Munster Shocked At Nash’s Ignoring of Drogheda

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Fiona Johnston

Minister for Jobs Ged Nash ignores hometown as Drogheda Left Out of 150 Million Investment in National Enterprise Policy 2015-2025

Sinn Fein Cllr Imelda Munster has expressed shock at the government’s failure to include Drogheda in the National Enterprise Policy for the roll out of a 5 year 150 million capital investment programme to help attract more foreign investment and jobs into each region.

Speaking today Imelda Munster said “This programme will include investments over the coming years in building, advanced manufacturing and office facilities in Dundalk, Sligo, Tralee, Castlebar, Galway, Limerick, Athlone, Carlow and Waterford. I am shocked at this news given firstly that Drogheda is Ireland’s largest town but more importantly because it has been pointed out by Padraig White from the Louth Economic Forum, that the reason Drogheda is continuously passed over for IDA investment is because of the lack of suitable office and manufacturing facilities in the town”.

Cllr Munster pointed out the need for just this type of investment in Drogheda.

“It is incredible to think that given that Drogheda with all of its potential and its enviable location in proximity to the airport and motorway has once again has been ignored by this government when it comes to investment in the infrastructure needed to encourage foreign direct investment to stimulate job creation in Drogheda”.

Imelda Munster said that “the government and in particular local government TDs Ged Nash and Fergus O Dowd had a golden opportunity here to insist that Drogheda be included in this 5 year roll out of €150 million capital investment programme in building the advanced manufacturing and office facilities that Drogheda desperately needs for them to compete fairly within the county and even within the country and they have failed, once again, to deliver and stand up for Drogheda”.

The Sinn Fein Cllr said “we need to stimulate job creation, to restore jobs lost, to create quality jobs and build a recovery that benefits all and one that most definitely includes Drogheda, the largest town in Ireland.”

Our Lady of Lourdes New beds – “A Drop in the Ocean”- Adams

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Fiona Johnston

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams TD and Cllr Imelda Munster have attended the opening of 24 additional beds in the Emergency Department of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

Speaking after the event, which took place on Friday 13^th November, Teachta Adams said,

“I welcome these additional clinical decision and surgical assessment beds, which I know are having a positive effect on the dreadful conditions in the Emergency Department, but I am acutely conscious that these are a mere drop in the ocean.

“Nursing staff have informed me that 45 whole time equivalent personnel are needed to properly staff this new unit. I am seeking assurances from Leo Varadkar that these people are in place.

“The Minister must also address the issues which cause overcrowding in the Emergency Department at OLOL, the lack of homecare packages, the access problems in non acute care, the lack of nursing home beds, the convoluted Fair Deal scheme, the cutbacks in community care and the persistent recruitment difficulties.

Cllr and general election candidate Imelda Munster added;

“On Friday the INMO Trolley Watch stated that there were 19 people on trollies in Our Lady of Lourdes. This new unit is opened against a backdrop of perennial overcrowding, disgraceful ambulance response times, damaging HIQA reports, massive outpatient waiting lists, a recent data breach of patient records and 1,000’s of recalled X-Rays.

“These issues combined illustrate a very sick Health Service which is simply not fit for purpose.”

Sharkey: FF Back To ‘Bertie-conomics’ in Louth

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Fiona Johnston

Sinn Féin Councillor Tomás Sharkey has hit out at Fianna Fáil’s Dáil candidate Declan Breathnach for attempting to drag the country back to Bertie Ahern era economics.

Speaking after the November meeting of Louth County Council, Cllr Sharkey said “This week Councillor Breathnach made an embarrassing lapse to Bertie mode. Councillor Breathnach let the mask slip on his party’s intentions when he proposed that the taxpayer pay up to 75% of the cost of renovating privately owned buildings to be made suitable for tenants and then have the same taxpayer pay a 20 years lease to the same private owner. I am calling on him to declare what interested group put him up to this harebrained idea”.

In the Council chamber, during discussion of the proposal, Cllr Sharkey “gave the example where €50,000 would easily be required to upgrade an empty home. The Fianna Fáil proposal would make the taxpayer liable for €37,500 of this and then another €180,000 of leasing costs based on €750 per month for 20 years. At the end of this 20 years, and after €217,500 cost to the state, the house would still belong to the landlord.

“Pumping public money into the pockets of investors was Charlie McGreevy and Bertie Ahern’s favourite policy. It destroyed the economy. A generation of elderly, sick, unemployed and emigrated citizens are paying for that policy.

“Councillor Breathnach has a bare faced cheek coming into a Council meeting, where the financial crisis in public services was evident to all, with this proposal. Councils and the state should and could easily build homes on land already owned for a fraction of his costs. Thankfully, his proposal was defeated at council but I am cautioning the public that we had a glimpse of the real Fianna Fáil agenda today and everybody needs to be ultra vigilant of the party that crashed our economy and be aware that their stripes have not changed.”

Below is the text of Cllr Breathnach’s motion.

MEETING OF LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL Monday, November 16, 2015 MOTION

MOTION: D. Breathnach

That Louth County Council request the Ministers for Environment and Finance introduce a scheme in Louth to allow for the leasing of vacant houses whereby a graduated grant would be made available to the owner/council to bring these properties into use for the purposes of social housing. The grant available to these properties would be calculated on the length of time that these properties would be made available to lease for social housing ,eg.75%grant for 20 year lease,50%for 15 year lease and 25% for minimum 10 year lease.

Reply: This is a matter for the Members

Cllr Cassidy Expresses Concerns Over Landmark Bridge

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Fiona Johnston

Sinn Féin Councillor Alan Cassidy is reminding people that the landmark Obelisk Bridge will close on the 23rd and 24th of this month. The bridge is being surveyed to assess its structural integrity following an enquiry from Cllr Cassidy.

Speaking today Cllr Cassidy said “I was aware that the bridge wasn’t in a great state. I contacted Louth County Council regarding this last month. The bridge itself hasn’t been painted in over 20 years and at road level it appears to be missing pieces of iron, also the rivets show signs of erosion. On closer inspection, at low tide, I was shocked at the level of corrosion below the bridge”.

Councillor Cassidy was concerned that “the iron plates which support the road surface are corroded on three of the four sides in many instances. I don’t want to prejudge the outcome of the inspection but it is my belief that the bridge will need major works to prevent it from literally falling apart.”

Obelisk Bridge is a protected structure built in the 1860’s and crosses the River Boyne. Alan Cassidy concluded “the Obelisk Bridge is used by thousands of people daily not to mention tourists visiting the Boyne Battlefield and Oldbridge House. Cosmetically the bridge has been allowed to deteriorate through rust and pieces’ missing but it is alarming to think it may have become dangerous through structural deterioration.”

The Obelisk Bridge will be closed on 23^rd and 24^th November to allow for the bridge to be surveyed.

View at low tide below the bridge

Alan Cassidy Obelisk Bridge 1

Louth Sinn Féin Jackpot Scooped By Lucky Winner

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Fiona Johnston

L-R Cllr Jim Loughran, Louth SF Chair Ruairí O Murchú, Oisín Watters & Antoin Watters

Christmas has come early for Oisín Watters from Dundalk/Carlingford area who scooped Louth Sinn Féin’s €10,000 jackpot last Tuesday night.

The numbers drawn were 4, 12, 19, 27 and proved lucky for Oisín who does the same numbers every week.

The local councillor for Oisín’s area, Jim Loughran said “We are all delighted for Oisín and wish him well with it. It couldn’t happen to a nicer fella. Not bad for a €2 stake.”

If you want to be in with a chance of winning the lotto please contact your local Sinn Féin office in Dundalk or Drogheda, your local Louth SF Councillor or any SF activist or Cumann either directly or through their Facebook pages. It is €2 per line, you choose 4 numbers and keep your fingers crossed. As easy as that.