Choice of speakers at Oireachtas Hearings on abortion is biased towards restrictive legislation.

Buttimer must change balance of speakers.

Commenting on the speakers chosen to address the Oireachtas Hearings on the forthcoming abortion legislation, Brendan Young said:

“The choice of speakers to the Oireachtas Hearings on the forthcoming abortion legislation is heavily biased. Amongst the medical and legal speakers, there are ten who are either anti-abortion advocates or who question the appropriateness of legislating for the X Case. By contrast there are only five who support non-restrictive legislation for the X Case or are pro-choice.

Speakers to these hearings are supposedly invited to comment as ‘experts’ on legislation. How can people who have actively campaigned against legislation, who have questioned the X Case ruling, who have asserted that legislating would be either wrong or unnecessary or who have represented the Catholic Church, Youth Defense of the Prolife Campaign be regarded as reliable commentators on legislation that they oppose in principle? Indeed one of these organized a symposium that claimed there was never a medical justification for abortion to save a woman’s life.

There does not appear to be any speaker with international human rights expertise to assess whether the proposed legislation would comply with the ABC Ruling of the European Court of Human Rights or with the European Convention on Human Rights.

We call on the Chair of the Health and Children Committee, Mr. Gerry Buttimer TD, to change the selection of speakers for the Oireachtas Hearings to ensure balance and to reflect the majority public opinion in Irish society – which supports legislation for the X Case and for the right to abortion where pregnancy threatens the health of a woman or in cases of rape and incest. A vocal minority must not be given precedence over the views of the majority”.

Protesters outside allsops auction

property auction organised by auctioneers Allsop. Protesters from both Anti-Eviction Ireland and the Ant-Eviction Task-force allege that many of the properties listed for auction are a result of illegal repossessions.

One of the protesters, Donal, said that the groups had come together against what they see as the immoral “repossession of houses” and “families, husbands, wives and children being evicted onto the street while bondholders were still being paid billions”. He also said that they had hoped hotels would become aware of the issue and not facilitate such auctions. Speaking of the groups intentions, Donal said they would do their “best to prevent the sheriff from evicting families” and that they had already been successful on a number of occasions.

Donal spoke of the effects that mortgage distress and repossession had on those at the hands of the Banks, “To be getting phone calls 24/7, letters everyday and the banks giving no choice or leeway or even allowing for negotiations in these situations has a disastrous effect on people” and that there “had been cases of suicide in relation to this.”

Paul O’ Hare spoke of his own ordeal and said that having gone into receivership his property was listed today against his wishes. He said that his bank had failed to make contact or provide him with paperwork on the property which was now being sold for close to a tenth of the value of debts incurred on it. Speaking of the effect this had had on his life he said, “It’s obviously affected myself, I haven’t slept in months, years. You’re worried about the next letter coming in the door. I’m afraid they’re going to come in and take my house.”

Asked if he felt there was any hope in situations like this against Paul said, “I think there’s hope if you have money but if you don’t have money you can’t do it, because solicitors and barristers cost money and I don’t have that money to fight them”.

A front page report on the Irish Times reveals a startling disparity on the effects of austerity between those over the ages of 45 and those younger. A study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ERSI) revealed that those under the ages of 45 spent on average 20% less weekly in 2009/2010 compared to five years earlier. In contrast the over 45 age group were spending 31% more on a weekly basis by 2009/2010. If anything, the figures serve to highlight the plight that younger generations face in this country.

Other figures from Eurostat the EU statistical office, recorded Ireland’s youth unemployment at nearly 31% this April.  Given the rise of such figures is it any surprise that according to the CSO, between April 2011 and April 2012, peoples between the ages of 25-44 represented the largest group of emigration standing at close to 40,000. Second to this were 15-24 year olds with numbers at 34,500.

Is it any wonder that our countries youth feel marginalised, and forced to leave their country? Youth emigration is disgracefully high but then, what future has our younger generations to look towards? The deepening pockets of the few at the expense of the many? Paying the bailouts of banks and property developers? Increased property taxes and water charges? Increased fees for education? A jobs market that practically doesn’t exist?  It seems Bukowski’s words would resonate in Ireland today.

“I want to live”

Beatriz’s identity has been hidden amid the stigma and strong, divided opinions about her case. But on Sunday May 5, she recorded a plea to the country’s president.

“President Mauricio Funes Cartagena, help me please,” she said.                                            “This baby inside me cannot survive. I am ill. I want to live… I want to live for my son.”

Beatriz life hangs in the balance while the El Salvador’s Supreme Court decides whether her right to life should be protected, or whether the rights of her unborn foetus should be the primary concern.

Beatriz is 23 weeks pregnant and has an auto-immune disease known as lupus, which causes the body’s immune system to attack its own tissue.  In Beatriz case, the foetus is unviable, scans have revealed that it is anencephalic – a large part of the brain and skull is missing.  Almost all babies with anencephaly die before birth, or within hours or days after the birth.

Her condition is deteriorating and her doctors say she is at “high risk of death” if the pregnancy continues.  Her doctors have recommended an abortion as the only option to save her life, but they cannot go ahead with the procedure due to fear of prosecution.  Abortion is illegal in El Salvador in all circumstances and can be punishable with prison sentences of up to 30 years.

While Beatriz is lying in hospital suffering from kidney failure, caused by her lupus, the risk to her life increases. The country’s religious right wing is adamant that there will be no exceptions; the life of the foetus takes precedent from the moment of conception. Public opinion in El Salvador is divided.

In March the medical team made an application to El Salvadorian legal authorities seeking permission to proceed with a termination in order to safeguard Beatriz’s life. They asked for a guarantee that they would not be prosecuted if they go ahead with the abortion. Authorities have yet to respond to this request.

According to Al Jazeera, several international bodies have now intervened:

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has taken the unprecedented step of ordering the El Salvadorian authorities to take “precautionary measures” and implement the treatment recommended by the Specialised National Maternity Hospital.

On April 29, the commission gave the government an ultimatum to carry out the procedure within 72 hours in order “to safeguard life, personal integrity and health”. It was an attempt by the commission to ensure the case was expedited by the Supreme Court.

Despite this ruling, no decision has yet been made.

Amnesty International’s Esther Major told Al Jazeera, that “The delays are unconscionable”.

In Ireland we have seen the tragedy that delay caused to Savita and her family.  Laws which prohibiting medical professionals to act to save a woman’s life are archaic and must be opposed in all circumstances. The life of Beatriz must take precedent and the ethos of the Catholic right wing must be challenged by men and women across the globe.

]]> http://www.claredaly.ie/dying-woman-denied-abortion-in-el-salvador/feed/ 0 http://www.claredaly.ie/a-novel-gathering-at-rush-public-library/ http://www.claredaly.ie/a-novel-gathering-at-rush-public-library/#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 16:03:59 +0000 Dáil Office http://www.claredaly.ie/?p=1708 The decision taken by management at Fingal Count Council to cut local library hours has caused justifiable outrage from community groups and residents in Rush and Balbriggan. The libraries which these communities fought so hard for will now be forced to close at 5 pm four days a week!  This is a cut of 33% in opening hours is an absolute disgrace and must not be allowed to happen.

The government’s public sector recruitment embargo has meant that the libraries cannot replace retiring staff. While council officials argue that they have struggled to keep the library open, local groups are asking why the burden was not shared, as there are no cuts in hours at Malahide, Swords and Blanchardstown.

Rush has already lost a Garda Station and AIB branch in recent months. The library cuts have come as yet another blow to the community and to those studying for second and third level exams in particular, and it must be challenged.

Now more than ever the library is needed by young, old and jobseekers. This is a vital community resource if it is undermined it will have a disproportionate effect on the poorest in our communities who may not have easy access to transport or internet. Alternatives must be found. This is a step too far.

Concerned residents and community groups in both Rush and Balbriggan have organised events this weekend in support of their library service.  The “Novel Gathering” at Rush library takes place this Saturday 11^th May at the Library beginning at 2 O’clock a similar event  “Love Your Library” will take place at the same time in Balbriggan.   These events are a celebration of the role public libraries play in our communities.  Please come along for what will be a fun family day out with music, dressing up spot prizes and more.  All to emphasize how we need these resources and cannot afford to allow these cuts.

Expert Group recommendations ignored

Commenting on the government’s draft bill on abortion, Clare Daly TD and Joan Collins TD called for changes to deal with shortcomings in the Bill:

Clare Daly said:

“Today, May Day, when women have fought for their rights as workers, we are still fighting for our rights as women. I welcome the publication of the government’s proposals for minimal legislation on abortion, but it contains restrictions that will continue to put women’s lives at risk.

There are neither medical nor social grounds for requiring the approval of three consultants to agree to abortion for a despairing woman, driven towards suicide because of unwanted pregnancy. A psychiatric emergency is no different to a medical emergency and is treated as such by clinicians. If one of the government’s panel of three says ‘no’, it is up to the woman to push for an appeal to another three. Most women would give up at the possibility of a second refusal and be driven further into despair, or forced overseas – if they can afford it. This must change: no more than two medical practitioners should be required to approve abortion for suicidal women.

Women who cannot face these obstacles, and induce abortion themselves, are threatened with 14 years in prison. They would be branded as criminals if they obtain abortions in Ireland – yet the government is happy to see it done in Liverpool. The ‘chilling factor’ of criminalisation referred to by the ECHR has been transferred from doctors to women. This hypocrisy must end: abortion must be decriminalised.”

Joan Collins said:

“The government has ignored Art 6.4.1 of its own Expert Group Report, which said that two doctors was enough to make a clinical decision on the risks to a woman’s life because of physical or mental health condition. They have also ignored the views of the majority, who support legislation for the X case, and organisations including SIPTU, Unite the Union, the National Women’s Council of Ireland and the Union of Students in Ireland – representing hundreds of thousands of people. They have called for no more than two medical practitioners as sufficient to approve abortion.

This Bill is a political compromise with Fine Gael backbenchers and the anti-abortion minority, which will compromise women’s lives rather than meet women’s needs. It also reinforces the distinction between a woman’s life and her health and welfare – where a woman who could be permanently incapacitated by pregnancy cannot get an abortion. The 8^th Amendment must be repealed and women’s health needs and choices provided for.

We will be examining this draft Bill in the coming days and will table amendments to remove the unnecessary restrictions contained in it.”

Every 12 hours, someone dies in a work related accident in the United States.  In 2011, more than 4,600 people were killed in accidents at work in the U.S. Despite these figures, more than half of Americans surveyed are still in favor of smaller government and less corporate regulation. The idea being fewer taxes and less constraint on economic growth, but the cost is several thousand deaths annually and more than 4 million injuries.

Two weeks ago, on April 17th the West Texas Fertilizer Plant exploded, killing 15 people including two people at home in their apartment. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is one of the agencies tasked with managing the working conditions and safety of workers in the U.S.  But corporate influence over government has defunded OSHA to the point that only about 2,000 inspectors are responsible for 130 million workers. That means one inspector for every 60,000 workers. In comparison many European countries have six times as many inspectors per worker. And though these numbers are grim and frequently have disastrous results, there is little hope for improvement as the Republican controlled U.S. Congress has prevented OSHA as well as the Environmental Protection Agency from even hiring a director. Even now in the face of this latest disaster, a Republican sponsored bill has been proposed that will reduce the powers of the EPA even further. Because of this, these agencies generally can only inspect a work site after an accident has occurred. The West Texas Fertilizer Plant was inspected only once since 1985.

Who pays when something goes tragically wrong?

Since April 17^th, the Red Cross has provided over 18,000 meals for the more than 300 families impacted by the West Texas explosion. President Obama has pledged disaster aid for the town but was not able to commit to developing new, preventative safety measures. The West Texas Fertilizer Company itself will likely face no criminal charges even though they failed to notify the Department of Homeland Security that they were holding 270 tons of ammonium nitrate (American companies are required to report stocks of more than 400 pounds.) Most likely the company will be paid back for any losses by their insurance companies, and will rebuild either in the same place or in the middle of another small town.

Without adequate funding OSHA and other government agencies responsible for the safety of workers in America are completely helpless. The number of workers’ deaths is not on the decline and can in fact get much worse. One week after the West Texas explosion a garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing over 400 workers. Working Americans need their own public representatives who will put workers first instead of corporate interests.

]]> http://www.claredaly.ie/dying-to-work-in-america/feed/ 0 http://www.claredaly.ie/cuts-to-public-library-opening-hours-must-be-opposed/ http://www.claredaly.ie/cuts-to-public-library-opening-hours-must-be-opposed/#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:32:55 +0000 Dáil Office http://www.claredaly.ie/?p=1665 The decision taken by management at Fingal County Council to cut local library hours has caused justifiable outrage from community groups and residents in Rush and Balbriggan.  The libraries which these communities fought so hard for will now be forced to close at 5 pm four days a week! This is an absolute disgrace and must not be allowed to happen.

Rush Public Library

The government’s public sector recruitment embargo has meant that the libraries cannot replace retiring staff. While council officials argue that they have struggled to keep the library open, local groups are asking why the burden was not shared, as there are no cuts in hours at Malahide, Swords and Blanchardstown.

Rush has already lost a Garda Station and AIB branch in recent months. The library cuts have come as yet another blow to the community and to those studying for second and third level exams in particular, and it must be challenged.

A Public meeting will be held in the community centre in Rush at 8pm this evening to discuss this matter and how the community can organise to oppose cuts to this vital service.

Now more than ever the library is needed by young, old and jobseekers. This is a vital community resource if it is undermined it will have a disproportionate effect on the poorest in our communities who may not have easy access to transport or interent. Alternatives must be found. This is a step too far.

]]> http://www.claredaly.ie/cuts-to-public-library-opening-hours-must-be-opposed/feed/ 0 http://www.claredaly.ie/writing-on-the-right/ http://www.claredaly.ie/writing-on-the-right/#comments Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:01:52 +0000 Dáil Office http://www.claredaly.ie/?p=1656 At all costs, the media avoid the issues  

‘If you are different you are a legitimate target.’

In the latest opinion polls, over 46% of the population believe there should be a new political party.  Poll ratings for Independents have been consistently around 20%.

The political system of two right-wing parties representing the same interests, taking turns at government, propped up by Labour or another diligent stooge, is coming under attack.   The low turnout, at 38%,  in the Meath East by-election is the latest indication of this, suggesting an appetite for fresh, radical thinking. For ‘Fianna Gael’ Meath East will prove just a blip. For the wealthy owners of the media, this is an appalling vista.

Rupert Murdoch is a media mogul only. Denis O’Brien is a media mogul, with substantial other commercial interests, which benefit from a friendly government in power.

Low corporation tax, kid-glove treatment of tax exiles and outsourcing of government contracts are all baubles expected by our voracious big-business interests – it would be a shame to break up that party. So the system allows the hired hands of the media to sit in the Dáil press gallery, with free offices and car-parking, a subsidised restaurant, and access to the government, as long as they play the game. And play the game they do!

The uniformity of journalistic opinion and approach would make a Stalinist dictator blush.

And so when Róisin Shorthall deployed the uninspired terms “ragbag” and “motley crew” to undermine the raft of United Left Alliance and independent lefts that were elected in 2011, exposing Labour’s betrayal, the media happily obliged and adopted this slant.

When the Campaign against the Household Tax gathered momentum, the media contrived a travel-expenses controversy, feigning outrage that TDs were spending their allowances travelling the country to build the campaign. Where was the examination of those (non-Independent) TDs who claimed the same amounts and yet said they only operated in their constituency? Where was the praise for not being a parish pump politician, for taking our national mandate seriously and sticking to our election promises?

This is not just lazy journalism. Newspapers have always played a propaganda role reflecting the ideology of their owners. They make little effort to, even occasionally, assess actions that are fully intended to cross this ideology, on TDs’ own ideological terms. orven to research ideologies with which they are not fully comfortable, or acquainted.

If you are different and challenge the system, then you are a legitimate target. Nowhere was this more apparent than the leaking of information of my arrest on suspicion of drink driving earlier in the year. That this information appeared publicly at a time when I had raised questions about the quashing of penalty points by high-ranking Gardai was not a coincidence.  It was an attempt at intimidation using the press to send out a message to anyone who dares to question the status quo.

As Ireland’s Digital Champion, Lord, (formerly film director David) Puttnam said in response to the Leveson inquiry, which unearthed what he called a “toxic triangle of media, politicians and the police”, “once those relationships are corrupted the game is up for the rest of us”.

When Independent TD, Mick Wallace, stated that his company had under-declared VAT and that the settlement he subsequently reached and was honouring with Revenue could not be continued as the banks appointed a receiver on the company, he became a “tax cheat”.

Clearly he should not have under-declared the VAT and he accepted that it was wrong. But there are many TDs, former and serving, who have serious issues to answer in terms of their business activities yet they are not defined, comprehensively and permanently, as “tax cheats”.  Paraded on the front page of Independent Newspapers for weeks on end, he was rarely featured without a picture of me, his “close friend”. This mix of sensationalism and jaded innuendo exposed a lowering of media standards and a wider agenda to discredit the idea of an alternative being possible.

When the media talk about the clothes that people wear in the Dáil, and ignore the serious issues they raise, it is because they are afraid that those ‘respectable’ politicians in tailored suits who have served this country so well might find that their days are numbered,. That maybe those ordinary people who are paying the price of austerity and see their living standards devastated might actually start voting for alternative candidates, despite all the media’s best efforts.

It is not far-fetched: after all, Beppe Grillo won over 25% of the Italian vote while refusing to engage with the mainstream media.

The mainstream media’s venom reflects the fact that, like the political establishment, they are losing their grip on the hearts and mind of the public. The heyday of the media baron, just like the heyday of Civil War politics, is past.

Article taken from Village Magazine April-May 2013 issue 22