BALBRIGGAN - SINN FÉIN

"Tánaiste Coughlan has failed the people of SR Technics and remains indifferent to their plight"

2010-02-19T12:55:00.000-08:00

Commenting on Government indifference to the former workers at SR Technics Balbriggan representative Fergus Byrne said:

“The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment needs to give an undertaking that she will immediately underwrite the applications from former SR Technic employees for third-level education courses while they await confirmation of the European Globalisation Fund to ensure that these people get access to courses before the close off date for funding under the Fund in October 2011.

“There needs to be an undertaking from the Minister that she will directly intervene in the decision by the Dublin Institute of Technology not to proceed with the proposed acceleration of the Engineering Systems Maintenance course for the former SR Technic employees, because of the failure by her Department to commit to, or underwrite funds for the course.”

“These former employees of SR Technics have been left in limbo. The application to the European Commission to draw down the European Globalisation Fund has been further delayed and in the meantime, these people are unable to take up the training and education courses that were promised to them eleven months on. All the minister has to do is to underwrite the funding of these courses but so far she has failed to do that, or to even give a commitment that she will.

“A proclaimed central plank of Government policy has been the development of the knowledge economy and the further training and upskilling of workers. However when I challenged the Minister today to underwrite funding for the course at DIT, she sat completely ignorant and indifferent to the plight of these workers.

“The Government and especially the Tánaiste have failed the people of SR Technics; failed to retain their jobs, failed to create alternative employment for them and now failed to guarantee them education, upskilling and training.”

Byrne welcomes Agreement

2010-02-10T13:37:00.003-08:00

Balbriggan Sinn Féin reopresentative Fergus Byrne has welcomed today's Agreement announced at Hillsborough Castle.

He said:

"The Agreement announced today is a very significant step forward for all the people of Ireland. I commend the Sinn Féin negotiators, the DUP negotiators and those of all parties and both Governments who contributed to this very welcome and positive development.

"Republicans throughout Ireland have been very patient not only over recent weeks but over recent years with regard to the vital issue of policing. A date has now finally been set for the long overdue transfer of policing and justice powers from London to Belfast. That is a major achievement and it will also be a major challenge to ensure that policing services are delivered equitably and efficiently for all communities and that the justice system is independent and fully rights-based.

"I welcome especially the commitment to work on the outstanding issues from the St. Andrew's Agreement. That must include completion and full working of the all-Ireland structures, including the North-South Parliamentary Forum. Only yesterday in the Good Friday Agreement Implementation Committee in the Oireachtas we discussed the progress being made in all-Ireland co-operation on education and how so much more can yet be done. The same applies in areas like health, transport, employment creation, agriculture and so on.

"The real test of this Agreement will be how it delivers improvements in the daily life condition of ordinary people, not only in the Six Counties but across this island."

Government failing to deal with organised crime – Byrne

2010-02-10T13:36:00.001-08:00

Balbriggan Sinn Féin reopresentative Fergus Byrne said the current rise in organised crime shows that serial legislative change by the government has failed to deliver.

Byrne said money obtained by the Criminal Assets Bureau should be re-directed into community development.

He said:

“The amendments to the motion by the government are disgraceful. They are self-congratulatory and are in denial of the real facts about the increase in crime.

“While Garda numbers have risen many still do not have access to basic tools to perform their job such as new technologies and even email in some cases.

“The civilianisation of Garda administrative functions has not reached targets due to poor organisation and planning.

“The government should ring-fence money obtained by the Criminal Assets Bureau into community development and targeting the causes of crime. Crime prevention must be properly resourced.

“The current crisis with regards to organised crime shows that serial legislative change by the government has failed to deliver.

“There is currently not enough provision for community policing. Increasing community policing would reduce crime and enable contact with the community and opportunities for information gathering that would far outweigh any costs involved.

“As part of any strategy to target organised crime we must increase regulation of cash for gold schemes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these often provide a ready made market for stolen goods and have led to a rise in aggravated burglaries and bogus callers.

“There has also been a complete failure to date at national and EU level to address legal drugs.

“Although it is important to implement a National Drugs Strategy for 2009-2016, the first period of the National Drugs Strategy made no dent in drug use, in fact drug use increased substantially.”

What kind of country do we live in if we won't even give proper care to sick children?

2010-01-30T03:00:00.000-08:00

“Continued closure of ward at Crumlin Children’s Hospital a disgrace” - Byrne SF

Balbriggan Sinn Féin representative Fergus Byrne has described as “a disgrace” the continued closure of a 25-bed ward at Crumlin Children’s Hospital. Byrne said:

“Cuts at Crumlin Children’s Hospital last year received national attention as parents of very sick children were forced to protest and seek media coverage of their plight. The closure of the 25-bed St. Joseph’s Ward was supposed to be temporary, with the facility reopening this year. We now find that the ward is to remain closed, with the knock-on effect of continuing cancellations and unacceptably long waiting lists for operations and procedures, some of them life-saving.

“In a Dáil debate on the hospital last year Health Minister Mary Harney described Crumlin as ‘a centre of excellence, delivering outstanding care to the sick children of Ireland’ and ‘the tertiary hospital for the vast majority of children with a serious illness’. Such honeyed words are meaningless when the Minister presides over a situation where the hospital is struggling and sick children and their parents are being put through further unnecessary anguish.

“If Minister Harney diverted to Crumlin Children’s Hospital even some of the taxpayers money squandered in tax breaks for the developers of private hospitals then not only could the closed ward be reopened but services at Crumlin could be expanded further.”

FAS - Enough of this nonsense. This government must get FAS tackling the jobs crisis

2010-01-30T02:49:00.000-08:00

“Plan on internal control at FÁS effectively gave a two-fingered salute to taxpayers" – Byrne SF

"The Report published today has shown conclusively that the blatant disregard for the plan of internal control at FÁS effectively gave a two-fingered salute to taxpayers in respect of best value for money and the training services provided.

"Following on from the other two reports in the Comptroller and Auditor General’s series on FÁS, today’s report should be the nail in the coffin for corrupt and crony practises that only served to benefit the Directors, the Ministers and senior civil servants.

"The new Board at FÁS have inherited the worst unemployment pandemic this country has ever seen and they cannot afford to be complacent. The actions of their predecessors have left a bitter taste in everyone’s mouths and this report magnifies the extent to which FÁS has been corrupted.

"The fact that certification could not be carried out competently by the State’s training and employment authority is an indictment on the former Board of FÁS and the Minister, and reinforces the responsibility of the Board to carry out their functions diligently.

"At a time when there are 426,700 people on the Live Register, when FÁS is needed most, the agency cannot be consumed by anymore scandals. The Minister needs to be proactive rather than reactive and should be in constant dialogue with both the Board of FÁS and indeed the workforce."

A FAS organisation that is open and effective is what the unemployed need! Not one which is full of Fianna fáil cronies.

2010-01-23T07:04:00.000-08:00

Commenting after the Commencement Order for the Labour Services (Amendment) Act 2009 was signed by the Tánaiste on the 21st Jan 2010, Balbriggan Sinn Féin representative Fergus Byrne expressed his apprehensions about the Act, questioning the undiluted power given to the Minister and he set the task to the new Board to get FÁS back on track.

Byrne said:
“On publishing this legislation, the Tánaiste heralded a ‘root and branch cultural change in accountability and transparency at the organisation. But really the scandals at FÁS were the symptom, not the disease. The disease of corruption, cronyism, and careless expenditure is rotting away at public confidence, not only in State Bodies, but in the roots of Government itself.

“This Act on whole is a farce. Public confidence cannot be restored in FÁS while Mary Coughlan is at the healm, while undiluted Ministerial power still wields excessive influence over FÁS and its organisation. This Act may be doing a clear-out, but we are really only sweeping the dirt under the carpet. If the Minister is serious about reform, restructuring and fairness, she would not have afforded herself the powers that this Act lays down.

“The jury is still out on the new Board but I want to emphasise that they have a lot to prove in their new positions. At a time when there are 426,700 people on the Live Register, when FÁS is needed most, the agency cannot be consumed by anymore scandals. The people will take no more. What we need is vision to get this economy going again; to get people into education, training and employment. The culture of cronyism in some sections of FÁS needs to be wiped out completely and I hope the provisions for ‘whistleblower’ protection will have a key part in doing this

Same to you Mary Harney!

2010-01-23T06:59:00.000-08:00

"Balbriggan Sinn Féin representative Fergus Byrne has called on the Taoiseach to sack the Minister for Health & Children and to dump the policies which she has pursued after the numbers of patients on trolleys in overcrowded hospital A&E units reached a record number of 500 on Wednesday.

Byrne stated:
“The crisis in our over-crowded hospital A&E departments is now worse than ever. Long forgotten by Minister Harney is her declaration of a ‘national emergency’ when there were actually fewer patients on trolleys than there were on Wednesday.

“As this crisis deepens the HSE is actually proposing to reduce the number of acute hospital beds by a further 1,100 in its plan for 2010. If 500 patients are on trolleys with the existing acute hospital bed shortage how many will there be under the HSE plan? 1,000? 2,000?

“The Taoiseach should sack the totally discredited Health Minister Mary Harney and he should dump the health policies which she has pursued on behalf of a succession of Fianna Fáil-led governments. This is not to in any way lessen the responsibility of all the members of those Governments for health care chaos, but to emphasise that a dramatic change in direction must be brought about.”

WHAT THE IRISH GOVERNMENT DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW!!!

2009-12-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE WHAT

THE IRISH GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WANT

ITS PEOPLE TO KNOW.

http://www.amnesty.ie/live/irish/default.asp

Sinn Féin TD's stand with public sector workers in fighting back against this government

2009-11-28T06:51:00.001-08:00

Sinn Féin press conference announcing our budget proposals. there is an alternative to the cuts planned by this government

2009-11-28T06:50:00.000-08:00

A Toxic dump in the middle of the best agricultural land in Ireland? No local Green party TD would allow that, or would they?

2009-10-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

Fergus Byrne, Sinn Féin representative for the Balbriggan area, expressed his anger at An Bord Pleanála decision to give the green light for a controversial new landfill at Nevitt, Lusk, Co Dublin. He said, “This is yet another blow to the local community in North County Dublin and especially those trying to promote and develop the agricultural sector in the region. For years now The Nevitt Lusk Action Group have fought this plan and they have highlighted that Fingal County Council's own consultant’s have confirmed the Nevitt aquifer as a future water supply for the area. Given this fact I ask anybody to tell me how it can make sense to place a toxic dump right in the middle of such a water supply for an area that is famous throughout the country for producing food!”

We in Sinn Féin would like to put on record that we feel this decision simply does not make any sense what so ever. At this time all those involved in the agricultural sector are struggling to compete with cheap food imports and as a result jobs are under threat or being lost. However, one of the advantages that Irish farmers have is our country’s reputation for producing quality HEALTHY food products. This is a market advantage we must build on to grow this sector of the economy, increase exports and secure jobs. So what happens? Bord Pleanála decide to put a toxic dump in the middle of the best agricultural land in Ireland! This is clearly MADNESS!!!

Fergus Byrne further stated that local people should demand that Trevor Sargent take action now to stop this development. He said, “What is the point in having the Green Party in government, and an ex Green Party leader as our local TD, if he won’t do anything to protect the environment and agricultural jobs in our area. I would encourage everybody to contact Trevor ASAP and let him know that we demand he do something to prevent a toxic dump being located in the heartland of Irish agriculture. It is only by people putting pressure on now that this disastrous decision can be reversed.”

The contact details for Trevor Sargent are as follows. His office number 01 8900 360, or you can leave a comment on his website www.trevorsargent.ie or go along to his clinic in Balbriggan, Friday evenings, 7.00-7.30pm: Hamilton Room, 2nd floor, Town Hall, Balbriggan, or Swords, Saturday mornings, 10.00-10.30am: Constituency office, 2 Glebeview, Rivermall (off Main St. - adjacent to Wise Owl Bookshop), Swords.

Sinn Féin call for legislation to bring an end to self assessed performance related bonuses such as the €70,000 awarded to HSE Chief Executive Brendan Drumm

2009-10-16T11:36:00.000-07:00

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh called for legislation to bring an end to self assessed performance related bonuses such as the €70,000 awarded to HSE Chief Executive Brendan Drumm.

Speaking this afternoon after his Dáil engagement with the Tánaiste Deputy Ó Snodaigh said:

“Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has given a commitment that no bonuses will be paid out for the period covering 2008 and 2009. This, quite simply, is not good enough. These types of grossly excessive and unwarranted payments must be consigned to the past with the rest of Fianna Fáil’s economic concepts.

“People in my constituency and throughout Ireland are disgusted to hear of the €70,000 payment to Brendan Drumm for his role in overseeing the destruction of our public hospital network.

“At Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin many children are waiting for urgent operations as the resources are not forthcoming to deal with demand. Yet this Government feels justified in paying Brendan Drumm, a public servant on a higher salary than the Taoiseach, €70,000 in a bonus payment.

“Brendan Drumm should be ashamed to look for a bonus when sick children are having urgent operations cancelled. It symbolizes everything that is rotten with this state.

“This money and the monies from other excessive bonus payments to health service managers should be put into frontline services. Suspending these payments is not good enough. Legislation must be amended to ensure that these grossly excessive payments are never again permitted.”

AER LINGUS - WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF EUROPE AND TAKE POSITIVE ACTION TO SAVE JOBS

2009-10-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

Fergus Byrne, Sinn Féin representative Balbriggan, has expressed his support for Aer Lingus workers in the face of the company’s plans for massive redundancies affecting 676 jobs covering all aspects of its operations.

Fergus Byrne pointed out that once again we are seeing yet another example of panicked and negative thinking on behalf of employers in Ireland. Yes the company, and indeed the country, has severe problems, but simply throwing people onto the dole queues is not the way to tackle them.

Sinn Féin demands that the government take immediate steps to stop any job loses at Aer Lingus and fully supports the workers involved and the demand by their trade union representatives that the threat to their jobs is lifted.

What is needed is for the government to recognise that they can no longer stand aside and allow good jobs to simply disappear. Such inaction by the government creates a viscous circle whereby their refusal to act leads to increased unemployment, this then reduces government tax income and leads to increased social welfare spending, which makes the whole finical crisis in the country worse.

People need to remember that it is not public sector wages that are draining the public finances, but rather having to finance the 400,000 plus people this government has put on the dole queues.

But there is an alternative!

This government was quick enough to jump in and bail out the bankers and property speculators, so now let them help a major employer like Aer lingus get over this difficult period. In Germany and other European economies time limited subsidies are given to struggling companies so that they can keep on their employees. These subsidies help cut the company’s wage bill and it to spend time in upskilling its employees. This is what is needed at Aer Lingus.

The latest world economic figures show many countries are beginning to come out of recession and this will no doubt lead to increased air travel. The present downturn in the industry is therefore expected to be reversed and Aer Lingus needs to be a position to respond quickly to this. If the government takes positive action NOW to maintain jobs in Aer Lingus then the company will have the experienced personnel in place to respond positively to increased consumer demand.

What the people of North Dublin do not want to hear is empty words from local Fianna Fáil or Green Party representatives saying they support the workers and their families. Instead this government needs to show the people of Ireland and North County Dublin that it understands the pain of unemployment and is prepared to do everything in its power to help keep people in jobs.

EUROPE SUPPORTS COUNTRIES STEALING JOBS FROM EACHOTHER

2009-09-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-23T09:47:00.001-07:00

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

2009-09-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-09-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

(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

Local Community stops arcarde from opening at Castle Mill Shopping Centre

2009-08-27T10:28:00.001-07:00

Last month Sinn Féin highlighted that a developer planned to open an amusement arcade in Castle Mill Shopping Centre. http://balbriggansinnfein.blogspot.com/2009/07/they-want-to-put-amusement-arcade-in.html

The local community and local businesses were greatly opposed to such a plan and a campaign to lobby the council to reject this proposal was mounted. I am pleased to say that this campaign was successful and the planning application for a change of use of the premises concerned was rejected by Fingal County Council.

This case shows that when people are motivated and become involved in issues concerning their community, then positive things can happen.

Once again Balbriggan Sinn Féin wishes to congratulate all those involved with this campaign.

Boycott Thomas Cook Now!

2009-08-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

Members of Sinn Féin in Balbriggan protested today at the Four Courts in Dublin at the disgraceful treatment of Thomas Cook workers. At 5.30 am this morning over 100 members of the Gardaí smashed their way into the Thomas Cook offices in Dublin and arrested over 20 members of staff. These offices had been occupied by the workers because the management of the company had arrived from England on 31st July and told the staff they were closing the store as soon as staff had left the building.

Understandably staff took the action to occupy the building as there had not been full negotiations on redundancy and neither was a reasonable period of notice given to the staff.

Fergus Byrne, Sinn Féin representative in Balbriggan, said that, "The treatment of the staff at Thomas Cook has been a disgrace. The company made over 400 million euro profit last year and the Managing Director received a 5 million euro bonus. Yet look how they treat their employees. Sinn Féin stands 100% behind the Thomas Cook employees and advises everybody to boycott Thomas Cook until such time as they show some respect for their Irish workforce."

Speaking today as workers employed by Thomas Cook were arrested for standing up for their rights Dublin Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh said the distorted priorities of the Irish judiciary and the Garda Siochana speak volumes for how this country has gotten into such deep recession.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh said: “Where was the judiciary when the Irish banks were shamelessly engaged in reckless lending practises, when loans were hidden, when creative accountancy hid the real state of the Irish financial sector from the taxpayer who is set to pick up the tab?
“White collar crime goes unpunished in this State; in fact it goes rewarded as we have seen with the release of the NAMA legislation last week, yet ordinary workers are being held to account in front of a High court Judge for trying to secure a fair and equitable redundancy deal for themselves.

“When more than 150 officers from Pearse Street Garda station broke down the door of the Thomas Cook premises on Grafton Street after 5am this morning, the failings of the Irish justice system could not have been any more obvious. Mr Justice Peart ordered their arrest when they failed to vacate the premises following a court order issued on Saturday. What crime did they commit? What injustice did these ordinary people bring upon the Irish state? Did they engage in reckless lending practises, using bank deposits to play in a global banking casino? No, these ordinary workers were standing up for their rights; their right to a decent redundancy package of 8 weeks per each year of service.

“The distorted priorities of the Irish judiciary and the Garda Siochana speak volumes for how this country has gotten into such deep recession; punish the ordinary worker to please the profiteers. Actions speak louder than words and the sight of a pregnant worker being led to a Garda van, after having tried to secure a sufficient remuneration for herself gives us an indication of the actions that ail our country.

“Despite the banking sectors legacy of reckless lending that has driven us into a recession, not a single government Minister or banking executive has been held to account. Yet we arrest a pregnant woman for defending her rights.”

We save the banks and they turn around and screw us!

2009-08-01T02:23:00.000-07:00

Would the 3 EEJITS please get off your backsides and do something about this!

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan has refused to intervene in Permanent TSB’s decision to hike up interest rates on mortgage holders, thus negating the recent European Central Bank reductions. The minister’s comment that the increase reflects commercial market realities is breathtakingly arrogant and illustrates magnificently in whose interests his decisions are made.

Lenihan has mooted a possible reduction in the minimum wage and his government is actively considering reducing social welfare payments, as recommended by the McCarthy Report. At every turn this government is attacking the low-paid and the vulnerable and doing whatever it takes to protect the profits on the banks.

It is interesting to note that one of the minister’s appointees to the Permanent TSB board is Ray McSharry, the former Minister for Finance who appointed Colm McCarthy to the original ‘An Bord Snip’ in 1987.

The European Central Bank’s interest rate reductions that have been so instrumental in bringing down costs of living will be negated if the Government gives this signal to the banking sector that it is OK to hike up rates. Taking money out of the general economy and putting it into the coffers of financial institutions profits is economically inept and socially reckless.

They want to put an amusement arcade in the Castle Mill Shopping Centre – Are they mad?

2009-07-28T00:53:00.000-07:00

Sinn Féin in Balbriggan stands with the local community in opposing plans for an amusement arcade in the Castle Mill Shopping Centre.

The company 1800 Flowers Ltd of Kildalton, Pilltown, Co Kilkenny, has recently submitted a planning application to convert unit 5 of Castle Mill Shopping Centre into an amusement arcade and it is planned that the arcade would be open from 10 am to 11 pm every day.

Sinn Féin in Balbriggan is 100% behind the residents and businesses in the area who have submitted objections to this proposal.

The area around the shopping centre is a relatively new community and is highly populated. As with many new communities in Ireland a lack of good planning has led to a lack of resources for young people and this in turn has led to instances of anti-social behaviour.

Local residents and community Gardai are working hard together to combat this anti-social behaviour and progress is being made. However, the placing of an amusement arcade in the Castle Mill Shopping Centre will be a disaster for the local community. It will no doubt act as a magnet for anti social elements from right across a very wide area and this will without doubt cause problems for many local residents.

The planning application has stated that the arcade will employ security staff between 6 pm and closing. This itself is a clear admission of the problems associated with amusement arcades. However, will these security staff help the local residents in the area when the kids are hanging around across the street or down the road? No.

The decision on the planning application will be made on 3rd August. If it is approved then there is a further 4-week period in which an appeal to that decision can be made.

We in Sinn Féin say that the council must reject this application now and if it is not rejected then Sinn Féin will assist the local community in mobilising opposition to the opening of the arcade. If the council planning department refuses to make the correct decision, then the local community must help them see that local people will not put up with such nonsense.

As a next step in that process Balbriggan Sinn Féin is sending a letter to the company that owns the premises stating that we will actively oppose the opening of the amusement arcade and we will help to organise pickets etc.

An Bord Snip - Written by the rich and aimed at making the poor pay.

2009-07-26T02:54:00.000-07:00

THERE has been an angry reaction across the 26 Counties to the recommendations to government of ‘An Bord Snip Nua’ published on 16 July.€5.3 billion of spending cuts, mainly affecting health, education and social welfare, and thousands of job losses have been recommended by the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes chaired by economist Colm McCarthy.

What have been widely described as ‘slash and burn’ recommendations have received an angry reception from health and disability groups, teachers, public sector workers, farmers’ organisations, gardaí and the defence forces. Trade unions representing workers have threatened industrial action if the government proceeds with the recommendations to attack jobs and pay.

Who wrote the report?

Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD has said Irish society cannot afford to implement the proposed cuts. Morgan criticised Colm McCarthy for proposing cuts to the lowest earners in society while earning €1,000 a week for preparing the report.

"The government needs to question how, in advance of the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion in 2010, Ireland will be dealing its harshest blow yet to those struggling families that have lost their incomes as a result of job losses, those families who have to wait weeks to get any sort of subsistence from the State, the families that were encouraged to take out exponential mortgages and now have no means to make payment. For the Irish Government that are so keen to redeem themselves in the eyes of foreign lenders, the European Year will highlight how the government has failed those on the margins of society, especially if An Bord Snip’s recommendations are to be adopted.

"I especially find the remarks on welfare payments being a disincentive to labour participation repugnant. While members of the group may be privileged enough to have a career and an extra job on the side, ordinary Irish people are struggling to keep their jobs or indeed to find a job. No-one takes pride in having to stand in a queue for Social Welfare or having to scrape by on the crumbs afforded to them by government."

"Colm McCarthy surely is Doctor Evil in this respect for he has prescribed more pain and misery for the poor as a form of recovery for everyone else."

Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said the government has made a conscious and motivated decision to bail out the banks, indebting taxpayers for decades to come, but refuses to stimulate the economy to keep people employed and is quite happy to cut dole payments at the same time.Sinn Féin, he said, had identified €80 billion worth of savings which don’t target the vulnerable, through abandoning the "ludicrous NAMA plan". He added, "The government is on a crash diet. They don’t care about the long-term consequences, they just want to inflict pain now on sections of the economy which they have no vested interests in so they can make-up for their own mistakes and look good to international suitors."

He said the vast majority of the proposals in the ‘Bord Snip’ report should not be implemented. "The government should make this clear and not allow people struggling on social welfare or at risk of losing their jobs, to be worried sick about how they will survive."

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development Martin Ferris TD said: "There must be many people around the country wondering what they did to deserve the punishment recommended to be visited on them by Colm McCarthy who was one of the cheerleaders of the disastrous property bubble that is behind much of the current mess. Indeed as recently as May 2007 DKM Consultants, which provides Mr. McCarthy with one of his other lucrative nixers, was advising people that the property outlook was bright and predicted an increase in construction output in 2009. Ironically that report was done in conjunction with the incompetent speculators of EBS.

"So it will come as no comfort to ordinary decent people around this country that the bill for the mess created by these people will arrive not at the door of the property speculators, gambling bankers, tax exiles and their puppets in the Galway tent but at those of decent hard working people whose lives and society are threatened by the consequences of the excesses and stupidity and greed of the wealthy unproductive elite."

Meanwhile Donegal Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty said, "Colm McCarthy and the other members of An Bord Snip Nua are all significantly high earners who are so far removed from the reality facing the hundreds of thousands of people dependent on social welfare that they are not qualified to recommend cuts to social welfare payments. This also goes for the members of government who will now try to implement the disgraceful cutbacks contained in the Bord Snip report.

Commenting on the report Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said that if implemented its proposals would have devastating social consequences.

He said:"As well as dismantling the health service, effectively abolishing the medical card system, slashing social welfare, increasing the pupil-teacher ratio in our already under-funded schools and reducing special needs assistants, the recommendations of this report directly threaten the future sustainability of rural communities."

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said the Government has no mandate to implement the sweeping measures in the report which would "devastate healthcare for the sick, education for children, care for older people and social supports for all those who need them". He called for a national debate on the way forward and a General Election.

"Our public health system is already suffering because of the continuing cuts which began in 2007. If the further cuts in this report are implemented the public health system will be plunged deeper into crisis with very serious consequences for patients. There is already a shortfall of hospital beds and nurses, insufficient numbers of GPs, inadequate primary care, long waiting lists, and cuts to a whole range of services such as home helps. To impose more cuts in health and social care services would be worthy of Thatcher at her worst and such cuts will be resisted", he said.

The fight against drugs in Balbriggan - Let's involve the community

2009-07-05T02:14:00.000-07:00

Local Sinn Féin representative Fergus Byrne has welcomed the seizure of €1.5m worth of drugs in Balbriggan on Wednesday and we in Sinn Féin commend the Gardaí for their action.

This seizure of drugs worth €1.5m in Balbriggan will undoubtedly be a serious blow to the drugs gang responsible and Balbriggan Sinn Féin would like to congratulate the Garda officers involved.

However, whilst this Garda operation is to be welcomed it is clear from the last year or so that increased seizures are evidence of increased demand and availability of drugs in our cities and towns. A further example of this is the fact that there are more people seeking help for addiction now than for a number of years.

We all know that illegal drug use has a devastating impact on the lives on individuals, families and communities and if we in Balbriggan do not deal with this problem now then the long-term consequences could be disastrous.

Sinn Féin has a long history of supporting local communities across Dublin in trying to combat the scourge of drugs in their area. From that experience we know that the only way to tackle the drug problem is through a combined approach involving the Gardaí, support agencies for drug users and the local community.
　
What the government must do to help tackle the problem is to show a real commitment to taking positive action. Whether the government likes it or not what is needed is
1) EXTRA RESOURCES for the Garda drug squads.
2) EXTRA RESOURCES and increased funding for those working at the coal face in dealing with drug addiction.
3) Commitment to involving the community in the fight against drugs.

On a local level we must push our Fingal County Council and Balbriggan Town Council to give increased support and publicity to the excellent work carried out drug treatment groups active in our local areas.

However, we in Sinn Féin believe that the best way to beat drugs is by involving the local community. Initiatives such as the confidential non-Garda "dial to stop drug dealing" free phone number 1800 220 220 are to be welcomed and should be used by local people to report drug dealing in their area.

However, we also believe that the Gardaí need to actively work with local residents groups in helping to deal with all sorts of anti-social activity within a community, including drugs. Local people know what is happening in their area and they need to feel confident that the Gardaí are there to support them in keeping their community a safe place.

What is required is a positive programme to encourage the setting up of Residents Groups throughout Balbriggan. These groups should have good links with the local council and Gardaí in order to help address the needs of the local community. Local people are willing and able to help address problems in their areas, but they need to feel they have support.

If these steps are taken NOW and communites are actively supported in looking after their area, then we can win the fight against drugs in Balbriggan. However, if not then the problem of illegal drug use, and the criminality that accompanies it, will only get worse.

Balbriggan Sinn Féin opposes the cuts at Crumlin Childrens' Hospital

2009-06-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

Fergus Byrne and members of Sinn Féin from the Balbriggan area joined with crowds protesting at the cuts planned for Crumlin Children's Hospital.

The impact of the cuts imposed by this government on our children’s healthcare is stark. Mary Harney remains wedded to the PDs failed privatisation agenda and she continues on hand in hand with her government partners Fianna Fáil and the Green’s.

The HSE has increased it’s spend on private hospital procedures for children over a recent year period by an astonishing 8,400%. In 2004 the HSE spent €54,536 on sub-contracting operations on children to private hospitals. By 2008 that figure had risen to over 4.5 million euro. In total the government has diverted €16.5 million euro between 2004 and 2008 away from public health service provision for children
to private hospitals.

Health Minister Mary Harney has imposed a range of savage cutbacks on Crumlin and Tallaght Children’s Hospital including the closure of an operating theatre which will result in the delay or cancellation of more than 2,000 operations and the closure of two wards in Crumlin due to a miserly €9.6 shortfall in funding from government. Take this shortfall in the context of the most recent government Anglo bail out of €4 billion and it is clear where this governments priorities lie.

Our Lady’s is a national centre of excellence for the care of children yet the government refuses to adequately fund its needs to operate effectively.

Privatisation of public services does not work. It didn’t work during the celtic tiger’s years and it will not work during the recession. If
billions of euro can be found at a moments notice to bail out a bad bank like Anglo then a similar commitment and approach needs to be embraced by this government to our children’s healthcare.

From the days of Dev Fianna Fáil’s record when it comes to the care and well being of our children, particularly the most vulnerable, is disgraceful. They have never cherished all of the children equally nor have they prioritised their education, their care and their health.

We in Balbriggan Sinn Féin say that the money was there to save the bankers and property developers, so why is it not there to save our children?

Remembering the Past: Theobald Wolfe Tone

2009-06-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

BY MÍCHEÁL Mac DONNCHA

THEOBALD Wolfe Tone was born at 44 Stafford Street (now Wolfe Tone Street), Dublin, in 1763. His father was a coachmaker and the family was relatively prosperous. Tone studied law at Trinity College Dublin and in London but never practised. His adventurous character drew him to military affairs and to politics.

Observing Irish politics, reading Irish history and hearing news of the revolution in France in 1789, Tone quickly made what he called “a great discovery”. He concluded that “the influence of England was the radical vice of our Government, and consequently that Ireland would never be either free, prosperous or happy until she was independent”. His first pamphlet (The Spanish War) was published in 1790 and argued for Irish neutrality and non-involvement in Britain’s wars.

In 1791, Tone addressed a pamphlet to the Dissenters, the Irish Presbyterians, whom he described as “patriotic and enlightened” but still subject to prejudices. An Argument on Behalf of the Catholics of Ireland urged their support for full civil rights for the majority of their fellow Irish people. In his autobiography, Tone described his purpose:
“To subvert the tyranny of our execrable government, to break the connection with England, the never-failing source of all our political evils, and to assert the independence of my country – there were my objects.
“To unite the whole people of Ireland, to abolish the memory of all past dissensions, and to substitute the common name of Irishman in place of the denominations of Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter – these were my means.”

UNITED IRISHMEN

That same year, Tone was one of the founders of the Society of United Irishmen.
Beginning in Dublin and Belfast, the society quickly spread across the country. The society asserted that “in the present great era of reform... all government is acknowledged to originate from the people, and to be so far only obligatory as it protects their rights and promotes their welfare”.

The society called for the “radical reform of the representation of the people in parliament” and unity of the people to counteract the influence of England. This first declaration fell short of calling for separation from England but Tone wrote to his friend, Thomas Russell, saying that the need for Irish independence was “my most decided opinion”.

The British Government saw the danger to its regime from the United Irishmen and it attempted to sew divisions among the Irish people and to suppress the Society. The wealthy Catholics and their hierarchy were mollified with the establishment of Maynooth College in 1795, sustained by English grants in return for pledges of loyalty to the English connection. At the same time, the Orange Order was established to stir up sectarian hatred, especially in Ulster.

Tone was forced into exile in America 1795. Before his departure he met with Thomas Russell, Henry Joy McCracken and others on Cave Hill in Belfast and they pledged “never to desist until we had subverted the authority of England over our country and asserted our independence”.

From America, Tone went to France, where he persuaded the revolutionary government to aid the Irish struggle for freedom. In 1796, he sailed for Ireland with a French fleet, reaching as far as Bantry Bay before being forced by storms to return to France.

Undaunted, Tone continued to lobby for French forces and, on 16 September 1798, he sailed with a small fleet to Lough Swilly. He was captured and taken prisoner to Dublin where he died in British custody on 19 November 1798.

Wolfe Tone is still regarded as the founding figure of Irish republicanism because of his pioneering commitment to a democratic, non-sectarian Ireland and his ceaseless effort and ultimate sacrifice for Irish freedom.

Theobald Wolfe Tone was born on 20 June 1763, 246 years ago this week.

Fund raiser night on Friday 12th June for Coláiste Ghlór na Mara

2009-06-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

It is great to see the continued growth in the Gaelscoil movement in Ireland as a whole and North County Dublin in particular. There are gaelscoileanna established across the area and the latest was Gaelscoil Ros -Eo which opened in September of 2008. The next step now is to create a post primary school to meet the needs of children currently going through the Irish language primary school system and it is great to see the work being done by the founding committee (Coiste bunaithe) for such a school in Balbriggan. There is a fundraiser for the school on Friday 12th June and details are below.

If you wish to register your child for the school, or find out more information then please go to the school's website at http://ghlornamara.wordpress.com/ and leave a message.

Ceilí Night – O’Dwyers GAA Clubhouse 12th June

Please support a FUNdraising night for the establishment of Coláiste Ghlór na Mara, taking place at the Clubhouse of O’Dwyers GAA in Balbriggan.

There will be musicians coming from all parts of the country, dancers & raffles for prizes amongst other things.

Coláiste Ghlor na Mara is a proposed Meanscoil (post primary), to sever the people of North Fingal, East Meath & beyond. The School will be situated in Balbriggan, as this is a central location to the feeder Gaelscoileanna in the area.

A meeting was called by Cllr. Stephen Kilgallon in September 2008 following discussion with parents of Gaelscoil pupils to asses the public interest in establishing a school. A founding committee was formed and the process of applying to the Department of Education was commenced.

The founding committee hosted meetings with potential patrons, after assessment the committee decided to go forward with Foras Patrúnachta as the Patron. At the same time a discussion on the school name arrived at the Coláiste Ghlór na Mara (The Voice of the Sea).

Get out and vote - Remember how many people around the world would like to have that opportunity.

2009-06-05T01:02:00.000-07:00

Well, it's June 5th 2009 and it is the day when the people have the chance to really alter the direction our country is going.

Many people are angry at the state of affairs this country is in at the moment and the terrible legacy that Fianna Fáil misrule has left us with. However, regardless of how bad the situation here is I would also like to point out how fortunate we are to live in a country where we have the right to vote for our leaders. 20 years ago the people of China demanded that right and they were shot down in the streets. In 1956 the people of Hungry rose up and demanded free elections and they were crushed by the soviet army. In 1968 the people of Prague demanded democracy and they suffered the same fate.

All over the world people fight for and die because they believe in democracy and they demand the right to vote in free and fair elections and we should look at our country's own history and support these people.

Clearly, the country we live in is far from perfect and our past governments have left us in a situation where many serious issues have never been fully addressed. In 2009 we need to deal with mass unemployment, an unfair tax system, social inequality, small numbers of working class children getting into third level education, a divided country, poor school buildings, lack of community facilities, cuts in welfare benefits etc.

We in Sinn Féin believe that we can tackle these problems and create a better, fairer Ireland if we the people decide that we want to. We do not have to put up with the current state of affairs and we can change our country for the better. What we need are parties in local and national government who believe in a better Ireland and who are dedicated to principles of justice and equality.

Today is the day when we have the RIGHT TO VOTE. So I would encourage anybody who reads this article to go out and vote, even for parties other than Sinn Fein. Use your vote to change the direction this country is going, and perhaps more importantly use your vote to ensure that we demonstrate the we have vibrant democracy that other people around the world can aspire to.

Is this an omen?

2009-05-29T12:06:00.001-07:00

Is this an omen?

Sinn Féin members were out this week in the lashing rain putting up the posters above. We were soaked to the skin, tired and had been at it for several hours. However, then the sun came out and a beautiful rainbow appeared behind one of our posters. So I took this picture with my phone.

Maybe we have spent too much time campaigning, or maybe our brains our getting messed up, but we feel/hope this image will sum up these elections. Hard work and dedication will let us overcome the bad times we are in and Sinn Féin will help us create a better place tomorrow.

Go on help us build a brighter future, vote Sinn Féin.

All together now "Somewhere over the rainbow....."

Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse

2009-05-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

Children still subject to State neglect and future cuts in Child care services cannot be allowed

Balbriggan Sinn Féin joins with the whole nation in expressing our support for the victims of abuse suffered in care homes in Ireland. These victims have a right to justice and we fully support them in their fight.

However, we must also not ignore the present state of child welfare services in this state. These services are woefully underfunded and rather than this government looking to make cuts in this area, it must do the opposite and give support to children who are suffering abuse. If this government does not do this then they will be as guilty as previous governments in failing to protect children.

Below is a statement from the Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD

Commenting on the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse,
Sinn Féin Dáil Leader and Spokesperson on Children Caoimhghn Caolin
said it was a horrific litany of abuse of children by Church and State and that children are still subject to State neglect. He called for the Reports recommendations to be fully implemented.

Deputy Caolin said:

The Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is a horrific litany of abuse against children in institutions over decades. These most vulnerable children were subjected to a system of deplorable abuse amounting to a catalogue of crimes carried out when they were supposedly in the care of both the Catholic Church and the 26-County State. That system of abuse claimed the lives of many children. We may never know exactly how many children died of neglect and ill treatment in those
institutions.

The Church and the State bear huge responsibility for what was done.

Our first and last concern should be the survivors of abuse and the memory of those who did not survive. The Government must implement the Reports recommendations to alleviate or otherwise address the effects of the abuse on those who suffered. It must also implement the recommendations to prevent where possible the incidence of abuse of children in institutions and to protect children from such abuse.

The sad reality is that children are still subject to State neglect and
are suffering abuse or in danger of abuse as a result. The Report focuses on institutions but many children in the community today are not receiving the protection they need. Yet the Government is refusing toimplement the recommendation of the Monageer Report for an out-of-hours social work service.

Child protection services are woefully inadequate with insufficient social workers and other front-line workers in place. The HSE knows of cases where children are in danger but the services are not in place to make the interventions required.

The nightmare of child abuse is not a thing of the past. It is happening every day. Most of this abuse takes place in the family home. If the services are not in place then the State today will be just as culpable as it was in the past when it conspired with the Catholic Church to cover up the abuse of children.

National Famine Memorial Day by a Balbriggan Sinn Féin member

2009-05-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

Today, Sunday May 17th, was the second National Irish Famine Memorial Day. On Friday of this week schools throughout the country held a minutes silence in remembrance of the Great Hunger. This weekend sporting events were asked to also observe a minute's silence and a national event was held in Skibereen in remembrance of the terrible events of 150 years ago.

Today, I took a trip with my children to the famine memorial at Custom House Quay. It was my intention to simply lay some flowers and pay a personal tribute to the victims of this catastrophe.

When I got there I found that a ceremony was being held to remember the millions who died or emigrated as a result of the potato blight.

This event was organised by the COMMITTEE FOR THE COMMEMORATION OF THE IRISH FAMINE VICTIMS. http://www.irishfaminevictims.com/ The event they organised was a dignified one involving the laying of wreaths, speeches, music and the casting of flowers onto the Liffey. The Lord mayor of Dublin was present as were a number of ambassadors. I found the whole experience deeply moving and I believe it made a great impression on my children as well.

At the end of the ceremony I spoke with some of the organisers and I found out that this small group has campaigned for many years to raise the awareness of the plight of the Irish Famine Victims and all those who were forced to leave. Their aim was for the establishment of an Annual Commemoration for the whole of the Island on the last Sunday in May each year in commemoration of the Famine Victims and Emigrants who had to leave this country.

It is thanks to the efforts of this group that this weekend saw the second National Famine Memorial Day and it was a great inspiration to see what a group of concerned local people can achieve if they are convinced their cause is right and they have the dedication to see it through to its end.

One thing I wish to say though is that the "Great Famine" was not a famine. There was plenty of food in this country and in fact wheat and other food stuffs were exported from Ireland throughout the course of the great hunger (Gorta Mór). What there was, was a potato blight that impacted on the poorest sections of Irish society and that the British government made a choice not to provide Irish people with sufficient food to eat.

This same choice is being made on a wider scale today. The world we live in has sufficient food to feed all the people who live here, yet people die from hunger, and the effects of hunger, each day.

Allowing this slaughter to happen 150 years ago was wrong then, and it is still wrong now.

Given our history we in Ireland should be a voice in the world community demanding action to remove hunger from this planet. We should demand there is "real" development aid given to poorer countries, that poorer countries are paid a fair price for the goods they produce and that third world debt is tackled in a positive manner.

In the 21st century there is no reason to allow people to die through lack of food. So, let's not be like those who allowed the great hunger to ravish this country. Let us remember the victims of the great hunger in a positive manner by demanding the world be a better place now than it was 150 years ago. Let us demand that the world takes action now and there is finally an end to death through hunger.

THE END

For some information on the famine in Fingal visit

http://www.nga.ie/balrothery_workhouse.htm

NEW SINN FÉIN BALBRIGGAN JOBS LEAFLET.

2009-05-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

Fergus Byrne

Standing up For Jobs in

Balbriggan

Unemployment is 388,000

Up by over 188,000 in one year.

Predicted to go over half a million

So, what is the government doing?

NOTHING!!!!!

What are their policies to protect jobs?

What are their policies to create jobs?

What are the policies to retrain people?

In the past ten years the government had the chance to build a better Ireland for all of us. We could have built a proper health system, new schools, communities with real facilities and a country that was ready for the economic downturn that would inevitably come.

But what did Fianna Fáil do?

They listened to the greed of the bankers,property developers and the get rich quick brigade.

At the last election Sinn Féin warned of the dangers of the creation of the property bubble. We pointed out the growing gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots'. And most of all we said there was a complete failure to run the economy in the long term interests of the Irish people.

Sinn Féin was right on these matters and Sinn Féin knows what is needed now. Unemployment MUST be at the very centre of government policy. We need to get Ireland back to work.

'Getting Ireland back to work

Time for Action'

Sinn Féin's key Employment Proposals

Let's build the schools and infrastructure that we need now!!! Create 1,000's of jobs by the fast tracking of the much needed school building programme, expansion of the national home insulation programme, broadband rollout etc. This work needs to be done - So let's do it now!

Help businesses keep people working! Follow the German example of establishing a job retention fund to subsidise workers in viable small and medium businesses. This fund will be time limited and used to help keep people working and training. Remember it costs over €20,000 to keep a person on the dole, so let's spend the money to keep people working?

Fast track business start-ups! We are bailing out the banks, so let's demand they work closely with our current job creation agencies. One-stop enterprise business points should be set up that would bring together funding, expertise and advice for entrepreneurs who want to start
new businesses and create jobs.

Develop our green energy and alternative technologies - We have thewind, we have the waves, so let's set up an agency whose aim is to have Ireland lead the way in green energy. These are the jobs of the future, let's go and get them!

Retrain people in the skills we need. FÁS, the VECs and third level institutions have a combined budget of almost €4billion. They need to have a joined up approach to ensure that we are training people for sectors that will provide jobs in the coming decade.

These and over 70 other proposals are contained in the Sinn Féin document'Getting Ireland back to work - Time for Action'

Local Fishermen Meet with Mary Lou McDonald and Martin Ferris as Livelihoods Threatened

2009-05-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

Representatives of Sinn Féin held a meeting in Howth on 30th April with local fishermen from County Fingal to discuss the issues currently threatening the livelihood and culture of those in the fishing industry. The meeting was attended by Mary Lou McDonald, Dublin Sinn Féin MEP and European candidate for 2009, and Martin Ferris TD, party spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development and Marine and Natural Resources. Local election candidates Fergus Byrne (Balbriggan Ward) and Colm Ó Murchadha (Howth / Malahide Ward) were also present.

Local fishermen outlined the crisis facing them, as severe restrictions have been placed upon them regarding the number of days they are allowed to fish – two days in a three month period. Some have had their boats decommissioned but have been told they are not entitled to unemployment payments as they were self-employed. Martin Ferris said “The new EU laws introduced have all but sounded the death knell for another substantial section of the Irish fishery sector. A further indication, if needed, that the real object of EU policy is to close down the Irish fishing industry. The Common Fisheries Policy which has been the bedrock of the disastrous mismanagement of the Irish fishery since this state joined the EU. Unless and until an Irish Government reverses the shameful sell out made at that time, we will be merely tinkering around and allowing Brussels to engineer the effective liquidation of the Irish fishing sector. And yet there seems to be little political will here to demand a radical overhaul of the Common Fisheries Policy.”

Mary Lou McDonald undertook to investigate the ownership status of, and difficulties in, Howth Fish Market, which was purchased with EU funds. She will pose questions in the European Parliament about the matter, and pledged her commitment to explore it fully, in her capacity as an MEP.

Local election candidates Fergus Byrne (Balbriggan Ward) and Colm Ó Murchadha (Howth / Malahide Ward) stated that they were glad to lend their support to the local fishermen, and assured them of Sinn Féin’s continued defense of their cause. ENDS

PR Department - Balbriggan Sinn Féin / Howth & Malahide Sinn Féin

Bobby Sands died on 5th may 1981 - Not forgotten

2009-05-04T10:51:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the death on hunger strike of Booby Sands MP.

We in Balbriggan Sinn Féin view his struggle as an inspiration and a call to us to help make Ireland a better place for all of us.

However, we should not forget that we in Fingal have our own republican history. On 25th September 1917, Thomas Ashe died on hunger strike for political status. He was a talented musician and a school teacher in Corduf National School near Lusk.

These two pictures show Corduff National School and the plague in his memory that is inside the school grounds.

Let us all remember the sacrifices of these two men and let it inspire us all to help create a better Ireland that is worthy of all those previous generations who struggled for our independence.

http://www.nga.ie/austin_stack.htm

Launch Night for Mary Lou McDonald and Local Candidates’ Campaign

2009-05-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

An official launch night was held at the Gresham Hotel, O’Connell Street for the election campaigns of Mary Lou McDonald, Dublin Sinn Féin MEP and European candidate for 2009, and all candidates standing in local elections in June. Local candidates for Fingal, including Fergus Byrne (Balbriggan Ward) were in attendance. The theme was “New Leadership for a New Time”. Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin Vice-President, was hosting the event, and Martin McGuiness and Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams lent their support also.

Fergus Byrne said: “These next five weeks leading up to the elections are going to be extremely hectic, but all of us in Sinn Féin are buoyed up by the fact that we are confident that our policies are actually viable, unlike this Governments’, and we can make a real difference. We are for the ordinary middle- and lower-income people, not the rich, and people know that”.

The function room was full to the brim with supporters and well-wishers, and when Ms McDonald and Martin McGuinness entered, they received a standing ovation. The evening was chaired by Aengus O Snodaigh, and local candidate Paul Donnelly was the first of the speakers, who pointed out that when canvassing and being asked by people on the doors what made Sinn Féin different, he was able to confidently highlight the party’s detailed and workable policies, including strategies for job creation. He was followed by EU Candidate Thomas Sharkey, who gave an upbeat talk on why Sinn Féin were the best party to represent the interests of ordinary people locally and in Europe, and that the party can give ordinary people hope in these depressed economic times. A lively musical interlude was then provided by Kíla's Ronán O Snodaigh, who impressed greatly with his unique vocal and bodhrán skills!

It was now time for Mary Lou McDonald to speak, and again she was given a standing ovation. She spoke powerfully, outlining the importance of using one’s vote in June in the EU and local elections, and sending the Government a strong message that “we will not tolerate being walked all over”. “Sack the Government and send them packing!” was what the voters were urged to do. Ms McDonald drew attention to Sinn Féin’s track record in Europe with regard to fighting for worker’s rights, for the people of Gaza, and against the Lisbon Treaty. She pointed out that Sinn Féin was a pro-European party, but that the people of Ireland needed a good deal for their country.

Martin McGuinness was the final person to address the room, and underlined how far Sinn Féin have come, both from being in government in the North, to having the most feared (by other parties) EU candidate in Mary Lou McDonald. He stressed how the peace process has brought about changes that no-one could have foreseen even a few years ago, and how the party was laughed at when they predicted some of these changes! He said that whilst many people have gone into politics in the past for power and financial gain, he was proud that his party had an egalitarian, socialist attitude to remuneration, and that, whilst striving for a united Ireland, the primary focus was on working for ordinary people.

Gerry Adams also spoke briefly during the course of the evening, outlining the importance of ensuring that Sinn Féin were elected so that the party could make a real difference to ordinary people. He also praised, as did the other speakers, Mary Lou McDonald for her commitment and dedication to her job.

Fergus Byrne, local and town council candidate for the Balbriggan Ward, was delighted with how the night went, and said: “I really feel privileged to be standing for Sinn Féin in the local elections. Tonight has yet again outlined the fact that Sinn Féin is the party with real solutions, and I do hope that people will come out and support us in June. We will not let them down.”

Construction Delayed for At Least Three Years on Thornton Hall Prison Development

2009-04-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Dermot Ahern, has admitted that construction will not commence for at least three years on the highly controversial Thornton Hall Prison Development in North Dublin County.

Local Sinn Féin election candidate Fergus Byrne said “We in Sinn Féin strongly opposed this development in the first place. The controversy and murky dealings which surrounded the original purchase of the site at a cost to the tax-payer that was many times over its actual value has never been resolved, and as for the way planning permission was granted – it defies belief. Under new measures introduced by the Dáil last year, local authorities and An Bord Pleanála were by-passed and the Oireachtas acted as the planning authority in its place. The Department of Justice used Section 26 of the Prisons Act 2007 for the first time ever, which allows for the normal procedures in relation to planning to be circumvented to push through the provision of this super prison. The feelings of concerned local residents were largely ignored, although the Irish Prison Service is claiming that it will aim to be a “Good Neighbour”.

“The following question was put to the Dáil on Wednesday 23rd April by my Sinn Féin colleague, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin:

To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the superprison project at Thornton Hall.

“The Dáil answer was as follows:

The Thornton Hall Prison development is not a superprison. It is a complex Public Private Partnership project which involves the construction of more than 30 buildings, including 8 prison facilities on the site, a major internal road network, extensive perimeter security and a vast array of security systems over a range of security and regime operational models. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that negotiations with the preferred bidder are currently at an advanced stage. These negotiations are focused on progressing financial, technical and legal aspects of the project. They encapsulate the continuation of the design development and negotiations to enable the Irish Prison Service to contract with the PPP Company and commence construction of the prison facilities. While, as stated, negotiations on the contract are at an advanced stage they have not, however, reached the point that the Project Agreement can be signed. Construction will commence after contract award and should take no more than 3 years. This timeframe is subject, of course, to the successful completion of the contract negotiations. I can say, however, that if the current contract negotiations are not successfully concluded there are other options which can still be considered. Pressures on the international financial markets have the potential to impact on all major capital projects, including the Thornton Hall PPP project. It is the responsibility of the commercial consortium, under the PPP process, to arrange the funding and other resources to deliver the project. The Irish Prison Service is being advised by the National Development Finance Agency in relation to trends and developments in this area. The cost of the acquisition of the site for the prison development was 29.9 million. The cost of the site was largely offset by the sale of the prison lands at Shanganagh, County Dublin. An additional 8.7 acres has also been acquired to provide a dedicated access road to the main prison site. This was done following representations from the local community which reflected concern in relation to the effect of increased traffic generated by the prison development. The cost of the additional land was 1.3 million. A total of 10.3 million has been expended to end March 2009 on professional fees and preliminary site works including surveys, landscaping, security, site preparation and maintenance of the property. As is the case in all major infrastructural projects comprehensive geological, engineering and archaeological surveys were conducted at the site.

“Here we see that the Project Agreement hasn’t even yet been signed, and negotiations are still ongoing. How much more money is going to have to be injected into this? Will it even go ahead at all? Of course we in Sinn Féin never wanted it to go ahead in the first place, and local residents certainly didn’t. Concern was expressed about the project by residents, Fingal County Councillors, expert criminologists, prison chaplains, environmentalists….the list goes on and on. However, the Government, in its infinite wisdom, chose to ignore all of these voices. The area was originally agriculturally zoned with totally inadequate infrastructure to support this project. So much money has been spent on it so far, which could have been put to better use – it’s a proverbial “money-pit”, which is a disgrace in these times. The decision to purchase the particular lands for the prison seems to have been about real estate. Nobody disputes that Mountjoy Jail needs serious modernization and renovation, but we don’t need a prison on the scale of Thornton. Alternatives to prison such as community service orders and probation have been proven by the Comptroller and Auditor General's report and other reports to be more cost effective and they are also more effective in terms of reducing re-offending especially when tied to rehabilitation, education and family support services.

"I would urge the Minister to consider extending the use of alternatives to prison especially for those convicted for non-violent crimes. This is cost-effective but also better for society and the money saved could then be put back into the justice budget to be spent on measures to catch serious criminals such as extra resources for the Gardaí."

Mary Lou McDonald “Stands Up For Jobs” in Balbriggan

2009-04-23T06:42:00.000-07:00

Mary Lou McDonald “Stands Up For Jobs” in Balbriggan

Dublin Sinn Féin MEP and European candidate for 2009, Mary Lou McDonald, visited Balbriggan on Monday 20th April on a two-fold mission - to canvass support for Sinn Féin local and town council election candidate Fergus Byrne, and to speak at a public meeting regarding job creation arranged by Balbriggan Sinn Féin. The theme of the meeting was “Stand Up for Jobs in Fingal” and its aim was to discuss the out-of-control unemployment crisis, and to share Sinn Féin’s solutions regarding how the situation could be alleviated.

Prior to the public meeting, Ms McDonald, Mr Byrne and their teams canvassed the New Haven estate, where the canvassing team received a warm welcome. Local residents welcomed the opportunity to talk to Ms McDonald and Mr Byrne, and share their fears regarding issues such as crime, drug dealing in nearby areas, and not least the calamitous economic situation. Problems also mentioned included graffiti, anti-social behaviour, unfinished green areas, and the failure of Fingal County Council to take over the estate.

The public meeting commenced at 8pm and was chaired by Fergus Byrne. The two speakers were Mary Lou McDonald and Matt McCormack, Trade Union Activist and former employee of SR Technics. After the speeches, there was a question and answer session.

First to speak was Mr McCormack, who gave a very interesting and insightful account of the events surrounding the significant job losses in SR Technics. He explained clearly and in detail how the situation could have been prevented, and the far-reaching effects of the redundancies on himself, his fellow employees, those training for a career in aviation, and North Dublin in general.

Mary Lou McDonald was the second speaker, and talked about the disastrous financial crisis in Ireland. She described how the situation will actually be made worse by the “cut and slash” Budget, and set out Sinn Féin’s policies on attempting to rectify it.

“Ireland cannot simply cut or tax its way out of recession. The fall out from the emergency budget will be serious and long term. Families will continue to see their household incomes slashed. Workers will continue to loose their jobs. It is a recipe for the creation of a black economy rather than a real economy. And for what – to pay for a massive slush fund which will ensure their friends in the golden circle, particularly those who invested in the banks, will be saved. What this economy needs is sustenance not further punishment. It needs policies which will seek to maintain the existing employment where possible and prepare the ground for new employment.”

“Sinn Féin is the only political party that has set out substantial detailed proposals - 80 of them - to get Dublin and the rest of the country back to work. Protecting jobs and creating new employment is the absolute priority for us. A comprehensive skills and education strategy can prepare workers to create and take up new employment - getting early school leavers back to education, investing in Community Employment and allowing unemployed workers to keep benefits while attending college can all help.”

“At risk jobs can be saved by establishing a state fund to subsidise viable jobs and by sending in expert groups to assist companies that are in trouble. If what we have is good, or needs guidance, then better hold on to it than put workers on the dole. Construction workers can get back to work building schools, insulating homes and delivering much needed broad band infrastructure. Dublin city and county has its fair share of school buildings which desperately need upgrading. The Minister for Education may not know how many but it is a disgrace that we are paying out hundreds of million Euros per year on prefabricated buildings when we could provide gainful employment building schools of the future.”

“All the evidence shows that societies which are more equal prosper more in the long term. We need to get away from the politics of unsustainable development; of an economy run for the golden circle rather than those who create it. The Sinn Féin proposals are aimed to build an economy which is sustainable and which will reward those who contribute to it.”

Rush - Kenure lap - you must be joking!

2009-04-14T16:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a copy of the e-mail sent by Fergus Byrne to all councillors in Fingal County Council concerning the Rush - Kenure LAP.

Dear Councillors,

My name is Fergus Byrne and I am the Sinn Féin candidate for Balbriggan in the upcoming local elections and I am writing to you in connection with the upcoming Fingal County Council vote on the Kenure Local Area Plan.

During my local canvassing for the elections, and my attendance at a Public meeting hosted by the Rush Development Committee, it has been made very clear to me that the people of Rush oppose the proposals outlined in the Kenure LAP. It is clearly the case that the infrastructure is not in place at this time to allow the proposal for 1,000 extra housing units to go ahead. I strongly feel that before any such LAP is approved the existing issues of roads, amenities, sewage etc must be addressed.

I wish to congratulate the people of Rush in sending over 180 objections to this proposal and I call on all councillors to respect the wishes of the local residents. Below is the final paragraph of the submission from the Rush Development Committee regarding the Kenure LAP. In light of the opposition of the Rush Development Committee, the number of objections and the seriousness of the infrastructural problems in Rush, I would ask all councillors to reject the Kenure LAP in its entirety and insist that Fingal Council reviews these plans and undertakes full and meaningful consultation with the people of Rush.

Finally we wish to put on record our complete disgust at the lack of consultation between Fingal County Council and Rush Development Committee when this Draft Local Area Plan was being drawn up. We made a submission to the Council in advance of this draft LAP and requested ongoing consultation throughout the process. As with many other things sought by this Committee, this did not happen. (Extract from Letter sent by Rush Development Council opposing the Kenure LAP)

Yours

Fergus Byrne

Click the link below to see Fergus Byrne giving his reasons for opposing the Kenure LAP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA43DiY66IA

STAND UP FOR JOBS

2009-04-14T02:08:00.000-07:00

Balbriggan Sinn Féin have organised a meeting on

"Stand Up For Jobs In Fingal"

MONDAY 20TH APRIL AT 8:00PM

FUNCTION ROOM MILSTONE BAR

SPEAKERS:

MARY LOU MCDONALD MEP

FERGUS BYRNE, LOCAL SINN FEIN REP

TRADE UNION SPEAKER FROM SR TECHNICS

Balbriggan Sinn Féin are calling this meeting on jobs to put forward our own proposals for dealing with the current crisis in unemployment. At present there are 372,800 people unemployed in this state. Retraining measures announced in the last budget wouldn’t even help all those who lost their jobs in January or February never mind the hundreds of thousands who are unemployed. The government has failed to address this crisis. There was no innovative thinking. No job creation strategy. No proper proposals. The €100 million enterprise fund will by-pass the vast majority of Irish small and medium business as it only focuses on firms already exporting. Thousands of small businesses are on their knees and the government did nothing for them in the last budget.

The failure in relation to job creation is staggering. The government are cutting €200 million from the environment budget, principally social housing and water infrastructure. They are cutting €54 million from the school build programme. They are cutting €13 million from Sustainable Energy and Energy research programmes. They are cutting €300 million from public transport. If the government is serious about addressing the unemployment crisis and improving competitiveness they should be doing the exact opposite of what was announced in the budget. They talk about the smart economy and competitiveness but the reality is that it will be harder for business to engage in R& D and in innovation which are meant to be key elements of the government’s strategy.

However, we are fully aware that on our own we cannot force this government to change its current DISASTEROUS policies and therefore we wish to hear what other individuals or groups have to say.

It is our hope that at the end of this meeting people will feel that they are in a position to come together around some core principles. If this is the case and people can unite around the issue of jobs, then our voice will be stronger and our chances of putting employment at the top of the political agenda will be greatly increased.

So, come along on Monday 20th April to the Milestone and get involved in fighting for positive policies that put jobs first on the government agenda.

Below is a copy of the letter sent out to community groups, councillors and local businesses inviting them to attend.

Dear

Mary-Lou McDonald MEP and Fergus Byrne, Sinn Féin candidate for the Balbriggan ward, would like to invite you to a public meeting on the subject of Sinn Féin’s proposals for dealing with the current economic situation in Ireland.

The chief focus of this meeting will be on how we can best address the current dramatic increase in unemployment in terms of promoting positive policies in the areas of job retention, job creation and retraining. In addition issues relating to the current public finance deficit will also be addressed.

Clearly, the present situation with regard to unemployment is one in which people need to come together in order to push a positive agenda for jobs in Balbriggan and Fingal. In order to help promote and develop this positive agenda we would like as many different people and groups as possible to attend this meeting and express their views.

As a result of these discussions it would be interesting to see if various groups and individuals feel they are in a position to come together around certain core principles. We in Sinn Féin are completely aware that our simply putting out policy documents will not solve all the problems we face. However, we are also aware that if individuals and groups can come together around certain ideas then all our voices will be stronger and the chances of us creating a positive agenda for jobs will increase.

Once again I would urge you to attend and to express your opinions on the Sinn Féin proposals at the meeting on Monday 20th April, in the Milestone, Drogheda Street, Balbriggan at 8 P.M.

If you would like to read our policy document on tackling unemployment then please visit our website.
http://www.sinnfein.ie/

THE BUDGET - ANOTHER KICK IN THE TEETH TO ORDINARY PEOPLE.

2009-04-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

Savage Budget Hits Most Vulnerable

Children, hospital patients, low and middle income earners, the unemployed and small businesses are just some of those who will acutely feel the "sting" of the Budget announced on Tuesday 7th April. It has been called "The Budget From Hell" by some, and been branded as "anti-family", with married couples with children on one income apparently shouldering most of the tax burden. Few people seem to have seen any evidence of the "fairness" which the Government said it attempted to demonstrate in this Budget.

Sinn Féin local election candidate Fergus Byrne has described the Budget as "an assault on the vulnerable, and a recipe for worsening recession and deeper depression". He said that it contained no jobs strategy, cruelly cut social welfare and would lead to more small businesses collapsing. He said that as a result of cuts the public health services are now facing disaster, and that the repercussions of the Budget would be painfully felt in Balbriggan and all North County Fingal towns and villages.

Byrne said: "It is difficult to know where to start when trying to analyse it, such is its severity and reach. The Government of Fianna Fáil and the Green Party have imposed a savage Budget that attacks low and middle income earners, the unemployed and others dependent on social welfare. This Budget should have been about job retention and job creation. Instead we have no jobs strategy and an assault on young unemployed people, which will be disastrous for the local community. As for local businesses, it takes the last Euros from the pockets of their customers and condemns them to struggle or close down completely."

"The ending of the Christmas social welfare bonus is tantamount to cancelling Santa Claus for the children of the poorest families in our society, forcing some parents into the hands of money-lenders in order to give their children some semblance of Christmas cheer. The stupidity of the Government’s decision in this regard is evident when one considers that the Christmas social welfare bonus also serves to stimulate the struggling retail industry. To top that, the Early Childcare Supplement is being halved, and then abolished next year. The Government is promising a free Early Childcare & Education year for pre-school children, but we’ll believe it when we see it. Sinn Féin has long argued for direct State provision of childcare and investment in childcare infrastructure."

"On the subject of children, the cut in the school building programme is pure folly in terms of education, public spending and employment. Our local children will continue to be taught in overcrowded and sub-standard classrooms. The Government should be increasing and front-loading the Schools Building Programme as part of a job creation strategy, as proposed by Sinn Féin in our comprehensive employment retention and creation document ‘Getting Ireland Back to Work’."

"As for our public health services, one word springs to mind - catastrophe. The Government has placed an embargo on the filling of almost all posts in the public health service. The Irish Nurses Organisation and SIPTU have already indicated to the HSE that it will not be possible to run the public health service in the context of the recruitment embargo as announced by Government – where does that leave the people in our community when they need medical care?"

"This Government is going to all but destroy our local economy and families with low and middle income, thus exacerbating all of the social problems which accompany poverty. We’ll be driven back to the dreary and dreadful days of the 1970s and 1980s. Minister Lenihan, sickeningly, even blamed the people of Ireland for contributing to the recession by rejecting the Lisbon Treaty – something which has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the economic crisis! To add insult to injury, Minister Lenihan said in a radio phone-in that people who have travelled to the North to do their shopping have left the Government with no option but to increase tax! That doesn’t even deserve to be dignified with a reply, except to say that perhaps if the border wasn’t there in the first place we wouldn’t be in quite such a dire economic mess with the money which could be saved from not having the administrative duplications which constantly happen as a result of having two jurisdictions on the one island."

"This Government hopelessly mismanaged the country’s finances during the boom years. For instance, we in Sinn Féin warned that the housing market was unsustainable. Between 1998 and 2003 the price of a new house in this State rose on average by 177% so that even people on above average incomes could not afford a home, and if they could it was usually far away from the towns they grew up in and would like to have remained. Many bought in Balbriggan and surrounding areas at the height of the property boom and now find themselves in negative equity, AND with their mortgage interest relief being taken away after 7 years! Also being slashed is the rent supplement for those dependent on private rented accommodation but with no corresponding increase in social housing provision – the opposite in fact, as the budget for social housing is being cut as well."

"I have little doubt that Fianna Fáil and the Greens are reserving the worst of their social welfare cuts for the December budget, after they have faced the people in the local and EU Parliament elections. But the people in our community are not easily fooled. They know what’s coming, including an assault on Child Benefit."

"Sinn Féin’s pre-budget submission identified over €3 billion in money raised and saved. These proposals show that there were other options but these options were not taken as they would mean that those earning the most would pay their fair share. If the government chose our options, we would build twice as many schools, protect investment in roads and social housing, increase spending on broadband and create a €300 million job retention fund to keep workers in work and away from the dole queues. Sinn Féin were among those who proposed alternative, fairer ways, to create wealth and to share wealth. It’s time for new ideas and real leadership. Let those in the Government see what it’s like to be unemployed for a change!"

SR TECHNICS - WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO DO?

2009-04-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

Loss of SR Technics jobs a devastating blow to North Dublin - Byrne

Responding to the news that over 1,100 more jobs are to go at the SR Technics Plant at Dublin Airport, Fergus Byrne, Sinn Féin candidate for the Balbriggan Ward said the news will be a major blow to North Dublin where many of the workers affected come from.

Mr Byrne called on the government to develop a job creation and retention policy to benefit low and middle income families and to rebuild the Irish economy.
Byrne said:
"Today's news will come as a devastating blow to North Dublin where many of the workers affected come from. The most deplorable aspect of this situation is that the job losses at SR Technics, formerly known as team Aer Lingus, were highly predictable. Sinn Féin predicted that this would be a natural development emanating from the privatisation of Aer Lingus and, unfortunately, we have been proved correct.

"It was clear that an economic downturn would hit the aviation industry hard and if the Irish Government had had the competence and foresight to frame a job creation and retention policy at the beginning of its term these jobs could have either been saved, or at the very least these workers would have prospects of redeployment.

"The Government's lack of policy to create sustainable jobs in this country has now committed a further 1,135 people to unemployment. With unemployment levels standing at 9.2% and with the dole queues getting longer by the day the need for a coherent job creation strategy has never been more apparent.

"This government has steered the country straight into recession over the past ten years with their doomed economic policies. It seems as though the only job retention policy held by the government concerns the banking executives; its time for the government to face up and deal with the real issues of concern for ordinary people."

WE NEED JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

2009-04-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

MARCH 2009

Unemployment Rises Again in January

The recession continues to bite, and indeed worsens, as the Central Statistics Offices figures indicate that the Live Register figures rose higher again for January 2009. In the Dublin area, the figure was up by almost 8,000 from December 2008, an increase of over 32,000 from last year. This situation will be compounded by the fact that SR Technics propose to make over 1,100 staff redundant as they are ceasing operations in Dublin. People in the Fingal area are being hit hard, and it is not helped by the fact that the Balbriggan Social Welfare Office has temporarily closed and residents now have to travel to Coolock to collect their money.

Local Sinn Féin election candidate Fergus Byrne said: "The Government must ensure that, as the unemployment situation worsens, there are adequate measures put in place to ensure that people do not have to travel unreasonable distances to collect their social welfare allowances. There is enough pressure on people without having to pay extra money out for bus fares. The unemployment figures are rising all the time and it’s very worrying for everyone. Very few people now feel secure in their jobs."

It is feared that the economic crisis will lead to severe worsening of social problems. Said Byrne: "Balbriggan and other towns experienced expansion but not enough facilities were introduced to cope with the vast increase in houses built. Everyone is on top of one another and in these extremely hard times one wonders to what extent the social problems and crime will worsen. We in Sinn Féin are committed to working with the marginalized people who are victims of poor planning and poor economic planning by the Government."

NOVEMBER 2008

Unemployment in Balbriggan rises by 65% in 12 months

Local Sinn Féin candidate Fergus Byrne has called on the Government to target job creation in Balbriggan after figures published showed that the numbers of people signing on the dole office in Balbriggan has increased from 1,435 in October 2007 to 2,345 in October 2008. Byrne slammed the Government for its complete failure to include any job creation proposals in budget 09.

He said, "This Government ignored all the warning signs that the economy was heading for a slowdown and failed to prepare for the recession even though all the economic indicators pointed to such an inevitability. The result of all of this can clearly be seen in the latest report from the CSO which shows that unemployment has significantly increased across the state.
"The government cannot continue to sit on their hands in the face of rising unemployment. The budget spectacularly failed to include any measures to create employment and even now as the figures continue to rise there is no evidence of any action or plan from the government to tackle unemployment.

"My own constituency of Balbriggan is clearly suffering the effects of Government inaction on employment. CSO figures show that in the last twelve months the live register nationally rose from 157,449 to 251,951, an increase of 60%. While the average for Dublin was 50.8%, in Balbriggan it increased by a massive 63.4%.

"Clearly the Government must start targeting job creation to unemployment black-spots and in towns and villages which are hemorrhaging jobs at a high or disproportionate rate. As these figures show Balbriggan certainly fall into this category.

"It is essential that the state introduces a specific back to education scheme for construction sector workers under the age of 25 without Leaving Certificates. The Taoiseach's Department estimates that under 25s represent 50.3% of the total construction unemployment figure in 2007 & 2008 and that a large majority does not have a Leaving Certificate. It is also essential that training and upskilling courses for alternative industries to construction are provided."

THE GOVERNMENT HITS THE VUNERABLE AGAIN

2009-04-13T12:24:00.001-07:00

Outrage Over Proposed Cuts in Allowance for Carers

The proposed cuts mooted by the Minister for Family and Social Affairs, Mary Hanafin, TD, have been greeted with outrage and grave concern by carers, their families, and public representatives. The Carers Association has been inundated with calls from people across the country who are extremely worried over Minister Hanafin’s comments.

Local Sinn Féin election candidate Fergus Byrne said: "Carers devote many hours each week to the social economy, saving the State many millions of Euros annually – money which would otherwise have to be spent on nursing home or hospital beds for the patients concerned. Because of this ill-advised proposal, many carers may have no choice but to pass on the burden of care back to the State, due to the fact that it may soon be impossible for them to remain as full-time carers. Cutting these essential allowances would be an absolute disgrace".

Mr Byrne went on to say: "It is typical of the current Government’s attitude towards the vulnerable in our community. Carers did not cause this economic mess. Many of them live close to the poverty line as it is, and yet they may now be made to suffer further because of the Government’s ineptitude with regard to finances".

SCANDAL OF EMPTY ACCOMMODATION DESPITE GROWING HOUSING LISTS

2009-04-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

Scandal of Empty Accommodation Despite Lengthening Housing Lists

The list of people requiring housing by Fingal County Council and across Ireland is increasing rapidly, and until relatively recently, it would have been easy for the general public and the media to assume that this was because there was a shortage of empty accommodation. However alarming statistics have shown that this is not the case. Figures from the 2006 Census revealed that in Fingal, there were 7,878 vacant dwellings including houses, flats and holiday homes. Since the release of these figures there were quite a number of new house builds, and the recession has resulted in a large increase in the number of properties currently unoccupied.

It is estimated the Fingal has 400 unsold units which were designated for affordable housing. Many of these units can cost the County Council up to €1,000 per month in loan repayments. Newly built Local Authority homes in 2007 (figures for 2008 are not yet available) numbered only 200 in Fingal, plus a paltry 12 voluntary sector houses. The current housing waiting list for Fingal is approximately 5,500, an estimation which has caused much anger amongst the public and their representatives.

Local Sinn Féin election candidate Fergus Byrne said: "Housing is a right, not a privilege. Both central and local government have a responsibility to ensure that those who cannot afford to secure adequate housing in the market place are provided with housing that meets their needs. The government met their targets of 2007 and 2008 of building 9,000 social housing units across the country per year, but this is nowhere near adequate to even make a noticeable dent in the local housing lists. I believe that we need new policies to deal with this crisis, for example unsold affordable housing units, of which there are many in Fingal, should be secured by the County Council for social use."

"Sinn Féin has policies which, if implemented, would greatly alleviate the problems faced by so many middle-income and lower earners who cannot afford to buy private homes." Said Byrne: "We are campaigning for increased resources from the Government to enable local authorities such as Fingal County Council to increase their housing output. By combining Government capital grants and the Rental Accommodation Scheme, Fingal County Council could seek loans or investment capital to acquire unsold units from the private market, provided they were of the appropriate standard, in suitable locations, value for money for the taxpayer, and involved a low level of financial risk to the Council. Dublin City Council are already examining a similar concept."

VISIT OF SINN FÉIN MEP MARY LOU MACDONAL TO RUSH

2009-04-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

VISIT OF MARY LOU MCDONALD MEP TO RUSH

Dublin Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald visited Rush recently to canvass support for Sinn Féin local county council election candidate Fergus Byrne.

The election team canvassed in Woodland Park and Brookford where they received a very positive response. The issue of planning in the area was raised quite frequently by residents concerned that the local area plan did not provide for enough infrastructure to support the high density units proposed.

Many residents felt it was incredible that Fingal Council were proposing the development of over 1000 new homes in Rush, before dealing with the long term problems of roads, sewerage, traffic and the provision of adequate recreation and leisure facilities. One resident pointed out that Rush Athletic F.C are running over 20 teams on only two 11 a side pitches. He said, "We have been promised that development in the town would lead to extra pitches for the club, but where are they? I give my time to help provide something for the local kids, all I ask is that the council support us." Other residents mentioned the public service levy, childcare costs, anti-social behaviour on Rush beach and lack of a full-time Garda station.

Mary Lou and Fergus Byrne were also made aware of the problem with school overcrowding in the area. Mary Lou stated she was particularly aware of this issue given that her own children are being educated in a school in Cabra that has been housed in pre-fabs for over 11 years! Fergus said, "If one thing is for certain, it is that investment in education must not be cut if we are to get the Irish economy moving. Our children are this country’s future and to compete economically on the world stage we require a highly qualified and skilled workforce. Our schools need to be proof of the value that we as a society place on education. Therefore children should not be housed in inappropriate pre-fabricated classrooms for years on end. We must invest in our children an we must do it now."

Mary-Lou and Fergus also outlined their total support for the Gaelscoil Ros-Eo and pledged that Sinn Féin councillors will do everything possible to assist them in acquiring a permanent site for the school. Mary Lou said, "Once again the GAA, and Scouting Ireland, should be congratulated in coming forward and providing Gaelscoil Ros-Eo with a home until they find a permanent location." Fergus Byrne agreed with these comments and added, " St Maur’s and before them the Rush Scouts have done a great job in helping to establish a gaelscoil in the area, and thus give local parents a choice about their children’s education. However, where was the local council in the search for accommodation? Why could they not have provided land or support for the school? Why was it left to the kindness and support of the GAA and the Rush Scouts? Both these groups have put themselves out greatly to facilitate this school, why hasn’t Fingal Council done the same?"

At the end of her visit Mary Lou McDonald said: "Rush is a lovely area and I’m heartened by the warm welcome I’ve received, along with my local colleague Fergus Byrne. We have spoken to many people today who are really feeling the effects of this recession. We need a change of government, and soon. Sinn Féin is dedicated to bringing about change both nationally and in local communities. I ask that people vote for Fergus Byrne in the June elections, as he is the person best placed to work for the local community. He is a working, family man with two young children, knows well the issues affecting people here, and cares about making a difference".
If you wish to view a clip of Fergus and Mary Lou in Rush then you can see it on youtube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA43DiY66IA

EDUCATION STATEMENTS FROM FERGUS BYRNE

2009-04-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

Fine Gael graduate tax is simply third level fees in disguise - Byrne

Speaking as Fine Gael launched its proposal for a graduate tax local Sinn Féin Balbriggan candidate Fergus Byrne said the proposal highlights that party’s hypocritical approach to the campaign against the reintroduction of third level fees.

He said: "While preaching to third level students that he is totally against the reintroduction of fees and will be fighting along with them, in reality it is quite clear that Deputy Hayes is talking out of both sides of his mouth on this issue. What Deputy Hayes and his Fine Gael Party have proposed is simply third level fees in disguise."

"The graduate tax, or as it is called in Australia ‘the Higher Education Contribution Scheme’, is a scheme whereby students have their fees paid for upfront by the government and then pay back the amount owed through extra taxation. The Australian system has grown so complex that it needs approximately AUS $5 billion to overhaul and comes as a response to a 272 page review of the system. The Higher Education Contribution Scheme as a system is broken and flawed. Originally created to increase access, it has the opposing affect. Students finish university steeped in debt and many students will never earn enough to repay their loan."
"Should a graduate tax system be implemented it would be upwards of a decade before any cost would be recouped by the state, so the argument that this system would be able to fund the sector is completely flawed.

Sinn Féin is very clear on its position. We will not accept fees through the back door by increasing the registration fee, we will not accept fees through the front door by full-on tuition fees, and we will not accept fees through the side door by way of this fundamentally flawed graduate tax.

"Higher education benefits the entire society and should not be subject to these disgraceful attacks from the government and the Fine Gael party. It should be paid for through a fair and progressive taxation system."

December 2008

"Reverse Education Cuts Now!" demands Byrne

Speaking in support of the more than 12,000 teachers and parents who turned out yesterday evening to demonstrate against the devastating education cuts arising out of this months Budget, Balbriggan Ward Sinn Féin Candidate Fergus Byrne has called for "… these savage cuts to be reversed immediately." Fergus then accused "The Fianna Fáil/Green Party Government of completely abandoning its own Programme for Government which had committed them to reduce class sizes to 24 by 2010. All we have got from this short-sighted, uncaring government are lies, more lies and damned lies."

"Increasing class sizes will mean that up to 1,200 primary school teachers will be let go and more overcrowded classrooms will result. This Fianna Fáil/Green Party Government has also slashed funds for the school building programme which will have serious consequences for more than 1,400 schools currently waiting for new buildings and repairs to existing buildings. Indeed, many of these schools had been promised funding in the run up to the last General Election."

"Budget 2008 is tsunami that has wreaked havoc on our two most important social services – Health and Education. Budget 2008 targets working families, school children, the low paid and pensioners. Over the years the so-called Celtic Tiger bypassed many of these people and it is they who are now expected to pay the price for the Government’s frivolous mismanagement of the economy. Let not those who have sacrificed most by enduring chronic social services be the victims of Budget 2008! Budget 2008 is an act of infamy that will be long remembered by the Irish electorate."

"The government does not have public support for their budget. Public anger around the government’s class size measures is palpable and warranted. The campaign to reverse the government's totally unjust budget cuts is gathering momentum and if there is sufficient public pressure education services can be protected. This week it is protests but in January schools will have no option but to send children home unless these cuts are reversed. REVERSE EDUCATION CUTS NOW!!"

BALBRIGGAN - Sinn Féin Community Survey Results

2009-04-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

Sinn Féin Community Survey Results

Last month, Sinn Féin members and supporters carried out a door-to-door survey in Balbriggan West around the issue of Safer Communities. One hundred houses were surveyed and Sinn Féin Local election candidate Fergus Byrne described the results as an eye opener for local residents, and a huge task for An Garda Síochána regarding community confidence, anti-social behaviour and drug related problems

The survey consisted of seven questions, the first being "Do you feel safer or less safe now in your local area compared to a year ago"?

The results were as follows.
More Safe: 18%
Less Safe: 34%
Other: 32%

Question 2 was "Are there any spaces in your local area that you are reluctant to use because of antisocial behaviour or drugs"?

The results were as follows.
Castlemill Shopping Centre 40%
Back lanes (Castlemills) 16%
Playground (Barons Hall) 8%
Other Places 36%

Question 3 was "What types of behaviour is a serious problem in the above places"?

The results were as follows.
Threatening or behaviour 11%
People using drugs 14%
People dealing drugs 19%
Discarded needles or syringes 1%
People being drunk or rowdy 18%
Verbal abuse 20%
Other (please specify) 17%

Question 4 was "Are there any particular times, days or periods when you feel it most occurs"?
The results were as follows.

Daytime 2%
Night-Time 52%
Weekend 40%
Other 6%

Question 5 was "Have you contacted the Gardaí in relation to anti-social behaviour"?

The results were as follows.
Yes 38%
No 62%

Question 6 was "How would you describe the Gardaí response"?

The results were as follows.
Satisfactory 61%
Unsatisfactory 39%

Question 7A was "Do you think there are enough leisure, recreation and educational opportunities for young people in the local area"?

The results were as follows.
Yes 4%
No 96%

Question 7B was "What facilities should be made available to them"?
The results were as follows.

Youth Club 38%
Swimming Pool 19%
Supervised Play Area 19%
Sport Field 6%
Gym 4%
Other 14%

From the information we have gathered, a very clear picture is painted of the area regarding anti-social behaviour, youth, An Garda Síochána, and lack of facilities in the area.

In general, 34% of people in Balbriggan West feel less safe in their homes compared to last year. This figure is quite concerning as most families in this area would only be living in the area for 2-3 years, and it really highlights the urgency of the situation these families find themselves in.
The area most affected by anti-social behaviour and drugs seems to be the Castlemill Shopping Centre (40%), with most of the behaviour happening at night (52%), and weekend (40%). The behaviour involved verbal abuse (20%), drug dealing (19%) and drunken behavior (18%). I think this highlights the need for more community Gardaí and for looking into the possibility of An Garda Síochána having a permanent presence in the area - i.e., a small station or at least more security cameras linked to the Balbriggan Garda Station. I will discuss this with An Garda Síochána in the coming weeks.

We can also see from the Survey that only 38% of victims of this behaviour contacted An Garda Síochána. Interestingly, of those who contacted the Guards, 61% were satisfied with the response they got. Given these results I would encourage people to report all of this type of behaviour to An Garda Síochána. I would also call on the Government to review the resources An Garda Síochána have available to them.

The last two questions of this survey expose the bad planning of the Balbriggan West area. You only have to ask yourself where the Youth Centres, Cinemas, Swimming Pools, Parks, Playing fields, Gyms etc. are. ENDS

Fergus Byrne
Local Sinn Féin Candidate – Balbriggan Ward

BALBRIGGAN - Cardy Rock Estate – “An Accident Waiting to Happen”

2009-04-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

Cardy Rock Estate – “An Accident Waiting to Happen”

Local Sinn Féin election candidate Fergus Byrne has called for traffic lights to be situated as a matter of urgency at the entrance of the Cardy Rock Estate in Balbriggan. Residents are very concerned about the situation as there are a number of children who cross at the junction of Cardy Rock Estate and Drogheda Street. There have been a number of near-misses and residents feel that it is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs.

Byrne said: "The entrance to this estate has become a serious problem, both from a safety point of view and from a traffic flow aspect. The most worrying is the safety aspect, as by all accounts this is an accident waiting to happen. I have seen for myself how busy the entrance to the estate is and residents tell me that it is nothing short of a miracle that no child has been seriously injured or killed. I call upon Fingal County Council to urgently attend to this matter before an accident or tragedy occurs.”

“With regard to traffic flow, cars often have to wait several minutes at busy times while attempting to exit from the Cardy Rock Estate out onto Drogheda Street, and can have the same problems going back into the estate. Drogheda Street has a high volume of traffic at most times of the day and there has been an increase in the traffic flow due to the number of new houses built in the area. This has led to a large increase in traffic especially in the rush hours of early morning or evening. At these times it is near impossible to get out of the junction.

At my request, my Sinn Féin colleague, Councillor Paul Donnelly has put the following notion to Fingal County Council: “To ask the Manager to ensure that the Council provide a traffic management system at the junction of Cardy Rock Estate and Drogheda Street as a matter of urgency”

LUSK - Statements from Fergus Byrne, Local election candidate, on issues impacting on Lusk

2009-04-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

LUSK - some of the statements issued by Fergus Byrne, Sinn Féin candidate for the upcoming local elections, concerning Lusk.

On a recent visit to Lusk I was approached by a number of residents in Minister’s Estate regarding the mature trees on Train Hill, which are to the rear of Minister’s Park. Residents relayed to me their fears that if these lands were to be sold then the trees, which provide great privacy, could be lost.

I then contacted my colleague Sinn Féin Cllr. Paul Donnelly to request his assistance with Fingal County Council in this matter. With Paul’s help the following motion was put to Fingal Council:
"To ask the Manager to ensure that the Council in any future proposed development of lands at Train Hill, Lusk, at the rear of Minister’s Park, and on which the greenhouses now stand, that the existing mature trees thereon be preserved?"

The following reply was received from the County Manager:

` "The preservation of the existing mature trees will be considered as part of the assessment of any planning application made in relation to the above lands.

I am delighted to report that this motion (item 23), was passed unanimously by Fingal County Councillors at their monthly meeting on Monday 10th of November, 2008. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleague Sinn Féin Cllr. Paul Donnelly for his assistance and advice with this matter.

While there is not any planning application currently in progress, I do believe that this pro-active eco-friendly measure will prevent the destruction of these mature trees, thus continuing to provide privacy for residents. I shall of course keep residents informed of future developments, if any. If in the meantime you have any issue I maybe able to assist with, or wish to have raised with Fingal County Council please do not hesitate to contact me.

Mise le meas ort
Fergus Byrne – Sinn Féin Candidate for Fingal County Council

"Byrne secures protection for mature trees in Lusk"

While on a recent visit to Lusk, local representative Fergus Byrne (SF) was approached by a number of residents in Minister’s Estate regarding the mature trees on Train Hill, which are to the rear of Minister’s Park. Residents relayed to Fergus their fears that if these lands were to be sold then the trees, which provide great privacy, could be lost. He then contacted Cllr. Paul Donnelly (SF) to request his assistance with Fingal County Council in this matter. With Paul’s help the following motion was to put to Fingal Council:

"To ask the Manager to ensure that the Council in any future proposed development of lands at Train Hill, Lusk, at the rear of Minister’s Park, and on which the greenhouses now stand, that the existing mature trees thereon be preserved?"

The following reply was received from the County Manager:

` "The preservation of the existing mature trees will be considered as part of the assessment of any planning application made in relation to the above lands.

Fergus said: "I am delighted to report that this motion (item 23), was passed unanimously by Fingal County Councillors at their monthly meeting on Monday 10th of November, 2008. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleague Sinn Féin Cllr. Paul Donnelly for his assistance and advice with this matter. While there is not any planning application currently in progress, I do believe that this pro-active eco-friendly measure will prevent the destruction of these mature trees, thus continuing to provide privacy for residents. I shall of course keep residents informed of future developments, if any."

Developers Leave Lusk Playing Fields in Disgraceful Condition

Residents of Lusk have expressed grave concern over the condition of land near Lusk Village Estate. Developers McGarrell Reilly have left a large amount of rubbish and building materials on the site and there are worries that the overall appearance and reputation of Lusk Village Estates have been badly affected. It is alleged that developers often leave sites unfinished as a tactic to attempt to gain further planning permission from councils and residents fear that is what has happened in this case.

Local Sinn Féin election candidate Fergus Byrne said: "This situation is utterly disgraceful and cannot be tolerated. The developers obviously have no concern for the people of Lusk, and they should be forced by Fingal County Council to remove their rubbish or face the consequences. No further planning permission should be granted to them until they finish off the projects which were supposed to have been completed. They must show concern for the Lusk area and its residents. Visually and from a health and safety aspect, it is urgent that this is dealt with as soon as possible."

Concern was also expressed by residents that McGarrell Reilly have not fulfilled all of the conditions under planning permission was previously granted. Said Byrne: "Roads have not been completed, for example, nor have crèches been provided. The developers must be held accountable both to the people of Lusk and to Fingal County Council. The people of Lusk deserve better treatment than this."

Bus Shelters in Lusk

Further to our campaign to have lighted bus shelters provided for Lusk, the letter below was sent to Dublin Bus and to Fingal County Council. I shall of course keep residents informed of progress. If in the meantime you have any issue I maybe able to assist with, or wish to have raised with Fingal County Council please do not hesitate to contact me.

A Chara

Following representations received, I am writing to request immediate action from Dublin Bus and from Fingal County Council on the urgent issue of lighted bus shelters for Lusk. On a recent visit to the village, I was appalled to discover that there was only one lighted bus shelter in Lusk.
I am sure you would agree with me that a respectful policy towards those who take the eco-friendly public transport option should be shown. In this day and age lighted bus shelters are a necessity for bus users. Why should our elderly people and our young children be exposed to extreme cold and unsafe conditions, for prolonged periods of time? Indeed, as far by back as June 2000 the Scott Wilson Report stated that bus shelters should be provided: "… where the site is exposed to inclement weather or where service frequency is low." I do believe that there is an onus on Dublin Bus and on Fingal County Council to provide lighted bus shelters for the people of Lusk.

It’s simply not right that elderly people and bus users are potentially being put at health risk from exposure to inclement weather. Suitable bus shelters should be provided as a standard part of the service. At the very least I believe that a lighted bus shelter should be provided on Station Road outside Supervalu. I call upon Dublin Bus and Fingal County Council to act on this pressing issue now.

Simply put, I would like to know when Dublin Bus intends to provide lighted bus shelters for the residents of Lusk.

I look forward to your reply,

Is mise le meas ort

_________________________
Fergus Byrne
Balbriggan Ward Sinn Fein Candidate

BALBRIGGAN SINN FÉIN

2009-04-13T03:33:00.000-07:00

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