Brady calls on Ministers to stop play-acting on Ardmore Studios

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has commended all those who turned out today in support of Ardmore Studios outside Leinster House.　

Teachta Brady said:　

“I was delighted to join with protestors, who are predominately workers within the film and television industry, outside Leinster House today in support of Ardmore Studios and its continued existence as it is in Bray. I also joined the protesters in handing in a petition with over 2,500 signatures to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.　

“The recent announcement that Ardmore Studios is to be sold came as a huge shock to all those involved in Ardmore Studios and also to me as a public representative. During previous meetings I held with the CEO, discussions were about the expansion of Ardmore Studios and never any potential sell off. The huge concern was highlighted in the huge numbers that turned up to the protest today.　

“Ardmore Studios are internationally renowned as Ireland’s leading provider of film and TV studio infrastructure. The studios are highly regarded and have been home to hundreds of national and international film and TV productions since it was established in 1958. 　

“The silence from Ministers Heather Humphries and Mary Mitchell O’Connor to numerous representations that have made to their offices cannot continue.　

“On the one hand, Minister Humphries has launched a new economic analysis on screen based creative industries and on the other, both Ministers have failed to address the potential sale of the State’s almost 32% share in Ardmore Studios.　

“The Ministers must confirm that the State’s shares will be protected and if the private shares are to be sold; this must be as a going concern. Any unconditional sale of Ardmore Studios will not be acceptable. 　

“It is essential that the prospectus in relation to the sale of Ardmore Studios is made available to both the employees and concerned public representatives.　

“I will be making further contact with both Ministers, who have failed to reply to me as of yet. The questions and concerns put to both Ministers must be addressed.”

Fianna Fáil sheer hypocrisy for lone parents

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD has said that despite talk, Fianna Fáil have once again, failed lone parents across this State.　
Teachta Brady said:　

“I brought forward an amendment last week at Committee stage seeking a report into the financial and social impacts of the changes to the One Parent Family Payment for lone parents. This amendment was passed with full support including the Minister’s.　

“Today, at Report Stage the Minister had changed his tune giving himself 9 months rather than the initial 6 months to present a report to the Oireachtas.　

“I urged the Minister to revert to the original amendment and I pushed this amendment to a vote to oppose the 9 month wait for such a report.　

“Speaking on behalf of Fianna Fáil Deputy Willie O’Dea outlined the serious and real issues being faced by lone parents as a result of the changes made. 　

“In fact, Deputy O’Dea, in his own amendment, wanted the report to be produced within 3 months yet when it came to a vote on 9 months they abstained.　

“The urgency for such a report outlined by Fianna Fáil was nothing more than false concern for lone parents and when it came to a vote Fianna Fáil sat on the fence.　

“Although it is thanks to Fianna Fáil that the Minister has got his way, I am delighted that a report will be carried out and our amendment has ensured this. 　

“There is absolutely no reason why this report cannot be delivered within 6 months and I will continue to push the Minister on this. This report will be critical in framing budget 2018.”

Huge concern for future of Bray Wanderers and Carlisle Grounds - Brady

Huge concern for future of Bray Wanderers and Carlisle Grounds - Brady



Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has expressed huge concerns about the future of Bray Wanderers football club as well as the future of the Carlisle Grounds.

Teachta Brady said:

“This concern comes on the back of the clubs newly produced Strategic Plan 2017-2021 which has been published this week.

“This is an ambitious and comprehensive plan and I commend the work that the club have done over many years. Bray Wanderers have flown the Bray and Wicklow flag at the highest levels for many years.

“However, I do have serious concerns and reservations with the plan and the direction in which the club Chairperson is taking the club.

“The plan outlines the intent to seek a larger site and there are many references to South County Dublin and the fear is that there is an attempt to move the club out of Wicklow.

“Another concern is around the publicly owned Carlisle Grounds and its future under this plan. The lease which Bray Wanderers hold for the Grounds is very specific for sporting activities. I would be totally opposed to any changes to the zoning which would allow any commercial development to take place on the site.

“As there is a deficit for playing pitches in the area if Bray Wanderers have no further need for the Grounds there are many other sporting clubs that would be only too happy to avail of the Grounds.

“I will be speaking to the Council in relation to the existing lease to outline my concerns. I will also be seeking a meeting with the Chairperson of Bray Wanderers to discuss this plan."

Ballynagran dump expansion ‘a sign of incompetence from EPA and Minister’ – Brady

Ballynagran dump expansion ‘a sign of incompetence from EPA and Minister’ – Brady





Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow-East Carlow John Brady has said that Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Environment Denis Naughten’s response to the increase of 40,000 tonnes of waste for Ballynagran landfill is the wrong one, saying that “the people of Wicklow should not pay for the incompetence of the Minister and the EPA in their failure to plan ahead”.

Teachta Brady said:

“I questioned the Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Environment and raised a number of concerns surrounding the decision made to increase the intake of waste at Ballynagran landfill to 190,000 tonnes in the Dáil chamber yesterday evening.

“This increase is 40,000 tonnes above the maximum tonnage under the planning conditions set out by the EPA waste licence. However, the EPA are on board and have already facilitated it by making technical amendments to the waste licence.

“The fact that Minister Naughten, along with others, were made aware of this emergency situation well before it occurred yet, they still failed to take action and put plans in place is particularly concerning.

“I appealed to the Minister to intervene in this most serious situation and I asked him to contact the EPA to request that they reverse this decision.

“I highlighted a number of ongoing concerns with the landfill site as it is never mind with an additional 40,000 tonnes which will simply make a bad situation worse.

“I am disappointed that Wicklow County Council did not see fit to consult with the community liaison committee which, was set up as part of the planning process, elected representatives or locals living in the community. This was wrong.

“The Minister’s response to my concerns provides little comfort to the people of Wicklow particularly, those living within the vicinity of the landfill site. The way that this so-called emergency situation has been dealt with has been entirely insufficient and it has blatantly ignored the legitimate concerns of people in the area.

“I do not accept the response I received from the Minister on this matter and I fully intend to pursue this further. The people of Wicklow should not pay for the incompetence of the Minister and the EPA in their failure to plan ahead.” ENDS




See video of exchange with Minister Naughten here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMxSoqTnd54&t=9s

Dump branded ‘worst in state’ by EPA to receive additional waste – Brady

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has described plans for an increased 40,000 tonnes of waste at Ballynagran landfill as extremely alarming.

Teachta Brady said:

“Wicklow County Council have approved a temporary increase of an additional 40,000 tonnes of waste for Ballynagran landfill. This increase will bring the annual intake this year to 190,000 tonnes, 40,000 tonnes above the maximum tonnage under planning conditions. The EPA has pushed for this and has granted technical amendments to the licence for Ballynagran.

“This has come about because the landfill at Drehid in Co. Kildare has exceeded its annual EPA licence capacity. Clearly, this emergency situation was seen coming however, there was a failure to put in place any plans to deal with it and now Wicklow will become the dumping ground because of this failure.
“We know that Ballynagran landfill is already rated by the EPA as the worst dump in the State. Rather than doing something to change this, we will see thousands of additional waste instead.

“Furthermore, it is concerning that this decision has been agreed with no consultation with locals or public representatives whatsoever. Hundreds of officials complaints to the EPA regarding the landfill detailing the horrendous conditions that people have been forced to live in have gone ignored in this decision making process. I am aware of a family who had no option but to leave their own home one year ago and haven’t been able to return since because of the odour.

“A letter detailing this decision was circulated late Friday evening without any warning. Locals and public representatives should have been made aware of the emergency situation a long time ago. Wicklow County Council have not taken into the account the legitimate concerns of locals and instead are about to make a bad situation much worse.”

John Brady TD secures amendment for report on impact of changes to the One Parent Family Payment

Speaking at the Committee Stage on the Social Welfare Bill, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD has secured the unanimous passing of an amendment for lone parents.

Teachta Brady said:

“I am delighted that despite, initial hesitation by the Minister, my amendment securing a report on the financial and social impacts of the changes to the One Parent Family Payment has been passed.

“Initially, the Minister had hesitated on such a report as he felt it was too early to see the true impacts of such reforms. However, the reality is that we do not need to wait to see the consequences that the changes to the One Parent Family Payment have had. In fact, the consequences are already well known and well highlighted consistently.

“We know that child poverty is much more highly prevalent among one parent families with child poverty rates among children in one parent families at 22.1%. We also know that 60% deprivation is experienced by these same one parent families.

“Poverty rates alone are reason enough for such a report to be carried out but we do know there are also many more issues being experienced by lone parents.

"I have met with a number of organisations and having listened to and engaged with these organisations as well as lone parents themselves, it is clear that this report is desperately needed.

“I welcome that the Minister, along with the other members of the Social Protection Committee are in agreement that a report will be carried out and brought before the Committee within six months.

“When it comes to lone parents, who are among the most vulnerable in our society, we need action. I have made clear to the Minister that this report cannot be written to sit on a shelf, we need action on the back of this report. We need to actively work hard to make life better for our lone parents.”

Jigsaw Project ‘provide an invaluable service in our community’ – John Brady TD

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has pledged his continued support to the development of the Wicklow Jigsaw Project for Youth Mental Health following a meeting with representatives from the Youth Mental Health Subcommittee as part of the Bray Area Partnership yesterday.

Teachta Brady said:

“As a former member of the Bray Area Partnership, I am fully aware of the importance of the Youth Mental Health Subcommittee, the work that they do, and their proposal for the development of the Wicklow Jigsaw Project which is so vitally important.

“Jigsaw, who is the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, provides a unique and essential service for our young people. The need for such a service was reflected in a recent Wicklow Comhairle na nÓg survey of 1,000 young participants who identified mental health as the number one issue for their age group.

“Jigsaw has identified three stages in the development process of this Project, which will be based in Bray. The first stage is the need to receive a formal announcement from the HSE of their intention to support Jigsaw to establish in Bray. I would call on Minister Harris, in his position as Minister for Health to ensure that the HSE do this as quickly as possible.

“The second stage will be for the Courts Service to officially transfer the old courthouse in Bray to the HSE for the Jigsaw Project. I would be hopeful that the local authority will assist with final stage, through a partnership approach in providing funding support to make the premise fir for purpose.

“I commend the work that Bray Area Partnership and Jigsaw have done in progressing the proposal this far. I am delighted that I can play some small part, along with other elected representatives, in delivering a facility that will provide an invaluable service in our community. I hope that there can be a partnership approach in delivering this Project for Wicklow.”