Saturday 23 May 2015

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  “This vote should pave the way for a referendum to Repeal the 8th amendment and to remove other reactionary and outdated laws and practices in this country.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.

Friday 1 May 2015

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