Cork South Central LEA: FG running two candidates!!!

Yes, I am delighted! I attended the Cork South Central convention last Friday in Ballphehane Community Centre. I did keep people on twitter informed of the happenings at it. At the Convention both sitting Councillor Denis (Dino Cregan) and Emmet O'Halloran seeked nominations and I was delighted when we were told that we would be running two candidates, something which I had hoped for!

Best of luck to the two candidates who gave brilliant speeches on the night. Its down to hard graft and knocking no doors now!

A little info on the candidates:
Denis Cregan is a former Senator and former Lord Mayor Cork. He has been on Cork City Council since 1979 and is deeply committed to Cork and local democracy. He is best known for being the proprietor of "Dino's" a fast food chain.

Emmet O'Halloran is 26 years old and is Chairman of Turners Cross Community Association. He was appointed a Local Area Rep back in June and has worked hard since and in fact I have just got a leaflet in the door from him!

Again best of luck!

Convention Time hits Cork South Central!

Well three conventions take place in the Cork South Central Dáil Constituency this week. I have a vote in one of them, Cork South West Local Electoral Area . This is where it gets strange. I don't live in Cork South West LEA, I live in Cork South Central LEA, in which I don't have a vote! This is all due to my branches which are in Cork South West. They are Michael Collins Branch (Bandon Road) and UCCYFG.

Anyway the Conventions being held are the follwoing:
On Thursday 9th for the convention for the Carrigaline/Harbour Area will take place. Nominated are Cllr. John Collins, Cllr. Tim Lombard and Mr. Dave O'Byrne.

Saturday 11th sees both the Cork South East and Cork South West Conventions. Nominated in Cork South East are Cllr. Jim Corr, Clrr Laura McGonigle and Mr. Des Cahill. Nominated in Cork South West are Cllr. Brian Birmingham, Cllr. John Buttimer and Mr. Barry Keane.

I won't make the meeting on Thursday night due to work but will be at the conventions on Saturday where I have a vote. I am glad to see Fine Gael putting forward three candidates in those three LEA's and I hope they put at least two forward in Cork South Central LEA.

Also I hear Fianna Fail will not be holding local conventions and instead head office (Coughlan from what I hear) will be selecting the candidates. There is democracy at work!

Convention for Ireland South Euro Constituency, which will be contested, will hopefully be happening before Christmas.

UN Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities

I should have picked up on this alot earlier. But anyway 20 coutries have ratified the Convention meaning it can enter into force so who are these twenty enlightened countries?

Bangladesh - 30 November 2007
Croatia - 15 August 2007
Cuba - 6 September 2007
Ecuador - 3 April 2008
El Salvador - 14 December 2007
Gabon - 1 October 2007
Guinea - 8 February 2008
Hungary - 20 July 2007
India - 1 October 2007
Jamaica - 30 March 2007
Jordan - 31 March 2008
Mexico - 17 December 2007
Namibia - 4 December 2007
Nicaragua - 7 December 2007
Panama - 7 August 2007
Peru - 30 January 2008
San Marino - 22 February 2008
South Africa - 30 November 2007
Spain - 3 December 2007
Tunisia - 2 April 2008

Now I must say some of these countries to not instantly spring to mind when thinking of countries that might sign up for it! Only one of the twenty seven EU Member States has ratified the Convention which was opened for signature over a year ago (30 March 2007).

Ireland signed the convention on the 30th of March last year, but there is still no sign of legislation forthcoming to allow us to ratify the treaty.

Here some information on the Convention. Links at the end of the post (As usual!)

There are eight guiding principles that underlie the Convention and each one of its specific articles:

* Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one's own choices, and independence of persons
* Non-discrimination
*Full and effective participation and inclusion in society
* Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity
* Equality of opportunity
* Accessibility
* Equality between men and women
* espect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities

The convention will become legally binding on 3 May.

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Links:
Secretary-General Ban hails entry into force of treaty on disability rights - UN News Centre
CONVENTION on the RIGHTS of PERSONS with DISABILITIES
List of Signatories and Ratifications - UNEnable