Life Line to the Community Stifled By Red Tape-O'Leary
Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary has criticised plans to force residents and community groups who apply for ward funds to provide a tax clearance certificate. The new procedures being introduced by the city council would require voluntary organisations in receipt of sums ranging from €100-€500 to prove they are tax compliant.
Cllr O’Leary said:
“Ward funds are a life line to many groups active in the local community. The monies involved are small – donations range from as little as €100 to a maximum of €500 – but they can make a big difference to a sports club looking for new equipment or a residents’ association organising a community clean-up.”
“The City Council has announced that in future it will require councillors to request a tax clearance certificate from groups to whom they donate ward funds. This is a ridiculous demand to place on local community groups and residents’ associations. It is also unnecessary. The legislation the council is citing as the basis for this requirement dates to 2006. Why demand a tax certificate now when there has been no such requirement over the past five years?”
“I fully support the concept of openness and accountability in the use of public money. But there are more important targets than the local sports club. At present, councillors who claim conference expenses don’t have to produce receipts. And the council has proved woefully lax in its enforcement of employment standards on sub-contractors engaged on council projects.”
“The City Management should scrap this proposal and not stifle a life-line to the community with red tape.”
For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Pipe Bomb an Alarming Development- O'Brien
Pipe Bomb an Alarming Development- O'Brien
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Jonathan O’Brien TD, has described yesterday’s discovery of a pipe-bomb at Popham’s Road in Farranree as an alarming development.
Deputy O’Brien, who lives in the area, said:
“Yesterday’s discovery is gravely worrying. It is particularly shocking for local residents given that this is a normally quiet area.”
“Serious disruption was caused, with 80 local people evacuated from their homes while the device was being made safe.”
“Whoever was behind this attack showed a callous disregard for human life. If the device had exploded, innocent passers-by could have been injured or even killed.”
“It is vital that those responsible be brought to justice as soon as possible. We cannot afford to tolerate criminality of this nature in our city.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Jonathan O’Brien TD, has described yesterday’s discovery of a pipe-bomb at Popham’s Road in Farranree as an alarming development.
Deputy O’Brien, who lives in the area, said:
“Yesterday’s discovery is gravely worrying. It is particularly shocking for local residents given that this is a normally quiet area.”
“Serious disruption was caused, with 80 local people evacuated from their homes while the device was being made safe.”
“Whoever was behind this attack showed a callous disregard for human life. If the device had exploded, innocent passers-by could have been injured or even killed.”
“It is vital that those responsible be brought to justice as soon as possible. We cannot afford to tolerate criminality of this nature in our city.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Discovery of Pipe Bomb a Worrying Development- Nugent
Pipe Bomb a Worrying Development
Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent has said the discovery of a pipe-bomb at Popham's Road in Farranree is a worrying development.
Councillor Nugent - who was on the scene today along with his Sinn Féin colleague Cllr Thomas Gould - said local residents he talked to were upset and worried by the event.
He said:
"Today's incident was very disruptive to the local community, with a number of people being evacuated from their homes. The confirmation that the device was viable will only add to local concerns."
"Such events have been extremely rare in Cork to date. Today's find is therefore a worrying development. Hopefully the perpetrators will quickly be identified and charged."
For further information or comment contact Cllr Mick Nugent 087-6755793
Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent has said the discovery of a pipe-bomb at Popham's Road in Farranree is a worrying development.
Councillor Nugent - who was on the scene today along with his Sinn Féin colleague Cllr Thomas Gould - said local residents he talked to were upset and worried by the event.
He said:
"Today's incident was very disruptive to the local community, with a number of people being evacuated from their homes. The confirmation that the device was viable will only add to local concerns."
"Such events have been extremely rare in Cork to date. Today's find is therefore a worrying development. Hopefully the perpetrators will quickly be identified and charged."
For further information or comment contact Cllr Mick Nugent 087-6755793
O’Brien Urges NUI Graduates to Back Ó Broin
O’Brien Urges NUI Graduates to Back Ó Broin
Jonathan O’Brien TD has curged NUI graduates in Cork to back Eoin Ó Broin in the Seanad elections. Deputy O’Brien met with Eoin Ó Broin at Leinster House this week to endorse his campaign.
Deputy O’Brien said:
“In the coming weeks, elections will take place to the Seanad. This is likely to be the last election to the Seanad in its current form. But
political change will only happen if you elect people who are committed to bringing it about. It won’t be changed by those, who want to
maintain the status quo. That is why Sinn Féin is contesting the Seanad elections. We will challenge a political system dominated and
corrupted by vested interests and resistant to change.
“Sinn Féin has produced detailed proposals for fundamental political reform including in reform of the Seanad. We need a new Constitution, increased voter participation, an end to excessive salaries and reform of how the Oireachtas does its business.
“I want to call on those who are entitled to vote on the National University Panel in the Seanad elections and who want to see change
delivered to vote for Eoin Ó Broin. If elected Eoin will join the strong team of 14 Sinn Féin TDs in providing a real opposition.” ENDS
Profile of Eoin Ó Broin
Eoin Ó Broin lives in Dublin. He is a member of Sinn Fein's Ard Comhairle, writes a regular column for the party’s paper An Phoblacht,
and is involved in the development of the party’s European, Economic and Housing policies.
A Sinn Féin and community activist for 15 years Eoin was born in Dublin and lived in Belfast for 11 years where he was National Organiser for Sinn Féin Youth from 1997 to 1999. He was Sinn Féin’s Director of European Affairs from 2004 to 2007.
Eoin has a Masters Degree in Irish Politics from Queens University Belfast and currently works for a national housing charity. He is also
the author of two books, a history of the conflict in the Basque Country (2003) and Sinn Féin and the Politics of Left Republicanism (2009).
To find out more about Eoin log onto www.obroin4seanad.com
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Jonathan O’Brien TD has curged NUI graduates in Cork to back Eoin Ó Broin in the Seanad elections. Deputy O’Brien met with Eoin Ó Broin at Leinster House this week to endorse his campaign.
Deputy O’Brien said:
“In the coming weeks, elections will take place to the Seanad. This is likely to be the last election to the Seanad in its current form. But
political change will only happen if you elect people who are committed to bringing it about. It won’t be changed by those, who want to
maintain the status quo. That is why Sinn Féin is contesting the Seanad elections. We will challenge a political system dominated and
corrupted by vested interests and resistant to change.
“Sinn Féin has produced detailed proposals for fundamental political reform including in reform of the Seanad. We need a new Constitution, increased voter participation, an end to excessive salaries and reform of how the Oireachtas does its business.
“I want to call on those who are entitled to vote on the National University Panel in the Seanad elections and who want to see change
delivered to vote for Eoin Ó Broin. If elected Eoin will join the strong team of 14 Sinn Féin TDs in providing a real opposition.” ENDS
Profile of Eoin Ó Broin
Eoin Ó Broin lives in Dublin. He is a member of Sinn Fein's Ard Comhairle, writes a regular column for the party’s paper An Phoblacht,
and is involved in the development of the party’s European, Economic and Housing policies.
A Sinn Féin and community activist for 15 years Eoin was born in Dublin and lived in Belfast for 11 years where he was National Organiser for Sinn Féin Youth from 1997 to 1999. He was Sinn Féin’s Director of European Affairs from 2004 to 2007.
Eoin has a Masters Degree in Irish Politics from Queens University Belfast and currently works for a national housing charity. He is also
the author of two books, a history of the conflict in the Basque Country (2003) and Sinn Féin and the Politics of Left Republicanism (2009).
To find out more about Eoin log onto www.obroin4seanad.com
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Census Contract Raises Serious Issues- O'Leary
Census Contract Raises Serious Issues
Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary has said the award of the €6 million contract to produce and compile Census 2011 to a UK company raises serious issues.
Cllr O’Leary said:
“The award of the six million Euro contact to produce and compile Census 2011 to CACI-UK raises serious issues.”
“At a time of severe unemployment, would it not have been better for the CSO – which is based here in Cork – to hire suitably qualified graduates to carry out the work locally rather than contracting it to a UK company?”
“CACI also has a questionable record. In the past, it provided interrogation staff at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, which was the scene of serious human rights abuses. This is the company which will now be processing the personal data of Irish citizens.”
“CACI should never have been hired to do this work. The way in which public contracts like this are awarded needs to be reviewed.”
For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307
Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary has said the award of the €6 million contract to produce and compile Census 2011 to a UK company raises serious issues.
Cllr O’Leary said:
“The award of the six million Euro contact to produce and compile Census 2011 to CACI-UK raises serious issues.”
“At a time of severe unemployment, would it not have been better for the CSO – which is based here in Cork – to hire suitably qualified graduates to carry out the work locally rather than contracting it to a UK company?”
“CACI also has a questionable record. In the past, it provided interrogation staff at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, which was the scene of serious human rights abuses. This is the company which will now be processing the personal data of Irish citizens.”
“CACI should never have been hired to do this work. The way in which public contracts like this are awarded needs to be reviewed.”
For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307
Moriarty Report Should Spur Political Reform- O'Brien
Moriarty Report Should Spur Political Reform- O'Brien
Speaking in Leinster House on the Moriarty report, Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Jonathan O’Brien has said the report should spur reform of the political system and a new culture of patriotism.
He said:
“The Moriarty report is one of the most shocking documents to be published in the history of this state.
It is also one of the most illuminating. It shines a spotlight on the cosy relationship between business and politics in this country – and what it reveals is not pretty.
In recent days the findings of the tribunal have been partially obscured under a torrent of misinformation, deliberate distraction and spin, much of it emanating from Michael Lowry and Denis O’Brien.
We must not let ourselves be distracted from the main issue here.
The issue is that Michael Lowry, as minister for communications in a Fine Gael-led government, manipulated the awarding of a valuable state asset in order to benefit Denis O’Brien, who rewarded him with payments of almost £500,000.
The issue is that Fine Gael accepted over a dozen donations from Mr O’Brien and his companies during the period when they were competing for the mobile phone license.
We are talking about corruption and criminality on an epic scale.
We are talking about a government minister enabling a clique of businessmen to massively enrich themselves at the expense of the Irish state.
We are talking about the rotten relationship between Irish business and Irish politics – a relationship whose fruits we are seeing today in NAMA, the bank guarantee scheme, and the IMF bailout.
The Moriarty report should be taken as a clarion call to make politics honourable again. It should become a historical turning point – the moment when we committed ourselves, as a nation, to root out corruption once and for all; the moment when we began a comprehensive reform of our political system.
We cannot afford to brush it under the carpet. We cannot afford to dismiss it as yesterday’s news. The corrupt nexus of business and politics that it has uncovered remains in place. There will be more Michael Lowrys and more Tribunals in future if we do not act on its findings.
Political decisions must be made openly and transparently. Every Irish citizen must be able to participate in making them.
We need a culture of openness. A culture of civic duty. We need a culture of patriotism.
We need a culture of republicanism.
A republic is a state run by the people, not by a corrupt oligarchy or business elite. This was the ideal of the men and women of 1916 who proclaimed the right of the Irish people to the ownership of Ireland. As we approach the centenary of that event, we need to return to those founding values. We need to initiate a national conversation about a new Ireland – a conversation throughout the 32 counties. Political reform is too important to be left to the politicians. We cannot trust the beneficiaries of our broken system to reform it by ourselves. The only change that matters will come from the bottom up. We should look at this moment of crisis in Irish politics as an opportunity for renewal. If we waste that opportunity, we betray both the legacy of the past, and the promise of the future. The task that faces us today is not just to clean up politics, but to create a genuine republic.”
For further comment or information contact Deputy Jonathan O'Brien 085-2133907
Speaking in Leinster House on the Moriarty report, Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Jonathan O’Brien has said the report should spur reform of the political system and a new culture of patriotism.
He said:
“The Moriarty report is one of the most shocking documents to be published in the history of this state.
It is also one of the most illuminating. It shines a spotlight on the cosy relationship between business and politics in this country – and what it reveals is not pretty.
In recent days the findings of the tribunal have been partially obscured under a torrent of misinformation, deliberate distraction and spin, much of it emanating from Michael Lowry and Denis O’Brien.
We must not let ourselves be distracted from the main issue here.
The issue is that Michael Lowry, as minister for communications in a Fine Gael-led government, manipulated the awarding of a valuable state asset in order to benefit Denis O’Brien, who rewarded him with payments of almost £500,000.
The issue is that Fine Gael accepted over a dozen donations from Mr O’Brien and his companies during the period when they were competing for the mobile phone license.
We are talking about corruption and criminality on an epic scale.
We are talking about a government minister enabling a clique of businessmen to massively enrich themselves at the expense of the Irish state.
We are talking about the rotten relationship between Irish business and Irish politics – a relationship whose fruits we are seeing today in NAMA, the bank guarantee scheme, and the IMF bailout.
The Moriarty report should be taken as a clarion call to make politics honourable again. It should become a historical turning point – the moment when we committed ourselves, as a nation, to root out corruption once and for all; the moment when we began a comprehensive reform of our political system.
We cannot afford to brush it under the carpet. We cannot afford to dismiss it as yesterday’s news. The corrupt nexus of business and politics that it has uncovered remains in place. There will be more Michael Lowrys and more Tribunals in future if we do not act on its findings.
Political decisions must be made openly and transparently. Every Irish citizen must be able to participate in making them.
We need a culture of openness. A culture of civic duty. We need a culture of patriotism.
We need a culture of republicanism.
A republic is a state run by the people, not by a corrupt oligarchy or business elite. This was the ideal of the men and women of 1916 who proclaimed the right of the Irish people to the ownership of Ireland. As we approach the centenary of that event, we need to return to those founding values. We need to initiate a national conversation about a new Ireland – a conversation throughout the 32 counties. Political reform is too important to be left to the politicians. We cannot trust the beneficiaries of our broken system to reform it by ourselves. The only change that matters will come from the bottom up. We should look at this moment of crisis in Irish politics as an opportunity for renewal. If we waste that opportunity, we betray both the legacy of the past, and the promise of the future. The task that faces us today is not just to clean up politics, but to create a genuine republic.”
For further comment or information contact Deputy Jonathan O'Brien 085-2133907
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Redevelopment Must Prioritise Community Needs-Cremin
Redevelopment Must Prioritise Community Needs-Cremin
Cllr Henry Cremin has said the views of local residents and the needs of the community must be taken into account in any redevelopment of the site of the former NBA flats in Togher.
Cllr Cremin stated:
"I am disappointed that the Manager’s Report on the future of the Deanrock site makes no mention of consulting with the local community. Going by his remarks tonight, the Manager is depending on the private sector to come up with proposals for the future of the site. Such proposals will obviously be market-driven rather than designed with the best interests of the community in Togher at heart.”
“The site of the NBA flats is public property and should be developed in the public interest. The priority in any development should be to enhance the community in Togher and to this end the voices of residents must be heard.”
“Many constituents in the area have raised concerns with me in recent months over the nature and extent of development proposed for the site. The majority want a significant green space retained in the area.”
“Given the past use of the site and the 9,000 people waiting for housing in the city, it would also be appropriate that some of the land be used for social housing. Again I was disappointed that the Manager appeared to rule this out.”
“Rather than relying on property developers to decide the future of the site, the council needs to engage with local residents to formulate a clear plan for how it can best be used to enhance the community in Togher.”
For further information or comment, phone Cllr Henry Cremin 086-2662874
Cllr Henry Cremin has said the views of local residents and the needs of the community must be taken into account in any redevelopment of the site of the former NBA flats in Togher.
Cllr Cremin stated:
"I am disappointed that the Manager’s Report on the future of the Deanrock site makes no mention of consulting with the local community. Going by his remarks tonight, the Manager is depending on the private sector to come up with proposals for the future of the site. Such proposals will obviously be market-driven rather than designed with the best interests of the community in Togher at heart.”
“The site of the NBA flats is public property and should be developed in the public interest. The priority in any development should be to enhance the community in Togher and to this end the voices of residents must be heard.”
“Many constituents in the area have raised concerns with me in recent months over the nature and extent of development proposed for the site. The majority want a significant green space retained in the area.”
“Given the past use of the site and the 9,000 people waiting for housing in the city, it would also be appropriate that some of the land be used for social housing. Again I was disappointed that the Manager appeared to rule this out.”
“Rather than relying on property developers to decide the future of the site, the council needs to engage with local residents to formulate a clear plan for how it can best be used to enhance the community in Togher.”
For further information or comment, phone Cllr Henry Cremin 086-2662874
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