisted that the repeal of the household tax made economic sense.

Mr O’ Súilleabháin, who is also a member of the campaign against the Household tax and Water Charges, said;

“Sinn Féin is bringing the Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012 before the Dail on the 19th and 20th of June. The Bill seeks to abolish the household tax and fully reimburse those people who have already paid the charge. Sinn Féin has actively and consistently opposed the household tax since its inception. We have made it clear that we believe this is a regressive form of taxation and that more rational revenue raising alternatives exist.”

“It is clear from the overwhelming show of public defiance against this tax that the electorate did not appreciate this form of double taxation which was introduced to raise revenue to bail out zombie banks. The lack of full funding available to our local authorities now is not a because people did not pay their household charge but rather a result of the government’s decision to redirect local government funding into the bailout fund for these banks.”

“County Wexford is estimated to have one of the largest non payment of the household tax records in the state. It is quite clear from these figures and from the mass public rallies against the charge which have been held across the county that the majority of the people of Wexford have rebuffed this unfair tax. Our five sitting TDs now have a democratic obligation to honour the wishes of the electorate who have categorically rejected this tax. They should vote in favour of the repeal bill on June 20th.”

“There are logical and progressive alternatives to the household charge. The introduction of a new third rate of tax of 48% on income earned by individuals in excess of €100,000 would raise €410 million. The Abolishing of ‘Group relief’ availed of by companies to transfer losses to profitable companies and write down tax receipts would bring in €450.3 million. The ending of legacy property reliefs would raise €341.8 million. Capping all public servants wages at €100,000 per annum would save €265 million.”

“Twenty thousand people in County Wexford are unemployed. Our communities have been ravaged by emigration. It was recently estimated that over seven hundred thousand Irish people are now living below the poverty line. Not paying this tax is not a question of choice; it is a question of ability. People cannot afford to pay anymore and alternatives that will not detrimentally impact on ordinary families must now be seriously looked at. When you consider that by the governments own figures the household charge would only raise €160 million, then these alternatives not only present a more ethical solution but also make economic sense.”

Kelly welcomes news that SNA’s will be maintained at Scoil Mhuire

Sinn Féin Cllr Anthony Kelly has welcomed the news that the SNA allocation for Scoil Mhuire in Wexford town is to be maintained for the next term. Cllr Kelly, who has actively supported the campaign to against cuts to special needs assistants, commended the parents of special needs children attending the school for their courage, commitment and sheer determination to give their children the constitutional right to have access to a proper and equal education.

Cllr Kelly said;

“I tabled a motion at the May meeting of Wexford Borough Council calling on Minister Quinn not to allow the recent funding review to effect the S.N.As allocation at Scoile Mhuire (Wexford) and St Senans (Enniscorthy). The motion was supported unanimously.”

“Although the special needs children may have already had their future compromised by previous cuts, at least the government have maintained the present services for the immediate future.”

“Minister Quinn recently stated that the NCSE has advised the Department that it is in the process of reviewing and developing an appeals process for schools which will be in place for the 2012/13 school year allocation process. Sinn Fein is calling on the Minister to include parents in this revised process. It is only right and proper that they should have an input into something which will impact on their children’s future.”

Final decision on Wallace will be taken by the people of County Wexford

A spokesperson for County Wexford Sinn Féin has said that local Independent TD Mick Wallace’s under declaration of VAT by €1.4 million was wrong. Wexford Sinn Féin Chairperson Oisin O’ Connell said that ultimately the final decision regarding Deputy Wallace’s position will be taken by the people of County Wexford.

Mr O’ Connell said;

“What Deputy Wallace did was wrong. He has acknowledged this himself. Sinn Féin believes this incident further undermines confidence in politics and the political system.”

“The opposition Whips in the Dáil - including Sinn Féin - have referred this matter to the Dáil Committee on Procedure and Privileges (CPP). The Ceann Comhairle has also referred the matter to the Oireachtas Committee on Members’ Interests. This is right and proper.”

“As the rules currently stand, the ultimate decision regarding Deputy Wallace’s position will be taken by the voters of Wexford.”

Mythen calls for action on flawed Job Bridge Programme

An Enniscorthy Councillor has called for an investigation into why the governments Job Bridge programme is not working and into the possible flagrant abuse of the scheme by some employers. Sinn Féin Cllr Johnny Mythen said that recent figures released showing that only one fifth of those who have taken part in Job Bridge Internships actually get full time employment was a damning indictment of a scheme that is given such credibility by our government. He publically requested that the minister of social protection Joan Burton take immediate steps and, through her department, review the job bridge programme.

“The initial concept of this programme was to allow unemployed people to gain experience in the work place, thus enhancing their chances of gaining full employment,” Cllr Mythen said, “However its plain to see that some employers are using the scheme to replace permanent workers with these internships and are using highly skilled workers to provide professional quality services for less than the minimum wage. It has become common place to hear about highly skilled jobs being offered as internship places. Recently you will have seen intern offers for architects, solicitors and physiotherapists.”

“It seems strange that these highly skilled individuals are now only worth taking on for nine months and only worth supplementing their social welfare with an extra €50 a week for services rendered. Last Christmas a major retailer operating in this county took on over one hundred interns to man the floors of their shops during the bust festive period. They broke no laws by doing so but it seems strange that major companies like this would be unable to pay take these interns on as full employees and pay them the minimum wage.”

“Without appropriate policing and proper regulation from the Minister and her department this job bridge scheme will fail. In its present form it is rich pickings for unscrupulous employers who are exploiting the valuable ideas and know-how of internees and who are undermining the very purpose that the jobs bridge programme was created for. The minister and the department of social protection must act as a watch dog now before it is too late. They must not allow employers to use this scheme as a cheap means to replace traditional seasonal jobs with cheap internships.”

“A public investigation is needed to determine exactly how well the Job Bridge programme is working, what its fundamental flaws are and what level of exploitation of interns is occurring. The successful transition of only one fifth of internees to full time employment is simply not good enough when so much is resting on this programmes success. New comprehensive regulations are required to address the apparent abuse of the scheme by a minority of ruthless employers who would exploit workers when they are at their most vulnerable.”

Kelly calls for removal of tax on iPads

Cllr Anthony Kelly has called on the government to remove tax on iPads and other electronic equipment used for educational purposes to bring it in line with current non-taxation on schoolbooks. The Wexford Sinn Féin Councillor said that the use of new technologies such as I Pads in our schools could save cash strapped families in the long term as well as providing a more proficient and practical learning experience for their children.


Cllr Kelly said;

“The use of electronic equipment such as iPads or Android tablets in our schools is inevitable. It’s only a matter of time before they are introduced across the country. Recently we have seen California replace textbooks with electronic equipment. By offering grants and cutting the tax on these instruments we can give our children’s education a huge boost. The Fine Gael and Labour coalition have time and again decreed the need to build a new smart economy. How better to do this than by introducing our school children to the tools of this could-be smart economy as early as possible?”

“Currently the state places no tax on school books. It makes sense that this tax exemption should be spread to cover electronic equipment that compliments or replaces text books. Every year families with school children are finding their text book bills rising. Much of this is down to a constantly adapting curriculum and the recent replacing of standard copy books with new work journals. The use of electronic equipment would cut out this expense in the long term and would also allow for a much faster and more efficient updating of the curriculum.”

“Critics of this plan would argue that the introduction of iPads into our schools would cost families more than what they pay now for text books. Recently a Donegal school which attempted this change over on a trial basis asked parents to foot a bill of €750 for each Childs’ iPad. This is why the government must step in and lead the way on this by firstly cutting the tax and then approaching either Apple or one of their competitors and asking them to co-operate financially in the facilitation of electronic tablets for every school child in the state. A grant should also be looked at. If we move now we could be ahead of the rest of Europe and we would be sending a clear message to the rest of the world that we as a nation are committed to building the fabled much talked about smart Irish economy.”

Government must now fulfil fiscal treaty campaign promises – Kelly

The Fine Gael/Labour government must immediately begin to deliver on promises of investment, stability and recovery given during the recent fiscal treaty campaign, according to a Wexford Councillor. Sinn Féin Cllr Anthony Kelly said that he hoped for the sake of the nation that the government would not renege on these promises as they had on similar pledges made before the last general election.

“The government promised investment, stability and recovery if Ireland ratified this treaty,” Cllr Kelly said. “They promised mass job creation and fairer budgets. They must begin to deliver on these promises immediately, with action instead of tired old rhetoric. They need to deal concisely with the mass unemployment epidemic in this country. They need to stop turning a blind eye to the emigration cycle that is causing so much heartache to families across this state. They must stop the policy of using emigration as a safety valve, venting out our young people in a vain effort to keep the live register figures stable. They must tackle the mortgage crisis.”

Will Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fail keep their promises
about the fiscal treaty or were they telling porkies again?

“It is clear that a majority of people have rejected austerity. Forty percent of voters rejected it directly last Thursday, while half the eligible electorate rejected the policies of austerity by not voting. Fine Gael and Labour need to acknowledge what a bad reflection it is upon a sitting government to have only half the electorate turn out to vote. People feel disenfranchised and it is quite obvious that the bullying and scaremongering tactics used by some members of the yes camp over the past few weeks may have won the election but certainly did not win the hearts of the Irish people.”

“Breaking the promises made in this referendum campaign will only lead to more people rejecting the political system. It is essential that the government moves quickly to begin to fulfil their fiscal treaty campaign promises. Sinn Féin will be there, in our capacity as the largest party of opposition in the state, ready to hold them and their allies in the Fianna Fail party to account every step of the way. We will not allow the Irish austerity troika of Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fail to get away with breaking their election promises once again.”