Meath Sinn Féin - Building an Ireland of Equals - Fastest Growing Political Party in Meath

Former Meath county councillor, Michael Gallagher, has said Sinn Féin's pre-budget submission is the only alternative to the failed policies of Fine Gael/Labour and Fianna Fail. Speaking after the launch of the document, which was costed by the Department of Finance, Mr. Gallagher said that if the proposals were implemented by the Fine Gael/Labour government it would stop the waves of young people leaving the country and bring back much needed employment to the Meath area.

Mentioning the Sinn Fein proposals on job creation and economic growth, he said: "the proposal to build 100 additional school and refurbish 75 existing facilities would surely improve education in Meath East, where the existence of sub-standard, prefab classrooms and a rapidly expanding number of pupils have become pressing issues. Furthermore, not only would such capital investment help to improve local schools in Meath and elsewhere around the country, but it would also provide work to many unemployed construction workers".

Mr. Gallagher also stated that a "€2.5 billion investment in broadband would be a massive boost to industry in towns like Kells, Athboy and Oldcastle. Such an investment would make Ireland a leader in broadband infrastructure rather than bottom of the class. It would also be a great help to industries in rural Meath who have, in some cases, had to use inefficient, dial-up internet connections to run their business."

Re-iterating that the Sinn Fein proposal was a fully costed, credible alternative, Mr Gallagher concluded: “it could be implemented if the Government would stand up for the Irish people by separating the bank debt from sovereign debt, rather than sheepishly doing the bidding of the Bundestag."

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and party colleague Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín met with pensioners formerly employed by Tara Mines at Leinster House on September 14th. The meeting was arranged during a picket organised by pensioners in opposition to the Fine Gael and Labour’s imposition of the Pension Levy on their pensions. The government levy will reduce the income of each pensioner on the scheme by 10%.

According to Deputy Tóibín who has been a supporter of the campaign from the outset ‘these pensioners, who on average have an annual income of €10,000, will lose a shocking €1,000. This is over a month’s income for these individuals. This money is being taken out of the pockets of pensioners to be used on a supposed jobs initiative that has actually seen 20,000 extra people lose their jobs.  At the same time this government is putting tens of billions of tax payer’s money into the pockets of untouchable private bond holders’.

‘The loss of €1,000 to a family on a wage of €10,000 is a devastating blow. Minister Noonan must meet with the former miners and reverse this financial attack on their living standards. The Fine Gael and Labour TDs in Meath who voted for this measure need to take serious stock as to why they are in the Dáil. Are they there to work on behalf of Meath people struggling to make ends meet or are they purely back bench vote fodder for a government intent slashing living standards for the sake of private investment firms in Germany and France’.

Navan Town Councilor Sinn Féin’s Caoimhe Ní Shluáin has challenged the government to address the issue of youth unemployment. Speaking at a Sinn Féin Youth forum in Navan last week Cllr Ní Shluáin made reference to the fact that 88,000 people under the age of 25 are now on the live register of which 8,065 are currently living in the Mid-East region of this state.

Cllr Ní Shluáin said:

“The policies of this government are failing young people, their families and their communities.There are 88,000 people under the age of 25 on the live register of which 8,065 live in the Mid-East region which covers counties Meath , Kildare and Wicklow".

“This is an outrage, I myself have just finished college and have firsthand experience of the difficulties faced by the young people of Ireland today. I have watched as many of my friends and classmates having graduated from college have been forced to leave for foreign shores in search of employment. Families, communities and this country are losing a generation. We are losing the very people who, given the opportunity, would provide the foundation stone Ireland needs to turn this recession around and kick start a new era of economic growth that would get this country back to work”.

Cllr Ní Shluáin went on to say:

“Since this government came to power youth unemployment has increased by 8.34%. The policies of this government are failing our young, failing us all.

“It is an insult that high paid ministers talk about unemployment being a lifestyle choice, when the only choice facing our young people is the dole queue or the boat.

“Sinn Féin has advocated investment in our young people and the economy. We have put forward plans to invest in jobs, education and training.

“Unlike our young people this government has choices to make. It can continue with the failed policies of cutting public services and paying billions to failed speculators or it can invest in our young people and the economy.”

Meath Sinn Féin’s education spokesperson Cllr Caoimhe Ní Shluáin has described the government decision to increase class sizes as another U-turn from Fine Gael and the Labour Party which is based on meeting EU/IMF targets regardless of the social consequences for children.

Speaking last week Cllr Ní Shluáin said:

“This cut represents another U-turn from Fine Gael and Labour who when in opposition argued correctly that larger class sizes not only affect the quality of teaching but make it more difficult to concentrate on children with special needs.

“Recently I was contacted by an SNA from a Primary school in Navan, this woman had just been made redundant due to government slashing of the education service, she had been employed by a local school for over seven years and feels as do I, that by removing SNA’s from their positions and increasing class sizes, this government will serve only to foster the isolation and vulnerability felt by children with disabilities or those from disadvantaged backgrounds”.

Cllr Ní Shluáin went on to say;

“This latest decision is a slap in the face to all of the public service workers that voted for this government under the mistaken belief that front line services would be safe from the chopping block. We already have some of the largest class sizes in Europe with 100,000 students in classes of more than 30 pupils”.

 “Large class sizes have, in the past, resulted in pupils leaving school without basic skills like being able to read or write. They also increase the disadvantage already felt by children of lower socio economic backgrounds”.

“This is a bad decision which is based on meeting EU/IMF targets regardless of the social consequences for our children who deserve so much better.”

Navan Town Councillor, Sinn Féin’s Caoimhe Ní Shluáin has described the proposed 22% increase in gas prices as a retrograde step that will have a disproportional affect those on low and middle incomes.

Cllr Ní Shluáin said “The gas users of Navan will be shocked at such a high increase in fuel charges. The least well off are being hit from every angle with, new charges and cuts in wages. This increase also comes in a week when the government announced its €100 Household Charge”.

Speaking in Navan this week Ní Shluáin said:

“News of the proposed gas price increase this week came just as the government was announcing changes to the JLC wage agreements, this will be disastrous for the people of Navan who utilize gas for basic needs such as heating and cooking”.


“Since this government took power the least well off have been hit from every angle with increased prices, new charges, cuts in wages and cuts in public services, all implemented to pay bankers and bondholders”.

“This government needs to realise that many people in today’s Ireland are at breaking point and need to be protected from such things as gas price increases”.

“Figures released this week show that 1,300 gas and electricity users per month are being cut off, so how can people be expected to absorb this extra cost? The answer is that many of them simple won’t be able to".

“The government cannot stand by and let this happen. The regulator is to make a final decision at the end of August after a consultation process. The government should halt any increase.”

Meath Ógra Shinn Féin held a Youth Event in Trim on Wednesday night to coincide with similar events taking place throughout the country, to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1981 Hunger Strike.

The evening consisted of a DVD showing, a book launch and a discussion by former hunger striker Paddy Quinn.

Quinn was well received by the audience. In an emotional contribution, he gave a detailed and accurate account of his experiences in the H-Blocks. He wanted to particularly address his remarks to young people he said, “It is very important that young people understand the Hunger strikes, what caused them and the legacy they have left behind. This period in Irish history became a catalyst for political change in Ireland.

The deaths of ten young men on hunger strike, 30 years later still reverberates through Irish politics today. Young people can learn from the leadership shown by the hunger strikers, their sacrifice, their commitment and their vision for the creation of a new Ireland where equality and prosperity would be enjoyed by all”.

Cllr. Caoimhe Ní Shluáin who was also in attendance, presented Paddy with a decorative crystal piece from Newgrange as a token of appreciation for having attended the event.

Meath Sinn Féin Ógra spokesperson Dylan MacMiacháin said; “We are delighted to have hosted this event. Everyone present has gained a sense of what it was like to be on hunger strike, as well as the dynamic of the hunger strike and the consequences it left behind. We in Ógra Shinn Féin feel it is important to learn from the past, in order to build for the future”.