CONVENTION MOTIONS & SPEAKERS 2020
NB: The full text of Amendments are not included on this document. They can be viewed on the Amendments document linked below this one on the website.
Amendments labelled as “Accepted” have been accepted by the proposer of the Motion and thus are automatically deemed to have passed.
Motions will be discussed on Saturday, 11.15-13.45, 15.30-16.30 and Sunday 10.45-12.45
Motions will be moved in the order presented below. Motions that are not moved, either due to time constraints or an absent proposer, will be deferred to Policy Council. Amendments that are not moved due to an absent proposer will be deemed to have fallen.
Motions require a 2/3rds majority to pass. Amendments to Motions require a simple majority to pass; a Motion, as amended, will still require a 2/3rds majority to pass. The majority (either simple or 2/3rds) will be measured between votes in favour and votes in opposition; abstentions are not included for the purposes of measuring this.
Speaking timings are as follows:
Proposer: 3 minutes Amendment Proposer: 2 minutes Speaker in favour/in opposition: 1 minute Proposer response (only if there are Amendments or Speakers in opposition): 1 minute
Please note that these timing are absolute and the system will cut speakers off if they go over time.
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NB: For all motions, text proposed to be inserted is indicated in bold. Text proposed to be removed is indicated in strikethrough.
Any new Articles passed will be taken as approval to renumber any prior or subsequent articles, as needed.
Rationales are explanations or arguments from proposers to explain their motion; they do not form part of the Motion and, as opinions, do not have binding effect on the interpretation of a Motion by the relevant Party Bodies tasked with implementing it.
TECHNICAL MOTIONS
Motion A Enabling the GPNI to Comply with Legal Requirements
Amend Articles 4.4.1, 4.5 and 5.1.4, and insert new Articles 4.7 and 5.3.8 into the Executive Green Party Constitution as follows: Committee
“4.4.1 Members shall normally be subject to a six month period of probation before being granted full membership and the right to vote. The membership application may be rejected by the EC at any time during the probationary period, or by the Executive Committee of the Green Party in Northern Ireland (“GPNI”) where the membership application is made to the GPNI. When the normal six month period of probation is over, voting rights will be granted if and when the member’s Constituency Group or the Executive Committee of the GPNI or the EC has given its approval according to Rules and Procedures. Otherwise the member continues to be a probationary member with no right to vote.
4.5 The Executive Committee may expel, suspend for a specified period, deprive of office within the Party or issue an official warning to any ordinary member or officer of the Party who, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, has behaved or is behaving in a manner which has caused, or is likely to cause, harm to the Party. The Executive Committee of the Green Party in Northern Ireland will have this power, instead of the EC, in relation to disciplinary matters involving GPNI members, officers and groups while it is recognised as a Region of the Party.
4.7 The Executive Committee of the GPNI will, instead of the EC, be entitled to exercise all powers set out in this Constitution in relation to disciplinary matters involving or concerning GPNI members, officers and groups, including but not limited to the powers set out in rules 4.5 and 4.6.
5.1.4 The Executive Committee has the right to convene a meeting of any Constituency Group by notifying all members on the records maintained by the national party. The Executive Committee of the GPNI will exercise such powers in connection with Constituency Groups forming part of GPNI.
5.3.8 The GPNI will be entitled to convene its own Policy Council, governed under the provisions of the GPNI Rules and Procedures.”
****** Proposer: Kate Barry Amendment A: Accepted
Motion B Regulation of Online Meetings
Insert new Article 5.06 into the Green Party Constitution as follows: Executive Committee “5.06 All bodies established under this Constitution may hold meetings partly or wholly by telephone or online communication. Failure to establish such communication, or breakdown after establishment, shall not invalidate the decisions of such meeting as long as a quorum remains.”
****** Proposer: John Goodwillie
Motion C Continuing the Present Procedure for the Party Budget
Amend Articles 5.5(f), 7.5(f), 8.2(a) and 9.6.7 of the Green Party Constitution as Executive follows: Committee
“5.5(f) To prepare an Annual Budget for, and to before the start of each year for consideration and approval. To present independently audited annual accounts to, the Annual Convention. This annual budgetary process must be set within the development context of section 5.5(a) above.
7.5(f) hear, discuss and accept, with or without amendments, an annual financial report and budget for the coming year receive a presentation by the Treasurer on the audited financial statements of the Party. Also receive an update on the current year Annual Budget.
8.2(a) The proportional share of these sources to be allocated to national, regional, constituency and local activities shall be laid down annually in the form of a Budget. The Budget shall be introduced in the form of a resolution to National Convention by the Honorary Treasurer. Annually as part of the Executive Committee’s Party budget process.
9.6.7 A Green representative shall be required to remit whatever portion of their remuneration to Party funds as is decided beforehand by Convention in the Budget Resolution, subject to the principle of equity and opposition to careerism and political profiteering the Executive Committee. A Pledge shall be signed to this effect on adoption as candidate as approved by the Executive Committee.”
****** Proposer: Martin Nolan
Motion D Clarifying the Role and Reporting Responsibility of the General Secretary
Delete Article 5.7.3(d) and amend Article 5.5(a) of the Green Party Constitution as Executive follows: Committee
“5.5(a) To employ staff, who may include a General Secretary. The General Secretary shall supervise the other staff employed by the Executive Committee, shall be the chief executive of the Party, and shall report to the Executive Committee and Management Committee.”
****** Proposer: John Goodwillie
Motion E Enabling the Treasurer to Advise the Management Committee Without Attending Meetings
Executive Amend the final paragraph of Article 5.5(h) of the Green Party Constitution as follows: Committee
“5.5(h) […] The Party Treasurer shall attend such meetings or provide advice if requested to do so by the Party Leader. Special Management Committee meetings can be called at any time by the Party Leader to discuss matters which require urgent attention.”
****** Proposer: Martin Nolan
Motion F Using the Term “Modified Borda Count” in Place of the Word “preferendum”
NB: If this Motion passes, this will have the effect of replacing the word Executive “preferendum” in Technical Motion M with the term “Modified Borda Count”. Committee
Replace all occurrences of the word “preferendum” with the term “Modified Borda Count” throughout the Green Party Constitution.
****** Proposer: John Goodwillie Speaker in Opposition: Tom Kivlehan Response: John Goodwillie
Motion G Limiting the Number of Ordinary Members of the Executive Committee from Any One Region to Four
Executive Amend Article 5.6(f)(vii) of the Green Party Constitution as follows: Committee “5.6(f)(vii) of the 10 members who have been elected at an Annual Convention there will be at least one member, and not more than four, resident in each of the following areas: ● Dublin (City or County); ● the rest of Leinster; ● Munster; ● Connacht, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan; ● Northern Ireland.”
****** Proposer: John Goodwillie Speaker in Opposition: Michael Pidgeon Response: John Goodwillie
Motion H Allowing the Postponement of a Leadership Election until a Government has Been Formed; and Clarifying the Executive Committee’s Responsibility for Calling Leadership Elections Executive
Committee Amend Article 5.7.4 of the Green Party Constitution as follows:
“5.7.4 The term of office of the Party Leader shall normally be five years, with a recurring option for further five year terms. However, should a general election be called in the Republic of Ireland, a leadership election must be held shall be called by the Executive Committee within six months following polling day of the subsequent election of a Taoiseach. In the case of the Party Leader resigning without completing a term, an election shall take place thereupon be called by the Executive Committee and the result be announced when the ballot is completed; the term thus started shall last until after the next general election in the Republic of Ireland, when a leadership election must again take place within six months after polling day.”
****** Proposer: John Goodwillie Amendment A: Accepted Proposer Amendment B: Oliver Moran Speaker in Favour: Críostóir Ó Faoláin Response: John Goodwillie
Motion I Protecting the Party’s Interest in Constituency etc. Bank Accounts
Amend Article 8 of the Green Party Constitution as follows: Executive Committee “8. Only the Party nationally shall have the right to use a bank account in the name of the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas. Other Party bank accounts shall always be named explicitly with the name of the Constituency, Regional or Standing Committee of the Party to which it belongs, including the words Green Party/Comhaontas Glas or Green Party in Northern Ireland as appropriate.”
****** Proposer: Martin Nolan
Motion J Replacing the Obsolete Term “Party Leader’s Allowance”
Amend Article 8.2(b) of the Green Party Constitution as follows: Executive Committee “8.2(b) The Party Leader's Allowance shall be used exclusively for party research and publicity, both nationally and locally. The allocation of these monies shall be a matter for the EC in consultation with the TDs. Where agreement cannot be reached with the TDs on the allocation of such monies, the final decision shall be with the TDs. The state funding paid to the Parliamentary Party Leader under the terms of the Parliamentary Activities Allowance and including the Guidelines for Party Leaders, shall be allocated by the Executive Committee in consultation with the Party Leader.”
****** Proposer: Martin Nolan Proposer Amendment A: Larry Doyle Speaker in Favour: Harry McEvansoneya Speaker in Opposition: Tom Kivlehan Response: Martin Nolan
Motion K Organising the Financial Business of Meetings so that Trustees May Attend the Relevant Part
Executive Amend Articles 8.7 and 8.8 of the Green Party Constitution as follows: Committee
“8.7 National Trustees shall receive agendas and minutes of the Executive Committee, and may attend meetings where financial matters are on the agenda for that part of the meeting dealing with the financial report by the treasurer as set out on the agenda.
8.8 Regional and Constituency Trustees, where these exist, shall receive relevant agendas and minutes, and may attend relevant meetings of the Regional and Constituency Groups where financial matters are discussed.”
****** Proposer: Martin Nolan Speaker in Opposition: John Lambe Speaker in Opposition: Tom Kivlehan Response: Martin Nolan
Motion L Clarification of the Wording of the Rule on Gifts
Amend Article 9.6.8 of the Green Party Constitution as follows: Executive
Committee “9.6.8 A Green Party public representative shall not accept any money, gifts or benefits in kind in connection with their political work without the prior knowledge and approval of the Executive Committee.”
****** Proposer: Martin Nolan Proposer Amendment A: Grace Hamilton Speaker in Opposition: Tom Kivlehan Response: Martin Nolan
Motion M Establishment of Co-Leaders
NB: If this Motion passes, Technical Motion P will be automatically deemed to have MEPs fallen, as both Motions propose mutually exclusive amendments to the Constitution.
If Technical Motion F passes, this will have the effect of replacing the word “preferendum” in this Motion with the term “Modified Borda Count”.
Replace all occurrences of the words “Party Leader” with the word “Co-Leaders” throughout, and amend Article 5.7.1 of the Green Party Constitution as follows:
“5.7.1 The Party shall have shared Co-Leaders of different genders. The Party Leader Co-Leaders shall be elected by preferendum through a national ballot of members except where two candidates are nominated, in which case a simple majority vote will apply. Once a candidate for Co-Leader has been deemed elected, the remaining candidate(s) from that gender shall be eliminated. The votes shall be distributed to the remaining candidates for the Co-Leader position. The nomination and election procedure for Party Leader candidates shall be determined by the Executive Committee.”
****** Proposer: Grace O’Sullivan Proposer Amendment A: Oliver Moran Speaker in Opposition: Tom Kivlehan Speaker in Favour: Ciaran Cuffe Speaker in Opposition: John Brownlee Response: Grace O’Sullivan
Motion N Defining the Local Government Group in the Party Constitution
Insert new Article 5.11 into the Green Party Constitution as follows: Local Government “5.11 The Local Government Group Group
5.11.1 The Local Government Group shall normally comprise all Green Party/Comhaontas Glas Elected Members of the Local Authorities in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
5.11.2 The Local Government group shall act as an affiliate group in accordance with section 4.9 of the constitution.
5.11.3 Green Party members of each local authority shall form their own Party Group. Each Group may adopt its own Rules and Procedures.
5.11.4 Following a Local Election, the Party Group in the relevant Local Authority has the power to negotiate with other parties and to decide on all possible political arrangements with other parties.”
****** Proposer: Louise Heavin Amendment A: Accepted Speaker in Favour: Alex Pigot Speaker in Opposition: Rob Jones Speaker in Favour: Dan Boyle Response: Louise Heavin
Motion O Allowing Senators to Vote in Government Formation Negotiations
Amend Article 5.8.4 of the Green Party Constitution as follows: Oireachtas Group “5.8.4. Following a General Election, the Party Group in the relevant House Houses shall have the power to negotiate with other parties and to decide on all possible political arrangements with other parties, subject to ratification by a Special National Convention of any decision to participate in a government.”
Rationale
This will clarify that the members in both houses of the Oireachtas can vote. The Party Group extends over both houses of each parliament. Adding the letter 's' makes this clear.
****** Proposer: Roderic O’Gorman Speaker in Opposition: Martin Hogan Response: Roderic O’Gorman
Motion P Establishment of Co-Leaders
NB: If Technical Motion M passes, this Motion will be automatically deemed to have Cork fallen, as both Motions propose mutually exclusive amendments to the Constitution.
As the wording of Technical Motion P has been proposed as an Amendment to Technical Motion M, Technical Motion P will fall if the Amendment to Technical Motion M is moved.
Amend Article 5.7.6, and insert new Articles 5.7.7 and 5.7.8 into the Green Party Constitution as follows:
“5.7.6 A Deputy Party Leader shall be elected by the first National Convention after the election of the Party Leader is announced. The role of the Deputy Party Leader shall be to assist and deputise for the Party Leader The Deputy Party Leader shall be of a different gender to the Party Leader.
5.7.7 The Party Leader and Deputy Party Leader shall work together and reach a shared decision on every responsibility of the Party Leader and/or Deputy Party Leader.
5.7.8 The Party Leader and Deputy Party Leader may each be described as the Co- Leader of the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas.”
Rationale
This motion: (1) extends the period for the election of Party Leader to six months after a government is formed (from six months after polling day), (2) confirms the practice that the Party Leader and Deputy Party Leader are of different genders, (3) confirms that the Party Leader and Deputy Party Leader work as a team, (4) allows the two to be described as "Co-Leaders" (optional).
****** Proposer: Oliver Moran Speaker in Opposition: Tom Kivlehan Speaker in Opposition: John Brownlee Response: Oliver Moran
Motion Q Constitutional Standing of the Convention Oversight Sub-Committee
Amend Article 5.5(i) of the Green Party Constitution as follows: Dublin West “5.5(i) The Executive Committee shall appoint a Rules and Procedures Sub- committee, a Convention Oversight Sub-committee, and may appoint such other sub-committees as it sees fit, and shall delegate such powers to sub-committees as it sees fit.”
Rationale
The Convention Sub-committee has been created in the past; however, this has been on an ad-hoc basis. This motion seeks to formalise this process. The role of the Convention Oversight Sub-committee will be to work with HQ and the Executive Committee to make sure the Convention is accessible to all.
The Sub-committee will oversee the Convention programme, speakers and will work with any returning officers during Convention. The Convention Oversight Sub- committee will take applications for speaking rights prior to the Convention and will choose speakers.
****** Proposer: Ben O’Leary-Fitzpatrick Amendment A: Accepted
Motion R Constitutional Requirement for a Registry of Composition of the Executive Committee
Clare Insert new Article 5.5(j) into the Green Party Constitution as follows:
“5.5(j) The Executive Committee shall ensure that a Registry of its composition is maintained and made available to all members of the Green Party on the Green Party website. As a minimum, the Registry will contain the name of each member of the Executive Committee, the start and end dates of their term, the total years they have served on Executive Committee, the method by which they were appointed to Executive Committee, their current role on the Executive Committee, and any notes or minutes relevant to their appointment. Any changes in the composition of the EC will be updated on the Registry within one working day.”
Rationale
This motion is in the interest of furthering the transparency of the operations of the EC.
****** Proposer: Paul Murray Proposer Amendment A: Dan Boyle Speaker in Favour: Tom Kivlehan Response: Paul Murray
Motion S Approach to Matters Not Contained in a Programme for Government
Amend Article 5.8.4 of the Green Party Constitution as follows: Meath East
“5.8.4. Following a General Election, the Party Group in the relevant House shall have the power to negotiate with other parties and to decide on all possible political arrangements with other parties, subject to ratification by a Special National Convention of any decision to participate in a government. Ratification by a Special National Convention shall not preclude disagreement with other parties on matters not contained in a Programme for Government so ratified.”
Rationale
In order to maximise the negotiation power of the Green Party’s elected representatives in a Government, the Party constitution should make clear that substantive issues lying outside of formal agreements with other parties, such as a Programme for Government, are open to negotiation.
****** Proposer: Sean McCabe Proposer Amendment A: Gordon Reid Speaker in Favour: Barry O’Donovan Speaker in Opposition: Tom Kivlehan Response: Sean McCabe Motion T Adding the Concept of a Just Transition to Party Principles
Insert new Article 2.1.4 into the Green Party Constitution as follows: Just Transition “2.1.4 A just transition, ensuring no workers or communities are left behind in the Greens socioeconomic transformation required to secure a safe and stable environment, is vital in the struggle to advance social and climate justice.”
Rationale
Since the principles of the Green Party were codified, awareness has grown of the risks posed by the societal transformation required to ensure a stable and habitable planet. There are two basic dimensions to climate or environmental justice - standing on the side of those most vulnerable to the impacts of environmental breakdown to ensure the necessary action is taken to avert suffering, and ensuring that the rights of vulnerable and marginalised communities are not undermined as the world moves to act to avert catastrophe. The latter is realised through a just transition.
Enshrining a commitment to a just transition in the Party's guiding principle, mirroring those in the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, will affirm our Party's commitment to respect, protect and uphold the basic rights and dignity of all people.
****** Proposer: Sean McCabe Proposer Amendment A: Gordon Reid Speaker in Opposition: Tom Kivlehan Speaker in Favour: Dan Boyle Speaker in Opposition: Claire Wheeler Response: Sean McCabe
NON-TECHNICAL MOTIONS
Motion 1 Establishment of a Renewable Energy Dividend
Motion Sligo Leitrim-
North That the Party commits itself to achieving a structured financial dividend for the Roscommon- South Donegal State from all renewable energy projects operating in the State and its territorial waters.
Rationale
The profitability of the renewable energy sector is set to grow through technological efficiencies, through increased automation and with the envisaged export of energy from the Irish territory. (The veteran renewable energy entrepreneur Eddie O'Connor estimates that Ireland could produce 5% of Europe's energy needs - see Irish Times 05/03/2020 - at a cost of "5 cents per KW/Hr" (i.e. €50.00 per MWh). In the recent DDCAE announcement by Minister Ryan 4/08/2020 on the latest auction round for new renewable projects it was stated "The average weighted bid price for the technology neutral auction was €74.08 per MWh". See https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/9627f-minister- ryan-announces-the-provisional-results-of-the-first-renewable-electricity- support-scheme-ress-auction/
Notwithstanding the investment costs in building this infrastructure, these two figures together represent remarkable profitability for the sector.
This industry benefits from state support and from a PSO levy paid by each energy utility customer. However, there is no reciprocity.
Consumers may benefit from more competitive energy prices; communities can participate through investment opportunities and small corporate sponsorship.
However, the citizen's financial interests and future financial security emanating from the exploitation of this natural energy resource are not being protected.
A valuable national resource can be managed in a just manner - for example in helping to finance Ireland's future pension requirements and in furtherance of the Green Party's Basic Income policy. This is particularly relevant as the sector delivers limited sustainable employment due to increasing automation, an important aspect of its increasing profitability.
Such a move would not preclude the role of private energy developers but, much along the lines by which the Netherlands, in ceding of public land to private developers ensures a built in financial and proprietary interest for the state, so too should Ireland in relation to this valuable national resource.
****** Proposer: Johnny Gogan Proposer Amendment A: Dominick Donnelly Speaker in Opposition: Paul Murphy Speaker in Favour: Barry O’Donovan Speaker in Opposition: Garret O’Sullivan Speaker in Opposition: Billy Jones Response: Johnny Gogan
Motion 2 Climate Action as Permanent Item on Board Agendas
Motion Meath East
That in the interest of climate action and the urgency required, the Convention requests that the Parliamentary Party of the Green Party seek for the Government to:
i) instruct all State and Semi-State Bodies, to add Climate Action as a permanent item on their Board Agendas.
ii) request that all Public Companies and PLCs add Climate Action as a permanent item on their Board Agendas.
Rationale
All possible steps to keep climate change in the minds of the public, and in particular the minds of decision makers, should be taken.
The upcoming Climate Change Bill needs to build on the strengths of the 2015 Act by strengthening the requirements that public bodies have regard to climate action. This is a simple and common-sense step which will help achieve this.
This will also empower environmentally minded journalists seeking eco- accountability via Freedom of Information requests. ****** Proposer: Ivor McElveen
Motion 3 Emergency Plan for the Gaeltacht
Motion Dublin Bay South
That the Green Party makes the arresting of the critical decline of Irish-speaking communities a strategic priority of its Irish language policy by giving substance to its own demand in that policy that: “An emergency action plan for the Gaeltacht must be drawn up and implemented, in order to combat the further erosion of Irish in the Gaeltacht areas in which it is still used”.
Rationale
The problem, as stated in our current policy document, is that: “The extinction of Irish as a living community language, passed on from generation to generation, is staring us in the face in the same way as the threat of severe climate change from CO2 emissions is threatening the physical environment in which we live.”
The same point was made in the Irish Times of 17 August by Professor Conchúr Ó Giollagáin the leading expert on language in the Gaeltacht whose work underpins much of the Green Party’s policy recommendations in relation to the Gaeltacht; he wrote: “Current policy may superficially boast a sense of cultural renewal, but the language’s native-speaking community is in crisis. The decrease in the density of active Irish speakers in the Gaeltacht has undermined the ability of the community to regenerate itself.”
Approaching the centenary of the foundation of the Irish Free State I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for the Green Party to bring a distinctive perspective to a subject that has defied the best efforts of successive governments to the point where they now only pay lip service to the survival of the Gaeltacht as Irish- language-speaking communities. In contrast the Green Party policy states that ours is “a ‘green’ argument and that the protection of the Irish language and culture cannot be separated from environmental protection.”
So now is an opportunity to take a fresh approach supported by fresh understandings, grounded in the party’s core principles: • An ecological framing: Michael Cronin in his 2019 book ‘Irish and Ecology’ provides the most vivid statement yet of the importance of the indigenous language community to our reconnection to an environmental and place-based sensibility. This reminds us that we need the Gaeltacht community to survive not just for socio-linguistic and cultural reasons but because our wellbeing depends on retaining this connection to a more indigenous world-view; • Coherence: Secondly and building on the notion of ecological coherence, the experience of Irish language colleagues and myself over the past two years in doing some work in Gaeltacht communities makes clear that there is need for a coherent policy that, instead of treating language in isolation as a cultural artefact - as current policy does - instead, places it within a wider ecology of economic, environmental, social and cultural policy that can support the totality of life as lived in Gaeltacht communities; • Empowering Gaeltacht Communities: Thirdly what has become very clear to us is that any policy that aims to revive Irish language communities must start with empowering those communities from the ground up with an institutional structure and operational approach that supports rather than manages and controls in the traditional top-down fashion. The evidence suggests that these communities have lost their self-belief and pride in their inheritance as custodians of an ancient culture, feel disempowered and lack the ‘voice’ to articulate a set of coherent demands in the absence of a sustaining vision for their future as language communities. This must be reversed if the language is to survive and flourish in the Gaeltacht.
In summary the Green Party is in government and this motion is reiterating the call in our own policy document for the drawing up and implementation of an emergency action plan for the Gaeltacht.
****** Proposer: Martin Hawkes Speaker in Favour: Críostóir Ó Faoláin Speaker in Favour: Peter Kavanagh Speaker in Favour: Alex Pigot
Motion 4 Citizens Assembly Consideration of Ecocide
Motion Carlow-Kilkenny
Mindful that the Programme for Government (2020) has agreed a Citizens’ Assembly for Biodiversity/Land Use:
The Green Party of Ireland and Northern Ireland calls upon the Government to bring a resolution before the Oireachtas directing the upcoming Citizens’ Assembly to consider and make such recommendations as it sees fit on the matter of ecocide.
Rationale
Mass damage and destruction of ecosystems (Ecocide), committed over decades and permitted by law, has led to global climate and ecological crisis. The climate crisis and destruction of ecosystems (Ecocide) are the result of many years of harmful industrial activities permitted by law, with many of the risks having been known for decades by the companies choosing to continue these practices and the governments who subsidize those activities;
Irish citizens and residents can and must take some responsibility for what is consumed, but it is industry, finance and government who make high-level investment and policy decisions;
Treaties, agreements and civil lawsuits have all failed to prevent this.
It is time to change the rules.
Amending the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to include Ecocide as a crime - alongside genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity – can provide a simple, effective deterrent for those in positions of responsibility, enforceable within existing criminal justice systems.
As a UN Member state, Ireland shares a collective legal duty "to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom" in terms of the Preamble to the UN Charter 1945; and Amending the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to include Ecocide as a crime, alongside genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression, could provide a simple, effective deterrent for those in positions of corporate and financial responsibility and mandate a duty to protect for government officials, enforceable within existing criminal justice systems. This motion calls on our government to declare support for such an amendment, in the knowledge that many countries must stand together to put this law in place for the long-term protection of all life on Earth.
In 2013, the Green Party of Ireland unanimously supported a motion (from Carlow Kilkenny member Cathy Fitzgerald) for an amendment to the Rome Statute, to which Ireland is a signatory, that the crime of Ecocide be recognised as an international Crime Against Humanity and peace.
Members should be aware that supporting the Ecocide Law addresses many of the seven foundational principles of the Irish Green Party: 1. The impact of society on the environment should not be ecologically disruptive; 3. As caretakers of the Earth, we have the responsibility to pass it on in a fit and healthy state. 5. Conservation of resources is vital to a sustainable society. 6. The need for world peace overrides national and commercial interests.
The current motion advocates that the international criminal offence of Ecocide be explored–as a matter of priority, at the forthcoming Irish Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity/Land Use.
The motion also offers solidarity to: • other at-risk Island nations signatory to the UN Rome Statute under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court who are bravely arguing for Ecocide law–Vanuatu and the Maldives; • other national Green Parties’, and other nations’ civil society initiatives, advancing government bills, petitions, and constitutional amendments for international Ecocide Law (the Green Party of England and Wales (2019), the Green Party of Belgium’s Bill on Ecocide law (June 2020), the UK Ecocide petition (June 2020), the Canadian Greens ecocide petition (Sept 2020); • the recent near-unanimous support for international and national constitutional Ecocide law, and a national referendum on ecocide law, following France’s recent Citizens’ Assembly on Climate (July 2020); • the growing global support from Pope Francis and the Vatican (2019- 2020); • and Greta Thunberg, youth and others activists (August 2020) calling on the European Parliament to adopt, as a priority, the international Ecocide law.
****** Proposer: Cathy Fitzgerald
Motion 5 Expression of Socio-Economic Solidarity
Motion Louth-Meath East
While acknowledging public differences as to the best route in our just transition to climate justice, this Convention reaffirms the fundamental unity of our Green Party’s socio-economic policies. We reject the neo-liberal economic policies that have brought environmental destruction and economic inequality, and proudly take the lead in uniting right and left, within Government and without, in policies that nurture the talent and enterprise of individuals and communities, while ensuring that a dynamic State involvement builds our services and protects our children and the vulnerable.
****** Proposer: Martin Clancy Proposer Amendment A: Oliver Moran Response: Martin Clancy
Motion 6 Introduction of a Pilot Scheme for Universal Basic Income
Motion Cork
Convention stresses the importance of prioritising the implementation of the trial of UBI in Ireland as specified in the Programme for Government. The PfG committed to trialing UBI over the next five years, and to initiating a pilot programme within the lifetime of the present government. With the global pandemic leading to mass unemployment, specifically in areas such as the Arts, the importance of initiating this project is urgent. Convention urges the Parliamentary Party to move ahead with a pilot scheme as a matter of urgency.
We support the definition of UBI as put forward by Basic Income Ireland, the national body for the promotion of Universal Basic Income in Ireland: UBI is an automatic payment from the state to every adult legal resident, without conditions attached. It is always tax free and is designed to replace in-work tax credits and core social welfare payments. Top-up payments remain in place for those with special needs and for pensioners.
****** Proposer: Dominick Donnelly Speaker in Favour: Ann Lutrell Speaker in Favour: Claire Wheeler
Motion 7 Legal Duties of Care of Bookmakers
Motion Dublin South
Central To establish, in legislation, that bookmakers owe a duty of care to the spouses,
civil partners, dependents and creditors of their customers who are compulsive gamblers or gambling addicts.
Rationale
Bookmakers currently make large amounts of their profits from problem gamblers, where bookmakers are often aware, or should be aware, that people are gambling beyond their means, often as a result of compulsive behaviour, which gamblers cannot control.
Bookmakers are aware of which clients lose significant sums of money and encourage these “good” customers, while limiting bets taken by people who win regularly. This can result in: • the families and dependents of gambling addicts losing all of their savings and getting into debt which is not repaid • long term financial hardship • children growing up in foreseeable and avoidable poverty • stealing, from employers and others, which cannot be repaid by the gambler (https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/i-stole-1-75m- from-an-post-to-fuel-a-gambling-addiction-1.3436412) • If bookmakers will be liable to pay back money to families, banks and the victims of gambling addicts’ thefts, they will be far more likely to prevent excessive gambling.
This will only affect situations where gambling is having a serious negative effect on customers of bookmakers and not the vast majority of bookmakers’ customers. ****** Proposer: Donnchadh Woulfe
Motion 8 Party Approach to Decision Making
NB: As a non-technical motion cannot compel the Executive Committee Kildare procedurally, this Motion, if passed, will be considered advisory to the EC and will
not be binding.
Motion
Building on our fundamental commitments to honour diversity and maximise inclusion already enshrined in our founding principles and Constitution, it is proposed that the Executive Committee set up an internal process to research and implement new deliberative processes and decision-making methodologies that support the inclusion of all perspectives and preferences on issues for consideration and decision by the Party, Parliamentary Party and all Party Bodies.
****** Proposer: Vanessa Liston
Motion 9 Bilingual Packaging for Consumer Products
Motion South Dublin
With regard to the importance the Party places on the Irish Language, the Green Party commits to developing a policy of bilingual packaging for consumer products on sale in Ireland, and will work with stakeholders to ensure that the legislative changes intended to promote the display of mandatory information in both official languages of the State will not have a negative cost impact on Irish businesses.
Rationale
The Green Party recognises the Irish Language as one of the most important national resources we are committed to preserve and promote. We commit to developing a policy calling for the implementation of bilingual (Irish/English) packaging on consumer goods sold in Ireland. Existing supports to businesses from the State and stakeholders such as Conradh na Gaeilge should be extended through additional funding to ensure that Irish businesses will not suffer from the cost of translation, design or development.
To further reduce the impact on business, it is intended that this would initially apply to new products being brought to market and phased in organically for existing products as companies redesign their packaging or branding in line with their own business needs.
****** Proposer: Peter Kavanagh
Motion 10 Maintenance of the Agreed Schedule for Carbon Taxation
Motion Dublin Bay North
Despite the inevitable pressures not to raise the burden of personal taxation in the 2020 Budget in the context of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 restrictive measures, Convention urges our party colleagues in government use their influence to ensure no diminution or dilution to the agreed schedule of progressive and annual increase of carbon taxation that forms part of the Programme For Government and the Climate Action Plan.
Rationale
Notwithstanding that the PfG stipulates an annual increase in the rate of carbon tax of €7.50 per tonne until 2029, the members of this constituency are concerned that pressure, internal and external, will be brought to bear to reduce on or remove this commitment in the 2021 Budget due to the exceptional economic and social impact of CV-19 containment measures.
This constituency views a carbon tax, and, crucially, a credible schedule of increases to this tax, as a key measure in promoting the major behavioural change and innovation required to achieve our nation’s emissions targets under the Paris Agreement. By the same token, this constituency believes that any deviation from this schedule, particularly in such proximity to the commitment, will fatally undermine its credibility and will not prompt behavioural change or innovation.
We call on our party colleagues in government to prioritise and defend this commitment in Budget 2021 in the face of challenge.
****** Proposer: Vincent Kelly Speaker in Favour: Alex Pigot Speaker in Favour: Claire Wheeler
Motion 11 Income Tax Incentives for Work from Home
Motion Dublin Central
The Green Party supports income tax policy change to encourage people to work from home, to commute less, and to support families working from home.
Rationale
We are already currently using 50% more of the earth’s natural capital each year than the earth can replenish, and this rate of depletion is accelerating.
****** Proposer: Paschal Nee Proposer Amendment A: Dominick Donnelly
Motion 12 Social/Ecological Justice Proofing
NB: As this Motion would compel various party bodies that cannot be compelled Just Transition procedurally by a non-technical motion, this Motion, if passed, will be considered Greens advisory to those relevant bodies and will not be binding.
Motion
That the Green Party, as a party of non-violence, recognises the harm that structural disadvantage causes to people, communities and nature and that all our policies, positions, statements and practices need to be proofed to work towards genuine equality to achieve both social and ecological justice ******
Proposer: Sean McCabe Motion 13 Inclusion of UN Sustainable Development Goals as an Agenda Item at Policy Council
Wicklow NB: As a non-technical motion cannot compel Policy Council procedurally, this
Motion, if passed, will be considered advisory to PC and will not be binding.
Motion
In order to best ensure the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and that policy generated by the Policy Council takes into account the UN SDGs, the Green Party Policy Council is requested by this Green Party Convention 2020 to include as a fixed agenda item at their meetings the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Rationale
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Proposer: Sarah Franklyn Amendment A: Accepted Speaker in Favour: Alex Pigot Speaker in Opposition: Mary Gallagher-Cooke Speaker in Favour: Steven Matthews Speaker in Opposition: Harry McEvansoneya Speaker in Favour: Aoife Franklyn Speaker in Opposition: Barry O’Donovan Speaker in Favour: Deirdre Crowe Response: Sarah Franklyn