DOCSLIB.ORG

Finian Mcgrath TD Submission

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Finian Mcgrath TD Submission Dear Charlie, I received the below email from a constituent who is concerning about the revision of the hate speech legislation which you are proposing. Please see details below. I look forward to your observations on the issues raised. Thank you in advance for your time on this matter. Best wishes, Finian Dáíl Éireann Office for Finian McGrath T.D. (IND) Dublin Bay North Minister for State at the Department for Social Protection, Justice & Equality and Health with special responsibilities for disabilities Dear deputies, I'm writing to you all to ask some questions about the proposed revision of hate speech legislation by the minister of justice and equality Charles Flanagan. Mr Flanagan is concerned that under the current legislation that there have been only been 55 prosecutions for incitement to hatred since our current legislation introduced in 1989, and feels that it needs to be more "Robust" in dealing with hate. Do you think the minister feels that ireland has become more racist/hateful in recent years? If so, compared to what? Compared to when? Ireland has done nothing in the last decades but show the world that we do anything but hate. We voted for women to be free to access facilities that provide an abortion twice, we voted overwhelmingly for marriage equality, we were one of the first governments to have a serious discussion on AIDS and we have more women in the Dáil than ever before, in fact in my very own constituency, Sinn féins Denise Mitchell is their first TD. Ireland is not becoming more hateful, far from it. I cannot adequately emphasise my concern on this proposed change. This is not to say that I think that no such legislation exists, I feel that no individual should have the grounds to incite or encourage violence against another individual, the state has the right to intervention on these grounds. We also have laws limiting what individuals can say in regards to liable, slander and deformation of their character. These are laws that need to exist and don't hinder our ability as individuals to express, exchange, discuss or challenge different opinions and ideas. These laws ensure that we discuss them, without being able to poison the well against the individual espousing them, ensuring that we stick to the discussion at hand. My concern deputies, is simple. How do we define hate? Who shall we task to shoulder this burden? My fear is that, when you create power that can limit what an individual can express, it will end up in the hands of the last person you want to have it. How can I be assured that this legislation will not be used to block any speech that someone finds "Offensive"? How can we engage in the public dialogue if anything I say can be found offensive? If I make a valid factual critique of an idea or opinion and this is found to be hateful, will I have committed a crime? When Galileo stood up to Pope Urban VIII, proclaiming that the earth revolves around the sun, his speech was offensive to the cleargy but it wasn't false, yet he spent the rest of his life under house arrest. Do you feel that these laws are similar to what the minister wishes to introduce? If not prison time, does the minister wish to persue fines? Where do you and your parties stand on this? I understand that you may not share the opinion of your party 100% on this issue, it may seem forward of me to ask you all this, but I need to know. Deputies, I have become so disenfranchised with how my country operates, as a classical liberal, I take such pride in my right to engage in and partaking in my civil duties by ensuring that I cast a vote in every election. However as the years have gone by, I've felt more and more isolated and left behind by party politics in ireland. Deputies, I feel that I am on the verge of becoming politically homeless. Growing up I found myself leaning towards being a socialist, this ended up with me finding myself in the centre left and developing into a classical Liberal. I've voted for Sinn féin and Fine Gael all of my life but now, I don't know who shares my values. I believe in the freedoms of the individual, they should be allowed to engage, unimpeded in the persuit of happiness, that life isn't about having rights, but about the responsibilities that come along with them. I believe that we should not aim for equity in society but for liberty, that true liberty is the ability to have a civil discussion with another individual and speak your mind freely and in some cases tell them that which they do not want to hear. In the words of George Orwell, "Freedom is the freedom to say that 2 plus 2 equals 4". But most importantly, I believe in free and fair elections, when you vote, you are agreeing to abide by the result. I don't think that my beliefs are unreasonable, however I feel that I just cannot align myself with a party that doesn't share these values as to abandon them is to make me and other individuals on this island less free. Deputies, if any of you disagree with me, I welcome your disagreement, would love to have a discussion with you about this. I would like to let you know that I've sent this correspondence to each of my representatives for Dublin bay North, which are as follows; Denise Mitchell: SF Finnian McGrath: IND Tommy Broughan: IND Seán Haughey: FF Richard Bruton: FG I do also plan on sending a similar correspondence to other potential candidates for seats in Dublin bay North. I'm not saying that as a threat, but to reiterate that fact; I'm so close to identifying as politically homeless. Thanks for taking the time to read this message. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Re-Tweeting Election #Ge11 Aodhán O Ríordáin TD
    Re-Tweeting Election #ge11 Aodhán O Ríordáin TD 1 Re-Tweeting Election #ge11 Introduction The 2011 General Election was the first Twitter Election in Ireland. The appetite for increased engagement, accountability and interaction via the social media platform followed the resignation of Defence Minister Willie O’Dea in February 2010, in part because of a carefully composed tweet. By January 2011, Twitter was part of the daily political discourse, as candidates posted their thoughts, policies, pictures and links in the competitive war to raise profiles and attract eyeballs. The beauty of Twitter is that it allows your ‘followers’ to view you in a different lens from the normal political script, and to engage with you on a variety of topics political, personal, trivial and even philosophical. It also allows politicians break some news at appropriate times, and share views on national events without the constraints of a formal press release. This ebook is based on all the tweets published over the course of the General Election campaign, from the announcement of Labour’s motion of no confidence in the government to the day of the election result. It is important to consider that the commentary on the tweets was completed in the months immediately after the election in February 2011, when my memory of events and emotions was still raw and fresh, and not two years later. Therefore, the commentary provided is frozen in 2011 and has not been altered to take account of two years in government and developments in 2013. The tweets and reflections are frozen in time.
    [Show full text]
  • (26-30 November 2012) 2. Oireachtas Questions and Debate
    Oireachtas Monitor Published: 26 November 2012 Contents 1. This Week in the Houses of the Oireachtas 26-30 November 2. Oireachtas Questions and Debate 19-23 November 2012 - Children’s Rights Referendum - Education: including special needs, minorities, disadvantage, literacy and numeracy, school staffing, school buildings, school patronage, curriculum - Asylum/Immigration - Child Services/ Children in Care: including foster care and social work services, HSE staffing, youth services - Family: including adoption - Child Abuse/Child Protection: including vetting, child abduction - Health and Wellbeing: including disability, mental health, substance misuse, primary care, health services, hospital services, obesity, sports facilities - Child Benefit/Social Welfare/Poverty - Justice Issues/Human Rights/Equality 1. This week in the Oireachtas (26-30 November 2012) http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=22215&&CatID=60 2. Oireachtas Questions and Debate (19-23 November 2012) Education: including special needs, ECCE and childminding, minorities, disadvantage, literacy and numeracy, school staffing, school buildings, school patronage, curriculum Dáil Éireann 20/11/2012 Bullying in Schools Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn in view of the issue of bullying, if he will revert to the situation whereby career guidance teachers are ex-quota in secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12000008?opendocument#Bullying%20in%20Schools Dáil Éireann 21/11/2012 Bullying in Schools Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for affording me the opportunity to speak on this matter and I thank the Minster for coming into the House to address this issue.
    [Show full text]
  • Independent Alliance
    Independent Alliance Breda Burke Committee on Procedure and Privileges Standing sub-Committee on Dail Reform Dail Eireann Leinster House Dublin 2 1 16 h March 2016 Dear Breda, As instructed, please now find below the submissions for Dail reform, as proposed by the members of the Independent Alliance. Dail Reform The Independent Alliance is committed to fundamental Dail Reform. We are seeking that power be decentralised. Following the election, we believe there is a unique opportunity to return power to the Dail and reduce the power of the government. We believe the following measures are imperative for true Dail reform; a. The Independent Alliance will not be imposing any party whip, except on votes of confidence. This automatically rebalances power in favour of the Dail, against the cabinet. We would welcome a reciprocal gesture from other parties. If this is not possible for them on all aspects of Dail votes, perhaps parties might commit to removing the whip for certain topics? b. We believe the Taoiseach's prerogative on when to call a general election can be abused and manipulated to suit the Taoiseach of the day and their party, as opposed to acting in the country's best interest. For that reason, we want to remove this unique power and create stability and certainty for the lifetime of a government, thus increasing the work rate. For that reason we propose that Ireland follow the example of many other countries and introduce fixed terms for the Dail. There would of course be provision for an impromptu election if the Taoiseach fails to retain the support or confidence of a majority of the Dail.
    [Show full text]
  • Don't Tax Our Health Choices!
    DON’T TAX OUR HEALTH CHOICES! From March 1st 2019 the Government will be applying VAT at 23% to all Vitamin, Probiotic & Food Supplements. These supplements have been VAT free for the last 40 years! A2 POSTER CODE: VAT03 A4 POSTER CODE: VAT04 +23% Available from Wholefoods VAT HEALTH IS NOT A LUXURY! SIGN THE PETITION TODAY! @stopthisvat www.stopthisvat.ie What is happening: The Revenue Commissioners have decided that on March 1st 2019, 23% VAT will be applied to all health food supplements. This includes Vitamins, Probiotics and Fish Oil. What does this mean? On March 1st 2019, retailers must apply 23% VAT to all health food supplements, resulting in a 23% price increase for consumers. Such a sudden and radical increase in taxation will put a huge strain on consumers and cause many to have to reconsider their approach towards managing their health. This is bound to seriously damage the local Irish businesses that are the cornerstone of the industry sector, particularly if consumers turn to the international Internet to try and obtain a better priced product. What can I do: • Sign the petition (online and in-store) which can be found at www.stopthisvat.ie. • Additional petition hardcopies are available from Wholefoods Wholesale (product code: VAT02). Wholefoods drivers will happily take completed petitions back from you. Please ensure that all petitions are returned to Wholefoods by February 18th. • Actively encourage customers to sign the petition and highlight what VAT will mean for their purchases. • Email or write to your local minister or TD. Sample text can be found on page 3 of this document.
    [Show full text]
  • Black & White Unite to Fight Racism
    JUNE 8TH—21ST VOL:2 NUMBER 152 inside Corrupt Bin Tax Socialist kicks in — ‘Fat Cats’ Campaign kicks back cash in on — PAGE 10 Worker privatisation — PAGES 6&7 For a Workers’ Republic and International Socialism 50p Solidarity price £1 STOP THE DEPORTATIONS NOW! REFUGEES ARE WELCOME Protest Saturday 16th June HERE! Assemble 2pm Dept. of Justice St.Stephen's Green Dublin 2 Speakers: BLACK Suresh Grover (Stephen Lawrence Campaign), Jack O'Connor (SIPTU), Michael D.Higgins (Labour), Global Music, Gabriel Okenla (Pan African Org.), Nigerian Support Group, Comhlamh, Seamus Dooley (NUJ), Pat Guerin (ARC), & WHITE Kieran Allen (SWP), Congo Solidarity Group, Anton McCabe (Meath Trades Council & Socialist Party), Sinn Fein, Amnesty, Arasi, Community of Romanians in UNITE Ireland, Cllr. Finian McGrath (Ind.), Anti-Nazi League Organised by TO FIGHT STOP DEPORTATIONS CAMPAIGN Tel: 087 9889244 Email: [email protected] RACISM AMNESTY FOR ALL SOCIALIST WORKER PAGE 2 WISHFUL Health crisis deepens Barbaric treatment Kelly, a senior official in The crisis has devel- WAITING LISTS A SEVERELY mentally Ill man Reform Trust published a report, THINKING are growing and the Department of oped because Irish Health. health care spending is was locked up in a padded cell Out of Mind Out of Sight, on solitary CHARLES the life expectan- HAUGHEY has But the government is way below the level of in Mountjoy for two weeks confinement in jails. cy of Irish people ignoring the warning. other EU countries. spent the last six because there were no beds is falling below The result is that Irish Revealed weeks on board a people now have shorter available in the Central Mental the European Waiting friend's yacht off life spans than their Hospital.
    [Show full text]
  • How Ireland Voted 2007 This Page Intentionally Left Blank How Ireland Voted 2007: the Full Story of Ireland’S General Election
    How Ireland Voted 2007 This page intentionally left blank How Ireland Voted 2007: The Full Story of Ireland’s General Election Edited by Michael Gallagher Michael Marsh palgrave macmillan Editorial Matter and Selection © Michael Gallagher and Michael Marsh 2008 Chapters 1–13 and Appendices © Palgrave Macmillan Ltd 2008 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 2008 978-0-230-50038-9 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4LP. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. The authors have asserted their right to be identified as the authors of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. First published 2008 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS and 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010 Companies and representatives throughout the world PALGRAVE MACMILLAN is the global academic imprint of the Palgrave Macmillan division of St Martin’s Press LLC and of Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. Macmillan® is a registered trademark in the United States, United Kingdom and other countries. Palgrave is a registered trademark in the European Union and other countries. ISBN 978-0-230-20198-9 paperback ISBN 978-0-230-20198-9 ISBN 978-0-230-59799-0 (eBook) DOI 10.1057/9780230597990 This book is printed on paper suitable for recycling and made from fully managed and sustained forest sources.
    [Show full text]
  • Reference No Description Completion Date Status FOI/2017/0142 All
    Department of the Taoiseach List of non-personal Freedom of Information requests granted Quarter 4 2017 Reference No Description Completion Date Status All correspondence to Enda Kenny from world leaders on the day he resigned; all correspondence to Leo Varadkar from world leaders on the day he was appointed as Taoiseach; all correspondence from the public to An Taoiseach's Office on 13 June on the subject of Enda Kenny's resignation; a ll correspondence from the public to An Taoiseach's Office on 14 June on the subject of Leo Varadkar's appointment as FOI/2017/0142 Taoiseach. 06/10/2017 Part granted Any electronic and written correspondence within the Department of the Taoiseach and to any other Department in relation to discussions, meetings, letters as well as emails and briefing notes prepared in FOI/2017/0175 relation to the Strategic Communications Unit in the period June 1st to July 17th 2017. 09/10/2017 Part granted Records dated between 1 January 2016 and 18 July 2017. 1. A record of all correspondence, letters, emails, briefing documents and phone calls to and from the Taoiseach’s office, the office of the Minister of State, the Secretary General and the Assistant Secretary General with representatives and lobbyists from the drinks industry in Ireland, including but not limited to; the Vintners Federation of Ireland, the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland, the Irish Hotels Federation, Tesco, the National Off-Licence Association, RGDATA, Heineken, Restaurants Association of Ireland, Dublin Airport Authority, Aer Lingus, Licensed
    [Show full text]
  • Oireachtas Monitor 206 Published: 11 May 2016
    Oireachtas Monitor 206 Published: 11 May 2016 1. Coming up this week in the Houses of the Oireachtas (9 May 2016 – 13 May 2016) Dáil and Seanad Agenda 2. Last week's Oireachtas Questions and Debates (2 May 2016 – 6 May 2016) a. Asylum and Immigration b. Education (incl ECCE and Child Care) c. Child Protection/ Child Services/ Children in Care d. Family e. Health and Wellbeing f. Child Benefit / Social Welfare/ Poverty / Housing g. Juvenile Justice/ Human Rights/ Equality a. Asylum and Immigration Parliamentary Questions- Written Answers Department of Justice and Equality Refugee Status Application, Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) Direct Provision System, Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) b. Education (incl ECCE and Child Care) Parliamentary Questions- Written Answers Department of Education and Skills Schools Anti-Bullying Procedures, Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) School Curriculum, Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) School Patronage, Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) Teaching Qualifications, Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) Teaching Qualifications, Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) Road Safety, Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) Department of Children and Youth Affairs Early Childhood Care Education, Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) Child Care Services Funding, Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) c. Child Protection/ Child Services/ Children in Care Parliamentary Questions- Written Answers Department of Children and Youth Affairs Children in Care, James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) Child and Family Agency, Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) Youth Services, Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) d. Family Parliamentary Questions- Written Answers Department of Children and Youth Affairs Adoption Services Provision, Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) e.
    [Show full text]
  • Mcgrath Mcgrath
    Update FINIAN MCGRATH TD Independent FINIANFINIAN Dear Constituent, I am very proud to be representing McGRATH Dublin Bay North in Dáil Eireann. McGRATH People-centred policies and actions are at the core of my work. I have always believed that elected public representatives should step forward and not shy away from their responsibilities to provide solutions to the issues facing our community. Climate change, together with the housing crisis (the lack of affordable housing and the shortage of housing stock) affect all our families and are the most critical issues of our time. Improvements in health and disability services; investment in education and transport; reduction in crime / anti- social behaviour; support for small businesses; and the protection of Dublin Bay; are also central to my work. Thank you for taking the time to read this leaflet which highlights some of the issues I have been addressing on your behalf. Kind Regards INDEPENDENT Finian McGrath TD Printed by Printfusion Climate Change … McGrath hits the bullseye a call to action Finian made a submission to Dublin for his constituents City Council’s Draft Climate Change Finian has been very focused on constituency in Dublin Bay North and all Action Plan 2019 – 2024 earlier this year, achieving long term tangible gains for our families will feel the benefit at some concentrating particularly on issues his constituents in Dublin Bay North. point”, said McGrath. “It also shows within the remit of the local authority The recently announced HSE Capital the difference Independents can make which could be easily rectified and which Plan funding which progresses Finian’s when they decide to take responsibility would make a very strong and important targeted projects in Beaumont Hospital, and step forward on behalf of their difference in tackling climate change.
    [Show full text]
  • Dr Tom O'connor
    Does Ireland Need A New Left Party? Dr Tom O’Connor CIT Economic Justification for a New Left Party: Austerity and Move to Left Adding up all the public spending cuts and tax increases, known as fiscal ‘adjustment’ from 2008-2014 inclusive, the total is €31.5 billion. At least another 2 billion adjustment in 2015 to bring General Government Deficit down to less than 3% Ireland declared officially out of recession in September 2013, based on CSO growth data Austerity is happening and will be happening when Ireland is not and will not be in recession. The effect of austerity is cumulative= People going left Next 4 slides indicate the urgency for a new left party to respond to the continuing and future economic and social destruction EU Commission (June 2014) want austerity to persist for years after 2016; bringing down the deficit to zero combined with the eating up of tax revenue of 18-20% per annum will cumulatively heap for hardship beyond the limits of coping on millions in Ireland. Macroeconomic Indicators % of GDP 2013 2014 2015 2016 General -7.3 -4.8 2.9 2.4 Government Balance General 124.1 120 118.4 114.6 Government Debt Exchequer 11.3 9.6 6.0 2.9 Borrowing requirement (€ billion) General 206.9 204.7 209.4 211.6 Government Debt (€ billion Source: Dept of Finance (2014): Budget Fiscal outlook Servicing the Debt €Billion 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total 7.64 8.19 8,75 9.23 Interest on Govt Debt % Tax 19 20 21 21 Revenue Budget 2014 Fiscal Outlook Growth and Employment Annual % 2013 2014 2015 2016 Change Real GDP 0.2 2.0 2.3 2.8 Nominal GDP 1.2 2.9 3.7 4.4 Domestic 0.3 1.4.
    [Show full text]
  • Dáil Éireann
    Vol. 704 Thursday, No. 2 4 March 2010 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Thursday, 4 March 2010. Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 ……………… 207 Order of Business ……………………………… 207 Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Review of Rent in Certain Cases) (Amendment) Bill 2010: First Stage ………………………………… 226 Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (resumed) …………………………… 227 Referral to Select Committee ………………………… 241 Business of Dáil ……………………………… 241 Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2010: Order for Second Stage …………………………… 242 Second Stage ……………………………… 242 Referral to Select Committee ………………………… 274 Ceisteanna — Questions Minister for Education and Science Priority Questions …………………………… 274 Other Questions …………………………… 284 Private Members’ Business The Death of Children in the Care of the State Since 2000: Statements ………… 295 Adjournment Debate Matters …………………………… 310 Adjournment Debate Services for People with Disabilities ……………………… 310 Message from Select Committee ………………………… 312 Adjournment Debate (resumed) Local Authority Housing …………………………… 312 Planning Issues ……………………………… 314 Special Educational Needs ………………………… 316 Questions: Written Answers …………………………… 319 DÁIL ÉIREANN ———— Déardaoin, 4 Márta 2010. Thursday, 4 March 2010. ———— Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 10.30 a.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32. An Ceann Comhairle:
    [Show full text]
  • 1. Mr. Bertie Ahern [email protected] 2. Mr. Dermot Ahern [email protected] 3. Mr. Michael Ahern [email protected] 4
    1. Mr. Bertie Ahern [email protected] 2. Mr. Dermot Ahern [email protected] 3. Mr. Michael Ahern [email protected] 4. Mr. Noel Ahern [email protected] 5. Mr. Bernard Allen [email protected] 6. Mr. Chris Andrews [email protected] 7. Mr. Barry Andrews [email protected] 8. Mr. Seán Ardagh [email protected] 9. Mr. Bobby Aylward [email protected] 10. Mr. James Bannon [email protected] 11. Mr. Sean Barrett [email protected] 12. Mr. Joe Behan [email protected] 13. Mr. Niall Blaney [email protected] 14. Ms. Aíne Brady [email protected] 15. Mr. Cyprian Brady [email protected] 16. Mr. Johnny Brady [email protected] 17. Mr. Pat Breen [email protected] 18. Mr. Tommy Broughan [email protected] 19. Mr. John Browne [email protected] 20. Mr. Richard Bruton [email protected] 21. Mr. Ulick Burke [email protected] 22. Ms. Joan Burton [email protected] 23. Ms. Catherine Byrne [email protected] 24. Mr. Thomas Byrne [email protected] 25. Mr. Dara Calleary [email protected] 26. Mr. Pat Carey [email protected] 27. Mr. Joe Carey [email protected] 28. Ms. Deirdre Clune [email protected] 29. Mr. Niall Collins [email protected] 30. Ms. Margaret Conlon [email protected] 31. Mr. Paul Connaughton [email protected] 32. Mr. Sean Connick [email protected] 33. Mr. Noel J Coonan [email protected] 34.
    [Show full text]