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.”

Budget for Children’s Rights

A North Wexford primary school teacher and spokesperson for local Sinn Féin has accused the government parties of picking and choosing when to talk about children’s rights.  Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin said that proposed cuts to children’s benefit and the governments continued failure to protect the education system showed that Fine Gaels mantra that ‘every child matters’ clearly doesn’t apply on Budget day.

Mr O’ Súilleabháin said;

“It's estimated that over 200,000 children are living below the poverty line in this state today.  One in five children have gone to bed hungry, victims of the austerity measures unleashed on this nation by Fianna Fail, and continued with gusto by the Fine Gael/Labour coalition.”

“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.  Clearly this mantra doesn’t apply on Budget day as they prepare to inflict more hardship on Irish children.”

“In our alternative budget document, Sinn Féin is proposing a number of measures that will benefit children and will also benefit their under pressure families by alleviating the pressure on parents.  We would provide free school books to every child at a cost of €45 million.  The state already provides €15 million per year in grants so this would take the total to €60 million, equal to the estimated annual average spend on books.”

“Last year the government cut €32 million from the earnings disregard of the one parent family payment, which saw it reduced to €130 per week for 2012, with further cuts planned.  This cut makes going to work financially unviable for lone parents.  Sinn Féin would reverse this cut.”

“A government report earlier this year indicated that 21% of school children are now forced to go to school without breakfast.  In these trying times we believe that the state should take on greater responsibility to help these children by doubling the budget for the school meals programme to €70 million.”

“Our budget document has been costed and is a very real alternative to the policies of austerity favoured by the Austerity Troika of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Labour.  By asking those who can afford to pay more to do so, we can protect the most vulnerable citizens in the state, lift the local economy and get people back to work.  Full details of our alternative vision for Budget 2013 can be read at www.sinnfein.ie.”

Kelly: Government must make budget 2013 fair for all

A Wexford Councillor has called on the government to make Budget 2013 fair for all by making those who can afford to pay more do so.  Sinn Féin Cllr Anthony Kelly called for the introduction of a 1% wealth tax on income/assets over €1 million, the reduction of tax reliefs for high earners and an emergency pay cap of €100,000 to be placed on all those working in the public service.

Cllr Kelly said;

“Budget 2013 is looming over the Irish people like a black cloud.  Families across this nation, already struggling to survive from week to week, are seriously worried that this budget will push them over the edge.  We already have ten percent of people in this state living in food poverty and its estimated that half of the population will be living in fuel poverty in the next five years unless measures are taken to counter act the growing poverty.”

“This poverty is being heightened by the mistakes that have been made in past budgets.  The pro austerity parties; Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fail, have to be answerable to the two hundred thousand Irish children living below the poverty line.  Austerity has failed and it’s beyond time that another way to tackle our problems was tried.”

“Sinn Féin is proposing that the most vulnerable should be protected in Budget 2013.  That means protecting current welfare, disability and old age pension payments.  It means leaving the children’s allowance alone.  It means not introducing a property tax.  It means protecting frontline services from cuts and lifting the detrimental recruitment embargo so 3500 new staff can be taken on.”

“We have delivered a fully costed alternative budget to show that cuts to vital services and benefits can be avoided if the government is prepared to introduce progressive taxation measures.  First of all, a wealth tax of 1% should be introduced on net wealth over €1 million, with working farmland and business assets being protected.  A third rate of income tax at 48% should be brought in for those earning in excess of €100,000 per annum.  An emergency cap of €100,000 should be placed on all civil and public servants immediately.”

“Our full alternative budget document can be found online at www.sinnfein.ie.  I would urge people to read it and to open their minds to the very real alternatives that are available to our government, alternatives that have been avoided and in some cases covered up by the Austerity Troika of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Labour party.”

Job creation is a political choice - Kelly

Sinn Féin launched a sixty page job creation document in New Ross last week aimed at putting 156,000 unemployed people back to work, retaining 15,000 at risk jobs and stimulating the local economy over the next four years.  Local unemployed, many of whom admitted that they were considering emigrating in the coming months, viewed the plan at the meeting and had their say.

Speaking at the launch, titled ‘Investing in Ireland’s Future: Create Jobs, Create Growth’, Cllr Anthony Kelly said the plan is full costed and provided an alternative, socially responsible way to reduce the Budget deficit and create jobs.

"Sinn Féin is proposing a €13billion investment in a job-creation and economic growth strategy over four years.  This is our alternative to the failed policies of austerity favoured by Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fail, policies that have clearly failed this state and have left 20,000 Wexford people jobless."

"Our plan is fully costed by the Department of Finance.  It is not fantasy, it is not populism, it is a real opportunity to reinvigorate this nation.  This plan would create 156,000 jobs (long-term and short-term, according to the ERSI) and retain up to 15,000 jobs.  It would stem rising emigration, giving young people an opportunity to stay and make a life for themselves here in our county.  Today 46% of under 25's in Wexford are out of work.  How can we go like this?"

"Its all about political choices at the end of the day," Cllr Kelly said.  "We can choose to usher in further austerity for ordinary families in the budget or we can choose to invest in these families, to invest in their communities.  We can choose to say that it is not the job of government to create jobs as Fine Gael have said or we can recognise that it should be the absolute priority of our government to get the nation back to work.  We can choose to force in unfair taxation like the household charge or we can choose to develop strategically important assets like Rosslare Europort, getting people back to work and in doing so increasing revenue from income tax."

The Chairperson of local Sinn Féin, Oisin O' Connell outlined how the plan could be financed.

"We would use €5.8 billion in discretionary funding from the National Pension Reserve Fund," Mr O' Connell said, "€1.534 billion from the European Investment Bank and €3 billion incentivised investment from the private pension sector.  On top of this we would not allow the €2.6 billion earmarked to be cut from capital expenditure in Budget 2013 to go."

"Clearly the policies of austerity have failed the people of County Wexford.  We have areas where youth emigration has been so bad that local sports teams are struggling to field a side.  The whole fabric of our communities has been decimated.  If you want the source problem of this, and the solution, you need only ask yourself what is lacking in Wexford today.  The answer is jobs."

Jobs Plan can tackle youth unemployment epidemic in Wexford - O' Súilleabháin

A spokesperson for local Sinn Féin has branded a new jobs plan launched by his party in New Ross last week as the only answer to County Wexford's unemployment epidemic.  Speaking at the meeting, Fionntán O' Súilleabháin cited the fact that 46% of under twenty fives in this county are now unemployed as the proof that the policies of austerity have failed and now it is time to try something else.

Mr O' Súilleabháin said;

"Nearly half of all under twenty fives in this county are unemployed.  It's a shocking statistic and what makes it even worse is the knowledge that so many young people have already left Wexford looking for work abroad.  In fact that has been the governments only answer to the youth unemployment epidemic - get rid of our young people."

"Clearly the policies of austerity have failed the people of County Wexford.  We have 20,000 people unemployed in this county.  We have areas where youth emigration has been so bad that local sports teams are struggling to field a side.  The whole fabric of our communities has been decimated.  If you want the source problem of this, and the solution, you need only ask yourself what is lacking in Wexford today.  The answer is jobs."

"Both the current Fine Gael/Labour government, and the previous Fianna Fail led regime, failed spectacularly to bring jobs to County Wexford.  North Wexford has been particularly neglected.  Famously the IDA failed to bring a single job to the area during a four year period.  Clearly we need fresh innovative policies to tackle unemployment."

"Sinn Féin is proposing almost €13 billion additional investment in job creation and economic growth over the next four years.  This would create an average of 156,000 new jobs and retain up to 15000 existing jobs according to the ERSI.  To finance this we would use €5.8 billion in discretionary funding from the National Pension Reserve Fund, €1.534 billion from the European Investment Bank and €3 billion incentivised investment from the private pension sector.  On top of this we would not allow the €2.6 billion earmarked to be cut from capital expenditure in Budget 2013 to go."

"Over the coming weeks we will be bringing this plan into communities.  I would ask people to read it and to realise that there are options available to our government.  Don't allow them to say that there's no money and nothing can be done.  The situation we are in was caused by political choices.  It can be rectified by political choices but they must be the right ones, made to benefit the people and future feasibility of this state."