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