Sinn Féin County Laois

Local Organisation - Laois Sinn Féin.

There is an active Sinn Féin organisation in Co. Laois that is made up of men and women from throughout the county. Our local first cumann in Portlaoise is called after the great nineteenth century revolutionary, James Fintan Lalor, who lived at Tinakill (Tigh na Choille) near Raheen. Lalor was a committed republican and socialist, who believed that ending the British occupation of Ireland was futile, unless it was accompanied by the type of social change that would ensure a fairer distribution of the nations wealth and create a more equal society.

Members of the James Fintan Lalor Cumann are actively encouraging those who want to see the Irish people in charge of our own affairs and who want to see social justice created throughout the 32 counties, to join with us in helping to make this happen.

As a radical campaigning party our members are actively trying to improve the quality of life for ordinary working people.We play an active role in campaigning on many issues of local and national concern, including the following:

Irish Unity and Independence
As the only party that is organised throughout the thirty two counties we are actively pursuing a strategy for Irish Unity and Independence through:

• The full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
• Expansion of the All Ireland Bodies which were created as a result of the agreement
• Campaigning for Irish citizens in the six counties to be represented by their elected representatives in the Oireachtas (Dail and Seanad).
• The creation of an all-Ireland economy
• The protection of Irish neutrality

Health

We are campaigning for:

• An end to the present two tier health service
• Improvement in services at Portlaoise Hospital
• Reduction in waiting lists through greater efficiency and the employment of more frontline staff
• An end to means testing of carer’s allowance
• Medical cards for all those on or below the minimum wage

These are immediate steps that need to be taken. In the longer term we want to have an All Ireland Health Service, similar to other European countries, in that it would be free at the point of delivery.

Housing

Our priorities regarding housing are:

• Increased availability of affordable and social housing
• Re-instatement of the first time buyers grant
• Rent controls and enforcement of proper standards in the private rented sector
• Tenant policies to discourage Landlords from buying up multiple properties, which is currently forcing up prices and squeezing ordinary home buyers out of the market
• Price controls on the value of land zoned for housing

Employment

To increase the number of jobs available in Laois, Sinn Féin is calling for:

• The IDA to make Laois a priority area
• Equal incentives for local enterprise
• Maintenance of existing jobs in the semi-state sector through diversification
• Further decentralisation of Government departments by locating them in Laois.
• Training and childcare facilities for women wishing to return to work

Further economic integration between North and South so as to increase trade and create a more efficient Island Economy.

Education
Sinn Féin believe that we must invest in our young people and we are demanding:

• Action to upgrade substandard school buildings
• A fair share of investment for new primary and secondary schools in county Laois.
• Third level student grants to be brought in line with Social Welfare payments.
• No re-introduction of third level fees.

Environment

We are campaigning for:

• Mobile phone masts to be relocated away from residential areas, schools and hospitals
• Reducing the volume of waste produced by manufacturers
• An affordable refuse collection service that includes recycling.
• Rejection of incineration of waste, due to pollution and the financial cost.
• Greater use of alternative sources of energy such as wind and hydro power.

Transport/ Motor Insurance

We are calling for:

• Improvements in rail and bus services
• The development of local minibus routes
• Construction of the Monasterevin Bypass
• Reduction in insurance premiums through improving road safety and the creation of a state run insurance scheme, similar to that in other countries.

Play Your Part

Our party is open to women and men over 16 years. Why not play your part in building a better future for our communities and our country by joining Sinn Féin.

To find out more about Sinn Féin contact any of the following: