Tynan slams Budget which benefits the better off once again

Cllr. Ted Tynan speaking at the
Workers Party Ard Fheis last weekend.

Workers’ Party Councillor Ted Tynan has described this week’s budget as a con trick which claims to have given a little to everyone when in fact it has overwhelmingly benefitted the better off.

Cllr. Tynan said that the government had thrown crumbs at workers and the least well off with one eye on the election but when examined more closely it leaves the working class still in a worse position than they were a decade ago.

“There has been a lot of noise made about the 75% Christmas Bonus this year and the €2.50 increase in the fuel allowance but these bring cold comfort to families facing into another winter.  The fuel allowance increase will barely buy a bag of kindling with which to light a fire, let a one keep it going for a day.”, said Cllr. Tynan.

For all the talk of fairness this government was able to find €750 million to cut tax for large corporations instead of putting the money into vital services like health and education.   Relying on NAMA and the same speculators who caused the economy to go bust is no solution to the housing crisis and it is notable than 90% of the promised new homes will be in the Greater Dublin area.  Barely a handful of additional social housing units will be built by this government which is a shocking indictment of Fine Gael and the Labour Party”

 “Where is the cancellation of the hospital bed charges introduced over the last few years or in the prescription charges?  For all the talk of job creation this government is once again throwing money at corporations who are more interested in creating profit for themselves than creating jobs.” said Cllr. Tynan

The Workers Party councillor said that the budget was a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing when it came to fairness. “This budget will merely maintain and indeed widen the gap between rich and poor in this country.  A few crumbs for working class people will not decrease the anger of people at the policies of this government and its Fianna Fáil / Green predecessors who have impoverished families the length and breadth of the country  and who see no light at the end of the tunnel in this budget.”, said Cllr. Tynan.

Tynan rejects council "merger" plan saying "Hands Off Our City"

Cork CITY Hall

Cork Workers’ Party Councillor Ted Tynan has said that the proposed merger of Cork City and County Councils would be a disaster for the city and would not be positive for the county either.

Cllr. Tynan said that proposed merger made no sense from either a social, urban development, or good governance perspective.  He said the proposal amounted to nothing less than the extinguishment of Cork’s 1,000 year old existence as a city.

The Workers Party councillor said that the government had predetermined the agenda and that the statutory committee which had made the proposal was acting to that agenda.  “The fact that two of the five members dissented from the agenda shows how preposterous this proposal is.  It is purely based on saving money, not on common sense or the efficient delivery of local government services. The proposal will merely make local administration more remote and inaccessible to citizens”, said Cllr. Tynan.

“If merging two already large councils like Cork City and County Councils  made any sense then the inevitable outcome of this policy would be to end up with about six councils in the entire country – these would be six of the most unwieldy and unworkable councils ever created”, he said

Cllr. Tynan said that the proposal was not a merger but a takeover of Cork City by the larger County Council.  It would result in a dilution of democratic accountability and unworkable local electoral areas.  “In short this plan would be a disaster for the city and a disaster for the county.”

The Workers Party councillor has welcomed the comments of Lord Mayor Cllr. Chris O’Leary but has said that the opposition to the proposed merger must be widened out to the general public and all stakeholders in society.  “This is not just the merger of two councils, it is the abolition of our city, a city with a thousand year long tradition. If there was ever a reason for the city to earn the name Rebel Cork it is now.  The people of Cork City should stand united and say to Alan Kelly, the government and the three majority authors of this report HANDS OFF OUR CITY”

Cllr. Ted Tynan shows solidarity on visit to Cardiff

Cllr. Ted Tynan pictured with the Worker's Memorial Day plaque outside Unite Union headquarters in Cardiff, Wales

On a short break in Cardiff this week I took the opportunity to show my solidarity local bus workers who are members of the Unite trade union.  As I have said on many occasions the struggles of workers are worldwide and solidarity should also be worldwide. Whether in Cork, Cardiff or 

Feet on the street on August 29th is best answer to water prosecutions

Cork Workers’ Party councillor Ted Tynan has said that a massive turnout of protesters for the Right 2 Water demonstration in Dublin on August 29^th would be the best response people could give to the DPPs decision to prosecute more than 20 activists in relation to last November’s Jobstown protest.

Cllr. Tynan said that the decision to prosecute the protesters, including 3 elected representatives, on extremely serious charges was nothing less than a politically inspired assault on the anti water charges movement as a whole.

The Workers’ Party city councillor said the best answer opponents of the water charges could give to this government offensive would be to put tens of thousands of feet on the streets of Dublin on 29^th August in a clear message of defiance.

“This campaign is not going to be cowed by the victimisation of individual protesters, it will only get stronger but it needs to show its strength with a massive turnout for the demonstration on the 29^th and continued resistance on the ground” said Cllr. Tynan.

Workers Party reiterate position in support of non-payment of water charges

Workers’ Party Councillor Ted Tynan has said comments he made in an interview with the Cork News in relation to the party’s position in support of the non-payment of water charges had been taken out of context.

Cllr. Tynan said the Workers’ Party was very clear in its total opposition to water charges and its call for a mass non-payment campaign. 

He said: “I was making the point that while non-payment is central to defeating the water charges and Irish Water it is only one element in the fight against these charges and the privatisation of a vital natural resource.  This battle cannot be reduced to simple sloganising.”

“In addition to non-payment , the Workers Party supports communities in their fight against the installation of water meters. We also believe there is a need for a vigorous campaign against the privatisation of this vital resource and we endorse the position of the United Nations that the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights.”

“The Workers Party believes that Irish Water must be abolished along with the water charges and the responsibility for public water and sanitation should revert to the local authorities which must be properly funded from a progressive and fair taxation system”, said Cllr. Tynan.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY VOTE SHOWS IRELAND A TRANSFORMED COUNTRY

Cork Workers’ Party Councillor Ted Tynan has said that the big Yes vote in the Marriage Equality referendum shows that Ireland is a transformed country compared to what it was even 20 years ago.

Cllr Ted Tynan (right) with WP member Adam McCarthy at Cork Count in City Halll

Welcoming the almost 2 to 1 Yes vote in Cork North Central, Cllr. Tynan said it represented an open, more tolerant and inclusive society and a marked decline of conservatism across the country. 

Cllr. Tynan said: “Twenty years ago Ireland voted by the narrowest of margins, about half a percentage point of difference, to legalise Divorce.  Cork North Central on that occasion voted No.  Yesterday that same constituency voted overwhelmingly to allow for same-sex marriage.  That by any measure is a huge change in just 20 years. It represents a social revolution in people’s outlook and attitudes”.

The Workers’ Party Councillor said the result showed that there is now an appetite for more social change in this country.  “This vote should pave the way for a referendum to Repeal the 8^th amendment and to remove other reactionary and outdated laws and practices in this country. A new morning has dawned and we should not miss the opportunity to advance true democratic values and equality for all citizens”, said Cllr. Tynan.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR BUS STRIKE RESTS SQUARELY WITH GOVERNMENT

Workers’ Party Councillor, Ted Tynan, has expressed solidarity with striking Bus Éireann workers in Cork today, saying that the responsibility for the strike rests squarely with the government.

Cllr. Tynan said that despite claims to the contrary from Minister Pascal Donohue and the National Roads Authority, the government was determined to privatise a  much larger portion of public transport than the 10% currently proposed which he described as a foot in the door which would inevitably be kicked open if workers didn’t take a stand.

“On this May Day I am calling for solidarity for and understanding towards the Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus drivers and to all workers in Ireland and internationally.  This strike is being portrayed as being about disruption and stubbornness – in fact it is about the very survival of publicly owned and operated public transport”.

“The Workers’ Party calls on the government to abandon the route privatisations and to  properly fund public transport.  It needs to be pointed out that Ireland has one of the lowest rates of state subsidy for public transport in the European Union.  Instead of selling off the most lucrative routes to purely profit oriented operators, the state should be investing in building a public transport service fit for purpose.”, said Cllr. Tynan

Right 2 Water demonstration Dublin March 21st

Next Saturday, 21st March, what is likely to be the most important anti-water charges protest yet will be held in Dublin.  Over the next few weeks bills wills begin to drop through the letterboxes of well over one million people.  So far a magnificent campaign of resistance to these unjust charges has been fought in every corner of the country.  Ordinary working class communities have stood up and refused to accept the water charges which are a prelude to the selling off of that most vital resource - Water.  If we don't stand up and fight now, and mount a massive and lasting BOYCOTT of the water charges, we will pay, our children will pay and our grandchildren will pay a terrible price.  If we lose the battle water will become just another commodity owned by some billionaire or conglomerate and sold at huge profit to the citizens.

I urge as many citizens as possible to get to Dublin for next Saturday's march.  It could be the most important protest march in modern Irish history.  Buses, trains and cars will come from every corner of the country and the Right 2 Water campaign in Cork are running buses directly to the centre of Dublin for the event.  See below for details.

Ted Tynan

Will you be there?

Cllr. Ted Tynan condemns arrest of Paul Murphy TD and other anti-water charge activists

Cork Workers’ Party councillor Ted Tynan has condemned the arrest of Socialist Party deputy Paul Murphy and a number of other citizens in Dublin in relation to last November’s protest against Tánaiste and Labour Party leader Joan Burton, describing the arrests as a political act aimed at intimidating the anti-water charges campaign as a whole.

Cllr. Tynan said that the arrests were in sharp contrast to the state’s failure to jail the bankers and property speculators who had destroyed the Irish economy and  driven a large section of the population into deep  and long-term poverty.

The Workers’ Party councillor said that sections of the media, especially newspapers controlled by the Denis O’Brien group, had deliberately whipped up a frenzy of hate and gross exaggeration against those engaged in protest against the Troika’s water charges.  “Having failed to damage the anti-water charges campaign with a torrent of abuse and lies, the state is now seeking to intimidate people engaged in legitimate protest.  I predict now that this intimidation will not only fail but it will massively backfire against the government”, said Cllr. Tynan

Tynan welcomes new Dublin councillor to Workers Party

Cork Workers' Party councillor, Ted Tynan, has welcomed Cllr. Éilis Ryan, a member of Dublin City Council, to the Workers' Party has said he hopes to work with her to project the party's voice on local government.

Cllr. Éilis Ryan, now represents the Workers' Party on Dublin City Council

"I am delighted that Cllr. Ryan has decided to join the Workers' Party.  It gives the party a presence on Dublin City Council for the first time in years and having met Éilis I am more than convinced that she will play an important and dynamic role as a Workers' Party representative in the capital", said Cllr. Tynan.

Click here to read Cllr. Éilis Ryan's statement on why she has joined the Workers' Party

Cllr. Éilis Ryan join the Workers' Party