Brady welcomes progression of Arklow sewage treatment plant plans

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has welcomed the progression of plans to construct a wastewater treatment plant in Arklow, Co. Wicklow, saying that such a facility will give Arklow the capacity to expand and grow as a town, as well as being a boon to the local environment as it will put an end to the pouring of waste into the Avoca.

Teachta Brady said “Arklow has been constrained as a town by a lack of a proper wastewater treatment plant. This has had a serious impact on the construction of new homes and businesses, not to speak of the effect on groundwater and the quality of drinking water in the area. The campaign to get a treatment plant has been ongoing for many years now, and I welcome this advancement.

Teachta Brady continued “The proposed plan will involve the construction of a Wastewater Treatment Plant for a planned population equivalent of 36,000. The site option that has been recommended is at the Old Wallboard Factory, North Quay, Ferrybank.

“I have consistently said that the treatment plant is the key to unlocking Arklow’s potential. Arklow is one of seven large towns identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as having no wastewater treatment. The practice of discharging untreated wastewater to the Avoca River is no longer acceptable and it’s had a detrimental effect on Arklow for far too long. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being drafted with a view to submitting a planning application in early 2017. Discussions are taking place with An Bord Pleanála as to whether this project will be a strategic infrastructure development (SID) so as its construction can be fast tracked.

“The construction of this plant will give Arklow a new lease of life as it provides the capacity to expand and grow as a town. It will also put an end to the outdated and environmentally harmful solution of dumping untreated waste into the River Avoca. It is crucial that the construction of this plant gets underway as soon as possible. The delivery of the sewage treatment plant is a priority for me, I intended on holding whatever government is in place to account, until it’s delivered."

Tesco is working illegally in ignoring Labour Court ruling-Brady

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has accused Tesco management of “Behaving irresponsibly and illegally in ignoring the recommendations of a Labour Court ruling in February which said that the company was to introduce a two per cent pay increase”.

Teachta Brady said “As well as ignoring the Labour Court recommendation for 1000 of its 14,500 Irish workforce Tesco also plans to introduce unilateral pay cuts of up to 15% from April 18th and to change workers’ conditions of employment, work patterns and bonus payments.”

“No company can erode the rights of workers through a desire a merely streamline pay arrangements. The Tesco workers in question signed contracts pre-1996 and now the company has decided that this is simply a nuisance that they can write off with the stroke of a pen. Rather than reward the loyalty of these workers, Tesco would seek to cut their pay and sick leave entitlements. Claims by Tesco that this is about streamlining its systems deliberately ignores the reality that for many workers their conditions of employment will be made worse and their pay packets will be cut.”

“The Fine Gael/Labour government failed to legislate to protect workers, especially low paid workers, and has cleared the way for the extension of zero hour contracts and the exploitation of low paid workers. Whatever shape the next government takes Sinn Féin will be demanding stronger workplace protections for staff.”

Teachta Brady concluded “I would urge Tesco to rethink its current workplace strategy, negotiate properly with the workers union, and step back from what could be a damaging industrial strike.”

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has accused Fianna Fail of “Trying to ride two horses.”

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has accused Fianna Fail of “Trying to ride two horses.”

Teachta Brady said “The decision by Fianna Fáil to reject the Fine Gael offer of coalition had nothing to do with ideological or policy differences between the two. Fianna Fáil’s claim that it still wants to lead a minority government is ludicrous. Fianna Fáil wants to dictate the shape of the next government, retain the ability to pull it down at a time of its choosing and oppose Sinn Féin’s becoming the official opposition. They want to effectively try ride two horses at once, they want to control both the government and the opposition, and that can’t and won’t happen.”

“Citizens are not fooled by Mícheál Martin’s cynical posturing and there is a deepening and understandable public disillusionment with the ongoing charade which has now descended into a farce. If Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are unwilling to face up to their political responsibilities then both should come to the Dáil next Thursday admit they can’t reach agreement and clear the way for an election.

“Meanwhile the severe crises in health and housing are escalating, industrial disputes are increasing and other serious problems faced by families before the election remain unresolved. Not a day goes by that constituents aren’t contacting me on these and many other important issues; we have a caretaker government, with caretaker Ministers, who in reality don’t care as there is no political responsibility.”

Brady concluded “Only Sinn Féin brought forward constructive motions at the last two sittings of the Dáil to tackle some of these issues. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had no difficulty acting together to block these motions. They have no difficulty in working together on Wicklow County Council and many other councils and to exclude Sinn Féin and control power. They need to stop the farce, stop the posturing, or clear the way for another election.”

Dáil must act on mandate to abolish Irish Water – Brady

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has called on the Dáil to recognise its mandate and abolish Irish Water and water charges as the votes of the public have clearly called for. He was making his comments following the arrest of 3 people this week in Greystones at a water meter protest.

Deputy Brady said:

“Last Tuesday, three more water protesters were arrested in Greystones as they opposed peacefully the installation of pointless, expensive water meters in their neighbourhood.

“We need a complete halt to this unnecessary waste of money and resources. Sinn Fein have published such a Bill to abolish Water Charges and Irish Water. We need an end to the sham caretaker arrangements that are in place to facilitate the schoolyard style negotiations going on between FG and FF.

“We need political accountability and the means to debate and put forward legislation for the abolition of Irish Water, not suspension.

“The people had their say on February 26th. This Dáil has a clear mandate for the abolition of water charges and yet it dithers.”

Wicklow Sinn Féin Commemorates the centenary of the 1916 Rising and the proclamation of the Republic

The Wicklow Sinn Féin Easter 1916 Centenary commemoration took place on Easter Monday. A huge crowd of 400 assembled at Bray Town Hall. The commemoration was led off by the Wicklow Sinn Féin colour party and followed by the Rising Phoenix Republican Flute Band.

A wreath was laid at the 1798 monument on Castle Street by local republican Jack O’Neill, Cllr Michael O’Connor and Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady. The commemoration then proceeded to St.Peters Cemetery.

Wicklow Sinn Féin councillor Michael O’Connor who was recently co-opted onto the council to fill the seat vacated by John Brady chaired the proceedings in St.Peters and welcomed the huge crowd. Wicklow republican Robin Keogh read the proclamation and the names and a history of 16 Wicklow republicans who fought during Easter week was read out by Meghan Brady, Cllr John Snell, Melanie McAuley and Cllr Oliver O’Brien.

Cllr O’Connor then welcomed the main speaker at the commemoration John Brady TD stating “The people of Wicklow have made history by electing the first Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow in 94 years. Not since the election of Robert Barton and Sean Etchingham in the 2nd Dáil elections of 1921 has Wicklow been represented by a Republican in Leinster House.”

The Sinn Féin TD then delivered a rousing speech and stated “We are standing here on the sacred ground of St.Peters Cemetery surrounded by the graves of volunteers such as Steenie Mulvey, Willie Ownes, James Hoey and Seamus Costello who all fought bravely for Irish Freedom and in defence of the Irish Republic as was declared in 1916. They followed in the brave tradition of Fiach McHugh, the O'Byrnes, Michael Dwyer, Joseph Holt, Billy Byrne, Sam McAllister and Anne Devlin and many, many others from Wicklow that fought the occupation of our country.”

He went on to say that “The Republic that was declared in 1916 still has to be achieved and there is now more support for Sinn Féin and Irish republicanism than at any other time in our history. The promise of the republic is in our hands. We must now use that position to build the demand for real change. For unity and for a republic that honours the men and women of 1916 and all our patriots.”

Wreaths were laid on the grave of Bray man Stephen (Steenie) Mulvey by John Brady TD and family members of Steenie. Mulvey fought in the GPO during Easter week. One was also laid at the 1916 monument in the cemetery for all that died in the struggle for Irish Independence.
The commemoration finished with the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann.

Homeless crisis is direct and shockin result of government policy - Brady

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has said today that the homelessness crisis was a direct result of government policy. Speaking as part of a debate on Housing and Homelessness in the Dáil, he said that 68 families faced eviction in Wicklow Circuit Court yesterday and that protecting people from eviction must be a priority for any new government.

Deputy Brady said;

"Today homelessness affects thousands of children and their parents, many of whom are in full-time employment but have been forced on to the streets due to spiralling uncontrolled rents and a catalogue of pitiful policy failures.

100 years on from the Easter Rising of 1916, there are nearly 6,000 people in emergency accommodation, 1,830 of them children.

In my own constituency of Wicklow/East Carlow, 146 families including 240 children presented as homeless in 2015. This is certainly not the republic envisaged by the women and men of 1916.

In the circuit court in Wicklow yesterday 68 families stood facing eviction from their homes by financial institutions that we bailed out to the tune of 64 billion euro and in some cases we actually own.

They feel helpless in the hands of a system that treats them as no more than a statistic. A system which sees them as an inconvenience and an embarrassing reminder of the incompetence of government who put banks, financiers, developers and corporations ahead of the people, the people they are sworn to represent.

The situation these families and thousands more like them across the country find themselves in, is a DIRECT and SHOCKING consequence of government ignorance, government failures and government indifference.

All this has been described as a national emergency and a national crisis and this is true. But let nobody be under any illusion,
It is a shame, a damned shame on this house and on all those who occupied the government benches over the last ten years.

The implementation of the Land and Conveyancing Act 2013 is now facilitating the repossession of the family home, forcing more and more families onto the streets.

The priority of this caretaker government and whatever new one is put in place should be to protect the family home and stop more becoming statistic also."

Wicklow Sinn Fein Announce 1916 Commemorative Event

Wicklow Sinn Fein has announced details of its foremost 1916 commemorative event. The main speaker at the event will be recently elected Sinn Fein TD for Wicklow and East Carlow John Brady. The assembly point will be outside Bray Town Hall at 12.15pm on Monday 28th March. The procession will continue to St Peter’s Cemetery, Little Bray where guest speaker John Brady will address attendees. Teachta Brady has said that he is honoured to be part of the commemoration which offers an opportunity for Wicklow citizens to remember the vital role played by Wicklow Volunteers in the events of Easter 1916:

“Wicklow has a proud tradition in the annals of Irish Republicanism. After the 1798 Rebellion the county remained full of Republicans who refused to surrender; so much so that the British were forced to build the Military Road in order to reach those areas inhabited by rebels who had been a thorn in the side of the British administration for decades. By the time of the 1916 rising, Wicklow had established itself as a centre of Republican activity; providing brave Irishmen and Women committed to the fight for Irish freedom. The Kilcoole gunrunning of 1914 provided crucial arms for the 1916 Rising and galvanised support across the County. Refusing to accept the countermand from Eoin MacNeill many Wicklow volunteers made the journey to Dublin and fought gallantly during Easter week.”

Teachta Brady went on to say that the event is one of many Sinn Fein events occurring all over the county to mark the 1916 centenary and is open to all who wish to attend:

“In this the centenary of the 1916 rising, Wicklow Sinn Fein commemorate the sacrifice of thousands of Men and Women from Wicklow and beyond who fought to free their Country. Our commemoration this Easter Monday will be one of remembrance and reflection, open to all who wish to honour the memory of those Wicklow Volunteers who selflessly gave of themselves for a Republic that we have yet to fully realise; and one that Sinn Fein as a party is dedicated to achieving.”