Sinn Féin TDs table motion calling for release of bin charge protesters

dublin | bin tax / household tax / water tax | press release

Tuesday September 30, 2003 09:49

by Roibeard - Sinn Féin

In a Dáil motion tabled today Sinn Fein's five TDs accused the Minister for the Environment and Local Government Martin Cullen of being anti-democratic by depriving elected representatives on local authorities the power to determine waste management policy.

Published: 29 September, 2003

In a Dáil motion tabled today Sinn Fein's five TDs accused the Minister for the Environment and Local Government Martin Cullen of implementing policies that have led directly to a situation of confrontation in Dublin and the imprisonment of bin charge protesters. He is also accused of being anti-democratic by depriving elected representatives on local authorities the power to determine waste management policy.

The motion goes on to call for the immediate release of bin charge protesters and demands that the Minister bring forward legislation to amend the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 to ensure that local authorities fulfill their responsibility for public health and safety and provide a refuse collection to all householders.

Speaking after tabling the motion Sinn Fein spokesperson on the Environment and Local Government Arthur Morgan TD said:

"The ongoing confrontations taking place in Dublin between anti-bin charge protesters and local authority management are a direct consequence of the anti-democratic stance taken and policies adopted by the Minister for the Environment Martin Cullen. It is because of his actions that two people are in prison for taking part in principled and peaceful opposition to the unjust bin charges. We are calling for the release of these protesters and the ending of court action against all others. We are also calling the Minister to end his anti-democratic drive by amending his controversial Protection of the Environment Act 2003 to allow the elected representatives on local authorities the power to decide on waste management policies and strategies instead of un-elected city and county managers."ENDS

Sinn Féin motion

That the Dáil:

Deplores the fundamentally flawed waste management policy of the Government as implemented by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government Martin Cullen which has

- led directly to the current situation of confrontation in Dublin and to the imprisonment of bin charges protesters, including elected representatives who should be released

- deprived elected representatives on local authorities of powers to determine waste management policy

- empowered and encouraged city and county managers to refuse to collect refuse from homes who have not paid the bin tax or who are in arrears, thereby creating a serious health hazard

- compounded the double taxation of refuse charges

- facilitated the privatisation of waste management and other local authority services

and

demands that the Minister bring forward without delay legislation to amend the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 to ensure that local authorities fulfil their responsibility for public health and safety and provide a refuse collection service to all householders and replaces refuse charges on householders with the proper application of the polluter pays principle to target the main producers of waste as part of a comprehensive and effective waste management strategy.

Arthur Morgan, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Seán Crowe, Martin Ferris, Aengus Ó Snodaigh

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Comments (7 of 7)

Classy

by No 6

Tue Sep 30, 2003 10:02

Sinn Fein get to promote themselves as part of the bin tax protestors without getting their hands dirty.

SP Large and in Charge

by Janus

Tue Sep 30, 2003 11:50

Perhaps the Sinn Féin members and supporters who have been up in court, the Sinn Féin representatives and councillors who have taken part in and supported blockades constitute getting their hands dirty?

Sinn Féin is clearly vulnerable on this issue in relation to what took place in Sligo, the actions of its rural TDs in paying their charges etc. but in Dublin, they've been a part of the campaign in several parts of the city.

Here's another thing, what about the SWP? Very involved in the campaign and now nowhere to be seen. The anti-Bin Tax press conference yesterday in Buswells had two SP members (Yeah, yeah, insert name here against the bin tax) and no members, under a front name or not, of any other party.

I'm not questioning the SP's committment to the campaign but somewhere along the line the thought occured to the SP that not only was this a good campaign, but they had ended up in the lead role and they were going to hold on to it like a dog with a bone to the point of, on two platforms that I know of specifically, point blank refusing other parties involved in the Bin Tax to be on it.

There's only so many times Ruth Coppinger can go 'I forgot to check the messages on my mobile' and not be ridiculous.

why janus

by sp - sp

Tue Sep 30, 2003 18:35

are you attacking the socialist party on a thread about sinn fein. Nobody here has mentioned the socialist party nobody from the socialist party commented.
The socialist party has worked with everyone where it is, we are also involved in dublin south and city where we aren't the only political group involved. in fingal there aren't really many sinn feiners as shinners on this site have said, the one swp person i know in the blanchardstown area is involved. And as far as I'm aware there is no anarchists around.
On the other hand all the residents groups and local community groups are involved. Lefties don't really come out to us in the subarbs much! Why Ruth coppinger won't answer your calls, i can only guess! I wouldn't either she probably couldn't be arsed taking a lecture from you.

Tue Sep 30, 2003 21:30

I'm going to have to start re-checking my posts as this is the second row I've gotten myself into today.

I also mentioned the SWP in a thread about Sinn Féin. I was typing up a response and since it was a discussion about the Bin Charges I stuck in a bit about the SP and the campaign rather than starting a new thread.

I think you misunderstand me. I think the SP have the best record of any party in Dublin on this issue and fair play to them for the work put in. I believe firmly their interest in the campaign is genuine and I disagree with those who say it's just about their local election strategy.

My point, is that in the midst of all that, I think they've decided to ensure the people they see as their political rivals aren't given a platform if at all possible and I think that's a shame.

That said, SWP and SF speakers were on the platform at the demo tonight so maybe things are changing.

Lastly, I have never called Ruth Coppinger, nor would I think of lecturing her. I never said I made the calls.

Don'r believe the hype

by In the Know

Wed Oct 01, 2003 02:20

everybody knows that Sinn Féin is a front for the SWP, just like Indymedia is.

Wed Oct 01, 2003 21:31

ok took you up wrong on that one. regards

psuedonyms

by Brian Cahill - SP (personal capacity)

Thu Oct 02, 2003 02:12

"sp" could you please choose a name that doesn't give the impression that you are speaking on behalf of the Socialist Party?

None of the SP members who contribute to this site are doing so on behalf of the organisation and we shouldn't accidentaly give the impression that we are. Thanks.

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Sinn Féin TDs table motion calling for release of bin charge protesters

Comments (7 of 7)