2006 PRESS RELEASES & PUBLIC ADDRESSES
China - DOES ECONOMIC GAIN JUSTIFY TORTURE AND OPPRESSION?
22nd November 2006
Irish Ferries – the next new big idea
6th October 2006
EQUALITY CASE RULING OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE
4th October 2006
“A MODEST PROPOSAL” to An tAire ÉAMON Ó CUÍV
29th June 2006
POLITICIANS GO RACING TO THE DOWN ROYAL ULSTER DERBY
23rd June 2006
All Irish National Centre
16th March 2006
Response to Christian Brothers Marino Statement
24th February 2006
DOES ECONOMIC GAIN JUSTIFY TORTURE AND OPPRESSION?
22nd November 2006
Ireland is turning a blind eye to the documented human rights abuses that are taking place in China. Every week, innocent Chinese citizens, members of the Falun Gong movement, a spiritual discipline practiced by over 100 million people throughout the world, are herded up and treated as prisoners; forced to work and undergo torture practices. No doubt we are attempting to ignore the atrocities that are taking place so as not to jeopardize our trading affiliation with China. How can we continue this economic relationship knowing that human rights violations are commonplace?
Although the international community is well aware of the information and evidence pointing towards the Chinese Communist Party’s [CCP] actions, very little has been done to investigate or put an end to this. The Western world seems to be running scared of China’s massive role in the global trade market. It is completely unacceptable that the rest of the world would stand by doing nothing, while being aware that a country is involved in perpetrating such violation of human rights and, continue to trade with them.
Throughout the past year, news reports have surfaced claiming that the CCP has routinely persecuted practitioners of Falun Gong. The reports charge that Falun Gong practitioners have regularly been rounded up by the Chinese government and sent to labour camps, detention centres, or prisons, throughout China. At these internment camps, Falun Gong practitioners are held illegally, forced to work and often tortured. One such type of brutal torture is the removal of Falun Gong practitioners’ organs, frequently, while still alive. These organs are then offered for sale and are regularly delivered to order to organ transplant patients.
David Kilgour, a respected former Canadian Secretary of State has undertaken an independent investigation into all of these allegations. Tomorrow (Thursday November 23rd), on my invitation, Mr. David Kilgour, will make a presentation to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs on the findings of his investigation into the alleged human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners that have taken place in China.
David Kilgour investigated these allegations as a volunteer and he worked independently of any organization or government. Furthermore, it should be noted, that after the publication of this report, it was subsequently discussed at the EU-China Summit in Helsinki, where MEPs signed a letter to the European Union Commission expressing their concerns and urging the Commission to investigate further the report.
Often it is difficult to get first hand reports of these abuses. The lack of documentation of their arrests or transfers makes it difficult to decipher where they are being kept, if even still alive. This makes it difficult to investigate. However, one first hand account was from the wife a former surgeon. The surgeon in a honest admission to his wife reported that he had removed the corneas of approximately 2000 Falun Gong practitioners.
Mr. Kilgour has done us a favour by helping to bring greater world attention to these atrocities in China. The Irish Government must now press the European Union to have this abuse brought to an end immediately.
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Irish Ferries – the next new big idea
6th October 2006
“I have just been made aware, from a deeply embedded source at the top of the company, of the next NEW BIG IDEA FROM IRISH FERRIES.
Apparently they have arranged for their ships to be dry docked for a special refit over the winter period. During the refit there will be a long line of vents opened along the car deck. Senior Management have already completed a deal with a recruitment company in Amazonia to supply a completely new workforce.
When the ships are re-launched 1000 of the work force will be chained to the car deck of each ship and equipped with long oars to drive the ship. Secret sea trials, which have been witnessed by my source, indicate that with a bit of encouragement from the galley masters that the ships will attain a comfortable 20 knots. The savings on fuel and the fact that the crew are contracted to work for one mirror, one bottle of whiskey and a plug of tobacco per working day means that the company should be able to survive and indeed improve on their 20million per annum profit.
Analysts have responded favourably to the news.
So all’s well that ends well.”
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EQUALITY CASE RULING OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE
4th October 2006
REPORTS IN TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS ON THE EQUALITY CASE RULING OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE ARE GROSSLY INACCURATE AND MISLEADING.
THE REALITY IS THAT WOMEN CAN TAKE HEART FROM IT BECAUSE THE EQUALITY RULING FROM THE COURT IS IN FACT, A BONUS FOR WOMEN.
Today’s response by various groups in the Equality and Women’s Rights areas to the European Court of Justice Ruling is misinformed and dangerously misleading. The judgment changes very little and the only change it does make is to add to the potential for women who have taken time off for domestic reasons to challenge any discrimination against them in pay terms.
Three significant points arise from a reading of the European judgment….
It is a real pity that those who were so quick to comment did not take the time to read and study the judgment. Here is the central excerpt from the judgment -
“the Court (Grand Chamber) hereby rules:
Article 141 EC is to be interpreted as meaning that, where recourse to the criterion of length of service as a determinant of pay leads to disparities in pay, in respect of equal work or work of equal value, between the men and women to be included in the comparison:
– since, as a general rule, recourse to the criterion of length of service is appropriate to attain the legitimate objective of rewarding experience acquired which enables the worker to perform his duties better, the employer does not have to establish specifically that recourse to that criterion is appropriate to attain that objective as regards a particular job, unless the worker provides evidence capable of raising serious doubts in that regard;
– where a job classification system based on an evaluation of the work to be carried out is used in determining pay, there is no need to show that an individual worker has acquired experience during the relevant period which has enabled him to perform his duties better.”
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“A MODEST PROPOSAL” to An tAire ÉAMON Ó CUÍV
29th June 2006
An tAire ÉAMON Ó CUÍV - TABHAIR AIRE: TAKE NOTE
Well there you are now. The Government have renamed the country and from here on in it will be known in Europe as ÉIRE IRELAND.
Nice to see the bit of bilingualism and nice to see the Gaeilge given its rightful place on the European stage. This is a sensible and logical decision of the Government. Obviously Minister Éamon Ó Cuív must have been out of the room when the cabinet made the decision.
No doubt then, the Taoiseach and Ministers can understand the views of the people of a well known West Kerry town. They want the same for their home place. They want the name of their town given back to them. They want it named DINGLE DAINGEAN UÍ CHÚIS. It is bilingual, it is giving full status to our native tongue and it is a sensible and logical aspiration.
ÉIRE IRELAND : DINGLE DAINGEAN UÍ CHÚIS, isn’t there a lovely symmetry and rhythm about them both.
Féach ar sin anois. Tá an Rialtas tréis ainm nua a bhaistiú ar an dtír. As so amach is EIRE IRELAND a ghlaofar ar an dtír san Eoraip.
Is maith an rud é dátheangachas á chur chun chin arís agus is breá an rud é go bhfhuil ár dteanga ársa féin i lár an aonaigh ar stáitse na hEoraipe. Ní foláir ach go raibh An tAire Ó Cuív as láthair nuair a dheineadar an chinneadh.
Gan amhras mar sin beidh tuiscint maith ag an dTaoiseach agus na hAirí ar dearcadh shaoráinigh bhaile mór áirithe i gCorcha Dhuibhne. Tá an rud céadna ag teastáilt uatha siúd. Táid ag iarradh ainm a mbaile fhéin a tharraingt thar n-ais. Ba bhreá leo go nglaofaí DINGLE DAINGEAN UÍ CHÚIS air go hoifigiúl. Bheadh san dátheangach and thabharfhadh sé có-chéim dár teanga féin agus bheadh sé ciallmhar agus loigiciúl.
ÉIRE IRELAND : DINGLE DAINGEAN UÍ CHÚIS, nách bhfhuil rithim agus comhionnanas iontach ag baint leo.
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POLITICIANS GO RACING TO THE DOWN ROYAL ULSTER DERBY
23rd June 2006
Down Royal Race Course has had to abandon two race meetings over the past year because of bomb scares.
On tomorrow, Saturday 24 June, an informal mixed group of politicians including TD’s and Senators from Leinster House and Members of the Legislative Assembly in Stormont will attend the Ulster Derby meeting at Down Royal Racecourse.
The politicians who will be welcomed to Down Royal by the Chairman Mr. Jim Nicholson and the Committee and by Mr. Mike Todd, Course Manager, are:
Our common bond is simply to express our disgust at the prejudiced and dangerous spoilsports responsible for the bomb scares and to affirm and encourage the positive contribution of Down Royal management to cross community engagement.
Race meetings in Northern Ireland are events to which people from all segments of the political, social and religious spectrum are attracted to share an enjoyable leisure activity. Such activity is, of course, anathema to the mindset of those who advocate violence and who seek to disrupt any occasions where people of differing backgrounds can safely mingle in enjoyment.
It should also be noted that whereas the small group of politicians attending Down Royal do not purport to be formally representative we do carry the good wishes and support of literally dozens of parliamentary colleagues, including An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern, TD, who because of prior engagements and commitments cannot personally attend tomorrow.
Of course race meetings are not the answer to our difficulties but they are one of the other many small steps which are developing quietly and successfully, driven by responsible organizations, communities and politicians.
On a practical level we note that the two Northern race tracks at Down Royal and Downpatrick are the only two tracks in all of Ireland and the UK not included in the overall Tote facility. We earnestly request Tote Ireland and Tote UK to ensure that this is corrected.
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All Irish National Centre
16th March 2006
It is seven years since the Government approved the establishment of a
National Centre for the production of Irish language textbooks, apparatus and information technology in Ballyvourney, West Cork.
In the meantime, despite the support of four successive Ministers for
Education and Education interests nationwide, nothing has happened. So who is blocking it? What is going on? I believe that there are vested interests at work against this project.
I have sent a letter to the Minister for Education on this matter and I have sought access to all the relevant information via a Freedom Of Information request.
I will also be raising the matter shortly in the Seanad.
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SO THE TRUSTEES OF MARINO ARE CLAPPING THEMSELVES ON THE BACK
24th February 2006
It was announced today that the “so-called” Independent Report on Marino Institute of Education vindicates the handling of the College by the same authority which commissioned and paid for the Report….
Well there’s a surprise!!
It is even more comforting is to find out that nothing has really changed and that the culture of secrecy in Marino is maintained and the College authorities have issued a press statement on a Report which they are refusing to publish or make publicly available.
In that context, the line in today’s press statement from the College that the Report concludes that “The Governing Body and key Committees have largely acted in accordance with the lawful instrument of Government” is confirmation that there is much to hide and that there is much more to be heard and that they must have good reason to keep it secret.
Other interesting questions are raised by today’s fudge.
The most pertinent is that the people who settled on all counts, approximately 50 different bullying claims against them, for a large six figure sum now tell us that there was no bullying at all the Institution. Dare we ask why they settled then?
Can it be true that in drawing up this so-called “Independent” report there was no consultation with the person who was most impacted upon by this controversy, the former College Head?
Are we to believe that a firm of consultants concludes that the mechanisms put in place by the Department of Education and Science to audit the spending of millions of tax payers’ money in Marino should be set aside?
Today’s statement calls for the restoration of the “good name” of the board. This would be most welcome if we could start by having access to the Report which claims to vindicate them and then we can have the public discussion and let the public pass judgement with all the facts at their disposal.
I do not know who authored this Report but I am available and would welcome the opportunity of debating publicly, with him or her, the conclusions it reached.
Back to top of page.
China - DOES ECONOMIC GAIN JUSTIFY TORTURE AND OPPRESSION?
22nd November 2006
Irish Ferries – the next new big idea
6th October 2006
EQUALITY CASE RULING OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE
4th October 2006
“A MODEST PROPOSAL” to An tAire ÉAMON Ó CUÍV
29th June 2006
POLITICIANS GO RACING TO THE DOWN ROYAL ULSTER DERBY
23rd June 2006
All Irish National Centre
16th March 2006
Response to Christian Brothers Marino Statement
24th February 2006
DOES ECONOMIC GAIN JUSTIFY TORTURE AND OPPRESSION?
22nd November 2006
Ireland is turning a blind eye to the documented human rights abuses that are taking place in China. Every week, innocent Chinese citizens, members of the Falun Gong movement, a spiritual discipline practiced by over 100 million people throughout the world, are herded up and treated as prisoners; forced to work and undergo torture practices. No doubt we are attempting to ignore the atrocities that are taking place so as not to jeopardize our trading affiliation with China. How can we continue this economic relationship knowing that human rights violations are commonplace?
Although the international community is well aware of the information and evidence pointing towards the Chinese Communist Party’s [CCP] actions, very little has been done to investigate or put an end to this. The Western world seems to be running scared of China’s massive role in the global trade market. It is completely unacceptable that the rest of the world would stand by doing nothing, while being aware that a country is involved in perpetrating such violation of human rights and, continue to trade with them.
Throughout the past year, news reports have surfaced claiming that the CCP has routinely persecuted practitioners of Falun Gong. The reports charge that Falun Gong practitioners have regularly been rounded up by the Chinese government and sent to labour camps, detention centres, or prisons, throughout China. At these internment camps, Falun Gong practitioners are held illegally, forced to work and often tortured. One such type of brutal torture is the removal of Falun Gong practitioners’ organs, frequently, while still alive. These organs are then offered for sale and are regularly delivered to order to organ transplant patients.
David Kilgour, a respected former Canadian Secretary of State has undertaken an independent investigation into all of these allegations. Tomorrow (Thursday November 23rd), on my invitation, Mr. David Kilgour, will make a presentation to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs on the findings of his investigation into the alleged human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners that have taken place in China.
David Kilgour investigated these allegations as a volunteer and he worked independently of any organization or government. Furthermore, it should be noted, that after the publication of this report, it was subsequently discussed at the EU-China Summit in Helsinki, where MEPs signed a letter to the European Union Commission expressing their concerns and urging the Commission to investigate further the report.
Often it is difficult to get first hand reports of these abuses. The lack of documentation of their arrests or transfers makes it difficult to decipher where they are being kept, if even still alive. This makes it difficult to investigate. However, one first hand account was from the wife a former surgeon. The surgeon in a honest admission to his wife reported that he had removed the corneas of approximately 2000 Falun Gong practitioners.
Mr. Kilgour has done us a favour by helping to bring greater world attention to these atrocities in China. The Irish Government must now press the European Union to have this abuse brought to an end immediately.
Back to top of page.
Irish Ferries – the next new big idea
6th October 2006
“I have just been made aware, from a deeply embedded source at the top of the company, of the next NEW BIG IDEA FROM IRISH FERRIES.
Apparently they have arranged for their ships to be dry docked for a special refit over the winter period. During the refit there will be a long line of vents opened along the car deck. Senior Management have already completed a deal with a recruitment company in Amazonia to supply a completely new workforce.
When the ships are re-launched 1000 of the work force will be chained to the car deck of each ship and equipped with long oars to drive the ship. Secret sea trials, which have been witnessed by my source, indicate that with a bit of encouragement from the galley masters that the ships will attain a comfortable 20 knots. The savings on fuel and the fact that the crew are contracted to work for one mirror, one bottle of whiskey and a plug of tobacco per working day means that the company should be able to survive and indeed improve on their 20million per annum profit.
Analysts have responded favourably to the news.
So all’s well that ends well.”
Back to top of page.
EQUALITY CASE RULING OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE
4th October 2006
REPORTS IN TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS ON THE EQUALITY CASE RULING OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE ARE GROSSLY INACCURATE AND MISLEADING.
THE REALITY IS THAT WOMEN CAN TAKE HEART FROM IT BECAUSE THE EQUALITY RULING FROM THE COURT IS IN FACT, A BONUS FOR WOMEN.
Today’s response by various groups in the Equality and Women’s Rights areas to the European Court of Justice Ruling is misinformed and dangerously misleading. The judgment changes very little and the only change it does make is to add to the potential for women who have taken time off for domestic reasons to challenge any discrimination against them in pay terms.
Three significant points arise from a reading of the European judgment….
-
1/ It does not in any way, shape or form reverse the advances in Women’s Right and/or Equality Legislation over the past decades.
2/ It does give recognition to the existing incremental model of pay increase accepting that it is a legitimate method of rewarding experience on the job.
3/ It does also however, for the first time, allow a worker to challenge the concept that longer service is a fair basis for paying a greater increment to a fellow worker. This would for instance, allow a woman who had taken time out for family reasons to challenge the idea of a fellow worker being paid more simply because he or she had worked more years on the job.
It is a real pity that those who were so quick to comment did not take the time to read and study the judgment. Here is the central excerpt from the judgment -
“the Court (Grand Chamber) hereby rules:
Article 141 EC is to be interpreted as meaning that, where recourse to the criterion of length of service as a determinant of pay leads to disparities in pay, in respect of equal work or work of equal value, between the men and women to be included in the comparison:
– since, as a general rule, recourse to the criterion of length of service is appropriate to attain the legitimate objective of rewarding experience acquired which enables the worker to perform his duties better, the employer does not have to establish specifically that recourse to that criterion is appropriate to attain that objective as regards a particular job, unless the worker provides evidence capable of raising serious doubts in that regard;
– where a job classification system based on an evaluation of the work to be carried out is used in determining pay, there is no need to show that an individual worker has acquired experience during the relevant period which has enabled him to perform his duties better.”
Back to top of page.
“A MODEST PROPOSAL” to An tAire ÉAMON Ó CUÍV
29th June 2006
An tAire ÉAMON Ó CUÍV - TABHAIR AIRE: TAKE NOTE
Well there you are now. The Government have renamed the country and from here on in it will be known in Europe as ÉIRE IRELAND.
Nice to see the bit of bilingualism and nice to see the Gaeilge given its rightful place on the European stage. This is a sensible and logical decision of the Government. Obviously Minister Éamon Ó Cuív must have been out of the room when the cabinet made the decision.
No doubt then, the Taoiseach and Ministers can understand the views of the people of a well known West Kerry town. They want the same for their home place. They want the name of their town given back to them. They want it named DINGLE DAINGEAN UÍ CHÚIS. It is bilingual, it is giving full status to our native tongue and it is a sensible and logical aspiration.
ÉIRE IRELAND : DINGLE DAINGEAN UÍ CHÚIS, isn’t there a lovely symmetry and rhythm about them both.
Féach ar sin anois. Tá an Rialtas tréis ainm nua a bhaistiú ar an dtír. As so amach is EIRE IRELAND a ghlaofar ar an dtír san Eoraip.
Is maith an rud é dátheangachas á chur chun chin arís agus is breá an rud é go bhfhuil ár dteanga ársa féin i lár an aonaigh ar stáitse na hEoraipe. Ní foláir ach go raibh An tAire Ó Cuív as láthair nuair a dheineadar an chinneadh.
Gan amhras mar sin beidh tuiscint maith ag an dTaoiseach agus na hAirí ar dearcadh shaoráinigh bhaile mór áirithe i gCorcha Dhuibhne. Tá an rud céadna ag teastáilt uatha siúd. Táid ag iarradh ainm a mbaile fhéin a tharraingt thar n-ais. Ba bhreá leo go nglaofaí DINGLE DAINGEAN UÍ CHÚIS air go hoifigiúl. Bheadh san dátheangach and thabharfhadh sé có-chéim dár teanga féin agus bheadh sé ciallmhar agus loigiciúl.
ÉIRE IRELAND : DINGLE DAINGEAN UÍ CHÚIS, nách bhfhuil rithim agus comhionnanas iontach ag baint leo.
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POLITICIANS GO RACING TO THE DOWN ROYAL ULSTER DERBY
23rd June 2006
Down Royal Race Course has had to abandon two race meetings over the past year because of bomb scares.
On tomorrow, Saturday 24 June, an informal mixed group of politicians including TD’s and Senators from Leinster House and Members of the Legislative Assembly in Stormont will attend the Ulster Derby meeting at Down Royal Racecourse.
The politicians who will be welcomed to Down Royal by the Chairman Mr. Jim Nicholson and the Committee and by Mr. Mike Todd, Course Manager, are:
-
• SENATOR JOE O’TOOLE Chair of Co-operation Ireland Leinster House Liaison Group
• DEPUTY JACK WALL
• DEPUTY CATHERINE MURPHY
• DEPUTY NED O’KEEFFE
• DEPUTY JIM GLENNON
• SENATOR MARTIN MANSERGH
• DEPUTY PAUDGE CONNOLLY
• Declan McPartlin representing Marian Harkin
DEPUTY PAT CAREY
• COUNCILLOR NORAH J BEARE MLA
• Paul Stewart representing Alderman Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA
• COUNCILLOR THOMAS BURNS MLA
• EILEEN BELL MLA, Speaker of the Assembly
Our common bond is simply to express our disgust at the prejudiced and dangerous spoilsports responsible for the bomb scares and to affirm and encourage the positive contribution of Down Royal management to cross community engagement.
Race meetings in Northern Ireland are events to which people from all segments of the political, social and religious spectrum are attracted to share an enjoyable leisure activity. Such activity is, of course, anathema to the mindset of those who advocate violence and who seek to disrupt any occasions where people of differing backgrounds can safely mingle in enjoyment.
It should also be noted that whereas the small group of politicians attending Down Royal do not purport to be formally representative we do carry the good wishes and support of literally dozens of parliamentary colleagues, including An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern, TD, who because of prior engagements and commitments cannot personally attend tomorrow.
Of course race meetings are not the answer to our difficulties but they are one of the other many small steps which are developing quietly and successfully, driven by responsible organizations, communities and politicians.
On a practical level we note that the two Northern race tracks at Down Royal and Downpatrick are the only two tracks in all of Ireland and the UK not included in the overall Tote facility. We earnestly request Tote Ireland and Tote UK to ensure that this is corrected.
Back to top of page.
All Irish National Centre
16th March 2006
It is seven years since the Government approved the establishment of a
National Centre for the production of Irish language textbooks, apparatus and information technology in Ballyvourney, West Cork.
In the meantime, despite the support of four successive Ministers for
Education and Education interests nationwide, nothing has happened. So who is blocking it? What is going on? I believe that there are vested interests at work against this project.
I have sent a letter to the Minister for Education on this matter and I have sought access to all the relevant information via a Freedom Of Information request.
I will also be raising the matter shortly in the Seanad.
Back to top of page.
SO THE TRUSTEES OF MARINO ARE CLAPPING THEMSELVES ON THE BACK
24th February 2006
It was announced today that the “so-called” Independent Report on Marino Institute of Education vindicates the handling of the College by the same authority which commissioned and paid for the Report….
Well there’s a surprise!!
It is even more comforting is to find out that nothing has really changed and that the culture of secrecy in Marino is maintained and the College authorities have issued a press statement on a Report which they are refusing to publish or make publicly available.
In that context, the line in today’s press statement from the College that the Report concludes that “The Governing Body and key Committees have largely acted in accordance with the lawful instrument of Government” is confirmation that there is much to hide and that there is much more to be heard and that they must have good reason to keep it secret.
Other interesting questions are raised by today’s fudge.
The most pertinent is that the people who settled on all counts, approximately 50 different bullying claims against them, for a large six figure sum now tell us that there was no bullying at all the Institution. Dare we ask why they settled then?
Can it be true that in drawing up this so-called “Independent” report there was no consultation with the person who was most impacted upon by this controversy, the former College Head?
Are we to believe that a firm of consultants concludes that the mechanisms put in place by the Department of Education and Science to audit the spending of millions of tax payers’ money in Marino should be set aside?
Today’s statement calls for the restoration of the “good name” of the board. This would be most welcome if we could start by having access to the Report which claims to vindicate them and then we can have the public discussion and let the public pass judgement with all the facts at their disposal.
I do not know who authored this Report but I am available and would welcome the opportunity of debating publicly, with him or her, the conclusions it reached.
Back to top of page.