Water in Ireland now dearer than most European Countries-Brady

Sinn Féin County Councillor and Cathaoirleach of the Bray Municipal District John Brady has accused Fine Gael and Labour of again lying to the public and introducing water charges that will see water in Ireland becoming dearer than in most European countries.

Councillor Brady said “Before the elections, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that the average water charges bill would be around €240 per annum. It is now transpires that the average will be €278. Even that conceals the fact that many will pay vastly more than that after 2016 when the average costs to be recouped in order to run Irish Water will rise to €594. The charges that have been set for a litre of domestic water will see water in Ireland becoming dearer than in most European countries.  It will see most Irish families paying at least 20 per cent more than the Government claimed less than three months ago”.

The Sinn Féin Councillor continued “There is a lot of anger among the public in relation to domestic water charges and other stealth taxes such as the Property Tax. I predict there will be huge opposition to the installation of the water meters when Irish Water starts the installation process in Wicklow in September and Sinn Féin activists will fully support communities opposing that process”.

Brady continued “Another lie from the Government is the fact that the free water allowance for children will also been severely reduced according to figures by the water regulator. The Government previously said that up to 38,000 litres a year per child would be allocated - but that is to be reduced to 21,000 litres. It means parents will be given only enough free water for their children to take one shower and flush the toilet once each day. Everything else will have to be paid for”.

Councillor Brady concluded “The introduction of the water charges will unfortunately hit the most vulnerable the hardest; there are no free allowances for the elderly or low income families. The charges on top of all the others that have been introduced will hit local economies by taking more money from the pockets from people who don’t have any more to give. Wicklow Sinn Féin will continue to oppose the Water Charges and we have organised a public meeting on the issue which will take place on Thursday August 14th at 8 pm in the Royal Hotel in Bray.”

Wicklow Sinn Féin to table a motion to reduce the property tax in Wicklow

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has called on all Wicklow County Councillors to support a Sinn Féin motion to reduce the Local Property Tax by 15%. The motion will be before the council on Monday.

Councillor Brady said "Sinn Féin continues to actively oppose the government's property tax. It is an unfair, unjust tax that puts the burden on middle and low-income households. We are committed to reversing this tax if elected to government. But in the meantime we aim to reduce the burden of this tax for households here in Wicklow by reducing the tax by the most allowed under the current legislation”.

“The motion will be tabled at the council meeting on Monday  will commit Wicklow County Council to supporting the maximum cut of 15% for 2015. Sinn Féin will also defend jobs and local services. We will be working with Councillors across all local authorities to defend funding for local government. We will also be calling on Wicklow TDs to guard against any further cuts to local authorities’ grants.”

"Sinn Féin will be looking for cross party support for our motion this Monday and in our campaign against government cuts. This will be putting money back into people’s pockets, which will benefit the local economy. The property tax is an unjust tax burden on middle and low-income households”.

Brady concluded “Under the legislation the council must undergo a 30 day public consultation regarding the proposed introduction of the tax. This will give householders an opportunity to demand a full reduction of the tax. Wicklow Sinn Féin will be running a campaign to get as many people to make submissions before the closing date which is 25^th August. The responses will be gathered and applied to a report, which will be presented to city Councillors in September and its important as many people as possible let their voices be heard.” Ends

Wicklow Sinn Féin to hold a vigil to show solidarity with the Palestinian people

Wicklow Sinn Féin is to hold a vigil to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and to call on the people of the Wicklow to boycott Israeli goods that are on sale in this country. The vigil will take place on Monday 21^st July in Kilmacanogue at 6 pm.

Speaking ahead of the vigil Wicklow County Councillor and Cathaoirleach of Bray District John Brady said “On July 8^th Israel launched its latest offensive on the Palestinian people in Gaza, since then over 350 people, the majority innocent women and children have been killed. Israel has imposed a cruel and brutal blockade on the people of Gaza since June of 2007. This blockade of humanitarian aid, food and fuel has crippled the day-to-day life of Gaza and is the context against which the current aggression is set”.

"There have been almost 2500 air strikes, as well as naval bombardment of Gaza and over the last number of days a ground assault has begun on the Gaza strip which is home to 1.8m Palestinians. Palestinian homes have been demolished and the basic infrastructures such as schools and mosques have been targeted and destroyed”.

Brady continued "The firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel should end. But these actions cannot excuse the application of overwhelming military force by the Israeli government. Israeli aggression is little more than an act of revenge and collective punishment of the Palestinian people which amounts to genocide”.

“The decision by the Israeli Government, in the face of international anger, to escalate its military offensive over the last few days by launching a ground offensive requires a firm and resolute response by the Irish Government, which must now expel the Israeli Ambassador. I am also calling on people in Wicklow to boycott all Israeli products until the genocide of the Palestinian people ends and the offensive by Israel and the siege of Gaza is ended”.

Brady concluded “I urge people to come to the vigil in Kilmacanogue tomorrow at 6 pm and bring flags and banners to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and send a message to Israel to stop the genocide”. Ends

Wicklow TDs must work to protect the Wicklow Library service

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor and Cathaoirleach of the Bray Municipal District has called on the 5 Wicklow TDs to work together to save the Wicklow Library service which is slowly but surely being dismantled due to the public service staffing embargo that’s in place since 2009. This follows the news that the Wicklow Local studies section is due to close with immediate effect due to staff shortages.

Cllr Brady said “In Wicklow we have an excellent library service which thankfully have been built upon over many years. Unfortunately the service is slowly being dismantled. Since 2009 we have seen a 28% reduction in staff due to the public service staffing embargo, this has resulted in the opening hours of libraries being cut and unfortunately the latest cut will see the excellent County Wicklow Local Studies Service which is located in the Ballywaltrim library close with immediate effect”.

“Council officials have taken the unfortunate decision to close this important service due to a retirement, which has resulted in staff having to be redeployed to keep other services open in Greystones”.

Brady continued “The important service houses valuable local records and archives such as Ordnance Survey maps, parish maps, and place histories as well as a local newspapers dating back to 1858.It has been used extensively by historians who helped officials built up the excellent archive which is housed in the library HQ in Ballywaltrim in Bray”.

Brady went onto say “I am asking that every option be explored to ensure this valuable resource remains open. We are entering an important period of commemorating; this year marks the 100 anniversary of the outbreak of World War 1 and the 1916 centenary is fast approaching. Access to locally held information is critically important to historians and others looking at documenting and remembering locals and local events that occurred at that important time in history. People used the service for many reasons; carrying out research,  into family matters, histories of clubs, groups and organisations, individuals seeking genealogical information, folklore, political matters, religious matters and all kinds of material from the old papers and reference books”.

Brady concluded “An application has been made to the Department of the Environment for the filling of a number of vacancies in Wicklow County Council Library Service, including the position of Executive Librarian at Greystones library. If successful, this will enable the position of Assistant Librarian in Ballywaltrim and Local Studies to be restored. I am urging the 5 Wicklow TDs to ensure this application is successful and that the Local Study Service can remain open and that the future of our library service is protected”. Ends

Work on River Dargle Flood Protection Scheme set to restart

The Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Bray John Brady has welcomed the good progress that has been made in ensuring that the work on the River Dargle flood protection scheme recommences as quickly as possible and the People’s park is reinstated. This follows the cessation of the works in November 2013 after the contractors SIAC pulled of site after entering examinership.

Sinn Féin councillor and Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Bray John Brady said “Some very positive work has been taking place to ensure work recommences on the River Dargle flood protection scheme and also to ensure that the people’s park which unfortunately has effectively been a building site for the last few years is reinstated and given back to the public. Some work has already started and over the next short while we will see a lot more construction work in the area”.

“Some work has already commenced at La Vallee and site preparation and mobilisation has started in advance of emergency works comprising of sheetpile flood defence walls. The site preparation required the removal of mature trees and vegetation along the riverbank. Contract documents have also been tendered for a Construction Manager Service Provider (CMSP) for the flood protection scheme. Their role will be to project manage the construction works and manage the different designers and contractors working on the scheme. The council is in the process of appointing the successful company”.

Brady continued “The Office of Public Works has agreed that the outstanding works will be broken into smaller packages and tendered separately. Contract documents, for the pre-qualification of Contractors to undertake specific works relating to the River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme have been tendered and a total of 14 Framework panels are to be set up ranging from Sheetpiling to earthworks. A number of tenders are still out and more are due to be placed on eTenders for the design of different sections of the project”.

Brady went onto say “It’s also positive that work will start soon on reinstating the People’s Park to ensure it’s returned as a public amenity.  When I became Cathaoirleach I made the recommencement of the Flood Protection works and the reinstatement of the people’s park priorities. I have a commitment now that work on restoring the park will start over the summer. A Contractor has been appointed to undertake works to improve surface water drainage in the Lower Dargle Road area. Works on that project commenced this week and it is anticipated that they will be completed in early July. Following those works the area between the 2 compounds in People’s Park will be landscaped and a new footpath will be installed along the wall in the park. I have also asked that the 2 compounds which are required to complete the flood scheme and the area surrounding them are cleaned up”.

The Cathaoirleach concluded “The recommencement of the flood works are critical for the Little Bray area and have to be welcomed. I commend the work that has been carried out by all involved to get it to this stage, I intend on continuing to work with all involved to ensure things progress as speedily as possible and also to ensure that the public are kept fully informed of progress at every stage of the process. I believe this process will also give contractors that may have lost out in the examinership process that SIAC underwent an opportunity to work on the project again and try make up some of their losses”.

Bray cathaoirleach expresses solidarity with striking Roadstone workers

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor and Cathaoirleach of the Bray Municipal District John Brady expressed solidarity and paid a visit to the striking Roadstone workers in Fassaroe, Bray. The workers in Bray have joined nearly 350 of their colleagues at 20 locations around the Country who are on strike since Monday last.

Speaking after visiting the workers in Bray the Cathaoirleach said "On Thursday i went to Roadstone in Fassaroe to show solidarity with the workers there who have been on strike since Monday after talks with management broke down. The workers join there colleagues in Arklow and approximately 350 workers in 20 other locations across the Country who as a last resort had no option but to take strike action".

Cllr Brady went onto say " Trade unions representing workers have engaged in negotiations with the management of Roadstone Woods Ltd in relation to cost reductions.  Management have been looking at reducing the payroll cost by €10 million over the next five years and it follows a cut of €6 million in payroll costs in 2012. Talks broke down over the weekend and unfortunately strike action had to be taken".

"When one looks at the huge bonuses given to directors of Roadstone as outlined at their AGM, i think its totally unacceptable for these big pay cuts to be imposed on ordinary workers which will inevitably inflict more financial hardship on them. This company is in profit and i think unfortunately a lot of big businesses are exploiting the recession purely to drive down wages for workers to satisfy the stock market and shareholders". 

Brady concluded "I pledged to do everything within my power to support the workers and i urge members of the public to do so also as whats happening in Roadstone will be somewhere else tomorrow unless we stick together. Support from the public towards the strikers has been fantastic and I'm asking people not to cross the picket line. Hopefully talks will resume and the exploitation of the workers in attempting to drive their wages down will cease". Ends 

Brady welcomes action to tackle derelict and dangerous buildings in Bray

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor and Cathaoirleach of the Bray Municipal District John Brady has welcomed the action which has been taken to address two dangerous derelict buildings in Bray. Contractors moved onto the Old A O'Smiths site which is located on the Boghall Rd and also onto the old Haughtons factory at Adelaide Villas, this is the site where two firefighters lost their lives tackling a blaze in 2007. The contractors are securing and making safe both sites and it has been greeted with relief by the communities in both areas.

Speaking after visiting both sites the Cathaoirleach said "I welcome the fact that after lengthy campaigning and pressure from myself and the community action has finally commenced to make safe these very dangerous buildings. After continuous pressure from myself and local residents contractors moved into the building where Bray firemen Brian Murray and Mark O'Shaughnessy lost their lives in 2007. The remaining structure was classed as a dangerous structure and the owner was given one month to carry out a list of safety works or face a range of penalties. The work includes clearing out the site, demolishing the two story structure on site and removing parts of the boundary walls".

Brady continued "This week contractors also moved on the old A O'Smiths site which is located on the Boghall Rd. This was also a very dangerous building and children have regularly been seen playing around it. A number of months ago a blaze broke out on site after piles of illegally dumped rubbish which had been dumped inside the building had been set on fire. The building had also become a drug den and syringes were scattered all over the inside. Contractors have started to block up all the windows and doors with concrete blocks to restrict any entry in the dangerous building". 

The Cathaoirleach continued "Unfortunately its has taken far too long to get to this stage to ensure these buildings are made safe. It comes in the same week however that another derelict building on Ballywaltrim Lane was burnt to the ground. Wicklow County Council must ensure that all buildings that pose a risk to public safety are dealt with and the owners are held to account and forced to take responsibility. I am very conscious that securing these buildings and making them safe is only a short term solution. Long term solutions need to be looked at to ensure that the sites are put to good use in terms of creating new jobs or industry and also meeting the needs of the communities they are located".

He concluded by saying "I fully intend on ensuring that all derelict buildings or sites that pose a risk to the public are dealt with and that they don't become magnets for drug dealing or anti social behaviour and ultimately drag entire areas down. We need to look at positive and proactive ways in tackling the issue of derelict sites and using the powers that the council has at its disposal".