Speaking before this week's meeting of Cork City Council, Sinn Féin Councillor Jonathan O'Brien described the 16% rent increase imposed on council tenants as exploitative, immoral and very wrong and said it should be withdrawn. Free article

"Minister Frank Fahey is making a habit of ignoring the concerns of communities in Erris and he is adding the driftnet fishermen of the area to the growing list," says Sinn Féin Mayo election candidate, Vincent Wood. He was reacting to Minister Fahey's proposals to curtail the catching of wild salmon off the west coast. The minister has ruled out compensating driftnet fishermen for the loss of their traditional livelihood. Free article

Everybody knows that the EU is beset with organisational problems, stemming mainly from its huge bureaucracy, endless committees and agencies that harbour power and control of resources as far away from member state governments as is possible. What to do about this is open to question, especially as with an oncoming enlargement, the EU is set to grow substantially. Free article

Sinn Fein General Election candidate for Meath, Cllr Joe Reilly, has challenged Mícheál Martin and the members of the North Eastern Health Board to explain their miserly increase in the allowance guidelines for Medical Cards for 2002-2003. Free article

Cavan/Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin on Wednesday joined a public protest at Monaghan General Hospital to coincide with the visit of the Minister for Health and Children, Mícheál Martin. Free article

If anyone believes that young people don't care, last Saturday afternoon's meeting in Dublin on globalisation proves them wrong. Free article

Sinn Féin's MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone, Michelle Gildernew, joined party candidate for Dublin West, Mary Lou McDonald, on the campaign trail last Friday. Gildernew visited local childcare and youth projects in the Blanchardstown area. Free article

Spurred by the organisation of the Dublin branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Group in Dublin last December, a number of people have now set up a Belfast-based branch. Both groups have tried to organise support, get structure on the organisation and establish a methodology for the work. Free article

Mayo Sinn Féin general election candidate Vincent Wood has welcomed comments by Roscommon Fine Gael Deputy Dennis Naughton in relation to the Connaught Waste Management Plan. In a statement last week, Naughton said that incineration should not be part of the Connaught waste strategy and that the consultants had grossly underestimated the recycling targets that could be achieved. Free article

Saturday January 26 & Sunday 27 January, St. Joseph's Academy, Kildare town Free article