Wexford SF oppose privatisation of waste collection

Sinn Fein Cllr Anthony Kelly and Cllr Johnny Mythen reiterated their party opposition to any plans by Wexford County Council to privatise the refuse collection service, and instead called on the government to honour their pre-election promises to reform the taxation system, allowing new wealth collected to fund vital public services.

Following the privatisation of waste collection services in South Dublin and Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown, it now seems that it’s only a matter of time before efforts are made to change things in County Wexford,” Cllr Kelly said.  “Wexford Sinn Féin fully supports the Council refuse workers and urges that these employees be redeployed to other jobs within the Council.  I’m very concerned that these workers will be made redundant and sent to join the other twenty thousand unemployed people in this county on the Dole Queue. 

Cllr Johnny Mythen added;

“We hear a lot of talk that privatisation leads to price cuts and that the takeover of this public service by private companies will ultimately benefit ordinary people.  The truth is, that in the past we have witnessed such “price cuts” quickly be forgotten as private companies carved out monopolies for themselves, allowing rapid price escalations.  Historically, privatisation has been shown to hurt the poor and less well off the worst.  Vital services should be available to all and paid for with a fair and progressive tax system based on ability to pay.”

Abolish unfair tax on working poor

Cllr Anthony Kelly has called for the urgent abolishment of the grossly unjust Universal Social Charge, and has demanded that County Wexfords five Oireachtas members honour their election promises to stand up for the ordinary people of this county by working in the Dail to bring an immediate end to this unfair tax on the working poor.  Speaking following a Sinn Féin demonstration against the USC in the Bull Ring last Saturday, Cllr Kelly said that his party would continue to push Fine Gael and Labour to drop this tax that greatly benefits high earners who can take advantage of tax exemptions.

“County Wexford’s five TDs each made promises to protect the interests of the under siege citizens of this County during the recent election campaign,” Cllr Kelly said, “Now they must honour their commitments to the electorate.  Supporting an unfair tax that takes the same percentage from people earning €16,016 per annum as it does from someone earning €100,000 per year is not protecting the interests of the people of this county.   This tax needs to be abolished and instead the Government should work on building a fairer tax system by creating a progressive tax base that taxes fairly and equalises wealth.  Fine Gael and Labour have said that they will ‘review’ the USC.  This gives little comfort to the working poor of this County who are up against the wall.  It’s not good enough and we demand action now.”

 “Not only is this tax causing untold misery for ordinary people, it is also completely unfair.  We have discovered an anomaly in the USC that allows people on much higher wages to pay less.  The anomaly means that somebody on €30,000 euro is better off under the Universal Social Charge system when compared to what they were paying under the health and income levy system.  This is insanity and shows that Fine Gael and Labour are now operating on the same economic policy as Fianna Fail before them – protect the elite and over tax the working poor.  Fine Gael and Labour should honour their election promises to reform our corrupt tax system instead of implementing failed Fianna Fail economic policies.”

Wexford Hospital “sell out” is high treachery

Wexford Sinn Féin have condemned the u-turn on the building of a new A&E Unit and obstetrics ward at Wexford General Hospital, and have laid the onus on the new Fine Gael/Labour coalition government to find out where the funding earmarked for the project has gone.  Sinn Féin Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that whoever is responsible for the disappearance of this funding must be exposed, and has said that their “sell out” of Wexford General Hospital amounts to high treachery.

Cllr Kelly said;

“How dare members of this new government tell the people of County Wexford that the vital upgrade project at Wexford General is going ahead, before pulling the plug two days later.  Are they really suggesting that €21 million disappeared in two days?  Our new government seems to believe that blaming the last government will exclude them from blame.  Fine Gael and Labour are in government now.  If we are told that our hospital is to lie in a state of limbo for four years, then it is this new government that must be held accountable.” 

“Minister Brendan Howlin has stated that the HSE has led us on a merry dance.  I fear that it is this new government and Minister Howlin who are attempting to lead us on a merry dance.

I’m calling on Minister Howlin and his government colleges from our county, Deputy Kehoe and Deputy Twomey, to find out what has happened to this money and to explain to me why they announced that the funding was there, only to say that it was missing two days later.  Did they not think it prudent to count it first maybe?  Someone is playing games here and it needs to end now.  Those responsible are guilty of the sell out of Wexford general Hospital and high treachery against the people of this county.”

“I’m calling on the people of County Wexford to stand up and fight this sell out.  Wexford Sinn Féin has campaigned for well over a decade for better health services at Wexford hospital.  We have never been afraid to get onto the streets and air our discontent.  If this new government refuses to see sense, then we will go back onto the streets.  I’m calling on every man, woman and child in County Wexford to join us and to end the Wexford General Hospital stalemate once and for all.”

Thousands to be removed from Social Housing List

Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that he has great concerns at the new government’s decision to implement new restrictions on social housing applicants which are based upon the plan introduced by the outgoing Fianna Fail led coalition on their last day in government.  The Wexford Sinn Féin rep placed a successful motion against the plan before Wexford Borough Council last week.

Cllr Kelly said;

“These measures will have a devastating impact on thousands of low income families throughout the state who could be taken off housing waiting lists and left in unsuitable and inappropriate accommodation.  In his final act as Minister, Fianna Fáil’s Michael Finneran signed into law the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011.  This included new income thresholds for social housing which could result in the result in thousands of families in need of social housing no longer qualifying for a home.” 

“It’s true that Minister Willie Penrose has increased the income thresholds since coming into office, but this is simply a sugar coating of a cruel act that will have a negative impact across this nation.  Thousands of families are still in danger of being removed from the housing list, and Minister Penrose betrays his true intentions by suggesting that he will ‘look again at the eligibility criteria for social housing in about six months time.’  Does that mean that we get the original Fianna Fail plan put into action in six months time?”

“There are empty houses scattered across this country, in the hands of the Irish nation via NAMA.  According to state figures based on the last census and information from the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government, there are over 300,000 vacant houses in Ireland today, not including holiday homes.  Many of them are now under NAMA control.  There are more than 100,000 households on the social housing waiting list.  Over five thousand people were recorded as being homeless by Focus Ireland last year.  Why is our government trying to remove people who need to be housed when there are 300,000 thousand houses lying idle and gradually slipping into a state of deterioration?  I have placed my motion before Wexford Borough Council to highlight the hypocrisy of this situation and to stop a new government treating its people the same as the last one.”

Kelly calls for ban of “online head shops”

Wexford Sinn Féin councillor Anthony Kelly has called for an end to the sale of illegal head shop drugs in Wexford via the internet.  A simple google search will lead Wexford teenagers to a website where they can buy the banned substances.  Cllr Kelly has placed a motion before Wexford Borough Council calling for the setting up of legislation to prohibit the online sale of these banned substances.

“There was a time when five head shops operated in this county,” Cllr Kelly said.  “We in Sinn Féin felt that the head shops sale of unregulated drugs would do untold damage to our communities, and we campaigned for their closure.  We thought we had dealt with the problem, but now they have re-emerged online.  The potentially lethal banned drug Mephedrone, which mimics the effects of cocaine, is now available for our young people to buy online.”

“The Psychoactive Substances Bill allowed Gardaí to seek a court order to close head shops suspected of selling these dangerous drugs, and made possession and supply a criminal offence.  These people have found a loop hole and I’m demanding that it is closed now.  The suppliers and sellers of these illegal drugs must be prosecuted and their operation closed permanently.”

Pandemic unemployment must be tackled now – Kelly

County Wexford Sinn Féin elected representative Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that the latest state unemployment figures show that we are experiencing a pandemic of joblessness, and unless positive and decisive action is taken now, we will lose our chance of economic recovery.  The Wexford town councillor has demanded that the new coalition puts an emergency job creation programme into action immediately.

Cllr Kelly said;

“A few months ago, when Fianna Fail were busy cutting state benefits and the minimum wage, and introducing the Universal Social Charge on budget day, they promised us that unemployment would stabilise at 13.2%.  Today it stands at 14.6%, and is rising.  7.3% of our work force is now long term unemployed.  Our labour force is shrinking.  In the last quarter alone, we lost 28,000 workers.  28.8% of under 25s are unemployed.  Is it any wonder that thousands of our young people are leaving the country at that rate?  The most troublesome statistic is this.  Neither the last government nor the current one have taken any positive steps to tackle this crisis.  Michael Noonan would prefer to talk to EU leaders about bank debt than tackle Ireland’s unemployment pandemic.”

“Given how serious the situation is, the fact that the jobs plan has been kicked down the road in the Programme for Government for 100 days is outrageous.  We have half a million citizens already inflicted by this deadly pandemic, and many more worried that they will be in the next wave of victims.  What does our new government do? They review.  Review?  Either they have a plan for job creation or they don’t.  Reviews won’t take people off the dole queues.  Reviews won’t stop our young people from emigrating to find work.  Reviews won’t tackle the obvious social and economic damage that long term unemployment inflicts upon an Irish family.  This government must implement a progressive job creation programme now, or else move out of the way and let a new government that will in.”

Kelly concerned over sale of state assets

A Wexford Sinn Féin rep has raised concerned over the new government’s plan to sell up to €2 billion in state assets.  Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that such a move will lead to the loss of strategically important national services; the sale of which will generate profit that will be moved directly into paying back toxic loans.

“Last week we saw Mr Noonan get backing from the EU and IMF to put a reckless Fine Gael plan into motion that will result in the sale of profitable publicly-owned companies such as ESB, Bord Gáis and An Post,” Cllr Kelly said.  “The coalition government are stating that funds raised from the sale of these state assets will be used to fund a job creation programme.  This will not be the case, as the IMF will not allow it.  As we have seen in Greece and other nations where the IMF has arrived, the wholesale sell off of state assets to repay debts is common practice.  We in Sinn Féin fear that this government is on the verge of selling off profitable public companies to make more money to throw into the growing bank debt hole.”

“The programme for government states that the government will be guided in relation to any sale by the McCarthy report.  Professor McCarthy is likely to recommend a large scale sell off of state assets, including either a part or total sell off of Coillte.  Given that this group controls 7% of the states land, the projected loss from the coalitions ‘car boot sale’ could be devastating for generations to come.”

New Social Housing income thresholds must be reversed - Kelly

Wexford town Sinn Féin councillor Anthony Kelly has called upon Minister Willie Penrose to reverse the new income thresholds for social housing brought in by former Minister Michael Finneran in one of his last acts as Minister.  Cllr Kelly warned that these new thresholds would result in the removal of thousands of families from housing waiting lists.

Cllr Kelly said;

"Minister Penrose must address this situation immediately.  Failure to do so will result in thousands of families being further plunged into poverty.  The removal of these families from housing waiting lists will result in them being left in unsuitable accommodation.  At a time when we have over three hundred thousand empty houses in the care of NAMA, this makes no sense.  I would remind Minister Penrose that its the taxpayer who is funding NAMA, not himself, Enda Kenny nor Eamon Gilmore."

South East Unemployment Pandemic

County Wexford Sinn Féin rep Anthony Kelly has said that the South East is suffering more than most due to the effects of this recession.  The Wexford town councillor has said that the recent Quarterly National Household Survey figures show that 41,700 people are unemployed in the south-east region.

Cllr Kelly said;

"Its a well known fact that the South East, County Wexford in particular, had a high concentration of people employed in the construction sector.  Maybe that is why unemployment in our region has now reached 18.1 per cent, compared to 8.8 per cent two years ago.  This is the highest regional unemployment rate in the State. Its a disgrace, and proof once again that County Wexford was neglected by successive governments during the boom years, while other counties prospered."

"I'm calling upon this government to honour its election promises, promises of job creation and rapid action, promises that won them the election.  The time for procrastinating is certainly not now.  This is a time for swift and progressive action.  A job creation policy must be implemented now.  Failure to do so now will write the epitaph of this government, and perhaps this nation."

Token pay cuts are an insult to electorate – Kelly

Wexford Sinn Féin elected rep. Anthony Kelly has said that pay cuts introduced by the new government are nothing but a token gesture aimed at pacifying an electorate that demanded change but instead have gotten a government committed to the same failed principals as the last one.  Cllr Kelly said that the newly strengthened Sinn Féin representation in the Dail would introduce legislation within 100 days to cut Ministers salaries by 40% and TDs salaries by 20%.

“This pay cut is a cynical token gesture aimed at making the electorate believe that they have voted in real change,” Cllr Kelly said.  “The reality is that even after this cut Ministers will still be paid €3,255 per week in the midst of an economic crisis.  Our new Taoiseach will be earning €4000 every week without including his expenses.  These are the very same Ministers who are refusing to reverse cuts to social welfare recipients and asking people to live on €188 per week.  These are the people who talk about political reform but are still happy to earn three times the average industrial wage.”

“Sinn Féin will be bringing forward a bill to drastically reduce these high wages.  No one can justify representatives of the Irish people living in luxury while the rest of the nation suffers the full brunt of the economic crisis.  All the parties contesting the last general election promised real political reform.  My party will be testing that commitment with legislation and we will be watching carefully to see who supports our Bill and who doesn’t.”

No to Water Charges

Cllr Anthony Kelly has stated that Wexford Sinn Féin will resist any attempts to introduce water charges in this county. Cllr Kelly said the new Fine Gael/Labour coalitions plan to introduce the rates is ill thought and shows no compassion for the thousands of families in County Wexford and beyond already struggling to survive.

"I am saddened that a government that contains Labour is planning on introducing these charges at a time when Irish families simply could not possibly afford them," Cllr Kelly said. "These charges have nothing to do with the environment and are instead design to raise revenue in a completely unfair fashion. This is a regressive form of taxation which will hurt those on low incomes the most."

"Its insanity that Fine Gael and Labour plan on spending hundreds of millions of euro on installing metres in every household while at the same time we have not fixed the antiquated water system that is loosing massive amounts of water every single day. This is the kind of incompetent thinking that characterised the Fianna Fail/Green regime. Is this what we have in store for us from this new regime? Is this what those people who voted for Fine Gael and Labour hoping for change actually voted for? Sinn Féin understands that good clean water is expensive to produce and that exchequer finances are limited. That is why we support investment of progressively raised central taxation in works to eliminate wastage in the mains system and to encourage conservation at a household level.”

The Campaign goes on - Kelly

Cllr Anthony Kelly has vowed that Wexford Sinn Féin will continue to be at the forefront of the fight to prevent any further downgrading of Wexford General Hospital, despite having missed out on a coveted Dail seat in the recent election.  Cllr Kelly, the Wexford Sinn Féin election candidate, has also said that his party is now the main opposition party in this state, and he aims to insure that Sinn Féin in this county will be the voice of opposition against any future cuts or lack of affirmative action by the new regime.

Cllr Kelly said;

“Obviously there is disappointment among some of our supporters that we failed to win a Sinn Féin Dail seat for County Wexford in the recent election.  I want to assure these people that nothing has changed.  We opposed the unfairness and incompetence of the last government.  In fact, it was my party that brought them down.  I want the people of this county to know that Sinn Féin will take action against the incoming government if they fail to honour the promises that they made to the electorate during the election campaign.  I want the people of this county to know that we will continue to resist downgrading of our health and education services, cuts aimed at the most vulnerable citizens in our state, and narrow minded government attempts to tax our way out of recession.”

“The test of our new government, and indeed our newly elected Dail Deputies, is whether they will put Irelands interests and the interests of Irish citizens before all else, including the repayment of toxic bondholder debts.  Will this government introduce a realistic job creation plan, and will they invest their full energy into tackling the unemployment and emigration crisis?  Are they prepared to abolish the Universal Social Charge?  Will they be able to cope with the now inevitable mortgage crisis?  Sinn Féin is now the real opposition in the Dail, and we will be the voice of coherent opposition in County Wexford.  If the government fails the people of County Wexford, we will be there to fight them.”

Planned government job cuts will "finish off" Irish health system

Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that the planned axing of 25,000 public sector jobs by the new Fine Gael/Labour coalition will have an extreme adverse affect on the Irish health system, and will in essence "finish off" whats left of our states health service. The Wexford town Sinn Féin rep has admitted that the new programme for government promises much reform for the health service, but said that he was worried that the exact number of health staff working in the front line that will lose their jobs had yet to be revealed.

"Twenty five thousand public sector workers will be made redundant under the new programme for government," Cllr Kelly said, "How many of them will come from our health service? You cannot make sweeping cuts in the health service without vastly damaging frontline services. Staff shortages are already affecting patient care. I am conscience that Wexford Labour TD Brendan Howlin has called for a better health service for this nation for that past few years. I urge him to be the moral compass for the Fine Gael/Labour coalition now, and to resist any actions that may further damage health services in Ireland. I warn him that if he does not, he and his new government colleagues will have to face an electorate that has already decimated one political giant this year."

"There is still no sign that Fine Gael and Labour will reverse the health cuts imposed by Fianna Fail and the Greens. This new government is tied to the same irresponsible, failed economic policies of the Fianna Fail regime. I hope that they don't run the health service in the same manner."

Kelly appeals for people of County Wexford to vote

Cllr Anthony Kelly has made a final appeal to the people of County Wexford to come out and vote tomorrow. The Sinn Féin candidate has said that this is the most important election of this generation and it is essential that citizens use their vote.

"Tomorrows election is crucial to the future of our nation," Cllr Kelly said. "I would appeal to people first of all to use their vote. Not to use it now will mean that you have wasted your chance to send a message to the people who have let you down. Secondly, I would appeal to the people of this county to vote for change. Many people claim to represent change, but as this election campaign has played out, it is clear to all that only Sinn Féin offer alternative policies to deal with our crisis. I truly believe that our alternative is the only method to bring our country out of this dark time, and into a new dawn."

"If you give me your number 1 vote tomorrow, I promise to fight for this county at a national level. Never again will Wexford be dubbed the forgotten county, Ill make sure of that. Ill shout loud enough for the whole nation to hear us. Please, please use this opportunity to bring about change. Make a stand tomorrow. Vote Sinn Féin."

New Ross “Rates Crisis” has my attention – Kelly

The County Wexford Sinn Féin General Election candidate has said that the suffering of small businesses in the New Ross district due to outlandish rates imposed on them has his full attention.  Speaking during a canvass of the Ross area last weekend, Cllr Anthony Kelly said that the “Rates Crisis” had to be solved immediately or there would a further collapse in County Wexford leading to more unemployment, emigration and misery.

“The rates issue is one that affects the whole county,” Cllr Kelly said, “But during canvass of the Ross district, I was struck by the magnitude of its effects here.  I have been approached by so many different people, coming from different business sectors, who are telling me that these rates will force them to shut down in the next six months.  I have been approached by publicans, by small garage owners, by shopkeepers; they’re all telling me the same thing – End these rates or the rates will end us.”

“The esteemed economist Morgan Kelly has warned of a second stage in the financial crisis which will see mortgage owner’s default on their properties.  To me, it seems we face a second stage of the unemployment crisis.  Rather than a slow recovery, we are facing another brisk fall, unless these rates are lowered.  If the rates crisis goes unchanged, then we will have a mass closure of small, family owned businesses across this county.  There are currently twenty thousand people on the live register in County Wexford.  How many more have to join it before we take action against these obscene rates?”

Cllr. Kelly, who previously called for a “financial bail out” of under pressure rates payers, said that he knew only too well the importance of these rates to the maintenance of local authorities, but said changes had to be made at the top to counter balance lowering of the rates. 

“Its as simple as this.  Local councils rely upon rates payments from local businesses.  If all the businesses close up, then there won’t be anyone left to pay rates.  Central government must make adequate funding available to local councils so that these ridiculously high rates can be lowered immediately.  I intend on bringing this up in Leinster House when I am elected to serve as Sinn Féin TD for County Wexford.  I want the under siege rates payers of this county to know that I will fight for them.”

Disillusioned public need new type of politicians to give them faith in state – Kelly

Sinn Féin representative, Cllr Anthony Kelly, has said that the people of County Wexford need a new type of politician practising a new type of politics to give them back their faith in the state.  The general election candidate said he was shocked by the amount of people who told him that they weren’t voting this Friday, and believes it is a direct result of the corruption and false promises of previous elected TDs in the county.

“I was shocked to discover a type of apathy among people while I was canvassing,” Cllr Kelly said, “A common reaction was, sure they’re all the same, what’s the point in voting at all.  I can understand that people are upset and under extreme pressure.  Nearly twenty thousand Wexford people are on the live register.  Families are being broken up by the terrible return of emigration.  The future seems uncertain and I know people are losing hope.  This election offers new hope.  Not using your vote won’t change anything.  In fact it will keep the likes of Fianna Fail in power.  The only way to change anything is to get out and vote for change this Friday.”

“The political system has failed the Irish people.  It is unaccountable and protects those who have abused public office.  There is no doubt that changes to the system are drastically needed.  Reform must focus on ensuring political institutions are inclusive, accessible and accountable.  Sinn Féin would make the Dáil more accessible to the public and change the law to allow for the impeachment, or removal from the Dáil, of any TD involved in corruption or deliberate misuse of public money.  We would cut Ministerial salaries by 40% and TDs’ salaries by 20%, and we would end the payment of unvouched expenses.  Many politicians talk about political reform today, but they had chances to introduce such changes in the past and didn’t.  Sinn Féin would use their opportunity to make these changes, and if the people of County Wexford elect me, I will fight for such reform to be introduced.”

Kelly proposes better protection for self employed

The Sinn Féin general election candidate for County Wexford has said that the self employed and people intending on starting up their own business in the future must be better protected.  Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that it is an injustice that many self employed people who could no longer find work to carry on, found themselves not entitled to state benefits. 

“People in this state are nearly twice as likely to set up their own business as their European counterparts,” Cllr Kelly said.  “Even now we could see new entrepreneurs standing up and taking the risk, if we give them a chance.  It is ridiculous that someone who was self employed and trying their best is penalised by the Irish Social Welfare system by often being denied access to benefits, and certainly being ran through more hoops than a PAYE worker.  It makes no sense.  How can we expect people to set up their own business if the government intends on treating them as criminals when and if something goes wrong?”

Cllr Kelly insisted changes had to be made to make self employment an attractive option.  “First of all, self employed people should be given the option of paying PRSI at the same level as PAYE workers in order to receive the same entitlements in the event that they become unemployed.  That is what Sinn Féin proposes and intends to see carried in the next Dail.  It is also essential that businesses can access credit.  I’m sure if you ask any self employed person, this has been a problem for them over the past two years.  Sinn Féin would also introduce a cap on utility prices to reduce the cost of doing business for a minimum of three years.”

Sinn Féin will protect the unemployed and low paid

Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that his party alone stands for the protection of Irelands unemployed and low paid. The County Wexford Sinn Féin candidate has promised to reverse the savage Fianna Fail budget cuts, and to help initiate a major job creation stimulus if elected.

"Fianna Fails measures for getting out this recession not only failed totally, but also attacked the most vulnerable citizens in our society," Cllr Kelly said this evening during a canvass in Ferns. "Low paid workers and the unemployed, who up until recently were tax payers, have been treated as second class citizens by the Fianna Fail led administration. Let us not forget that other parties running in this election who now claim to stand against cuts were only too happy to support the passing of budget 2011."

“Social welfare payments have been drastically cut and people are struggling to cope. The poorest of the poor are being punished because of a lack of an affective job creation plan. The Universal Social Charge is an unfair and regressive flat tax and should be scrapped. It should be replaced with a progressive taxation system which makes those who have more, pay more. The cut to the minimum wage is an affront to workers rights and is yet another targeted attack at the least well off in society."

“We in Sinn Féin are committed to:

- Reversing the social welfare cuts
- Abolishing the Universal Social Charge
- Reversing the cut to the minimum wage
- Introducing refundable tax credits
- Changing PRSI rules to protect the self-employed if their businesses fail"

Use Irelands natural resources for the benefit of Irelands people - Kelly

The Sinn Féin general election candidate in County Wexford has said that Ireland’s natural resources must be used for the good of Ireland’s people, and never again should these resources be given away for the benefit of politicians. Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that decades of corrupt and bad government have allowed these natural resources to be handed over and exploited by others, including multinational companies.

"In this time of new poverty, mass unemployment and rampant emigration, we sometimes forget that Ireland is a country which is rich in natural resources," Cllr Kelly said. "It shall be our duty to promote the development of the Nation’s resources, to increase the productivity of its soil, to exploit its mineral deposits, peat bogs, and fisheries, its waterways and harbours, in the interests and for the benefit of the Irish people. Those are not my words, but the words written in the democratic programme of 1919. Our state was built on those words. I’m sorry to say that greedy politicians have long forgotten those words, and have willingly sold off our assets at no benefit to the Irish people. Sinn Féin rejects this sell out, and in power will ensure that the Irish people will benefit from our natural resources.”

“Sinn Féin seeks to establish a State oil, gas and mineral exploration company which would actively participate and invest in exploration. We would plan for strategic public investment in developing the renewable energy sector, including the establishment of a publicly-owned national green technology firm for Ireland that would manage and use the island’s energy resources. We would establish this within 12 months of taking office. Sinn Féin would insure that the ESB and other state bodies remain in public ownership. We would set a target for becoming a net exporter of electricity from renewable sources. This nation is rich, and it’s time to spread that wealth and use it to jumpstart our tattered economy.”

Sinn Féins priorities for the next Dail

Sinn Féin has set out a better, fairer way to reduce the deficit and deal with the banks. Our alternative seeks to stimulate the economy, protect and create jobs and reform the tax system.  We would target cuts at the top of society — beginning with the salaries of Government Ministers, TDs and top civil servants.
In the upcoming general election we will be presenting a real programme of recovery which will:
1.    Regenerate the economy by investing in a major job creation programme to get Ireland back to work.
2.    Reverse the savage cuts and prioritise frontline services.
3.    Burn the bondholders in Anglo and wind it up.
4.    Reduce the deficit by taxing the wealthiest and eliminating wasteful spending. 
5.    Provide for a root and branch reform of the political system; including abolishing the Seanad in its current form, reforming the electoral system, and bringing forward a constitution aimed at producing a genuine republican form of Government which puts an end to political elites and empowers Irish citizens.
6.    Ensure the proper use of Ireland’s natural resources for the common good.
7.    End the two-tier health and education systems.
8.    And guarantee continued support for the Peace Process, the Good Friday Agreement and seek to enhance outreach to the unionist community.
People are looking for a new kind of politics. That is what Sinn Féin offers.
Make a stand - There is a better way
Vote for Sinn Féin.

10 Point plan for job creation

Cllr Anthony Kelly has said on many occasions over the past few months that job creation must be the number one priority of the next government. Here is Sinn Féins 10 point plan for job creation;

1. A jobs stimulus. Sinn Féin is advocating the transfer of €7billion from the National Pension Reserve Fund (NPRF) for a State-wide investment programme (stimulus). We are calling for a transfer from the fund of €7billion –– for a jobs stimulus package. This money should be administered out of the NPRF over the next 3.5 years, with the Department of Finance signing off on proposals as they are submitted from the departments. All proposals would have to have ‘value for money’ clauses and total number of people that would be employed under the proposal. €2billion would be spent on the employment stimulus in 2011.

2. Growing the agri-food sector. Deploy funding of €500million to set up and support central production hubs for SMEs involved in the agri-food sector so that they have access to advice, support and, most importantly, infrastructure and equipment perhaps not available to early- stage start-ups. We envisage existing agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and An Bord Bia to come together with Government to drive this project. This would create 5,000 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs.

Coupled with regional networking, partnerships and branding across the whole country, this measure alone has even greater potential for job creation. Investment in agriculture and the agri-food sector provides high returns for the Irish economy. The multiplier for agriculture on GDP is 1.73 and 1.76 for the food and drink manufacturing industry (if you invest €1million in these sectors, the wider economy sees a return of €1.73 million). Funding required = €500m.

Creating jobs through the construction of essential infrastructure

3. Health infrastructure. We would build 100 new primary healthcare centres throughout the State at a cost of €500million. This would alleviate the strain on our main hospitals. It would provide local healthcare for a variety of medical conditions and an excellent resource for communities. The building of these centres would create in the region of 5,000 jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs. Our pre-Budget submission provides for the lifting of the current recruitment embargo, which would allow all these centres to be staffed in the years following their construction. Funding required = €500m.

4. School buildings and refurbishment. An increased school-building and refurbishment programme for 2011 to take at least 125 schools through the construction stage. A 16-classroom generic repeat design project costs approximately €3million in current market conditions. This would cost €375million in total and create approximately 4,000 jobs directly and 1,600 indirect jobs. A minimum of 150 school-building projects should enter the architectural and planning stage each year so that school projects are ready to proceed as quickly as possible to the construction phases. Funding required = €375m.

5. Crèches. Build 100 crèches State-wide for state childcare provision at a cost of €200million, creating 2,000 jobs directly and 800 jobs indirectly. Funding required = €200m.
Assisting businesses and entrepreneurs

6. Improving communications infrastructure. Augment the current National Broadband Scheme to provide a fibre-optic island-wide network. Fast-track the €435million spend so that it is delivered beginning in 2011 instead of 2013. This will provide in the region of 4,500 jobs directly and 1,700 jobs indirectly. Funding required = €435m.

7. Assistance for those starting a business. Change the PRSI system to create a safety-net for those who attempt to establish their own business. Provide a one-stop-shop virtual helpdesk for business start-ups with legal, HR, patents, accountancy and funding advice. In addition, create an innovation website where budding entrepreneurs can pitch their business and invention ideas to investors at home and abroad. Funding required = €2 million.

8. Helping businesses to export. Create a ‘Sales Ireland’ strategy to help Irish firms access export markets outside the US and Britain and to help Irish firms looking to set up manufacturing businesses with the potential to compete with out largest imports, including R&D funding. Currently, almost 90% of exports come from foreign-owned multinationals and foreign-owned firms import over 86% of the materials they use, bypassing Irish firms.

9. Maximising employment on public projects. Rethink local authority and public sector construction, service and procurement contracts to create a level pitch for small businesses to tender. Breaking tenders into smaller pieces allows contractors with less significant turnover to efficiently tender for work. Make the employment of a set amount of apprentices a condition on which public contracts are awarded to contractors building public infrastructure.

10. Initiate a ‘Frontline Services Aides Scheme’ where people are employed to take on specific work from overworked frontline workers (e.g. civilianising administrative work that is currently done by Gardaí). Funding required = €250m.

People with disablities must be protected - Kelly

Cllr Anthony Kelly has welcomed today's statement by SF  Spokesperson on Equality Aengus Ó Snodaigh confirming the party's commitment of support to people with disabilities and their families. The Sinn Féin general election candidate for County Wexford has said that this is an essential commitment for the incoming government.

"We all remember the scenes of distress last year when cuts were implemented against the disabled," Cllr kelly said. "It made me angry at the time to know that the elected government of our nation were happier to cut our most vulnerable citizens to cover the cost of bailing out toxic banks and high risk bondholders. But being angry isn't enough. I'm glad to say that I am standing in this coming election as a candidate for a party that when in government will fully reverse these cruel cuts. I am glad to say that Sinn Féin believes that a political choice to target the wealthy is better than allowing the continuation of extreme austerity measures against our most vulnerable."

“Should we be elected to government, we are committed to immediately restoring these payments to their 2010 rate levels and to introduce a Cost of Disability Payment on a phased basis, to offset extra costs related to disability and in recognition of disproportionate rates of poverty and unemployment among people with disabilities. People with disabilities have been a target for government cuts both directly and indirectly. Their incomes have been cut, services are under increasing strain and funding to the voluntary organisations that provide services and advocate for people with disabilities have also been cut. Sinn Féin identified €150 million to ease the recruitment embargo on the public service which is having a serious impact on service delivery including disability services. We must make these changes if we are to living in a true republic of equals."

Vote for real and lasting change

There are those out there who believe that a vote for Sinn Féin, or indeed for the other left wing or independent election candidates, is a wasted vote. There are people who claim that Sinn Féin can not enter government and so are irrelevant. The County Wexford Sinn Féin candidate has responded to these claims by saying that this election offers historic change. Cllr Anthony Kelly has urged the electorate to open their minds at this time and to realise, that if they so choose, the next Dail can be unrecognisable from the corrupt outgoing one.

Cllr Anthony Kelly said;

This election is a game breaker. For the first time since the formation of this state, real and lasting change is possible. Sinn Féin has shown that there is a better way. We have campaigned for the need to put people before toxic banks or high risk bondholders. We have prioritised job creation to jump start our economy and have denied the lies of other parties who claim that cuts and new taxation against the Irish worker can end our recession. We have gone to the people looking for a mandate to make our plan for recovery into the main policies of the next Irish government. Of course we can be part of that government."

"Every TD elected for Sinn Féin means a stronger voice for working families, the unemployed and all those struggling to survive. The more Sinn Féin TDs elected, the louder the voice for those they represent in the Dail. Sinn Féin TDs are there to serve the people, not to rule them or profit from them. I am asking the people of County Wexford to make the big change and to give Sinn Féin a chance to help this nation at this time. Please give me your number 1 vote on the 25th, and I promise that I will fight for this county."

Unfair Ireland: Cost of living up while income is down

Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that we are living in Unfair Ireland. The Sinn Féin candidate for County Wexford, who many believe is set to become the first SF TD in the county for 90 years, as said that a "system of corruption and neglect" has led to a a situation where the cost of living continues to rise while the income of the ordinary man and woman is on a steady decline.

Cllr kelly said;

"People in this country are struggling to survive. Most people have received pay cuts but are paying far more in tax. Those are the ones lucky enough to still have a job. Those on benefits are now dangerously close to falling below the UNs internationally accepted poverty line. Those on the minimum wage have been cruelly cut. Mortgage interest has gone up. Transport has gone up. VHI went up over 15% for most families. This cannot continue. An obvious gap is growing rapidly between the cost of living and the average income of an Irish family. It is an economic certainty that a consumer economy relies upon disposable income being spent to survive. How many Irish people have disposable income to spend now?"

"There is a better way. Sinn Féin has outlined an economic plan, that despite the protests of gombeen politicians, has been accepted by leading economists around the world, and has been costed by the Department of Finance. Sinn Féin is talking sense. We want to grow the economy because we know that extreme austerity and unfair taxation cannot bring us out of this slump. We want to create jobs. We want to stop the tide of emigration. We want to keep our people here, get them working and get them spending their disposable income here. That will bring us out of this recession. That will make Ireland strong again."

"Our whole economic policy rests on this principal. Stop Irish money being handed over to unguaranteed bondholders and toxic banks, and instead reinvest this money in our republic. Lets transfer money from the NPRF into a job creation stimulus. Mr Martin claims theres none left there, but thankfully hes mistaken once again. Although Fianna Fail managed to waste alot of the money taken from Irish taxpayers over the years, there is some still left. This money must now be reinvested back into the Irish people and national infrastructure. Lets hire our unemployed to create a new national infrastructure. Lets build new schools and medical clinics. Lets improve secondary roads. Lets get faster broadband across the nation. All of these things will help grow our economy. This is our better way."

Adams was talking for the Irish people

The County Wexford Sinn Féin general election candidate has commended Gerry Adams for his stirling performance on last nights live leaders debate. Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that he feels proud to belong to a party which clearly and uniquely puts the needs of the Irish people before anything else.

"Last night Gerry Adams proved that he was the only leader that cared more about the needs of the Irish people than anything else," Cllr Kelly said. "No matter what situation we find ourselves in, the needs of the people must be the first priority of any government. All that Enda Kenny, Eamon Gilmore, John Gormley and Michael Martin could talk about was what we couldn't do. Gerry Adams was willing to speak about what we can do. We can build a new republic. We can reform the health and education system, so as to reduce wastage and increase efficiency. We can transfer pension reserve money that is currently invested outside the country into a real job creation plan. We can give our young people a reason to stay here. We can stop the flow of emigration. Sinn Féin is about 'we can'"

"I would urge the people of County Wexford to think long and hard about the type of county that they want to live in. Do you want a county represented by parties who have accepted that nothing can be done to save this country without imposing massive austerity and misery upon the ordinary people? Or do you want the forgotten county represented by a party that will meet the challenges head on? A candidate that will fight for County Wexford? If you do, then I urge you to come out and vote Sinn Féin number 1 on the 25th."

Right to Health Care must be enshrined in the Constitution

The Sinn Féin general election candidate in County Wexford has said that the right to health care must be actively enshrined in our constitution. Speaking today in New Ross town, Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that the failed two tiered health system has cost hundreds of Irish lives over the past decade, and that change must be made now to safeguard our people.

Cllr Kelly said;

"We must reform our health system now. How many people have been taken from us because they couldn't afford adequate health care. Even during the supposed prosperity of the Celtic Tiger, people were dying due to an unfair health system, where those who may have needed care less could leap frog seriously sick people through the use of an unjust two tiered health system. The two-tier system is inherently inequitable and inefficient and it has to go. Sinn Féin has comprehensive proposals to transform our health care services."

"What we are proposing is the creation of a new universal public health care system for Ireland that provides care to all free at the point of delivery, on the basis of need alone, and funded from general fair and progressive taxation. We are proposing the establishment of a Health Funding Commission to help plan the transition to the new system. This is doable. Ignore the naysayers in Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour. They couldn't for see this change when we were the third richest country in the world, of course they cant envision it now. But we can"

"In power, Sinn Féin would  abolish prescription charges for medical card patients and introduce measures to reduce the cost of drugs by tackling waste and profiteering. We would restore Ministerial and Departmental responsibility for public health services, remove the excessive bureaucracy of the HSE and cap salaries at 100,000 euros. Above all the next Dail must actively enshrine the right to health care in our constitution."

The only poll that matters....

Yesterday’s poll in the Sunday Independent boldly declared the current percentages of support for each candidate in the county Wexford constituency. According to the poll, Sinn Féin is sitting on 5% of the vote. I find this hard to believe considering we polled 7.4% last time around, and we have grown so much since then. So I decided to investigate this poll.

First of all, this poll was put together by Quantum Research who rang 400 houses at random across the county to ask them how they will vote. I refuse to believe that this can produce an adequate result. Secondly the poll found that 33% of those polled hadn't made up their mind.

33%!!!

One in three of those polled hadn't made up their mind. This makes this poll worthless.

I would say that only one poll will matter, and that's the one that we'll see on the night of the 25th telling us who will represent the County Wexford constituency in the next Dail.

There’s work to be done. Lets ignore the crap, and lets build our new Ireland.

The best start for our children

Speaking after the County Wexford launch of the Sinn Féin manifesto in Gorey yesterday, the county's Sinn Féin candidate outlined his partys plan for reforming the Irish education system.  Cllr Anthony Kelly stressed that producing a fairer, more efficient education system was an essential ingredient to making a sustainable economy for the Ireland of tomorrow.

Cllr Kelly said;

"Under Fianna Fail, we have seen growing parental contributions and other costs imposed upon families which have completely undermined the idea of free education. We  have seen our children learning in cold prefab buildings because the government has said that there is no funding available to build new schools. Yet it had funding to spend €24 million a year renting these prefab huts.  Under this regime, we have seen it become more and more difficult for families to be able to afford to send their sons and daughters to third level institutions. How can we build the fabled smart economy if half the population are priced out of the eduction system?"

"Every parent aspires to the best start for their child. So does my party. Sinn Féin believes that free primary, secondary and third-level education is a necessity towards building a stronger republic. We believe that schools should not be reliant on voluntary contributions from parents and that capitation grants should be raised to cover the real cost of running a school. We believe that the cost of sitting the Junior and Leaving Cert exams should be abolished, and that a book lending scheme should be established across all primary and secondary schools. We also believe that a minimum of 150 school building projects should enter the planning stage each year."

"Sinn Féin firmly believes that special needs assistants are an essential part of the Irish education system, and that funding for them must be restored immediately. We believe that class sizes must be reduced to twenty to benefit students, and that five hundred new teaching posts should be created to adequately improve the system. The reintroduction of third level fees through any guise must be opposed at all costs. Sinn Féin believes that these steps are essential, and I intend to fight for their implementation when elected to Leinster House."

A plan to get Ireland back to work

Cllr Anthony Kelly took a break from the hectic canvass trail to launch the Sinn Féin election manifesto in Gorey this morning. Speaking to supporters and well wishers, he said "This is a plan to get Ireland back to work."

"With over 20,000 people lining the dole queues of County Wexford, the protection and creation of jobs is our priority. In this town we recently witnessed the shocking spectacle of queues stretching all the way back on to the Main Street. On the same day I heard of 7 young people – all from just one street, who are being forced to emigrate to the far end of the world. All the parties of the political establishment have failed our people."

The County Wexford Sinn Féin candidate insisted that it wasn't enough for opposition politicians to simply condemn the failed economic policies of Fianna Fail, and stressed that real alternatives had to be offered to the Irish people. He told local media that Sinn Féin's election manifesto represented that real alternative, as it prioritised job creation, proposed reform of our political system as well as our health and education systems, and above all, put the needs of the Irish people before banks or bondholders in Germany.

"The people need change. We are that change. Forget about the squabbling self serving politicians of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour, and lets concentrate on bringing this country back from the brink. Lets concentrate on creating jobs and ending political corruption. Lets concentrate on ending the unjust two tiered health and education systems and lets build a new republic where our children can prosper. We can do this now. Just vote Sinn Féin on the 25th. Make the big change and I promise you, you'll never look back."

Cut the TDs instead of the people

Cllr Anthony Kelly has condemned what he calls "Hollow lip service" from the leaders of Fianna Fail and the Green party, after they both promised to waive some of their wages today. The Sinn Féin candidate for County Wexford has said that this is too little too late, and frankly an insult to the people of Ireland who have been forced to take mass cuts in their standard of living, due to reductions in social welfare payments, cuts to the minimum wage and the introduction of the universal social charge.

Cllr Kelly said;

"These are hollow promises being issued by the men who turned a blind eye to their own greed as our economy sank. This hollow lip service will do nothing to help the half a million unemployed in this country, or the thousands of young people getting ready to emigrate. Mr Martin is trying to paint himself as a reformer, yet he was happy to go along with the corrupt system during the past two decades of mis-rule. Its time to clean up Ireland. The Irish people have been cut to the bone, now its the TDs turn to pay."

"Sinn Féin has been calling for reform to our political system for some time. We are committed to cutting Ministers salaries by 40% and TDs salaries by 20%. We would stop the practice of TDs getting extra money to chair committees and stop severance pay for ministers who continue to hold elected office and pensions for ministers who continue to work. We will bring forward legislation in the new Dáil to cut ministers salaries and end these bad practices. If Fianna Fáil and the other parties are serious about political reform they should back this legislation.”