Dublin Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Dundrum Sinn Féin candidate calls on Greens to save bus services or leave Government

Published: 28 February, 2009

Dundrum Sinn Féin local election candidate Oonagh O'Reilly has challenged South Dublin Green Party TD and Minister Eamon Ryan to give a commitment that he will protect Dundrum Bus services which are under threat from the company's decision to withdraw 120 buses from the city.

Ms. O'Reilly, who has been campaigning in Dundrum today as part of Sinn Féin's day of action against the cuts, said the decision to cut bus services under the Green Party's watch is in direct contravention of their commitments to the environment and public services.

She said if the Green Party cannot secure commitments on such core fundamental issues then their participation in Government is pointless and they should leave in order to force the general election which the majority of voters are in favour of.

Ms. O'Reilly said, "The level of anger among the public at these cuts and the Government in general is palpable. The fact that these cuts are happening under the watchful eye of the Green Party in particular is incomprehensible particularly here in Dundrum in the heart of Eamon Ryan's constituency. Minister Ryan needs to give a commitment to his constituents that he will protect Dundrum's bus services which are under threat from these cuts. The 48A, the 44 and the 14A are all facing cuts.

"Ireland has already made commitments to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 but clearly, judging by this decision, the Government has no intentions of living up to this.

"The protection of the environment and the provision of quality public services are core fundamental issues for the Green Party. If they cannot progress these fundamental issues in Government then what's the point of them being there. If they cannot reverse this decision then they will have shown that their participation in Government is pointless and they should walk in order to force the general election which the majority of voters are currently in favour of." ENDS