Labour members oppose the reintroduction of College Fees

On Monday I took part in a brief demonstration organised by the Union of Students of Ireland to highlight opposition to the reintroduction of College Tuition Fees. The need for Irish students to pay the Tuition fees were abolished by the Labour Party when we were last in government with when we brought in the 'Fee Remission Scheme' which opened up 3rd Level Education to all. By bring Universal access to education into Ireland, Labour has managed to vastly increase the numbers of students attending University.

Prior to 1995, Fianna Fail opposed 'Free Fees and have always attempted to reverse this progressive move Labour made in. Labour's policy of Education as a Right for all to enjoy in no small part contributed to the vast growth in jobs, competitiveness and prosparity which Irish economy enjoyed during the 'Celtic Tiger' era. While this was only one of the most progressive steps Labour has made in government, it still remains one of the important policy changes that have improved many peoples lives and freedoms in Irish history.

Since entering government in 1997 Fianna Fail have always showed a willingness to undo Free 3rd Level Education for all and the first available opportunity and undermine the chance of Irish people pursue their full potential in the Knowledge Economy of the 21st Century. Fianna Fail wants to return Ireland's Universities to institutions of the elite and end Education as a Right. The last three Fianna Fail governments have underinvested in education to such an extent that we are far behind the OECD average for educational investment per student.

The Labour Party and Labour Youth is determined to fight Fianna Fail reintroducing fees. Along to students from all over Ireland I took part in an occupation of the Department of Education on Marlborough Street. We met prior to the planned occupation in DIT Cathal Brugha St to discuss the tactics.

On the way to the meeting it appeared that someone had tipped the Department off as the side entrance was chained shut with a brand spanking new chain and lock. After much discussion in the DIT Student Union we decided to try storm the main gate at lunchtime as staff were leaving for lunch. After everyone said his or her piece and we made our way outside to give it a shot. If this failed we had Plan B.

Luckily the timing was perfect and we got 50 of us into the Department of Education compound in a mad rush that saw a security guard trip several people to the ground. Once inside we made our way down the back of the green area to try and enter the Department buildings proper but to no success. In the end we rallied together in the centre of the concourse adjacent to the main building chanting slogans: "No to Fees", "Education is a Right" and blowing whistles. We had several banners and the mood was high.

Eventually several Gardai arrived and began the usual motions of breaking up a demonstration. We cooperated, said our piece and said we'd return another day when the minister was actually in the building :). Exiting the main gates together to cheers from passers by was encouraging to hear.

A group of middle age women remarked to me: "Ahh sure they'll never reintroduce fees". If people really believe this they need to get involved in the campaign to keep University Free for all to attend. Placing any sort of barrier in place only serves to make it harder for those to attend 3rd level. I hope next time I'm not the only non-student at the demonstration to keep 3rd Level Education universally accessible and right, not a privilege.

Picks of the Week

Below I've posted up some interesting sites I've been looking at in the last few days.

1. Jobs2Ireland is a new jobs website launched in association with Kala Technology that is becoming increasingly popular with employers in Ireland. Its offering low cost listings for employers at present. Check it out before your out of a job already.
2. Wander the World with Wanda Wanders is a fantiastically interesting blog listing variously well researched blog articles on a variety of subjects from Metro Map designs, to the next trends in technology and much more. Great reading and excellent graphic images to support alot of the articles.
3. Measuring the Information Economy with the OECD has some very useful statistics and data on the Information Economy. Its about time we all started relating fact to the debate in Ireland and stopped just 'talking' about a Knowledge Economy in an asperational way. Might help to to invest in Education at the OECD average of 7% vs Ireland's 3%.
4. Labour Youth's new issue of the Left Tribune has a horde of articles on Barack Obama, Vote@16 and an interview with Cian O'Callaghan, who is the local Labour Representative for Howth, Sutton, Baldoyle and mid Sutton.
5. Planning Discussion Forum Archiseek has a very active section on Dublin developments and planning. Can be interesting reading but of course its a Message Board so try not to get involved in it too much.
   

Flood Defences

"Green Party's are like Tomatoes; They start out green and then mature to a deep red"

I only wish this was true for the Irish Green Party whom have gone from a deep green to a tinged rotten Fianna Fáil broozed fruit of a party. Recent flooding has been blamed by the Green Party minister for the Environment, John Gormley on Climate Change in a sort of aloofness that FF is pro at. The inability to even start introducing adaquate flood measures such as are need for areas since last summer is a disgrace.


Last summer saw huge flooding in my area with Stillorgan been hit by extensive flash floods from underground streams with numerous incidents of Cars being washed away, walls being knocked down and temperary rivers taking residence on local roads.

Without proper flood protections and drainage systems in place Dublin and areas of the rest of the country will continue to experience freak floods each summer. The Minister for the Environment and Local Government must empower Local Government with the resources and power to begin upgrading flood defences and improving drainage at the local level. Local representatives are the most capable and knowledgeable people to make these decisions. Local residents have a huge part to play also and should put pressure on their local Councillors to respond to the community with a plan on how to deal with the modern reality of Ireland in the 21st Century. Wetter than ever and no where for all that Irish rain we know so well to flow. DRAINAGE NOW!!!

The Lisbon Reform Treaty

The Labour Party wants students both 2nd and 3rd level to create short YouTube videos to engage the Irish public in learning about and supporting the Lisbon Treaty.

Students of all levels of familiarity with video production are encouraged to produce a one-minute short illustrating why they support the Lisbon Treaty. The style of videos can be humorous, such as Australia’s hilarious and pointed “What have the Unions ever done for us?” (check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=184NTV2CE_c) or simply factual.

The Labour Party is offering a €1,000 prize for the best entry promoting a ‘Yes’ vote on the Lisbon Treaty. All interested second- and third-level students are greatly encouraged to make a submission.

For more information on what the treaty will do and its merits, visit http://www.labour.ie/lisbonreformtreaty/.

All submissions may be sent to campaigns@labour.ie in .WMV, .AVI, .MOV and .MPG formats (any format that is compatible with YouTube). The deadline for entries is June 1st.

Labour Party Conference - Update: Saturday Morning

Rising Early after the fantastic banter at the Labour Social last night was a very wise move. The motions to the floor offered a mix of Innovative Policy in Broadband provision, Fairer Pensions and More community focused Crime and Drugs policy.

I have suffered from the appalling lack of Broadband as have others who work in Information Technology in Ireland. Labour’s Policy is the most progressive and constructive policy on Broadband. With the further roll out of our policy on “Enabling Ireland’s Future” we will chart a roadmap to deliver a real Knowledge Economy in Ireland.

UCD’s motion on the Shell to Sea Campaign was a hard fought battle with numerous speakers supporting the local community of Erris in North West Mayo. “Economic Treason” was raised in relation to the virtual giveaway of the Corrib Gas field to Shell & Co for less than you’d sell a 2nd hand car. Safety was the main concern which I raised during the debate. In the end the motion was refered back to the National Executive Committee (NEC) on the recommendation of Liz McManus our Spokesperson in the area of Natural Resources. Liz will set up a Working Group to develop a party policy taking in the Economic, Safety and Energy Supply concerns of the speakers, both for and against the Shell to Sea Campaign motion. Talking to Liz after the session she assured me that such a Working Group on Corrib Gas Pipeline and Gas Terminal in Erris and I look forward to contributing to to the group.

Later, in the morning during the Justice Session controversy arose on the Naas motion which called for a more progressive drug policy through the Decriminalisation, Regulation and Control of Cannabis/Marijuana. Emmet Stagg TD spoke passionately in favour of the the Decriminalisation of Cannabis. Continually the current law on Cannabis was highlighted as keeping the money in the hands of Drug Dealers and ensuring the profitability of the unregulated Free-Market that currently exists in drugs supply. In the end the motion was referred back to the NEC in an effort to produce a progressive approach to Cannabis/Marijuana from the party in the future.

During lunch there will be a workshop run by Labour Youth which I’m looking forward to on “Building a Labour Led Government”

Glastonbury 2007 - Home to Left-leaning Music lovers the world over

Back from a week in the glorious Mud of Glastonbury. What a fantastical, magical week of Music, Bad Weather, Substance Abuse, Late-night conversations with progressive Trade Unionists and a general sense of solidarity.

Tony Benn was to be seen speaking at the Leftfield Bar, Howard Marks openned the Sunday Morning Dance East Tent, Billy Bragg was everywhere and the initiatives of various campaign groups provided constant ideas even when you sat on a pill of mud only to find a sign high up in a tree reading:

"If 150,000 people piss in this stream. It will kill all the Fish in the Mead river"

At the festival I was working as a manager for the Avalon Inn, in the Field of Avalon from Thursday through to Sunday on behalf of the Workers Beer Co. It was a new, small and folkish bar. We generally had some coahcs in the corner, no beer working, a small swamp behind the bar and had a folk band. Always full of strange regular Glastonbury goers who wanted to barter for our very nice Ethical Thread T-shirts.

Bands I managed to catch were few but they delivered strong performances in all.

• Rodrigo y Gabriela moved everyone on their headlining at the Jazz World Stage on Saturday night. Pink Floyd renditions went off like a Carbomb outside a Chip shop on the Falls Road in the 70's. The first time I heard the Duo of Rod y Gab play was on the streets of Dublin when they were mear buskers. If you haven't heard them yet check them out.


• Chemical Brothers had a crispness of sound and got the crowd hoping unlike anything I've seen in years. I thought Daft Punk was good in Dublin last summer. I was sadly mistaken as the Chemical Brothers took Festival Dance Music to a whole new level passing my Leftfield experience of 2000


• Iggy and the Stooges delivered a strong performance and had trouble geting the crowd off the stage that he had invited up. Hilarious and well worth popping into.


• Fat Freddys Drop bounced out some strong Dub vibes I couldn't miss out on


• Mr. Scruff delivered some recognisible sounds for advertisments the world over.


• Many Many Many More I can't even remember by name

Glastonbury has effectively ruined me in terms of quality and vibe as far as festivals go. Oxegen next week seems like a zone of terror in comparision. I eagerly await next years banter!

Running for Seanad Éireann

Last week I decided that if I want to change politics, I'm going to have to run for office at some point. So come the Seanad Éireann (Upper House or Seante of Ireland) elections I decided to seek a nomination which Labour Youth duely offered me.

Tomorrow the National Executive Committee(NEC) of the Labour Party will decide who Labour will nominate for the various panels in the Seanad. I'm up against some steep competition for the Administrative Panel with two of my Local Labour councillors(Aidan Culhane and Lettie McCarthy) running for the same panel also. Only one Labour nominee is likely.

If successfully selected to get a Labour nomination and further to that, successfully elected to the Seanad. I would be the youngest Senator in Irish history and would be following my Grand-Uncle's footsteps who was an Artist and Senator in the Free-state Senate.

Below is my letter of motivation I sent to every member of the NEC

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Letter of motivation for election to Seanad Éireann

I hereby announce my intention to seek support at the National Executive Committee to be nominated for the Labour Party to contest the upcoming elections to Seanad Éireann on the Administrative Panel.

>>>Building for a Fairer Ireland, Not just talking about it

Over the last two weeks I've been critical and questioned various failures Labour has had in the election. I know Labour Youth needs to be the driving force for change in Labour that will see Labour being much larger and leading governments. We will be around long enough to make the changes without the compromises of old. Youth is strength.

Recently I criticised a party member for saying "Will I see FF in power forever more". I replied a little unfairly in saying that he certainly would and only the Younger generations will be around long enough to affect the sort of change needed to see Labour leading governments.

Its for this reasons I decided that I have to stop talking about it and put my hand up and say I am prepared to put in that work by seeking a nomination for Seanad Éireann.

>>>Why Graham Ó Maonaigh, isn't he a little young?

I want to bring much needed change to the political status quo. We all know that the Labour Party is the best party to be in for Social Justice and Equality. We want Labour to be a party that leads the change we know that Ireland badly needs. To do this we need to have young people involved at every level calling for these changes. Young People that'll be around for a long time to make the changes happen. Seanad Éireann would offer the platform from which calling for this change could not be ignored any longer.

>>>Why the Administrative panel?

I've been working in the NGO sector for the last 6 years in my current job. I've been responsible for running campaigns, implementing new working practices and currently managing research all in area of Construction Workers. My experience as an activist gives me an adaptability which is often missing from party politics. I have learned from being involved, in particular, in the student union movement, Labour Youth and in various campaign groups such as Choice Ireland and Legalise Cannabis Ireland that we need to have a new politics in the Oireachtas based on grassroots organisations.

>>>What will I do if elected to Seanad Éireann?

If successfully elected to Seanad Éireann I would use my position to especially highlight the continuing exclusion of Young people in Irish society. In particular:

Youth Unemployment is double the National rate at 9% at multiples higher in deprived areas such as Moyross. Many Youth work in temporary employment and most with little or no promotional prospects.
Highlight the marginalised voices in Irish society in particular Drug addicts and Asylum Seekers.
Campaign vigorously for increased investment in Education – Early Developmental and Third-level in particular. The Knowledge economy means we need to levels of educational investment that exist in places like Norway and Denmark
Hold monthly forums on progressive political issues with the public [especially Youth] to involve people in the political process as oppose to allowing polls and the single election every 5 years decide the politics of Ireland's representatives.

>>>Representing Youth of Ireland

If elected to the Seanad I would consider myself to be a spokesperson for the young people of Ireland as the youngest member of the Oireachtas aged 24. This would be a great asset for Labour in the General Election to come. If Labour is to have a future as a party we badly need to attract younger voters.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my request for a nomination to contest the Administrative Panel at the NEC and I'm available to answer any questions you may have at anytime on 086-8381556.



Yours Sincerely


Graham


>>>Some notes on my experience

Previously in the Labour party I have been first International Officer for Labour Youth in 2004-2005, then National Chairperson of Labour Youth and Youth rep on the NEC in 2005-2006.
Before the election I was working on the Web Advisory Group in the party that say a new more user-friendly website and internet strategy being employed to great effect.
Presently I'm the Chair of Trinity Labour Society and Youth Officer in Dublin South.
I'm member of the International Affairs Sub-Committee of the party and focus mainly on analysis of EU initiatives; I'm working toward establishing a PES Activist Branch in Dublin in the next few months.
I also represent the National Youth Council of Ireland on the European level as one of the European Youth Forum's lobbyists to the EU institutions.
I was the Head of Delegation for the team of Youth representatives from Ireland to the recent Rome Youth Declaration on the Future of Europe.
Disability Educational Support Worker for the Disability Service of Trinity College
Voluntary Support Tutor for Primary school age children from surrounding schools to Trinity College