Statement by Seamus Healy TD 087 2802199
The government has this afternoon announced the closure of Kickham Barracks.
This is an outrageous decision which is completely indefensible on any grounds whatsoever. It will not save a cent for the exchequer. It will take €9 – €10 million per year out of the town, will cause further job losses and business closures. It is a vicious attack on soldiers and their families. Many are in negative equity and will be unable to sell houses. Soldiers will be foreced to commute to Limerick at a cost of €3000 per year or to resign from the Defence forces. This decision is totally unacceptable and will be fought with the greatest resolution.
When taken together with the proposed closure of St Michael’s Acute Psychiatric unit and the movement of the head office of the Vocational Education Committee out of Clonmel and South Tipperary, it is clear that the Labour – Fine Gael Coalition has targeted South Tipperary for savage attacks. The Government parties have abandoned the constituency.
Not since Clonmel was encircled by Cromwell’s forces in the 17th Century has South Tipperary been subjected to such a siege.
I call on all Oireachtas members, MEP’s and Councillors, especially those who belong to Fine Gael and Labour including Deputy Tom Hayes, Senator Denis Landy and MEP Phil Prendergast not to be found wanting in anything that may be necessary to repulse this onslaught.
Government must be told, not asked, to reverse the decision taken this afternoon immediately.
Signed: Deputy Seamus Healy
ULA Calls for NO vote in Dail Inquiries Referendum and YES vote in the Referendum on Judge’s Pay
The United Left Alliance TDs, Richard Boyd Barrett, Joan Collins, Clare Daly, Seamus Healy and Joe Higgins are calling for a ‘No’ vote in the Dáil Inquiries Referendum.
The need for an efficient, fair and transparent system for holding inquiries that throws a light on the workings of the state and its agencies, including the Gardaí as well as how the rich and powerful operate in this country and where appropriate bring out evidence and findings that could be used to prosecute wrongdoing is not contested by the United Left Alliance. The Tribunals of Inquiry we have seen over the last two decades have often fallen short on all of these counts.
In that sense the government’s proposal that is being put to a referendum is a missed opportunity. In fact if it is passed the powers that will be bestowed upon the government to hold inquiries into any matter of its choosing and make findings against an individual or individuals is open to abuse.
If this amendment is passed it will be up to a Dáil majority – in effect the Government – to decide on the subject-matter of an inquiry and the balance between the rights of individuals and the public interest. This power should not be entrusted solely to the government of the day. A more independent mechanism could have been proposed, such as Article 44 of the German Basic Law i.e. “[The Bundestag] shall have the right, on a motion of one quarter of its members, to establish an investigative committee, which shall take the requisite evidence at public hearings”.
In a briefing on the referendum by senior officials in Minister Howlin’s department to ULA and Technical group TDs and staff it was confirmed that no legal aid provision would be made to an ordinary citizen being compelled to appear before an Oireachtas inquiry as a witness or as an accused person. In other words only the rich and powerful would have the wherewithal to try to contest through the courts an attempt by an Oireactas enquiry to compel somebody to attend and be adequately represented in an inquiry scenario.
The reality is that there is no equality before the law or in this case before an Oireachtas inquiry. In both cases ones ability to acheive justice or defend oneself depends to a huge degree on the representation one can afford, if any.
Regarding the referendum on Judge’s pay the United Left Alliance advocates a Yes vote from the point of view that we oppose the special status afford to the judiciary, as high paid public servants, regarding matters of salary. In calling for a Yes vote we also take the opportunity to reiterate our opposition to the massive pay differentials that exist in Irish society, both public and private sector.
On 20th October 2011 in the Dáil during the debate on reforming public sector pensions we reiterated our call for a salary cap of €100,000 across the public service. This coupled with a steeply progressive system of income tax which would go some way to addressing the massive pay inequality that exists in this country.
http://www.unitedleftalliance.org/ula-calls-for-no-vote-in-dail-inquiries-referendum/
The Workers and Unemployed Action Group fully support the campaign to Keep Kickham Barracks Clonmel Open.
We all attended the recent meeting, which had fantastic support and which was very informative and honest. It proved there is nothing to be gained by closing Kickham Barracks and that the support for its retention is absolute. There is no reason whatsoever why Kickham Barracks should close.
Missing from picture, Cllr Helena McGee and Cllr Martin Henzey
We will support this campaign in any way we can. We are proud to stand and fight for the men and women who serve our community and country exceptionally and for the people of our community who have relied on the help and support of the staff of Kickham Barracks over the years.
There is also a petition in our office in Queen Street which anyone can call in and sign.
Thanks again for your support.
Deputy Seamus Healy TD
Cllr’s Pat English, Billy Shoer, Brian O’Donnell, Teresa Ryan, Helena McGee and Martin Henzey
Workers & Unemployed Action 