Press Releases - January 2004
5th January 2004
McDowell is using prisoners’ rehabilitation and their families as weapons against Prison Officers - claims Boyle
Green Party Cork South Central TD, Dan Boyle today accused Minister for Justice Michael McDowell of “using prisoners’ rehabilitation, as well as prisoners’ families, as weapons in his war against the prison officers”.
Mr. Boyle, who organised a delegation of TDs on a visit to Spike island prison just before Christmas, said that “the closing of a modern prison facility such a Spike Island, while keeping open what have been described as Dickensian prison facilities elsewhere around the country, is totally irresponsible”.
“I urge Minister McDowell to stop using prisoner’s rehabilitation and their families in his war against the prison officer’s association.”
5th January 2004
Green Party response to Exchequer figures returns
Green Party spokesperson on Finance, Dan Boyle TD, said today that the 2003 Exchequer year end figures show that the Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, has again benefited from “once off” tax receipts. “While the additional €800 million is welcome it is another year when the Minister and his Department got their figures wrong.”
“In the meantime the real problem of mismatching considerable financial resources to meet infrastructural needs persists.”
5th January 2003
Ansbacher Revenue settlement welcome But Concern Over Lack of Legal Action
The Green Party has welcomed the Revenue Commissioners settlement of €7.5 million with the owners of Ansbacher (Cayman) but is seriously concerned at the lack of legal action despite the High Court Ansbacher (Cayman) report being laid before the Dáil over 18 months ago
Green Party Finance spokesperson, Dan Boyle TD, has welcomed the announcement of the latest settlement of €7.5 million between and the Revenue Commissioners and the First Rand Bank of South Africa, current owners of the Ansbacher (Cayman) Bank.
'With a total of €34 million now recovered as a result of the Ansbacher investigation, the Revenue Commissioners must be satisfied with their work. However there persists a nagging sense that the Revenue monies collected are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the scale of tax evasion that has occurred through Ansbacher and similar tax evasion schemes,' he stated.
'To date there has been little sign of legal action been taken against individuals and companies who knowingly joined up to the evasion scheme nor against those who failed to cooperate with the High Court investigation. Public patience has been sorely tested. It is now over 18 months since the High Court report on Ansbacher (Cayman) was laid before the Dáil. The failure to legally bring to account those who have clearly broken the law will do little to instill confidence among the public that tax evasion is being properly dealt with.'
7th January 2004
Annual Report launched by Cork Green Party TD, Dan Boyle
Green Party Cork South Central TD Dan Boyle has posted his annual report for 2003 on his activities as a TD onto his web site at www.danboyle.ie. Note: The report can be read by accessing the home page clicking Resources and then Annual Report.
Deputy Boyle, launching the report today said, 'While this annual report provides bald statistics that give little or no indication of the quality or the effectiveness of the work being done, I do feel that it can be seen as a useful template. In the current climate when measures are being sought on benchmarking, I believe that indicators that inform the electorate on the work of a TD can only help improve public confidence in political life,'
'When strong reporting requirements are demanded of TDs regarding election expenditure and monies received, I believe that such requirements should be extended to oblige TDs to release an annual reports.”
7th January 2004
Schering Plough Job Losses A Worrying Sign
The announcement that 170 job are to be shed at Schering Plough plant at Brinny Co. Cork is extremely worrying at a number of levels.
At the first level there are the 170 workers and their families who now face into 2004 with such uncertainty. On a wider level the large scale job losses now being experienced within the pharmaceutical industry – an industry strongly supported by the IDA and long seen as being recession proof - is extremely worrying news that demands an immediate and appropriate government response.”
11th January 2004
Green Party urge An Bord Pleanála to assert its independence over Cork Toxic Waste incinerator decision
With a decision imminent on the planning application on the proposal to construct a toxic waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy, Co.Cork, Cork South Central Green Party TD, Dan Boyle, has urged An Bord Pleanála to assert its independence and not be intimidated by the Government's proposals to undermine the planning body’s powers by establishing a separate National Infrastructure Board.
Deputy Boyle said today, 'Having made a courageous decision in 2003 on the Corrib Gas Field application, an Bord Pleanála need a similar resolve now in the face of enormous political bullying being exerted by the Minister for the Environment, Martin Cullen,” he charged.
'Minister Cullen has already revealed that he is less than inspiring when it comes to his heritage protection decision making powers. Considering Minister Cullen’s track record, the public can have no confidence that the establishment of a National Infrastructure Board is anything other than a dilution of environmental protection from the current planning process,' he concluded.
13th January 2004
Increase in unemployed in Live Register figures viewed with concern
Green Party Finance spokesperson, Dan Boyle TD, said today that the increase in the numbers of unemployed in the Live Register figures “seems to indicate the deepening of job losses within the Irish economy particularly in the manufacturing sector”. “This increase does not take into account the job loss announcements made in recent weeks but which have yet to be implemented.”
“Also of concern so early in the year is the simmering discontent among transport workers faced with a Government that is not prepared to indicate its plans for public transport or the future of Irish airports.”
15th January 2004
Decrease in inflation rate worth acknowledging but Govt. must pay close attention to certain areas of inflation, particularly food and clothing
Green Party Finance spokesperson, Dan Boyle TD, said today that “the achieving of a 1.9% inflation below the psychological 2.00% is worth acknowledging but the overall rate is bound to bottom out and rise to the expected level of 3.5% over the course of the year.”
Deputy Boyle said that the Government needs to take more account of certain areas of inflation, particularly food and clothing, which has a disproportionate affect on those in most need in our society.
16th January 2004
Green Party furious at An Bord Pleanála rejection of Inspector’s report on proposed toxic incinerator
Green Party Cork South Central TD, Dan Boyle has accused An Bord Pleanála of caving in to political pressure from the Minister for Environment, Martin Cullen, following their decision to allow planning permission for a toxic incinerator at Ringaskiddy despite 14 grounds for refusal listed by the Inspector Philip Jones.
Deputy Boyle said today, “An Bord Pleanála has caved in to political pressure from Martin Cullen through his threat to establish a National Infrastructure Board because An Bord Pleanála has not delivered the planning decisions the Minister has wanted.”
“There can be no doubt that this is a political decision by An Bord Pleanála as they have overturned the 14 grounds for refusal listed by the appointed Inspector who oversaw the four week oral hearing.”
“Decisions of this type will do nothing to inspire the people of Ringaskiddy, the Cork Harbour area and the public in general, that an effective and fair planning process exists. This battle now moves to its next stage where the many thousands who have campaigned against this incinerator will look for something in the planning, political and judicial process that can deliver them true justice.”
18th January 2004
Green Party to seek meeting with EU Environment Commissioner following An Bord Pleanála toxic incinerator permission
The Green Party is to seek a meeting with EU Environment Commissioner, Margot Wallstrom following An Bord Pleanála’s decision on Friday to grant permission for a toxic waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy, Cork.
Green Party Cork South Central TD, Dan Boyle, who accused An Bord Pleanála of caving in to political pressure from the Minister for Environment, Martin Cullen, following the announcement of their decision to allow planning permission for a toxic incinerator at Ringaskiddy, said today, “Outside of the poor decision to locate a toxic waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy, it is also all too clear that real and deep problems exist in relation to public participation and consultation in the planning process. I will be in contact with our two MEPs next week to arrange an urgent meeting with EU Commissioner, Margot Wallstrom, to discuss the public consultation process regarding this incinerator project.”
Deputy Boyle renewed his criticism of Health Minister, Michael Martin for his statement encouraging anti-incinerator campaigners to continue their fight. “The Minister would be better placed seeking to change his Government’s incineration policy rather than indulge in platitudes which cut little ice. As a Government Minister and a Cork South Central TD he can’t have it both ways.”
19th January 2004
Government Hypocrisy on Incineration cannot go unchallenged
Green Party Cork South Central TD, Dan Boyle has said that “the hypocrisy of Fianna Fáil and PD representatives in Cork, in relation to An Bord Pleanála’s decision on the national toxic waste incinerator was 'breathtaking'.
'Decrying An Bord Pleanála’s decision while stating that they fully support the government's policy on incineration offers no solace to the people of Cork Harbour who cannot and will not accept this decision.”
'An Bord Pleanála has stated that it will be guided by government policy and not by its own inspector's reports and not by evidence that proves the undesirability of projects like this, and not by a process that does not even take health or environmental considerations into account. If Fianna Fáil and PD representatives really are sympathetic to the people of Ringaskiddy and Cork Harbour they must be prepared to stand up, challenge and change Government policy on incineration. This should be as true of the Minister for Health and Children, Michéal Martin as it is for any government councillor in the Cork area.”
21st January 2004
Boyle Renews An Bord Pleanála Criticism In Dáil Debate
Speaking on the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill, Green Party Finance spokesperson Dan Boyle said that an opportunity was being missed in examining the total area of public appointments by the Government.
'If the intent behind this Bill is to recruit into the public service, able, creative and independent thinking people then this is a principle that should not only apply to every government department but also to every state appointed body.”
Citing the example of the latest Bord Pleanála decision on a national toxic waste incinerator, Deputy Boyle said that how such bodies are appointed, and how they are allowed or not allowed to be independent, or how they are pressurised or intimidated into doing the government's bidding should be at the heart of the debate on a bill of this type. The fact that political appointments continue to be made and that appointments from within the civil service are invariably reluctant to challenge government policy immediately compromises a body like An Bord Pleanala and diminishes public confidence its work For example, some social partners seem to have direct appointment rights to these bodies while other interest groups are deliberately excluded.”
'When planning grounds are strongly cited and proved and the State body charged with standing apart from the government ignores this advice citing the Government’s national policy, then the question which must be asked is - why have stand alone bodies if they cannot stand alone?'
'An opportunity is being missed to bring about truly reforming legislation inthis area, otherwise we will continue to see more of the same into the future,' he concluded.
22nd January 2004
Greens tackle EPA over its definition of incineration
The Green Party has slated the Environmental Protection Agency for its plans to categorise incineration plants as ‘carbon neutral’ which means they will not be classified as increasing Ireland’s CO2 emissions.
At today’s meeting of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Mary Kelly, stated that incinerators would be categorised as ‘waste to energy’ plants and would be viewed as ‘carbon neutral’ thereby excluding them from any classification as CO2 producing plants.
Green Party Public Accounts Committee member, Dan Boyle TD, described the move as “a nonsense that will only further undermine public confidence in agencies like the EPA”.
Deputy Boyle put it to Dr. Kelly that in the EPA’s ten year history it had witnessed increasing amounts of waste, a worsening of environmental controls and ever increasing amounts of CO2 emissions. He said that the EPA would be viewed as agency that was ‘running up a hill backwards’.
Latest reports put Ireland’s CO2 emissions at a massive 37% above 1990 levels.
26th January 2004
Announcement of Government Legislative programme underlines why real Dáil reform is so neccessary
Criticising the release of the government 's legislative programme for the next Dáil session, Green Party whip Dan Boyle TD, claimed that not only was the programme itself disappointing, consisting mainly of pieces of legislation not delivered in previous sessions, the manner of its release underlines the contemptuous way in which this government treats the Dáil.
'By releasing this programme on a Sunday, outside of the Dáil and not to the members of the Dáil, the government is displaying the extent to which it truly values the House and its workings.”
'Legislation, if and when it is passed, is passed by the Dáil and is not strictly for the convenience of the government. A co-operative and less beligerent approach from the government could see the Dáil operate more effectively and with a greater degree of public confidence.'
January 28th, 2004
GREENS CONTINUE ATTACK ON CULLEN AND INCINERATION
Speaking this evening in an adjournment debate in the Dáil, Green Party Cork South Central Deputy, Dan Boyle, continued the party's attack on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister's policy on incineration.
The Deputy pointed out that incinerators will add to the amount of greenhousegases being created in this country, and that Ireland has already exceeded the amount of greenhouse gas emissions allowed to us under the Kyoto Protocol. Also, a by-product of incineration will be the production of Persistent Organic Pollutants and moves are currently underway to phase these out in Europe. 'Government policy in this area is hardly logical and is far from consistent', stated Deputy Boyle.
Deputy Boyle added that the Minister's own attitude is further angering citizens who are losing faith in decision making systems that are not taking their strongly supported concerns on board. 'This is a Minister who is ill suited to protecting the Environment and who should recognise his own shortcomings. If not, it should be the responsibility of the Taoiseach to remove Minister Cullen from a responsibility that the Minister is not able to perform,' Dan Boyle concluded.
29th January 2004
Jet Magic Closure - A Shock and a Disappointment - Says Boyle
Green Party Cork South Central TD, Dan Boyle has said that “the closure of the Jet Magic airline is a shock and a disappointment that will have huge ramifications for air transport and access to the Cork area”.
'Of course, the first concern is to see that passengers who have been stranded, are quickly and appropriately dealt with. Ultimately though, questions have to be asked as to how this failure occurred and what effect it is likely to have.”
'The failure of Jet Magic will come as a huge blow to Cork Airport whose staff and management had worked hard to establish Cork as the second airport in the country. Aer Lingus, with its predatory behaviour in matching routes opened by Jet Magic, has to be seen as a factor in seeing off its competitor. I wonder if Aer Lingus will choose to keep these routes open now?', he asked.
'The Minister for Transport Séamus Brennan has to be challenged on the extent to which real competition exists in air transport, and how and why airports like Cork are being hindered in reaching their true potential,' he concluded.
2nd February 2004
Government’s Rent Supplement changes must be rescinded - Says Boyle
Green Party spokeperson on Social and Family Affairs, Dan Boyle TD, is strongly supporting the campaign launched today by several national social and housing rights organisations aimed at rescinding changes in the payment of rent supplement that are effective from today. 'These changes will increase homelessness and act as a disincentive to seeking full time employment. The Government is effectively cutting rent supplement payments without adopting a co-ordinated, strategic approach towards meeting social housing needs.'
'The Minister for Social and Family Affairs seems to have taken this decision after being caught between arm twisting from the Minister for Finance and continued indifference from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The failure of the Government to adopt a cohesive and coordinated approach will result in more and poorer housing victims,' Deputy Boyle concluded.
January 29th, 2004
Green Party backs Compassion in World Farming campaign to ban fur farming
After attending the Compassion in World Farming campaign launch Green Party TD, Dan Boyle, confirmed Green Party support and stated that the party intends to publish a Private Members Bill on the issue shortly.
'With fur farming now banned in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland the Green Party would be confident that a campaign of this type can be and would be successful.'
30th January 2004
GREENS PREDICT MORE HARD LANDINGS FOR OVERSTRETCHED HOME BUYERS
courts are littered with the debris of defaulted loans - boyle
Record mortgage borrowing carries hidden risks for borrowers and the economy, said Dan Boyle TD, the Green Party Finance Spokesperson.
The Green Party spokesperson pointed out that:
- Margins applied by Irish mortgage lenders are among the highest in Europe. Banks and mortgage lenders have been slow to pass on the full benefits of interest rates cuts, choosing instead to hide behind falling rates to protect already bloated mortgage lending margins.
- Rises in house prices are far out-pacing costs incurred by the construction industry; and
- The books of the Circuit Court and the High Court are littered with the debris of defaulted loans.
Recalling last year’s warning by the Central Bank that borrowers may face difficulties if the economy were to slow further, Deputy Boyle added:
“The Government and regulatory authorities have a responsibility to consumers. They must do everything in their power to put a policy framework in place to protect and support borrowers while ensuring that lenders adhere to guidelines for responsible and sustainable levels of lending.”
