Brady humbled and honoured to get endorsement from nephew of Kevin Barry

Sinn Fein candidate for Wicklow /East Carlow Cllr John Brady has said he is humbled and honoured to have received the endorsement of Kevin Barry; the nephew of murdered Irish Volunteer Kevin Gerard Barry:

“In 1920, at only 18 years of age Kevin Barry was executed by the British, his murder outraged nationalist Ireland and his memory has been immortalised in music and poetry”

“In the final days of this election campaign, Wicklow Sinn Fein were delighted to welcome First Minister Martin McGuinness on the campaign trail. The entire Sinn Fein entourage where very much looking forward to our stop at Rathvilly in East Carlow where we were scheduled to meet with locals and do a canvass in the area. Myself and Martin McGuinness were honoured to have the nephew of executed republican icon Kevin Barry in attendance (also named Kevin Barry), he regaled us with stories of his family’s long history in the area and the precious memories of his famous uncle which have been proudly passed down through the generations.”

Councillor Brady went on to say how Kevin Barry’s words were an inspiration:

“Over the last few months of canvassing across Wicklow and East Carlow I have been privileged to engage with some of the most marvellous people, ordinary citizens struggling with extraordinary challenges; not least our older citizens who have been so shamefully ignored by successive Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour controlled governments. Kevin Barry spoke eloquently of the need for change last weekend, he represented a pure and proud history untainted by the crass selfish interests that have done so much damage to the fabric of Irish society. I was truly humbled and honoured that he would single me out for endorsement in the upcoming election, his words reinforced my views of how important it is to stand up for those who feel rejected, ignored and abandoned in an Ireland whose political class have failed to live up to the principles of the 1916 proclamation. Kevin Barry’s endorsement drives me further in my quest to deliver an Ireland of equals, a fairer recovery and a voice of conviction for the people of Wicklow and East Carlow. ”

“Sinn Féin will stand with those in mortgage distress” – Councillor John Brady

“Sinn Féin will stand with those in mortgage distress” – Councillor John Brady


Sinn Féin General Election candidate for Wicklow/East Carlow, Cllr John Brady has stated that his party has a robust and deliverable strategy to address the mortgage crisis.

Councillor Brady said;

"Figures for the third quarter of 2015 tell us that 92,291 family homes are in arrears. These numbers which are the most recent from the Central Bank show that four families are losing their homes every single day. This shocking statistic is an indictment of the outgoing government. Instead of employing empty rhetoric and promises to try keep their seats, Government TDs here in Wicklow and East Carlow should be hanging their heads in shame. Just last December, seven Wicklow families had repossession orders granted against them. Fine Gael, Labour, and Fianna Fail before them, have allowed the mortgage crisis to reach this point. They have failed to adequately intervene as more and more families get pushed into homelessness. "

"The outgoing Fine Gael and Labour government has failed to tackle the crisis. Government TDs Anne Ferris, Simon Harris and Andrew Doyle have stood back and watched as thousands of families live in fear, waiting on letters from the bank, dreading the next bill and distressed that they might well end up on the street.

Councillor Brady went on to say that his party have witnessed the painful reality of families at the end of their rope:

“Sinn Fein have stood with families in courthouses all over the state, and watched families handing over keys to the banks. Those at risk of losing their homes have been neglected by this Government and their plight has been ignored by Fine Gael and Labour TDs in Wicklow. The banks were bailed out of financial difficulty by public funds and now those same banks evict families from their homes. Why is there is no debt forgiveness for ordinary families?”

"Government policies, and schemes like mortgage-to-rent have been disasters, failing to adequately address the crisis. Fine Gael and Labour have changed the law to make it easier for banks to repossess family homes. They have worked with the Central Bank to weaken the Code of Conduct so that banks could put more pressure on homeowners. Schemes to prevent repossessions or so-called, ‘voluntary surrenders’ have been abysmal failures."

"Sinn Féin wants to offer real relief and durable protection to those in mortgage distress. The majority of people in these situations are the victims of circumstances beyond their control, they deserve the help of the Government."

“Sinn Fein in Government will empower the Central Bank to set caps on interest rates chargeable by banks. We will ensure consumer protection is a key priority of the Central Bank. We will mandate the Central Bank to publish data regularly on Irish interest rates, to ensure the public can see how these rates compare to EU norms.

"Sinn Féin will seek to address the issue of personal debt in a progressive way. We will ensure debt collection services are regulated, with a strong and legally enforceable Code of Conduct. In government, we will provide for a cap on the rates charged by those lending money in order to bring to an end the exploitative practices of some institutions."

Speaking on the issue of protections for the family home, Cllr Brady said;

"There are inadequate legislative protections for the family home; we will introduce robust safeguards for the family home in legislation. Putting people out of their homes is a drastic step and devastating for families. We reject the notion that repossessions are accepted as 'solutions'. Sinn Féin will seek amendments to the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Targets to put pressure on banks to find fair solutions for those in mortgage distress."

Wicklow is Not for Sale-Brady

Speaking as the election campaign entered its final few days, Sinn Fein candidate Cllr John Brady has said that the public should not be taken for granted:

“From canvassing across Wicklow and East Carlow it is clear to me that the electorate are intelligent, sophisticated and motivated. However, there is also a sense of deep frustration and despair.
The people are fully aware that despite Fine Gael promises, the crisis in Health is now worse than it was in 2011. They are fully aware that Fianna Fail’s connections and associations with bankers, financiers and developers contributed greatly to the collapse of the economy. They are also aware that the Labour Party broke every promise they made at the time including those on water charges and university fees. It is therefore not surprising when people feel demoralised and disappointed when it comes to promises being made by the traditional establishment parties.”

Councillor Brady said that having experienced the economic crash and the subsequent imposition of austerity, people are wise to the intentions of parties making promises they simply cannot fulfill:

“Both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), have openly criticised the policies of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Labour who intend to either abolish or slash the Universal Social Charge to disproportionately favour higher earners. Their plans will seriously undermine the state’s ability to meet public service demands; more worryingly it will erode the tax base in a way that will render the country vulnerable to external global economic shocks. We simply cannot allow the country to be walked into another economic catastrophe because of the lazy indifference of our traditional party establishment who are hungry for power and foolishly believe they can simply buy the election.”

In conclusion Councillor Brady said that there is now an opportunity for voters to elect a progressive government which will always prioritise people over privilege:

“Wicklow, along with the rest of the country is not for sale. Our people deserve to be represented by people who are talented, committed and dedicated. Sinn Fein have a proven record both in the Dail and at council level, standing up for the rights of citizens including those with disabilities, older citizens and workers. Whether it’s fighting for the abolition of water charges and the property tax or repealing cuts to vital public services, we are unyielding in our determination to create a fairer society. Sinn Fein have fully costed, prudent and responsible policies that will put people, business and public services ahead of private selfish interests and brown envelope back handers. I along with the other Sinn Fein TD’s will take home the average industrial wage; we are not here for personal profit or the prestige of power. We are ready and willing to offer an alternative to the political delinquency of Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fail.”

Labour's health proposals are nothing but false empty promises - Cllr John Brady

Sinn Féin General Election candidate for Wicklow-East Carlow, Councillor John Brady, has described the Labour Party proposals for health care as "nothing but false and empty promises."

He also spoke out against Labour Party Leader Joan Burton's claim, that the crisis in this state is over.

Councillor Brady said;

"The Labour Party is responsible for a huge range of broken promises in relation to health care and addressing the health crisis.

“These broken promises and pledges have included reform of the HSE, the introduction and implementation of Universal Health Insurance and free prescriptions, and the safeguarding of the disability allowance.

"The Labour Party and Fine Gael willingly made a political choice to bring our health system to near ruin. The health care policies of the coalition has been the emphasis on the erosion of our public health service and replacing it with private health care.

"The Labour Party, including their TD in Wicklow-East Carlow, Anne Ferris, have failed in counteracting the worst of Fine Gael's right-wing agenda. It is due to their policies that that 92,998 patients were on trolleys in 2015 - a 37 percent increase from 2013.

“However, as Labour Party is asking to be returned to Government in coalition with Fine Gael it makes their false empty promises even more irrelevant, a coalition led by Fine Gael will continue to prioritise tax cuts for higher earners than on delivering a quality health care system at the expense of ordinary people.

“I found it ludicrous that Joan Burton would claim, on live the television, that "the “crisis is over”, if anything the crisis has gotten worse. It was incomprehensible for the Tánaiste to make this claim while our public services are being decimated. The crisis is very much a reality and it has seeped down into our hospitals in the most catastrophic of ways.

"Unlike the last coalition, citizens and our public services will be better off under Sinn Féin's vision and credible policies for health care, which have been costed.

“We are committed to introducing fully free and easily accessible healthcare, increasing capacity whilst also prioritising mental health care.”

Cllr John Brady welcomes public apology from former Fine Gael Councillor Mick Glynn following settlement of defamation action

Sinn Féin General Election Candidate Councillor John Brady has welcomed the public apology offered to him by former Fine Gael Councillor Mick Glynn, which he read out at Wicklow Circuit Court today.

Cllr Brady had brought Circuit Court defamation proceedings against Mick Glynn, a former Fine Gael councillor, in respect of an unfounded allegation made by Mick Glynn in a press release issued to the media and repeated on his website during the early stages of the 2014 local elections.

Today at Wicklow Circuit Court in Bray, Counsel for Mick Glynn informed the court that the case had settled and read out the following apology on behalf of his client:

“I Mick Glynn of Headlands, Bray, acknowledge that the claim made by me in February 2014 that Councillor John Brady of Kilbride Grove, Bray, staged bogus photographs of a find of hazardous drug waste in a housing estate in Bray was not true and I apologise for the publication”.

Reacting to the settlement of the Circuit Court proceedings, Cllr Brady said: “While I am disappointed that this situation had to involve solicitors and the courts, I welcome Mr Glynn’s apology and I accept it in good faith.

“It is a pity that the untruth went unaddressed for two years but now it has been resolved.

“We are all entitled to our good name and I felt it was very important that I defended mine" said Cllr Brady.

"The law plays an important role not only in protecting public representatives from false statements of fact about their personal character, but also in protecting constituents in making informed decisions at election time. It is of great importance that the electorate exercises its choice of candidates on the basis of facts and competing policy positions rather than unfounded allegations.

“I am presently focused on my general election campaign and representing the people of Wicklow.”

Sinn Féin would deliver for ordinary families in Wicklow - Cllr John Brady

Sinn Féin General Election candidate for Wicklow/East Carlow Cllr John Brady has stated that a Sinn Féin led government would focus on delivering a real break for struggling families in Wicklow.

Councillor Brady said that Sinn Féin would go about bettering the lives of ordinary families by scrapping the Local Property Tax, abolishing water charges and taking 277,000 workers out of the USC bracket.

He said;

"During their time in office, Fine Gael and Labour Party delivered budgets that have ring-fenced the wealth of the most well-off in society. To pay for this they placed a huge burden on average workers and families in Wicklow and East Carlow and they left thousands of people on hospital trolleys. 1,500 children are in emergency accommodation throughout the state.

“In stark contrast, Sinn Féin wants to see a fair recovery for the people of this constituency and we want to ensure it is sustainable. In government, we will introduce a progressive tax system. We will ease the burden on ordinary workers and families, including those who are self-employed, and ask those who earn the most to pay their fair share.

-We will abolish the Local Property Tax, saving 1.8 million homeowners an average of €244 per year.

-We will scrap water charges, saving a family of two adults €260 per year.

-We will remove 277,000 workers from the USC.

-We will ease the tax burden on the self-employed, moving towards the equalisation of the Self-Employed Tax Credit with the PAYE Tax Credit.

"Fine Gael have tried to cook the books with their figures and their local TDs have yet to explain the €2 billion hole in Michael Noonan's plan. In their desperation to cling to power, they are willing to return us to the boom and bust style economics of Fianna Fáil. This is reckless in the extreme and it would lead to the prolonging of the nightmare scenario currently being experienced by families who depend on accessible and robust public services.

"I have no doubt that ordinary families in Wicklow and East Carlow would be far better off under a Sinn Féin led government."

Fine Gael TDs in Wicklow refuse to back ICTU Fair Work Campaign - Cllr John Brady

Sinn Féin General Election candidate for Wicklow/East Carlow Cllr John Brady has strongly criticised the refusal of local Fine Gael TDs Simon Harris and Andrew Doyle to support the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Charter for Fair Work.

Councillor Brady said;

"The Congress Charter for Fair Conditions at Work sets out five key principles to help make decent work a reality: a Living Wage, Fair Hours of Work, the Right to Union Representation, the Right to Respect in the workplace and Fair Public Procurement.

"It comes as no surprise that both Fine Gael Deputies Simon Harris and Andrew Doyle have decided to give two fingers to ordinary workers looking for fairness and dignity at work. Fine Gael stands out as the political party refusing to support this campaign. It goes against their right-wing views and anti-worker agenda.

"This snub to workers' rights will doubtlessly anger the thousands of trade union members living in Wicklow and East Carlow. These workers need to consider very carefully the move on the part of Fine Gael to ignore the demand for fairness in the workplace.

"Sinn Féin is proud to support the charter and the principles for fairness. We support the work of Congress and, in the recent past, we have stood shoulder to shoulder with home helps and the Dunnes Stores Workers. I can't say that I remember any Fine Gael TDs lending their support to these campaigns or standing on the picket lines in solidarity with workers.

"The refusal of Simon Harris and Andrew Doyle to sign up to the ICTU Campaign for Fair Work demonstrates that ordinary workers in Wicklow cannot afford another five years of a Fine Gael led Government.

Irish Water intensifying “bully-boy tactics” in run up to General Election - Cllr John Brady

Sinn Féin General Election Candidate for Wicklow/East Carlow Cllr John Brady has stated that Irish Water is intensifying its “bully-boy” tactics in an effort to coerce people into paying water charges in the run-up to the General Election.

Councillor Brady said;

“From speaking to people while canvassing in Wicklow, it is clear to me that Irish Water is intensifying its bully-boy tactics in an effort to increase payment rates ahead of the election.

“I spoke to a lady in Carnew yesterday who told me that she had received seven phone calls from Irish Water in the last week demanding payment. She is only one of many people who have shared similar experiences with me while I have been canvassing.

“It seems that there is a concerted effort being made by Irish Water to intimidate struggling families into paying the charges in order to gain some positive PR in the form of increased payment figures. They hope that this will allow the government to say that more and more people are accepting the deeply unfair water policy of Fine Gael and the Labour Party.

“This shameful attempt by Irish Water to construct some glossy publicity spin for their allies in government will backfire. It is bullying and harassment. It is causing severe distress for those who are already struggling to make ends meet.

“I am calling on Irish Water to cease with the persistent intimidation of those who have not paid. It will not be tolerated. The reality is that many people cannot afford these bills and many others are fundamentally opposed to domestic water charges.

“The solution is not to pressure people into paying. The solution, as demanded by the people of this state in protest after protest, is to scrap water charges and abolish Irish Water.

“A Sinn Féin-led government would deliver on these objectives and we have committed to holding a referendum to enshrine public ownership of water services in the constitution.

“These are guarantees that will form part of any programme for government involving Sinn Féin.”

It's time to Disable Inequality-Brady

Sinn Fein candidate for Wicklow East-Carlow Councillor John Brady has launched a stinging attack on Fine Gael and Labour claiming that promises made in the run up to the 2011 general election were nothing more than verbal gadgets invented to trap a demoralised and frustrated electorate:
“Some broken promises cut deeper and sting harder. Persons living with disabilities have been among the hardest groups hit. Over the last five years the government parties have overseen cuts to rent allowance and fuel allowance, disability allowance rates cut for over 18’s, carer’s allowance cut, telephone allowance axed, illness benefit qualifying period raised to 18, invalidity pension cut, medical cards taken off the sick the elderly and the terminally ill, mobility allowance stopped, cuts to respite hours and day care hours, €100 million euros have been cut from the drugs payment reimbursement scheme while prescription charges were introduced and increased. Incredibly, 2 million home help hours have been axed”.

Councillor Brady said the outgoing government are guilty of deceit:
“Fine Gael and Labour will argue that such cuts were necessary in order fight Fianna Fail’s economic attack on the country. But we in Sinn Fein would call on people to simply look at the numbers. In the last of the government’s long list of regressive budgets, the top twenty percent wealthiest citizens were awarded 180 million euro back in tax cuts. A bonanza that even the recipients themselves would argue they simply didn’t need. The truth is that both parties were cynically acting in an effort to protect what they see as their electoral constituency. They were using cash in an effort to try and buy-off voters. This is shameful, when we look at the cuts outlined above, it is impossible to underestimate the difference 180 million euro could have made had it been invested in essential services for those with disabilities.”

Speaking in regard to responsibilities and priorities which should occupy the minds of all political parties and independents, Councillor Brady had this to say:
“We shouldn’t even be having this discussion. One of the greatest responsibilities for any society is to ensure the safety and welfare of all citizens, but particularly those who are in some way disadvantaged, its basic humanitarianism. It should not be a political issue, people with disabilities should not have to wait until economic winds blow in a certain direction, or one particular party gets into power, or one particular individual becomes a dominant advocate. Collective responsibility when it comes to all those who are most vulnerable in our society should straddle the consciousness of every political group regardless of ideology.”

“Quite simply the issue is votes. The numbers of people affected are proportionately small. This means that right-wing parties such as Fine Gael, labour and Fianna Fail are not motivated to provide the services needed. On the other hand, those of us who push for change are accused by TD’s such as Fine Gael’s Simon Harris of ‘populism’. Essentially what Harris and others are really saying is this; giving hundreds of millions in unnecessary tax breaks to high earners is sensible economics, but providing funding for those with disabilities is a waste of resources. In other words - conservative populism is good, progressive accountability is bad.”

Councillor Brady went on to say that Sinn Fein will not make promises it cannot keep. The party has fully costed its options should it be in government and persons with disabilities are at the top of its list of priorities:
“While Fine Gael and Labour advance their plans to cut taxes by 4.5billion to benefit their higher earners, Sinn Fein have a better idea. In government Sinn Fein will increase provision for people with mental health difficulties alongside intellectual and physical disability. The party will increase Personal Assistant hours by an additional 500,000 hours each year. Increase the number of Speech and Language Therapists by 250, Occupational Therapists by 100, Physiotherapists by 100 and psychologists by 150. Increase Respite Care Services by 20%. We will Increase the budget allocation to disability service providers’ year on year and deliver a secure medical card for persons with disabilities. This is not an exhaustive list, but more importantly it is not a populist list. It is nothing more than a responsible commitment to decency, fairness and equality. In 2011 Labour said; ‘every little hurts’, they weren’t joking.”

Brady welcomes Bray Municipal District decision to allow two 1916 commemorative gardens proceed

Wicklow Sinn Féin councillor John Brady has welcomed the decision taken unanimously by the Bray Municipal District councillors to allow two 1916 Glor na Cásca gardens go ahead as part of the centenary commemorations for the 1916 Rising. It was agreed that a garden would go ahead in the Peoples Park in Bray and second will be on the public green space in the centre of Kilmacanogue, adjacent to the old cemetery.

Speaking after the unanimous decision was taken at Tuesday evening councillor Brady said “Over the last year I’ve been pushing the need to commemorate 1916 in a meaningful way in Wicklow, I believe that the Glor na Cásca project is one good way of ensuring that the community can commemorate the 1916 Rising and all those who declared and fought to defend the Republic during Easter week. At Tuesday evenings council meeting in Bray things have thankfully taken a huge leap forward as agreement was finally reached to allow two 1916 community gardens proceed on publicly owned land in the Bray Municipal District.”

“The gardens will consist of a granite proclamation, Tri-colour and flag pole as well as seven trees to represent each of the signatories of the proclamation. One of the gardens will be located in the Peoples Park in Bray and the second one will be in Kilmacanogue. The Bray garden is right across the road from St. Brigid's Tce, where a number of the Bray volunteers who fought in 1916 came from. Ordinary men and women like Steenie Mulvey, Tom Sutton, Desmond Fitzgerald, Bill Forde and Connie O’Brien to name a few who took on an Empire during Easter week 1916. They are true local heroes and are now rightfully going to be remembered for their actions in declaring the Republic 100 years ago and subsequently fighting to defend it.”

Brady went onto say “The second garden in Kilmac promises to be special as the renowned garden designer Diarmuid Gavin who lives in Kilmac is working with the community 1916 committee who are behind the initiative. The key to these gardens success is getting all the community involved, particularly children, I know the committee in Kilmacanogue is working with the school there to ensure that is the case. I want to commend everyone on the Kilmac committee for their hard work. I also want to thank all the relatives of the volunteers and the District Engineer who has worked on my proposal to move ahead with the Glor na Cásca plans and to get it to this stage. I know there are plans for at least 4 more of these gardens across the County and these should be driven by the community also.”

Burning Bondholders – Sinn Fein were Right

Sinn Fein candidate for Wicklow East Carlow Councillor John Brady has said the party’s stance on burning bondholders in the wake of the financial collapse has been shown to have been correct:

“The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) told the Government in March 2011 that €9 billion of the people's money would be saved by imposing losses on senior debt holders at Irish banks. Written evidence provided to the banking inquiry shows the NTMA had advised the government to follow this path, but this advice was inexplicably ignored.”

Councillor Brady went on to say that accusations at the time that his party were ‘economically illiterate’ have now been shown to be nothing more than juvenile taunts with no basis in fact:
“At the time, we pleaded with the government on behalf of citizens to consider burning some of the bondholders to help ward off the worst consequences of the crisis. Fine Gael and Labour ignored us in the same dismissive and arrogant fashion they ignored the NTMA. They sneered at our proposals claiming they were the stuff of fantasy. However, now it has been confirmed that we were correct all along; the government effectively through away 9 billion euro of tax payers money.”

Councillor Brady concluded by pointing out that the Irish people have suffered needlessly due to the stubbornness, arrogance and economic infirmity of this government:

“Nobody needs to be reminded of the suffering so many people have had to endure during the term of this government. Fine Gael and Labour refused to listen to the NTMA or Sinn Fein in order to save face. They could not publicly accept that they were wrong and Sinn Fein was right. As a result, the country is worse off to the tune of nine billion euro. How many homes would that build? How many extra doctors and nurses could we have employed? How many new hospital beds could have been opened and how many new jobs could have been created? If there was ever a reason to get rid of the Fine Gael/ Labour government, this should be enough to convince anyone.”

New recycling charges are final slap in the face by Fine Gael and Labour-Brady

Sinn Féin general election candidate for Wicklow/East Carlow councillor John Brady has said that the signing off on plans by the Environment Minister Alan Kelly to make people start paying for their recycling is the final slap in the face for the electorate by a government that is leaving a trail of new taxes and cuts behind as their legacy. Brady stated that these new charges will lead to less materials being recycled and an increase in illegal dumping.

Councillor Brady said “Forcing people to pay for their recycling is a final slap in the face by Fine Gael and Labour who are leaving behind a legacy of cuts and stealth taxes. Forcing people to pay to recycle their waste will only lead to less material being recycled and an increase in illegal dumping. This story was first carried in the Sunday Business Post, it’s claimed that the new charges are to be implemented by July this year, and will add up to €100 extra on refuse charges for households.”

Brady went onto say “A lot of good work has been done over the recent past to ensure people are recycling as much of their refuse as possible. People recycle to help protect the environment and as a means to keeping their waste bills down. This new stealth tax will reverse that good work and will be counterproductive as it will result in an increase in illegal dumping and less materials getting recycled, ultimately damaging the environment and inflicting additional financial pressures on already hard hit families.”

“Wicklow County Council operates a number of excellent recycling centres across the County and I fear that as a result of these new recycling charges that are being introduced, there will be an attempt to also start charging the public to use these centres. Any attempt will be fought rigorously by the Sinn Féin councillors on Wicklow County Council.”

Cllr Brady concluded by saying “These new charges by Fine Gael and Labour should come as no surprise, as they are leaving behind a legacy of stealth taxes and cuts. There is no recovery for the vast majority of ordinary citizens and this new recycling tax will ensure that ordinary families will continue to struggle for as long as they remain in government. There should be incentives for people to recycle, not taxes. This new tax will be counterproductive and will damage both the environment and ordinary families.”

Brady launches Citizens Charter for older people in Blessington.

Speaking after he launched his Party’s Citizens Charter for older people in Blessington last Thursday, Sinn Fein’s candidate for Wicklow/East Carlow Councillor John Brady has hit out at Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fail over what he describes as a legacy of neglect when it comes to the rights and welfare of the country’s older citizens:

“I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet local people and talk about the challenges facing communities like Blessington at the launch of our citizen’s charter for older people. The prospect of getting older in Ireland should not be a source of fear and anxiety. Older people who have worked all their lives contributing to Irish society should be able to to enjoy their twilight years in safety and in comfort. However, the policies adopted by successive governments have sadly pushed the needs of our older citizens behind the needs of the privileged few.”

“Under the Fine Gael/Labour coalition in particular, many older citizens have been ignored and ill-treated. While many older people have had to wave goodbye to some of their younger relatives forced to emigrate, they have also been left isolated and anxious due to the closure of rural Garda stations and post offices. They have been left stranded due to poor transport infrastructure and they have been left financially strained due to cuts in the heating allowance, the cost of prescription fees and the imposition of water and property charges. In fact, in almost every tangible area, our older citizens have had to bare a scandalously disproportionate share of the Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Labour austerity assault”.

Councillor Brady went on to say that Sinn Fein’s citizen’s charter for older people represents a commitment to reverse the policies that have brought so much distress to our older citizens:

“How can it be the case in modern Ireland that we tolerate such neglect of our older citizens? How have we tolerated deliberate political choices which have forced so many of our older people to struggle needlessly? Sinn Féin will invest to protect the welfare of the very people our society should cherish. Sinn Fein will deliver dignity, security and equality for our older people so that all of us can live long and prosper in Ireland.”

http://www.sinnfein.ie/files/2016/CitizensCharterForOlderPeople.pdf

A vote for the Social Democrats is a vote for Fine Gael - Brady

Speaking in response to the announcement by the newly formed Social Democrats that the party would be willing to go into coalition as a minor partner with Fine Gael; Sinn Fein candidate for the upcoming election Councillor John Brady has said that the last thing the people of Wicklow/East Carlow need is another Fine Gael TD in the form of Stephen Donnelly:

“The social democrats allegedly came into being as a left leaning party claiming to offer the electorate an alternative to the current coalition. However, when they had the opportunity to align themselves with similar minded parties through the Right2Change initiative they refused. Now they are saying they will support Fine Gael in a future coalition arrangement”.

“It is absolutely clear now that Stephen Donnelly and his crew are willing to break their word before the election even takes place. Donnelly wants to support a government party who have given tax breaks to the rich, refused to invest in public services, overseen a surge in rural crime and refused to address a spiralling housing and homeless crises. In 2011 three Fine Gael TD’s were elected to this constituency, all three of them along with the Labour party TD and Stephen Donnelly himself supported the decision to reduce services at St Colmcille’s Loughlinstown; the consequences of which are now being played out in the corridors of St Vincents.”

Councillor Brady went on to suggest that Stephen Donnelly and the Social Democrats need to look up the definition of Social Democracy:
“Fine Gael have made it clear that their priority if returned to office would be to abolish the Universal Social Charge to benefit the rich; effectively reducing tax revenue by an astonishing four and a half billion euro, monies that could be used to invest in the very public services which have been battered by Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Labour. Policies like these are the antitheses of social democracy yet Stephen Donnelly is obviously prepared to support Fine Gael on this and other issues including the continuance of Irish Water; which Donnelly has previously said should be abolished”.

“A vote for Stephen Donnelly and the Social Democrats is quite clearly now a vote for Fine Gael which threatens a return to the failed unfair and destructive policies of the last five years. The Wicklow/East Carlow constituency deserve to benefit from a fairer recovery, the last thing we need is another Fine Gael TD in the form of Stephen Donnelly.”

Brady welcomes inclusion of social clause for the construction of Coláiste Ráithín and St. Philomena Schools

Wicklow Sinn Féin general election candidate Cllr John Brady has welcomed the inclusion of a Social Clause in the contract to develop two new schools in Bray. Planning permission was finally granted for St. Philomena’s Primary School and Coláiste Ráithín by An Bord Pleanála last November. The social clause in the contract will see 10% of all jobs on the project being reserved for long term local unemployed people, another 5% of jobs will be for apprentices. It is planned that construction of the schools will commence this June and will be finished by August 2017.

Welcoming the inclusion of the social clause in the contract Cllr Brady said “I welcome the inclusion of a social clause in the contract to build St. Philomena’s Primary School and Coláiste Ráithín. This will mean that 10% of all jobs during construction must be reserved for Long Term local unemployed along with a further 5% reserved for apprentices. Sinn Féin has been calling for mandatory inclusion of social clauses in all public contracts. In 2014 we introduced the Social Clauses in Public Procurement Bill in Leinster House. The Bill attracted support from all sides of the house as well a welcome consensus on its core objectives. Construction is due to commence this June on the badly needed two schools, the project is expected to take 14 months with a completion date of August 2017”.

Cllr Brady continued “It is worth noting that Sinn Féin has successfully pursued the inclusion of social clauses in public contracts in the north. There is no reason why such an approach cannot be rolled out on an all-island basis; the Social Clauses in Public Procurement Bill which we introduced hasn’t been turned into legislation and if in Government after the election is something we will ensure will happen. Our Bill outlines how public purchasers and suppliers will be legally required to protect the vulnerable and promote other social goals and community benefits. This can be done by including social clauses in all public contracts. Social clauses are a tool for getting more value out of each public euro spent”.

Cllr Brady concluded “It is good news that we now know when construction is due to commence on the two new schools in Bray and when they will be completed. All going according to plan they should be opened for the school year commencing in September 2017. The construction of the schools will see a boost to the local economy and ensure now that with the Social Clause included in the contract as Sinn Féin has been pushing for, that local unemployed people will be employed on the project and that apprentices will be also able to learn their trade”. Ends

Vote for Sinn Féin’s progressive, republican vision for Ireland and Wicklow - Cllr John Brady

Sinn Féin General Election candidate Councillor John Brady has called on the people of Wicklow to vote, in the forthcoming General Election, for Sinn Féin’s progressive, republican vision for Ireland and Wicklow.
He said that the Fine Gael and Labour Party government had delivered nothing but chaos during their five years in office and that only the well-heeled would benefit from their re-election.
Councillor Brady was speaking at launch of his campaign in the Royal Hotel in Bray this evening where he was joined by Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD.

He said;

“A Sinn Féin led progressive government would build a fair recovery, would invest in public services and would progress the cause of Irish Unity.

“Fine Gael and Labour talk of stability and chaos. The truth is they have delivered chaos in hospitals, chaos in housing and chaos in communities over the past 5 years. A Fianna Fáil government closed Wicklow District Hospital and the Orchard Welfare Home in Bray. Fine Gael and Labour closed the 24hr A&E in St. Columcille’s Hospital

“They have failed the health service and believe that it is acceptable that our grandparents, our parents our partners and our children languish on waiting lists and hospital trolleys. There are 23 people on trolleys in St. Vincent’s Hospital as we sit here this evening. This is mainly because they closed the A&E in Loughlinstown, Hospital, something all 5 Wicklow TDs supported. 415 people nationally lying on trollies.

“In the area of housing they have taken the side of the banks, landlords and developers. 1,500 children are sleeping in emergency accommodation, nearly 20% of them in Wicklow alone. We have 98,000 families in mortgage arrears across the state, while many families are faced with ever-increasing rents, evictions and homelessness.

“They claim their austerity policies have led to recovery. This is a lie; there is no recovery for the vast majority of ordinary citizens. Only the well heeled and those with the deep pockets have benefited and will continue to benefit from Fine Gael and Labour. Their policies have deepened and prolonged the recession.

“Since 2008 Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour have cut 32,000 jobs in the public service. They have placed the private debt of banks, bondholders and developers onto the shoulders of the people. A generation has been lost to emigration. This is the cost of their economic policies. The recovery in jobs has not been due to the actions of this government. For the first three years they simply done what the Troika told them and got lucky for the last two years.

“This is not the record that any government should be proud off. This is the record of parties that have failed to deliver. Parties that lack a vision, a plan and lack ambition for our people and our economy.

“Furthermore, I will bring an end to the parochial way of doing politics here in Wicklow. If and when elected I will be a TD for Arklow, Newtownmountkennedy, Coolfancy, Kilmac, Donard, Carnew, Lakin, Rathvilly and every other town and village in Wicklow/East Carlow

“Sinn Féin have a vision, grounded in the republican values of 1916. We have a plan for a fair recovery. A fair recovery that will benefit all our people equally. We want to lead a government that will deliver equality and prosperity, unity and inclusion. To build a true republic. That is our ambition. I am asking the people to vote for that vision in forthcoming General Election.”

ENDS




As part of his speech this evening, Cllr Brady committed to the following:


Supporting business to continue to create quality jobs that pay across Wicklow/East Carlow. Investing in the TV and Film Industry, Tourism and making Wicklow the capital for outdoor recreational activities and water borne sports.

Giving the Fishing industry a better and fairer deal. Investing in the Fishing fleet and harbours in Arklow, Wicklow Town and getting the Greystones fishing boats back into our harbour.

Helping low and middle income families by increasing the minimum wage, abolishing the property tax, tackling extortionate mortgages, abolishing Water Charges and consigning Irish Water to the dustbin of history.

Ending the housing crisis, building 100,000 social and affordable homes, supporting the rights of tenants and helping those in mortgage distress.
Ending the trolley and waiting list crisis, increase spending on healthcare by €3.3 billion to move from a failing two tier health system to universal healthcare.

Rebuilding rural Wicklow by ensuring we have communities where the quality of life is matched by the quality of public services and which welcomes back those forced to emigrate over recent years.

Ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

Securing a referendum on Irish unity and beginning the practical preparations for Irish reunification.

Rooting out corruption in politics and cutting the salaries of politicians. If elected I commit to taking home the average industrial wage and putting the remainder into providing a better constituency service for all in Wicklow/East Carlow.

Brady welcomes launch of the Wicklow 1916 programme of events and urges people to get involved in celebrations

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady who is a member of the Wicklow County Council 2016 Steering Group has welcomed the launch of the new Wicklow Life App. The App along the programme of events planned in Wicklow for the Centenary of the 1916 Rising were launched on Monday in County Buildings. The hope of the App is to evoke a sense of everyday life in County Wicklow during the year of the Rising.

Speaking after the launch Councillor Brady said “I welcome both the launch of the new Wicklow Life App and the programme of events that are planned to commemorate the Centenary of the 1916 Rising and the declaration of the Republic. Wicklow people played a leading role in the Rising and the preparations for it, so it’s only right that they are remembered, but more importantly we remember what it was they fought for and the Republic that was declared on the steps of the GPO on Easter Monday morning 1916.”

“In 1914 in the build up to the Rising, Kilcoole beach was used to land a considerable number of German guns that went on to be used in the Rising, many volunteers from Wicklow were involved in that operation. Another Wicklow man Robert Monteith from Newtownmountkennedy was a member of Rodger Casements Irish Brigade, along with Casement he landed on Banna Strand in Co. Kerry in a German U-Boat while trying to land guns there from the Aud in 1916. Other volunteers from right across Wicklow took an active role in the fighting during Easter week. Volunteers such as, Steenie Mulvey and Tom Sutton from Bray, Tom Cullen and Patrick Kavanagh from Blessington and Mick McDonnell and Tom Keogh from Knockananna, are just a few of the volunteers from Wicklow, who went out and fought for the Republic during Easter week.”

Cllr Brady continued “I’m particularly pleased that €30,000 has been secured to develop 5 Gardens of Remembrance across the County, one in each of the Municipal Districts, this is something that I’ve been pushing for at committee level since last year. The Glór na Cásca project will all have a number of elements in common: an engraved life size typographical replica of the 1916 Proclamation, a maintenance-free flag pole with Tricolour and 7 trees that would represent the 7 signatories of the Proclamation. I would also like to see Time Capsules been put together by local school children and buried in the gardens; these would be opened for the 150th anniversary of the Rising.”

“I want to pay tribute to all members of the Wicklow County Council 2016 Steering Group, particularly Catherine Wright who is the Councils Archivist and Genealogist for putting together the Wicklow Life App, In the app its hoped to evoke a sense of everyday life in County Wicklow during the year of the Rising through weekly updates of newspaper snippets featuring local news stories, advertisements and events as presented in the two main County Wicklow newspapers of the day – The Wicklow People and The Wicklow News-Letter. The App can be downloaded free at http://www.wicklow1916.ie/1916-wicklow-life-app.html.”

Cllr Brady concluded by saying “I also want to congratulate all the community groups from across the County that have come together to commemorate the 1916 Rising and the Republic that was declared. It’s important that everybody gets involved in the events that are planned throughout the year in Wicklow. Sinn Féin has also launched an exciting programme of events and I’m looking forward to the discussions and debates that will take place throughout the year. This is an ideal time for people to rededicate themselves to the true Republic that was declared in 1916, one that truly does cherish all the children equally.”

Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada to work at European level to protect the Murrough in Wicklow Town.

Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South Liadh Ní Riada has stated that the Murrough in Wicklow Town is an area of natural beauty that needs to be protected and has pledged to identify and fight for any possible European funding available to provide for long term coastal protection. This follows a meeting on Friday between the MEP, Sinn Féin councillors John Brady, John Snell and representatives from the Save the Murrough and Friends of the Murrough groups.

Speaking after the visiting and walking the Murrough and inspecting the coastal erosion Liadh Ní Riada MEP said “The Murrough in Wicklow Town is an area of natural beauty; it’s the only parkland available in Wicklow Town and is an important local amenity. It must be protected from both coastal erosion and development. The area is environmentally important and is designated under the EU Habitats Directive as a candidate Special Area of Conservation for birds.”

“The level of coastal erosion happening at the Murrough is alarming and its imperative that the issue is pushed at both National and European levels. I’ve pledged to raise the Murrough at a European level to try getting the relevant protections enacted; I will also try identifying funding streams to ensure the necessary long term coastal protection is put in place to ensure the area is protected for future generations to enjoy.”

Wicklow Sinn Féin councillor John Brady said “My Sinn Féin colleagues Eamonn Long, Garrett O’Reilly and John Snell have worked over many years to try ensuring the Murrough is protected for the people of Wicklow to enjoy. A lot of credit must go to the late Cllr Pat Kavanagh who also championed this issue over many years and to the Friends of the Murrough group.”

“In 2004 Eamonn Long and I stood on the Murrough at the Monkey Pole which was at risk of getting washed into the sea due to coastal erosion. In the subsequent years the Monkey Pole has had to be moved further inland on two separate occasions.”

Cllr Brady concluded “A small amount of funding has been allocated by the OPW to carry out some short term coastal protection work that should have been carried out many years ago. We need now to work towards securing funding to protect the Murrough long term, there are plans there that need to be funded and advanced. The Murrough is environmentally important, we need to push to ensure it get designated under EU legislation as a Special Protection area, also that a Special Area Amenity Order (SAAO) is given. I commend the work that both Save the Murrough and the Friends of the Murrough are doing both to highlight the serious issues affecting the area and ensuring that its protected as an valuable public amenity for the people of Wicklow.

Gerry Adams set to launch party’s general Election campaign for the Wicklow East/Carlow constituency

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams TD will officially launch the party’s general Election campaign for the Wicklow East Carlow constituency. The event will take place at the Royal Hotel Bray on Monday 18th January at 7.30pm.

Speaking ahead of the official launch of the election campaign, Cllr Brady said “I’m delighted that the Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams will officially launch my election campaign on Monday 18th January in the Royal Hotel Bray. I’m proud to have been selected to represent Sinn Féin in the forthcoming election and I’m looking forward to running a vibrant, positive campaign and intend on bringing the positive message of change to as many homes across the constituency as possible. In the centenary of the 1916 Rising, we can make history again by returning the first Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow in over 90 years.”

“Sinn Fein takes nothing for granted; despite the constant speculation on who might form the next government, we in Sinn Fein are keenly aware that it will be the citizens of this state who are the final arbiter when it comes to deciding who might lead the country for the duration of the next Dáil term. For our part, Sinn Fein aim to present a credible alternative to the disastrous policies of Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fail. With fifty candidates standing across all constituencies in the country; for the first time ever citizens have the opportunity to reject the self- interest culture of the establishment parties and vote for a fairer recovery.”

Councillor Brady went on to say that Sinn Fein has been canvassing already across Wicklow and East Carlow and it is clear that people are ready for a change of government:
“The message on the door-steps is clear; after years of austerity, the so-called recovery has done nothing to alleviate the hardship on hard pressed families, businesses and community groups. Canvassers from all over the county are reporting back stories of intolerable distress caused by the many failures of this government. It is also clear that the effects of austerity are indiscriminate, with individuals and families from all social classes struggling needlessly.”

“For a number of weeks the Sinn Fein team have been criss-crossing the constituency knocking on doors and engaging with people. We are lucky to have a bright, energetic team bringing the Sinn Fein message of fairness and equality to every corner of the constituency. We would like to welcome as many people as possible to the launch on January 18th. Moreover, if anybody is interested in getting involved during the campaign they should feel free to contact Sinn Fein or myself at any time or approach us directly on the night”.

Brady calls for end of environmental vandalism as old Bray municipal dump gets washed into Irish sea

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor and General Election candidate John Brady has called for immediate action to be taken to stop the old Bray municipal dump from getting washed into the Irish Sea, the dump is located north of Bray harbour. During Storm Frank substantial new sections of the dump were washed into the sea, leading to Brady calling it environmental vandalism.

Speaking after visiting the Back Beach, which is north of Bray harbour, the Sinn Féin councillor said “What is going on at the Back Beach is nothing but environmental vandalism. I’ve been pushing for action to be taken for the last 10 years stop the estimated 200,000 tonnes of rubbish from getting washed into the sea. This was a local municipal dump and it was used right up to the 1980’s. Now that it’s closed and the cause of coastal pollution, nobody wants to take responsibility for it. The dump also straddles the County boundaries, so there is an element of passing the book between Wicklow and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown.”

Brady continued “During Storm Frank more large sections of the old dump were washed into the Irish Sea, this waste is then dispersed all along the coast line. Asbestos, rusted metal, heavy plastics, bricks, glass and bags can be seen at the foot of eroded cliffs and also sticking out from the unstable cliffs. This area is subject to ongoing coastal erosion, I’m beginning to believe that some people would just like the problem to be washed away, rather than deal with it. That is simply unacceptable and amounts to environmental vandalism.”

“This needs to be addressed without any further delay. A comprehensive plan needs to be put in place by all stakeholders, Wicklow County Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and the Minister for the Environment. This site was used by Wicklow municipal dump and they can’t shirk their responsibilities. I have been pushing for the council to apply for a Blue Flag for Bray beach, however as long as waste from the old dump continues to get washed up along our shoreline, this will be a difficult thing to achieve.