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Councillor Ted Tynan, Workers' Party

For up-to-date information and comments from Councillor Ted Tynan please visit his new website at https://tedtynan.wordpress.com/

To contact Cllr. Tynan plese telephone him on (086) 1908281 or email him on tedtynan@gmail.com

Tynan slams Budget which benefits the better off once again

Cllr. Ted Tynan speaking at the
Workers Party Ard Fheis last weekend.

Workers’ Party Councillor Ted Tynan has described this week’s budget as a con trick which claims to have given a little to everyone when in fact it has overwhelmingly benefitted the better off.

Cllr. Tynan said that the government had thrown crumbs at workers and the least well off with one eye on the election but when examined more closely it leaves the working class still in a worse position than they were a decade ago.

“There has been a lot of noise made about the 75% Christmas Bonus this year and the €2.50 increase in the fuel allowance but these bring cold comfort to families facing into another winter.  The fuel allowance increase will barely buy a bag of kindling with which to light a fire, let a one keep it going for a day.”, said Cllr. Tynan.

For all the talk of fairness this government was able to find €750 million to cut tax for large corporations instead of putting the money into vital services like health and education.   Relying on NAMA and the same speculators who caused the economy to go bust is no solution to the housing crisis and it is notable than 90% of the promised new homes will be in the Greater Dublin area.  Barely a handful of additional social housing units will be built by this government which is a shocking indictment of Fine Gael and the Labour Party”

 “Where is the cancellation of the hospital bed charges introduced over the last few years or in the prescription charges?  For all the talk of job creation this government is once again throwing money at corporations who are more interested in creating profit for themselves than creating jobs.” said Cllr. Tynan

The Workers Party councillor said that the budget was a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing when it came to fairness. “This budget will merely maintain and indeed widen the gap between rich and poor in this country.  A few crumbs for working class people will not decrease the anger of people at the policies of this government and its Fianna Fáil / Green predecessors who have impoverished families the length and breadth of the country  and who see no light at the end of the tunnel in this budget.”, said Cllr. Tynan.

Tynan rejects council "merger" plan saying "Hands Off Our City"

Cork CITY Hall

Cork Workers’ Party Councillor Ted Tynan has said that the proposed merger of Cork City and County Councils would be a disaster for the city and would not be positive for the county either.

Cllr. Tynan said that proposed merger made no sense from either a social, urban development, or good governance perspective.  He said the proposal amounted to nothing less than the extinguishment of Cork’s 1,000 year old existence as a city.

The Workers Party councillor said that the government had predetermined the agenda and that the statutory committee which had made the proposal was acting to that agenda.  “The fact that two of the five members dissented from the agenda shows how preposterous this proposal is.  It is purely based on saving money, not on common sense or the efficient delivery of local government services. The proposal will merely make local administration more remote and inaccessible to citizens”, said Cllr. Tynan.

“If merging two already large councils like Cork City and County Councils  made any sense then the inevitable outcome of this policy would be to end up with about six councils in the entire country – these would be six of the most unwieldy and unworkable councils ever created”, he said

Cllr. Tynan said that the proposal was not a merger but a takeover of Cork City by the larger County Council.  It would result in a dilution of democratic accountability and unworkable local electoral areas.  “In short this plan would be a disaster for the city and a disaster for the county.”

The Workers Party councillor has welcomed the comments of Lord Mayor Cllr. Chris O’Leary but has said that the opposition to the proposed merger must be widened out to the general public and all stakeholders in society.  “This is not just the merger of two councils, it is the abolition of our city, a city with a thousand year long tradition. If there was ever a reason for the city to earn the name Rebel Cork it is now.  The people of Cork City should stand united and say to Alan Kelly, the government and the three majority authors of this report HANDS OFF OUR CITY”

Cllr. Ted Tynan shows solidarity on visit to Cardiff

Cllr. Ted Tynan pictured with the Worker's Memorial Day plaque outside Unite Union headquarters in Cardiff, Wales

On a short break in Cardiff this week I took the opportunity to show my solidarity local bus workers who are members of the Unite trade union.  As I have said on many occasions the struggles of workers are worldwide and solidarity should also be worldwide. Whether in Cork, Cardiff or 

Feet on the street on August 29th is best answer to water prosecutions

Cork Workers’ Party councillor Ted Tynan has said that a massive turnout of protesters for the Right 2 Water demonstration in Dublin on August 29^th would be the best response people could give to the DPPs decision to prosecute more than 20 activists in relation to last November’s Jobstown protest.

Cllr. Tynan said that the decision to prosecute the protesters, including 3 elected representatives, on extremely serious charges was nothing less than a politically inspired assault on the anti water charges movement as a whole.

The Workers’ Party city councillor said the best answer opponents of the water charges could give to this government offensive would be to put tens of thousands of feet on the streets of Dublin on 29^th August in a clear message of defiance.

“This campaign is not going to be cowed by the victimisation of individual protesters, it will only get stronger but it needs to show its strength with a massive turnout for the demonstration on the 29^th and continued resistance on the ground” said Cllr. Tynan.

Workers Party reiterate position in support of non-payment of water charges

Workers’ Party Councillor Ted Tynan has said comments he made in an interview with the Cork News in relation to the party’s position in support of the non-payment of water charges had been taken out of context.

Cllr. Tynan said the Workers’ Party was very clear in its total opposition to water charges and its call for a mass non-payment campaign. 

He said: “I was making the point that while non-payment is central to defeating the water charges and Irish Water it is only one element in the fight against these charges and the privatisation of a vital natural resource.  This battle cannot be reduced to simple sloganising.”

“In addition to non-payment , the Workers Party supports communities in their fight against the installation of water meters. We also believe there is a need for a vigorous campaign against the privatisation of this vital resource and we endorse the position of the United Nations that the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights.”

“The Workers Party believes that Irish Water must be abolished along with the water charges and the responsibility for public water and sanitation should revert to the local authorities which must be properly funded from a progressive and fair taxation system”, said Cllr. Tynan.

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 8^th 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.

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

Right 2 Water demonstration Dublin March 21st

Next Saturday, 21st March, what is likely to be the most important anti-water charges protest yet will be held in Dublin.  Over the next few weeks bills wills begin to drop through the letterboxes of well over one million people.  So far a magnificent campaign of resistance to these unjust charges has been fought in every corner of the country.  Ordinary working class communities have stood up and refused to accept the water charges which are a prelude to the selling off of that most vital resource - Water.  If we don't stand up and fight now, and mount a massive and lasting BOYCOTT of the water charges, we will pay, our children will pay and our grandchildren will pay a terrible price.  If we lose the battle water will become just another commodity owned by some billionaire or conglomerate and sold at huge profit to the citizens.

I urge as many citizens as possible to get to Dublin for next Saturday's march.  It could be the most important protest march in modern Irish history.  Buses, trains and cars will come from every corner of the country and the Right 2 Water campaign in Cork are running buses directly to the centre of Dublin for the event.  See below for details.

Ted Tynan

Will you be there?

Cllr. Ted Tynan condemns arrest of Paul Murphy TD and other anti-water charge activists

Cork Workers’ Party councillor Ted Tynan has condemned the arrest of Socialist Party deputy Paul Murphy and a number of other citizens in Dublin in relation to last November’s protest against Tánaiste and Labour Party leader Joan Burton, describing the arrests as a political act aimed at intimidating the anti-water charges campaign as a whole.

Cllr. Tynan said that the arrests were in sharp contrast to the state’s failure to jail the bankers and property speculators who had destroyed the Irish economy and  driven a large section of the population into deep  and long-term poverty.

The Workers’ Party councillor said that sections of the media, especially newspapers controlled by the Denis O’Brien group, had deliberately whipped up a frenzy of hate and gross exaggeration against those engaged in protest against the Troika’s water charges.  “Having failed to damage the anti-water charges campaign with a torrent of abuse and lies, the state is now seeking to intimidate people engaged in legitimate protest.  I predict now that this intimidation will not only fail but it will massively backfire against the government”, said Cllr. Tynan

Tynan welcomes new Dublin councillor to Workers Party

Cork Workers' Party councillor, Ted Tynan, has welcomed Cllr. Éilis Ryan, a member of Dublin City Council, to the Workers' Party has said he hopes to work with her to project the party's voice on local government.

Cllr. Éilis Ryan, now represents the Workers' Party on Dublin City Council

"I am delighted that Cllr. Ryan has decided to join the Workers' Party.  It gives the party a presence on Dublin City Council for the first time in years and having met Éilis I am more than convinced that she will play an important and dynamic role as a Workers' Party representative in the capital", said Cllr. Tynan.

Click here to read Cllr. Éilis Ryan's statement on why she has joined the Workers' Party

Cllr. Éilis Ryan join the Workers' Party

Cork WP Christmas Draw Results 2014

The Cork Region of the Workers' Party held its annual Christmas Draw at the Cotton Ball Bar, Mayfield at 9.30pm on Monday, 15th December, 2014.

The following were the winners in this annual Private Members Draw:

Prize	Ticket No.	Winner
1st	0397	John Jefferies, Cobh
2nd	0476	Sam McCarthy, Ballyphehane
3rd	0533	Sonya O’Neill c/o Sean McCarthy
4th	1476	Sean Crowley c/o Three Horseshoes Bar,  Dillon’s Cross
5th	2749	Shantell McCarthy, Mayfield
6th	1120	Richard Scannell, Dublin Hill, Cork
7th	1029	Eric Coughlan, Churchfield Avenue
8th	0006	Aaron Sherin, Mayfield
9th	0661	Nuala Crean, Mahon
10th	2875	Pat Cummins c/o Donie Crean
11th	0245	Martin Mason c/o Tom Mason
12th	0633	Nina Ahern Snr, Clonakilty
13th	0150	Willie Cronin c/o Donie Crean
14th	2607	John Brennan, Dripsey, Co. Cork
15th	2877	Pat Cummins c/o Donie Crean
16th	1051	Pat Tynan c/o Ted Tynan
17th	0429	Fiona McCarthy, Connolly Road, Cork
18th	0331	Gavin O’Callaghan, Mayfield
19th	0323	Sean Hales,  Bandon
20th	0416	Tom McCarthy, c/o Sean McCarthy
21st	0437	Tom McCarthy, c/o Sean McCarthy
22nd	0877	Roy Keating, Ballyphehane

All winners have been notified.  We would like to thank all those who donated prizes for the draw along.  Thanks also to all our ticket sellers and those who supported the draw.  We wish you Seasons Greetings and best wishes for the New year.

Peace, Work Democracy and Class Politics

Tynan demands action as Mayfield heating fails again

Cllr. Ted Tynan

A district heating system serving more than 200 houses and flats at Glenamoy Lawn and Ardbhaile in Mayfield on Cork’s Northside is giving trouble for a second winter in a row less than two years after a major overhaul was carried out.

Local Workers’ party Councillor, Ted Tynan, said dozens of residents in the local authority built estates are freezing in their homes just as the first sharp frosts of this winter begin to bite. 

Cllr. Tynan had raised the issue at a meeting of Cork City Council last February and had called for a thorough investigation to be carried out into the district heating system which relies on a large central boiler to feed hot water to the individual homes through under-floor piping.

“The system seems to function when demand for heating is average but when cold snaps such as the present one occur the heat doesn’t get to some of the homes leaving the occupants, including both elderly pensioners and families with young children, without any heating or with a bare minimum of heat” said Cllr. Tynan.

Cork City Council crisis - Tynan won't be moved by "Sword of Damocles"

Workers Party Councillor Ted Tynan has said that he will continue to vote against the Cork City Council budget as long as the local authority remains underfunded and its finances are linked to double taxation in the form of water charges.

The City Council last night failed to adopt a budget for 2015 and is now under threat of abolition with 14 days to adopt a budget or the elected councillors will be replaced by an unelected commissioner imposed by Minister Alan Kelly.  

Cllr. Tynan said that councillors were faced with a choice between adopting a budget which would mean more cuts in council services and more job reductions or having a dictatorial commissioner imposed on the council by Minister Alan Kelly.

“The Sword of Damocles that now hangs over Cork City Council is in stark contrast to the bottomless pit of money made available to Irish Water.  The leaking water system is inextricably linked to the years of underfunding of local authorities by successive governments and mirrors the overall decline of public services due to cuts and the public service embargo”

“People may not be aware that Cork City Council, which once employed hundreds of workers in a variety of trades, now retains only two full-time plumbers to look after the council’s 8,000 local authority homes .The council’s budget has fallen by €44 million (23%) since 2011 and in the same period employment there has dropped by 367. These cuts mean the council’s ability to provide vital services is being strangled”, the Workers Party councillor stated.

Cllr. Tynan said the government had created the crisis that now engulfs it and imposing a dictatorship on Cork City Council would merely exacerbate the situation. “The onus is not on councillors but on Minister Alan Kelly to ensure that the council is properly funded. Having abolished 80 town councils last year is his government now going to abolish a major city council which received a fresh mandate from the people a mere six months ago?”, he queried.

Tynan slams cuts to Mayfield library services

Workers’ Party Councillor Ted Tynan has accused management at Cork City Council of “backwards thinking” following cuts in services at the Frank O’Connor Library in Mayfield as a result of understaffing.  Cllr. Tynan is to raise the issue at tomorrow (Monday) night’s meeting of Cork City Council.

The library will now be closed on Thursdays and will no longer open late on Wednesdays.   These cuts have forced the scrapping of a Junior Chess Club which has been an outstanding success since it was established some years ago on the initiative of one of the librarians.

Cllr. Tynan said that the reduction of staff and opening hours at the Mayfield library made no sense and showed a tendency on the part of some in City Council management to pick soft targets for cutbacks.

“The Frank O’Connor Library is an important part of the fabric of community in Mayfield and the North East Ward.  It should be used a lot more and its services should be better advertised by the City Council.”, said Cllr Tynan.

Mayfield Library (Photo: Cork City Council)

He continued, “The abandonment of the Junior Chess Club is a serious mistake. Chess is recognised worldwide as being beneficial to the developing minds of children especially in expanding their thinking and analytical skills.  In 2002 an important US study proved that children who played chess from an early age scored significantly higher on all measures of academic achievement, including maths, spatial analysis, and non-verbal reasoning ability”.

The Workers’ Party councillor pointed out that Frank O’Connor, the renowned Cork writer after whom Mayfield library is named, had been a librarian before he became a full-time writer.  “I’m sure Frank O’Connor, if he were alive, would be deeply disappointed at this retrograde step in downgrading the library and that nearly 50 years after his death this service is going backwards”,

Top council officials wined and dined by Irish Water at Croke Park corporate box

Cllr. Ted Tynan (WP)

Cork Workers Party Councillor Ted Tynan has called on Irish Water to confirm or deny reports that top local authority officials, including some from Cork, were wined and dined in the company’s corporate box at Croke Park during last Saturday’s American Football game (Aug 27th).

Cllr. Tynan said he had been given sight of a photo in which at least one senior official from Cork was clearly recognisable and said the attendance of local government officials at such an event was completely inappropriate.

He said, “The presence of these very senior officials as guests of Irish Water represents a serious conflict of interest on the part of the officials concerned and a blatant waste of taxpayers’ money by a company which has become a black hole into which vast amounts of public money is disappearing”.

"Corporate boxes at Croke Park cost upwards of €160,000 or can be hired on a once-off basis.  Already Irish Water has spent more than €85 million of public money on consultants and unknown sums on corporate entertainment. This cavalier attitude to scarce public funds shows Irish Water's contempt for the Irish people."

“This junket must be deeply repugnant to the householders of this country who are being told that they might be facing water bills of up to €900 a year for a service they already pay for.   I am calling on both Irish Water and the officials concerned to come clean and account for their actions and for the government to see sense and put an end to Irish Water and the water privatisation plans”, said Cllr. Tynan.   

He commended the stand of thousands of householders around the country in resisting the installation of water meters and urged others to join that battle. 

Cllr. Ted Tynan, Telephone (086) 1908281

Future of 208A Lotamore bus service must be clarified says Tynan

Bus Éireann: service to public must be a priority

Workers Party Councillor Ted Tynan has called on Bus Éireann to clarify its position with regard to the future of the 208A Bus service which serves the Lotamore and Montenotte areas of Cork city.

Cllr. Tynan said he was shocked to hear reports that the service was to be withdrawn at the end of this month (July) and warned that such a move would have a serious effect on residents and commuters in the area.

The 208A bus was previously known as the 8A and for decades it operated as the 7A service.

“This is a very limited service which operates only three daily departures from Lotamore and just two return journeys from Patrick Street”, said Cllr. Tynan.   “It serves areas which are well beyond the main 208 bus service.  It is a vital link for many older residents living in the area and I strongly suspect Bus Éireann wants to abandon it because it is not making enough profit for them”.

“Bus Éireann must not be allowed to cherry-pick the most profitable routes and abandon people who have worked hard all their lives and paid taxes to the state.  Just because a significant number of those who use the 208A route are older citizens does not justify withdrawing the route.  That would be completely unacceptable”.

Cllr. Tynan said that the real reason for this reported cut is because the present government and its predecessors have successively cut state funding to the national transport company.  “Tens of millions of euro has been cut from the state subvention to the CIE group, including Bus Éireann, in the past few years.  This is all part of the privatisation agenda and, in this case,  is direct discrimination against older citizens.   It completely goes against the founding principles of the CIE group”.

“Bus Éireann must be reminded of its obligations as a publicly owned company”, said the Workers Party councillor, “I am calling on the company to make a clear statement on the future of the 208A bus route and to withdraw any planned threat to take away the service”, said Cllr. Tynan.

Workers Party will oppose rejigged pact

Workers’ Party Councillor Ted Tynan has said that under no circumstances will he support any nominee of a pro-austerity party for the position of Lord Mayor of Cork

Councillor Ted Tynan - always opposed pacts

Cllr. Tynan said that he was shocked to discover his name was being bandied about as part of a deal on the mayoralty.   This was absolutely untrue, he stated.  He said somebody was spinning stories to suit their own agenda and there was no question of the Workers’ Party’s single vote on the City Council going to elect right-wing parties.  “It would go against everything we stand for”, he said.

“The Workers Party, out of courtesy, met with all the groups on the City council who had asked to meet us.  We agreed no deal with anyone and made it clear that our anti-pact position of the past three decades had not changed and would not change.  Our opposition to water charges and privatisation of council services is not going to change”  

“I am most disappointed that Sinn Féin, having being elected on an anti-cuts platform, is to re-build the mayoral pact which was torn asunder by the voters of this city three weeks ago.  It does not matter whether it is elected under the D’Hondt system or any other, this is a reincarnation of the old pact, with Sinn Féin and a few independents taking the place of the Labour Party.  I wish to make it absolutely clear that the Workers’ Party is not part of the Independent group and will oppose tonight’s nomination of the pact’s candidate”.

Thank You!

THANK YOU!

My sincere thanks to all the people of the North East Ward for re-electing me as a councillor for the area. Thanks also to my family, my comrades in the Workers' Party and all those who helped out in the election.  I am humbled by the huge support I got from people and I hope I can live up to your expectations of me.   Sorry I could not be joined by my party colleague and comrade James Coughlan who got a very respectable vote in Cork City North West on his first electoral outing.  I think James has shown great heart and has the potential to make it next time.

Congratulations to Stephen Cunningham who just pipped me at the post for the first seat.

The result of this election is a clear message to the government, the EU and the banking elites that the people will no longer be taken for granted, but the battle is a major one and has really only just begun.   The issues of water charges, cutbacks in health, education, welfare and essential services have not gone away. The battle against privatisation is still to be fought.  The austerity agenda is being driven by powerful forces and can only be defeated if the majority in society, the working class, stand united and fight.  That fight will not be won in the council chambers alone, in the Dáil or in the European Parliament.  It can only be won on the streets and in the communities across this city, across the country and worldwide.

Once again thank you to everyone. I continue to be available to constituents and can be contacted at (086) 1908281 or by email at tedtynan@gmail.com