Where is the NAMA for Homeowners

Where is the NAMA for Homeowners? - Protest and Photocall at Bank of Ireland

Banks which have been bailed out by the state to the tune of €30 billion and counting continue to raise mortgage rates for homeowners and threaten those who cannot pay with eviction – while funding golf club memberships for their staff.

As part of its ongoing housing campaign, Cork Sinn Féin are to hold a protest outside Bank of Ireland on Patrick Street at 1pm Friday. The event will feature a photocall with members of Ógra Shinn Féin, the party’s youth wing, dressed up as bankers and being pelted with sponges by members of the public.

Sinn Féin Councillor Jonathan O’Brien stated: “As cutbacks to public services continue, this week saw yet more taxpayer’s money being poured into the black hole that is our banks. Anglo Irish – the property developers’ bank – has now cost €24 billion. Bank of Ireland and AIB have received €7 billion between them. Up to €50 billion more may be spent on NAMA.” “But where is the NAMA for vulnerable homeowners who are victims of the banks’ reckless lending? Instead of government assistance for those struggling to pay mortgages, we have rising interest rates which will push more mortgages into arrears. The past few weeks have seen both Bank of Ireland and AIB announcing increases in their mortgage rates. “It is not acceptable that banks which have received billions in taxpayers’ money should extract a further subsidy from ordinary householders through higher interest rates. Sinn Féin wants to see the banks taken into state ownership and a state bank created which would provide affordable loans for homeowners and businesses.

“We also believe that banks which have been bailed out should be obliged to write off a proportion of the difference between the purchase price and the current market value of a family home for those average income households who bought their properties since 2004. “And we want vacant properties taken over by NAMA to be passed on to local authorities to provide homes for some of the 100,000 people on the waiting list. It’s time to end the banks’ free ride – and lend a hand to ordinary homeowners.”

For further information contact Cllr Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907

Create Jobs to Stop Emigration

Create Jobs to Stop Emigration










As the jobless figure reached a record high, Cork Sinn Féin activists held an event at Cork Airport this morning to highlight the plight of young people forced to emigrate in search of work.

Speaking afterwards, Cllr Jonathan O’Brien said the government must make job creation the number one national priority.

Cllr O’Brien stated: “Despite talk of recovery, the dole queues continue to lengthen. The recession is far from over for 450,000 unemployed. Young, educated workers who see no future in Ireland are leaving our shores every day, taking their skills and talent to build the economies of other countries. The government’s only response is to promise more cutbacks and throw good money after bad into the black hole that is Anglo-Irish Bank.” “Resolving the unemployment crisis must become a national priority. Sinn Féin has put forward a comprehensive set of proposals to retain and create jobs.These include- A €500 million youth jobs fund to create 20,000new jobs.Creating jobs through the construction of essential infrastructure – hospitals, schools, public transport networks and roll-out of broadband. ·

A new green technology body – Eolas Glás Éireann – for research, promotion and funding of green energy and environmental technologies.Introduce specific job-creation strategies in agri-food, tourism, digital media and IT.A €600 million job retention fund to subsidise workers in struggling small and medium businesses – with potential to save 96,000 jobs It is time to put a comprehensive job creation strategy in place and stop exporting our future. Our full job creation proposals can be accessed at www.sinnfein.ie.”

For further information contact Cllr Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907

Stop Exporting Our Future

Stop Exporting Our Future!

In the wake of today’s figures showing a further 8,500 signing on the dole, Cork Sinn Féin will hold a photocall outside the main terminal at Cork Airport at 8.30am tomorrow to highlight the plight of young people forced to emigrate in search of work.

Speaking in advance of the event, Cllr Jonathan O’Brien said the country was in danger of slipping back to the 1980s, with a new “lost generation” of young people become victims of unemployment and emigration.

Cllr O’Brien stated:

“Our young, educated workforce is the strongest asset we have to rebuild this country’s economy. But young people who see no future in Ireland are leaving every day and taking their skills and talent to build the economies of other countries. A recent ERSI report predicted that 200,000 people could emigrate in the coming years if unemployment is not dealt with.”

“The Government is doing nothing about this. Like Fianna Fail governments of the past they are happy to see the ‘safety valve’ of emigration take the pressure off them.

“The prolonged Dáil break is an insult to the unemployed when urgent action is needed to create jobs. Our message to the government is simple – create jobs to stop emigration.

“Resolving the unemployment crisis must become a national priority. Sinn Féin has put forward a comprehensive set of proposals to retain and create jobs. These include

· A €500 million youth jobs fund to create 20,000 new jobs.
· Creating jobs through the construction of essential infrastructure – hospitals, schools, public transport networks and roll-out of broadband.
· A new green technology body – Eolas Glás Éireann – for research, promotion and funding of green energy and environmental technologies.
· Introduce specific job-creation strategies in agri-food, tourism, digital media and IT.
· A €600 million job retention fund to subsidise workers in struggling small and medium businesses – with potential to save 96,000 jobs

It is time to put a comprehensive job creation strategy in place and stop exporting our future. Our full job creation proposals can be accessed at http://www.sinnfein.ie.”

For further information contact Cllr Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907.

Cork Sinn Féin launch Housing Campaign

Cork Sinn Féin today launched it's Housing Campaign, the major new policy document titled 'Lets End The Wait' was presented to the media by the party's five Councillors, Jonathan O'Brien, Fiona Kerins, Henry Cremin, Thomas Gould & Chris O'Leary, at Cork City Hall.The party's aim is to bring the 'Lets End The Wait'campaign to areas across the city over the next few months, the first public meeting takes place in Togher Community Centre on September 16th at 7.30pm.

Call to rename Cork Airport 'Terence Mac Swiney Airport'

Sinn Féin Cllr Jonathan O'Brien has called for Cork Airport to be renamed after former Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney, a motion to that affect was recently submitted to the joint city & county council committee. Sinn Féin would hope that this proposal would get backing from all parties, we believe that it would be fitting honour for MacSwiney and would complement commemorations marking the 90th anniversary of his death on Hungerstrike in October.

Martin Ferris TD welcomes Cllr Chris O'Leary to the Sinn Féin team

Kerry North TD Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris was present at Cork City Hall yesterday evening to welcome Cllr Chris O'Leary to the Sinn Féin team of councillors, accompanied by Cllrs Fiona Kerins, Jonathan O'Brien, Thomas Gould & Henry Cremin.

McDonald Welcomes Cllr Chris O'Leary to Sinn Féin

McDonald Welcomes Cllr Chris O’Leary to Sinn Féin


Sinn Féin Vice-President Mary Lou McDonald has welcomed Cork City Councillor Chris O’Leary into Sinn Féin.


Speaking at an event in the Metropole Hotel this morning, Ms McDonald stated:


“I am delighted to welcome Cllr Chris O’Leary as the party’s latest recruit in Cork. Chris is well known as a grass-roots campaigner and a leading figure in the community development sector.


“His decision to join Sinn Féin further reinforces what was already a strong team on Cork City Council, where our party doubled its representation in the 2009 elections. I look forward with confidence to seeing Sinn Féin candidates challenging for seats in both Cork North Central and South Central at the next general election.


“I am sure other elected representatives seeking a progressive party that stands up for ordinary people and offers a clear political alternative will look at Chris’s decision to join Sinn Féin and consider whether this would also be the right decision for them.


Cllr Chris O’Leary said:


“Today is about building a strong, united and real alternative to the politics of the establishment in Cork.”


“Over the past few years I have established a good relationship with my Sinn Féin colleagues on Cork City Council. I have watched the party become a progressively stronger force in the politics of the city. I have seen Sinn Féin members and representatives campaigning on issues that are also important to me – for a real job creation strategy, for investment in communities, for action on anti-social behaviour and drugs, against NAMA and public service cutbacks.


“I have come to the conclusion that joining Sinn Féin is the best way I can contribute to building the genuine political alternative our city needs.”


“As a Sinn Féin councillor, I intend to continue the effective local representation and passionate advocacy of the interests of ordinary people in Cork on which I have built my reputation in politics.”