Clare Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Protest in Ennis Against Bondholder Payments

Published: 31 January, 2012

A protest was held in Ennis last Saturday on the issue of the ongoing payments to unsecured Anglo-Irish bank bondholders. Members of the public were asked to sign postcards which will be handed into Clare government TD's to show the strength of feeling in Clare against these payments. The protest was organised by Clare Sinn Féin as part of a campaign by the party across the state.

On 31 March, a further €3.1 billion will be paid in respect of the promissory note to Anglo. Other payments will be made over this period and throughout the year. All of this is happening while public services, including health and education, are being cut and households are being hit by the household charge, septic tank charge and VAT hike. There are also plans for water charges to be introduced.

Sinn Fein met with the Troika earlier this month and challenged them on the payment of unguaranteed bonds and the massive cost to the Irish State of the promissory note. Sinn Fein put forward proposals for economic recovery, including its job creation programme using the National Pension Reserve Fund, as a first step back to growth. According to Sinn Fein spokesman for finance Pearse Doherty 'The representatives of the Troika did not express any objection to that option'.

The issues of water charges, property taxes and privatisation of the ESB and An Bord Gáis were discussed and again `the Troika made clear that they were not wedded to any particular option so long as the overall programme targets were met'.

"Despite claims by government that there is no room for manoeuvre within the memorandum of understanding it is clear that considerable choices are available, the problem is that the government chooses not to negotiate for real change". Chairperson for Clare Sinn Fein, Mr. Harry Duggan said that "Clare Sinn Fein will be holding further protests, in towns and villages across Clare in the coming weeks and we appeal to the people of Clare to get behind our campaign. The final payment in the current series is due on March 31st. We plan to submit all the postcards we get signed to local government TDs who remain muted on this issue".

ENDS