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.

Tynan condemns graffiti attack on Republican Plot

Cork's Republican Plot

Workers’ Party Councillor Ted Tynan has condemned as “disgusting” a wholesale graffiti attack on headstones and other monuments at the Republican Plot at Cork's St. Finbarr’s Cemetery over the past few days.

Cllr. Tynan said that the attack was sickening, particularly coming just 48 hours or so before commemorations there of the Easter 1916 Rising. A large number of graves in the plot and a number of headstones of republicans outside the plot were found to be covered in graffiti including swastikas.

“This weekend, the 97th anniversary of the 1916 Rising will be remembered with pride and respect. To think that the men and women who sacrificed their lives for this country could be treated with such utter contempt is disgusting. The fact that only the graves in the Republican plot and of prominent republicans buried nearby have been covered with graffiti suggest that they were deliberately targeted”, said Cllr. Tynan.

He said that it was hoped the graffiti could be removed before Sunday’s Easter events which include the Workers’ Party commemoration at the Republican Plot which takes place at 12 noon.