KEEPING IN TOUCH
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD Minister of State for New Communities, Culture, Equality & National Drugs Strategy Summer 2015 Dear Resident Since my appointment as a Minister of State, I have worked hard both locally and nationally to bring about necessary change. I have always believed that the upturn in our economy should be used to create a more equal society. Over the last number of years we have talked a lot as a nation about economic changes. I believe it is important that any such discussion occurs in tandem with a discussion about the type of society we want. In this leaflet, I have included details of local events that I have organised as part of the Decade of Commemorations and I hope you can attend them. If I can be of assistance to you on any issue please feel free to get in touch. Regards,
Howth with Walking tour: W.B. Yeats’ historian Pat Liddy 0pm Saturday 20th June at 2.3 Station Meeting at Howth DART ur of W.B. Ó Ríordáin on a walking to án dh Ao d an dy Lid t Pa n Joi gs from a cup of cocoa and readin Yeats’ Howth, followed by Wright’s Findlater, Howth. Yeats’ works at 3.30pm in
Public Talk: “Gallipoli: One hu ndred years on”
Thursday 25th June at 8pm Killester College of Further Education Thousands of Irishmen never returned home from the ‘Gallip oli Campaign’. This year, we mark the Centenary of their passing . Speakers: Catríona Crowe (N ational Archives) Dr. Jennifer Wellington (UCD ) Lar Joye (National Museum Ire land)
JAN O'SULLIVAN VISITS DUBLIN BAY NORTH
e’s “Ulysses” Readings from James Joyc s with Senator David Norri .30am Saturday 27th June at 11 iew Meeting at Kennedy’s Fairv time in his sor Avenue, Fairview, for a ind W in ed liv ce Joy es Jam se to his s and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin clo late teens. Join David Norri gs from “Ulysses”. Fairview residence for readin Minister Ó Ríordáin visits his old Primary School Gealscoil Míde, Donaghmede
Minister O'Sullivan visits Gaelcoláiste Reachrann to discuss new building projects
DRUGS STRATEGY
PUBLIC SECTOR PAY TALKS
In April, I was given special responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy. This is in addition to my current portfolio of New Communities, Equality & Culture.
We know that Public Sector workers made great sacrifices in their pay in order to aid the economic recovery. Workers took between 14% - 19% cut in their wages over the last 7 years and it is only right that the recovery seeks to recoup some of these lost earnings.
I am delighted to be afforded this opportunity to take on the National Drugs Strategy. It is a vital role that needs the attention of a dedicated Minister. My experience as a teacher and principal in Dublin’s North Inner City taught me all about the horrors of drug abuse and the need to tackle the effects that it can have on families and communities. As Minister I intend to meet with the different community organisations, groups and advocates who are concerned with drug issues and listen to their concerns. The Department of Health is beginning work on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy for the period after 2016 and I want to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard in the preparatory period. Over the last number of years there have been far too many people who have died as a result of drug use and this has knock-on effects for families and wider communities. I hope that for the remainder of my term I can make a meaningful impact in bringing these figures down.
AODHÁN Ó RÍORDÁIN TD
Phone: 01 618 3209 Email: aodhan.oriordain@oir.ie
My colleague Brendan Howlin has invited Public Sector Unions to enter into discussions with him about pay restoration. These of course will take place in the context of the State’s fiscal position and the pace of financial recovery for this year and 2016. The fact that we have been able to build a sustainable recovery is in no small part due to the contribution of public servants in keeping the cost of the public service pay bill at sustainable levels. I will be working with Minister Howlin and all of my colleagues in the coming months to ensure that we achieve a fair outcome for all public sector workers.
@AodhanORiordain
SPRING ECONOMIC STATEMENT As part of this Government’s reform agenda we introduced a Spring Economic Statement, with the intention of making the budgetary process more transparent and efficient. The last seven years have been very difficult for us as a country. However, it is clear that we have come a long way. Unemployment is falling and confidence is returning as the economy grows once again. By the end of this year unemployment should be below 9% and we are working towards full employment by 2018. In Budget 2016 we will be able to deliver tax adjustments and spending increases of up to €1.5 Billion. This return will focus on low and middle earners with spending priorities being in the areas of Education & Health. The Spring Economic Statement is intended at starting a dialogue about the budgets of an improving Ireland. My colleagues and I are intent that the policies we follow are sensible and sustainable, building rather than jeopardising the recovery.
DECADE OF COMMEMORATIONS As Minister of State in the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I was proud to join an Taoiseach, an Tánaiste and Minister Humphreys to launch the State’s 1916 Centenary Commemorative Programme in April. Since I was appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for Commemorations, I have sought to ensure that our programme is reflective, respectful, inclusive and forward-looking. I am pleased that we have delivered such a programme. As a Republic, we must constantly question the society that we are forging. That is the society that our children will grow up in. The commemoration of the Centenary of the 1916 Rising belongs to all of us. Let’s use this opportunity not only to reflect on the momentous events of our struggle for independence, but to question the society that we are creating. I want to ensure that our republican values of citizenship, equality and inclusivity are core to this conversation. The 1916 Commemoration programme is extensive. There is something for everyone to get involved in and to enjoy - you can view the programme of events online at www.ireland.ie Get involved!
POLSKA ÉIRE 2015 To champion the diversity that Polish people bring to our country, I established a nationwide festival called PolskaÉire2015 in March 2015 to coincide with the Republic of Ireland vs. Poland UEFA qualifier. Working with the FAI, the Polish Embassy, Dublin City Council and other local authorities across the State, as well as Polish groups we created a week long programme of events across the country Aodhán at Baldoyle Utd's Polish Open Day as part of encouraging Polish – Irish Polska Eire 2015 Integration. As the Minister with special responsibilities for New Communities, I believe it is imperative that a major effort is made by the Government to encourage integration between all communities on our Island. The Polska Éire festival was a huge success and I hope that it will continue on in years to come.
Contact Aodhán: Constituency Office: 203 Philipsburgh Avenue, Marino, Dublin 3
SECTION 37 OF THE EMPLOYMENT EQUALITY ACT
Earlier this year I was honoured to receive the Politician of the Year Award at the Gay and Lesbian Awards (GALAs). It was a privilege to attend and see all of the inspirational people who advocate on behalf of the LGBT community in Ireland and I was very humbled that I was chosen as politician of the year. When I accepted the award, I mentioned that a key piece of legislation that I am working on revolves around amending Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act. At present this section gives protection to religious organisations to be exempt from any aspect of the act that contravenes their religious ethos. This has led to huge problems for teachers, particularly at Primary School level where the vast majority of our schools are run by religious orders. It has meant that LGBT teachers have been prevented from being open about their sexual orientation for fear of reprieve, single parents have worried that they might lose their job and divorcees have been unable to talk about their change in familial status with their colleagues. While I believe in freedom of association for religions, I also believe that public sector workers deserve protection and to be able to go about their lives without fear of persecution. I will be amending this Act and thus guaranteeing protection by preventing people from being discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation or familial status.
YOUR LOCAL LABOUR TEAM Working with
Phone: 01 618 3209 Email: aodhan.oriordain@oir.ie
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD Working with Sean Kenny TD
Cllr Alison Gilliland Beaumont - Donaghmede Ward 086 6015154 alisongilliland.ie@gmail.com
Cllr Jane Horgan Jones Clontarf Ward 086 837 5219 horganjones.jane@gmail.com
Brian McDonagh Howth-Malahide Ward 086 385 8979 brianmcdonaghlabour@gmail.com
0612
@AodhanORiordain