News | MATT CARTHY TD

Sheep farmers need financial package following collapse of wool prices

Sheep farmers need financial package following collapse of wool prices – Matt Carthy TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Matt Carthy TD, has urged the government to put in place a direct support mechanism for sheep farmers following collapse in the price of wool over the last year.

The call follows a £1.27 million package being agreed in the north to support the sector there in the face of the continuing crisis.

Teachta Carthy said:

“Sheep farmers need urgent financial support following a collapse in wool prices that shows no sign of abating. The department have been too slow to respond.

“While securing flexibility in the reference year of the Sheep Welfare Scheme brings some level of reprieve, this does not go nearly far enough in providing the level of support farmers require. I have heard stories from farmers of being offered €20 euro for a dozen bags of wool.

“The scope of this problem cannot be exaggerated – farmers are being told by buyers that they there are fortunate to not be charged for disposal, let alone receive payment.

“Having been concerned about this issue for some time, Sinn Féin proposed to double the Sheep Welfare Payment to €20 per ewe this year – a costed proposal rejected by the Minister.

“The fact that in the north £1.27million has been allocated as an emergency package is evidence of the seriousness of the situation. A similar measure is required in this state.

“The very least of actions that the Minister can take would be to amend the Sheep Welfare Scheme to include the cost of clipping. In of itself, this would not cover the losses sheep farmers are facing, but it would help stem the tide and minimise any further losses.

“In the medium term there is a requirement for a comprehensive strategy aimed at revitalising the Irish wool industry. The recent commissioning of a feasibility study into the sector is welcome but it must be followed by plan that will ensure that the prime product of Irish wool is marketed and promoted at national and international levels so as to deliver a fair and sustainable price for our sheep farmers.”

ENDS

Carthy tackles Meat Industry’s use of Bogus Self-Employment at Public Accounts Committee

Carthy tackles Meat Industry’s use of Bogus Self-Employment at Public Accounts Committee

Local Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, last week discussed the issue of ‘bogus self-employment’ in the meat processing industry at a hearing in the Public Accounts Committee.

Bogus self-employment is the process whereby workers who would normally be considered employees are regarded as self-employed, or employed by intermediary companies, thereby negating the need for employers to pay employer PRSI and depriving workers of social protection entitlements.

He was speaking with Mr Martin McMahon, a campaigner against the practice who has appeared as a witness before multiple Oireachtas meetings on the subject.

The exchange went as follows:

Deputy Matt Carthy: “I welcome Mr. McMahon and thank him for his diligent pursuit of this issue. Regardless of what the Department of Social Protection and Revenue might outline about the cases, which is not to disparage their specific responses, the issue of bogus self-employment is real. Anybody who has been out in the real world knows that there are people who are classified as self-employed who, under any basic rationale, clearly are not. They are working for one employer on a full-time basis for a prolonged period.

“I refer to one case that I am aware of. I have a report here from a person who won a case. This person was working for a meat processing plant in Cork. The report states that the person is a line worker for a specific employer so he regards himself as an employee of an agency. He works for eight to ten hours a day. He was subject to control and direction. He is not free to take up similar work at the same time.

“It goes further to highlight how this individual was clearly an employee. However, his employment situation was that he technically worked for a company registered in his name in Poland, despite that he had never been to Poland. It took six months for this person to get his Scope decision and a further six months to have his decision regularised. Even then, his PRSI payments were apparently not backdated.

“The Department of Social Protection referred to its method, which it is confident in, of catching bogus self-employment through inspections. In the case I have outlined, there were not any follow-up inspections of that person’s colleagues, who one would have to imagine are in the exact same position.

“Representatives of Meat Industry Ireland attended the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response. They spoke of the use of agency workers and they indicated that the use of agency workers in that sector was actually declining at the moment.

Does Mr. McMahon get a sense that the number of workers who are entrapped into this type of employment situation across all sectors is declining or increasing?

“How many people are involved? Is the emergence of new types of companies, such as Deliveroo, and workers associated with such companies contributing to an increase in such employment or is it a type of employment practice that is in decline, as stated by Meat Industry Ireland?”

Mr. Martin McMahon: “I thank the Deputy for his questions. I will take it from the start, and again the question here is cui bono? Who benefits from this situation?

“It is not the State and not the workers. It is the employers who are using this practice of bogus self-employment to save themselves circa 30% on labour costs. That is who benefits. If the Revenue is saying that bogus self-employment is not an issue, it should prove it. If it is saying it is an issue, it should quantify it. Otherwise, it is not at this game at all.

“On meat processing, what the Deputy is referring to with the agency are intermediary-type set-ups. Those are what we call the workplace with no employees. They are moving or being moved to intermediary-type set-ups, as would be used by the likes of Ryanair. A company with six directors, all of whom are pilots, supplies services to Ryanair exclusively. As the pilots association will confirm, as far as it is concerned, the pilots concerned are employees.

“The practice of setting up an intermediary company to disguise the reality that people are employees is on the rise. The chairman of the Revenue Commissioners has said there are many thousands of these companies out there. Some of these companies have even received awards from the State for what they are doing. It is ridiculous.

“On inspections, this is very interesting. Figures from the Revenue Commissioners on inspections show the number is in the low thousands. Back in 1998, the Comptroller and Auditor General sent officials from the Revenue out to inspect 60,000 employment situations within the construction industry and they found 12,000 of them to be misclassified.

“Two years later, the Committee of Public Accounts, under the chairmanship of the late Deputy Jim Mitchell, did the same thing. Some 60,000 employment roles were examined and 12,000 were found to be misclassified as self-employed. That is a huge number. It was 18% or 19% back in 1999 and 2000.

“Now, Revenue is doing at most a couple of thousand inspections per year and is saying it is capturing all the bogus self-employment. How could it?

“What changed was the employment status group. A decision was made that the status quo must remain and those wide-scale investigations stopped completely. They have never been repeated in any sector. The level of bogus self-employment within the construction sector according to ICTU is now 23% so it has not decreased over the 20 years since this last came up in this committee. It has increased.”

Matt Carthy: “There have been several reports of what is known as blacklisting, where workers are either threatened with losing or do lose their jobs for even attempting to raise the issue of their employment status.

“I referred to the meat processing sector because it is often the case that employees or self-employed people in that area happen to be independently working through an agency for a factory, for example, while also renting their accommodation from the same source. It is not just that these workers’ jobs are at risk but also their homes. Does Mr. McMahon have any evidence or reportage regarding the type of means by which blacklisting occurs?

“It occurs to me that the solution should be fairly simple in one sense because there is a legislative route we could explore. I say that because I understand how there could be an element of self-employment in the construction sector. In many cases, we are talking about small, independent contractors which might need carpenters or labourers for a defined time. It would not make sense for either party to be involved in an employment contract per se.

“However, if we were to set out in legislation conditions to clarify when an obligation falls on an employer to consider someone an employee, for example, a defined period of time, number of hours or number of contracts in an employment, that could provide a means to easily resolve a large proportion of these cases. Does Mr. McMahon have a sense of what those definitions should be regarding periods of time, lengths of contracts and numbers of hours worked?

Mr. Martin McMahon: “On blacklisting in meat processing and construction, fear is the big word. It is not just me saying this because the Department acknowledges it and ICTU have stated this in the committee. Fear of being blacklisted is the major concern. It has happened in construction and in the case of the 16 workers I represented in the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2016.

“I take the Deputy’s point on whether some indicator could trigger employment status. Really and truly, as the Revenue Commissioners have stated, it does not matter whether people want to be self-employed. The only question is whether the legal criteria apply. Nothing else matters.

“People cannot choose not to pay tax just because they do not want to. The State is entitled to its cut. Everybody who gets paid has a contract. The payer has a contract and it is the State that is entitled, as part of the social contract, to deduct taxes and PRSI. Just because people do not want to pay tax and PRSI, they cannot use self-employment or bogus self-employment as the out. It is not as simple as a tick-box exercise, even if Revenue, the Department of Social Protection and the Social Welfare Appeals Office are using a tick-box exercise.”

Following the meeting, Deputy Carthy said:

“It is apparent that bogus self-employment is a systemic cross-sectoral issue, but particularly prevalent in some sectors such as the meat processing sector.

“It should be a national scandal that neither the Department of Social Protection nor the Revenue Commissioners seem interested in tackling this issue.

“What makes it even more egregious is that at the same time the government is telling us they wish for us to hold off on retirement until 67, due a supposed pensions crisis.

“Mr McMahon told the Public Accounts Committee that ICTU has calculated the amount of uncollected PRSI as a result of bogus self-employment to be as much as €1 billion per year.

“Minister Heather Humphries has set up a commission to consider options with regards to the pension age. Prior to any suggestion that workers should be forced to labour on for another two years, the Minister should outline what action she intends to take to tackle these uncollected PRSI contributions.”

ENDS

Easter Rising Commemoration goes online for second year

Easter Rising Commemoration goes online for second year

“Celebrate those who fought for our freedom yesterday by working towards it today” So concluded Cavan Monaghan TD, Matt Carthy, in his Easter Rising commemoration address last weekend.

For the second year running, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, it was not possible to hold the annual Easter gatherings to remember those who fought for Irish Freedom. Instead, once again, Co. Monaghan Sinn Féin organised an online commemoration featuring recitations of the Proclamation of the Republic and the Monaghan Republican Roll of Honour, music and private wreath laying ceremonies across the county. Almost 4,000 people have currently viewed the online event which is still available to view on the County Monaghan Sinn Féin Facebook page and on YouTube.

Separate online commemorations were held across the country and abroad with the National Sinn Féin event being watched by over 40,000 viewers. It included a keynote address from Sinn Féin president, Marylou McDonald, in which she called on political leadership to show an ambition that matches the hope of a generation rising up with tenacity to lay claim to our destiny – by preparing for Irish Unity.

Introduction by Cllr. Cathy Bennett

North Monaghan Councillor, Cathy Bennett, opened the Co. Monaghan online commemoration, recounting the disappointment of many that “we are unable to gather together at the graves of our fallen patriots to mark the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising”.

She said, regardless, that the online event was an important opportunity to reflect and remember. She said: “At Easter we recall the words of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic – the republic we still pursue, and that we are closer than ever to bringing to reality.

“Here, we will remember especially those from County Monaghan who are listed on the Republican Roll of Honour, including Seamus McElwain whose 35^th anniversary falls this year. We remember Seamus and all those who fought and died for Ireland with pride” she stated.

Cllr. Bennett thanked all those who worked on this commemoration, particularly David Marron who produced the online video tribute.

Proclamation, Roll of Honour & Wreath layings

During the online event the Proclamation of the Irish Republic was recited by Ógra Shinn Féin members from across County Monaghan, with the cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Colm Carthy reading the opening lines and concluding with the listing of the signatories. Ógra SF members who contributed included: Eleanor Murphy, Oisín McConnon, Pete Donaghy, Kathleen Connolly, Paudi Meehan, Leanne Mulligan, Paul Traynor, Ruth Dooley Duffy, Stephen Murray, Tara Reilly, and Therese Donaghy.

In a poignant moment the County Monaghan Republican Roll of Honour was read aloud by the nephew of one of those whose name appears on that list. James McElwain, nephew of Seamus McElwain who was assassinated by the British SAS in 1986, recalled each of those IRA volunteers who died as a result of Active Service from 1916 to the most recent phase of the conflict.

This was followed by footage of wreath laying ceremonies that were held across County Monaghan in the days leading up to Easter in line with public health guidelines.

The wreath at the Fearghal Ó hAnnluian monument in Monaghan Town, the traditional start point of the Monaghan Easter commemoration was laid by former Dáil Deputy, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

Other wreath layings included: Cllr. Colm Carthy at Carrickmacross, Cllr. Pat Treanor at Clones, Ownie Kirk at Donaghmoyne, Cllr. Cathy Bennett at Scotstown & Knockatallon, Cllr. Seán Conlon at Tyholland, Paul Gibbons at Castleblayney, Catriona Moen at Clontibret, Vincent Hanratty & Eileen Hanratty Gomez at Corduff, Jackie Crowe at Castleblayney, Josephine O’Hagan at Clara, Veronica Connolly at Carrickroe, Rosie Smyth O’Harte at Ballybay and Cllr. Noel Keelan at Inniskeen.

Tribute to Margaret Skinnader

The Co. Monaghan online Easter Commemoration included a special tribute to a daughter of County Monaghan – Margaret Skinnader.

Margaret, like James Connolly, was born in Scotland to Monaghan parents and participated in the 1916 Easter Rising.

During the centenary celebrations of the Rising in 2016 Seán Ó Roideáin penned a ballad in her memory. He made a recording of the song for use in this commemoration which became one of the more popular aspects of the event.

Address by Matt Carthy TD

In a speech delivered at the 1916 memorial at Market Square, Carrickmacross, local Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy provided the main oration for the online commemoration.

He said:

“Easter is special time of the year.

“It is a time of reflection, regeneration, prayer and remembrance.

“For Irish Republicans it is a time of commemoration.

“Unfortunately, for the second year running, we are unable to gather together in the usual way and instead are remembering our fallen patriots in our own homes or through online events.

“It was on Easter Monday in 1916 that Padraig Pearse stood outside the GPO in Dublin and read aloud the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, an act which set in train a series of events that led to the downfall of the British empire and inspired millions of freedom-loving people all over the world. The words of the proclamation continue to guide Irish Republicans to this day.

“We remember proudly all those who have given their lives in the pursuit of Irish Freedom.

“In County Monaghan we remember those on the Republican Roll of Honour associated with our own great county.

“People like James Connolly, a son of Monaghan parents, born in Glasgow he returned to Ireland and founded the Irish Citizen Army and became a leader in the Easter Rising – his writings continue to guide socialists and republicans the world over.

“People like Fearghal O hAnnluain, a young man from Monaghan Town who saw the failures and injustice that the partition of our country had created and committed himself to undoing it. He was killed on active service on New Years Day in 1957.

“On this 40^th anniversary year of the 1981 Hunger Strike, we in Monaghan remember the ten brave men that lost their lives in Long Kesh gaol in order to defeat the attempts of the British government to criminalise the Irish freedom struggle.

“In County Monaghan we recall very especially, Kieran Doherty, a Belfast man who never set foot in Cavan Monaghan, but, who, nevertheless was elected as a TD for this constituency before he died on Hunger Strike. His election remains a source of real pride to republicans in these counties.

Seamus McElwain

“This year also marks the 35^th anniversary of the death of Volunteer Seamus McElwain, a true Co. Monaghan hero. Seamus was assassinated by the British SAS while on active service. Like James Connolly, Ferghal O hAnnluain and Kieran Doherty – Seamus McElwain was an Irish patriot who faced colonial injustice without fear.

“This Easter, we remember proudly all of those, across all generations who fought and died for the Irish Republic.

“This generation are in a fortunate position compared to those who came before us. We do not have to lay our lives on the line in pursuit of Irish freedom and unity – we just have to work for it.

Reaching our full potential

“Ireland is a great country and the Irish people are a great people. But, we have yet to realise our full potential.

“We cannot do us until we can house and shelter all of our people, until we can provide healthcare to everyone regardless of how much money is in their bank accounts or which part of the country they live in.

“We cannot do it until the burden of paying for public services is shared by the wealthy as well as ordinary workers and families.

“We cannot possibly reach our full potential until our country is reunited and we can build the Republic proclaimed in 1916.

“There is much work to do, we have yet to persuade everyone. But, the arguments in favour of a better, fairer and United Ireland are strengthening by the day – This can be seen in the growing support for Sinn Féin.

“We will get through this difficult period, just as the Irish people have persevered through even tougher times in the past.

“And, when we do, the movement towards an Ireland that is united, free and in which equality and prosperity for all becomes the catch cry of every political decision that is made, must continue.

“We can build a republic that cherishes all of our children; that puts the interests of workers and families ahead of the profits of the vultures and bankers and speculators.

“Be part of that endeavour.

“Celebrate those who fought for our freedom yesterday by working towards it today.

“Happy Easter.

“Beirgi Bua” he concluded.

The online County Monaghan Easter Rising commemoration then drew to a close with a beautiful rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann sang by Patricia Cosgrove.

“Now is the time for Irish Unity” – Mary Lou McDonald TD

In her Easter message, delivered separately on the National Sinn Féin social media sites, Mary Lou McDonald called on political leadership to show an ambition that matches the hope of a generation rising up with tenacity to lay claim to our destiny – by preparing for Irish Unity.

The Sinn Féin president said that a United Ireland presents an exciting opportunity to shape something new, something different and something better than anything that has gone before.

Teachta McDonald added that the grand vision of Pearse and Connolly has been renewed and that, much like the rebels of 1916, our generation too is impatient for change.

Teachta McDonald’s address read:

“The rebels of 1916 set out to liberate our country from British rule and to shape a nation that would thrive and prosper.

“They stepped into the role of change-makers because they believed in the new Ireland, the independent republic so poetically expressed in the proclamation.

“As a generation impatient for change, they knew their time had come. They seized the day. The legacy of the 1916 rebels bears witness in the Ireland of today.

“The people of this island – in the turbulence of a pandemic – again find ourselves at a crossroads. In a time of lives lost and lives disrupted, the failed ways of the old Ireland have been exposed like never before.

“And as we look forward together – as we seek change – Irish Unity comes into focus.

“A United Ireland presents an exciting opportunity to shape something new, something different, something better than anything that has gone before.

“A century on from partition, people wake up every morning and know that the divided Ireland of 2021 doesn’t work for them or their families. We see the broken politics of partition every day.

“People’s entire lives defined by the search for a home they can afford, by the struggle to access treatments when they are sick, working long hours and still not making ends meet, younger people starved of opportunity, and rural towns and villages left behind.

“The lack of fairness and inequality is frightening. People want better. They are fed-up with politics from a bygone age that holds them back and stifles their potential.

“The politics that gave us the Magdalene Laundries, industrial schools, mass emigration, fostered by a political class that desperately clings to past and to power.

“We recognise that partition is at the root of these failures and we are fired-up with ambition for the future.

“We see clearly that the task of bringing about real change for workers and families is linked inextricably to the goal of reunifying our country.

“The politics of a new Ireland has come of age. The grand vision of Pearse and Connolly is renewed.

“Irish Unity means positive change for us all. Not only is it achievable, it is necessary.

An idea whose time has come

“The practical challenges posed by Covid-19 and Brexit make this apparent. These crises have reshaped and energised the conversation on a United Ireland. Unity is being talked about in every corner of our island. This is because Irish Unity makes sense. It’s the very best idea for the future of Ireland.

“A United Ireland is an idea whose time has come. Much like the rebels of 1916, our generation too is impatient for change.

We refuse to accept the limitations of the past. We know that better is possible and we look with fresh eyes and fresh hearts at the prospect of Irish Unity.

We are excited and enthusiastic about the new beginning that unity offers our people.

Éire nua inar féidir lenár dteanga, ár gcultúr agus ár n-oidhreacht bláthú.

No longer will we be constrained by the unambitious dogma of official Ireland that so badly failed our parents and their parents before them.

No longer will we be told – this far and no further. A new generation is rising up with the hope and tenacity to lay claim to our destiny and to the future of our island.

Those in political leadership must show an ambition that matches this hope. Nowhere is that more important than in the office of An Taoiseach. We will not be constrained by old, jaded thinking. Or by those who wish to cast the debate on Irish Unity as an exhausted collision between green and orange or as a friction point between Britishness and Irishness.

“This gets us nowhere. Irish Unity is not the politics of shame or loss. It’s the politics of progress. The politics of a nation that transcends all the hurt, division and conflict of the past by forging a new future together, for all us.

“A people moving forward in the inclusive belief that no matter our backgrounds, no matter our identities, no matter the journey we have travelled to this point – that we can reconcile, that we can heal divisions, that we can lift each other up.

“The things we have in common – the things that bring us together – are far greater than those which divide us.

“In Ireland of 2021, the grave mistake and injustice of partition has come full circle.

“Partition has failed and unity is the answer. The winds of change blow all around us.

“It would be unforgivable, to emerge from this pandemic and not seize the opportunity to prepare for unity, for our new Ireland.

“We must prepare for a referendum on Irish Unity, for the people to have their say. Both governments must prepare for unity. The people must prepare too.

“Caithfimid labhairt faoin todhchaí. Caithfimid ullmhú don todhchaí, le chéile.

“When it comes to the future of our country, treading water is not good enough. It never has been. Now is the time for real ambition.

“Friends, today, we gather online to honour those who gave their lives for Irish freedom and we send solidarity to the families of our patriot dead.

“In so doing, we look firmly to the future. The last twelve months have been incredibly difficult for our people. However, through the chaos, hardship and pain, we have an exciting opportunity to build something new, something better – a United Ireland.

“We can do this. We can be the generation that unites Ireland. We – the people of Ireland – are up to this task.

“During this pandemic, you have responded with togetherness, kindness and compassion. This is who we are. These are the values of unity. The rebels of 1916 were the change-makers of their day.

“Today, the role of change-maker falls to us. This is our time.

“The past was for those who seek to divide. The future is for those of us who seek to unite.

“Those who seek to hold back the tide of change can have yesterday. But tomorrow is ours. A new and united Ireland is on the horizon. Let’s seize this moment, together.

“Ar aghaidh linn le chéile. An Phoblacht Abú!”

ENDS

Second-Hand Cars in Ireland ‘the most expensive in Europe’

Second-Hand Cars in Ireland ‘the most expensive in Europe’ – Carthy

SF TD calls for government action as Brexit increases costs

Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, has expressed frustration at what he described as Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s ‘disinterest’ in addressing soaring second-hand car costs that have increased even further post Brexit.

Deputy Carthy raised the matter with An Taoiseach during an interaction on Promised Legislation last week. He expressed frustration that Micheál Martin showed no appetite to resolve the fallout from Brexit that has resulted in additional costs on second-hand car sales which are already the most expensive in Europe. The situation is hitting consumers hard and threatening the viability of thousands of car dealerships across the state.

Deputy Matt Carthy told the Taoiseach:

“One of the more bizarre and unfortunate consequences of Brexit has been the impact of Revenue’s interpretation of third country rules on second-hand car sales.

“Due to the size of that market and because we share a right-hand drive system, Britain has been the source of a large proportion of our second-hand vehicles.

“The new situation means that, bizarrely, a car produced in Britain can enter the Irish market at no extra cost while a car produced in the EU before being traded in Britain incurs a further 10% customs levy on entering the Irish market – on top of VAT at 21% – and on top of VRT charges.

“This makes second-hand cars in this State the most expensive in Europe.

“Will the Taoiseach commit to engaging with Revenue, the Department of Finance and our EU counterparts to see if this situation can be resolved in the interest of consumers and the businesses involved?”

In his response, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:

“This issue was not caused by Revenue but by Brexit.

“This is how the trade agreement has been interpreted, and not only by the EU.

“We are engaging with the European Union with regard to a number of goods which have been similarly affected by third country status when traded from Europe into the UK before returning to the EU through Ireland. That is the position.

“It is not bizarre but one of the real foreseeable, predictable consequences of Brexit.

“That is why I always felt Brexit was a very bad idea. I believe many companies in Britain do not yet realise how bad an idea it is for many British jobs, companies and businesses. This is the unfortunate reality of Brexit.

“We will engage with the EU on these issues, but it is the reality of Brexit.”

Following the debate Deputy Carthy said:

“The Taoiseach seems to take the approach that this a result of Brexit and people will have to live it. That won’t provide much comfort to those looking to purchase second-hand cars today and paying well over what anyone would find reasonable. It will provide little comfort to those car dealerships concerned about their viability.

“I made a straightforward request to the Taoiseach to ask him to speak to government departments and agencies as well as the EU deliver solutions to this problem. I am disappointed with the Taoiseach’s response but I intend to pursue this matter over the coming weeks.”

ENDS

Carthy welcomes passage of Sinn Féin Bill to preserve 1916 battleground site

Carthy welcomes passage of Sinn Féin Bill to preserve 1916 battleground site

Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, has welcomed the fact that the government has supported the passage through the Dáil of a Sinn Féin Bill aimed at preserving the Moore Street area of Dublin, regarded as a key cultural site in light of its connections to the Easter Rising.

Speaking during the Dáil debate on the legislation, tabled by his Sinn Féin colleague, Deputy Carthy lamented that successive governments had allowed this historically important site from entering into the ownership of British speculators and developers.

Deputy Carthy said:

“The Moore Street district is incredibly important to our revolutionary history, culture and heritage as a nation. It is a place that holds much pride for many across the thirty-two Counties of and many Irish across the globe. Moore Street is where five of the great leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising met for the last time.

“The district should long have been a national monument. That it was not is in many ways symbolic of the attitude of successive Governments to the ideals of Easter week and the legacy of the great leaders of that period.

“That it was even possible for a property consortium to acquire large tracts of land and buildings in the area with the intention of large-scale demolition and commercial construction is telling. That the developers enjoyed the connivance of Governments and city councils is shameful.

“To add insult to injury, when large parts of the property ended up in State ownership via the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, the State failed to recognise its previous failures and the sites were fire sold to another large British commercial shopping mall chain. The intention is for a large shopping centre to be built on this historic location.

“Thankfully, due to the diligent efforts of the relatives of the Rising’s leaders as well as other campaigners, this obscenity has not yet come to pass.

“Thanks to Deputy Ó Snodaigh’s legislation, which I commend him for, the House can preserve and revitalise the historic 1916 Moore Street quarter and ensure that the State no longer allows this important part of our heritage to be dispensed for corporate greed.

“As such, this is an important opportunity that we should all grasp.

“We should always remember with pride those who fought and died for Irish freedom and independence”.

Speaking after the debate Deputy Carthy welcomed the fact that the government had supported the passage of the legislation through to the next stage. “It is incumbent” he said “that there are no barriers placed in the way of this legislation progressing through all order stages and being made law.”

Easter Commemoration goes online

Meanwhile, Matt Carthy confirmed this week that, in line with public health restrictions, the annual Co. Monaghan Sinn Féin Easter Rising Commemoration will take place online.

Deputy Carthy said: “Unfortunately, for the second year running, the annual Easter Rising commemoration cannot take place in the traditional format.

“Instead, once again the commemoration will take place virtually and will be broadcast on Facebook and Youtube. Regardless of the restrictions it is always important that we remember our fallen patriots and the ideals for which they fought and died.

“I am delighted that County Monaghan Sinn Féin will host a fitting tribute and I encourage people of all ages to watch and share online this weekend”.

ENDS

Carthy cautiously welcomes N-S Interconnector Review reports

Carthy cautiously welcomes N-S Interconnector Review reports

Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, has cautiously welcomed reports that the Taoiseach has confirmed that a review of the proposed North-South Interconnector is to be carried out. But, he warned, ‘the devil will be in the detail.’

He said that confirmation is required from the Minister with responsibility, Eamon Ryan who ruled out any such review when questioned in the Dáil by Deputies Carthy and Darren O’Rourke on 10^th March. Carthy said that any review must have an adequate terms of reference that avoids the scope for fudge and that, in the interim, EirGrid must be directed to cease procurement of materials related to overhead pylons for the Interconnector.

Deputy Carthy said:

“The North South Interconnector can and should be undergrounded. In fact, it is the only way that the project will receive the necessary public acceptable from the communities affected. Previous reviews have confirmed that it is a feasible option for this development.

“Therefore, I cautiously welcome reports that the Taoiseach has committed to a review of the project. But the devil will be in the detail. We have been down this path before with previous examinations only to have local communities left disillusioned by the poor level of engagement or scope of the review.

“The terms of reference of any such review and the makeup on any panel will be crucially important. The terms must allow for a comprehensive analysis of the underground option in terms of feasibility, cost, public acceptance and impact on the environment, land-use and visual amenities.

“The position of Minister Éamon Ryan will be pivotal. On the 10^th March the Minister informed me and other Deputies, including Darren O’Rourke, Johnny Guirke and Pauline Tully, that he would not consider any review. In fact he even refused to meet anyone who had an alternative view of the project to EirGrid.

“The first test as to whether this is a serious review will be if the government now instruct EirGrid to cease purchase of materials related to Pylon-supporting powerlines pending the result of the review.

“I commend the local campaigning communities, particularly the members of the County Monaghan Anti Pylon Committee and the North East Pylon Pressure group, for their determined efforts to ensure that their voices have been heard. Undoubtedly, it has been their work that has brought the Taoiseach to the point of committing to a review. Vigilance is now required to ensure that the North South Interconnector can be brought to fruition through the only means that will garner community acceptance, via the use of underground technology”.

ENDS

Government approach will fail both farmers & the environment

Government approach will fail both farmers & the environment – Carthy

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Matt Carthy, has said of the three government leaders who launched the new Climate Action Bill this week “none can be trusted to deliver for either the environment or Irish family farmers”.

He said that the conflicting commentary from Eamon Ryan, Mícheál Martin and Leo Varadkar as to the numbers of cattle in the national herd showed that they each “completely miss the point”.

Teachta Carthy said:

“The crucial issue is not simply how many cattle there are in Ireland – it is how those cattle are reared. Some forms of production are more sustainable than others. Government party leaders completely miss that point.

“Our suckler herd produces among the most sustainable beef in the world. But, it is among the least profitable.

“Other forms of production such as Factory Feedlots, on the other hand, are much less sustainable and provide less benefit to rural communities. To reduce the number of suckler cows while facilitating the continued intensification of feedlot production would be utterly pointless.

“To reduce Ireland’s beef production while supporting EU trade deals that will result in the importation of less-sustainable beef in other parts of the world is also nonsensical.

“The EU Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly has described as ‘maladministration’ the failure of the European Union to conclude a Sustainability Impact Assessment in advance of concluding the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Yet this government have not yet committed to rejecting this trade deal that would see up to 99,000 tonnes of beef flood the European market and directly led to further destruction of rainforests.

“The stance on Mercosur is reflective of the approach from the Green Party to sustainability. Their consistent position is to impose standards at home that simply exports the climate impact to other countries.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have a long record of abandoning smaller family farmers in their drive for further intensification and reduced profitability while simultaneously facilitating the dominance of large processors and retailers. None of this delivers for either the environment or farming communities.

“If government are serious about tackling the climate crisis and supporting Irish farming then they will ensure that Environmental and Agricultural policy is aimed at supporting farming families to thrive by increasing financial supports to the most sustainable sectors, addressing market imbalances, facilitating entry of smaller farmers to organic schemes, revitalising farm forestry and promoting diversification.

“None of these measures have been forthcoming from any of the government parties. Their approach fails both the environment and our family farmers.”

ENDS

EU Ombudsman findings demand immediate halt of Mercosur ratification

EU Ombudsman findings demand immediate halt of Mercosur ratification – Matt Carthy TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture Matt Carthy TD has called on the government to bring forward its review of the Mercosur Trade Deal in response to findings from the EU Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, that the delays in publishing a Sustainability Impact Assessment amounted to ‘maladministration.’

Teachta Carthy said:

“This trade deal will open Europe up to an additional 99,000 tonnes per year of beef imports from Brazil and other Mercosur states.

“At a time when government claims that it is striving to expand afforestation at home, it is non-sensical that we would endorse a trade deal that will lead to the destruction of rain forests in South America.

“The Mercosur deal will have a detrimental impact on Irish beef farmers who have already operating at unsustainable margins.

“A sustainability impact assessment is unnecessary for anyone with a semblance of sense to realise that this trade deal will result in further damage to the environment abroad and less money in the pockets of farmers at home.

“However, the determination of the EU Ombudsman leaves absolutely no doubt that the ratification of this noxious trade deal should be immediately halted. Ireland should take the lead in this regard.

“Last November the Minister for Agriculture confirmed to me in the Dáil that the government was carrying out its own economic and sustainability impact on the effects of the deal.

“The government needs to immediately bring forward the publication of this review so that the full threat posed to Ireland is apparent before the government attempts to yet ahead press again with a disadvantageous trade deal”.

ENDS

Carthy urges parents to register for school transport as 66 Monaghan children still left stranded

Carthy urges parents to register for school transport as 66 Monaghan children still left stranded

Local Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy has urged local parents to register their children for the Bus Éireann school transport scheme ahead of the April 30^th deadline.

Registrations are only required at this stage for those not already participating in the scheme or those who have moved address, with those seeking a renewal of existing tickets due to be contacted in July.

Deputy Carthy this week revealed that 66 children in County Monaghan, who are eligible for school transport, still remain without a bus seat due to the failure of government to provide sufficient places.

The Cavan Monaghan TD said:

“The provision of school transport in Monaghan this academic year proved to be a fiasco for many families.

“Throughout the year I was working with parents of children who were eligible for school transport but who registered late for the scheme. In the midst of the pandemic, when many were struggling financially it was understandable how this happened. But, unfortunately government were slow to show any understanding and slower still to provide the spaces necessary.

“The families concerned were met by an overburdened customer support system in Bus Éireann, and an Education Minister who failed to recognise the hardship caused when a child is refused a place on their school bus.

“According to a response to a Parliamentary Question I submitted there are still 66 eligible children in County Monaghan who have not secured a place on school transport.

“I will continue to press for a full re-evaluation of the school transport system so as to ensure that every child can get a seat on a bus to the school of their choice.

“But, in the meantime, I urge all parents of children starting a new school in September or joining the school transport scheme for the first time, to ensure that they register before the 30^th April deadline”.

ENDS

Government must save Clones & Castleblayney Bank of Ireland branches

“Government must save Clones & Castleblayney Bank of Ireland branches”

Sinn Féin online Public Meeting hears call for action

The government must use its substantial stake in the Bank of Ireland to prevent the closures of local branches in Clones and Castleblayney.

That was the clear message delivered at a public meeting, held online due to Covid-19 restrictions, organised by local Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, last Friday evening. The meeting, attended by local businesses and members of the community in both towns, heard from Deputy Carthy that when local towns lose banking services it results in lower levels of investment and therefore has a negative impact on the wider economy in the area. The meeting also heard from local Sinn Féin representations, Cllr. Pat Treanor from Clones and Paul Gibbons of Castleblayney who is the Vice-chair of Co. Monaghan Sinn Féin.

At the outset of the meeting Deputy Carthy explained that there are 103 branches facing closure next September across the island. He said that the decision was a particular blow to Co. Monaghan as, alongside the proposed closures of the Clones and Castleblayney branches, the bank also intended to shut neighbouring branches at Cootehill in County Cavan, Keady and Crossmaglen in County Armagh and Lisnaskea in County Fermanagh.

He told the meeting that the decision was taken by Bank of Ireland without consultation and in the midst of a Pandemic. The decision was taken on footfall over the past 12 months, “a cynical move by the Bank as a cost-cutting exercise without any regard for rural communities” he said.

Pandemic

Deputy Carthy continued: “The Bank have said this move is a result of the reduced customer attendance at the branches but have failed to acknowledge that due to lockdowns, many older and vulnerable people cocooning have limited their visits to banks while the enforced closure of businesses would also account for much of the reduction in footfall”.

He described the bank’s new partnership with An Post as inadequate as post offices will only be able to offer ‘over the counter cash and cheque lodgements and cash withdrawals.’

He said: “At the minute customers can apply for products and get financial advice as well as lodge and withdraw cash/cheques. Most of these services will not be available through the post office. It has been particularly galling to hear local government representatives repeat the bank’s propoganda that this will replace the loss of the bank branches.

Bailed-out

Deputy Carthy reminded those in attendance that Bank of Ireland made over €1 billion profit in the year before the Pandemic. “So this is no more than a cost-cutting exercise” he said.

“They were bailed out to the tune of €4.7 billion and they will not have to pay Corporate tax for a large number of years because they are shielding future and current profits with losses incurred during the financial crisis.

“Fianna Fáil & Fine Gael reps were happy to facilitate the bank with billions of euro and then facilitate the bank in avoiding their tax obligations – but when it comes to local communities needing a service, they say they cannot intervene” he stated.

Impact on Clones and Castleblayney

Deputy Carthy said that Clones and Castleblayney were two towns that had suffered from economic neglect and the impact of partition for generations. Local communities have tried hard in recent years to rebuild and they, alongside local businesses, have done tremendous work. But the removal of services knocks them back.

“The loss of the Bank of Ireland branch in these areas will be a huge blow not only to those who reside in the towns but also to the outlying surrounding areas.

“Those worst affected will be older people and those with special needs to require face-to-face services. The broadband in many rural areas in Monaghan means that online banking often doesn’t work.

“This closure, coupled with the previous removal of other public services from our county, will lead to increased loneliness and social isolation. Banks are part of our local communities and their removal has a further community impact”.

Bank Workers

Referencing the local people who work in the branches, Deputy Carthy said that they were treated disgracefully. “These workers are part of the community” he said, “they have local connections and local understanding. Branch networks are like footprints in a community, it is traditional, and you will find that families down the years will be loyal to a particular bank. The staff are part of that footprint.

“The staff were given the news 15 minutes before it was announced to the public in some branches. That is nothing short of obscene.

“We in Sinn Féin are in touch with the Financial Services Union who have described the workers as ‘shell-shocked’. There has been a major change in the banking landscape across Ireland lately with the Ulster Bank pulling out and now these closures. Thousands of workers are involved.

“Staff in other branches are naturally apprehensive that they could be next”.

Government Responsibility

Deputy Carthy continued: “The government have a responsibility. There has always been ‘light touch regulation’ which essentially means the banks can do whatever they want and now that we have a significant stake in these banks, nothing has changed.

“The Government has a responsibility to plan the Irish economy and deliver balanced regional development and these closures run contrary to that.

“If their policies and Programme for Government and what they say they are doing are matched by their actions, then they wouldn’t be allowing this to happen the way it is happening.

“Government parties claim that they are committed to delivering balanced regional development. That requires local economies and regional economies across the country. That, in turn, requires financial infrastructure like banks and post offices. State services and financial services need to be in all or most of these areas.

“The problem is that if you lose it, then it’s harder to get it back, so the task must be – don’t lose it in the first place.

“There is political consensus that the PTSB should buy the Ulster Bank loans and PTSB have gone further saying they will buy some local Ulster Bank branches.

“They wouldn’t do that if they didn’t think they were viable. Ulster Bank are closing around 80 branches but we never bailed them out at any stage so we have little leverage there.

“But, we DO have leverage of the 14% stake-holding with the Bank of Ireland. And, government must use it.

Businesses & Investment

“Local Businesses need a local branch for personal servicing of their account” Carthy said.

“Start-ups especially always need support from their local branch rather than the anonymity of large branches. In a rural setting they can depend on the personal relationship with the bank and its manager.

“Local banking services are essential infrastructure for any local economy and any loss of a bank, especially the very last one, is detrimental to the local economy. Research shows that there is a 2/3 credit growth reduction (credit growth is money lent to businesses) if a bank leaves an area”.

Call to action

Deputy Carthy outlined how British bank financial regulators have stated that there should be no bank closures during the pandemic.

This should be the position in Ireland also. “In fact closures shouldn’t even be contemplated until the end of 2022 and pending a wholescale review of banking services in Ireland”, he said.

“The Minister of Finance Paschal Donohue holds a 14% shareholding in the Bank of Ireland on behalf of the Irish people. In terms of what we want to happen now, Sinn Féin are calling for activism from individuals and organisations to force the government to use this stake in the public interest”.

Sinn Féin are asking people:

To email the Minister (minister@finance.gov.ie) calling on him to use his influence to delay or secure a moratorium on these closures.
To sign the petition in opposition to these closures at www.my.uplift.ie/petitions/keep-our-bank-branch-open.
To send emails to local government supporting TDs asking them to support their local branch
Contact Bank of Ireland directly explaining the importance of our local bank branches.

Deputy Carthy concluded by reminding those gathered that this is a campaign that can be won. “This isn’t just a case of lonely Monaghan towns fighting for the survival of their local banks against the big boys”, he said “we are part of a wider campaign from 103 towns in every part of Ireland facing the same problem. If we can replicate resistance in each of these areas we stand a better chance of succeeding. This is a David & Golaith fight but if we all join together, we stand a chance of saving these important centres in our local towns” he concluded.

Cllr. Pat Treanor

In his remarks to the meeting local Sinn Féin Councillor, Pat Treanor, said that this announcement was the last thing Clones needed.

He told the meeting:

“The businesses and community in the Clones area are particularly annoyed and disappointed by this closure because 6 years ago, when we lost the Ulster Bank branch, Bank of Ireland promised that they were here to stay. The announcement that they are now withdrawing another service from Clones has let people down badly.

“Speaking to business people this week, I know that many of them need a basic service for depositing their weekly cash takings in a safe and secure place. The town needs the ATM facility so that people have access to cash to shop in Clones.

“Many older people are scared that they won’t have access to their savings. They will miss the chats with the bank staff, who they trusted, about wills, or their farms, or their savings.

“As a local councillor, I’ve also listened to the concerns about this iconic prominent building in the centre of our town. No one wants to see another vacant property, especially when we’re having some success at dealing with dereliction.

“We must be given time to determine a useful alternative for this bank building, in the event of Bank of Ireland refusing to reverse their decision” Cllr. Treanor concluded.

Paul Gibbons

Paul Gibbons from Castleblayney, who is the vice-chair of Co. Monaghan Sinn Féin, recorded to the meeting the many voices of concern which he had heard from the business and wider community since the news of the imminent closure of the Castleblayney branch of the Bank of Ireland.

He said: “For all of us in Castleblayney news of the imminent closure of our Bank of Ireland branch was not a great surprise. Opening hours and services have been reducing in the last few years and this along with the COVIUD pandemic has, of course, impacted hugely on footfall.

“Some people have been reassured by the continuing presence in Blayney of Allied Irish Bank in a key location in the town. There is however also a real fear that the business rationale that influenced the Bank of Ireland decision may also be in the mind of Allied Irish executives and initiate a similar outcome in relation to branch closures. I have no doubt Allied Irish are watching the response from communities, businesses and politicians to the Bank of Ireland announcements and this may influence their actions. This highlights the importance of providing an effective campaign in opposition to these closures.

“In the last few years in Castleblayney we have lost our Ulster bank branch on the Dublin road, and now have received news of the loss of the Bank of Ireland branch. If Allied Irish were to also close their Blayney branch the associated loss of banking services and 24/7 ATM access on our Main Street would be devastating.

“I must commend our Castleblayney Credit Union which has provided a wide range of financial services, a safe and secure place for savings and an affordable source of credit all with a member owned, not for profit ethos and is an integral part of our community. The Credit Union movement nationally however is not in a position currently to provide the full range of financial services to be a full service banking option.”

Mr. Gibbons continued: “The people who will be most impacted by this decision are people with literacy problems, the elderly, citizens with no internet access and with the ongoing lack of broadband in many parts of the wider Castleblayney area this represents a sizeable cohort of our community. For this reason the announced closure is an indefensible decision at any time but in the midst of a pandemic the decision is truly shameful and corporate cynicism at its worst.

“The rise of online banking is unstoppable and for many people it is their preferred way of interacting with their bank. However, this is not an option for everybody and it is vital that the rights of these people are articulated and defended. The future of banking in the short to medium term should be a blended solution with a strong online presence complimented by a branch network.

“The Irish people were there for Bank of Ireland when they needed help in the economic crash. We are asking that the Bank of Ireland repay some of that support and loyalty by being there for the businesses and community in Castleblayney and the other 102 communities where they have announced branch closures” he concluded.

Other elected representatives in attendance included the Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Cllr. Colm Carthy, and his Castleblayney/Carrickmacross MD colleague, Cllr. Noel Keelan. Cllr. Cathy Bennett from the Monaghan Municipal District was also in attendance. All gave their absolute commitment to support the campaign to retain full local bank services across County Monaghan.

Following a question and answer session with members of the public, the meeting concluded with agreement that all those in attendance would encourage others to participate in this important campaign.

ENDS