EUROPE SUPPORTS COUNTRIES STEALING JOBS FROM EACHOTHER

Fergus Byrne,Sinn Féin representative in Balbriggan, expressed his and Sinn Féin's outrage at the latest rediculous decision of the European Commission. The Commission has just given the green light to the Polish government to grant €54.5m in aid for a factory. This is the same factory to which giant US company Dell is moving production from Limerick with the loss of 1900 jobs.

The EU Competition Authority claimed the aid was compatible with EU rules.

“Our assessment shows that the project’s contribution to regional development and job creation in a disadvantaged region of Poland outweighs any potential negative effects”, EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said in a statement.
“For cases like this, which could present a high risk of distorting competition and where job losses in other member states have been pointed to, we need to conduct a detailed economic analysis of the market and of the impact of the aid before taking a decision”, she added.

Early this year Dell announced it was relocating to Lodz with the loss of 1,900 jobs in Limerick.

The Commission claimed its investigation had shown that job losses in Ireland would not be a consequence of the aid granted by the Polish authorities to the Lodz factory.

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said:

“This will be greeted with outrage in Limerick and across Ireland. It is another example of the folly of EU policy which prevents governments from investing in State enterprises to secure jobs but which allows massive subsidies to multinational corporations which abandon workers in one country in order to make greater profits from lower paid workers in another.”

Fergus Byrne said: "This is a decision which has consequences for communities across the whole of Ireland. What is to stop any multi-national from simply shutting down here and moving to Eastern Europe, where they can receive massive grants. What is Fianna Fáil doing to preserve jobs here? How hard is the Government fighting for Irish jobs? This government can spend billions to help its banker and developer friends, but what did they do for the Waterford Glass workers or SR Technics? The answer is next to nothing. We need a government that will fight for our jobs in Europe. We need to say No to Lisbon on Friday so the EU knows we are not a country that can be pushed around and if Fianna Fáil, Labour, Fine Gael and the Greens aren't prepared to push for Ireland's interests, then it must be the people that do that. For that reason I urge everybody to vote NO to Lisbon on Friday.

NAMA - Destroying our future to bail out the bankers and property speculators

Members of Sinn Féin from across North County Dublin turned out in force last Saturday to march against the ripping off of the Irish people, that is NAMA.

Sinn Féin Vice President Mary Lou McDonald spoke to the assembled crowds and said the Fianna Fáil/Green Party Government must fall. Ms. McDonald said any Government which prioritises greedy bankers over the welfare of children can no longer have the support of the Irish people and should be ashamed.

Ms. McDonald said, “This Government plans on spending €54billion to bail out its friends in the banking sector. That is a colossal debt to place on the shoulders of Irish citizens.

“At a time when unemployment is out of control, hospital services are being cutback and thousands of children are being taught in prefab accommodation, this Government’s sole focus has been on how the can dig their developer and banker friends out of the mess which they have created, a mess which has directly affected all of us.

“So the Government has come to us, the taxpayers, to pay for this mess. It is all of us who worked hard to build the Irish economy that are being told we must pay for this mess. But of course we are already paying for the mess with our schools and hospitals and our public services.

“But that’s not enough for this Government. No, now they want to put their hands in the pockets of every man, woman and child in the state to the tune of €12,000. And what do we get for this money? We get nothing because the NAMA plan is flawed and cannot work. So I say no! This cannot be allowed to happen.

“This Government has lost the run of itself. It is out of touch with the reality facing the vast majority of people in this state. It cannot be allowed to continue making decisions that are detrimental to our society. This Government must fall and it must fall soon.”

Referring to Government plans to target Child Benefit for cuts Ms. McDonald said:

“It is an absolute outrage that this Fianna Fáil/Green Government is about to target Child Benefit for cuts again. Many thousands of families are dependent on Child Benefit for such basic necessities as children’s food and clothing. But even these are not out of bounds for this Government.

“And now our children are also being targeted under the McCarthy Report with more education cuts and medical card cuts.

“Any Government which prioritises greedy bankers over the welfare of children can no longer have the support of the Irish people and should be ashamed of themselves. So let’s be clear, this Government needs to fall and it needs to fall soon.”

THE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE - but nobody warned us! LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE

Will Fianna Fáil ever stop lying to us?

Fianna fáil are continually trying to blame the disastrous economic situation in this country on unforeseeable world economic circumstances and in no way is Fianna Fáil, Blessed Bertie or Biffo to blame for what the nasty big world has done to Ireland. However, the fact that our economy was being run in a reckless, criminal manner was foreseen by one party, Sinn Féin. We saw the crazy government fuelled property boom for what it was and we called on the government, and other parties, to take action. We called for an end to tax and PRSI cuts because the policy was economic madness. Weere we listened to? No!

Sinn Féin repeatedly tackled government Ministers regarding their failure to take any measures to stop the escalation of house prices. We questioned government Ministers regarding the development of a property bubble and we regularly and consistently warned the Government that the reliance on property and consumption taxes could not be sustained and that the tax base needed to be broadened.

We called for the ending of tax breaks which were fuelling the property bubble and for the introduction of a tax on second homes to curb growing house prices which were seeing investors price first time buyers out of the market. We opposed the cutting of capital gains tax on the basis that it would fuel the property bubble and make it more profitable to speculate in property than to run a business.

Our record is clear, Sinn Féin opposed proposals by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour in advance of the 2007 election to cut taxes on the basis that taxes had already been cut to unsustainable levels and we opposed proposals to cut PRSI on the same basis. Any examination of Sinn Féin’s record in the Dáil from 2002 - 2007 in particular will verify these facts. All of our TDs are on record raising these points on numerous occasions.

Unfortunately, rather than consider or even listen to our views, we were described as economic illiterates and disregarded. We now see the consequences of that attitude in the extent of the economic recession

Now once again they are asking us to believe their lies. They claim NAMA is the only way to solve the banking crisis. They say that cuts to public expenditure are unavoidable and the recommendations of An Bord Snip and the Taxation Commission are the only way forward.

The fact is that Fianna Fáil has neither the mandate nor the moral authority to implement NAMA, the McCarthy report or the Commission on Taxation report. They cannot be trusted, nor do they have the competency, to steer this economy in the right direction and a general election should be called immediately.

We in Sinn Féin believe that the economic crisis created by Fianna Fáil must be tackled, but that those who can afford to pay must be asked to pay the most. Those who are either unemployed, ill, in full time education, have special needs, are raising families on modest incomes etc, these people should not be asked to suffer for the failures of Bertie, the property speculators, the greedy bankers and the super rich. No those that can afford to pay should help us through this crisis.

Nine reaons Balbriggan and the people of Fingal should say "NO TO NAMA" and bailing out the bakers and property speculators

1. Economists have estimated NAMA will cost each man, woman and child in the state €15,000 (€60-€70 billion). That's a lot of hospitals, schools, jobs and public infrastructure.

2. The Government has done nothing to help families and businesses facing repossession, negative equity and economic hardship, they still have to pay their bills, and it is raising taxes and cutting public spending to pay for the mess they, the banks and developers have made.

3. NAMA will pay more for developers' loans than they are worth and let them pay them back at their leisure.

4. The Bill relies on banks to act in 'good faith' when giving the taxpayer information about the bad loans.

5. The loans these developers were given helped to drive up house prices, so we're being made to pay twice.

6. NAMA will be able to give taxpayers' money to developers to finish projects and even force a purchase on land in the way of developments.

7. The Minister for Finance (currently a Fianna Fáiler -- the builders' friends) will have the power to overturn 'independent' valuation of developers' loans made by NAMA and pay them more.

8. There is no guarantee that the banks will start lending even after NAMA clears their bank sheets.

9. It will cost money to sort out the banks and the bad loans but nationalisation would allow us to deal with the developers, kick out the corrupt management, get banks lending again, protect homeowners and businesses, and entail the least pain for the taxpayer.

NAMA IS CLEARLY A BAD DEAL FOR ALL OF US, SO DON'T LET FIANNA FÁIL GET AWAY WITH IT.

Don't be fooled - The Lisbon treaty will impact on Irish neutrality

Sinn Féin Vice-President Mary Lou McDonald has accused the Government of misleading the public on the implications for Ireland's neutrality if the Lisbon Treaty is passed. Ms. McDonald accused the Government of applying a very narrow definition of neutrality in order to avoid the detailed implications of the Lisbon Treaty for the states neutrality.

Speaking as the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) launched its No to Lisbon Campaign Ms. McDonald said:

"The Lisbon Treaty has serious implications for our neutrality. Article 28 for the first time makes clear that the EU will have a common defence policy. The same article obliges member states to increase their military spending; draws us further into a military alliance; states that any future defence policy must be compatible with NATO; allows for the formation of mini military alliances; and expands the list of permissible military actions well beyond peace keeping and humanitarian missions.

"The Government, in an attempt to side step the issue, are applying a very narrow definition of Neutrality. Neutrality is about much more than what a country does with its troops. It is also about the alliances you are part of, the obligations created by those alliances, what you do with your resources, and what can happen in your name.

"Sinn Féin has never argued that Irish troops will be sent overseas on military missions without the consent of the Oireachtas.

"However if Lisbon is passed the significant developments in the area of common defence policy contained in the Treaty will further erode our neutrality."

Education cuts - How stupid can we be?

(Fergus Byrne campaiging against education cuts outside a balbriggan school)

The stupidity and ignorance of this government continues to amaze myself and many many others. They have created an economic catastrophe of massive proportions and what is part of their remedy for the mess? They have decided to attack the very future of our country by slashing education spending .

The effects of the cuts in education are already being felt in Balbriggan, Finagal and right across the country. The number of teachers in our schools is being cut and the number of children in each class is growing dramatically. All of this in a country where spending on education is already well below that of other European nations.

Here is a list of schools followed by the number of teachers they have lost. I ask you is this the way to safeguard our future? Be warned this is a long list and only covers parts of Dublin!! Surely we can all agree that cuts in education are madness if we want an educated and modern economy in the years to come.


87
Dublin
00714P
Lucan Boys
Lucan, Co Dublin
2







88
Dublin
00729F
Loreto NS
Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
1







89
Dublin
03359N
Ballyroan BNS
Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
1







90
Dublin
04992R
Scoil an Croi Naofa
Glasnevin, Dublin 11
1







91
Dublin
09750S
St. Joseph's BNS
Terenure, Dublin 6
1







92
Dublin
09932B
Stanhope Street
Dublin 7
1







93
Dublin
11525A
St. Patrick's NS
Drumcondra, D 9
1







94
Dublin
13447Q
Scoil Mhuire
Lucan, Co Dublin
2







95
Dublin
13612F
Pres Primary Sch
Terenure, Dublin 6W
1







96
Dublin
14586M
Caryfort NS
Blackrock, Co. Dublin
1







97
Dublin
14939T
Rathfarnham N.S.
Templeogure, Dublin 14
1







98
Dublin
15132B
Harold Boys NS
Dalkey, Co. Dublin
1







99
Dublin
15284B
Taney NS
Dundrum, Dublin 14
1







100
Dublin
15618E
Sandford NS
Ranelagh, Dublin 6
1







101
Dublin
16267G
St. Patrick's BNS
Donabate, Co. Dublin
1







102
Dublin
16332O
St. Patrick's Mxd
Skerries, Co. Dublin
1







103
Dublin
16577V
St. Brigids Convent
Glasnevin, Dublin 11
1







104
Dublin
16754R
St. Vincents Infant
67 Griffith Ave, Dublin 9
1







105
Dublin
16759E
St. Mary's CBS
Marino, Dublin 9
1







106
Dublin
16964F
Loreto College
Crumlin Rd, Dublin 12
1







107
Dublin
16970A
St. Molaga Snr
Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
1







108
Dublin
17104G
St. Francis JNS
Priorswood, Dublin 17
1







109
Dublin
17210F
St. Louis Mxd
Rathmines, Dublin 6
1







110
Dublin
17214N
St. Vincents CBS
Glasnevin, Dublin 9
1







111
Dublin
17319E
Holy Child Girls NS
Whitehall, Dublin 9
2







112
Dublin
17464N
Cabra West NS
Cabra West, Dublin 7
1







113
Dublin
17893N
Sancta Maria CBS
Synge St, Dublin 8
1







114
Dublin
17912O
Scoil Eoin Bosco
Navan Rd, Dublin 7
1







115
Dublin
17914S
St Oliver Plunkett
Malahide, Co. Dublin
1







116
Dublin
17961E
Lusk NS
Lusk, Co. Dublin
1







117
Dublin
17977T
Scoil Aine
Raheny, Dublin 5
1







118
Dublin
17978V
Naoiscoil Ide
Raheny, Dublin 5
1







119
Dublin
18047C
Scoil Bride
Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
1







120
Dublin
18323A
Scoil Lorcain
Palmerstown, Dublin 20
1







121
Dublin
18324C
Scoil Bride
Palmerstown, Dublin 20
1







122
Dublin
18342E
Scoil Bride Junior
Palmerstown, Dublin 20
1







123
Dublin
18519R
James St. CBS
James Street, Dublin 8
1







124
Dublin
18602E
Scoil Mhuire
Clondalkin, Dublin 22
1







125
Dublin
18647D
Scoil San Treasa
The Rise, Mt Merrion, Co. Dublin
1







126
Dublin
18655C
St. Josephs NS
Clondalkin, Dublin 22
1







127
Dublin
18682F
St. Canices BNS
Finglas, Dublin 11
1







128
Dublin
18683H
St. Canices GNS
Finglas, Dublin 11
1







129
Dublin
18778S
St. Mochta's NS
Clonsilla, Dublin 15
1







130
Dublin
18976W
Colmcille Boys NS
Swords, Co. Dublin
1







131
Dublin
18977B
Colmcille Girls NS
Swords, Co. Dublin
1







132
Dublin
19158Q
St. Peter's Boys
Greenhills, Dublin 12
1







133
Dublin
19220S
Scoil Naomh Ide
Clondalkin, Dublin 22
1







134
Dublin
19320W
Our Lady Good Counsel Boys
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
1







135
Dublin
19321B
Our Lady Good Counsel GNS
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
1







136
Dublin
19335M
Scoil na Aingeal
Blackrock, Co. Dublin
1







137
Dublin
19390U
St. Mark's Sen NS
Springfield, Tallaght, Co. Dublin
1







138
Dublin
19393D
St. Josephs JNS
Verbena Estate, Dublin 13
1







139
Dublin
19438W
Scoil Colmcille SNS
Ballybrack, Co. Dublin
1







140
Dublin
19454U
Darndale Junior NS
Darndale, Malahide Rd, Dublin 17
1







141
Dublin
19456B
St. Cronan Mixed NS
Swords, Co. Dublin
1







142
Dublin
19466E
St. Kevin's Girls NS
Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, Dublin 24
1







143
Dublin
19470S
St. Francis Xavier
Coolmine, Castleknock, Dublin 15
1







144
Dublin
19471U
ST Paul's Junior NS
Ayrfield, Malahide Rd, Dublin13
1







145
Dublin
19472W
ST Mark's Junior N S
Springfield, Tallaght, Dublin 24
1







146
Dublin
19473B
Scoil Bhride
Donaghmede, Dublin 13
1







147
Dublin
19494J
Bishop Galvin NS
Orwell Park,Templeogue, D16
1







148
Dublin
19496N
Scoil Fhiachra Soisir
Beaumont, Dublin 5
2







149
Dublin
19510E
Talbot Senior NS
Bawnogue, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
1







150
Dublin
19515O
SN Naomh Treasa
Baile Brigin, Co Ath Cliath
1







151
Dublin
19574H
Marley Grange NS
Marley Grange, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
1







152
Dublin
19612M
Dalkey School Project
Glenageary Lodge, Glenageary, Co Dublin
1







153
Dublin
19623R
St Paul's JNS
Greenhills, Walkinstown, Dublin 12
2







154
Dublin
19624T
Scoil Nais Caitriona
Kenure, Rush, Co Dublin
1







155
Dublin
19627C
John Paul II N S
Sonesta, Malahide, Co Dublin
2







156
Dublin
19628E
St Fiachras SNS
Beaumont, Montrose Dublin 5
1







157
Dublin
19660A
Rush NS
Rush, Co Dublin
1







158
Dublin
19661C
ST Gabriel's NS
Dominican Campus, Ballyfermot, D10
1







159
Dublin
19669S
Lady of Good Counsel NS
Mourne Rd, Drimnagh, Dublin 12
1







160
Dublin
19694R
Scoil Mhuire Sin
Blakestown, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15
1







161
Dublin
19742C
St Colmcille Senior NS
Knocklyon, Dublin 16
2







162
Dublin
19755L
Sacred Heart NS
Huntstown, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15
1







163
Dublin
19762I
St Helen's Senior NS
Martello, Portmarnock, Co Dublin
1







164
Dublin
19769W
Scoil Thomais
Laurel Lodge, Castleknock, Dublin 15
3







165
Dublin
19782O
St Brigid's NS
Brookfield, Talaght, Dublin 24
1







166
Dublin
19817H
St Mary's NS
Woodview, Esker, Lucan, Co Dublin
1







167
Dublin
19834H
St Aidan's NS
Brookfield, Tallaght, Dublin 24
1







168
Dublin
19837N
Drimnagh Castle CBS NS
Drimnagh Castle, Dublin 12
1







169
Dublin
19865S
Archbishop Ryan JNS
Balgaddy, Lucan, Co Dublin
1







170
Dublin
19889J
Scoil Colm
Armagh Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12
1







171
Dublin
19929S
St Brigid's Senior Girls
Finglas West, Dublin 11
1







172
Dublin
19939V
Scoil Naisiunta an Dea Aoire
Whitehall Road, Churchtown, Dublin 14
1







173
Dublin
20029M
St Brigid's Infant NS
Wellmount Avenue, Finglas West, Dublin 11
1







174
Dublin
20103V
John Scottus NS
Northumberland Road, Dublin 4
1







175
Dublin
20152L
North Dublin Muslim NS Project
C/O St Joseph's School For the Deaf, Navan Road, Dublin 7
4







176
Dublin
20309S
Mary Mother of Hope JNS
Littlepace, Castaheany, Dublin 15