Article 40.3.1 of our Constitution states the following:“The State guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate the personal rights of the citizen.” On 19 August 2014 the UN Human Rights Committee, in its most recent Concluding Observations on the Irish State, under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, stated: “The Committee reiterates its concern at the lack of a definition of terrorism under domestic legislation and the continuing operation of the Special Criminal Court. It expresses further concern at the expansion of the remit of the Court to include organised crime” (arts. 14 and 26). “The State party should introduce a definition of ‘terrorist acts’ in its domestic legislation, limited to offences which can justifiably be equated with terrorism and its serious consequences. It should also consider abolishing the Special Criminal Court.” We all should have the right to a fair trial. We all remember the case of Nicky Kelly who was found guilty by this arbitrary court and then subsequently given a presidential pardon. It has abused its mandate in the past and will do so again. Amnesty International and the Irish Council of Civil Liberties have both called for its abolition, neither are friends of republicans to say the least. Allegations of internment by remand have been made against the Court regarding the detainment of accused defendants who have appeared before it and are now in Prison despite not being convicted of any wrongdoing.

Ireland has international humanitarian obligations to act and respond to this crisis. The crisis in Syria is resulting in millions of displaced people forced to flee for their lives and their safety. People power forced the government to agree to an increase in the number of refugees last year. Now we must step up again to make the government live up to this commitment.

Johns Lane West and Brú Aimsir hostels give shelter to almost 150 people who are former rough sleepers in Dublin. They are both set to close in the coming weeks. This will result in the loss of 150 beds for those sleeping rough. Focus Ireland and Peter McVerry Trust who currently run the hostels have not revealed how they plan to accommodate these people who will be forced back onto the streets with the closure of these hostels. The residents have been told they must ring the freephone in Parkgate St to find alternative accommodation. With an already critical shortage of beds, this will only put added strain on a flawed system which puts people in direct competition with each other, having to spend all day trying to get through to the freephone phoneline, often to simply be told there are no beds available. The Irish Housing Network demands: Dublin City Council, Peter McVerry Trust and Focus Ireland put a transparent plan in place with the residents of the hostels in providing suitable accommodation for those affected by the hostels’ closure. Long term social housing stock is immediately turned over for homeless people and families through the building of housing and opening and refurbishment of empty homes. Tenant’s rights for those in emergency accommodation so they cannot be evicted without notice and are protected under tenancy legislation. Rights for Travellers and Roma people in the ability to practice their culture and have well maintained and provisioned sites available throughout the country, including the restoration of traditional roadside stopping places.

Ireland has a commitment to live up to its international humanitarian obligations

Over 16,000 businesses and organisations have used JobBridge interns since the scheme began 5 years ago. These include: the HSE (399 interns), the GAA (249 interns), Teagasc (184 interns), UCD (also 184), Hewlett-Packard (176) and a number of county councils. All this points towards an endemic level of exploitation which has permeated every sector of employment and even includes unionised workplaces. All employers and the State must commit to a minimum, and really, a living wage of €11.50 an hour, instead of exploiting the unpaid labour of JobBridge interns.

Ireland is facing an unprecedented housing crisis - one that has been driven and worsened by private developers who work for profit, not the public good. Now, yet again, our council is seeking to fix the housing crisis by giving handouts to developers. Under the current Dublin City Council Housing Land Initiative, public land in three sites across Dublin will be turned over, free of charge, to private property developers. The proposal depends on high-interest finance. Banks, not the public, will benefit from this model that is based, at best, in a naive faith in the efficiency of privatization or, at worst, in cronyism. Cross-subsidized housing is a sustainable alternative where local government develops housing directly. Rent is based on ability-to-pay, and tenants benefit from rents that are below market rate, and enjoy security of tenure should their fortunes change. Similar schemes already operate successfully in Vienna and Singapore. Please sign our petition to call on Dublin City Council to support this sustainable model for public housing, not the giveaway of public land.

The housing shortage in Co. Mayo is serious. Many families are living with extended families in stressful overcrowded situations. The shortage in the rental market makes it very difficult to find suitable housing. Boarded up council houses should be renovated to house those in need. Emergency accommodation being used should be fit for purpose. To encourage the council to make progress on this, we are want people to sign this campaign to ask Local Councilors and TD's to make it there business to put housing at the top of their list. To ensure emergency accommodation being provided is fit for purpose, and to make renovating boarded up council houses a priority. Also to make finding funding for renovations a priority in the Dail. 145 council house empty as of September 2014.

How does a society learn from its errors? In a vibrant republic people obtain purpose and trust from the seat of government, which is rarely a single institution. Sadly, the Irish people are too often witnesses to how weakly their Republic is governed. The people cannot find in their institutions a sustained capacity to defend their interests. Such lack of trust is untenable. Given the benefit of learning from past errors - quite relevant to Irish society in this centenary year - we need to address an unresolved disaster from our century. The catastrophic banking collapse of 2008/9 was nurtured by the weakness of our public institutions. We need to learn from the reality of this financial disaster which casts its shadow of debt over us. We have to accept that our Republic was attacked by the negligence of our financial regulators, at numerous levels. We have to accept that there was an implosion of the public interest and this banking episode was simply the means for that to tear into our social fabric. WE can learn from these errors by demanding a forum to establish a public governance where our futures are made safer; Where we can examine and teach and guard against those who would place the citizen’s interests at risk again. In effect a foundation would be established to facilitate citizen empowerment and participatory decision making. We can find the power to insure that this state is fully aware of its responsibilities to our society. And now our Central Bank intends to vacate the ground zero of our odious debt. Is it their prerogative to tell us that this landmark is not available for learning and public discourse? We say that at long last our building can begin to explicitly serve the interests of Irish society. Note: users of the building would be Charities and NGOs who agree to engage in a cooperative enterprise to reduce disadvantage and to coordinate front-line intervention services. The types of services to be assimilated could range across housing, health and social protection, legal assistance and debt resolution facilities, planning, community development, and sustainability. The list of agencies and NGOs who could be integrated into this “hub” runs to several dozen. such a transfer might be established by a Covenant whereby for twenty years the Foundation would have control of the premises. In those two decades it could generate rental income from commercial tenancy in suitable areas of the building. This income along with other forms of public support would create a development account to allow for an eventual full legal transfer from the Central Bank.

While retailers across Europe make enormous profits from the sale of store brand (own brand) orange juice, the majority of workers and farmers who harvest and process the fruit and its juice live in bitter poverty. Orange juice production is also utterly destructive to the environment; the industry is characterised by excessive use of pesticides.

Teachers have boycotted the in-service for the new JC for several reasons: the presentation of the new JC higher and ordinary papers has confirmed fears concerning the 'dumbing down' of, not only English, but other important subjects which will now be assessed as Common exams. The new HL English paper is a single two-hour exam which appears to target only certain aspects of the work that has been studied by the students over a two- year period. Second year students are in the invidious situation of studying a new course while its assessment has yet to be decided upon in formal and concrete terms.A system which takes its advice from only a fifth of the teaching population (of English Teachers) cannot say that it represents that body of teachers, irrespective of the reasons behind their inability to communicate their wishes/ideas. From the beginning, it behoved the NCCA and SEC to organise local meetings on the ground with the Teachers and parents to discuss the changes, to reach a compromise that would have suited all. We would not have needed any Union intervention and would not, today, be in this invidious situation. The arrogance of the Powers that Be has brought about this untenable situation; I would be concerned that many excellent teachers will leave the profession as a result. The irony is that our concern arises from our understanding of our students and a desire to ensure standards in English are at the very least maintained, if not improved. When the original request came for some consultation, it was not seen as a means of using our input to demolish a system that is, by many standards quite excellent, but to enhance that excellence by filling in the gaps and moving forward into the 21st century. While all teachers are happy and willing to engage with the new curriculum, concerns over assessment need to be discussed and determined by the body of English teachers as a whole in order to ensure a successful transition. In recent days further consternation, anger and genuine fear has been expressed by teachers of Science and Business Studies; how can the Department of Education justify a single Common paper in these subjects, at a time when the world at large is crying out for a student body with the skills and the ability, with a solid comprehension and depth of knowledge of the subjects and the work involved to succeed in these areas. Sitting an OL paper at Junior Cycle does not mean a student cannot aspire to taking a subject at LC; some students require more time to mature and develop skills or may be more practical in their learning and, consequently, should be encouraged to study subjects which will allow them to go on and learn a trade. The fact is that a demanding and challenging but, for the most part, a successful system of education is being cast aside; there has been no real consultation with the teachers who are working day in and day out with the students concerned, and whose input should have been acknowledged as being invaluable. I would like to finish with a comment on the ‘dumbing down’ of the grading system for assignments and exams. How many young people were consulted with regard to the grading system? An Education system that ignores the word ‘fail’ does not prepare its students for life in the real world; it insults the intelligence of these students; it does not recognise the concept of learning from one’s failures or from one’s mistakes. George Orwell feared for the limitations he saw being imposed on the English language by a Party that recognised the power of language; instead of a ‘Ministry for Education’ it seems we have a ‘MiniEd’.

Making sure that all workers are paid at least the living wage of €11.45 per hour will create a better standard of living for all people. It will reduce poverty, boost local economies and ensure an inclusive society for all people. For more info on fair working conditions, visit: http://www.ictu.ie/charter/

Ireland needs a better democracy giving people a greater say and improved accountability of government. Currently less than 5% of Irish voters are entitled to the vote in Seanad Elections. This is undemocratic and elitist. In 2013 a majority of Irish people voted to retain the Seanad and gave a clear message that they wanted it reformed rather than abolished. A reformed Seanad could improve democracy in Ireland if, • all citizens are given the vote to elect Senators to the Seanad • the Seanad is given meaningful powers to enable it to fulfil its role to scrutinize government and propose legislation The Oireachtas working group on Seanad Reform 2015 concluded that “a parliamentary assembly such as Seanad Éireann whose electoral system excluded the majority of its citizens from participation lacked popular legitimacy”. The government, therefore, should show their commitment to democratic reform by enacting legislation to • • Provide for free and fair elections to Seanad Éireann where the franchise (entitlement to vote) is extended to all Irish citizens over 18 including Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and to holders of Irish passports living overseas • • A majority of Seanad seats to be elected by popular vote on the principle of one person one vote • • Strengthen the powers of the Seanad to scrutinise, amend, and initiate legislation