Bray Sinn Féin representatives critical of Council decision to send Councillors and an Official to California for St. Patrick's Day

Bray Sinn Fein representatives John Brady and Oliver O'Brien have sharply criticised the decision taken by Bray Town Council to send the chairperson, one other Councillor and an unelected official to California for St. Patrick's Day. These will join many other councilors and 28 government ministers on the exodus for St. Patrick's Day. 

Councillor John Brady said "Unfortunately again Bray Town Council feels the need to send Councillors and officials thousands of miles across the Atlantic to celebrate St. Patrick's Day rather than stay at home with the people they claim to represent. I remain totally unconvinced of any benefits to come out of spending thousands of euro of public money on  sending Councillors to go sight seeing in California or San Francisco".

"This has turned into an annual event for Bray Town Council with many Councillors travelling a number of times. I have consistently asked for a full report to be given on what benefits have stemmed from sending a number of Councillors and the Town Clerk to California last year, however it has proven near impossible to get. The Local Government Act deals with foreign travel by Councillors and section 142 (5) states that a full report should be given on all conferences and foreign travel. This is not just to show what benefits came from the trip but it allows for informed decisions to be made on subsequent travel. So without any reports from previous travel its impossible to justify fancy trips abroad for St. Patrick's Day". continued Brady

Brady continued "Following many requests i eventually got an itinerary of last years trip by four Councillors and the Town Clerk to California. Based on this i can see no merits in wasting  any taxpayers money in sending any Councillors or officials outside the state for St. Patrick's Day. The report basically shows the number of dinners, breakfasts the Councillors enjoyed last year at the tax payers expense along with sightseeing trips to San Francisco. I have been told that this years trip will be the same as last years one, so i think these Councillors would be better off staying at home and investing the money on meaningful community projects or better still trying to create local jobs".

Bray Sinn Féin representative Oliver O'Brien said "I wouldn't blame any member of the public thinking this was a junket aimed at basically giving the Chairperson, another Councillor and an official a fancy holiday to Americas west coast, something most ordinary people can only dream of. I challenge any Councillor to show me just one benefit or better still one job from any of these fancy trips at our expense. Many traders are struggling to pay Rates, but i am sure they are delighted to see where their money is going, as are the tenants of the council who have seen their rents shoot up by nearly 30% recently". 

Councillor Brady concluded "Unfortunately Bray Town Council wont be the only local authority sending Councillors abroad again this year, Wicklow County Council will also be sending a number of people abroad. This is bound to stick in the craw of people right across Bray and Wicklow. Its no wonder people have little faith in politicians, we have thousands still unemployed and thousands more struggling to pay mortgages and to keep a roof over their heads. But in the midst of all this politicians are busy packing their sun cream and jetting away to drink green beer thousands of miles away in California on St. Patrick's Day". Ends

 

Below is the report from the 2013 St. Patrick's Day trip to California, which was attended by four Councillors and one official.

Thursday 14 March 13

Flight to San Francisco overnight in San Francisco Friday 15 March travel to Dublin meet host families 

Friday 7 pm Green and White Gala hosted by Dublin Sister City Association Televised event on ABC Bay Area TV interview with Cathaoirleach Tracy O'Brien. Formal speeches, presentation to Dublin Sister City Association meeting Congressman Eric Swalwell, members of Chamber of Commerce

Saturday 16th

8 am Pancake Breakfast Dublin City Fire Station sponsored by Alameda County Firefighters

9.30 am to 12.30 am Dublin Lions Club St Patrick’s Day Parade

1 pm lunch at Dublin Civic Center hosted by City of Dublin

2 pm to 5 pm attendance at St Patrick’s Festival at Dublin Civic Center hosted by City of Dublin formal speeches and presentation to Deputy Mayor

7 pm Corn Beef and Cabbage Fundraising dinner at St Raymond's Parish 10 pm Reception at home of Carole Satterthwaite President of Dublin Sister City Association

Sunday 17th March

8.30 Shamrock 5 Km fun run

11. 00 Brunch at home of host family

1 pm visit to Concannon Winery St Patrick's day celebration, meeting with owners Lunch for host families

7 pm farewell event hosted by Shirley and Louie Noval

Monday 18th

Travel to San Francisco afternoon sightseeing

Tuesday19th

Return flights

Wednesday 20th

Arrive home 

Boarded up council properties becoming dumping grounds for syringes and other drug paraphernalia

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has called on Bray Town Council to take immediate action to ensure boarded up houses in the town are reallocated immediately to ensure needy families and individuals are housed and to stop them becoming magnets for antisocial behaviour and dumping grounds for syringes and other drug paraphernalia. The councillor made after a large volume of used syringes and other drug paraphernalia was found at a property that has been boarded up by the council for over 4 months.

Cllr Brady said "We have a scandalous situation around the County and particularly in Bray where we have over a thousand families on social housing lists, but the council are keeping houses boarded up for months on end allowing them to become magnets for antisocial behaviour and dumping grounds for syringes and drug paraphernalia".

"I had been contacted by a number of very concerned locals in relation to a large stash of used syringes and other drug paraphernalia in the back garden of a council property that has been boarded up by the council now for over four months. This is totally unacceptable on a number of fronts, firstly that the house is being used as a drug den and that these syringes are being discarded in a highly built up residential area where large numbers of children are playing. Secondly its scandalous that when council houses are handed back they are left lying vacant for months and months on end, there is a housing crisis and this is totally unacceptable. This is a relatively new house and someone should be living in it, that's how unacceptable activity like this is stopped".

Brady continued "This is unfortunately not an isolated incident, but the scale of it exceeds previous syringe finds. Myself and a local resident immediately cleaned up the syringes using specialist equipment. The material was put in a sealed container and handed into Bray Garda station for disposal. In total over 30 syringes were discovered along with other drug materials".

Brady concluded "The use of the council property and the disposal of the used syringes is a shameful act and the perpetrators need to cop on and clear off. I have been in touch with the council to have the property properly checked and have any other drug paraphernalia removed. This property and the many others around the town need to be secured, cleanup and reallocated immediately in an attempt to deal with the housing crisis that exists and to ensure disgrace acts like this that are a real threat to children and others in the town are brought to an end".

Local and European Elections will be a referendum on Water Charges

Sinn Fein councillor John Brady has stated that the electorate have a key opportunity to send Fine Gael and Labour a loud and clear message of no thanks to water charges in the elections in May.  He made the call after it was revealed that Regulators will set water charges in August, meaning consumers will not know how much they will have to pay for water until after the local and European elections in May.

The councillor stated “Already Fine Gael and Labour have handed over of Billions of Euro in national assets to the monster that is Irish Water. Irish Water has already paid out €50m on consultancy fees and it’s expected that at least another €30m on consultants will further be spent. The news this week however that exact charges to be imposed on the public won’t be revealed until after the European and Local elections is pure and utter political cowardice born out of the fear of the backlash the electorate will unleash on them on polling day”.

Brady continued “The idea of water charges and metering was first put forward by Fianna Fáil in their National Recovery Plan in 2011. This was enthusiastically pursued by Fine Gael and Labour who are imposing these new stealth taxes on the hard pressed Irish people. The fact that they won’t reveal the cost to be imposed on the people shows that this government has no back bone or indeed courage of their convictions to reveal them and try to justify them”.

“That won’t reveal them because they can’t justify or defend the indefensible. Currently half the Country is under water and the notion that we have to pay for the water again is a slap in the face for common sense.  The reluctance to revel the charges is an attempt to try save seats at the elections because both Labour and Fine Gael know and fear the backlash that these charges will bring”. Continued Brady

He finished by saying “The Irish people are very intelligent and educated when it comes to elections. I know many will use the elections in May as a referendum on Labour and Fine Gael and their austerity policies. I know many people will use the opportunity to send a clear message to them that they don’t want and can’t afford water charges. These charges coupled with the property tax will push people over the edge and lead to more misery and tough decisions by hard hit individuals and families”.

Wicklow motions on Housing, Pylons and Fire-Service adopted at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Wexford

A large number of Wicklow Sinn Féin members and supporters travelled to Wexford over the weekend to the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis that took place in the Wexford opera house. A large volume of motions were debated including a number for the organisation in Wicklow which were supported and now become the party's position on the issue.

Speaking after the Ard Fheis Wicklow Sinn Féin councillor John Brady said "The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis this year took place in Wexford and several thousand delegates and supporters converged on the opera house over two days to listen to and participate in debate on many party policy issues. The organisation here in Wicklow had submitted three different motions. The motions related to the housing crisis, pylons and the need for a National fire authority, they were all debated at length and all adopted as the party position on each issue".

The councillor said "The motions we had submitted are real issues of concern here in Wicklow. The organisation put forward some very progressive motions. The first one to be dealt with was on the housing crisis and need to start building social housing using housing trusts that would be established in each local authority, this in conjunction with working being carried out by the voluntary and community sector would seriously tackle the housing crisis".

"The second motion that was submitted by Wicklow was in relation to the plans by Eirgrid to run the Grid Link 400 kv project from Cork to Kildare via Wicklow along with several other counties. This would see the use over huge pylons right across the country side with big implications for tourism, land and property prices, the environment and agriculture. The Wicklow motion calls on the Irish Government to direct Eirgrid to proceed with the proposed project only on the basis that it will run underground, which in line with the view of an international expert commission employed by the government, is a viable option".

Brady continued "Our last motion related to the fire service and the need for the removal of the control of the fire service from underfunded local authorities and put under the control of a newly created all-Ireland National Fire Authority. This would ensure that training, equipment and turnouts would be uniform right across the Country with resources put into areas that need it as opposed to paying the wages of the top heavy chiefs that are simply not needed. I believe the changes will only happen when the control of this emergency service is removed form councils who are constantly cutting corners and trying to save money, this is something we unfortunately have witnessed first hand here in Wicklow and we have far too many deaths because of this flawed policy including two brave fire men. Only then will we see areas like Bray get the full time fire service it needs".

Brady Concluded "Thankfully these and many other progressive motions have been supported by the party's membership and they are now the party's positions on theses issues. Over all the Ard Fheis was very positive and the membership is buoyed up and ready for the Local Elections which are on in May. It was great to see so many new members and candidates and Wicklow had plenty of both there. If the Ard Fheis was anything to go by the European and Local Elections are going to be rigorously contested by Sinn Féin and i think we will have plenty of surprises and shocks for the establishment parties along the way". Ends

Motions put forward by Wicklow at the Sinn Féin 2014 Ard Fheis  and adopted.

108. This Ard Fheis recognises that the 26-County state, via local authorities, is moving away from the provision of public housing and shifting to what is called housing support. This model puts the onus for housing provision on the voluntary and community sector as well as subsidising private landlords.

While voluntary and community housing bodies provide great service and are an essential part of our housing system, they are incapable of providing the level of housing needed.

This Ard Fheis calls for the establishment of housing trusts by each local authority which could source financing for a major public housing build without borrowing as part of the state’s ‘national debt’.

127. This Ard Fheis:

• Notes the proposed plans to expand the electricity grid on the island via the North-South Interconnector, the Grid Link and Grid West projects.

• Supports in principle the enhancement of supply and expansion of the electricity grid and the stated aims of Eirgrid to help secure future electricity supply for homes, businesses, farms, factories and communities, to help Ireland meet its 40% renewable energy target and to provide a platform for economic growth and job creation.

• Notes with concern the impact that construction of the proposed high-voltage 400KV pylon supported powerlines would have, most notably, in the areas of:

• Agriculture

• Health

• Landscape

• Tourism

• Land and property values

• Commends the community-based groups across the island who have been campaigning effectively on the issue, who have helped to inform the wider population of the projects, and have been voicing the many genuine and serious concerns that communities have about the proposed projects.

Further notes:

• That underground cables have lower transmission losses than overhead lines because, due to thermal reasons, underground cables have a larger conductor and therefore significantly smaller losses.• Studies on several 400KV transmission grids show that the characteristics of underground cables can in many cases be beneficial to the overall performance of the network.

• Disturbance of underground cables occurs less frequently than for overhead lines. Overhead cables are affected by severe weather. Only outside influences can disturb and damage underground cables. Underground cables are low maintenance compared to overhead lines.

• Underground cables - at installation - cost more than overhead lines but the fact that they are low-maintenance, have lower transmission losses, have a longer lifespan and no environmental or other negative impact would suggest that the initial additional outlay will be offset over time by the many advantages.

• That an international expert commission, employed by the government, found that the undergrounding of cables was “a viable option”.

Calls for:

• The Irish Government to direct Eirgrid to proceed with the proposed projects only on the basis that they will be undergrounded.

• In the case of the North-South Interconnector, that the lines be placed underground using ducts within the new A5/N2 road development.

• The Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act, which facilitates the forcing through of such projects regardless of the expressed wishes of communities, be repealed.

• A united all-party front in opposition to the overgrounding of powerlines and to make the case for undergrounding.

161. This Ard Fheis reiterates our policy for an all-Ireland National Fire Authority. This would remove control of the fire service from underfunded local authorities and would provide a cost-effective system to offer live-saving services to those who need it. 

Meaningful action needed by Council to apprehend serial illegal dumpers

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has called for immediate and meaningful action to be taken by Bray Town Council to tackle long term illegal dumping at a number of litter blackspots in the town.

The councillor stated "I have been contacted by angry residents from Stable Lane and Carlisle Terrace on Seymour Road in Bray in relation to the illegal dumping that has been ongoing now for years. The council is aware of these litter black spots and regularly have the rubbish removed from the locations, which both have high numbers of private rented accommodation. Locals have now ran out of patience and are calling on the council to take meaningful action to tackle the illegal dumping once and for all".

"In fairness the council organise to have the illegally dumped household refuse removed on a weekly basis, however this is nearly giving the dumpers the incentive to continue to do it as they appear to get away with it. The council must however get tough on the dumpers, firstly they need to erect signage warning people not to illegally dump and what the penalties are when they get caught. The council i believe must also erect CCTV at these locations to help apprehend the serial offenders, who when prosecuted should be named and shamed". continued Brady

He went on to say "I believe its costing the council thousands of euro a year just to clean up these two sites alone, this money should and could be better spent better by upgrading and improving public services and amenities for all instead of cleaning up after some irresponsible litter louts. I think the council should make public the amount of money they waste cleaning up after these people".

Brady concluded by saying "Landlords also have a roll to play in stamping out the disgusting actions of the small minority that engage in these stupid actions that not only impact negatively on the area but also on the entire town. But ultimately its up to the dumpers to have a bit of cop on and respect for their neighbours and our town".

Dangerous Road Surface at Kilcroney Roundabout Needs Immediate Action

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has said immediate action is needed to address the dangerous road surface at the Kilcroney roundabout in Bray. He has stated that he has been made aware of many near accidents at the location, when motorists enter onto the roundabout the cars loose all traction sending them into a skid.

The councillor said "I was first contacted on this issue a number of weeks ago by a motorist who went into a spin in his car whilst on the roundabout. He stated he wasn't travelling at speed and the surface was dry. Subsequently taking to other motorists it has became very apparent how extensive the problem actually is, i have spoken to at least 10 motorists who experienced the same thing at the same location over the last 6 months or so".

Brady continued "The latest incident that i was made aware of happened last week when a car with two people inside went into a complete spin on the roundabout, one of the occupants in the car is pregnant and they were convinced the car was going to completely flip over. In the end the car came to a halt facing into the roundabout, again the car was not travelling at any great speed and the tyres on the vehicle were only recently replaced".

The councillor went onto say "I raised the issue at a council meeting and i was surprised when one of the officials present stated the same had happened to him recently at this location. The maintenance of the N11 and the slip roads including the roundabouts has been privatised and a company named GSJ Maintenance Ltd hold the contract. The issue has been raised with them and hopefully action will be taken soon to address this serious problem. The issue has been happening for so long now it doesn't appear that it is an oil spill, it appears to be a poor road surface. I have suggested a special non slip surface be installed like is found at some junctions".

The councillor concluded "I believe the problem to be more extensive and that most motorists haven't reported incidents that may have happened to them. I urge them to either contact myself or the council so a true picture on the scale of the problem can be complied so pressure can be put on GSJ Maintenance to take action to address the problem". Ends.

Hell and Back 2nd February for Merryn

Fantastic day at Hell & Back, it was very cold and tough and I am now covered in bruises. I am delighted to have finished and to have played a small part in trying to raise funds to try help a little girl named Merryn in her fight against cancer. We'll done to everyone who done it, particularly team Merryn.

Angry Tenants to Protest over Exorbitant Rent Increases

Tenants of Bray Town Council are to stage a protest outside the February monthly meeting of the Council to voice their anger and opposition to recent rent increases imposed on them by the Council. Council tenant’s rents have increased on average between 20-30% following the adoption of the Town Council Budget in January.

Speaking after tenants received notification of their rent increases Councillor John Brady said "Letters from the Town Council started to land on the door steps of council tenants on Friday morning informing them of the huge rent increases which had been approved by the majority of councillors at the annual budget meeting in January. On average rents are going up by between 20-30%. Tenants are so angered by these exorbitant increases they plan on staging a protest outside the next Town Council meeting which takes place on Tuesday 4th February".

Sinn Féin representative Oliver O'Brien went on to say "We in Sinn Féin will be supporting the protest which will take place outside the Town Hall on Tuesday next at 7pm. Sinn Féin Councillors Rossa Murray and John Brady are the only councillors that voted against the councils budget because of these huge increases that are being imposed on some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Unfortunately the increases were supported by the Labour Party, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael".

Cllr Brady concluded "Housing is a huge problem right across the board. This government is hammering people on Rent Allowance, Social Leasing schemes and they have also made it more difficult for people in the private rented sector where rents are continuing to spiral and there is no assistance available to them. I am asking all people affected by housing issues to join in the protest on Tuesday as I believe it’s not just about council tenants, it’s about the right to have a roof over your head".

Elevated Radiation Levels in Sellafield Highlight the Need for it's immediate closure-Brady

Wicklow Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady has said that the British Government must close Sellafield permanently rather than the proposed closure of part of the plant by 2018. He made his calls following news on Friday that non-essential staff at site in Cumbria were asked to stay at home due to elevated radiation levels.

The Sinn Fein councillor said “For years the Sellafield plant has been poisoning the waters around the coastline of Ireland and Britain with radioactive discharges.  This radioactivity is also a source of the rising number of cases of cancer in this region. The news on Friday that staff were asked to stay at home due to elevated radiation levels is alarming and again raises the need for the British Government to close this plant in its entirety and put measures in place which will clean the area up”.

Brady continued “The Thorpe Reprocessing Plant at Sellafield is to close in 2018, but it is little comfort for the people of Wicklow and on the East coast of Ireland who are living beside one of the most radioactive seas in the world. The British government while closing the reprocessing plant have also plans to build a nuclear power plant on the site which will mean continued radio activity for the foreseeable future”.

Councillor Brady went onto say “Sellafield doesn’t have a great safety record and I like the majority of Irish people have no faith in it. In 1957, the worst nuclear disaster in Britain also occurred at the site, when one of the nuclear reactors caught fire releasing radioactive material that spread across the UK and Europe. A 2012 report by the National Audit Office in Britain said some facilities at the 68-year-old site had "deteriorated so much that their contents pose significant risks to people and the environment".

“Sellafield is the largest and most hazardous nuclear site in the UK, and stores enough high and intermediate level radioactive waste to fill 27 Olympic-sized swimming pools and it is estimated the cost of cleaning up the waste at Sellafield could be up to €82billion. I believe Sellafieldis a ticking time bomb that needs to close immediately and the events on Friday just serve to highlight again how precarious nuclear energy is. I am calling on the Irish Government to immediately raise this issue and demand the closure and cleaning up of the entire site”. Concluded Councillor Brady. Ends

Government decision to establish investigation into undergrounding of high voltage powerlines is a con Job

Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady has labelled the government’s announcement that it intends to set up an independent investigation into the undergrounding of high voltage powerlines as a con job, aimed at trying to fool the electorate ahead of the May Local and European elections.

Cllr Brady said “The proposed construction of these powerlines using overhead pylons has caused considerable controversy and concern here in Wicklow. Groups have been set up in South West Wicklow in the Carnew and Baltinglass areas to oppose the overhead pylons. It is the hard work and perseverance of the campaigning communities involved and the huge level of submissions received in the consultation process that has finally brought the government to this point”.

Brady continued “The government’s proposal to set up an independent investigation, chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Catherine McGuinness, to examine the prospect of undergrounding of high voltage powerlines is con job that is just an election stunt to save the skins of Labour and Fine Gael councillors and MEPs in May”.

“It appears that potential health implications of over-ground pylons appeared to be excluded from the review and that there was no health expert on the panel. It is essential that all implications are analysed in the review and the preparation of these reports must be transparent, comprehensive and most importantly they should listen to all the expert evidence as well as the voices of the communities opposed to the construction of the pylon network” continued Brady

Brady concluded “The technology now exists to efficiently underground high voltage electrical cables. Many counties such as Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom routinely bury cables and Ireland needs to follow suit. What we need is political will and not political election stunts”.

Hell and back to help Merryn

On Sunday February 2^nd I am doing Hell & Back to help raise funds for a little princess that needs our help.
http://www.hellandback.ie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1EqZ0LmWwM

Merryn is like most other 4 year old girls. She plays with her dolls, likes dressing up as a princess, dancing to music and will most likely be wearing something pink... and she always seems to be creating - painting, colouring, drawing or making stuff. She gets excited about school and learning. She just adores life! And has the most infectious giggle. But unlike most other 4 year olds, Merryn has one almighty battle to face.

Merryn has Neuroblastoma – an aggressive childhood cancer of the nervous system.  It is stage 4, which translates to High Risk Neuroblastoma.

Any donations will be greatly appreciated.

http://.idonate.ie/johnbradysf

https://www.facebook.com/merrynlacy

Sinn Féin candidate for Ireland South Liadh Ní Riada visits the Garden County

On Tuesday last Liadh Ní Riada who is the Sinn Féin candidate in the European Elections for the constituency of Ireland South paid a visit to the Garden County. She met with Sinn Féin local election candidates and local groups in Bray, Wicklow Town and Arklow and pledged to work on behalf of the people of Wicklow should she be elected to the European Parliament.

Speaking after the visit Liadh said “On Tuesday I spent the day in Wicklow meeting party members, local election candidates, members of the public and different groups. Whilst Tuesday was my first official days canvass as a candidate in the European elections, I am certainly no stranger to the County. In the past I have spent many happy days working in the County in the film Industry.”

“My visit to the Garden County was the first of many which I plan on making during the course of the European Election campaign. I meet with party members and activists along with Oliver O’Brien and Cllr John Brady who are the local election candidates in Bray before travelling to Wicklow Town.”

Liadh continued “In Wicklow Town I met with Councillors Garrett O’Reilly and John Snell before visiting the Hillview Estate to witness the terrible conditions residents have to live in. I must admit I was truly appalled at the severe dampness and housing standards the tenants must live in. I pledged to follow this up at a national level to ensure action is taken to rectify the problems in the houses.”

“We finished up in Arklow where I met with local fisher men and members of the RNLI lifeboat crew. I was briefed about the poor conditions in the harbour in Arklow and the challenges facing fishermen with unrealistic quotas. Overall I was heartened by the warm response I received from the people of Wicklow. It’s a huge challenge for me to try canvassing 10 Counties, but listening to the issues from the people of Wicklow and trying to address them is what drives me. Many issues such as Eirgrid and the plan to erect pylons across the countryside are issues that most Counties share and I plan on being a voice for people right across the huge constituency.” Liadh concluded

Wicklow County Councillor John Brady stated “We were delighted to welcome Liadh into the County. The European Elections are going to play a huge role in our campaigning over the next few months. I am delighted we have such a good candidate in place as Liadh Ní Riada and I believe she will make a great MEP for the new constituency of Ireland south.”

Pic Includes: Cllr John Brady, Cllr Garrett O'Reilly, Liadh Ní Riada, Cllr John Snell, Aidan Kinsella-Candidate in the Baltinglass LEA

Bray Town Councillors vote for Water Charges and Rent Increases in Budget

Bray Sinn Féin Councillors John Brady and Rossa Murray have cristised their fellow Councillors for eagerly supporting the town council budget for 2014. The Budget sees €1.48 Million of locally collected Property Tax money been diverted away from providing local services and handed to Irish Water to install water meters to start charging for water. The budget also increased to minimum rent for council tenants by 25% and introduced a gas boiler levy. 

Speaking after Tuesdays council meeting Councillor Brady said "The people of Bray did not give me or any other councillor a mandate to introduce water charges. The council budget that was introduced at Tuesdays council meeting does the dirty work for Phil Hogan and ensures that the process of forcing people to pay another stealth tax will begin after the local elections."

Brady continued "Myself and my party colleague Rossa Murray voted against the budget because we were asked to complete the lie that all property tax money would go to provide local services. The simple fact is the Bray budget has seen a reduction of €1.48million in the funding from the government out of the property tax money collected, this money was diverted away from providing the promised services to Irish Water so they can install water meters. The adopted budget doesn't provide for any new badly needed social housing units to address the housing crisis that exists."

Cllr Murray went onto say "Another reason why we voted against the budget was the decision to increase the minimum rent for council tenants by 25% and to introduce a levy on tenants to have their boilers serviced. This is the responsibility of the council and not all tenants will be levied weekly to have their boilers serviced annually, up onto now the council had carried this service out as the landlord. The decision by the councillors to increase council rents is a retrograde step that will hit some of the most vulnerable in our society the hardest and force more families into debt and arrears."

"Even though i did vote against the overall budget there was a positive element to it that i supported. That was the introduction of a grant to help sporting organisations in the town out. I had initially proposed the establishment of this fund at a previous meeting, it is designed to help the many excellent clubs out around the town, many of which are struggling to raise funding for insurance, registration and equipment. The fund of €80,000 will be open to all clubs to apply to draw money from to help give them a leg up and a lifeline. I welcome the fact that my proposal has been acted upon and supported." continued Brady

He concluded by saying "Unfortunately the negatives greatly outweigh the positives in the budget, that is why we voted against it. It was was carried 9 votes to 2, Sinn Féin being to only party to oppose it. The budget was the last ever of Bray Town Council as the council is to be abolished in May. The councillors had an ideal opportunity to send Phil Hogan and the government a message that his austerity budget is not welcome nor supported by the people. The budget vote was a vote for the transfer of a priceless asset which is water which belongs to the people of this country to Irish Water, and in turn it plans to put meters outside peoples homes using property tax money and charge them for the privilege of using this infrastructure. Sinn Féin could not and would not be part of any process that further screws the people of Bray." 

Bray Coastal Protection Scheme Neglect leads to Flooding- Brady

Sinn Féin councillor John Brady has said serious questions need to be answered after the Bray Seafront area flooded on Monday, the first time since the Bray coastal protection scheme was completed in 2001. The Bray project was of the most controversial coastal protection schemes to have been carried out in Wicklow in recent years.

Sinn Féin councillor John Brady said "Unfortunately on Monday the Seafront area in Bray was flooded again, the first time since the Bray Coastal Protection Scheme. Many homes and businesses have been affected including the facilities for the Queen of Peace Youth Club and Bray Rowing Club. The area from Sealife to the Bray Head Hotel was worst affected.”

Cllr Bray went onto say “In June 2012 I raised serious concerns about the condition of the coastal protection scheme, nothing however was done to address any of the concerns I had about the scheme and the entire area was left vulnerable. Work on the coastal protection scheme began in 1998, and was completed in 2001 at a cost of £2.5 million. However since then thousands of tonnes of stone have been washed away and I believe this is the reason why unfortunately the area has been flooded again.”

Cllr Brady continued "The project was supposed to have been monitored and replenished over the last 12 years but this simply has not happened. This has left the projects overall viability in question leaving the seafront at risk of flooding again and also putting the promenade at risk. We need answers as to why nothing was done when I raised concerns with the council about the scheme in 2012. The erosion has also left the foreshore unstable and a public safety issue. I am calling on the council and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney to carry out a survey on the overall project and have the necessary works carried out immediately.”

I have signed up to go to Hell & Back

I have signed up to do Hell & Back which takes on the side of Little Sugarloaf in Killruddery. I am doing it to raise funds for little 4 year old girl, Merryn Lacy who has stage 4 Neuroblastoma cancer. Hell & Back takes place on Sunday 2nd February, its 10km and is supposed to be sheer torture. I am asking people to sponsor me for any small amount that you may have, so please dig deep as its for a great cause and in the process I get to go to hell and back!!

Purchase of the Florentine Site Great Opportunity to Develop Bray's Social and Retail Infrastructure

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has welcomed the purchase of the site of the proposed Florentine Shopping Centre off the town’s Main Street for €1.95m. He has stated that it now gives the council the opportunity to revive the town’s retail industry but also to address the town’s social infrastructure such as social housing and providing a cinema for the town.

Speaking after the deal was concluded with Grant Thornton on Wednesday, December 18 Councillor Brady said “I must welcome the fact that the Council has been proactive on this issue and has purchased the site which has been the cause of a 17 year saga which ripped the heart out of the town. The failure to develop this site over that period has played a huge role in the demise of Bray as a destination for retail shopping.”

Brady continued “Now that Bray Town Council owns the site we must sit down and look carefully at what the town actually needs in terms of retailing and social infrastructure. The Florentine Centre was expected to open its doors to the public in the autumn of 2006 and included plans for almost 100 apartments, 25 retail outlets and 600 parking spaces. The question need to be asked is that still what Bray needs.”

“I believe this gives us an opportunity to look at Bray and what it has to offer and then in the future what we can provide that isn’t out there already and to build something that's sustainable into the future.  I don’t think we can or should try competing with the likes of the Dundrum’s. Yes it would be nice to get a few big retailing names in as anchor tenants into the new Florentine, but I think we should be trying to find a niche in the market and to try target that.”

“I do think the town needs a cinema and this should be given careful consideration, since the one in the town closed in 2007 people have to travel to places like Dun Laoghaire and Dundrum. There is also an opportunity for the council to try tackling the housing crisis in the town by providing some social housing as part of the development. In the last planning permission that was given there were nearly 100 apartments included, the council and whoever they find as a partner to develop the site must include integrated housing to try tackle the housing crisis that exists.” continued Brady.

He concluded by saying “Hopefully we are in the final chapter in this terrible saga which has held Bray back for so long. We need to move forward with purpose, we shouldn’t rush into developing something for the sake of it. We will only get one opportunity at developing something that will be at the heart of Bray, something that will make Bray the place people will want to come to, something that will be sustainable into the future and we need to get it right.”

Brady welcomes Wicklow County Council Cross Party submission to Eirgrid opposing Gridlink

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has welcomed a submission from Wicklow County Council to Eirgrid as part of their public consultation on the Grid Link project. The submission was unanimously endorsed by all members of the council at the council meeting on Monday last.

Speaking after the meeting councillor Brady said "I welcome the fact that the submission opposing the Grid Link project received unanimous support.  Eirgrid as part of the Grid Link project has identified two possible routes through Wicklow for a 400kv power line, over ground using huge pylons."

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 26th; 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.”

"The submission to Eirgrid raises concerns around a number of different issues including archaeology, tourism, landscape and settlement and the proximity to designated Natura 2000 sites within the County.”

Brady continued ““The government and EirGrid must listen to the concerns of communities regarding this project and also listen to the very real and sustainable alternatives to overheard power lines. Underground cables, at installation, may cost more than overheard but the fact is that they are more economical in the longer-term. They are low maintenance, have lower transmission losses, have a longer lifespan, and have no environmental impact. This would suggest that the initial outlay will be off-set over time by the many advantages. An international expert commission, employed by the government, found that the undergrounding of cables is a “viable option”.

“I appeal to EirGrid to act responsibly and to respond to the all-elected view, and the opinion of the people of the affected areas, the affected counties and constituencies and to proceed by underground cabling.”

Unfair Wicklow County Council Budget Copper Fastens Use of Property Tax Funds to Install Water Meters

Wicklow Sinn Féin County Councillors John Brady and John Snell have voted against the county council budget for 2014 labelling it as grossly unfair and one that copper fastens the use of property tax monies collected in Wicklow to install water meters by Irish Water, paving the way for more stealth taxes.

Speaking after the meeting which was held on Monday Councillor John Brady said "Unfortunately the government parties of Fine Gael and Labour united again on Wicklow County Council to ensure a grossly unfair budget was adopted. The Wicklow county council budget has been decimated over the last number of years by the Government and this year was no different. The Local Government Fund given to the council has been reduced from last years allocation of €14.4m to €3.44m. Scandalously in the region of €11m has been given to Irish Water from the property tax that the people of Wicklow paid. This funding will allow Irish Water take control of the water services that the council had operated and also start the roll out of Domestic water metering in 2014".

Cllr Brady continued "Unfortunately the people of Wicklow have been sold another pup on this issue by the Government. People had been told that 100% of the property tax raised would fund local services in their area, this quickly changed to 80%, now we find that only about 22% of the hard earned money, reluctantly and on a lot of occasions unwillingly taken to pay the Property Tax will go towards funding local services. The remainder goes to Irish Water to install water meters, so more stealth taxes can be squeezed from the ordinary people of Wicklow who don't have it to give. Figures given at the meeting show that if 100% of the property tax was collected and given to the council it would amount to €16.5m, however the council is getting a mere €3.44m the remainder goes to Irish Water. We all remember the false promises and the fancy booklets that were given outlining the better services that would be forthcoming if people paid this tax. Unfortunately what has materialised is exactly what Sinn Féin and i predicted as just another money grab."

Cllr Brady went on to say "The other main reason why my party colleague John Snell and I voted against the Council Budget is the plan to increase rents for all council tenants, this includes the the increase of the basic minimum rent for those with very low incomes. It is planned to increase all rents by 3%, there are plans to do the same again next year. Unfortunately many council tenants live in social housing that needs major refurbishment including better insulation, windows and doors and they also need a system that will address problems and faults that occur in those houses, forcing higher rents on them is totally unjust. Many council tenants are in social housing because of financial reasons and are some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Only this week we seen figures that 14,000 Wicklow people are in food poverty, this will only serve to add more people to that list."

Cllr Brady concluded "Unfortunately the Government parties of Fine Gael and Labour joined forces at the council meeting to ensure the budget was passed by the narrowest of margins. This will ensure that the people of Wicklow get poorer services next year year whilst still paying the unfair and unjust Property Taxes. I am very confident however that these councillors in Fine Gael and Labour will be held to account for their actions in the Local Government Elections that take place in May 2014."

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".