For a Fair Recovery: Pearse Doherty TD to address public meeting in Wicklow - Cllr John Brady

Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty T.D. will address a public meeting in Arklow, Co Wicklow on Monday, November 2nd. The meeting will take place at the Arklow Bay Hotel at 7.30pm. Deputy Doherty will be speaking on the economy, the regressive nature of Budget 2016, Sinn Fein's alternative and the need for a Fair Recovery. He will be joined by Sinn Féin General Election candidate Cllr John Brady.

Cllr Brady said;

"The supposed "recovery" of Fine Gael and the Labour Party is one firmly rooted in austerity. It is still centred on the principle of protecting the wealth of the higher echelons of society to detriment of everybody else. Budget 2016 was very much tailored with the forthcoming general election to mind.

"The ordinary people of Wicklow need a recovery that is fair. We need to get families off housing lists and into homes. We need to deliver equal access to healthcare. Families shouldn't be weighed down with unjust water charges and the property tax.

"Pearse Doherty TD has been to the forefront of developing and articulating Sinn Féin’s alternative. It is fundamentally different to plan being followed by this detached and arrogant government. We want to see a recovery of which ordinary people are the main beneficiaries and where our most vulnerable citizens are protected. Sinn Féin will end the government-driven marginalisation of our towns and villages. We will stop the decimation of our vital public services.

"The next general election is all about fairness versus inequality. The recovery must be felt by the ordinary people of Wicklow. Sinn Féin wants to build a government that believes that the principle of social solidarity is the best way forward for our country.

"I am inviting anybody who wishes to engage with that vision to come to the meeting on November 2nd to express your views."

Cllr John Brady urges Wicklow fishermen to attend conference hosted by Liadh Ní Riada MEP

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has welcomed the announcement that MEP Liadh Ní Riada will host a major fisheries policy conference in Dungarvan on Saturday, October 24th,

The conference will bring fishermen, fisheries experts and government agencies together to hammer out a strategy to support and grow the fishing industry around the coast.

Councillor Brady urged fishermen from Wicklow's coastal communities to attend the conference to voice their opinions and concerns.
He said:
“I welcome that fact that MEP Liadh Ní Riada will host a policy conference on fisheries in Dungarvan next Saturday week. It's long past time that our fishing industry was given the attention it deserves. Sinn Féin supports a sustainable fishing industry that acts as a driver of the local economy in coastal communities.
“Liadh is Ireland's only representative on the EU fisheries committee and is a proactive voice for fishermen in Europe and in Ireland. She will ensure that the voice of coastal communities and those who depend on the sea for their livelihoods will be heard. Bringing together a broad cross-section the fishing industry to feed into a comprehensive national policy is the first step in rejuvenating a sector that has been long neglected by successive governments.
"Unlike this and previous governments, Sinn Féin will continue to campaign domestically and abroad on various fisheries issues and our proposed policies, such as a Single Boat Payment scheme which Liadh Ní Riada has been highlighting with the European Commission. In government we would press for a renegotiated financial instrument that will accommodate the scheme under a truly reformed Common Fisheries Policy.
"We are also exploring legal avenues regarding illegal fishing by foreign trawlers and how they can be deterred; especially larger super-trawlers who are given space to buy up a disproportionate of quotas then fish past their quotas, reaping devastation on fish stocks and small fishermen as a result.
“Liadh along with her colleagues in GUE/NGL also submitted a proposal for funding for a pilot project on the creation of a public insurance system for those in the fisheries sector who due to unforeseen events could by adversely impacted by a number of factors, such as natural disasters, forced stops being enforced by recovery plans or sudden restrictions on access to resources, all of which would cut incomes.
“The conference itself will take place in Lawlors Hotel on Saturday 24th October and there is an open invitation to attend and participate in the discussions. I would urge fishermen from Greystones, Wicklow Town and Arklow to attend the conference if they can. I am also asking all those with an interest in seeing a strong, vibrant and sustainable fishing industry to go along and ensure their voice is heard.”
Registration for the conference begins at 9am on Saturday morning. There will be a number of local, national and European speakers on topics such as Ensuring Sustainability without Criminalising Fishermen, Adding Value and Economic Diversification; and Uniting to Ensure the Future of Fishing in Ireland.”

Government attempts to brush the healthcare crisis under the carpet in Budget 2016 - Cllr John Brady

Sinn Fein’s Wicklow General Election candidate Cllr John Brady has said that the government has attempted to brush the healthcare crisis under the carpet in Budget 2016. He stated that the measures introduced by the Fine Gael and Labour Party government do very little to improve frontline and equality of access to health services.

Councillor Brady added that the lack of vision Budget 2016 will only compound the problems faced by patients in Wicklow which followed from the closure of the A&E department in St Columcille's hospital and the consequent overcrowding at St. Vincent's Hospital.

He said;

"The Government has attempted to brush the healthcare crisis under the carpet with the measures introduced in Budget 2016. They have gone for a headline-grabbing measure by extending free GP Care to children under the age of twelve. Any extension to this scheme should have been done on the basis of income and medical need.

"We have to remember that this government promised to extend free GP care to the entire population, starting with the holders of long term illness cards. They have long abandoned this commitment to those with chronic illness and disability.

"Instead of investing in improving frontline delivery and improving equality of access in our hospitals and A&E departments, this government has decided to only invest a paltry €18 million in our health system. This is an astonishing decision when you consider the scale of the overcrowding crisis and the fact that so many people have to wait years before they can access vital treatments and procedures.

"It is clear that the problems faced by the people of Wicklow, in the area of healthcare, will only be compounded by the lack of vision in Budget 2016.

"In their first three budgets Fine Gael and Labour cut €2.5b from the health budget. In 2013 they also closed the A&E department in St. Columcille’s hospital. 21,000 patients annually used that critical service. It was vital service for the people of Wicklow. These patients have been forced upon the already overwhelmed St. Vincent's Hospital, where the nurses are currently engaged in a work to rule due to their concerns about patient safety and the trolley crisis there.

"There is nothing in this budget to address the crisis in our hospitals. There is only an additional €18m new health spend after demographics and a pay restoration.

"Sinn Féin would have allocated an additional €383m for healthcare. This would provide for 1900 new positions within the system and gone some way to addressing the unequal, two-tier delivery of healthcare in this state.”

Wicklow TDs helped create crisis in St. Vincents Hospital

Speaking in response to the crises at Saint Vincents Hospital Emergency department where nursing staff have initiated a work to rule protest; Sinn Fein Councillor and candidate for Wicklow in the upcoming general election John Brady has said the dispute is a direct consequence of the closure of emergency services at Saint Columcille’s Hospital in Loughlinstown.

“The nursing staff at St Vincents have taken this action due to the hospital’s failure to provide extra staff to care for overcrowding in the emergency department, and concern over the difficulty to provide the best possible care to their patients in such circumstances. They are under immense pressure with as many as 100 patients crammed into an area that is designed to care for just 18. Trolley numbers at St Vincents are up by almost 140 % in comparison to the same period last year. This reflects the problem nationally where hundreds of people are left on trolleys waiting on treatment along corridors in emergency units all over the state. I fully commend and support the nurses who have taken this action out of concern for patient safety.”

Councillor Brady went on to say that the consequences of closing the emergency department at St Columcille’s Loughlinstown are now being played out in the corridors of St Vincents:

“At the time Sinn Fein fiercely objected to the closure of services at St Columcilles. However all 5 Wicklow TD’s; Stephen Donnelly, Anne Ferris, Simon Harris, Billy Timmins and Andrew Doyle supported the move back in 2013. In fact, Billy Timmins was quoted as saying that he fully believed the ‘public will see an improvement’ within two or three years. He was wrong. Simon Harris at the time said he accepted that Wicklow was the ‘poor relation’ of the HSE and called for better primary care and ambulance services for the area. Four years in government and he has not lifted a finger to deliver the very services he accepted were necessary. As a result we now have a crisis in the emergency department of one of the largest hospitals in the state. Had St Columcille’s service been upgraded and kept open as Sinn Fein argued for, St Vincents would have far fewer patients on trolleys and nursing staff would not be forced into taking the action they have embarked on. ”

In conclusion Councillor Brady called on Local TD Simon Harris to appeal to Health Minister Leo Varadker to intervene in the dispute:

“The closure of St Columcille’s emergency department was as a result of another broken promise courtesy of the Labour Party. Now that St Vincents is suffering the effects, I would plead with Wicklow TD and Minister of State Simon Harris to intercede on behalf of the patients and staff, and call on Health Minister Leo Varadker to immediately address the staffing and financial crisis at the hospital.”

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor welcomes the Abandonment of Eirgrid Pylon Project

Wicklow Sinn Fein Councillor Welcomes Abandonment of Eirgrid Pylon Project

Responding to the announcement that Eirgrid have abandoned plans to construct a string of pylons across the Irish countryside; Sinn Fein candidate for Wicklow in the upcoming general election John Brady has hailed the decision as a victory for all those groups and individuals across South West Wicklow who opposed the plan from its inception:

“Sinn Fein along with community groups from across South West Wicklow opposed the plans from the outset. The €500 million Grid Link Project had proposed to develop an overhead 400kv power line linking the electricity transmission networks in Leinster and Munster. The Stage 1 Report for the project had identified a number of route corridor options for the proposed overhead power line. There was 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. This would have resulted in massive unsightly pylons cut through some of the most scenic parts of Wicklow. Sinn Fein called on the government to launch an independent commission to look into the possibility of an underground option.”

Councillor Brady went on to say that the real heroes today are the community groups that stood fast against the plans:

“Sinn Fein stood with thousands of groups and concerned citizens all over the country in objection to the project; dozens of demonstrations, meetings and letter writing campaigns have led to Eirgrid’s sensible decision to abandon plans to construct the cable carrying pylons and opt to upgrade the existing grid structure instead.”

In conclusion Councillor Brady said that Sinn Fein is fully behind the development of Irish Infrastructure:

“Sinn Fein fully supports Ireland meeting its renewable energy targets, we believe that Ireland should be energy independent and we are also in favour of developing green and clean power. It is crucially important that Ireland’s infrastructure - on every level – is constantly reviewed and improved. However, Sinn Fein will always reasonably oppose projects that might damage the natural architecture of our landscape, affect the quality of life of Irish citizens or ignore the genuine concerns of local communities; particularly when appropriate alternatives are available; as has been the case with the Eirgrid Pylon Plan from the outset. The question has to be asked however, how much public money has been wasted before this plan was scraped.”

Sinn Féin Alternative Budget will centre on fair taxation and delivering for ordinary people - Cllr John Brady

Sinn Féin Alternative Budget will centre on fair taxation and delivering for ordinary people - Cllr John Brady

Sinn Féin's Wicklow General Election candidate Cllr John Brady has welcomed the launch of the party's alternative budget proposals and stressed that the plan is centred on the principles of fair taxation, investment in public services and improving frontline deliver.

Councillor Brady stated that tax payers will benefit from the fair and progressive nature of Sinn Féin plans.

He said;

"Sinn Féin has put forward tax proposals that are about delivering fairness and putting money back in the pockets of ordinary people in Wicklow.

"We will put between €600 and €2,000, depending on their wage and personal circumstances, back into the pockets of average citizens by scrapping water charges, the tax on the family home and by taking minimum wage workers out of the USC net. These are progressive measures that are about ensuring that ordinary families feel the recovery in real terms.

"Sinn Féin is looking to end the regressive and deeply unfair approach to taxation in this state. We don't think that is unreasonable to ask people earning over €100,000 to contribute an additional 7 cent out of every euro on income over €100,000.

"These are the kind of measures we need to implement if we are to deliver first class public services from which everybody in the state will benefit. Therefore, we believe that those who can pay a little extra should.

"In many ways the differences between the tax proposals of Sinn Féin and those of the government reflect the choice the people have to make at the election. Our proposals meet the €1.5b adjustment but we are fully investing the money in public services while the government is intending to implement a 50/50 spilt between tax cuts and spending, the majority of which will be used to service the Landsdowne Road Agreement.

"To support the government's proposals means to endorse an approach built on the chronic underfunding of our schools, hospitals and housing provision. It will mean a continuation and worsening of overcrowding in our A&Es and the ballooning of housing waiting lists. The consequences for lives of people and for society and general have been well documented over the last number of years.

"Sinn Féin is aiming to pocket money back into the pockets of ordinary people and ensure that everybody has access to quality healthcare, education and housing.

"These Sinn Féin's proposals demonstrate that an alternative is possible."

Brady calls on Council to take action on their expensive Pigeon Loft on Eglinton Road, Bray

Wicklow Sinn Féin County Councillor and General Election candidate John Brady has called on Wicklow County council to take immediate action in securing, refurbishing and putting to good use 3 large vacant residential properties that they are owners of on Eglinton Road in Bray. The only purpose they are currently serving is as an expensive pigeon loft. The properties were part of the land portfolio put together by Ballymore Properties for the Florentine Development in Bray. The entire portfolio, including the three large houses, was purchased by Bray Town Council for €1.95m in December 2013.

Speaking after a recent Municipal District meeting were Councillor Brady raised the issue of the vacant, derelict properties; the Sinn Féin Councillor said “At our Municipal meeting I raised the issue of the three vacant residential properties on Eglinton Road that the council are owners of. These properties are listed buildings and have been allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair that they are dangerous and an complete eyesore. At a time when we have a housing crisis, for the council to have boarded up like properties such as this is an absolute disgrace.”

“The properties were originally purchased by Ballymore Properties, mainly for the large rear gardens which boarded the Florentine site. When the council purchased the entire Florentine site in 2013 the residential properties were included in the sale. It is hoped that plans for the development of the Florentine shopping centre will be in place in the next month or two. However the actual houses will not be part of that development. In response to a question I put to the Manager about what plans are in place for the houses, he stated that only when the Florentine Centre is developed will he start looking at putting in place a plan and making a proposal to the Councillors.”

Cllr Brady went onto say “I think that the responses to my questions about these properties are absolutely disgraceful and shows a complete disregard towards the people of Bray and the housing crisis that exists. Anyone that knows the history of the Florentine site knows that it has taken 20 years to get to this point; it will take a few more before any development is completed there. We can’t wait until then before something is done with these properties, action needs to happen immediately.”

Councillor Brady concluded by saying “Not only are these valuable protected structures that the council owns in a prime town centre location, they are opposite a public Library and beside businesses, they are dangerous and a complete eyesore. A plan needs to be put in place now to secure, make them safe and ultimately refurbish them so they can be put to use trying to tackle the housing crisis that exists. The only purpose they are currently serving is as an expensive pigeon loft.”