Sinn Féin Launches “Mol an Óige” Campaign

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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

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.

"I have met with officials from the club and it is obvious that the club is very well run and committed to the area. I am calling on Meath County Council to review it's position in light of the role this club plays to the social and sporting life of so many locals."

Ministers Should Try Living on €204 per Week

Sinn Féin local election candidate for East Meath Sinéad Burke has called for dole queues to be cut not dole payments. She described as ‘Thatcherite’ the comments of Finance Minister Brian Lenihan who has claimed that social welfare rates are “far more generous than those in other countries and are a disincentive to work”. Burke challenged local Ministers Noel Dempsey and Dermot Ahern to survive for even a week on that sum.

Ms. Burke said, “Brian Lenihan’s Thatcherite comments should be rejected out of hand. His suggestion that social welfare rates in this State are too generous is an insult to the thousands of people in East Meath dependant on social welfare and who are struggling from week-to-week. These are the same workers that built the economy and paid their taxes, taxes that Fianna Fáil went on to squander.

“I challenge our two local cabinet Ministers, Noel Dempsey and Dermot Ahern, to try living on the €204 weekly Jobseekers Allowance, or indeed €100 per week that is paid to people under the age of 20. The audacity of a Fianna Fáil minister who receives more than €200,000 per
annum in salary and expenses lecturing those who they have been put on the dole queue is disgusting. Thousands of people are signing on thanks to the disastrous policies of this Government. However, instead of coming up with a job creation and retention strategy like Sinn Féin have proposed, Fianna Fáil are preparing to cut social welfare on the spurious basis that unemployed people don’t want to work because the dole is so generous.

“Having spoken to hundreds of people who are forced to queue for hours, outside in the rain or other undignifying conditions, I have yet to meet any who are happy with their situation and who would rather sign on than work. Fianna Fáil still do not seem to know that people want jobs. People want to work. They want to pay their own way and provide for their families. Fianna Fáil has failed to deliver these jobs. They have failed to fast track infrastructure projects such as
school building programmes and home insulation schemes. Dole queues should be cut – not dole money.”

Candidate Calls for Publication of Election Costs

Sinn Féin's local election candidate in East Meath, Sinead Burke, has announced that she will be making her election expenses public in the week after polling day on June 5th, and has called on all other candidates in Meath and Louth to do likewise.

She said, "I think it is vitally important that we introduce a new degree of transparency, honesty, integrity and accountability in politics, not just nationally, but locally. That is why, whatever the outcome of the election, I have committed to publishing my election expenses on my blog sineadburkesblog.blogspot.com and on the Meath Sinn Féin website www.meathsinnfein.ie. I am calling on all other candidates to do likewise.

"The spending limits introduced recently by Minister Gormley have gone some way to levelling the playing pitch as regards election spend, but they still leave a huge opportunity for massive spends by local candidates. The notion of any candidate spending anywhere close to the €13,000 limit in the current climate is grotesque. We need to get to a situation, in Ireland, where we rate our candidates on merit and merit alone, not on who has the greatest circus."

Adams Makes Presentation to East Meath School

On a recent trip to east Meath, Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, presented Coláiste na hInse principal, Ms. Anne-Marie McCarrick, with a number of commemorative packs to mark the 90th anniversary of the First Dáil Eireann.

Speaking at the schools sportsday at St. Colmcille's GAA grounds in Piltown Sinn Féin’s local election candidate in the area Sinéad Burke said, “This year marks the 90th anniversary of the First Dáil, when Irish people, through their democratically-elected representatives, ratified the Republic declared in arms in Easter 1916, stood defiantly against an empire and, declared independence. It was a defining point in Irish history.

“Those who were in the Mansion House on January 21st 1919 were fulfilling the Sinn Féin manifesto pledge of 1918 that it would establish a national parliament able to "speak and act in the name of the Irish people, and to develop Ireland's social, political and industrial life, for the welfare of the whole people of Ireland.

“Sinn Féin’s An Chéad Dáil Éireann Commemorative Pack, is being distributed to schools right throughout the island. They are intended for use as tools for discussion of the event, it’s context, and its relevance today. The pack includes a 20 page illustrated brochure which details the historic events leading up to the first Dáil and reproductions of documents adopted by TDs on January 21st 1919.”

Time for change in local government

Speaking at the launch of their local government manifesto with East Meath local election candidate Sinéad Burke, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said the party’s record on local issues spoke for itself and that the priority in this election would be protecting the public from savage cutbacks to services and helping local business retain and create new jobs.

Ms. Burke said “Sinn Féin’s reputation as excellent local representatives for the public has been well earned. Our record stands for itself. In every council we have been elected to we have been a catalyst for change and reform.

“For example, Sinn Féin submissions to local Policing Plans has secured more community Gardaí. Our councillors in Kerry have ensured that zoning changes are now community-led not developer-led. In Monaghan we have ensured the lowest commercial rate increases in the State, including zero percent in 2009. In Meath we have led the campaign to ensure investment in the county, to create jobs and provide infrastructure. We have worked with the community to oppose Management Fees, oppose incineration and promote initiatives such as Dial To Stop Drug Dealing and the tourism sector.

“Local government funding continues to be slashed by Fianna Fail, leaving the county manager to impose cuts in services and penalise communities and businesses. This policy will actually result in more job losses. This policy harms both the local economy and society. The priority in the years ahead for Sinn Féin councillors in Meath will be retaining and creating jobs and protecting communities from service cuts. We will use the each council to help businesses thrive.

“People are rightly angry at the manner in which this government has ruined the economy and now seeks to make working families pay for a crisis not of their making. But voters need to turn their anger into action and vote for Sinn Féin in Meath.”

The manifesto sets out a range of measures that will return power to local communities. These include:

• Protecting the public and business from double taxation in the form of new service charges or user fees for essential public services.


• A review of councillors and committee chairs' expenses - accountable and efficient spending of local authority finances.


• Increasing front-line and community policing to ensure Gardai are on patrol in the locations and at the times when they are most needed.


• Preventing incinerators being imposed on communities.


• Doubling social housing targets and ensuring unit for unit replacement of social housing units. Local One Stop Shops to provide support for Small to Medium enterprises.


• Making sure development is public-led and not developer-led.


• Fair rates that don’t penalize enterprise and allow businesses to keep and grow new jobs. Scrapping of the fundamentally flawed community childcare subvention scheme and keeping open local community crèches.


• Return of power to local councils and communities.


• Using positions on VECs to advocate a coordinated approach between VECs, FÁS and third level institutions to ensure sufficient provision of local training for sectors that will provide jobs in the coming decades.

Meath Job Creation Strategy Needed

Sinn Féin’s local election candidate in east Meath, Sinéad Burke, has called on Enterprise Ireland and the IDA to develop a strategy to radically redress the emergency unemployment crisis effecting Meath.
According to Ms. Burke, “Meath’s unemployment is increasing at a faster rate than in any other county in the country. 50% of Meath people who have jobs have to leave the county everyday to go to work. 40% of Meath people who shop leave the county every day to do so. These are the highest such figures in the state and they are hammering the rates base of our local authorities.
“Because of this, Meath’s councils have the lowest per capita income and expenditure in the state. This negatively affects front line services of the council with regards roads, housing and amenity development.”
The first-time candidate went on to quote research that Sinn Féin had carried out in relation to jobs investment in Leinster. According to Ms. Burke, Meath gets less job creation investment than any other county in Leinster. “Kildare gets 12 times more job creation investment than Meath, Wicklow gets 4 times more and Louth gets 7 times more. This discrepancy needs to be addressed.”

Work in Duleek Should Be Fast-Tracked

Sinn Féin's local election candidate in East Meath, Sinéad Burke, has called on Meath County Council to fast-track the sewage works in the Duleek area to relieve residents of one local housing estate. She said, "I have been contacted by a number residents of the Commons estate in the village who say they had been promised that appropriate sewage infrastructure works in the area would be completed in 2007. Instead the only facility they have is a communal tank located at the back of the estate. The residents closest to the tank have complained that in warmer weather they cannot go out to the back garden because of the stench. "I understand that there are ongoing works in the area but I have called on Meath County Council to review it's schedule of works to fast-track this essential project."

Burke slams Bus Éireann plans to scrap routes

Sinn Féin local election candidate in East Meath Sinéad Burke has described the latest plans by Bus Éireann to scrap some local bus routes as totally reprehensible. She has also hit out at Fine Gael’s proposals to allow private operators to run the routes which are being axed.

“Not content with the withdrawing 150 buses from its 1,300 strong fleet, cutting 322 of its 2,700 staff and axing 120 buses from the Dublin Bus fleet, the CIE in it’s infinite wisdom, carefully watched over by Fianna Fáil and the ‘Green’ Party will now reside over a further axing of 52 more rural commuter routes statewide.

“Services to Dublin, including the 102 Ardcath route, the east Meath coast route through Laytown, and some Drogheda routes will be reduced or withdrawn.“The fact that these routes are being savagely cut in order to ‘balance the books’ is an insult to those who depend on public transport to get them from A to B. While Bus Éireann has a duty to balance its books its first duty is to provide a service to the citizens of this state regardless of the profitability of the service itself.

“The utter hypocrisy of the so-called Green Party on this issue is appalling. Their feigned sense of concern and election promises of ‘making public transport a priority’ are a joke and it is clear that Minister Gormley and co. have absolutely no intention of prioritising public transport.“Fine Gael’s privatisation agenda has again risen its ugly head with calls for the axed routes to be taken on by private operators.

“This government and its ideological cohorts in Fine Gael are utterly intent on hammering the final nail in the coffin of public transport. It is up to all those who know the true value of public services and their contribution to our economy and society as a whole to stand up and defend them in the upcoming elections by snubbing Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party at the polls.”

Meath Sinn Féin Election Launch

Meath Sinn Féin officially launched its local election campaign yesterday at the party offices in Navan. Sinn Féin will be fielding nine candidates across the county and aim to add to their current representation.

Speaking at the launch Slane Area Candidate Sinéad Burke said, “This is a great team of candidates, with a mixture of youth and experience, but most importantly progressive policies that can get Meath back to work and ensure that the county gets its fair share of investment in terms of schools, health services and infrastructure.
"We are confident of increasing our number of five Councillors, but to do that people need to channel their anger at the Government into going to the ballot box and voting Sinn Féin number 1. Sinn Féin are the only real alternative to the failed policies of Fianna Fáil in Meath. Fine Gael are not an alternative, they are simply more of the same whose stated policy is to cut 15,000 public sector jobs. They refuse to identify who – but these are teachers, nurses and Gardai. Sinn Féin in Government in the North has cut health waiting lists, built new schools and invested in job retention. The same global pressures affect the North, but the reality is we are managing it better.
“Extensive work has been done by our candidates over the last couple of years, details of which can be found on our website – http://www.meathsinnfein.ie/. This includes a detailed plan on job creation for the county, a substantial submission on community safety and additional Gardai, and details of our save our hospital campaign. The reception on the doorstep has been great, reflecting our work over the last five years. I call on the public to use their anger and get out and vote on 5th June.”

Massive anti-Government vote called for!

Sinn Féin's local election candidate in East Meath, Sinéad Burke, has called for a massive anti government vote on June 5th. Speaking to party election workers from Laytown and Bettystown Ms. Burke said there was a need to connect with those in people who are cynical and apathetic about politics.

She said “People are rightly angry with this failed Fianna Fáil government. But they should not lose faith in politics – there is an alternative. The electorate should not buy-in to the argument by some Fianna Fáil councillors who have dropped the party logo like a hot potato. They must pay for what their ministers are doing. The public are angry that this Government has destroyed jobs, homes, pension and hope. In the North Sinn Féin has shown political leadership in Government. We have ended hospital waiting lists, built new schools, invested in local jobs and small/medium industry. Yes there is an international downturn, but most people are responding better than our Government, who continue to appease their developer and banker friends.

“This election must be a referendum on FF/Green performance. For people tempted to remain at home, I say you are playing into the hands of Fianna Fáil. By not voting against this Government, you are effectively voting for them. By voting for FF candidates because they're ‘decent sorts who do good work locally’ you are endorsing cuts on pensioners, attacks on our nurses, school children in overcrowdeddilapidated buildings and targeting the most vulnerable in our society. I urge all voters to send a strong message to this government and their local councillors that the game is up, that its time for them to go, that their destruction and corruption of the economy is not what the people of East Meath want.”

School Prefab Rental Fees Revealed

Sinn Féin local election candidate in East Meath Sinéad Burke has revealed that one school in East Meath has spent over €295,000 on rental fees for prefab accommodation over the past ten years, while it waits for capital funding.

Ms. Burke said, “In response to a parliamentary question by my colleague Caoimhín O'Caoláin, the Minister for Education indicated that Realt na Mara National School in Donacarney has spent €297,524 over the past ten years on prefab rent fees, and it's current annual bill is in excess of €40,000.

"This figure for East Meath is just the tip of the iceberg as, amazingly, the Minister was unable to provide figures for the total cost of prefab rental on a county by county basis. The figures received by Sinn Féin relate only to those schools renting four or more prefabs. Of the 74 schools in this category, over €6.5million is being spent annually across 18 counties, with over €578,000 being spent annually by seven schools in Co. Meath.

“This is an obscene amount of money for the Government to be wasting on substandard accommodation for our children. This money and other moneys should be invested in permanent quality school buildings. How else are we to build the so called knowledge economy that the Government so often talks about? “These figures are an indictment on the record of successive Fianna Fáil-led Governments who have failed to invest properly in our children’s education even in the years of the economic boom.

“At this time of record unemployment levels Sinn Féin has called on the Government to invest in labour intensive public infrastructure projects to boost employment in the construction sector and to put in place the infrastructure required to sustain our economy in the medium to long term. This should include the fast-tracking of the school building programme to bring about an end to the use of prefab accommodation for our children.

“Our proposals would see all 74 schools that are currently a stage 3 tender stage proceed to construction immediately with a target of 50% of the 86 schools at design stage proceeding to construction by the end of 2009. We would also ensure that a minimum of 150 school building projects enter the architectural and planning stages each year to ensure we meet the projected demand for school places over the coming years.”

Residents Held “Hostage to Fortune”

The lack of regulation of management companies in Ireland has meant thousands of residents in east Meath are “hostages to fortune”, according to Sinn Féin local election candidate Sinéad Burke.She said, “Further to the stresses of meeting mortgage or rent payments in the current economic climate, many residents in east Meath are then landed with having to pay astronomical fees to private management companies who can charge whatever fees they deem appropriate and remain completely unaccountable. “Over the last couple of weeks I have been contacted by many local residents in east Meath who feel extremely frustrated at the lack of regulation in this sector. In one apartment complex in Bettystown management company fees went from €1,200 per year to €1,600 per year, without explanation or advanced notification. This is completely unacceptable.“For-profit companies should not be allowed extort thousands from people in housing estates and apartment blocks towards the upkeep of the area and provision of essential services when that is the responsibility of local authorities. All public areas should be the responsibility of local authorities and never outsourced to private management.“Although a form of management company will be unavoidable for apartment blocks they should only be subject to not-for-profit management companies and only cover structural insurance, internal communal areas and walled gardens. The government must implement legislation to ensure that fees are not foisted upon the tenant at the merest whim of the company.“It is imperative that the legislation is introduced to regulate these companies. Being subject to company law is clearly not enough. They are unregulated entities that tenants are forced to buy into and then have no legal get-out.”

Taxi Race to the Bottom

Speaking before Saturday’s 'Taxi Drivers For Change' protest in Dublin, east Meath local election candidate Sinéad Burke has labellled the government's management of the taxi industry in Ireland as a 'Race to the Bottom'.
“I have spoken to taxi drivers in east Meath who are working up to 80 and 90 hours a week, for what amounts to less than the minimum wage. One driver says he can expect to get €30 for one twelve hour shift. This is unsustainable. The current system is a nonsense. It is unfair on those taxi drivers putting in long hours each week to allow part-time drivers cherry pick fairs.
"There are 27,000 taxi licenses currently granted in Ireland. There is a large minority of these being hired out to second parties for about €200 a week. On top of that there are illegal operators working in every part of the country. Despite this, there are only nine taxi enforcement officers in the country.
"A moratorium on the granting of licenses needs to be introduced immediately to sort this out. Far too many drivers are working far too many hours, and they and their families are suffering real hardship as a result."

Accident Waiting to Happen - Burke

Sinn Féin's local election candidate in east Meath, Sinéad Burke, has called on Meath Co. Co. to provide extra traffic lights for the ongoing works at Duleek, following many near misses on the road behind the old church.
She said, "The laneway behind the old church is being used as a bypass as works continue at the junction of Abbey Road and Main Street. This laneway is very narrow and fit for only one lane of traffic at a time, yet no traffic management system has been put in place. There have been many near misses in the last few days. I have called on Meath Co. Co. to put traffic lights at both ends of the lane to improve safety. In the meantime I would call on drivers and pedestrians to take extra care on the lane."

Gormanston Water Outage

Meath Co. Co. failed to adequately notify residents of Gormanston of a water outage over the May Bank Holiday, according to Sinn Féin local election Sinéad Burke.
She said, "I was contacted by a number of people from Gormanston over the Bank Holiday weekend who were left without water from Saturday until Tuesday. They had received no notification from Meath Co. Co. and had had no opportunity to make contingency plans.
"Local residents understand that maintenance and other work needs to be carried out from time to time but it is essential that adequate notification is given. This didn't happen in this case. Meath Co. Co. had also failed to contact local radio station LMFM. Due consideration must be given the people affected by the works."

Meath East Sinn Féin launch priorities for new National Drug Strategy

With a backdrop of major cuts to Regional Drugs Task Forces, Sinn Féin's Local Election Candidate in East Meath Sinéad Burke launched the party’s new drug policy document – ‘Injecting Urgency – Priorities for the National Drug Strategy 2009 – 2016'.
Speaking at the launch Ms. Burke said," We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past and it is economically prudent to invest in the fight against drugs."
Among the proposals made in the document is a reversal of the proposed cuts to Regional Drugs Task Forces, securing the future of the 'Dial to Stop Drug Dealing' project, expansion of Garda Youth Diversion projects, and the reinstatement of the sports capital grant.
She said “Experience shows that economic recessions exacerbate drug and alcohol misuse. It is economically prudent to invest in the fight against drugs. Failure to do so would give rise to mammoth costs to the exchequer. The drugs crisis incurs huge costs including Gardai, prison places and A&E. Notto mention the human costs to individuals with an increase in assaults, burglaries and muggings.
The cuts in funding to both local and regional drug task forces are an abandonment of the States duty to its citizens. These task forces are the front line in the battle against drug dealers. In the face of increased violence and intimidation from drug dealers, this decision is a disgrace. We have seen recently in Dublin and Limerick the length these drug dealers will go to to protect their evil trade. The State has a duty to meet this threat head on, with all available resources.
“The communities and families at risk from drugs are easily identifiable and this is where resources must be targeted. Our document makes demands of Government and State agencies to support these communities but also includes suggestions for initiatives which the communities themselves can take. The decision, in Budget ’09, to abolish the sports capital grant must also be reversed with a focus on areas most effected by drugs. This grant has been a key feature of the National Drugs Strategy heretofore and must be maintained and upgraded in the new strategy.
“The Dial to Stop Drug Dealing free phone line has been a major success in the communities where it has been launched and at a minimum cost. However, this phone line will cease to exist when current funding runs out later this year. It is essential that this key tool in the fight against drugs is put on a secure financial footing in the new National Drugs Strategy.”

May Day Launch of Sinn Féin Proposals to get Ireland Back to Work

Sinn Féin candidate for the Ireland East EU Constituency, Cllr Tomás Sharkey, today joined local election candidate in East Meath, Sinéad Burke, to mark International Workers' Day by launching the party’s job retention and creation strategy. The document entitled ‘Getting Ireland Back to Work’ contains more than 80 proposals, which Sinn Féin believes are urgently required to retain existing jobs and create new ones, progress all-Ireland economic development, stimulate consumer spending, and maximise the benefits of education and training.

Speaking in Laytown Cllr Sharkey said:

“May 1st marks International Workers' Day, yet this year in Meath, there are almost 10,000 people on the live register. Unemployment is spiralling out of control, with the commuter area of East Meath being hit particularly hard. It is clear that the working people of Ireland East need the government to implement a time-framed job creation and retention strategy without further delay. This must focus on stopping job losses, creating new jobs, keeping people in education and stimulating consumer spending.

“The recent emergency budget will have done nothing to stimulate the economy nor protect and create jobs. Little is being done to up-skill and retrain those who have lost their jobs. The number one priority has to be retaining and creating jobs. We need government action to get Ireland back to work.

“One of the key mistakes that the government made over the last decade was to overinflate the boom by not regulating the banks and the building industry. The same government that over inflated the boom now wants to exacerbate the downturn by taking too much money out of the economy. The government got it wrong in the boom and is now getting it wrong in the downturn.

“Ireland needs a three-year plan to hold on to or create the 1,000 jobs a day that are being lost. Such a plan needs to have a specific focus on creating jobs in the midlands and other regions which even during the boom years continued to have levels of unemployment far in excess of the state average and did not see the same investment in infrastructure as other parts of the state.

“Such a plan needs to identify viable companies that need immediate help, it means identifying where jobs are going to be created over the next 3-5 years and bringing together FÁS, VECs, colleges and universities to up-skill the workforce. It means fostering a real innovation culture. And most critically quarterly regional targets need to be set and delivered. It much include steps to ensure that the border midlands and west region is competitive and must build on the strengths of the region. This document sets out a range of proposals that should form the core of such a plan.

“Sinn Féin is being constructive – we are putting forward clear proposals to address the current economic crisis and the escalating levels of unemployment. Our key message is – if action is taken the economy can be turned around.” ENDS

Key proposals

• Establish a €300 million jobs retention fund to subsidise workers in SMEs struggling to keep on their employees. The fund should be time limited; and should be implemented in conjunction with increased Revenue and Labour Inspectorate.
• Set up a body to actively pre-empt job losses by going to companies where jobs are in jeopardy to trouble shoot and offer advice, similar to the functions carried out by the Irish Credit Corporation in the 1980s.
• The National Development Plan’s immediate priority should be providing essential, labour intensive infrastructure. We are calling for the fast-tracking of the school building programme, expansion of the national insulation programme to cover 100,000 homes by 2010 and 150,000 in subsequent years and broadband rollout.
• Fast track business start ups – there are two issues – businesses need access to credit and expertise. The banks need to start doing their job and we are calling for a re-deployment of staff within current job creation agencies to set up one stop enterprise business points. These would bring together funding, expertise and advice for entrepreneurs who want to start new businesses.
• A new Sales Ireland strategy to help Irish firms access export markets and to help Irish firms looking to set up manufacturing businesses with the potential to compete with our largest imports. Currently 90% of exports from the south come from foreign owned multinationals. And foreign owned firms import over 86% of the maternials they use, bypassing Irish firms.
• Establishment within a calendar year of Eolas Glas Eireann, led by Sustainable Energy Ireland, with the core aim of developing Ireland as a world leader in green and alternative energy technologies.
• FÁS, the VECs and third level institutions have a combined budget of almost €4billion. They need to have a joined up approach to ensure that we are training people for sectors that will provide jobs in the coming decade.
• A rapid reaction price force to be established by the Minister for Enterprise to ensure price reductions are passed onto consumers, particularly in the areas of fuel and retail groceries.

Meath Voters Urged to Register

As local and European election campaigns get underway across the country, Sinn Féin’s candidate in East Meath, Sinéad Burke, has urged people to make sure they are registered to vote.

She said, “I have met many, many people on the doorsteps across East Meath who are eligible to vote but not registered. The deadline for inclusion in the Supplementary Register for the upcoming elections is May 15th.

“People should check the register to make sure they are on it. This can be done online at www.checktheregister.ie, or at any council office, post office, library or Garda station. If people find that they are not on the register, they have until Friday 15th May to fill out an RFA2 form and return it to the local authority. Again these forms are available online or from government buildings. A Garda stamp is needed to validate the completed form.

She concluded, “A recent report indicated that almost 30% of eighteen to twenty five year olds are not registered to vote. The whole system is a logistical and bureaucratic nightmare. Sinn Féin has long called for a situation where people would automatically be included in the Register once they have reached eighteen years of age. The government, for some unknown reason, has resisted this, resulting in huge sections of the population being disenfranchised.”

On Your Bike!

Sinn Féin local election candidate Sinéad Burke has called on MeathCounty Council to ensure the provision of continuous cycle lanes allthroughout east Meath, and says that by doing so we can address issuesranging from childhood obesity to tourism. She has also insisted thatcycle lanes be included in all new road building and upgradingprojects.
According to Ms.Burke, “The provision of a continuous cycle lane alongthe coast road between Julianstown and Drogheda, between Donore andNewgrange, in the village of Slane, between Stamullen and Gormanston,and between Duleek and Drogheda should be an essential investment bythe council. If we are really going to move on from the short-sighted,unsustainable, development which characterised the Celtic Tiger, thisis the sort of approach that is needed. Cycle lanes cost relativelylittle to install yet have the potential to improve the quality oflife for so many of our residents and visitors.
“On average eleven children are killed in cycling accidents a year inthis state. A further two hundred and thirty are seriously injuredeach year. Traffic Congestion and parking has become the bane ofbusiness people, shoppers and commuters in east Meath over the lastnumber of years and is hurting the area economically. We are told thatone in five Irish children are now considered obese. We are also toldthat in order to reduce our carbon emissions we should leave the carbehind and use alternative modes of transport such as bicycles. Asimple and obvious solution to these problems is the creation ofnetwork of safe cycle lanes throughout the area.
“However, despite all of this, there has been a haphazard approach toany implementation of so-called policy in this area. Presently cyclelanes exist on some roads and not on others. On other roads cyclelanes exist for 20 metres and then stop and disappear into thin air.Sinn Féin are demanding that this issue is finally resolved in eastMeath and that nationally the government start putting their moneywhere their mouth is.”

NCT Penalty Point Farce

Sinn Féin's Local Election Candidate in East Meath Sinéad Burke has labelled the introduction of five penalty points for driving a vehicle without a valid NCT from May 1st a 'farce', as the company's system hasn't the capacity to deal with the increased demand from people requesting bookings. She said, "I've been contacted by at least one hundred people in east Meath over the last week who say they have been trying the NCT booking number 1890 412 413 since the recent announcement of the new penalty points, but to no avail. The only time you can actually get a dial tone is out of office hours, according to one person. The company's website www.nct.ie is down too. "I don't see how the government can enforce these new penalty points from May 1st given the fact that some people may actually find it impossible to be compliant. This is yet another example of government blundering, where a lack of joined-up thinking, preparation and planning - a major feature of their tenure - has exposed them as incompetent. The similarities with last year's Provisional Licence debacle are obvious. This government seems incapable of learning from it's mistakes."

Call for Safety Measures at Slane Playground

Sinn Féin local election candidate Sinéad Burke has called on Meath County Council to ensure proper safety measures are put in place in the vicinity of the new playground in Slane. She said, “It’s great to see the rate of progress of work on the new playground and we hope to see it open as soon as possible. I have called on Meath County Council to ensure the playground is properly maintained and secure to alleviate some of the fears of nearby residents’, firstly in relation to anti-social and nuisance behaviour, but also in relation to the health and safety of families using the facility. This should include the provision of speed ramps in the Crann Dara Brae estate and on the Hill of Slane, along with a pedestrian crossing on the N2 for families crossing the main road.”

New Penalty Points Should be Deferred Until East Meath Roads Repaired

Roads in East Meath must be repaired before new penalty points are brought in for not having a current NCT certificate, according to a Sinn Féin local election candidate. Sinead Burke has said that people are sick of paying road tax and a multitude of other stealth taxes to keep a vehicle on the road, while the Government slashed the road maintenance budget by €150 million.
Ms. Burke added, “Meath has some of the worst roads in the country. Rural secondary and regional roads are in a dire state, as well as some intersection on our primary roads. It is disgraceful that the Government have now introduced five penalty points for failure to have an NCT certificate, while at the same time they slash the road maintenance budget by €150 million. It is unacceptable that the Road Safety Authority, a Government appointed quango, continuously puts the onus on road users and ignores the fact that many roads are in such a state of disrepair. Collapsing verges and potholes are commonplace and put road users at risk, communities out of pocket and businesses at jeopardy."

Easter Celebrated in East Meath

Over the Easter weekend I attended a number of Easter Commemorations in memory of the historic events of Easter week 1916. On Saturday, the main Sinn Féin Easter Commemoration was held at Ballinlough. We marched to the Republican Plot in the local cemetery where Volunteer Patrick McDonnell and Volunteer Seamus Cogan, who were killed during the Tan War, are buried. Sinn Féin’s Ireland East EU candidate, Tomás Sharkey, made the keynote address.
On Sunday we had the first annual Philip Clarke Commemoration at Rossin Bridge between Slane and Drogheda. We were delighted with the turnout and are looking forward to making this an annual event and something of a tradition. Philip Clarke was from Monknewtown. He was a member of the Irish Citizen Army and was killed in heavy fighting on Easter week 1916 at St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin. He is buried in the Republican Plot in Glasnevin Cemetery. In 1966 a monument was erected to Philip on Rossin Bridge.
Later on Sunday I attended the broad Republican commemoration in Duleek, which remembers all those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom, particularly those who died on Hunger Strike between 1916 and 1981. The march left the town square and marched to the Hunger Strike monument on the Station Road. There was a great crowd. Comhghairdeas to the Duleek 16-81 Monument Committee who organised the event.

ByPass Needed Urgently

Speaking in the wake of the recent nine-vehicle pileup in Slane, Sinéad Burke has called for the Government and the NRA to acknowledge the will of the people of area and start work on the Slane Bypass immediately. “The importance of appropriate infrastructure, capable of handling the volume and type of traffic associated with a major national route has never been clearer. It is actually unbelievable to think that, despite the years of unprecedented economic growth experienced in Ireland during the last ten years, the money was never made available to bypass the village. The recession cannot be an excuse for inaction. The health and safety of our families and friends depends on it.

“Finally, I would encourage everybody to lend support to the bypass campaign group, which is working to get the HGV-ban implemented in the interim, as well as preparing a dossier for submission to the Oireachtas Committee on Transport on May 6th. A co-ordinated approach involving all sections of the local community offers the best way of applying the pressure needed to achieve a favourable outcome.”
For more information on the campaign contact Norma Kealy at normakealy@hotmail.com

Community Consultation needed for old Laytown Library Site

Sinéad Burke of Sinn Féin has called for extensive community consultation to be carried out immediately to plan for the future use of the old Laytown Library. The building has been boarded up for a considerable time now and is in considerable disrepair.

Sinéad Burke said, “I have called on Meath County Council to carry out a full community consultation, which should include all the stakeholders, to decide on the future use of the old Laytown Library at the entrance to Alverno Heights. Given the chronic lack of resources for young people in Laytown I think it is wrong to see this fine building standing idle. Many communities have experienced the link lack of youth facilities has with anti-social and nuisance behaviour. A well-managed youth café or after-school club would provide our young people with an opportunity to socialise, work and study in a supervised environment.

"Council official have tried to side step this issue by blaming the current economic climate and claiming they cannot deal with the Laytown site until they have found an alternative site for the library. This is simply unacceptable. It provides us with an immediate opportunity to invest in our young people’s future.”

Special Needs Assistants to be Cut in East Meath

At least two local schools are set to lose Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) this September as the criteria for their employment becomes more stringent, according to Sinéad Burke of Sinn Féin.

She said, “I have been made aware that at least two schools in the east Meath area, Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Laytown and Scoil Oilibheir Naofa, Bettystown, have been informed by the Department of Education that they could be losing as many as three and half, and three SNA posts, respectively, in September. The move comes as the criteria for the employment of SNAs has been changed to include only those children that have a diagnosed medical condition and/or are a danger to themselves and/or others.

“This latest cutback in the education system is further evidence that the most vulnerable in society have no protection under this government and reflects their warped values. The new criteria are even more shameful when you consider the length of time it takes to get a diagnosis for many of the conditions which affect our children, especially behavioural disorders, in our health system.

Another Illegal Dump in East Meath

Following the discovery of an illegal dump on the link road between Julianstown and Duleek Sinn Féin’s local election candidate, Sinéad Burke, has urged people to make full use of the Meath Lo-Call Litter Hotline.

She said, “We seem to be fighting a losing battle in the fight against illegal dumping in Co. Meath. There is certainly an acknowledged issue of resources at council level to deal with the problem. This latest dump on the link road between Julianstown and Duleek contained large household goods including white goods, furniture and mattresses and is part of what is now a constant problem. At this stage the council are struggling to cope with even the symptoms of illegal dumping, never mind prevention or prosecution. It will take full community involvement if we are to overcome this scourge. I would encourage people to remain vigilant, particularly around littering ‘hotspots’ and to contact the Meath Lo-Call Litter Hotline on 1890 228 466 whenever they discover or witness littering.”

Julianstown Event a Huge Success

Sinéad Burke has congratulated the Julianstown Residents’ Association on what she described as an ‘inspirational’ event recently.

A huge number of local residents joined council officials and elected representatives in the Julianstown Inn to take a step closer to agreeing a design statement for the village. The Residents’ Association successful submission to the Heritage Council for participation in this project was presented on the night and the next steps towards preparing a Village Design Statement (VDS) were taken.

Sinéad Burke said, “It was very evident how passionate the local residents were about the future of their village. It was a great achievement, and a culmination of a lot of hard work by those involved, to get the village selected for this major project. The presentation, participation, and enthusiasm on the night were really inspirational. It was a great example of how local communities can play an active role in shaping the future of their area.”

Philip Clarke Remembered

A wreath laying ceremony will take place on Easter Sunday at Rossin Bridge, Monknewtown in memory of a local man who died during the Easter Rising of 1916. The ceremony, which will take place at 10am will be chaired by Sinéad Burke.

Speaking at the launch of a programme of events to mark the 93^rd anniversary of the 1916 Rising, Ms. Burke said, “Easter is a special time of year for Republicans. It’s a time of year when we remember the sacrifice so many men and women gave to give us the freedoms we enjoy today. The Easter Lily is worn as a symbol of that sacrifice. This year in East Meath we will be celebrating the life and death of Monknewtown man, Philip Clarke, who died in St. Stephen’s Green on April 26^th 1916. We are inviting Irish Republicans, of all political persuasions, to join with us on Easter Sunday at 10am at Rossin Bridge, where the 1916 Proclamation will be read and a wreath will be laid at the Philip Clarke monument which is situated on the bridge. Over the next week we will be distributing hundreds of Easter Lilies to local residents.”

Commemorative events in Co. Meath

Easter Saturday:
Ballinlough Cemetery – 4pm

Easter Sunday
Rossin Bridge – 10am
Ardbraccan Cemetery – 12 noon
Longwood – 12noon
Ashbourne – 12 noon

Easter Monday
Drumree – 12 noon

N2 Upgrade Halted

The Government decision to order a halt to the three N2 upgrade schemes between Ashbourne and Monaghan has been strongly criticised by local election candidate Sinéad Burke as dangerous, short-sighted and adding to the unemployment figures. The N2 upgrade was one of 78 major construction projects in the National Roads Authority building programme.

Sinéad Burke said, “The importance of appropriate infrastructure, capable of handling the volume and type of traffic associated with a major national route has never been clearer in the wake of last week's nine-vehicle pile up at Slane. Despite this, the Government has ordered the NRA to press the pause button on this critical upgrade work. Last week Sinn Féin published a Job Creation Strategy which argued for the frontloading of critical infrastructure. The government is clearly doing the very opposite. The NRA themselves have said that they are ‘very concerned’ as a lot of the schemes are ahead of schedule and would be completed this year.

“What is particularly galling is that the only major NRA construction project to escape the Government’s edict is the Castleisland bypass in Kerry. Credit for this was trumpeted by Independent Fianna Fail TD Jackie Healy Rae, who claimed he used his position as a Government supporter to ‘put the interests of the people of Kerry first.’ It is quite clear that gombeenism is alive and well in Fianna Fáil and endorsed by their Green Party colleagues. The people of Meath, particularly those languishing on dole queues need to be aware of this. I also note that Fine Gael are proposing to cut €2 billion from the NDP. If this is adopted it will mean further job loses and worse, potentially further unnecessary loss of life on our roads.” The Construction Industry Federation said the halt in spending was “absolutely savage”.

Sinn Féin calls for 'New-ICC' in East Meath

A company modeled on the Industrial Credit Company (ICC) which helped many small businesses through the recession of the 1980's is needed now, according to Sinn Féin's local election candidate in East Meath Sinéad Burke.

She said, "It is obvious that some excellent small and medium businesses in the East Meath area are finding it extremely hard to adapt to the new economic climate. In the 1980's the ICC, which was a profit-making publically funded source of credit for Irish companies had a remit to go into businesses where jobs were in jepoardy to trouble shoot, offer advice, support and where appropriate capital.

"There’s a whole generation of people who have never managed a business during a recession, and a whole generation who have. The new businesses could do with advice and expertise to get through this period."

SF candidate advises caution in relation to 'supposed' independent FF candidates

Sinn Féin local election candidate in East Meath Sinéad Burke has advised voters to exercise caution in relation to what he termed ‘supposed independent’ FF candidates. In a statement released on Friday, Ms. Burke stated that ‘in the past week over 20 FF members have resigned from Fianna Fáil around the country with a view to running as independents to the local election. In Meath we have seen at least two former Fianna Failers leave the party to run themselves’.

‘If these members resigned their membership because of their political conscience or for moral reasons one might give them the benefit of the doubt. However did these individuals resign due to the mismanagement of the economy, the taking away of the cervical cancer vaccination from 12 year old girls, the imposition of the Lenihan levy on low earners or the taking away the medical card from the over 70s? No, these individuals resigned due to the fact that they were not selected by their party to run in the local election. Blatant careerist, self interest has been the motivating factor in these resignations’.

‘As a result people should note that careerist self interest will be central in a decision to rejoin Fianna Fáil after the election should
any of these individuals get elected. A vote for candidates from the Fianna Fáil 'gene pool’ will not punish Fianna Fáil in the upcoming local election as Fianna Fáil will welcome them back in to the party with open arms after the election’.

‘Meath is suffering the highest increases in unemployment in the country. Because of a lack of industry in the county 50% of those
working are forced to leave the county to go work every day. 40% of shoppers leave the county to shop every day. Meath gets less funding form Enterprise Ireland and the IDA than any other Leinster county. Under a majority FF council and under a FF government Meath has been relegated to a commuter county."

The Work of Amen

Following on from the post on this blog regarding the resources available to female victims of domestic violence, I have been contacted by the Amen group in Navan, Co Meath.

They were quite right to point out that men are also victims of this violence and they have kindly sent me the following information on the service they provide.

Amen is an organisation, which provides a confidential helpline, information and support service for male victims of domestic abuse and their children. Men who have contact Amen tell of the physical, emotional and psychological abuse they encounter from their female partners. Many men also report that various kinds of false allegations have been made against them and that their children have been alienated from them.

In 2005 the National Crime Council published the first ever large scale study on the nature, extent and impact of domestic abuse against women and men in Ireland. They found that: 29% of women and 26% of men suffer domestic abuse. 13% of women and 13% of men suffer physical abuse. Only 1 in 20 men compared to 1 in 3 women reported the abuse to the Gardaí.

Amen’s services include: A confidential helpline, information and a support service for male victims of domestic abuse and their children between 9am – 5pm. We also have out of hours mobile phone service which runs till 10pm each evening and weekend.Information on legal and other remedies available to men who are being abused in their homes.One to one meetings.Group emotional support meetings on Tuesday’s from 8pm – 10pm.Court accompaniment.Counseling service.
Kate Markey Amen,St. Anne's Resource Centre,Railway Street,Navan,Co. Meath Tel: 046 9076864

I am delighted to use this opportunity to highlight the work Amen done and wish them the very best of luck in the future.

‘Dial To Stop Drug Dealing’ Should be CAB Funded

A portion of the money confiscated by the Criminal Assets Bureau should be ring-fenced to secure the Dial To Stop Drug Dealing confidential phone line according to Meath East Sinn Féin representative Sinéad Burke. Burke said that the phone line would in turn secure increased seizures for CAB and that both programmes would compliment each other.
Slane area candidate, Burke said “There have been a number of significant seizures in Meath over the last couple of years, securing millions of euro for the exchequer. In 2007 CAB secured over €10 million for the exchequer. A fraction of this money would secure the future of the highly-successful Dial to Stop Drug Dealing confidential phone line. The future of the phone line is in doubt after the Minister announced that no further funding will be allocated.
“If a fraction of the money annually generated for the exchequer from CAB could be ring-fenced to secure the future of the phone line it would in turn secure a return for CAB through tip offs and resulting seizures. Both projects would compliment each other significantly to the benefit of communities across Meath. At the end of the day Dial to Stop Drug Dealing initiative has been a huge success at a very low cost. The Government should do all in its power to secure its future.”

Lifelong Republicans Honoured

Dessie and Maire Ferguson, Kells were honoured at the Meath Sinn Féin Annual Dinner Dance recently. Many tributes were paid to Dessie and Maire for their lifelong commitment to Republicanism. The event, which was themed the ‘90th Anniversary of the First Dáil’ was chaired by East Meath local election candidate, Sinéad Burke, and addressed by former Meath GAA manager Seán Boylan, and Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty from Donegal.Sinéad Burke opened proceedings looking forward to the local and European elections in June. She said, “The electorate has lost confidence in the Government. Fianna Fáil and the Greens have no plan, no vision and no courage. The longer they remain in office the worse our economic situation will get. Ireland needs change. Sinn Féin has what it takes to be that change.”Seán Boylan recalled Dessie Ferguson’s great involvement in the GAA through which his friendship with Dessie was formed and sustained over many years. He recounted Dessie’s many successes in both football and hurling which included 2 All Ireland Senior Football wins with Dublin.

Community Alert Group Established in Yellow Furze

Sinn Féin local election candidate Sinéad Burke has welcomed the recent establishment of a Community Alert Group in Yellow Furze.
She said, “This community alert scheme is the result of very hard work by local residents and the obvious dedication of local Gardai. At the initial public meeting a very large crowd of local residents voiced their concerns at the recent increase in suspicious activity and crime in the area, but committed to work together to engage in crime prevention. The issue of appropriate liaison with victims of crime was relayed to local Gardaí.”
“I have encouraged the local group to engage with the Meath Joint Policing Committee that was recently secured following lobbying from Sinn Féin. The best resource any community has is its people. The enthusiasm, commitment and determination being shown in Yellow Furze is an example to all other areas in Meath that strong community policing is the best way to keep an area safe and build community spirit."

Donore's Great Opportunity

Sinn Féin local election candidate in East Meath, Sinéad Burke, has urged residents of Donore to take the opportunity to make a submission to Meath County Council on the Local Area Plan.

She said, "The plan provides a great chance for the local community to get involved in the future development of the village. In my own submission I have highlighted the fantastic opportunity that exists in Donore to tap into the tourist potential of Newgrange and to highlight the special relationship the village has with the site.

“Future development in Donore must be in keeping with that of a hertitage town and should include the provision of appropriate infrastructure to and from the Newgrange site, including roads, lighting and importantly, signage. “Also, the special relationship between Newgrange and Donore should be further highlighted when deciding on new names for housing estates, roads and parks in the area.”

North East HSE Manager Must Go

Meath East Sinn Féin representative, Sinéad Burke, has called for the immediate sacking or resignation of a HSE manager following revelations surrounding the death of a young woman and her baby son at Our Lady of Lourde’s Hospital, Drogheda.
It has been revealed that Hospital Network Manager for the area, Mr Stephen Mulvany, sought to influence the report in order to place blame on staff members at the Maternity Unit of the hospital.

Sinéad Burke said “It is clear from documents obtained by LM/FM’s Michael Reade that the Hospital Network Manager, successfully sought to influence the report of inquiry to blame staff members for aspects of care management which led to the death of mother and son in March 2007, rather than institutional and resource failures.

“The Network Manager also admits that he did change the report and that he sought to reduce the legal and financial impact of the incident on the HSE, rather than seek a full, open and honest report into the tragedy. The independence as well as the integrity of the report are now seriously challenged. The actions of the Network Manager also displays a wholly-blinkered view in favour of the HSE, rather than the proper care of patients in the North East

“In light of these revelations, I believe that the Network Manager’s position is untenable. Staff in the health service in the North East have can have no confidence that, if another incident were to occur in the near future, he would not seek to scapegoat them. He should immediately apologise to staff at the Lourdes Maternity Unit for his efforts to wrongly blame them for the McCabe tragedy. If he doesn’t resign in light of the shocking revelations of this document he should be sacked.”

Seanad Should Be Confined To National Museum

East Meath Sinn Féin representative Sinéad Burke has said that the Seanad is costly, elitist, undemocratic, and in the eyes of many, irrelevant. Burke also suggested that it should be confined to the National Museum.

Sinéad Burke said “Proposals from the Government on Seanad reform do not go anywhere near far enough. Last year some Senators were outraged at the idea that the Seanad be temporarily relocated to the National Museum while the current chamber was refurbished. This is exactly where the Seanad should be located – confined to history. It is outdated and despite a dozen reports on Seanad reform since 1937 the establishment party lack the political will to reform. At time of wage cuts and job losses, each Senator gets over €110,000 per annum. For what exactly?

“Sinn Féin has argued for a Seanad that is directly elected by the people of Ireland and its citizens abroad, a Seanad that would represent a wide range of diverse views and focus on community consultation as legislation is being drafted. Senators need to take a long, hard look at themselves and not protect a chamber that is irrelevant to its citizens. It is time to stop paying lip service to Seanad reform. The public mood and support is for bold action and real leadership to change this elitist talking shop.”

SF Outlines Five Key Demands to Tackle Domestic Violence

As part of Sinn Féin's ongoing campaign against Domestic Violence, and to mark International Women’s Day, Sinn Féin local election candidate Sinéad Burke recently announced that thousands of postcards will be distributed in the East Meath area outlining the party's five demands for tackling domestic violence.

She said, "A number of local door-drops will take place over the coming weeks."Domestic violence is silent crime that devastates the lives of those living in perpetual fear of their abusers. One in five women will suffer domestic violence at some part of their lives yet, because of low levels of reportage, this is a crime that generally goes unnoticed and receives a low Garda Priority.

"Sinn Féin's ongoing campaign against Domestic Violence centres around five key demands. We want increased safe, suitable emergency and long-term accommodation for victims, the lack of which is a key factor which impedes victims from coming forward to report their ordeals."There needs to be secure and adequate funding for essential frontline services for victims of domestic violence. The current economic climate must not be used as an excuse to neglect these victims."

Training for frontline staff including; housing officers, community welfare officers, Gardaí and A&E workers is essential. It is crucial that the first point of contact for victims who decide to seek help is trained and capable of dealing with the specific needs of the victim. Legislative reforms to ensure legal protections are available to all victims are also necessary."

Finally, domestic violence must be included as a named priority in the Gardaí Síochána Policing Plans. Though Gardaí may receive more calls to deal with crimes of other natures it is clear from the statistics that domestic violence is one of the most prevalent crimes in Irish society and needs to be prioritised accordingly."It is our firm belief that if these five demands are delivered on by government men and women could truly begin to look forward to a society free of domestic violence."

Carers’ Strategy Scrapped

Sinéad Burke has called on the Government to reverse their decision not to publish the long-promised National Carers’ Strategy. She described the decision as appalling and said it would have a direct impact on thousands of people across East Meath.

She said, “Across East Meath dedicated people are looking after family members in the home with inadequate support from the State. A continued lack of adequate support will lead to worsening health for both carers and cared-for, resulting in much greater healthcare costs to the State.

“The Government should now heed the call of carers’ organisations, publish the Strategy, assess what pay elements are feasible and proceed with all non-pay elements. The Taoiseach is urging people to unite in support of economic recovery and to make collective efforts in the national interest, yet they deliver this insult to thousands of family carers in Meath whose work in the home saves the State hundreds of millions every year.
“This appalling decision shows that the Fianna Fáil-Green Government has no concept of planning for peoples needs. They see the Strategy only in terms of euro and cents and have decided to scrap it. They forget that this Strategy will still be needed – in fact needed more than ever because of our ageing population – when the public finances eventually recover. This decision is in direct breach of the Towards 2016 partnership agreement and reneges on the commitment in the Programme for Government to ‘ensure a National Carers’ Strategy focusing on supporting informal family carers in the community will be developed by the end of 2007’.

8897 Unemployed in Meath

Sinn Féin’s Sinéad Burke has described the soaring unemployment figures for Meath as catastrophic. Unemployment in Meath has more than doubled than on this time last year and now stand at 8,897.

She said “The government cannot continue to ignore the fact that the €5 billion deficit in our public finances is directly related to job losses. Due to this massive increase in unemployment tax revenue has collapsed while spending on welfare and medical cards is €1.5 billion over budget. However the government’s sole approach on cuts and borrowing is fundamentally undermining Ireland’s economy. The number one priority should be retaining and creating jobs. It should be getting Ireland back to work.
“We need a plan to hold on to or create the 1,000 jobs a day that are being lost. We need to fast track business start ups. We need to create a Sales Ireland strategy that maximises our existing indigenous export market as well as developing its growth prospects in the immediate and longer term. We need to foster and develop a real innovation culture. Success is possible but not until the current government delivers a plan. If they cannot it is time for them to go.”

Byrne Must Explain Scandalous East Meath School Cutbacks – Burke

Sinn Féin Local Election candidate Sinéad Burke has called on Meath East Fianna Fáil TD Thomas Byrne to explain to parents why their schools are losing teachers at a time when his government professes to have a plan to get Ireland out of the current economic crisis.

Commenting on figures released last week which indicate that Scoil Spioraid Naomh in Laytown and Scoil Naomh Pádraig in Stamullen are set to lose two teachers and one teacher, respectively, Ms. Burke said, “The Government’s priority should be to get Ireland back to work and this decision should be reversed. The decision to increase class sizes, and the Government’s determination to implement it, tallies well with their unspoken policy of targeting the most vulnerable sections of society to pay for the economic meltdown that they, along with their friends in the development, business and banking sectors, have caused. Neither Fianna Fáil nor the Greens have a mandate to implement these cutbacks. I am calling on our East Meath government representative Thomas Byrne to explain to the people who elected him why he is refusing to do just that.”

She concluded, “Education is a vital platform for the future economic recovery of this state. The policies of this government will determine whether the children in school today will have the knowledge and skills necessary to drive the future economy of Ireland. Cutting funding in this sector today will rob Ireland of future potential. It seems like Fianna Fáil are forcing Ireland’s next generation to pay for their failure.”

Meath Schools To Get 1st Dáil Pack

Primary schools across Meath will be receiving a resource pack to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the 1st Dáil. The pack includes a commemorative 20 page illustrated brochure which details the historic events leading up to the first Dáil and will also contain reproductions of the documents adopted by TDs on January 21st 1919. Meath Sinn Féin Councillors and representatives launched the pack today at the party's Navan office.

Speaking at the launch Councillor Joe Reilly quoted the words of a young republican, Máire Comerford, who was present at the Mansion House on January 21st 1919, "'Never was the past so near, or the present so brave, or the future so full of hope.'

"Modern Ireland faces many challenges. Working families face heavy financial burdens, the vulnerable remain insufficiently protected, the economy is under developed and border counties continue to carry the economic and social burden of partition.

"Equality was the basis of the Democratic Programme adopted by the first Dáil. The Programme set out progressive social and economic goals based on the principles of the 1916 Proclamation and articulated by Pádraig Mac Piarais and James Connolly.

"Today we must continue to fight for these goals. The prospect of achieving Equality of Opportunity can inspire. It can bring people together. It gives us a common cause. Today's An Chéad Dáil events are not only a commemoration of the brave men and women of 1919, they are also a celebration of what Irish people achieved 90 years ago and their project modern Ireland has yet to complete."

Meath Dial To Stop Drug Dealing Launched

Sinn Féin local election candidate Sinéad Burke and EU Candidate Tomás Sharkey have announced details of a campaign to publicise the "Dial to Stop Drug Dealing" Freephone number 1800 220 220. This is a freephone number that is confidential and totally anonymous. Calls are free and can be made from land lines and mobiles. The caller won't be asked for name, address or phone number. All information given will be passed onto the Gardaí. When Sinn Féin carried out a Community Safety Audit during the summer months one of the most important issues which came up was that people were unwilling to call the Gardaí regarding suspected drug dealing in their areas and communities for fear of retaliation. This Freephone number has been rolled out in other parts of the country with considerable success. Over the coming weeks and months Sinn Féin will be distributing cards with the free phone number throughout the county. We will also be including it on all literature published by the party and are inviting as many people as possible to come up with ways to promote the service. The use of this number is a means for the public to keep their areas free from drugs and we encourage anyone with concerns about drug dealing in their area to use it with confidence and without fear. Said Sinead Burke at the launch, "Drug dealing is a scourge that has touched many communities in East Meath. I regularly meet residents who are afraid to get in touch with the authorities to report what they know. This phone line puts power back in ordinary decent people's hands. It's totally anonymous and the information goes straight to the Gardaí."

Duleek Road Collapsing

Sinn Féin representative for Meath East Sinéad Burke has branded the Duleek/Navan Road junction (R150/N2) as an accident waiting to happen and has called on the Council to prioritise its repair.

Burke said "The residents of Duleek have had to suffer more than most over thelast year when it comes to roads in disrepair, with many roads in the town still in a building-site condition, but the busy R150/N2 junction is very dangerous. This is a T junction and is the main road to Navan. It is difficult to manoeuvre in normal conditions with oncoming traffic but even worse now that there is a three foot pothole. It is in such a poor state of repair that when you go to move off, the ground gives way, or you find yourself stuck in the pothole! I am calling on the council and the Road Safety Officer to ensure that this is attended to immediately".

New Community Alert Group Established in Stamullen

A new community alert group has been established in the east Meath village of Stamullen. Speaking after the first meeting of Stamullen Community Alert Group, local Sinn Féin representative Sinéad Burke said "This community alert scheme is the result of very hard work by local residents and the obvious dedication of local Gardai. Mindless anti-social and criminal behaviour can be a scourge on an area; it is great to see Stamullen taking a strong and holistic approach in tackling this. The Community Alert committee will be made up of residents from all over the village and representatives from local business. I will be encouraging them to engage with the Meath Joint Policing Committee that was recently secured following lobbying from Sinn Féin. The best resource any community has is its people. The enthusiasm, commitment and determination being shown in Stamullen is an example to all other areas in Meath that strong community policing is the best way to keep an area safe and build community spirit."

People Power will Fight New Meath Power Plant

Sinn Féin County Council Candidate, Sinéad Burke has hit out strongly against the proposed Power Plant planned for the Dunmoe area of Meath between Navan and Slane. Viridian Power are planning to build a Peaking Power Station on 6 acres of land which will not only impact on a small rural community, but also the people of Slane and Navan. The proposed plant will be just metres away from the field where Royal Mushrooms Ltd are trying to build a mushroom compost plant. Locals are currently fighting the Royal Mushrooms development at An Bord Pleanála level.
Sinn Féin Representative Burke said "In December I met with two representatives from Viridian – they confirmed their plans for a Peaking Power Plant on Graigs Lane. This power plant will be run on diesel and will have an EPA licence for 365 days a year. It will contribute power into the national grid at peak times and will also be used as a back up energy source to Viridian's Wind Farms around the country. The site will be either accessed by the Graigs Lane or an entrance in Causestown, neither are suitable to carry industrial traffic. According to Viridian, the site will potentially be made up of 2 peaking power plants and two oil storage units, consisting of 2 x 56 MW gas turbine driven peaking units, generators, 4 stacks, ancillary equipment, water holding tanks, oil storage tanks, and an electrical connection point.
"It is outrageous that it falls to ordinary people to have to fight to keep developments of this nature from their doorsteps. The nearest house to this proposed plant will be 80 metres away. I have spoken to groups as far away as Mayo who have fought against these types of plants on their back door. It is cold comfort to know that Meath is not the only dumping ground in this country for heavy industrial developments. This land is zoned rural and therefore is entirely unsuitable for heavy industry.
"At the moment Viridian is in advanced negotiations around buying the land, they have not applied to Meath County Council for planning yet, nor have they applied for their EPA licence yet. Pre-warned is pre-armed in this case – the local people will be ready and will fight this proposed plant every step of the way. I am furious with this news. Yet again the people of this area are under siege from big business trying to put heavy industry into rural communities where they are not suitable. You can't turn in this part of the county without meeting an incinerator or industral plant that sticks out like a sore thumb. Royal Mushrooms got the shock of their lives when they tried to muscle in on this community - Virdian are going to get the same."

Patients on Trolleys reaching record levels

Meath East Sinn Féin representative Sinéad Burke has called on the Minister for Health to outline what measures she has put in place to find hospital beds for the 38 patients on trolleys at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
Sinéad Burke said "Figures released by the Irish Nurses Organisation show that there are 38 people on trolleys at the Lourdes, and 425 on trolleys across the State. These figures are on a par with March 2006 when Mary Harney declared the situation a national emergency. Does she think it is a national emergency this time? If so, what is she doing about it and why did she not fix the problem back in 2006? I am calling on the Minister for Health to take account of the situation, stop blaming the HSE and tell us what measures she has put in place to deal with this crisis which brings misery, loss of dignity and loss of privacy to patients and intolerable workload and stress to frontline nursing staff.
"Any attempt to suggest that the overcrowding can be attributed to the cold spell and the winter vomiting bug are simply not sustainable. A world-class health service should be able to plan for, and deal with, cyclical events such as these without incurring the stress and strain on patients and staff that is taking place today."