Sinn Féin to Oppose Privatisation of Wicklow Bus Routes

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has sharply critised plans to privatise over 20 routes currently operated by Dublin Bus as well as some Bus Éireann services. The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed that the privatisation of the routes will proceed by 2016. A number of Wicklow routes are included in the plans.

Speaking after the announcement Councillor Brady said “What we have seen over the last few years is the slow death of public transport in Ireland. Government subsidies have been continuously cut under the previous government of Fianna Fáil and now under Labour and Fine Gael. The announcement that up to 20 Dublin Bus routes are to be privatised will however be the final nail in the coffin for public transport”.

“The decision was made following a consultation process which discussed the principle of direct award contracts. Under these plans Wicklow will be particularly affected with Dublin Bus routes 45a, 184, 185 all planned for privatisation. Thatcher's privatisation of public transport in the 1980s has been a disaster for transport workers and the public, unfortunately that's exactly where this government want us to go”.

Cllr Brady continued “The privatisation of public transport will result in massive fare hikes and a deteriorating service. Public transport is a service which belongs to the people as a right. The notion that it should be run on the basis of profit is a dangerous one which will leave individuals and communities isolated. Experience has shown that once public transport is privatised the logic of profit overrides all other considerations.   What this will mean is a reduction in services for areas that cannot provide a frequency of use suitable to the companies need for profit.  In practical terms people will be left standing at the bus stop until the company is sure it can fill a bus. They will regard it as inefficient to run a bus at anything less than full capacity”.

Cllr Brady concluded “The NTA can only proceed with the approval of the Labour Party and Fine Gael. These plans are illogical unless you see it in ideological terms where both parties in Government see privatisation in terms of ideology.  It is an ideology that disregards the rights of the marginalized and the elderly but let’s face it this is a Government that has shown scant regard for those sections of society. Sinn Féin have a proven track record of fighting to save public transport and we will also fight to stop the privatisation of our public transport and that includes the 45a, 184, 185 that are planned to be privatised by 2016”

Brady expresses sadness at Mandela's passing

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has offered his condolences to the family of Nelson Mandela and to the people of South Africa and expressed deep sadness at his passing.

Cllr Brady said "Sadly with the passing of Nelson Mandela we have lost a true leader, but he has left behind a beacon of light for all people yearning for freedom. Mandela who was a true friend of the Irish people empowered his people in South Africa to break the shackles of apartheid, in the process he spent 27 years imprisonment".

"Madiba seen his duty as one of freeing his people from the apartheid regime of South Africa. Mandela succeeded and testament to his leadership qualities lead his people to become the first president of the new inclusive South Africa from 1994-1999. Mandela is and will continue to be an icon and an inspiration to all struggling for freedom right across the world and the beacon of light he has left will continue to shine brightly".

Cllr Brady concluded "I believe that books of condolences should be opened in council offices right across Wicklow and i am asking that the chairpersons of the Local authorities put in place plans to allow members of the public to pay tribute to a true freedom fighter and statesman". 

Wicklow Sinn Féin Honor Phil and Rossa Murray

On Friday 29th November a special evening was held in the Martello, Bray to honor father and son, Phil and Rossa Murray. The two men have given many years service to the cause of Irish freedom and equality. The two men were presented with special awards by the guest speaker on the night, Cavan/Monaghan Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghin O'Caoláin. A large number of friends and colleagues travelled from both near and far to attended the night to pay tribute to the two men.

Caoimhghin O'Caoláin praised both Phil and Rossa for their huge contribution and dedication to the cause of Irish freedom. He spoke about Phil and the fact that he is originally from Cavan and made Wicklow his home for many years. Phil worked for CIE and most recently with Bray Wanderers, only in recent years he has returned to his beloved Cavan to live.

The Cavan/Monaghan TD went onto speak about Phil's son Rossa and how he followed in Phil's footsteps. He praised Rossa for being a lifelong republican who has represented Sinn Féin in public life exceptionally over the last 5 years. In 2009 Rossa won a second seat for Sinn Féin on Bray Town Council taking 18.65% of the vote and in the process making history. Rossa has decided not to put his name forward for the 2014 local elections but will remain a dedicated member of Sinn Féin. On the evening Rossa wished Cllr John Brady and Oliver O'Brien well in the upcoming elections and pledged to work tirelessly to ensure Sinn Féin continue to go from strength to strength.

Press Statement from Bray Town Council about the Dargle Flood Protection Scheme

Press Statement from Bray Town Council about the Dargle Flood Protection Scheme

Bray Town Council wish to advise that construction on the River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme has been suspended due to events beyond the control of either party.  SIAC Construction Ltd. will demobilise immediately.

This will enable the appointment of other contractors as soon as practicable to complete the remaining elements of the project, in accordance with the approved scheme design.

Bray Town Council and the Office of Public Works remain committed to ensuring the delivery of the scheme which will provide the standard 1-in-100 year level of protection.

At present, the Scheme is approximately 35% complete and the works that have been constructed to date (including the construction of the culvert at Bray Bridge) will have a significant beneficial affect in alleviating flood risk.

Bray Town Council and the Office of Public Works (OPW) would like to assure the public that every effort will be made to ensure that the works are completed as soon as practicable. The OPW has confirmed that funding is available to complete the project.

Preparation of the necessary documents required for the appointment of new contractors will commence immediately, with a view to being in a position to re-commence in-river works in 2014 during the next available season.

Bray Town Council will take on responsibility for the ongoing upkeep and security of the site. Bray Town Council and the OPW would like to thank the public for the ongoing support during the construction of the flood defence scheme.

Dargle Flood Protection Scheme left in a total mess

Wicklow Sinn Féin councillor John Brady described the news that the main contractors on the river Dargle flood protection scheme have moved off the site, leaving behind half built flood defences as a total mess. The councillor who has been fighting alongside local residents for flood protection works to be carried out on the Dargle after the Little Bray area was destroyed by Hurricane Charlie in 1986. 

Councillor Brady said "Over the last couple of months the work on the €28 million Dargle flood relief project has effectively ground to a standstill. A number of key staff on the project have either been let go or redeployed to other SIAC projects, Sub contractors on the project have not been paid for work that they have done. Yesterday there was a major development when the contractors SIAC moved on to the site at first light and began removing everything including office equipment, plant machinery and even the site compound that was located in the Peoples Park".

Cllr Brady continued “The project has turned into a complete and utter mess. We have a half built flood protection scheme left behind and residents and i are completely in the dark as to what is going to happen next and what the time frame will be. Sub contractors who had been on site working haven't been paid and are also looking for answers. The entire Dargle area is a mess and the Peoples Park resembles a derelict building site as opposed to a public amenity". 

Cllr Brady went onto say “I have tried to raise the serious concerns that the community of Little Bray and I have with the council, unfortunately those concerns have hit a brick wall. The OPW have said that they are committed to completing the Dargle scheme, however the entire scheme has been set back considerably and i have fears that it may impact on plans to develop the new schools on the Old Bray Golf club for Coláiste Ráithín and Ravenswell. It had been planned to have the schools completed by 2016".

Cllr Brady concluded “This entire saga has been poorly handled by the council and they have failed dismally to keep residents or elected public representatives informed of what exactly is happening. Sending the media and councillors the same holding statement is totally disrespective to the elected members of the council and no way to do business. The Dargle flood protection scheme is a critical project for Little Bray and councillors should be kept informed at all stages and that includes when things aren't going according to plan. I have asked for an emergency meeting of the council to be held, unfortunately that seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Answers are needed for the residents, councillors and also the sub contractors who are owed a considerable amount of money".

Brady Welcomes Eirgrid's decision to extend public consultation period for Grid Link Project

Wicklow Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady has welcomed the decision to extend the Eirgrid public consultation period for the Grid Link Project until Tuesday, 7th January 2014 at 5pm.

Speaking after the decision to extend the deadline Councillor Brady said “The Grid Link Project is causing huge concern in a number of Counties including Wicklow. The €500 million Grid Link Project is the proposed new overhead power line linking the electricity transmission networks in Leinster and Munster. The Stage 1 Report for the project has identified a number of route corridor options for the proposed overhead power line. There is however huge concern and opposition in South West Wicklow as the D1 and D2 routes pass through the County adjacent to Carnew, Shillelagh and Baltinglass”.

The Sinn Féin Councillor continued “There has been a huge level of objection to the over grounding of the cables and communities have mobilised and submitted thousands of objections. The consultation process was due to end on November 26^th; however the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications had asked Eirgrid to extend this consultation to the 31st December. EirGrid has agreed and will continue the consultation period until the 7th January 2014 to cater for the Christmas period”.

Brady continued “I have submitted my objection to the pylons and the over grounding of the 400kv cables through the beautiful countryside of South West Wicklow. I also don’t want it imposed on any neighbouring Counties. International best practice is to underground cables of this magnitude and The Irish Government needs to make a commitment to follow suit”.

Brady concluded “I welcome the fact that the consultation period has been extended until 7^th January, however I hope it is not a cynical ploy to delay the decision making process until after the local elections which take place in May 2014. I strongly urge anyone that hasn’t made a submission to do so before the new deadline”.

Candlelight Vigil organised to mark closure of St. Columcilles A&E

Wicklow and Dún Laoghaire Sinn Féin have organised a candlelight Vigil to coincide with the closure of the 24 hour A&E in St. Columcilles Hospital, Loughlinstown. The Vigil will take place on Wednesday 27th November outside the hospital at 5.30pm.

Speaking ahead of the planned closure Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady said "Unfortunately the closure of the 24hour A&E in St.Columcilles Hospital will proceed on Wednesday 27th November. Sinn Féin will hold a candlelight vigil to coincide with the cut to the critical service and the vigil will start at 5.30pm. On Wednesday the doors of A&E will finally be slammed shut in the faces of the 21,000 people who on an annual basis use the service, they will be then asked to travel the extra distance to the already over whelmed St. Vincent's Hospital". 

The Killiney/Shankill Sinn Féin representative Shane O'Brien said "Wednesday will see the completion of the Labour Party sell out of the ordinary people of South Dublin and Wicklow. Prior to the last election the Táinaiste Eamon Gilmore stated that if elected he would ensure the hospital was upgraded as a regional hospital. Unfortunately again we have another broken promise from Labour, only this time they are going even further and closing the A&E altogether".

Councillor Brady concluded "The people have fought hard over the last 18months to retain and upgrade the A&E. Those appeals have fallen on deaf ears, both Anne Ferris and Eamon Gilmore got elected on the back of the false promises they made regarding saving the A&E. They are both culpable for the closure of the A&E and they will ultimately be held to account by the people of Dún Laoghaire and Wicklow".