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.”

Universal Social Charge must go - Kelly

Speaking while canvassing in the Bree area earlier today, County Wexford Sinn Féin candidate Anthony Kelly said that his party was committed to scrapping the Universal Social Charge, and to reversing cuts to the minimum wage and social welfare implemented in the last budget. He went on to say that Sinn Féin believes that an alternative, people friendly budget must be brought in to replace the failed fianna fail/green one in the days following the general election.

"Its not enough to simply say something is bad and that it has to be scrapped," Cllr Kelly told supporters in Bree, "You have to provide a viable alternative, and that is what Sinn Féin has done. We have declared our opposition to the spineless consensus for cuts which included Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour, and their policy of austerity aimed at the vulnerable in our society. We have condemned them for their actions, but we have also provided an alternative. If elected to Leinster House, I will support my party in moving our alternative budget to replace the failed budget 2011. Our budget is based on those who can afford to pay more paying, while the vulnerable in our society are helped back on their feet through a mass job creation policy."

“Ireland faces into this year with an exchequer deficit of €18.7 billion. It is imperative that we close that deficit and Sinn Féin is committed to doing just that. However you cannot close the deficit if you do not grow the economy and tackle the jobs crisis."

"The Universal Social Charge must go now. Cuts to the minimum wage and social welfare must be reversed now. The policy of austerity against Irelands vulnerable must end now. Sinn Féin have the alternative policies. Sinn Féin is the only alternative in this election."

Sinn Féin supports student nurses

County Wexford Sinn Féin candidate Anthony Kelly has reiterated what his party's health spokesperson said earlier today by pressing home that Sinn Féin fully support student nurses in their fight against unfair and unjust government cuts.

"I have also been a campaigner for a better health service for this nation," Cllr Kelly said earlier this evening, "We cant have a better health service without our nurses. For all the failings of the Irish health service, our front line staff have never let the people of this country down. Now it is up to the people of this country to stand behind our front line staff. We will not allow draconian cuts to be enforced on these nurses. We are committed to reversing the cuts to pay of student nurses, and would vote immediately to restore the wages of working fourth year student nurses and midwives."

“We commend the many thousands of nurses and midwives who have campaigned not only against the unjust paycuts placed on them, but very importantly against the many cuts in services to patients over recent years. It is most often the nurses who have blown the whistle on the HSE and the Government, exposing malpractice, the reality of A&E overcrowding and the myriad other effects of Government cutbacks.”

Travellers call for ethnic status is reflection of poor government

Cllr Anthony Kelly has welcomed proposals being brought to the attention of the UN later this month which seek to establish the recognition of travellers as an ethnic group, and which call for the creation of a travellers agency to monitor and eliminate racial discrimination against them. The County Wexford Sinn Féin candidate has said that he is keen to end all discrimination on this island, and sees this as another stepping stone towards the creation of a true republic of equals, as envisioned in 1916.

"According to Pavee Point, the travellers centre, traveller men are five times more likely to be imprisoned than settled men, while women from the traveller community were 18 times more likely to be imprisoned than their settled counterparts," Cllr Kelly said. "This is an incredible figure and shows that something is clearly wrong in our system. The travelling community feel disillusioned with the political process due to their lack of representation in it. It is wrong that any group of people should feel like this. It goes against everything I believe as an Irish Republican."

"Sinn Féin believe that creating the conditions for establishing an equal society means recognising that many diverse groups and sections of Irish society need enhanced protection from the state. The travelling community have not been afforded this protection by successive governments, who have only been too happy to ignore their needs. Its time to change that. Its time to build our republic of equals."

Kelly welcomes Barnardos "Children's Manifesto"

Cllr Anthony Kelly has welcomed the publication of Barnardos Children's Manifesto today, and has called for its findings to be implemented by the incoming government. The Sinn Féin candidate for County Wexford has urged all candidates in GE 2011 to read the manifesto and to consider its findings carefully.

"Remember the words of the 1916 Proclamation," Cllr Kelly told supporters while canvassing in his Wexford town heartland earlier this morning, "Cherish all the children of the land equally. Today there are children hungry in this state because of the financial misconduct of the golden circle and the austerity measures delivered by the last government to combat the collapse of our economy. In my view, they targeted the wrong people. Top ranking bankers and developers were let off the hook while disadvantaged families were targeted. The effects of Budget 2011 will be felt for many years to come. There are children hungry, families living without heating or light, and increased debt to moneylenders. These are Barnardos findings not ours!"

Cllr Kelly said that he fully supported Barnardos ideal to protect the children of Ireland from the effects of this recession, and the maniac austerity plans of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour.

Sinn Féin is only party serious about ending emigration

The Sinn Féin candidate in County Wexford has condemned comments from Fine Gael Finance spokesperson Michael Noonan, which claimed that Sinn Féins economic proposals would force young Irish people to emigrate. Cllr Anthony Kelly has said it is "outrageous" that a spoke person from a party which lacks any real job creation policy, would condemn Sinn Féins plan for economic recovery.

"Michael Noonan is out of touch with reality," Cllr Kelly said, "Does he not realise that over one hundred thousand young Irish people have already been forced out their country by the recklessly incompetent economic policies of Fianna Fail and the Greens, policies which were in most cases supported by Noonans own party. Was it not Michael Noonan who said that he would cut €18 off social welfare if in power? Does he think more cuts to social welfare and the minimum wage would stop emigration? Does he have any idea of the situation on the ground?"

Cllr Kelly went on to remind Mr Noonan that he was a minister during the infamous Fine Gael/Labour coalition of the 1980s, a coalition that was happy to cut the vulnerable, that offered no job creation policy, and that oversaw the emigration of 150,000 young people, of whom half were third level grads. "Is this the government of change that the Irish people want or need now? A government that wants to cut €18 off the most vulnerable in our society? A government that sneers at Sinn Féins realistic job creation policy? Vote for Change, Vote for Sinn Féin."

Kelly sets record straight about bank bail out

County Wexfords Sinn Féin candidate has reacted angrily to claims by local politicians that his party supported the bank bail out. Cllr Anthony Kelly said that it was common knowledge that his party voted against the bank guarantee scheme brought forward by Brian Lenihan on the 17th October 2008.

"I find it amazing that certain parties keep bringing this up," Cllr Kelly said. "If you check the Dail records, you'll see that they clearly show Sinn Féins opposition to the bank bail out. Sinn Féin did vote in favour of an emergency financial support bill which would allow the minister to make decisions to prevent against the collapse of the Irish banking system. Sinn Féin supported this bill to insure that there would be money available for Irish families at their local ATM's and to prevent complete anarchy. Amazingly the Labour party decided to throw caution to the wind, ignore the needs of ordinary Irish families and make a crazy publicity stance by not voting for the bill."

Cllr Kelly stressed the difference between this emergency bill and what was to become the bank bail out. "It wasn't a bank guarantee scheme. We made it clear that we would not support such a scheme unless it contained a bank levy, no more bonuses for bankers, salary cuts for top bankers, support for mortgage holders and the creation of a state bank. None of these things were included in the bank bail out, which is why we reject it. What puzzles me is why these other groups keep bringing it up? perhaps they cant understand the simple scenario that unfolded. Or maybe its more likely that they are attacking us because they have no policies of their own!"

Sinn Féin is only alternative - Kelly

The Sinn Féin general election candidate for County Wexford has said that his party is the only alternative to political corruption, economic misery and IMF occupation.
Speaking at the official launch of his election campaign last night, Cllr Anthony Kelly told supporters that a vote for Labour or Fine gael was a vote for more of the same. "Sinn Féin rejects the extreme austerity measures implemented by the current regime, and supported by those who wish to form the next government," Cllr Kelly said. "Sinn Féin rejects IMF interference and has stated clearly that we would burn the bondholders and use money from the National Pension Reserve Fund to create new jobs. The others want to hand this money over to these bondholders, German banks and eccentric football club owners. Sinn Féin have been campaigning for many years to end the two tiered health system, and introduce a new fairer health service. Sinn Féin oppose any form of political corruption and support cutting wages to TDs. We are different. We are the alternative!"
Cllr Kelly was joined by Northern Minister for Agriculture Michelle Gildernew. She said that she felt County Wexford had an excellent candidate and in three weeks would be delivering the first Wexford Sinn Féin TD in ninety years.

Labour are stealing SF's policies - Kelly

LABOUR has taken up Sinn Féin’s policies on a just tax system, health service reform, the IMF/EU deal and the six-year plan after weeks of Eamon Gilmore “sitting on the fence” on policy issues, Sinn Féin County Wexford candidate Anthony Kelly has said.

"Two weeks ago Eamon Gilmore said he would not enter government with Sinn Féin," Cllr Kelly said, "But today we find that not only are they considering a coalition with us, they are also robbing our policies. Labour now say that they want to renegotiate with the bondholders. They now say that they want a just tax system and an end to the two-tier health system. They now say that they want to have a six-year plan rather than four years of cuts. Now where have I seen these policies before? Oh that's right, there all Sinn Féin policies."

Cllr Kelly said that he was glad to see the Labour party proposing these better policies but felt that they should pay homage to the the people they took the ideas from - Sinn Féin. Cllr Kelly also called on Labour party leader Eamon Gilmore to rule out coalition with Fine Gael after the election, as it was clear that Fine Gael would never agree to these fairer policies.

GOREY - "AN UNEMPLOYMENT BLACKSPOT"

Sinn Fein's Anthony Kelly has described Gorey as "an unemployment black spot, which the Establishment parties have let down"

“There is a lack of infrastructure to help people find work. The town doesn’t even have a FÁS office and the FÁS Officer who is there has to use that of the local Partnership and he is only available for 3 hours and on just one day per week – (10 until 1 on a Wednesday).

This isn't surprising as a review of Fás training centres has found that almost 70 workshops and 20 classrooms it operates around the country are lying idle.

At the end of 2008, Fás employed 50 temporary instructors and 40 other temporary staff, but by last Christmas these numbers had fallen to just one temporary instructor and one other!”

Gorey job seekers must head to the Enniscorthy office where things have gotten so desperate that they are looking for a solicitor to take a job as part of the Work Placement Programme but highlighting that the job “doesn’t offer a salary!”

Several businesses around the town have been forced to close and there have been several families have had their homes repossessed. Some have even been evicted.

Referring to the infamous Coolgreany/Croghan evictions of 1887, Kelly said that "this area was known the length and breadth of Ireland (and even as far afield as Russia at that time) due to the mass evictions. Over a century later, the same thing is happening again. We just have a new set of tyrants in control"

EXODUS FROM GOREY AREA

Referring to emigration which is ravaging Co. Wexford once again, Kelly said:

I know of several cases where groups of young men and women in the Gorey area are been driven from this country. They are despairing and angry and feel that the Establishment parties have shamefully let them down and have sold out their country. They are right.

Hundreds turned up to The Bunker recently for a going-away function, where one such group of young people said their goodbyes to their friends and families, as they set out to find work at the other side of the world. It would make you so angry. It's a sick system that we just have to change.

HOPE

Sinn Féin have been pushing for a 7 Billion Euro jobs stimulus package (from Pension Reserve Fund) which will create thousands of new jobs in Co. Wexford ; many new Community Employment places and "Frontline Services Aides Scheme" among many other measures - (for further details see www.sinnfein.ie and electanthonykelly on facebook)

Kelly calls Fianna Fail “economic illiterates”

The Sinn Féin general election candidate in County Wexford has labelled Fianna Fail “economic illiterates”.  Cllr Anthony Kelly made the statement following deputy Sean Connicks scandalous accusations about Sinn Féin’s economic policy on South East Radio last week.

“Deputy Connick had the audacity to claim that Sinn Féin’s economic policy for recovery was not sound when he knows only too well that our policies have been costed by the Department of Finance, and broadly welcomed by respected economists such as Michael Taft and David McWilliams,” an angry Cllr Kelly said. “I find it strange that Deputy Connick would sneer at Sinn Féin economic policy when he stands firm as a representative of a party whose own failed economic policies have reduced a once prosperous Irish state to bankruptcy.  Deputy Connick is fond of saying that the numbers don’t add up.  It’s a pity he didn’t tell Brian Cowen and Brian Lenihan that when they were engaged in reckless auction style budgets that were eventually to leave this nation crippled.”

“It was Sinn Féin who condemned the hair brain schemes of Fianna Fail Inc. These schemes included the Bertie Bowl, electronic voting and a new economically friendly public transport system for Dublin which resulted in a two track waste of money called the LUAS.  We told Sean Connicks party then that the numbers didn’t add up.  They called us economic illiterates.  Now it’s time to set the record straight.  The leadership of Fianna Fail are the economic illiterates, not us.”

Cllr Kelly recently outlined Sinn Féins alternative budget and economic plan at mass meetings in Gorey, New Ross and Wexford Town.  These plans include the immediate reversal of cuts to social welfare and the minimum wage, the burning of high risk foreign bondholders and a seven billion euro job stimulus package to get Ireland back to work.

“I met a group of young chaps the other day who were leaving for Australia because they can’t find a way to live in their own country,” Cllr Kelly said.  “Their story and stories like it are breaking the heart of the nation.  We are in this position because the people who were running the country were unfit to fulfil their commitments.  They were economic illiterates.  It gives me no pleasure to say it because I am suffering the same as everyone else for their mistakes.  Sinn Féin offers change.  Our plan has been welcomed by people who know what they’re talking about; economists, business owners and the ordinary people who have been left on the scrap heap of Irish society.  I would appeal to people to read our policies and make up their own judgement.”

There is a better way - Kelly

County Wexfords Sinn Féin General Election candidate Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that there is better way to sort out our country's finance than what is being put forward by the other political parties. Cllr Kelly was responding to comments made by new Fianna Fail leader Mícheál Martin in which he said the rise of Sinn Féin is a threat to the economy.

Speaking today Cllr Kelly said;
"Yesterday  the Central Bank revised down its growth projections for 2011 to 1%, down from 2.4% three months ago. Today Mr Martin attacks the economic policy of my party! I find it incredible. This predicted reduction in economic growth is a direct result of the Government’s budget cutbacks and means that the targets the government set itself in the four year plan are now in serious doubt as it is based on predicted growth of 1.75%."

"I find it bizarre that Fianna Fail and the other parties spend so much time worrying about Sinn Féins economic policies, when we are the only party who has got it right so far. We correctly predicted that Fianna Fail auction style budgets of the early noughties would lead to disaster. We correctly said that the government would bring the IMF in when they could no longer see a way out themselves. We were right then and we are right now. The only people who need to worry about Sinn Féins economic policies are the bondholders and speculators who gambled on Ireland’s economy."

Cuts to minimum wage must be reversed immediately

Wexford Sinn Féin Dail hopeful Cllr Anthony Kelly has said that cuts to the minimum wage which came into effect from today, must be reversed immediately as they will only heighten our economic crisis.

Cllr Kelly said;
"The cutting of the minimum wage is further example of economic recklessness from the people who mismanaged our economy during the Celtic tiger era and left us with a broken country. It is the typical mentality of these people to cut the lowest paid workers in our society while paying vast pensions to retiring TDs. Should the ordinary man and woman be forced to pay for the mistakes of these politicians when they can simply retire and claim a three hundred thousand plus pension?"

"Sinn Féin supports the reversal of cuts to the minimum wage and demand that the next government of this state impose budgets that put compassion for their fellow citizens before extreme austerity measures. My party is not living in cloud cuckoo land. We have put forward an alternative budget that has been costed by the department of finance and endorsed by leading economists. Our measures prioritise job creation and economic reform, instead of cutting the most vulnerable in society. Surely that makes more sense."