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