East Meath Sinn Féin spokesperson Sinéad Burke has launched theparty’s “Mol an Óige” campaign. The campaign, which will be rolled outacross Meath and Louth aims to create public awareness of theappalling cuts which will soon come into effect in our primary andsecondary schools.
Speaking at the launch Ms. Burke said: “As a mother of a young child I am utterly appalled at the cuts whichwill now come into affect as our children return to school.
“Class sizes are set to increase, resources will be slashed, bookgrants are abolished and children will continue to be educated indilapidated, overcrowded buildings and prefabs even though buildingnew schools would create employment.
“I, and countless other parents and teachers have had enough. Ourchildren did not cause this recession. They should not foot the billfor this government’s incompetence. Now is the time to fight back.
“I am urging all parents, teachers and all those who will not standfor attacks on our schools to join us in our campaign. Our message tothe government is clear – Stop the cuts in education now, invest inour country's future - Mol an óige is tiochfaidh sí.”
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Local TD's Should Clarify Position on Third Level Fees
Sinn Féin's spokesperson in East Meath Sinéad Burke has called onthree local TD's to clarify there positions on the re-introduction ofthird level fees following the publication of the results of a suveycarried out by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).
She said, "I was amazed to read that the three TD's elected torepresent the concerns of the people of East Meath couldn't articulatean honest position between them. In response to the survey carried outby the USI to coincide with the release of the Leaving Cert resultsthe TD's in East Meath either didn't respond (Shane McEntee), refusedto state their position (Mary Wallace), or said that the issue shouldbe debated (Thomas Byrne).
"I think the constituents of East Meath, particularly those parentsfaced with the real possibility of having yet another bill facing themhave a right to know what our elected representatives actually standfor. The four Sinn Féin TD's stated, unambiguously, their oppositionto the re-introduction of fees.
“With just one in five students choosing to apply for third leveleducation it is clear that the Government’s decision to re-introducethird level fees is already having an impact.
“It is hypocritical in the extreme for the Government to, one the onehand, promote the creation of a knowledge-based economy, while on theother they introduce a major deterrent to students wishing to go on tothird level education.
“The reality of Batt O’Keeffe’s decision to re-introduce third levelfees is that thousands of students will be priced out of third leveleducation while those who do go on to study will find themselves indebt to the tune of tens of thousands of euros on completion of theireducation.
“Education is the cornerstone of this country’s economic future. Weface uncertain times as traditional employment sectors such asmanufacturing and construction are in steady decline. The decision tore-introduce third level fees is a regressive move which makes noeconomic, political or social sense.”
She said, "I was amazed to read that the three TD's elected torepresent the concerns of the people of East Meath couldn't articulatean honest position between them. In response to the survey carried outby the USI to coincide with the release of the Leaving Cert resultsthe TD's in East Meath either didn't respond (Shane McEntee), refusedto state their position (Mary Wallace), or said that the issue shouldbe debated (Thomas Byrne).
"I think the constituents of East Meath, particularly those parentsfaced with the real possibility of having yet another bill facing themhave a right to know what our elected representatives actually standfor. The four Sinn Féin TD's stated, unambiguously, their oppositionto the re-introduction of fees.
“With just one in five students choosing to apply for third leveleducation it is clear that the Government’s decision to re-introducethird level fees is already having an impact.
“It is hypocritical in the extreme for the Government to, one the onehand, promote the creation of a knowledge-based economy, while on theother they introduce a major deterrent to students wishing to go on tothird level education.
“The reality of Batt O’Keeffe’s decision to re-introduce third levelfees is that thousands of students will be priced out of third leveleducation while those who do go on to study will find themselves indebt to the tune of tens of thousands of euros on completion of theireducation.
“Education is the cornerstone of this country’s economic future. Weface uncertain times as traditional employment sectors such asmanufacturing and construction are in steady decline. The decision tore-introduce third level fees is a regressive move which makes noeconomic, political or social sense.”
Friday, August 14, 2009
Meath Sinn Féin launches No to Lisbon Campaign
Sinéad Burke today launched the Meath Sinn Féin 'No to Lisbon 2'Campaign in Duleek. Speaking at the campaign launch Ms. Burke said that as a republican she believed in ‘government of the people, by thepeople, for the people. The people have spoken and they have votedagainst the Lisbon Treaty. Yet this Fianna Fáil /Green governmentwishes to subvert the wishes of the Irish people by forcing anothervote on the Treaty. By doing so they are insulting our intelligenceand making a mockery of the democratic process.
“The Government and the Yes side are claiming that the so calledlegally binding guarantees secured at the European Council meeting inJune have addressed the concerns of the Irish people about thisTreaty. These ‘guarantees’ are nothing more than a series ofclarifications of some aspects of the Lisbon Treaty. They do not alterthe text of the treaty in any way nor do they change the impact thatthe treaty will have on Ireland and the EU. On October 2nd we will bevoting on exactly the same treaty, with exactly the same consequencesfor Ireland and the EU, as we did last year.
“These consequences include the erosion of Irish Neutrality, theweakening of Ireland’s position in Europe, the loss of the IrishCommissioner, the erosion of workers’ rights and public services, theloss of an automatic right to a referendum on future treaty changes,continued participation in the European Atomic Energy Community,advancing the cause of tax harmonisation, the promotion of commonforeign and defence policies and the militarisation of Europe andmuch, much more. “The Lisbon Treaty was a bad deal for Ireland when itwas presented to the people last year and it remains the very same baddeal. Sinn Féin will continue to fight for a better deal for Irelandand for Europe. In order to get a better deal we must reject thistreaty once again. I am calling on the voters to do just that.”
“The Government and the Yes side are claiming that the so calledlegally binding guarantees secured at the European Council meeting inJune have addressed the concerns of the Irish people about thisTreaty. These ‘guarantees’ are nothing more than a series ofclarifications of some aspects of the Lisbon Treaty. They do not alterthe text of the treaty in any way nor do they change the impact thatthe treaty will have on Ireland and the EU. On October 2nd we will bevoting on exactly the same treaty, with exactly the same consequencesfor Ireland and the EU, as we did last year.
“These consequences include the erosion of Irish Neutrality, theweakening of Ireland’s position in Europe, the loss of the IrishCommissioner, the erosion of workers’ rights and public services, theloss of an automatic right to a referendum on future treaty changes,continued participation in the European Atomic Energy Community,advancing the cause of tax harmonisation, the promotion of commonforeign and defence policies and the militarisation of Europe andmuch, much more. “The Lisbon Treaty was a bad deal for Ireland when itwas presented to the people last year and it remains the very same baddeal. Sinn Féin will continue to fight for a better deal for Irelandand for Europe. In order to get a better deal we must reject thistreaty once again. I am calling on the voters to do just that.”
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Young Meath Homeowners in Need of Protection
Meath East Sinn Féin Spokesperson Sinéad Burke has echoed her party’sHousing spokesperson, Aengus O’Snódaigh, and called on the Governmentto enforce a moratorium on home repossessions by all mortgage lendersfor the duration of the state bank guarantee scheme.
She said, “I have been contacted by a large number of young couplesand young families in the East Meath area who bought over-valuedhouses, close to the height of the market, and now find themselvesrecently unemployed and with huge negative equity. These people arestruggling to meet mortgage repayments and other household bills, anddon't know where to turn. They feel absolutely abandoned and let downby the state.
“One young couple, who contacted me in absolute despair, currentlyhave their house on the market for more than €150,000 less than theybought it for just over two years ago, and are still struggling tosell. Because of a change in their circumstances they are being forceddown this road by the same rogue lenders that our government has givenbillions of euros of public money to. At the same time, the economicvultures are swarming, seeking to take advantage of others misfortune.
“Figures indicate that a record number of repossession orders weregranted by the courts recently. This after it was revealed that houseprices fell by 20% in the last year leaving thousands of homeowners inEast Meath in real trouble.
“The number of repossession orders granted by the courts each daycontinues to increase as the price of houses falls and the rate ofunemployment soars. It is quite clear that homeowners are in need ofprotection and the Government should step in and introduce amoratorium on all home repossessions for the duration of the bankguarantee scheme.
“As the Government refused to step in when lenders were giving outcompletely irresponsible home loans there is an onus on them now toprotect those people who are facing negative equity and who are beingpursued by these rogue lenders.
“At this time, while house prices are relatively low, localauthorities should seek to buy up stocks of vacant houses at or belowcost price for social use in order to start working through thebacklog on the waiting list which is set to see an increase in demandin the current climate.”
She said, “I have been contacted by a large number of young couplesand young families in the East Meath area who bought over-valuedhouses, close to the height of the market, and now find themselvesrecently unemployed and with huge negative equity. These people arestruggling to meet mortgage repayments and other household bills, anddon't know where to turn. They feel absolutely abandoned and let downby the state.
“One young couple, who contacted me in absolute despair, currentlyhave their house on the market for more than €150,000 less than theybought it for just over two years ago, and are still struggling tosell. Because of a change in their circumstances they are being forceddown this road by the same rogue lenders that our government has givenbillions of euros of public money to. At the same time, the economicvultures are swarming, seeking to take advantage of others misfortune.
“Figures indicate that a record number of repossession orders weregranted by the courts recently. This after it was revealed that houseprices fell by 20% in the last year leaving thousands of homeowners inEast Meath in real trouble.
“The number of repossession orders granted by the courts each daycontinues to increase as the price of houses falls and the rate ofunemployment soars. It is quite clear that homeowners are in need ofprotection and the Government should step in and introduce amoratorium on all home repossessions for the duration of the bankguarantee scheme.
“As the Government refused to step in when lenders were giving outcompletely irresponsible home loans there is an onus on them now toprotect those people who are facing negative equity and who are beingpursued by these rogue lenders.
“At this time, while house prices are relatively low, localauthorities should seek to buy up stocks of vacant houses at or belowcost price for social use in order to start working through thebacklog on the waiting list which is set to see an increase in demandin the current climate.”
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Expenses Declaration
Newspaper Adverts €886.97
Election Poster €2213.45
Election Leaflets and Car Stickers €2418.30
Phone Expenses €80.00
Travel Expenses €100.00
Total €5698.72
Election Poster €2213.45
Election Leaflets and Car Stickers €2418.30
Phone Expenses €80.00
Travel Expenses €100.00
Total €5698.72
Friday, May 29, 2009
Candidate Launches Housing Billboard
Sinn Féin local election hopeful in East Meath Sinéad Burke has marked the last week of her election campaign with the launch of a number of billboards which she says highlight some of the major issues that need immediate attention in the area.She said, “Over the last number of months I have been talking to thousands of residents in the East Meath area and listening to their concerns. Issues ranging from provision of childcare and youth facilities, critical infrastructure and services, to unemployment and job creation have been first on peoples’ minds.
“The first of our billboards highlights the housing crisis that now exists in East Meath. Over 450 people in the area are now on the housing list. These are real people - couples, families, parents -
waiting for appropriate accommodation, This situation exists despite the fact that Meath County Council is owed over €30 million in levies from developers, and while housing unit after housing unit in the area remain unoccupied. Again, as is so often the case, this is a situation where a common sense plan, mixed with a bit of foresight would help resolve the problem and increase the quality of life of so many people.
"Over the next number of days we will also be launching a billboard to highlight Meath's status as the receiver of the least amount of job creation investment in Leinster, as well as a billboard highlighting the use of pre-fab accommodation for schools.”
Burke meets Donacarney Celtic Officials
Sinn Féin local election candidate in East Meath Sinéad Burke has met with Donacarney Celtic F.C. officials to discuss their ongoing difficulties to get adequate funding for appropriate facilities at their site at Blackhills. The club, which was founded in 2002 by a group of local parents to address the lack of sporting outlets for children in the Donacarney and Mornington areas of East Meath, now has more than twenty teams, and looks after children from 5 years old upwards.
Ms. Burke said, "Unfortunately the club find themselves in a legal loophole, due to Meath County Council's refusal to grant them a lease on their current facility at Blackhills. This means that they are not in a position to apply for funding to improve the facility. Plans are in place to provide appropriate changing and restroom facilities for the young children who make use of the park for matches and training, but funding of up to €30,000 is needed.
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