Morning Briefing, 7th March

Dia Duit!

Rinne mé dearmad ar Seachtain na Gaeilge atá ar suil an seachatin seo! Tá dhá bebo agus myspace amhain or an idirlion!

SnaG - SeachtainNaGaeilge.bebo.com

Ceol - SnaGCeol.bebo.com

- www.myspace.com/snagceol

An nuacht ar an maidin seo!

Northern Ireland goes goes to the polls today in a very decisive election. (CNN, Breakingnews, RTÉ, BBC, France 24) The Polls are open until 10pm tonight with the counting begining tomorrow. 250 candidates are contesting 108 seats. The election is by PRSTV, so transfers are critical for the last seats in each constituency, just like down here in the south!

Trocaire is to challenge the ban on its advertising (Breakingnews). This will be an interesting challenge, first time id say a charity has been forced to pull its ads!

Commonwealth troops serving in the Britsih Armed Forces are to form their own union. (BBC) They seam to be very dissatisfied with their treatment in the army.

The Dáil has passed rushed legislation to outlaw the soliciting children for sex. (RTÉ, Breakingnews). The Bill will go through the Seanad today and then onto the President of signature.

UK MP's will have a free vote today on house of Lord's Reform after two days of debate (BBC). There is a range of option on the table. The choices before MPs are: all elected; 80% elected and 20% appointed; 60% elected and 40% appointed; half and half; 40% elected and 60% appointed; 20% elected and 80% appointed; all appointed. Its is expected that a mixture will be the preffered option.

bhuel sinn é!

Slán!

Morning Briefing, 5th March

Good Morning,I hope no one is suffering from ill effects of superstitions linked to lunar eclipses!!! (or still suffering from hangovers from the Irish Blog Awards or whatever they got up to at the weekend!!)

An Nuachtr ar an maidin seo!

Fine Gael are to introduce a bill into the Dáil this week to outlaw the sexual "grooming" of children on the Internet. (Breakingnews) This is well overdue having been on the order paper since 2004!

A new poll out today shows 68% of those surveyed would support a ban on hare coursing with 72% agreeing its a cruel practice (RTÉ). I am against hunting in Ireland, and actually spoke against it at my very first YFG Conference way back when.

A leading psychiatrist, Professor Patricia Casey, has branded Irish psychiatric services a 'third world country' (Irish Examiner). From my own experiences shes right. I have a appointment on Thursday in the CUH, and I will be waiting a long time to be seen!

The Cherokee Nation has voted out descendants of freed slaves from the Tribe. (CNN) This has led to accusations of racism. Well in my opinion, its not exactly fair like!

That's all for now!

Slán!

Dont wear a red nose near westminister!!

I started clicking on the new Lib Dem buttons and came across this by Tim Ireland How to avoid arrest on Red Nose Day. Its probably also true that on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, should you wear the shamrock you could also be arrested under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, its crazy!! Britain repeal this crazy piece of legislation!!

28th Amendemnt of the Constitution (Childrens Rights Amendment)

Well i eventually found the wording of the amendment and here it is from the DOHC website

PART 2
CHILDREN

Article 42(A)

1. The State acknowledges and affirms the natural and imprescriptible rights of all children.

2.

-In exceptional cases, where the parents of any child for physical or moral reasons fail in their duty towards such child, the State as guardian of the common good, by appropriate means shall endeavour to supply the place of the parents, but always with due regard for the natural and imprescriptible rights of the child.
-Provision may be made by law for the adoption of a child where the parents have failed for such a period of time as may be prescribed by law in their duty towards the child, and where the best interests of the child so require.

3. Provision may be made by law for the voluntary placement for adoption and the adoption of any child.

4. Provision may be made by law that in proceedings before any court concerning the adoption, guardianship or custody of, or access to, any child, the court shall endeavour to secure the best interests of the child.

5.

-Provision may be made by law for the collection and exchange of information relating to the endangerment, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or risk thereof, of children, or other persons of such a class or classes as may be prescribed by law.
-No provision in this Constitution invalidates any law providing for offences of absolute or strict liability committed against or in connection with a child under 18 years of age.
-The provisions of this section of this Article do not, in any way, limit the powers of the Oireachtas to provide by law for other offences of absolute or strict liability.

I'm a bit worried about the wording of section 2 as it uses the words 'moral reasons'. I dont like that.

Civil Union Bill - Open letter to minister McDowell

Minister McDowell,

I am writing to you voice my disgust at you comments in the house tonight on the Civil Union Bill. You claimed that the Labour party have done nothing for the LGB community, then what do call the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993, which the Progressive Democrats could have dealt with when they were in power pre 1992.

You Minister claimed that this bill does nothing for LGB couples, this bill will improve the quality of life and security for LGB couples. This bill will do more for LGB couples then what so far has been suggested.

No bill will satisfy everyone in Ireland.

I am disgusted that you in the government would table a last minute amendment to postpone the bill. This is unfavourable treatment of this bill and I am appalled at it. I was considering transferring my vote to the Progressive Democrats, but from the proceedings in the house tonight I have realised that the PD's may not be currently the 'liberal' party in Ireland.

This Government once again delays the implementation of important legislation.

I look forward to hearing from you on this issue

Yours in Pride
Stephen Spillane

E-mail info@michaelmcdowell.ie to voice your concerns

Civil Union Bill 2007

Well the Govt. have effectively sounded the death knell for this bill. They have tabled a reasoned amendment to the bill delaying the second stage for 6 months, well beyond the life of the current Dáil, meaning the bill will fall when the election is called.

Please lobby your Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrat TD's to oppose the amendment!

Civil Unions Bill 2007 - Get Lobbying!

On Wednesday evening, the Dail votes on the Labour Party Civil Union Bill, proposed by Brendan Howlin, TD.
Based on USI's lobbying to date, we estimate that we have around 70 of the required 83 votes for the bill to pass this stage. The Government will decide at Cabinet tomorrow (Tuesday) its position on the bill. If the Government opposes it, and they likely will, that will mean that unless we can find 15 TDs on the Government benches to support it, the bill will be defeated.

USI has identified the following TDs as members who may support the bill if pressure is applied. Between now and Wednesday, we need you to circulate this email to everyone on your mailing list, and ask them to contact these TDs before Wednesday, asking them to switch sides and support the bill.
Even if only one or two do so, it will be a big story, and a massive boost to the campaign. John Mc Guirk and I have spent the day ringing, emailing, and faxing party whips, individual TDs, press offices, and anyone who would listen to us!!

Remember, fax, email, and phone these TDs constantly and ask them to VOTE YES on the Labour Party Civil Unions Bill.


Sile De Valera – FF 01 6183000 sile.devalera@oireachtas.ie

Dennis O'Donovan – FF 01 61833079 dennis.odonovan@oireachtas.ie

Dermot Fitzpatrick – FF 01 6183699 dermot.fitzpatrick@oireachtas.ie

Jim Glennon – FF 01 6183910 jim.glennon@oireachtas.ie

Barry Andrews – FF 01 6183856 barry.andrews@oireachtas.ie

Fiona O'Malley – PD 01 6183062 fiona.omalley@oireachtas.ie

Peter Power – FF 01 6184232 peter.power@oireachtas.ie

Mae Sexton – PD 01 6183361 mae.sexton@oireachtas.ie

Mildred Fox – IND 01 6183548 mildred.fox@oireachtas.ie

Jerry Cowley – IND 01 6184050 jerry.cowley@oireachtas.ie

Marian Harkin – IND 071 9145890 marian.harkin@oireachtas.ie

Soldiers pimped in Russia

Via Gay.com

Following recent news that Russia may reinvigorate Soviet law by jailing gays, a new report found that young recruits in the Russian army are being forced into prostitution.

The Gazeta newspaper discovered that soldiers from an army base in St Petersburg are routinely being ‘pimped’ by senior officials, who then force them to turn over the earnings.
Clients include a former general of FSB, Russia's intelligence agency.

Anonymous soldiers, told Gazeta that they were violently tortured and beaten by senior officers as a means to force them into prostitution. Last year a 19-year-old recruit was reportedly beaten so badly that his genitals and legs had to be amputated.

Human rights group Union of the Committees of Soldiers' Mothers of Russia, speaking on behalf of soldiers, said that clients arrived at the base late at night to avoid recognition. Soldiers were forced into cars and often would be gone all night.

"The officers would beat us on the arms and legs. We were sent out to the park to earn money,” one solider told the newspaper. ”I was tortured with electric shocks.”

The officers allegedly pasted a client list to successors, suggesting that the practice was long-held tradition. Soldiers were paid about £25 on average for each client, most of which went back to the officers.

Defense Minister, Sergei Ivanov, rumoured to be potential successor to president Vladimir Putin, has pledged an investigation.

Related article on reviving soviet laws on homosexulaity

Morning Briefing, 19th January

Dia Duit,

The Govt is to publish the Children's Rights Amendment today (Breakingnews). Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said he will only go ahead with the referendum if he gets all-party consensus on the wording.

The 5 axle ban comes into effect in Dublin (RTÉ) AA Roadwatch says the introduction of a ban on five-axle trucks travelling through Dublin city centre has had an impact on M50 traffic this morning.

The US Senate is try and find new avenues of limiting Bush's power in Iraq (France 24) Leading Democrats touted a proposal that would revoke the October 2002 authorization that allowed Bush to invade Iraq.

Germany is the latest country to cancel footbal games over hooliganism (BBC)

Germany has also jailed a Holocaust denier (Al Jazeera)

A prominent far-right acvtivist has been sentenced to five years in prison for Holocaust denial by a German court.

Ernst Zuendel was extradited from Canada and on Thursday was handed the maximum possible sentence under German law for the crime in the southwestern town of Mannheim.

The court said it had counted 14 instances on Zuendel's Internet homepage where he denied the historical facts of the Holocaust and incited anti-Semitism

The 67-year-old has previously published works entitled The Hitler We Loved and Why and Did six million really die?

Thats it for now, have a good day!!

Nigeria - Update

After my last post on Nigeria, I've found two interesting blog posts over on FACT OR FICTION on the issue. One is a post on Nigeria's human right obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The second is an open letter to the President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.

USI LGBT have a page on their website about Nigeria, and what they are advocating to do, including contact details for the Nigerian Embassy in Dublin.

Organisations supporting the abandonment of this Bil:

Africa Action, United States

African Human Rights Organization, Cameroon

Alliance Rights, Nigeria

Center for Democracy and Development, Nigeria

Centre d'Etudes et de Recherche en Droits de l'Homme - Démocratie et Justice Transitionnelle, Democratic Republic of Congo

Civil Liberties Organization, Nigeria

Global Rights, United States

Human Rights Watch, United States

International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, United States

International Commission of Jurists, Switzerland

International Service for Human Rights, Switzerland

Legal Defense and Assistance Project, Nigeria

National Black Justice Coalition, United States

Support Project in Nigeria, Nigeria

University of Pretoria - Centre for Human Rights, South Africa

*UPDATE* the proposed bill is a on the USI LGBT website (PDF)

House passes resolution opposing Bush's Iraq policy 246-182

The Democratic-controlled House issued a symbolic rejection of President Bush's decision to deploy more troops to Iraq on Friday, opening an an epic confrontation between Congress and commander in chief over an unpopular war that has taken the lives of more than 3,100 U.S. troops.

The vote on the nonbinding measure was 246-182.

Resolution criticized President Bush for his decision to send more troops to Iraq is a rare admonishment of a wartime commander-in-chief.

"The passage of this legislation signal a change in direction that will end the fighting and bring our troops home," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said before the vote when she endorsed the measure that takes issue with Bush's decision to send an additional 21,500 U.S. troops into battle.

Full Story (CNN)

I'm delighted! An I hope Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, gets his legislation through that will limit spending and include a rest period between combat tours.

A survey in the US shows growing opposition to the War in Iraq. More than half of those surveyed say the Iraq war is a hopeless cause. A total of 38 percent wants to cut money for the additional troops that Bush is sending to Iraq, and 29 percent want to cut off all funding for the war.

E-mail to TD's on Civil Union Bill

Deputy,

I am writing to you on a matter of extreme urgency. The Labour Parties Bill on Civil Unions is due before the Dáil next week, and is due to go for a vote on Wednesday. I urge you as a concerned constituent to vote for this bill as it will vastly improve the quality of life for many Lesbian and Gay couples who are in a current state of legal limbo, in regards to partnership rights. Also if you vote for this measure I will encourage family and friends to consider voting for you at the upcoming election.


I look forward to hearing from you on this issue.

Yours in Pride
--
Stephen Spillane
Southern Area Officer
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Working Group


Stíofán O'Spealáin
Oifigiúil Ceantair an Deiscirt
Grúpa Obair na Leispiach, na Homaighnéasach, na Déghnéasach & na Transghnéasach


Please send an email to your representatives

How TDs Vote on Civil Unions Bill Could Affect Their Election Prospects - USI

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has preannounced an audit of TDs’ votes For/Against the Civil Unions Bill when voting takes place in the Dáil next Wednesday, 21st February.

Students are to note precisely which TDs try to block the legislation in the Second Stage vote.

The Civil Unions Bill would end discrimination against lesbian and gay people in many areas of law.

As students prepare to consider the audit’s findings, USI urges TDs to bear in mind that the “overwhelming majority” of the public support Civil Union legislation [1].

USI lesbian and gay spokesperson Steve Conlon said: “Students will look to see how every individual TD votes on this legislation. Simply, we regard attitudes towards Civil Union legislation as a litmus test of TDs’ support for fairness and equality. Those who vote ‘Nay’ vote to oppose these principles.

“Because lesbian and gay people cannot currently enter into a Civil Union or marry, they are subjected to statutory discrimination in many areas. The proposed Bill is a means to end this discrimination.

“Civil Unions are not the same as marriages, and USI continues to seek justice for same-sex couples who should have the right to marry in this State. Nevertheless, Civil Union legislation would improve the State’s treatment of lesbian and gay people, creating a better society for all.”

USI President Colm Hamrogue said: “In a very meaningful sense, all eyes will be on TDs on Tuesday when this Bill is debated, and especially on Wednesday when they will vote.

“The Labour Party is to be commended for sponsoring such an important piece of legislation.

“By publicly announcing an audit of how each individual TD votes – and communicating this to students across Ireland – we will be encouraging our members to exercise their vote for candidates who truly represent them.”



1. A Lansdowne poll at the end of 2006 commissioned by GLEN (Gay and Lesbian Equality Network) found that 84% of respondents were in support of either civil marriage of full civil partnerships for same-sex couples.

also reported on breakingnews.ie

I also got an e-mail today from a friend in the SGMHP asking people to e-mail their TD's on this issue. I think this is a good idea and shall be emailing my TD's now and will post up the e-mail and any responses I get.

GAY WITCH-HUNT IN NIGERIA

Via USI LGBT (email so no link)

"Nigeria seems certain to legislate one of the world's most sweeping and repressive anti-gay laws, unless international pressure is bought to bear on the Nigerian government in the next few weeks," Peter Tatchell has stated.

The leader or OUTRage! went on to say, "We appeal to gay and human rights groups worldwide to take urgent action to press the Nigerian government to uphold international human rights law and to drop this draconian legislation.

"A new bill, currently being debated in the Nigerian parliament, is the most comprehensively homophobic legislation ever proposed in any country in the world. Its extremism is rivalled only by the death penalty that exists for homosexuality in several Islamic fundamentalist states," added Mr Tatchell.

"The bill is primarily concerned with banning same-sex marriage, but its sub-clauses go much further. They will strip lesbian and gay Nigerians of their already limited civil rights. The bill outlaws almost every expression, affirmation and celebration of gay identity and sexuality, and prohibits the provision of sympathetic advice and welfare support to lesbians and gay men.

"Violations will be punished with an automatic five year jail sentence.

"The draconian measure will outlaw membership of a gay group, attending a gay meeting or protest, advocating gay equality, donating money to a gay organisation, hosting or visiting a gay website, the publication or possession of gay safer sex advice, renting or selling a property to a gay couple, expressions of same-sex love in letters or emails, attending a same-sex marriage or blessing ceremony, screening or watching a gay movie, taking or possessing photos of a gay couple, and publishing, selling or loaning a gay book or video.

"Even mere socialising by two or more gay people is likely to be interpreted as illegal.

"It widens Nigeria's already harsh anti-gay laws, to criminalise any expression, public or private, of homosexuality. Attending a private gathering of gay people, or imparting HIV prevention information to a gay person, will become a crime.

"Even before this new legislation, homosexuality was punished with a 14-year jail term under civil law, and by the death penalty in the northern regions of the country that are governed by Sharia law.

"The new legislation is backed by the Anglican Church in Nigeria and by its notoriously homophobic Archbishop, Peter Akinola. They are encouraging and endorsing the bill's victimisation of their gay countrymen and women, including the victimisation of their fellow Christians who are gay.

"The new law will criminalise gay Christian gatherings, blessings and celebrations. It is a direct attack on both the Christian and gay communities of Nigeria," said Mr Tatchell.

The bill is entitled, "The Prohibition of Relationships Between Persons of the Same Sex, Celebration of Marriage by Them, and for Other Matters Connected Therewith."

It has been approved by the Federal Executive Council and is now before the National Assembly. It is expected to be passed and become law shortly.

Under the bill, a penalty of five years imprisonment will be imposed on any person who "goes through the ceremony of marriage with a person of the same sex," or who "performs, witnesses, aids or abets the ceremony of same sex marriage," or who "is involved in the registration of gay clubs, societies and organisations, sustenance, procession or meetings, publicity and public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly in public and in private."

Obviously, it is astounding that any country should be allowed to even contemplate such laws. Substitute 'homosexuality' for 'people of colour' or 'jews' and an international protest would ensue. As a community, we need to stop Nigeria from continuing this shameless gay pogrom.

Our TD's voted for this!

Fergus O'Rourke ,over at Of Laws and Men, has done an excellent list of all the Cork TD's that voted for putting Cork Airport under the ownership of Dunlin Airport.

Well done Fergus!

Labour ro prioritise Civil Unions in 2007

From the Labour Press Office

Recognition of same sex unions must be priority for 2007

The Leader of the Labour Party, Pat Rabbitte TD, has said that the issue of legal recognition of and proper protection for couples in same sex relationships must be a priority for the Oireachtas in 2007.

"I am confident that the our society has matured and attitudes changed sufficiently to the point where the majority of our people would have no problem with legislation that would provide same-sex couples with the same basic rights and duties that are available to married couples.

"Shortly before Christmas, my colleague Brendan Howlin TD, published, on behalf of the Labour Party, a private members bill that would create a status relationship equivalent to marriage for the benefit of people who are of the same sex and who, under the current constitutional understanding of marriage, cannot marry each other. The Bill provides that, in most respects, the rules of law applying to marriage would also apply to civil unions.

"If passed, this Bill would have an immediate, significant and practical impact on the everyday lives of gay and lesbian couples. Those who choose to enter into a civil union would enjoy vital legal rights which married couples take for granted, in areas such as inheritance and taxation. The Bill would bring to end many of the routine forms of institutionalised discrimination that exist in our society and which impinge on in a very real way on people's lives.

"The Bill will be brought on to the floor of the Dail early in the new year, a step that will mark a watershed in our social and legislative history. This will be the first time that the Dail will have been given an opportunity to debate legislation providing for the legal registration and recognition of civil unions between persons of the same sex.

"The Labour Party has a long and proud record of driving the equality agenda in this country. The constitutional amendment providing for divorce and the legislation reforming the availability of contraception are legacies of Labour Party Ministers, while Labour also provided the political impetus that led to the decriminalisation of homosexual activities between consenting adults. Our Civil Unions Bill is entirely consistent with that tradition.

"We have produced this Bill because we are committed to the principle of full equality for gay and lesbian citizens and particularly for those in same sex unions. While both the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste have both made sympathetic noises, I do not see any willingness on the part of this government to tackle the issue. Indeed despite the publication in November of the Report of the Working Group on Domestic Relationships, chaired by Anne Colley, the government has not given any commitment on the introduction of legislations to provide for civil unions and appears determined to kick the issue into touch until after the general election.

"This must not be allowed to happen. Great distress was caused to many of our citizens in the past by long delays in the introduction of social reforms that have now become accepted as the norm. This must not be allowed to happen in regard to gay and lesbian citizens. The Oireachtas must rise to the challenge by enacting this legislation.

Well done to the Labour party! I shall be watching the progress of this bill with interest!

Proposed Amendments to the Irish Constitution

There are currently 3 bills before the Oireachtas that would amend the Irish Constitution.

- Twenty Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 3) Bill 2006
- Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 2) Bill 2006
- Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2006


Twenty Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 3) Bill 2006

This bill is sponsored by Deputy Dan Boyle of the Green Party. It would amend Articles 12, 13 and 21 of the Constitution.

It would amend subsection 1, of section 3, of Article 12 reducing the term of the office of President from 7 to 5 years. It also changes the way of nominating a candidate for President by reducing the number of members of the Oireachtas signatures you need to 5 or by gaining 20,000 signatures of members of electoral register.

In amending Article 13 it will insert a new amendment which will make the President address a Joint Sitting of the Oireachtas on an annual basis.

In amending Article 21 it will amend section 8 so that the Council of State has to meet 3 times a year.

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 2) Bill 2006

This bill is also sponsered by Deputy Dan Boyle. This bill will amend Articles 12 and 16 of the Constitution. This bill basically allows for all citizens over the age of 18 to run for Dáil Eireann and for President.

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2006

This bill is sponsored by Michael D. Higgins of the Labour Party.

This bill would actually insert a new article to the Irish Constitution, Article 11A which would read as follows.

CULTURAL HERITAGE, THE ENVIRONMENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS
Article 11A.
1. The State is custodian of the cultural heritage of the people, including its archeological, architectural, monumental, industrial, artistic and scientific heritage. The State is entitled, in accordance with law and on payment of such reward as may be prescribed, to claim ownership of newly discovered objects forming part of the cultural heritage. It is under a duty, for the performance of which adequate provision must be made by law, to secure the preservation of the cultural heritage and, as far as practicable, the retention of heritage objects within the State and their reasonable accessibility.

2. The State is also custodian of the physical environment, on land and sea and in the air, including plant and animal life, landscapes, seascapes and geological formations. The State and all other public authorities are under a duty, as far as practicable, to protect the environment as part of the common heritage of the people and to preserve its unique features, to promote and follow policies of sustainable
development and to safeguard the interests of future generations.

These are I believe sensible amendments to the Irish Constitution and I would not vote against any in a referendum. Of course the likely hood of any of these bills being put to the people is very unlikely due to the fact that they come form the opposition parties. But we will have a referendum next year but on the Rights of the Child, and I will post on that as soon as the bill is published.

An online version of the Irish Constitution is availible at www.oefre.unibe.ch/law/icl/ei00000_.html but it is slightly out of date as it has not been updated since 1995.

All the Bills published since 1997 can be accessed online on the Oireachtas Wesbite

Law Reform Commission: Report on Rights and Duties of Cohabit

http://www.lawreform.ie/#Third%20Annual%20Conference%202006%20Cohabitation:%20Models%20for%20Legal%20Reform

At the above link the Law Reforms Commission's Report on Rights and Duties of Cohabitants which was published yesterday.

Also availible at the above link is the Draft Cohabitants Bill 2006.

Education Act (Section 29) amending legislation must be top priority - Enright

Fine Gael Education & Science Spokesperson Olwyn Enright TD has called for the legislation to amend Section 29 of the 1998 Education Act to be drafted as a top priority so that it can be published as soon as the next Dáil session commences.

“The amendment of Section 29 of the 1998 Education Act is long overdue, and has been repeatedly called for by Fine Gael. Fine Gael tabled a motion in Dáil Éireann on this issue last February, and called for a number of actions to tackle the discipline crisis affecting some schools, including the amendment of Section 29 of the legislation.

“In that debate, Minister Hanafin did all she could to minimise the extent of the problem, and accused Fine Gael of being alarmist. She underplayed the difficulties that clearly exist with regard to Section 29 of the Act, suggesting that the responsibility lies with the schools to have proper policies and procedures in place.

“Policies and procedures are important, but these alone will not fix the current problem. Minister Hanafin has taken quite some time to wake up to that fact. Whilst the problems with Section 29 of the legislation have been clear for a long time, I regret that it has taken years for the matter to come to the Cabinet agenda.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that some schools have been forced to re-enrol seriously disruptive or violent pupils that have been expelled or suspended. In some cases, these pupils have been expelled for bringing knives to school, or threatening or perpetrating violence against teachers or other pupils.

“If we emasculate the way schools deal with disruptive students, then we send to those students a signal that their violent or disruptive behaviour will not be challenged. This undermines the entire education system, and has serious ramifications for the longer-term development of many young people.

“The Irish Vocational Education Association highlighted this problem when commenting that some previously expelled pupils returned to their schools ‘with a swagger, having achieved a victory against the school authorities’. In 2005 alone, the Department of Education and Science overturned eight expulsions and three suspensions at post-primary level.

“Minister Mary Hanafin has done everything in her power to avoid the fact that there is a growing discipline crisis in our schools. If she is, finally, going to take action then that is welcome, and the proposed amendment to the legislation should be drafted as a top priority.”

Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004 Submission on comencement of Section 38 (1) of the Public Health Act 2002

Dear Sir/Madam,
I urge the Minister to commence Section 38 (1) of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 as soon as possible. As a student of Public Health in UCC, I am aware of the cost and damage that smoking causes. If the date proposed, Monday, 2 October 2006, is the earliest I ask that it be implemented then. This is an important measure that will deter people from smoking and make it harder for people to get addicted at a young age due to the cost factor.

Looking forward to hearing from you on this issue.

--
Is mise le meas
Stephen Spillane

Send your submission to tobaccoactsconsultations@health.irlgov.ie