Government Should Put Bailout Deal to the People – O’Brien
Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien has reiterated his party’s call for the bailout deal with the EU/IMF to be put to the people in a referendum. Deputy O’Brien said: “Fine Gael and Labour have pledged to renegotiate the terms of the bailout deal with the EU/IMF. It is vital that any negotiation results in real changes, not just cosmetic tinkering with the small print.” “Ireland simply cannot afford the cost of the bank bailout or the penal interest rate which the EU is charging. Already there are indications that the latest “stress tests” on the banks may see the cost of the bailout rise still further. It is time to stop throwing money into an ever-deepening black hole.” “We need to make the bondholders take their losses.
This is the message that Enda Kenny should be taking to Brussels.” “Instead, it appears the government will be pressed to accept a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base or changes to our 12.5% rate of Corporation Tax in return for minor concessions on the interest rate. Sinn Féin predicted during the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty that its passage would lead to further pressure to harmonise tax rates across Europe and this has proven to be the case.”
“Sinn Féin believes the new government should immediately put the bailout deal with the EU/IMF to a referendum. This has the potential to strengthen their hand in negotiations, by showing that the Irish people regard the terms of the deal as unacceptable.” For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Lynch Must Put Orthopaedic at Top of Her Agenda
Lynch Must Put Orthopaedic at Top of Her Agenda
Responding to the appointment of Kathleen Lynch as Minister for State at the Department of Health, Jonathan O’Brien TD has said there is a onus on her to help end the run-down of health facilities in the Northside.
Deputy O’Brien said:
“Cork’s Northside has seen its local health services run down over a period of years, from the closure of the North Infirmary to the gradual withdrawal of services from the Orthopaedic Hospital and its scheduled closure.”
“As Minister of State, Kathleen Lynch will be in an ideal position to make sure the needs of people living on the Northside for proper healthcare services are made clear to the bureaucrats in the Department of Health. There is a responsibility on her to use her position to end the neglect of this area of the city. In particular, saving the Orthopaedic Hospital must be at the top of her agenda.”
“Sinn Féin has consistently campaigned for decent health services for the Northside. I would like to congratulate Kathleen on her new appointment, while assuring her that we will be waiting to see whether this government is prepared to deliver for the people of the Northside.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Responding to the appointment of Kathleen Lynch as Minister for State at the Department of Health, Jonathan O’Brien TD has said there is a onus on her to help end the run-down of health facilities in the Northside.
Deputy O’Brien said:
“Cork’s Northside has seen its local health services run down over a period of years, from the closure of the North Infirmary to the gradual withdrawal of services from the Orthopaedic Hospital and its scheduled closure.”
“As Minister of State, Kathleen Lynch will be in an ideal position to make sure the needs of people living on the Northside for proper healthcare services are made clear to the bureaucrats in the Department of Health. There is a responsibility on her to use her position to end the neglect of this area of the city. In particular, saving the Orthopaedic Hospital must be at the top of her agenda.”
“Sinn Féin has consistently campaigned for decent health services for the Northside. I would like to congratulate Kathleen on her new appointment, while assuring her that we will be waiting to see whether this government is prepared to deliver for the people of the Northside.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Sinn Féin Moves to Fill Council Vacancy
Sinn Féin Moves to Fill Council Vacancy
Cork Sinn Féin has nominated Mick Nugent to fill the vacancy left on Cork City Council by the election of Jonathan O’Brien as TD. The nomination will go before next Monday’s council meeting for approval.
A life-long republican, Mick Nugent is chair of the Cork Comhairle Ceanntair of Sinn Féin and worked as Jonathan O’Brien’s campaign manager in his successful general election campaign. He was selected unanimously as the party’s choice for co-option at a convention of members from the city’s Northside earlier this week.
Reacting to the decision, Deputy O’Brien said:
“I would like to congratulate Mick on being selected to replace me on the council. We have worked closely together over a series of election campaigns and I am confident he will be a strong representative for the people of the North West Ward.”
Accepting the nomination, Mick Nugent stated:
“I am honoured to be chosen to represent the North West Ward on the city council. Jonathan O’Brien has served the area well over the past eleven years, and I will continue to work with him as the local TD to serve the community and make sure that people’s concerns are heard both in the council chamber and Leinster House.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Cork Sinn Féin has nominated Mick Nugent to fill the vacancy left on Cork City Council by the election of Jonathan O’Brien as TD. The nomination will go before next Monday’s council meeting for approval.
A life-long republican, Mick Nugent is chair of the Cork Comhairle Ceanntair of Sinn Féin and worked as Jonathan O’Brien’s campaign manager in his successful general election campaign. He was selected unanimously as the party’s choice for co-option at a convention of members from the city’s Northside earlier this week.
Reacting to the decision, Deputy O’Brien said:
“I would like to congratulate Mick on being selected to replace me on the council. We have worked closely together over a series of election campaigns and I am confident he will be a strong representative for the people of the North West Ward.”
Accepting the nomination, Mick Nugent stated:
“I am honoured to be chosen to represent the North West Ward on the city council. Jonathan O’Brien has served the area well over the past eleven years, and I will continue to work with him as the local TD to serve the community and make sure that people’s concerns are heard both in the council chamber and Leinster House.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
ALL Council Tenants Should Have Right to Buy- O'Leary
All Council Tenants Should Have Right to Buy – O’Leary
Commenting on the City Council’s proposed new tenant purchase scheme, Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary has said national legislation should be amended to extend the right to buy to council tenants in flats and apartments.
Cllr O’Leary said:
“At present, council tenants who live in flats or apartments are excluded from tenant purchase schemes under national legislation. This is unjust. It sets up two classes of council tenants, one of whom has the right to purchase their home while the other does not. Many in the second category would not qualify for a transfer to a three-bedroom council house, so they are in effect precluded from ever owning their own home.”
“Frankly, I find it bizarre that although it is quite usual for private tenants to own their own apartments, national legislation assumes that councils are somehow unable to manage a similar situation in local authority developments.”
“This is a significant issue, which was brought up on the doors by a substantial number of people I canvassed during the recent election. There are council tenants across the city who want to buy out their flats but are prevented from doing so. The sale of these dwellings would also raise badly needed money for the council’s housing budget. I am calling on the incoming government to amend national legislation so the tenant purchase scheme can be extended to all council tenants.”
For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307
Commenting on the City Council’s proposed new tenant purchase scheme, Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary has said national legislation should be amended to extend the right to buy to council tenants in flats and apartments.
Cllr O’Leary said:
“At present, council tenants who live in flats or apartments are excluded from tenant purchase schemes under national legislation. This is unjust. It sets up two classes of council tenants, one of whom has the right to purchase their home while the other does not. Many in the second category would not qualify for a transfer to a three-bedroom council house, so they are in effect precluded from ever owning their own home.”
“Frankly, I find it bizarre that although it is quite usual for private tenants to own their own apartments, national legislation assumes that councils are somehow unable to manage a similar situation in local authority developments.”
“This is a significant issue, which was brought up on the doors by a substantial number of people I canvassed during the recent election. There are council tenants across the city who want to buy out their flats but are prevented from doing so. The sale of these dwellings would also raise badly needed money for the council’s housing budget. I am calling on the incoming government to amend national legislation so the tenant purchase scheme can be extended to all council tenants.”
For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307
Job Creation Still the Number One Issue- O'Brien
Job Creation Still the Number One Issue-O'Brien
Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien will be outside the Social Welfare Office on Hanover Quay this morning to remind the incoming government that job creation is still the number one issue and promote Sinn Fein’s 10-point plan for job creation in Cork.
Deputy O’Brien said:
“The election campaign is now over, but there are still nearly 450,000 unemployed and almost a thousand people are emigrating every week. Providing them with jobs and hope must be the top priority for the new government.”
“I canvassed outside the social welfare office in Hanover Street several times during the election campaign and always received a warm response. I wanted to come back here this morning as a TD to thank people for their support and pledge that job creation will by at the top of my agenda in the new Dáil.”
“Sinn Féin has produced a 10-point plan for job creation in Cork, which we believe could create at least 7,500 jobs in a relatively short time span. This would involve investment in vital infrastructure, including schools, primary health care centres, crèches and an upgraded Orthopaedic Hospital, as well as further development of the agri-food sector and support for local businesses. I would urge the incoming government to take on board some of these ideas and act quickly to reduce unemployment in the city.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien will be outside the Social Welfare Office on Hanover Quay this morning to remind the incoming government that job creation is still the number one issue and promote Sinn Fein’s 10-point plan for job creation in Cork.
Deputy O’Brien said:
“The election campaign is now over, but there are still nearly 450,000 unemployed and almost a thousand people are emigrating every week. Providing them with jobs and hope must be the top priority for the new government.”
“I canvassed outside the social welfare office in Hanover Street several times during the election campaign and always received a warm response. I wanted to come back here this morning as a TD to thank people for their support and pledge that job creation will by at the top of my agenda in the new Dáil.”
“Sinn Féin has produced a 10-point plan for job creation in Cork, which we believe could create at least 7,500 jobs in a relatively short time span. This would involve investment in vital infrastructure, including schools, primary health care centres, crèches and an upgraded Orthopaedic Hospital, as well as further development of the agri-food sector and support for local businesses. I would urge the incoming government to take on board some of these ideas and act quickly to reduce unemployment in the city.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Monday, March 7, 2011
Labour and Fine Gael to Implement Fianna Fáil Policies- O'Brien
Labour and Fine Gael to Implement Fianna Fail Policies – O’Brien
Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien has said the programme for government agreed by Fine Gael and Labour represents a continuation of Fianna Fail policies and will bitterly disappoint people who voted for change in the election.
Deputy O’Brien said:
“Today’s deal means that while there will be different faces sitting around the cabinet table, they will be implementing the same old policies that have bankrupted the country and left low and middle-income earners struggling to make ends meet.”
“Last December’s budget, with its savage cuts in social welfare and introduction of the Universal Social Charge, is to be implemented in full. Another €3 billion will be taken out of the economy next year. Fianna Fáil’s four year programme of cutbacks is effectively unchanged. Further billions are to be poured into the black hole that is the banks.”
“The new government will introduce water charges and a property tax – but the coalition has explicitly ruled out any increase in the tax levied on high earners. 25,000 public servants are to be let go by 2015 – a move that is certain to decimate frontline services.”
“There is nothing in this programme for government to offer hope for the unemployed, those contemplating emigration, or hard-pressed families who are struggling to make ends meet. The Labour Party, in particular, has failed those who voted for change in the election. They have formally signed up to the consensus for cuts alongside Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. Sinn Féin is now the last line of defence for working people and that is a role we will take seriously in the new Dáil.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien has said the programme for government agreed by Fine Gael and Labour represents a continuation of Fianna Fail policies and will bitterly disappoint people who voted for change in the election.
Deputy O’Brien said:
“Today’s deal means that while there will be different faces sitting around the cabinet table, they will be implementing the same old policies that have bankrupted the country and left low and middle-income earners struggling to make ends meet.”
“Last December’s budget, with its savage cuts in social welfare and introduction of the Universal Social Charge, is to be implemented in full. Another €3 billion will be taken out of the economy next year. Fianna Fáil’s four year programme of cutbacks is effectively unchanged. Further billions are to be poured into the black hole that is the banks.”
“The new government will introduce water charges and a property tax – but the coalition has explicitly ruled out any increase in the tax levied on high earners. 25,000 public servants are to be let go by 2015 – a move that is certain to decimate frontline services.”
“There is nothing in this programme for government to offer hope for the unemployed, those contemplating emigration, or hard-pressed families who are struggling to make ends meet. The Labour Party, in particular, has failed those who voted for change in the election. They have formally signed up to the consensus for cuts alongside Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. Sinn Féin is now the last line of defence for working people and that is a role we will take seriously in the new Dáil.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Friday, March 4, 2011
Sinn Féin Will Be The Real Opposition- O'Brien
Sinn Féin Will Be the Real Opposition - O’Brien
Speaking last night after attending his first parliamentary party meeting in Dublin, Jonathan O’Brien TD said Sinn Féin would be the real opposition in the new Dáil to a “coalition for cuts” led by Fine Gael.
Cllr O’Brien said:
“Today I attended my first parliamentary party meeting of the new Sinn Féin group in Leinster House. With fourteen TDs – more than triple our numbers in the outgoing Dáil – we are going to ensure there is a strong, principled voice for working people in the new chamber.”
“We need to reverse the Universal Social Charge and ease the financial pressure on hard-pressed families. We need to create jobs and end the tide of emigration that is seeing up to 1,000 people a week leave our shores. We must invest in our economy to get it growing again and that includes providing vital infrastructure for Cork’s Northside, which has been neglected for too long. These are among the issues I will be speaking out on in the Dáil.”
“Recent statements by Fine Gael and Labour that the public finances are worse than they had believed are designed to provide cover for the Labour Party to ditch its election promises and form a coalition for cuts with Fine Gael. As we pointed out during the election campaign, Fine Gael and Labour are set to continue the failed policies of Fianna Fail.”
“This leaves Sinn Féin as the only party providing real opposition. I look forward to playing my part in the new Dáil in offering the Irish people a real alternative to the politics of the establishment parties.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Speaking last night after attending his first parliamentary party meeting in Dublin, Jonathan O’Brien TD said Sinn Féin would be the real opposition in the new Dáil to a “coalition for cuts” led by Fine Gael.
Cllr O’Brien said:
“Today I attended my first parliamentary party meeting of the new Sinn Féin group in Leinster House. With fourteen TDs – more than triple our numbers in the outgoing Dáil – we are going to ensure there is a strong, principled voice for working people in the new chamber.”
“We need to reverse the Universal Social Charge and ease the financial pressure on hard-pressed families. We need to create jobs and end the tide of emigration that is seeing up to 1,000 people a week leave our shores. We must invest in our economy to get it growing again and that includes providing vital infrastructure for Cork’s Northside, which has been neglected for too long. These are among the issues I will be speaking out on in the Dáil.”
“Recent statements by Fine Gael and Labour that the public finances are worse than they had believed are designed to provide cover for the Labour Party to ditch its election promises and form a coalition for cuts with Fine Gael. As we pointed out during the election campaign, Fine Gael and Labour are set to continue the failed policies of Fianna Fail.”
“This leaves Sinn Féin as the only party providing real opposition. I look forward to playing my part in the new Dáil in offering the Irish people a real alternative to the politics of the establishment parties.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
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