Is Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Vance the Pinocchio of Wicklow Politics

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has hit back at Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Vance after he made a number of false statements on local radio this week relating to the Local Property Tax and the setting of the rate for Wicklow.

Councillor Brady said "There is a saying never let the truth get in the way of a good story and Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Vance is a master at this. Councillor Vance who is very quick to remind people that he is the most experienced Councillor in Wicklow has either been caught telling blatant lies or he has shown his complete lack of knowledge on the issue of the Local Property Tax and that in fact he was bluffing his way on local radio". 

The Sinn Féin Councillor went on "The issue arose this week on local radio during a discussion about the farcical public consultation process around the setting of the rate for the Local Property Tax for 2015. The legislation allows for a 15% increase or decrease of the unjust tax, the legislation also provides for a public consultation process. That process ends on August 25th in Wicklow. Councillor Vance who maybe should be called Pinocchio claimed that as Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Bray i have the power to set the rate in Bray and that my buddies and i could push a 15% reduction through in Bray. Cllr Vance is completely wrong in his claim, there will be one rate set for Wicklow and that will be set by the full County Council of 32 members in September. This has been confirmed by the head of finance in Wicklow and also by the Department of Fiance officials. Fianna Fáil thankfully no longer control the council in Bray, unfortunately Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and some Independent Fianna Fáil Councillors do control the County Council and ultimately they will be the ones setting the rate for the County".

"Sinn Féin have committed to abolishing the property tax if we enter Government after the next election, however at this time we are bound by legislation and the only thing we can try achieve is a reduction of the tax by the full 15% that the legislation allows for. Sinn Féin in Wicklow would like to be in a position of power to be able to reduce the unjust tax, we hold 6 seats out of 32 and we will certainly fight for it to happen. We are a party that believes in democracy and people don't want and cant afford to be carrying the burden of a few international gamblers by being forced to pay their debts. We will act on the expressed wishes of the Irish electorate, i hope Fianna Fáil also believe in democracy and act accordingly".

Cllr Brady continued "In the radio interview Cllr Vance further claimed that Sinn Féin voted for the Wicklow County Council 2014 budget and rejected the Bray Town Council one and that we are some how hypocrites. Just like the story Pinocchio this is complete fiction. The record shows clearly that Wicklow Sinn Féin voted against the budget in Wicklow County Council because the money collected from the Local Property Tax that was supposed to be spent on public services was handed over to Irish Water to install water meters. The record also shows that we voted accordingly on Bray Town Council. The interesting thing here is that the real hypocrite is Cllr Vance because he like all his Fianna Fáil buddies voted against the budget in Wicklow citing the same reasons as Sinn Féin and yet voted for the budget in Bray".

Cllr Brady concluded "The public at large are sick and tired of lies coming from politicians. Fianna Fáil over the course of the last number of years have been the party that has led to an all time low in public confidence in politicians. What we need are honest politicians that will not use fiction or lies to try tarnish the good work of others in an attempt to try get off the hook. If Fianna Fáil are a democratic party they will listen to the electorate and reduce the property tax by the 15% and not use Sinn Féin as the excuse. Fianna Fáil control Wicklow County Council with their buddies in the Old Boys club of Fine Gael and the new Independent Fianna Fáilers, they will ultimately decide what the rate of the Austerity Local Property Tax will be for Wicklow". Ends

Brady Welcomes Kilcroney Roundabout Safety Works

The Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Bray Councillor John Brady has welcomed the remedial work that has been carried out to address the dangerous road surface on the Kilcroney roundabout. The Sinn Féin Councillor first raised serious concern about road surface back in February after numerous motorists brought it to his attention that on entering the roundabout cars where loosing traction sending them into a skid.

Cllr Brady said "I welcome these essential works that have been carried out on the road surface on the Kilcroney roundabout. Since i first raised this issue back in February i was overwhelmed with stories from constituents who had spun out on the roundabout. Each and every case was passed onto the council who in turn passed them onto GSJ Maintenance Ltd hold the contract for that section of the N11. A number of surveys where carried out over the last number of months and a solution to the problem was devised".

The Cathaoirleach continued "The work was carried out on Friday and there has been an immediate improvement to the surface. A company Trac Blast was brought in to carry out the works. They basically remove the top coating from the road surface leaving increased penetration and improved friction. The road surface on the Kilcroney roundabout up to the Hills roundabout have been treated and the process should last a number of years".

Brady concluded "From a safety point of view i am delighted to have got these works carried out. Motorists can now feel safe entering the roundabout without the fear of skidding out of control and flipping their vehicle or ending up in the middle of the roundabout".

Wicklow Sinn Féin to hold public meeting to demand reduction of Property Tax and on Water Charges

Wicklow Sinn Féin are to hold a public meeting on the issues of the pending Water Charges and to demand a reduction of the Property Tax by Wicklow County Council. The meeting will take place on Thursday 14th August at 7.30pm in the Royal Hotel,Bray.

Speaking ahead of the public meeting Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady said "Sinn Féin is to hold a public meeting on Thursday 14th August to inform people what they can do to start the fight back against the pending water charges and the property tax which has already been introduced. The Property tax which has been introduced by Fine Gael and Labour is hurting ordinary low and middle income families and this is having a knock on effect for local economies. This tax coupled with the new water charges will hit most ordinary families with an annual bill exceeding €1000. We are at a critical time where people have to let their voices be heard."

"Two important things are happening in Wicklow over the next few weeks. Firstly there is a public consultation process being held by Wicklow County Council with a view of setting the rate for the Property Tax. Sinn Féin ultimately want rid of this unjust tax and have pledged to abolish it, if we enter Government after the next election. However in the meantime the only option open to us to to reduce it by the maximum allowed under the legislation which is 15%. The consultation process being held by Wicklow closes on August 25th and members of the public must make submissions demanding that the County Council reduce it by the full 15%."

Cllr Brady continued "The second important thing is the installation of the water meters will commence here in Wicklow in September. The rates have been set and we are now expected to pay the highest charges for water anywhere in Europe. Sinn Féin will stand with communities here in Wicklow in their opposition to the installation of meters by Irish Water, as we have done in other parts of the Country already."

The Sinn Féin Councillor concluded "The meeting on Thursday next is a public information meeting and we plan on mobilising people to make submissions seeking a reduction on the Property Tax by Wicklow County Council and secondly letting people know about the water metering installation process that's due to start and what people and communities can do to fight back. All are welcome to attend on the night."

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