Last night's "uncontrolled explosion" at the Covanta-run Poolbeg incinerator demonstrates the irresponsibility of handing waste management services over to the private sector, according to Cllr. Éilis Ryan of the Workers' Party. Speaking following the incident, Cllr. Ryan said: "Covanta have an atrocious safety record, operating in a field which is highly sensitive both in terms [...]
Campaigners who sparked the withdrawal of the Sisters of Charity from the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) have said the decision represents one step in the right direction, but does nothing to resolve the need for a publicly-controlled maternity health service. Cllr. Éilis Ryan (Workers' Party), who led protests against religious ownership of the new [...]
The Workers’ Party have described as deeply disturbing the news that former Anglo-Irish Bank chairman Sean Fitzpatrick has been acquitted on the 126th day of his trial on charges relating to financial irregularities which led to the collapse of Anglo-Irish Bank in 2009. Workers’ Party representative for Dublin North West, Gavin Mendel-Gleason, said that the [...]
Revelations today (Sunday) that private waste operators have unilaterally introduced ‘pay-by-weight’ type bin charges - contrary to an agreement in place with government - show up the pointlessness of ‘voluntary’ regulations, according to the Workers’ Party. Cllr. Éilis Ryan (Workers’ Party, North Inner City Dublin), said: The move by Greyhound, Panda and others to introduce [...]
Michael Noonan’s decision to begin the flotation of AIB next week has drawn criticism for prioritising short-term cash flow over and above the long-term interests of the Irish economy. Commenting on the decision, Workers’ Party Dublin Northwest representative Gavin Mendel-Gleason said: Minister Noonan is once again prioritising a short-term windfall – which will then be [...]
Outgoing Minister for Finance Michael Noonan’s real legacy will be the control of Irish property, homes and economy by vulture funds, according to Workers’ Party councillor Éilis Ryan. Speaking following Minister Noonan’s announcement of his retirement today (Thursday), Cllr. Ryan said: Michael Noonan has presided over the fire sale of our economy to some of [...]
Proposals to introduce income-contingent student loans, being discussed today by the Oireachtas education committee, will widen the already significant gulf between high- and low-income graduates, according to the Workers’ Party. Cllr. Eilis Ryan (Workers’ Party) strongly refuted claims by the scheme’s proponents that income-contingent loans represented a ‘more equitable’ system, saying: It is perfectly clear [...]
More than 800 sites owned by local authorities and public bodies will be offered to the private market according to the Fine Gael led government. The Workers' Party Rep. Gavin Mendel-Gleason believes this move is financially irresponsible: If a corporation were to dump all of its productive assets, its share holders would replace the board [...]
Cllr. Eilis Ryan, Workers’ Party Councillor for the North Inner City, said: Discussions about triple locks and golden shares completely miss the point concerning the National Maternity Hospital debacle. There is simply no need for all these mental contortions. A hospital facility built with public funds which is established as a national institution should simply [...]
TThe Workers Party has accused Simon Coveney of a hypocritical attitude to rulings by European bodies over his stance on the report by the Oireachtas committee on water Workers' Party representative for Dublin North West, Gavin Mendel-Gleason, has said that the position is totally inconsistent with Fine Gael's response to European rulings on other issues. [...]