Tag: ireland

Seanad to discuss Labour motion on HSE

27th May 2008

HSE LogoTomorrow evening, the Labour party in the Seanad will raise an issue that has been talked about ad nauseam in the House.

I refer to the future of the HSE. I invite all my colleagues on the opposite side of the House, who have expressed their frustration regarding the operations of the HSE on many occasions, to support the motion the Labour Party will be tabling.

I invite the Leader of the Seanad and the Deputy Leader not to put forward the usual amendment that is tabled in respect of such a motion and which essentially involves deleting everything after the term “Seanad Éireann” and replacing it with something anodyne. I call on them to genuinely support what we are proposing, namely, a serious set of reforms regarding the HSE.

The motion is not a personal attack on the Minister, the Government or anyone else, nor is it a retreading of old arguments; it is comprised of a positive set of proposals regarding how the HSE can be reformed. This issue has been raised on numerous occasions by Senators on the opposite side of the House and I invite them to support the Labour Party motion.

More :: The Seanad debate on the HSE will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday May 28. You can view the proceedings live by clicking here.
More :: You can read the wording of the Labour Private Members Motion by clicking here.
More :: Learn more about Labour’s plans for reforming the HSE by clicking here.

Communities abandoned as housing PPPs collapse

20th May 2008

PPP CollapseIt is not an exaggeration to describe this event as a parable of our times. It tells us a number of things about where we are at this stage of our development.

First, it tells us that at the time of an economic downturn, the first people to feel the brunt are the most vulnerable in our society, those whose communities have been ravaged by under investment, drug abuse, social exclusion and the lack of basic facilities. It would be no exaggeration to say that when we talk about schemes being abandoned, we are talking about communities being abandoned.

Second, it demonstrates the folly of our over-reliance, particularly in recent years, on the private sector to address pressing social problems and concerns. We have become completely obsessed with outsourcing everything to the private sector and have little or no confidence in our ability or the ability of a properly funded public sector to take the lead in issues such as this. I am tempted to suggest that instead of denoting public private partnerships, the acronym PPP should denote private profit prevails. That is clearly what it means in the current situation.

The third thing demonstrated by the collapse of the PPP should be of urgent interest to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and to Green Party Senator Dan Boyle. It relates to the reason given for the abandonment of these projects. We have been told it relates to the downturn in construction, but what was less well noticed were the other reasons proffered by Mr. McNamara for walking away from these projects, namely, that he must, quite rightly, observe the reasonable and necessary building regulations with regard to energy conservation and apartment size that have been introduced in Dublin City. What kind of shoeboxes did he propose to build on those sites?

There are sighs from those on the Government side and no doubt this will be an issue at the famous event in Galway at the end of July. Certain elements of the construction industry, bigger builders and those who find themselves in the top two or three in the CIF’s recent publication, do not take the standards seriously. That is where the Minister’s attention should be directed.

More :: My contribution was featured on Oireachtas Report - watch it here. (From 15mins  45secs onwards)

Debate heats up in Mount Merrion sunshine

16th May 2008

Last night was the last in our series of meetings on the Lisbon Treaty. The series really has worked out very well for myself and the constituency of Dublin South. I opened the meeting last night by saying that the most important thing about the Treaty was to publicise information on the Treaty.

My guests were Peadar O Broin author of ‘The Consolidated Version of the Treaties’ and Blair Horan of the CPSU. Peadar told the audience that the Lisbon Treaty was about making the EU work more efficiently and transparently.

“We have to remember that when this project started they were working from a model that suited six countries. In 2008, we have 27 countries working under that same project. The Treaty aims to tidy up and clarify the workings of the EU,” he said.

Blair told the audience that the Treaty would result in the Charter of Fundamental Rights becoming legally enforceable.

“People are right to say that the rights contained in this are nothing new, but what is new is the fact that the Treaty will guarantee those rights for every citizen. I think that that is important to stress. What we are dealing with is not just an economic market but a social market, too.”

An interesting and comprehensive Q&A took place following the addresses. There were some very strong and passionate views brought forward from members of the audience, with both the Yes and No sides represented.

One thing that struck me was the concern that some in the audience had regarding the Treaty, and the element of fear associated with it. I believe Peadar dealt very well with the crux of some of the arguments.

In response to questions on our neutrality, all three speakers stated that the ‘Triple Lock’ mechanism stays in place, whereby any military participation needs to be accepted by the Government, the Oireachtas and there needs to be a UN Mandate allowing us to enter. Peadar gave an example of the EU peacekeeping presence in FYR Macedonia and said that Ireland could not get involved because there was no UN Mandate for such peacekeeping.

Concern was also raised about the fact that only one mainstream party was against the Treaty and what this meant for democracy. I was quick to point out that the Labour Party had gone through the entire document and weighed up the pros and cons. If the party were to decide against the Treaty it would be dishonest to the people of the country.

Nonetheless, the beauty of Irish democracy is that it is a peoples’ vote and not a political vote.

More :: Please take some time to go to the Labour Party’s website on the Lisbon Treaty by clicking here

Information Meeting on Lisbon Tonight in Mount Merrion

15th May 2008

Lisbon Treaty Meeting Tonight, Mount MerrionOur final Information Meeting on the Lisbon Treaty will take place tonight.

After two successful meetings in Dundrum and Nutgrove over the past two weeks, I will be speaking on the Treaty and what it’s all about at Kiely’s in Mount Merrion. My guests tonight will be Blair Horan of the CPSU and Peadar O Broin, author.

The meetings have been designed for both those who have concerns about the Lisbon Treaty and those who feel uninformed thus far. We have had excellent attendances at our meetings in Dundrum and Nutgrove and I would encourage everyone to come along and take part in the informed debate.

There is still confusion out there regarding what Lisbon really deals with. We have heard arguments regarding such issues as Ireland’s neutrality, taxes, and what it means for workers in Ireland in terms of rights.

I feel that those who have come to the meetings have gone home with a clearer understanding of the Treaty and have the information they need in order to make an informed decision.

Literature will be available at the door to take home.

It is a public meeting and everyone is welcome. I hope to see you there.

  • Wondering what the Lisbon Treaty is all about? Information Meeting, Kiely’s Mount Merrion, Tonight, Thursday 15 May, 8 pm.

More :: Click here for directions to Kiely’s, Mount Merrion.

Children being failed by our social service system

13th May 2008

Children Last night’s Prime Time Investigates programme on child protection services, showed the alarming extent to which children at risk of abuse or neglect are being failed by our social service system.

Perhaps the most shocking disclosure was that children regarded as Priority One cases - those most at risk of sexual or physical abuse - did not have a social worker allocated to them. We also saw where filing cabinets packed with documents relating to numerous cases, had not yet even been examined.

The programme drew attention to a particularly outrageous case where a foster parent reported evidence of sexual abuse of a child in her care, only for her warnings to be ignored. There seemed to be no action taken by the HSE and the suspected parents were allowed ongoing regular access to the child. It is quite clear that children in such cases are not being afforded the full protection to which they are entitled under the Children Act 2001.

It is little wonder that doctors and teachers who have to refer cases to social services have become so frustrated and disillusioned, when they discover that in all liklelihood, nothing will be done.

It was very disappointing to hear the response of new Minister of State Barry Andrews on Morning Ireland this morning. One might have expected that a new Minister would bring a new perspective and a new enthusiasm to the job. Instead what we got was a new voice, trotting out the same old excuses and offloading responsibility to the HSE. Where was Minister Andrews’ anger? Where was his determination to get this problem sorted out?

The reality is that children are being placed at unacceptable risk and that unless our child protection services are properly resourced many will face continued abuse or even death.

Just last week the newly-elected Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the Dail that the particular responsibility of the Govt was to “represent the interests of our young”. It’s now time for him to act on that worthy sentiment by ensuring that the HSE recruitment embargo is lifted and that an emergency programme of recruitment of social workers gets under way immediately.

More :: You can watch the ‘Prime Time Investigates’ programme on Child Protection by clicking here

‘Lisbon information meeting in Loreto, Rathfarnham’

13th May 2008

Last night, the second in our series of three meetings on the Lisbon Treaty took place at Loreto Community Centre, Nutgrove. I was extremely impressed with the turnout, which resulted in extra chairs having to be found so that everyone had a seat!

I was joined by Blair Horan of the CPSU and by Holly Kilroy, International Officer of Labour Youth.

I began the meeting by telling the audience that a vote in favour of the Lisbon Treaty will mean a strong Ireland on the European stage and a strong EU on the world stage.

“The Lisbon Treaty is not going to sort everything. But there is enough in this document for people to vote Yes on June 12th.

“The No side are rolling out arguments that have been rehashed from debates we’ve had since we voted to join the EEC in 1972. Any arguments that the EU has left items out of this treaty in order to push it through is plain wrong.”

Holly admitted to the audience that she had come to the meeting the day after her Final Exams in College; such is the strength of her support for the Lisbon Treaty.

“Passing this Treaty will guarantee the rights that Labour has fought for,” she said. “The Charter of Fundamental Rights contains some vital rights that will only become legally enforceable if Ireland votes Yes. This even includes a prohibition on discrimination, which is a massive step for the EU to take.”

Blair told the crowd that any fears that Ireland is ‘surrendering’ to a United States of Europe should be dismissed.

“We live in a different century now. If one looks at the history of Europe, the 20th Century saw the absolute devastation of Europe through two World Wars, genocide and instability. The EU is a guarantee of stability. If Ireland was on its own in the current economic climate, our unemployment would be through the roof and our currency would be devastated.”

In a Question and Answer session at the end of the meeting there was a surprising number of questions on the Lisbon Treaty and its possible link to abortion and euthanasia being brought in to Ireland.

“It is untrue to say that Ireland will be forced to bring in abortion and euthanasia” I said.

“There are many untruths out in the public mind and it is our job to separate the truth from the myth.”

  • The final Information meeting on the Lisbon Treaty takes place this Thursday, 15 May in Kiely’s, Mount Merrion. It is a public meeting and begins at 8pm. Everyone is welcome.

Media Room now open

12th May 2008

Today, we open a new part of the blog - the Media Room. Here, you will find links to my appearances on television and radio, as well as where I have appeared in the papers.

You will also find links to YouTube videos of my speeches in the Seanad.

Feel free to take a look. Click here or on the link on the top right of the page.

Senator encourages the undecided to attend meeting on Lisbon Treaty

9th May 2008

Lisbon TreatySenator Alex White will continue his series of public information meetings on the Lisbon Treaty this week.

After a successful start in Dundrum last week, Senator White invites the public to join him in Loreto Community Centre, Nutgrove on Monday May 12th and Kiely’s, Mount Merrion on Thursday May 15th.

Confirmed guests for the meetings include Blair Horan of the CPSU and Holly Kilroy of Labour Youth, with more to be announced.

“I encourage anyone who wishes to learn more about the upcoming referendum to join us this week,” Senator White said. “So far there has been a lot of talk from both sides of the debate. What my colleagues and I hope to do is to dispel a lot of the myths surrounding this Treaty and explain it in plain English.”

“The referendum is an opportunity for those of us who want to promote a social Europe, to fight for that at the heart of Europe and the only way we can fight at that heart is by voting in favour of the Lisbon Treaty,” he said.

Senator White also said that he was encouraged by the attendance and quality of debate at the previous meeting.

“Our meeting in Dundrum was very successful. The audience was a good mix of people who were curious about the Treaty, those concerned about its consequences and those who sought more detail on its contents.

“I believe that it satisfied the needs of all those people.”

Information Seminars on the Lisbon Treaty, organised by Senator Alex White will take place on Monday 12th May in Loreto Community Centre, Nutgrove and on Thursday 15th May in Kiely’s, Mount Merrion. Both meetings begin at 8 pm and all are welcome.

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