O’Brien to Speak at Easter Commemoration
Newly-elected Cork North Central TD Jonathan O’Brien will be the main speaker at the annual Easter Commemoration this Sunday.
The commemoration marks the 95th anniversary of the rising and will depart from the National Monument at 2.30pm on Easter Sunday and march to the Republican Plot in St Finbarr’s cemetery.
It will be led by the MacSwiney/MacCurtain Republican Flute Band.
Sinn Féin Cllr Mick Nugent encouraged people to join the event, saying:
“The Easter Commemoration is open to everyone who wants to remember and honour those who died for our freedom.”
“With the state’s sovereignty being sold to the EU/IMF, and the finest details of our budgetary and economic policies being dictated from Brussels, the vision and ideals of the men and women of 1916 have never been more relevant.”
“An Ireland based on the principles of the 1916 Proclamation – which proclaims “the right of the Irish people to the ownership of Ireland” and pledges to “cherish all the children of the nation equally” – would never have placed the interests of a tiny group of bankers and developers above those of the mass of the population.”
“The memory of that period can still inspire us today in the effort to build a new and genuine republic.”
For further information or comment contact Cllr Mick Nugent @ 087-6755793
Friday, April 22, 2011
Another Labour U-Turn- O'Leary
Another Labour U-Turn- O'Leary
Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary has accused the Labour Party of a u-turn on the future of Cork airport after the government’s acceptance of the McCarthy report on the privatisation of state assets.
Cllr O’Leary said:
“Prior to both the 2009 local and 2011 general elections, Cllr Mick O’Connell, in his capacity as a board member of the Cork airport authority, asked all parties to sign a pledge that the airport would be kept debt free and handed over to an independent local airport authority. Along with other party leaders, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore signed it.”
“Now a government including Labour Ministers has accepted the McCarthy report and agreed to the sale of between €2 billion and €5 billion worth of state assets, including Cork airport.”
“The sale of Cork airport to a private company will not be good for the airport or the city. We saw in the case of Eircom that international investors are more interested in buying up our national assets cheap and selling them for a profit than in long-term investment. As a consequence of that previous privatisation, Ireland’s telecommunications infrastructure, which was once world standard, now lags behind that of other European countries.”
“I would like to hear Mick O’Connell’s response to this latest u-turn by his Labour colleagues.”
For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307
Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary has accused the Labour Party of a u-turn on the future of Cork airport after the government’s acceptance of the McCarthy report on the privatisation of state assets.
Cllr O’Leary said:
“Prior to both the 2009 local and 2011 general elections, Cllr Mick O’Connell, in his capacity as a board member of the Cork airport authority, asked all parties to sign a pledge that the airport would be kept debt free and handed over to an independent local airport authority. Along with other party leaders, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore signed it.”
“Now a government including Labour Ministers has accepted the McCarthy report and agreed to the sale of between €2 billion and €5 billion worth of state assets, including Cork airport.”
“The sale of Cork airport to a private company will not be good for the airport or the city. We saw in the case of Eircom that international investors are more interested in buying up our national assets cheap and selling them for a profit than in long-term investment. As a consequence of that previous privatisation, Ireland’s telecommunications infrastructure, which was once world standard, now lags behind that of other European countries.”
“I would like to hear Mick O’Connell’s response to this latest u-turn by his Labour colleagues.”
For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Sinn Féin Welcomes Cuban Delegation to Cork
Sinn Féin Welcomes Cuban Delegation to Cork
A high-level delegation from Cuba will be in Cork tomorrow for a series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion, which began on 17th April 1961.
The delegation will be led by Bay of Pigs survivor Col Victor Dreke Cruz and veteran Cuban broadcaster Reinaldo Taladrid, and will be accompanied by the Cuban ambassador to Ireland, Teresita Trujillo.
The delegation will be received by the Lord Mayor at City Hall at 3pm and will meet with the Sinn Féin council team. They will address a seminar being organised by the party at UCC on the Cuban Revolution and the Bay of Pigs Invasion at 4pm.
At 7.30pm tomorrow night the delegation will address a public meeting at Connolly Hall being organised by the Cuban Solidarity Movement in Cork.
For further information or comment contact Cllr Mick Nugent @ 087-6755793
A high-level delegation from Cuba will be in Cork tomorrow for a series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion, which began on 17th April 1961.
The delegation will be led by Bay of Pigs survivor Col Victor Dreke Cruz and veteran Cuban broadcaster Reinaldo Taladrid, and will be accompanied by the Cuban ambassador to Ireland, Teresita Trujillo.
The delegation will be received by the Lord Mayor at City Hall at 3pm and will meet with the Sinn Féin council team. They will address a seminar being organised by the party at UCC on the Cuban Revolution and the Bay of Pigs Invasion at 4pm.
At 7.30pm tomorrow night the delegation will address a public meeting at Connolly Hall being organised by the Cuban Solidarity Movement in Cork.
For further information or comment contact Cllr Mick Nugent @ 087-6755793
Oil and Gas Could Help Economic Recovery – O'Brien
Oil and Gas Could Help Economic Recovery – O’Brien
Jonathan O’Brien TD has called for the implementation of a new licensing and taxation regime for oil and gas exploration off our coasts, saying access to a fair share of these revenues by the state could help economic recovery.
Speaking in support of a Sinn Féin motion on the issue in Leinster House, Deputy O’Brien said:
“A report prepared for the Department of Energy estimates there could be 10 billion barrels of oil off Ireland’s coasts. We already know there are significant gas finds at the Corrib and Lough Allen fields. Yet as things stand, the benefits of exploiting these resources will go to multinational companies, not the Irish people.”
“Internationally, oil and gas companies pay an average of 68% of the value of the oil and gas reserves they exploit in taxes and royalties. Yet under the licensing system brought in by disgraced former minister Ray Burke, companies undertaking exploration in Ireland pay no royalties to the state and only limited taxes. A small group of politicians have effectively given away our natural resources to multi-nationals.”
“With rising international oil prices, the value of Ireland’s offshore oil and gas reserves is rapidly increasing.”
“The Government, on behalf of citizens, should now move to acquire a majority state shareholding in our oil and gas. They should introduce an effective taxation and royalty regime that ensures that this state recoups at least 51% of the value of all oil and gas finds off our shores. This will help ensure we have the financial resources to manage the national debt, and regain our economic sovereignty by ending the involvement of the EU, IMF and ECB in our affairs.
“These proposals make sense and prove that there is a real alternative out there that does not involve slashing the pay of the poorest people or cutting public services.
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Jonathan O’Brien TD has called for the implementation of a new licensing and taxation regime for oil and gas exploration off our coasts, saying access to a fair share of these revenues by the state could help economic recovery.
Speaking in support of a Sinn Féin motion on the issue in Leinster House, Deputy O’Brien said:
“A report prepared for the Department of Energy estimates there could be 10 billion barrels of oil off Ireland’s coasts. We already know there are significant gas finds at the Corrib and Lough Allen fields. Yet as things stand, the benefits of exploiting these resources will go to multinational companies, not the Irish people.”
“Internationally, oil and gas companies pay an average of 68% of the value of the oil and gas reserves they exploit in taxes and royalties. Yet under the licensing system brought in by disgraced former minister Ray Burke, companies undertaking exploration in Ireland pay no royalties to the state and only limited taxes. A small group of politicians have effectively given away our natural resources to multi-nationals.”
“With rising international oil prices, the value of Ireland’s offshore oil and gas reserves is rapidly increasing.”
“The Government, on behalf of citizens, should now move to acquire a majority state shareholding in our oil and gas. They should introduce an effective taxation and royalty regime that ensures that this state recoups at least 51% of the value of all oil and gas finds off our shores. This will help ensure we have the financial resources to manage the national debt, and regain our economic sovereignty by ending the involvement of the EU, IMF and ECB in our affairs.
“These proposals make sense and prove that there is a real alternative out there that does not involve slashing the pay of the poorest people or cutting public services.
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Monday, April 18, 2011
Launch of Easter Lily today at City Hall
Launch of Easter Lily today at City Hall
Sinn Féin councillors and Jonathan O’Brien TD will hold an event on the steps of City Hall at 5.15pm today to promote the wearing of the Easter lily.
The party will also outline details of commemoratives events to take place over the Easter period.
For further information or comment contact Cllr Mick Nugent @ 087-6755793
Sinn Féin councillors and Jonathan O’Brien TD will hold an event on the steps of City Hall at 5.15pm today to promote the wearing of the Easter lily.
The party will also outline details of commemoratives events to take place over the Easter period.
For further information or comment contact Cllr Mick Nugent @ 087-6755793
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Bill Paves the Way for Privatisation of An Post – O’Brien
Bill Paves the Way for Privatisation of An Post – O’Brien
Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien, speaking yesterday evening as the Communications Regulation Postal Services Bill 2010 was passed in the Dáil, said the bill was designed to liberalise postal services and could lead to the privatisation of significant sections of An Post.
Deputy O’Brien said:
“This bill was originally drafted by Fianna Fáil and is designed to liberalise the postal services. It could lead to the privatisation of significant sections of An Post.”
“The result would be the closure of many rural post offices and the loss of hundreds of jobs while private companies cherry pick the profitable sections of the postal services for themselves.”
“Yesterday evening we witnessed the shameful sight of the Labour Party lining up alongside both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to secure the passage of this Bill through the Dáil.”
“The Labour Party should be ashamed of themselves for facilitating the privatisation agenda.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien, speaking yesterday evening as the Communications Regulation Postal Services Bill 2010 was passed in the Dáil, said the bill was designed to liberalise postal services and could lead to the privatisation of significant sections of An Post.
Deputy O’Brien said:
“This bill was originally drafted by Fianna Fáil and is designed to liberalise the postal services. It could lead to the privatisation of significant sections of An Post.”
“The result would be the closure of many rural post offices and the loss of hundreds of jobs while private companies cherry pick the profitable sections of the postal services for themselves.”
“Yesterday evening we witnessed the shameful sight of the Labour Party lining up alongside both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to secure the passage of this Bill through the Dáil.”
“The Labour Party should be ashamed of themselves for facilitating the privatisation agenda.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Greater Consistency Required in Sentencing-O'Brien
Greater Consistency Required in Sentencing-O'Brien
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson, Jonathan O’Brien TD, has said the government must introduce measures to improve consistency in sentencing as part of the forthcoming White Paper on Crime.
Deputy O’Brien was speaking after the Minister for Justice, in reply to a Parliamentary Question, said consultations on the paper had produced no consensus on the introduction of sentencing guidelines for the judiciary.
The Sinn Féin TD responded:
“If the public are to have confidence in the judiciary, there needs to be consistency and fairness in sentencing policy. In my own constituency of Cork North Central people have seen a convicted heroin dealer, caught in possession of drugs with a street value of €200,000, receive a six year suspended sentence while an individual who failed to pay his fishing licence was sent to Cork prison for almost a week.”
“While past governments have introduced mandatory minimum sentences for a number of serious crimes, in practice these have had limited impact on sentencing policy. Judges have widely used the provision for “extenuating circumstances” to hand down lesser sentences.”
“While I respect the constitutional independence of the judiciary, there are a number of steps the government should take to ensure greater consistency in sentencing.”
“Judges should be required to give detailed reasons for their sentencing decisions, especially in cases where there is a mandatory minimum sentence which they choose not to impose.”
“Members of the judiciary should take refresher courses in criminal law and current criminal justice policy after a number of years on the bench. At present, once judges are appointed they continue to exercise their office without any further training or oversight until retirement.”
“The new Irish Sentencing Information System (ISIS) database, which will gather information on sentences and court judgements, should be routinely referred to by sentencing judges to ensure consistency across the system.”
“There needs to be a greater emphasis on rehabilitation and non-custodial sanctions in the Criminal Justice system.”
“Sentencing policy is crying out for reform. It is in the judiciary’s own interests to meet that demand. In order to maintain public faith in the Criminal Justice System, the White Paper on Crime needs to include measures like those I have outlined.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson, Jonathan O’Brien TD, has said the government must introduce measures to improve consistency in sentencing as part of the forthcoming White Paper on Crime.
Deputy O’Brien was speaking after the Minister for Justice, in reply to a Parliamentary Question, said consultations on the paper had produced no consensus on the introduction of sentencing guidelines for the judiciary.
The Sinn Féin TD responded:
“If the public are to have confidence in the judiciary, there needs to be consistency and fairness in sentencing policy. In my own constituency of Cork North Central people have seen a convicted heroin dealer, caught in possession of drugs with a street value of €200,000, receive a six year suspended sentence while an individual who failed to pay his fishing licence was sent to Cork prison for almost a week.”
“While past governments have introduced mandatory minimum sentences for a number of serious crimes, in practice these have had limited impact on sentencing policy. Judges have widely used the provision for “extenuating circumstances” to hand down lesser sentences.”
“While I respect the constitutional independence of the judiciary, there are a number of steps the government should take to ensure greater consistency in sentencing.”
“Judges should be required to give detailed reasons for their sentencing decisions, especially in cases where there is a mandatory minimum sentence which they choose not to impose.”
“Members of the judiciary should take refresher courses in criminal law and current criminal justice policy after a number of years on the bench. At present, once judges are appointed they continue to exercise their office without any further training or oversight until retirement.”
“The new Irish Sentencing Information System (ISIS) database, which will gather information on sentences and court judgements, should be routinely referred to by sentencing judges to ensure consistency across the system.”
“There needs to be a greater emphasis on rehabilitation and non-custodial sanctions in the Criminal Justice system.”
“Sentencing policy is crying out for reform. It is in the judiciary’s own interests to meet that demand. In order to maintain public faith in the Criminal Justice System, the White Paper on Crime needs to include measures like those I have outlined.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
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