Cork City Council passes motion supporting right to Civil Marriage for all citizens regardless of race, religion or sexuality

'Motions:This Council supports the same rights and entitlements to civil marriages for all citizens of Cork City regardless of race, religion or sexuality.' The above motion was passed tonight at Cork City Council making it the first Local Authority in the State to support the introduction of Same-Sex Marriages, it follows the decision by Belfast City Council recently to pass the same motion, commenting Sinn Féin Cllr Mick Nugent said: " I am delighted that my colleagues on Cork City Council unanimously supported my motion and that Cork City Council has taken the lead on this issue, I believe the majority public opinion across the country is supportive of moving from Civil Partnerships to Civil Marriages for Same-Sex couples with all the extra rights and benefits that would entail, I'm sure that approval of this motion will be a great boost for the Gay & Lesbian community in Cork and across the country in the ongoing struggle for recognition from wider society & equality in all aspects of life".ENDS Cllr Mick Nugent 087-6755793.

Cork Sinn Féin Youth to launch campaign against youth unemployment and emigration: “No Jobs, No Future. NO WAY!

Cork Sinn Féin Youth to launch campaign against youth unemployment and emigration: “No Jobs, No Future. NO WAY!” The youth wing of Sinn Féin is to launch a campaign highlighting the issue of youth unemployment and forced emigration entitled “No Jobs, No Future, NO WAY!” The campaign launches on 1st July and will be rolled out across the 32 Counties in the coming weeks. As the campaign develops, Sinn Féin will put forward their alternative to the failed policies of the Fine Gael/Labour government in tackling the issue of youth unemployment. Speaking in advance of the campaign launch (to take the form of a youth canvass in Cork City this coming Sunday - 1st July), Sinn Féin National Youth Committee member Joe Lynch said “I applaud Sinn Féin Youth for launching this campaign. This is an incredibly difficult time to be young in Ireland and it is only getting worse. It has been said that for the first time since World War II this generation of European’s will be worse off than their parents. That is an intolerable situation and Sinn Féin Youth are organising a campaign to effect change in national policy, North and South, to put the priorities of young people on the political agenda.” “30% of Irish young people are unemployed and we all know that figure is artificially low when we consider how many of our young people have left our shores for Australia, Canada and so on. Approximately 70,000 young people have just completed their Leaving Cert and face an uncertain future whilst this government sits idly by doing nothing to tackle the youth unemployment crisis - the same number of people are expected to emigrate this year.” “That’s the reality of being young today in Ireland and why young members of Sinn Féin are launching this national campaign. The campaign will involve youth engagement, on-street and other public demonstrations, online campaigning and solid concrete proposals from Sinn Féin for a change in policy to address youth unemployment and emigration. I wish our young activists every success with the campaign and call on all young people to get involved and play their part.” ENDS For further information or comment contact Joe Lynch @ 085-7055089

Job Creation to Top Agenda at Sinn Féin Ard Fheis

Job Creation to Top Agenda at Sinn Féin Ard Fheis Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien has said job creation and growth will top the agenda at this weekend’s Sinn Féin Ard Fheis. Deputy O’Brien, along with Sinn Féin members and public representatives from across Cork City and County, will be attending the event at the INEC in Killarney. Deputy O’Biren said: “The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis will take place in the INEC in Killarney this Friday and Saturday. This is the first time Sinn Féin has held an event on this scale in Munster and follows the historic Ard Fheis in Belfast last year. “Over the weekend 1,500 delegates will debate almost 200 motions on a wide range of topics including job creation and growth, protecting public services, the difficulties facing communities across rural Ireland, Irish Unity and the Austerity Treaty. Gerry Adams will make his Presidential Address at 5.30pm. “A number of guests will address the Ard Fheis including the head of UNITE Jimmy Kelly, a former worker from Vita Cortex, representatives from ANC, Palestine and the Basque Country and Terry O’Sullivan, President of the Labourers’ International Union of North America. “More people than ever are responding positively to Sinn Féin's message of the need to reject austerity and to stimulate the economy and create jobs and growth. We are bringing forward new and credible alternatives to the economic policies of this government and we are leading the campaign against the Austerity Treaty “This Ard Fheis provides Sinn Féin with an opportunity to promote our message that there is hope, there is a political alternative and there is a way out of the economic crisis. What you can expect to see at this Ard Fheis are party members preparing themselves for the political challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.” For further information or comment contact Jonathan O’Brien TD @ 085-2133907

Sinn Féin Vice-President to Address Public Meeting in Cork Sinn Féin Vice-President Mary Lou McDonald will be in Cork this Wednesday campaigning for a No vote in the referendum on the European Austerity Treaty. She is to be the main speaker at a public meeting organised by Sinn Féin at 8pm in the Imperial Hotel. Inviting members of the public to attend, Cllr Chris O’Leary said that to pass the Fiscal Treaty would institutionalise austerity and prolong the recession. “The Treaty requires member countries’ budgets to be balanced or in surplus, which in Ireland’s case would involve an additional €6 billion in cuts and tax increases after the current austerity programme ends in 2015. What is more, it would force Ireland to reduce its debt to GDP ratio from 120% to 60% after 2018. This would commit us to at least a further decade of austerity after that date.” “The last four years have shown that austerity is not working. Instead of economic recovery, we have mass unemployment, soaring emigration, and a domestic economy that continues to decline. Imposing these policies across Europe, as this treaty seeks to do, will simply push the entire continent into recession and further delay Ireland’s economic recovery.” “This is a vote with huge implications for Ireland’s future and I hope people will come along Wednesday evening to hear Mary Lou outline the arguments against the Treaty.” Ms McDonald will be available to speak to the press before Wednesday’s meeting. For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307

Vote ‘No’ to Austerity: Public Meeting this Thursday

Vote ‘No’ to Austerity: Public Meeting this Thursday



Cork Sinn Féin is to hold a public meeting this Thursday at 7.30pm in the Metropole Hotel to urge voters to reject the EU Fiscal Compact. The main speaker at the event will be Jonathan O’Brien TD.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Cllr Chris O’Leary said that if passed the Treaty would mean permanent austerity.



“The treaty requires member countries’ budgets to be balanced or in surplus, which in Ireland’s case would involve an additional €6 billion in cuts and tax increases after the current austerity programme ends in 2015. What is more, the treaty would force Ireland to reduce its debt to GDP ratio from 120% to 60% after 2018. This would commit us to at least a further decade of austerity after that date.”

“The last four years have shown that austerity is not working. Instead of economic recovery, we have mass unemployment, soaring emigration, and a domestic economy that continues to decline. Imposing these policies across Europe, as this treaty seeks to do, will simply push the entire continent into recession and further delay Ireland’s economic recovery.”

“I invite members of the public to come along on Thursday to find out about the implications of the austerity treaty for Ireland’s future and hear Sinn Féin’s case for a No vote.”

For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307

Gerry Adams to Speak at Easter Commemoration

Gerry Adams to Speak at Easter Commemoration


Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams will be the main speaker at this year’s Easter Commemoration in Cork.


His keynote address, to be delivered at the republican plot in St Finbarr’s cemetery this Sunday, is expected to focus on Ireland’s economic situation, Sinn Fein’s opposition to cutbacks and austerity, and the upcoming referendum on the European Fiscal Compact.



The annual Easter commemoration will assemble at the National Monument on the Grand Parade at 2.30pm this Sunday before marching to St Finbarr’s cemetery. It will be lead by the McCurtain/McSwiney Republican Flute Band.



For further information or comment contact Cllr Mick Nugent @ 087-6755793

Press Notice: Sinn Féin to Launch Easter Lily Campaign at City Hall

Press Notice: Sinn Féin to Launch Easter Lily Campaign at City Hall


Jonathan O’Brien TD and Sinn Féin members of Cork City Council will launch a campaign this Monday urging people to wear an Easter lily and remember those who gave their lives for Irish freedom. The launch will take place at Cork City Hall at 4.30pm and will include a photocall with the six public representatives.


Speaking in advance of the event, Deputy O’Brien said:



“The Easter Lily is an emblem of unity between the different traditions within the Irish nation as well as the heroism of those who sacrificed their lives in 1916. It symbolises unity, equality and a better future for all the people of Ireland.”

“The ideals of the 1916 rising have never been as relevant as they are today. With our government in leading strings to the IMF/EU, and a referendum due on the European Austerity Treaty which would permanently give up our economic sovereignty, the importance of the freedom which the men and women of 1916 fought for is clearer than ever.”

“The leaders of the 1916 rising died for a united, free Ireland where all of the children are cherished equally. I am encouraging people across Cork to wear an Easter lily this week and remember our patriot dead with pride.”

“I would also encourage people to attend this year’s Easter Commemoration, at which the main speaker will be Gerry Adams TD. The commemoration will assemble at the National Monument at 2.30pm on Easter Sunday before marching to the Republican Plot in St Finbarr’s cemetery.”



For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907