The Children's Rights Referendum. Full steam ahead in Dundalk!

Starting off two weeks ago with the posters.Thanks Damian and Hilary

Meeting with constituents at the Square in Dundalk on Saturday

Tara and Donal on the canvass at the Square

STRICTLY COME DANCING FOR ST JOHN OF GOD SERVICES

I had the honour of being asked to join the judging pane, with Darragh Moloney and Carol Leavy Joyce, for Strictly Come Dancing in the TLT theatre in Drogheda last night. Huge congratulations to everyone involved: dancers, organisers, sponsors and the wonderful audience who packed out the TLT.

With Darragh Moloney from RTE (judging panel) and Cillian

Cillian and Kevin.

A new image for Ged Nash TD. Fair play to you Ged, you know how to strut your stuff!

Backstage with Dickie Rock.

Speaking in the Seanad on Literacy, Numeracy and new Jun Cert

Policy of Opposition is easy for Hypocritical Sinn Féin. Letter to Dundalk Democrat

 

 

 

The hypocrisy demonstrated by Cllr Tomas Sharkey and his Sinn Féin colleagues is staggering. Criticising, as he does, every single measure taken by a government that is battling for this country’s recovery is an easy position to take. Shouting from the side-lines while difficult decisions must be taken may get you short term political gain but it ultimately offers no solutions for the people you claim to represent. The hypocrisy and doublespeak from Sinn Féin is particularly galling when, as a party of power in Northern Ireland, they are involved in implementing severe cuts across the public services.

In the North, they have a Sinn Féin Education Minister whose own schools policy could lead to a closure of 70 schools.

In the North, Sinn Féin in government implement household taxes more than ten time higher than the household charge.

In the North, Sinn Féin MLAs have defended water charges. They even had a Minister for Regional Development who did nothing to reverse the decision to meter water while he was in office

In the North, Sin Féin in government will be responsible for the proposed closure of half of the North’s acute hospitals within six years.

Most recently, Sinn Féin stood idly by while a Welfare legislation which will permanently reduced the North’s benefits passed through the NI Assembly.

Cllr Sharkey’s most recent attack on Labour was in relation to child benefit. Child benefit here is still far more than you would get in Northern Ireland under Sinn Féin rule. Child Benefit in Northern Ireland is €102.50 per month for the first child and then €67.70 per month for each additional child. The adult rate of Jobseekers Allowance and Benefit in Northern Ireland, under Sinn Féin rule, is €78.33 for an individual and €122.95 for a couple. The rate here continues to be €188 for an individual and €312.80 for a couple, despite the challenging economic climate.

Let us remind ourselves why Ireland is in this difficult economic situation and of Sinn Féin’s role in it. Sinn Féin voted in the blanket bank guarantee in September 2008 and has been the single biggest contributing factor to the unprecedented economic crisis we now face. The Labour Party was alone in voting against that disastrous and permanent bank guarantee.

The reality of that decision, voted in by Sinn Féin, is that we have lost our economic sovereignty. Coupled with our massive bank debt, the State is spending €11 billion more than we take in through taxation. This means that in order to continue to pay the services that the State must pay for – teachers, nurses, Gardaí etc. – we must reduce the gap between spending and revenue. Labour is in government to make sure that the decisions we take are as fair as possible.

Labour promised to work hard to get the country out of the economic hold in which it found itself. The country was broken when we entered Government. There were broken banks, broken public finances, a broken reputation and broken morale. We have worked hard every day to fix these problems.

At every step along the way, Sinn Féin has accused Labour in Government of breaking promises. They have claimed that we broke our promise on restoring the minimum wage; they were wrong about that. They claimed we would not renegotiate the deal with the EU and IMF; they were wrong about that. They said we would never get the 1% reduction in the interest rate. They were wrong about that because we got a reduction of 2.5%, at a value of €10 billion to the country. They said we wouldn’t get a deal on separating bank debt from the State. They are wrong. Their claim that we haven’t delivered on political reform is wrong. We cut the pay of Ministers, cut the transport arrangements for Ministers, and capped the salaries of public servants. We have changed the pension arrangements for top-level public servants. We are introducing reforms across the public sector without industrial action by maintaining a strong commitment to the Croke Park arrangement.

On none of these issues has Sinn Féin admitted they were wrong.

We are in difficult times but I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. There have been significant jobs announcements in recent weeks and we are confident for Ireland’s future. Labour in Government will continue to work hard to tackle unemployment.

All of this may be an inconvenient truth for Cllr Sharkey who clearly prefers shouting from the side-lines, refusing to offer any constructive advice for the benefit of people in County Louth and beyond.

 

Call to cardinal to apologise to priest over false abuse allegation

 

Elaine Keogh THE IRISH TIMES

Cardinal Sean Brady should make a full apology to a priest who was removed from his parish in Co Louth after an allegation of abuse made against him was subsequently found to be false.

That’s according to Labour Senator Mary Moran who is part of the parish of Blackrock, Co Louth, which Fr Oliver Brennan was attached to at the time of the allegation in August 2010.

Yesterday Fr Brennan told LMFM radio that being accused of child abuse “is every priest’s nightmare”. The allegation dates back to the early 1070s and was investigated by the PSNI and later by Cardinal Brady.  Both enquiries cleared him of any wrongdoing.

He said he had no idea an allegation was being made and the last two years have been “very difficult, quite horrendous really. I’ve always felt the worst thing a person could do would be to hurt a child in any way or an underage person” he said. “ Suddenly, on the 14^th August, 2010  I had an allegation against me saying that I did do that. Therefore when one believes the worst thing that could be done was what one was accused of doing – I was in such a state of shock I think for a few months.”

Fr Brennan said it is only right that investigations into such allegations are “very thorough and that every iota reported is investigated.” However he said that “it is unfortunate that because of the incorrect activity of church leaders in the past, that priests are now very vulnerable”.

He said the PSNI and the Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland both exonerated him. “At a very early stage a police woman said to me, off the record, “We know you are an innocent man,” said Fr Brennan. “They concluded, after interviewing this person and interviewing me, her words were, “You are a gentleman, I feel very sorry for you, this is all fabricated but we must proceed”.

Cardinal Brady celebrated Mass in Blackrock on Saturday evening and read a statement that, “allegations against Fr Oliver Brennan have not been substantiated and Fr Oliver Brennan remains a priest in good standing and is to be restored to active ministry forthwith”.

However a church spokesman confirmed that Fr Brennan would not be returning to Blackrock parish.

 

Parents to be surveyed on their preference of primary school patronage

Senator Mary Moran today commended the decision by the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, to offer parents and guardians the opportunity to participate in a survey to present their views on their preferred primary school patronage.

The decision to survey parents and guardians in a number of selected areas throughout the country follows the recommendations by the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism to Minister Quinn earlier this year on the divesting of patronage, where there is a stable population and a demand for diversity of school types.   “Following the advisory group’s recommendations, I welcome the Minister’s decision to begin the process of examining the possibility of transferring some schools to other patron bodies in forty four areas around the country where this is preferred. Initially parents of preschool and primary school children in Trim, Arklow, Castlebar, Tramore and Whitehall will be given the opportunity to share their views on their preferred patronage. The survey will then be rolled out in the remaining thirty nine areas over the next month. The survey process will be overseen by the independent New Schools Establishment group, and detailed results will be published by the Department of Education. Following the results of the survey, the Department will then explore the possibilities of the transfer of patronage of these schools with the existing patrons if a demand for alternative patronage is identified. It is very important that all parents and guardians participate in the survey to have their say. This is indeed a unique opportunity for parents to voice their opinions on their choice of patronage for their schools. I would urge all parents to take part in the survey which is available online on www.education.ie. A paper version of the survey is also available by contacting freephone 1800 303261.”

www.education.ie

Speaking today in the Seanad : Statements on Alcohol Consum...

Senator Moran welcoming planning permission for the Narrow Water Bridge

Labour launch of Children's Rights Referendum

Children should be seen and heard

“Today sees the official start of Labour’s campaign to ensure that the citizens of Ireland come out and vote Yes in the Children’s Rights Referendum on November 10^th. This referendum is the culmination of a lot of hard work and determination by Labour to ensure that the rights of children are protected in the constitution. It is our firm belief that children should be seen, heard, listened to and protected and that the terrible events of the past where cruelty, neglect and abuse were allowed to happen, will never happen again.

I will be actively campaigning from now until November 10^th to secure a Yes vote in this Referendum. It is a unique opportunity for everyone to ensure that this generation of children and those to come will live secure in the knowledge that their voices will be heard and their wellbeing safeguarded.”

 

Launching our Children's Referendum campaign http://instagr.am/p/Q4M0E7GH1K/ #crref

 

 

Go ahead for Narrow Water Bridge

 

 

There was great news today for everyone who has been working so hard to further the plans for a bridge at the Narrow Water, over the Newry River. An Bord Planeala has granted planning permission for the bridge and following on from the granting of planning permission by the Northern Ireland Environment Minister Alex Attwood last week, I am delighted that the project can now forge ahead and hopefully secure the required funding to make the bridge a reality. Louth County Council has made an application for funding under the Interreg IV scheme to cover the cost of approximately €18m and if successful work will commence in the near future with a goal of opening the bridge in 2015. It will act as a gateway to the Mourne and Cooley Mountains for tourists and allow much easier access for visitors to this beautiful and scenic part of the north-east.

It has the potential to be a great economic and tourism catalyst for the area on both sides of the border with jobs created during the construction phase and increased investment in businesses and tourism in the future. The construction of this cross-border bridge is also of significance in that it is the most important infrastructure project in the border region for many years. The Narrow Water Bridge will hopefully come to symbolise the progress that has been made in North-South relations and the optimism that exists for future cross-border co-operation.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore taking leaders questions today

http://www.youtube.com/embed/e6bZXMydhq0?rel=0

Speaking in the Seanad on the Oireachtas Commission Amendment Bill 2012

http://www.youtube.com/embed/g0r2HJDp5Wk

World Mental Health Day 10th October 2012

World Mental Health Day raises public awareness about mental health issues. The day promotes open discussion of mental disorders, and investments in prevention, promotion and treatment services. This year the theme for the day is “Depression: A Global Crisis”.

Depression affects more than 350 million people of all ages, in all communities, and is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease. Although there are known effective treatments for depression, access to treatment is a problem in most countries and in some countries fewer than 10% of those who need it receive such treatment.

 

Mental Health Ireland is a national voluntary organisation which was established in 1966 as the Mental Health Association of Ireland. It is a company limited by guarantee with a voluntary Board of Directors representative of local Mental Health Associations and people with expertise in relevant areas.
 

http://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/

 

 There are 104 local Mental Health Associations currently affiliated to Mental Health Ireland. While they are autonomous, they share the mission of MHI and participate in projects organised at national level. Local MHAs are active in assisting to meet the mental health needs of the population of their own areas. MHI is affiliated to the World Federation for Mental Health and to Mental Health Europe.

The activities of Mental Health Ireland include:

• Supporting local Mental Health Associations in their work by providing information and training and through a network of Development Officers working around the country.

• Actively Campaigning and Advocating to improve national mental health policy and service provision.

• Providing an Information Service on issues relating to mental health and mental illness through information fact-sheets, this website and directly by telephone, post and email.

• Undertaking Research on mental health topics, such as the national survey on stress and the national survey on public attitudes to mental illness.

• Organising Conferences, Courses, Workshops and Seminars on a wide variety of issues relating to mental health. MHI also promotes and co-ordinates activities to celebrate World Mental Health Day on the 10th October each year.

• Developing Mental Health Promotion Programmes, including:

• The National Public Speaking Project for senior students in post-primary schools and colleges which promotes an awareness of the importance of positive mental health, while developing public speaking skills.

• Mental Health Matters, a mental health resource pack for 14-18 year olds which addresses the issue of mental health in a realistic, relevant and age appropriate manner.

Please visit the website for further information.

http://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/

 

Children's Referendum November 10th 2012

Why do we need this referendum?

Our Constitution is the foundation for all the State’s laws and policies. However, it does not provide an express statement of rights for children.

The Government is bringing forward this Referendum to give the Irish People the opportunity to change this. This Referendum will give people the option of updating the Constitution to reflect our shared value in relation to ensuring the protection of all our children. The proposed Amendment is intended to give firmer recognition to the rights of children under the Constitution and to affirm the State’s obligation, as far as practicable, to protect those rights.

There have been seventeen major reports on child protection failings in Ireland since 1970. The Government now has a Programme for Change for Children and is bringing in new laws on the reporting of child abuse and safer practices for organisations, where children spend time, and is also reforming Ireland’s child protection services by transferring them from the HSE and establishing a dedicated new Child and Family Support Agency.

These reforms focus on intervention to ensure the safety and welfare of children is protected and to ensure that child protection services can respond appropriately to all child protection concerns.

Passing this Referendum will put children’s needs at the centre of decision-making and will facilitate changes to adoption legislation.

What will change if the referendum is passed?

This Referendum proposes to place a dedicated Article in the Constitution which has children as its central focus.

This Referendum is about strengthening the Constitution:

• To provide that the rights and protections set out in this new Article should apply equally to all children, regardless of the marital status of their parents;
• To protect children from abuse and neglect;
• To recognise children in their own right.

The wording of the proposed Constitutional amendment is available here.

Protecting children

For children at risk, this Referendum seeks to ensure that they are protected from harm.

It sets out when and how intervention should occur, with the focus on the child, and referring to the impact of parental failure on the child’s safety and welfare, rather than solely on such failure and the reasons for it.

Overall, Article 42A focuses on the protection afforded to children under the Constitution, while respecting and preserving the rights of parents and the family.

Supporting Families

The amendment will require State intervention in the family to be proportionate.

This is in line with current Government policy, which is to continue the development of early intervention and family support services, which play a vital role in responding to child welfare concerns, thereby preventing more serious problems arising. Furthermore, the government’s objective is to protect children in the home and prevent children being taken into care at a later stage.

Removing Inequalities in Adoption

On the passing of this Referendum a clear standard will apply across areas of law relating to child welfare and protection and family law that the rights and protections set out are to be enjoyed by all children, irrespective of the marital status of their parents.

If passed:

• Provision shall be made by law for the adoption of any child, irrespective of his or her birth status. This will provide greater opportunity for children in foster care to be adopted; and where it is in the best interests of the child
• Provision shall be made by law for the voluntary placement for adoption of any child (again, irrespective of birth status)

There will be a revision of existing adoption law to more readily facilitate the adoption of children in certain well-defined circumstances. These are children who have been reared by foster parents, for a considerable period, by reason of the failure of their parents to look after or care for them. It will give them a better opportunity of certainty and permanency of living in a loving, caring family.

Recognising children in their own right

It will mean that provision is made by law, that in the resolution of all proceedings concerning the protection and welfare, adoption, guardianship, custody, and access in respect of any child, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration.

This Referendum proposes to change our Constitution to include a standalone article (Article 42A) on ‘Children’, thus providing a strong affirmation of each individual child’s inherent rights, while continuing to respect and preserve the rights of the family, as set out in the existing Article 41.

This Referendum also proposes, for the first time, to give Constitutional recognition to the best interests and views of the child in court cases affecting their life.

This Referendum, if passed, will mean that provision may be made by law to ensure that in the resolution of all proceedings concerning the protection and welfare, adoption, guardianship, custody, and access in respect of any child that:

• the paramount consideration is the best interests of the child.

• the views and wishes of the child should be taken into account, as long as the child is sufficiently mature to make this appropriate.

North-South Inter Parliamentary Association

I was delighted to be recently appointed to the North-South Inter Parliamentary Association. Since my appointment to the Seanad in 2011 I have served on the Committee for the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

The NSIP Association, the establishment of which arises out of the Good Friday and St. Andrew's Agreements, will provide a forum for regular formal discussions between Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly on issues of mutual interest and concern, meeting twice yearly on a rotational basis. The membership is drawn in equal numbers from the Houses and the Assembly and will comprise 50 members in total which includes the two Joint Chairs. The Joint Chairs are the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Barrett, TD and the Speaker, William Hay, MLA.

The first plenary meeting will take place in Dublin on October 12th.

THINK AHEAD launches in Dundalk

Orla Murphy (Think Ahead), Mary Deery(Louth County Council), Senator Mary Moran, Marie Hayes (Citizens Information)

What if a day comes when you are unable to make decisions for yourself?
What if you are suddenly taken ill, are involved in an accident or lose your ability to think clearly or independently?
Do your closest family members or friends really know your wishes?
The purpose of Think Ahead is to guide members of the public in discussing and recording their preferences in the event of emergency, serious illness or death.

The Forum (www.endoflife.ie) is an Irish Hospice Foundation initiative which began in 2009, conceived in order to open up dialogue about all matters relating to dying, death and bereavement which might be of concern to Irish people.

Think Ahead

The Think Ahead project has formed a key part of the Forum's work. A detailed Think Ahead form has been prepared, which allows people to fill in their personal details and other information which could be crucial at some time in the future in ensuring that their wishes and preferences are known to others - family, emergency services, hospital services, solicitor, etc.

A detailed form is available which will record information.

The form is divided into six sections: Key Information, Care Preferences, Legal Matters, Financial Matters, When I Die and Sharing of Information, with an appendix entitled Where to Find My Important Documents. Visit www.thinkahead.ie for more information.

Think Ahead forms are available from my office in Williamson's Mall, Dundalk.

Access Louth Awards 2012. It's time to Vote!!!

On Monday evening I launched the Access Louth Awards 2012 in the Dundalk Town Centre.

Nominations are now open for services/ buildings/ shops/ offices in Co Louth which you consider provide the best access for disabled users.

The closing date for receipt of nominations is 5pm on Wednesday 31st October 2012.
Forms are available from Louth County Council Offices, Millennium Building, Dundalk, tel 042-9324357 or email dce@louthcoco.ie 

Also available from my office in Williamson's Mall, Dundalk.
Forms should be returned to: Access Louth Awards, Irish Wheelchair Association,
John St Business Park,
John St, Ardee, Co Louth

Are you registered to vote in the Children's Referendum on Nov 10th?

As you are aware the Children’s Rights Referendum will be held on Saturday 10th November 2012, Please note that the closing date for applications for the Supplement to the Register of Electors for this Referendum is close of business on Tuesday 23rd October 2012. Applications for entry onto the supplement to the Postal & Special voters’ list must be received within two days of the date of the making of an order appointing the polling day. The Minister must make the order appointing the polling day by the 11th October 2012. This means that a citizen who is not currently registered as a Postal/Special Voter, and who should be registered as a Postal/Special Voter must submit their application as soon as possible, as the closing date for receipt of these will be before the end of next week. Forms are available to download from www.louthcoco.ie. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me at my office in Williamson's Mall Dundalk. 042-9329052


Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald has made a special appeal to students who have long campaigned for a Saturday vote to come out in numbers to back the children’s referendum on November 10th. She launched a new website, childrensreferendum.ie, on Thursday afternoon to help promote the Yes side in the November 10th poll, with the help of some youngsters from St Audeon’s National School in Dublin.

Positive Ageing Week, Oct 1-7

I was delighted to launch Positive Ageing Week in Dundalk on Monday evening. County Louth has a fantastic track record over the past few years in ensuring that older people can participate in activities and maintain their independence for as long as possible.
As the first recognised Age-Friendly county, Louth is seen as leading the way in developing a range of age-friendly initiatives and related new products and services. These developments are happening across the board with businesses, within communities and among the public services.
The role of the Netwell Centre in DKIT has been crucial in Dundalk receiving recognition as Ireland's first age-friendly town Age Action is celebrating 10 years of Positive Ageing and is going from strength to strength.
One of their big achievements has been the provision of computer classes in DKIT organised by Anne Egan and delivered by a team of dedicated volunteers. Many older people have become skilled in using their computers for all sorts of activities including surfing the internet and keeping in touch with family on Skype.
The range of activities available for people to participate in during Positive Ageing Week around Dundalk is amazing!
Some of these include a photography exhibition in Carroll Meade by Sean Casey, an intergenerational event in the County Library on Saturday "Create Your Own Story" aimed at bringing grandparents and grandchildren together for a special workshop.
On Sunday next, Oct 7th, Darver Castle will host Ireland's first Age-Friendly Consumer Fair. Entry is free and businesses will be showcasing products and services to assist older people in living longer and healthier lives. Earlier this year Taoiseach Enda Kenny presented Louth with the prestigious Taoiseach's Public Service Award for the "Sharing the Journey" Age-Friendly County project.