Towards a New Republic
Sinn Féin Proposals for Political Reform
ITograídTreo Poblacht Nua Shinn Féin le haghaidh Athchóiriú Polaitiúil
Introduction Ireland’s economic crisis has focused attention on serious deficiencies within the political system. Citizens have become justifiably disillusioned with politics. Many feel that the political system is too far removed from their everyday lives and incapable of resolving current difficulties or delivering for ordinary citizens. The Irish state has one of the most centralised systems of government in Europe, based largely on the British system, and a weak system of local government that has been hollowed out by successive Governments. This concentrates too much power in the hands of the Executive and the
two Houses of the Oireachtas, which are not fit for purpose in 21st century Ireland. The Oireachtas lacks any serious political oversight, scrutiny or democratic accountability expected of the parliament. This has created the urgent need for fundamental and real meaningful political reform of both our politics and the political system. Sinn Féin’s Proposals for Political Reform are based on the party’s objective of building a New Republic on this island based on equality for all citizens.
The Good Friday Agreement & Political Reform The partition of Ireland created two conservative states with a political culture weighted against the rights of citizens. Both states have been characterised by economic failure, emigration, inequality and the failure to protect the most vulnerable citizens. If we are to tackle these issues effectively then we need to have an all-Ireland view. The Good Friday Agreement is the most significant political development since Partition. Its impact is most obvious in the North but not so obvious in the South. None of the reforms, safeguards or checks and balances of the Agreement have been inculcated into Southern state institutions and this must be urgently addressed. The Irish Government must actively press ahead with the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, including those aspects that directly involve the Irish state. We need to see the creation of more areas of co-operation and implementation and greater harmonization across the island; the strengthening of human rights protection, including an all-Ireland charter of rights and an all-Ireland forum for the consideration of human rights, as included in the Agreement. It should also have at its core the imperative of actively seeking to fulfill the constitutional obligation of bringing
about the re-unification of this island and of its people, as outlined in the Good Friday Agreement.
Sinn Féin would: }} Extend the right to vote in Presidential elections to citizens living in the North and to Irish citizens living and working abroad, as is the norm in most modern democracies. Models in place in other countries should be examined to find the best model to apply here, which could involve restrictions based on the length of time that a person has been abroad. }} Implement the Good Friday Agreement commitment of an All-Ireland Civic and Consultative Forum as a new model of public participatory engagement which contributes and informs the development of public policy and lawmaking, with 60% membership drawn from ordinary citizens North and South and 40% membership drawn from civil society and social partners North and South. }} Introduce immediate speaking and consultative rights for Northern MPs and Assembly members in the Dáil and change the Constitution to allow Northern MPs to automatically become members of the Dáil.
Seanad Éireann The flaws evident in the Seanad are reflective of a broader malaise at the heart of our democracy and this institution. The Seanad has not been reformed because successive Governments refused to reform it.
There can be no place in a real republic, based on equality, for an elected office to which the principle of universal suffrage and one person one vote does not apply.
On 12 successive occasions, reports have been produced proposing Seanad reform. Not one has been implemented. In 1979, the people voted in a referendum to broaden the franchise to all graduates of institutes of higher education. This was never implemented.
In the absence of the government referring the matter to the Convention, Sinn Féin is calling for a Yes vote in the Referendum on Seanad Abolition.
In our 2011 manifesto Sinn Féin made clear that the Seanad in its current form should be abolished. No defence can be made of a house of parliament to which the majority of citizens are denied a vote and where others have multiple votes. Fairness, democracy and equality of citizenship demand that the current Seanad be abolished. Sinn Féin wishes to see an end to privilege and elitism, and to the cronyism and influence of vested interests that have so damaged politics in this country.
While Sinn Féin is calling for a Yes vote in this referendum we are seeking government commitments to introduce a comprehensive political reform programme which it has abjectly failed to deliver to date.
Sinn Féin would: }} Abolish the Seanad in its current form }} Extend the remit of the Constitutional Convention to enable fresh membership to consider issues including whether we are best served by a onechamber (unicameral) or two- chamber (bicameral) system of parliament.
Reform Sinn Féin is committed to: }} Ensuring that the powers and functions vested in the President, Parliament and the Executive are exercised in a way which ensures they act in the national interest and the interests of citizens first and which avoids undue influence or interference from the vested interests of powerful elites. }} Increased parliamentary oversight including a new model of public participatory engagement which contributes and informs the development of public policy and lawmaking and which empowers both citizens and parliament. }} Democratic representation which fosters diversity and which is fully inclusive and reflective of modern Irish society, including our most marginalised citizens as well as those living in the North and the Irish diaspora. }} Devising new governance structures which can achieve a strong parliamentary democracy, accountable to the public it serves, and which proactively embraces a new culture of openness and transparency.
Sinn Féin would deliver:
Better Democratic Representation }} Establish an independent Electoral Commission to register all political parties and regulate electoral standards including around financial donations and interests; to run elections and referendums, voter registration and take proactive measures to increase voter participation. }} Ensure a 30% gender quota in Dáil elections, building incrementally towards 50% }} Reduce voting age to 16. }} Make the membership of the Dáil more diverse and representative of the population by introducing a partial list system for Dáil elections – using the list to ensure for example, the election of more women and members of under-represented groups in Irish society, while retaining the system
of election by PR-STV for most seats. }} Elect one-third of the Dáil from a closed party list system, the other two-thirds from sevenseat constituencies using PR-STV. These larger constituencies will ensure that the results reflect more accurately actual voter preference. }} Extend the right to vote in Dáil and Presidential elections to non-citizens legally resident in the country for at least five years.
Better Oversight and Accountability }} Introduce a new Dáil Committee, comprising Opposition Party leaders and representative of the Dáil composition, to scrutinise the Department of An Taoiseach. }} Elect the Ceann Comhairle through secret ballot for the Dáil term and rotate the Leas Ceann Chomhairle post annually through secret ballot using PR/STV. }} Reverse the exclusion of money bills legislation or amendments, or reference to, being tabled by Opposition TDs. }} Give Dáil committee members power to introduce legislation. Compel government to accept committee consensus amendments to legislation and the budget - specific to the committee’s remit. Hold accessible public consultation and expert witness hearings, including off-site around the country, to seek public input in this process of gathering relevant evidence to inform decisions and positions. }} Ensure Dáil Committees use the full extent of their powers to formally summon cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and departmental Officials to scrutinise and question departmental policy and budgetary decision-taking. }} Participation in Dáil committees should be made compulsory and with no additional allowance since this is an intrinsic part of the role of TD. }} That Opposition TDs only, would in future occupy both Chair and Deputy Chair positions of all Dáil committees which would be allocated proportionally, based on party strength to ensure proper scrutiny, fairness and political
independence. They should not have any additional financial reward attached to them. }} Introduce family-friendly sittings in common with modern and best parliamentary practice in other jurisdictions. }} Standardise Dáil political grouping to include no less than five TDs who would be afforded speaking time, private members time, representation on the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, representation at party whips meeting, and legislative drafting resources from the Oireachtas. }} Introduce Parliamentary Questions (written) during summer recess period. }} Reverse the practice whereby Ministers do not answer for agencies or arms-length bodies under their remit. Deferral on policy and spending would no longer be accepted before the Dáil, Committees and in response to Parliamentary Questions. }} End the use of guillotines on legislation and debate, unless under exceptional circumstances and with agreement between party whips and the Ceann Chomhairle.
Better Governance }} Review the Cabinet Handbook. Reverse the practice of cabinet committees taking executive decisions outside of formal meetings of the government itself which must make a collective decisions. This includes the four-man Economic Management Council who are effectively running the economy and deciding government policy alone, without the involvement of the full cabinet. }} Establish a new Public Appointments Commissioner who will regulate an impartial public appointments process for state and public bodies based on agreed criteria, open to the public, that is based on merit and qualifications and free from political control or interference. }} Cap Ministerial salaries at €100, 000 and TDs salaries at €75,000. }} Scrap Freedom of Information fees and allow both the public and media more access to scrutiny of public records. }} Government should introduce a process of participatory budgeting. It should publish a draft
budget for full active public consultation but also introduce Equality Impact Assessments and equality proofing into the policy and spending priorities of the President, Parliament and Executive and public bodies. }} Further enhance the public outreach programme and information communications strategy to promote political education and the active inclusion of the public, communities and schools in the democratic process. }} Expand the Implementation Bodies and Areas of Co-operation under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). }} Introduce social clauses into all governmental and Oireachtas public procurement contracts to maximise public benefit and achieve greater value for money.
Better Local Government }} Local government has been stripped of many of its powers over recent years. Local democracy must be strengthened. }} This must include the expansion of the powers and responsibilities of local authorities including control over education, employment, environment, housing and social services as well as the ability to raise revenue. }} Increase — or where they have been removed— restore the powers which councillors have over planning, housing, transportation and waste management and correspondingly limit Managers’ powers. }} Sinn Féin wants to see District Councils which take in the hinterland to have powers and functions devolved to them. }} Sinn Féin believes the local democratic deficit can be met though the establishment of District Councils and local Area Community Committees (ACCs).
Údarás na Gaeltachta }} Reverse the decision to abolish the democratically elected Údarás na Gaeltachta board. }} Scrap the decision to merge the office of An Comisinéir Teanga, with the Office of the Ombudsman and therefore ensure the independence of the Language Commissioner. }} Ensure that linguistically different communities are not placed in the same language planning areas for the purpose of the Gaeltacht Act 2012, as recommended in the Comprehensive Language Study. }} Place greater responsibility for the drafting of language development plans in language planning areas, under the 2012 Act, on Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge. }} Develop a strategy to ensure all public services are available in Irish in Gaeltacht areas. }} Put together a high-level structure, with representation from the community organisations, the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, an Comhchoiste um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fóras na Gaeilge and language experts, which would be responsible for giving direction to the Government regarding the of implementation of the ‘20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 201030.’ }} Stop the merger of COGG, which has a central educational role within the 20 Year strategy, with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. }} Develop a new Gaeltacht Bill, in consultation with key stakeholders, to reverse the damage done by the 2012 Gaeltacht Act and improve and strengthen language planning and supports for the language. }} Develop an Irish Language and Gaeltacht Action Plan in consultation with the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities, which will build on the recommendations of the ‘Comprehensive Study on the Use of Irish Language’.
Conclusion Trust and confidence in the political system have been shattered as a consequence of the disastrous mismanagement of the economy, public services and state finances by the previous Fianna Fail-led administration. The current Fine Gael/Labour Government was elected promising significant political reform. However, in the words of its own Chief Whip, the government’s record on Dáil reform has been “deplorable”. More than half of the Bills introduced to the Dáil since the Fine Gael/Labour coalition came into office in March 2011 have been rushed through or guillotined. The government promised that this practice would occur only in the most exceptional circumstances. Up to mid-March, 52 out of 90 Bills were guillotined. Rushed legislation will invariably end up with flaws that will be challenged in the courts. The legislation to provide for the family home tax was rushed though the Dáil before Christmas and had to be amended in the New Year. The Fine Gael/Labour coalition’s approach to political reform has been piecemeal, minimalist and all about reducing the number of elected representatives. It has been all spin and no substance. Apart from cutting the numbers of elected representatives, the present government has brought forward no real, positive changes. It has done nothing to rebalance power between central and local government or in the Oireachtas between the Executive and Legislature. Instead of creating a more effective, transparent and accountable democracy, Fine Gael and Labour have cut the number of elected representatives in the Dáil and local government and refused to allow the Constitutional Convention to discuss the future of the Seanad. The Constitutional Convention should have played a very constructive role in reforming the political process. Instead, this has been stymied by the Government, which has significantly restricted the convention’s remit. Sinn Féin’s political reform proposals are based on the principles of sovereignty, democracy, accountability, transparency, national unity, equality, the empowerment local communities and the creation of a political system where citizens comes first. Sinn Féin believes that these proposals have significant potential to fulfill an urgent need and desire among citizens to bring our political system into the 21st Century. The party brings them forward in the genuine hope that they will to contribute positively towards an inclusive debate about constructing a modern and genuine democracy, which is fit for purpose.
Réamhrá Dhírigh géarchéim eacnamaíoch na hÉireann ar easnaimh thromchúiseacha laistigh den chóras polaitiúil. Tá údar leis an díomá atá ar shaoránaigh i leith na polaitíochta. Creideann cuid mhór díobh go bhfuil an córas polaitiúil rófhada ar shiúl óna saolta laethúla agus nach bhfuil sé in ann na deacrachtaí atá ann cheana féin a réiteach ná torthaí dearfacha a bhaint amach do ghnáthshaoránaigh. Is ag stát na hÉireann atá ceann de na córais is láraithe rialtais san Eoraip, bunaithe go mór ar chóras na Breataine, agus lagchóras rialtais áitiúil a bhfuil rialtais i ndiaidh a chéile tar éis caolú a dhéanamh air. Cuireann sé sin an iomarca cumhachta i lámha an
Choiste Feidhmiúcháin agus dhá Theach an Oireachtais, rudaí nach bhfuil oiriúnach d’Éirinn san 21ú haois. Tá fíormhaoirseacht pholaitiúil, fíoriniúchadh polaitiúil agus fíorchuntasacht dhaonlathach in easnamh ar an Oireachtas. Fágann sé sin go bhfuil gá práinneach le hathchóiriú polaitiúil atá bunúsach agus fíor a dhéanamh ar ár bpolaitíocht agus ar an gcóras polaitiúil. Tá Tograí Shinn Féin le haghaidh Athchóiriú Polaitiúil bunaithe ar an gcuspóir atá ag an bpáirtí chun Poblacht Nua, atá bunaithe ar chomhionannas do gach saoránach, a fhorbairt ar an oileán seo.
Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus Athchóiriú Polaitiúil Chruthaigh deighilt na hÉireann dhá stát choimeádacha ina bhfuil an cultúr polaitiúil ualaithe in aghaidh chearta na saoránach. Is mar thréith ag an dá stát atá teip eacnamaíoch, imirce, éagothroime agus an teip chun na saoránaigh is leochailí a chosaint. Má táimid chun aghaidh a thabhairt go héifeachtach ar na saincheisteanna sin, is gá dúinn glacadh le dearcadh uile-Éireann. Tá Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta ar an bhforbairt pholaitiúil is suntasaí ó Dheighilt. Tá an tionchar a bhí aige níos follasaí sa Tuaisceart ná mar atá sa Deisceart. Níor cuireadh ceann ar bith de na hathchóirithe, de na cosaintí ná de na srianta agus ceartúcháin atá sa Chomhaontú chun feidhme in institiúidí stáit sa Deisceart agus ní mór aghaidh a thabhairt air sin mar ábhar práinneach. Ní mór do Rialtas na hÉireann leanúint ar aghaidh go gníomhach le Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta a chur chun feidhme ina iomláine, lena n-áirítear na gnéithe sin a bhaineann go díreach le stát na hÉireann. Is gá dúinn an méid seo a leanas a fheiceáil: tuilleadh réimsí comhair agus cuir chun feidhme agus tuilleadh comhchuibhithe a chruthú ar fud an oileáin; cosaint chearta an duine a neartú, lena n-áirítear cairt uile-Éireann maidir le cearta agus fóram uile-Éireann le haghaidh cearta an duine a bhreithniú, mar atá san áireamh sa Chomhaontú. Ba cheart na rudaí seo a leanas a bheith ag croí aon ghnímh: an dualgas bunreachtúil chun athaontú an oileáin seo agus a mhuintire a chruthú, mar atá leagtha amach i gComhaontú
Aoine an Chéasta, a lorg go gníomhach.
Dhéanfadh Sinn Féin an méid seo a leanas: }} • An ceart chun vóta a chaitheamh i dtoghcháin Uachtaránachta a thabhairt do shaoránaigh a chónaíonn sa Tuaisceart agus do shaoránaigh na hÉireann a chónaíonn agus a oibríonn thar lear, mar a tharlaíonn i bhformhór na stát daonlathach nua-aimseartha. Ba cheart scrúdú a dhéanamh ar na múnlaí atá i bhfeidhm i dtíortha eile chun an múnla is fearr le cur chun feidhme anseo a aimsiú, rud a bhféadfadh srianta atá bunaithe ar an tréimhse ama atá duine thar lear a bheith i gceist leis. }} An gealltanas atá i gComhaontú Aoine an Chéasta a chur chun feidhme. Is é sin, chun Fóram Sibhialta agus Comhairleach Uile-Éireann a bhunú mar mhúnla nua rannpháirtíochta poiblí a chuireann le forbairt beartais phoiblí agus reachtóireachta agus a thugann eolas di, agus ina mbeadh 60% den bhallraíocht comhdhéanta de ghnáthshaoránaigh ó Thuaidh agus ó Dheas agus ina mbeadh 40% den bhallraíocht comhdhéanta den tsochaí shibhialta agus de chomhpháirtithe sóisialta ó Thuaidh agus ó Dheas. }} Cearta labhartha agus comhairliúcháin a thabhairt isteach láithreach do MPanna ón Tuaisceart agus do chomhaltaí an Tionóil sa Dáil agus an Bunreacht a athrú chun ligean do MPanna ón Tuaisceart a bheith ina gcomhaltaí den Dáil.
Seanad Éireann Léiríonn na lochtanna atá soiléir sa Seanad an mhíbhail níos leithne atá ag croílár ár ndaonlathais agus na hinstitiúide sin. Ní dhearnadh athchóiriú ar an Seanad mar gur dhiúltaigh Rialtais i ndiaidh a chéile d’athchóiriú a dhéanamh air.
Níl aon áit i bhfíorphoblacht, atá bunaithe ar chomhionannas, d’oifig thofa nach bhfuil feidhm ag prionsabal na vótála comhchoitinne agus ag an bprionsabal ‘vóta amháin an duine’ ina leith.
Ar 12 ócáid as a chéile, cuireadh tuarascálacha inar moladh athchóiriú ar an Seanad le chéile. Níor cuireadh ceann ar bith díobh chun feidhme. I 1979, chaith an pobal vóta i reifreann chun an ceart vótála a leathnú chuig gach céimí de chuid institiúidí ardoideachais. Níor cuireadh é sin chun feidhme riamh.
Toisc nach mbeartaíonn an rialtas an cheist seo a tharchur chuig an gCoinbhinsiún, tá Sinn Féin i bhfabhar vóta ‘Tá’ sa Reifreann chun deireadh a chur leis an Seanad.
Inár bhforógra i 2011, chuir Sinn Féin in iúl go soiléir gur cheart deireadh a chur leis an Seanad mar atá faoi láthair. Ní féidir cosaint a thabhairt do theach parlaiminte ina ndiúltaítear d’fhormhór na saoránach vóta a chaitheamh agus ina bhfuil roinnt vótaí ag daoine eile. Ar mhaithe le cothroime, le daonlathas agus le comhionannas saoránachta, ní mór deireadh a chur leis an Seanad mar atá faoi láthair. Is mian le Sinn Féin deireadh le pribhléid agus le héilíteachas, agus leis an gcairdeas fabhair agus leis an tionchar a bhíonn ag leasanna dílsithe a rinne an oiread sin damáiste don pholaitíocht sa tír seo, a fheiceáil.
Cé go bhfuil Sinn Féin i bhfabhar vóta ‘Tá’ sa reifreann seo, táimid ag lorg gealltanais rialtais chun clár um athchóiriú cuimsitheach polaitiúil a thabhairt isteach, gealltanais ar theip orthu torthaí dearfacha a bhaint amach go dtí seo.
Dhéanfadh Sinn Féin an méid seo a leanas: }} Deireadh a chur leis an Seanad mar atá faoi láthair }} Sainchúram an Choinbhinsiúin Bhunreachtúil a leathnú chun gur féidir le comhaltas nua breithniú a dhéanamh ar shaincheisteanna, lena n-áirítear cé acu is fearr córas parlaiminte aon seomra (córas an aon seomra reachtaigh) nó córas parlaiminte dhá sheomra (córas an dá sheomra).
Athchóiriú Tá Sinn Féin tiomanta don méid seo a leanas: }} A chinntiú go ndéanfar na cumhachtaí agus na feidhmeanna a dhílsítear don Uachtarán, don Pharlaimint agus don Choiste Feidhmiúcháin a fheidhmiú ar bhealach a chinnteoidh go ngníomhóidh siad chun leas an náisiúin agus na saoránach sa chéad áit agus go seachnóidh siad tionchar nó cur isteach míchuí ó leasanna dílsithe na scothaicmí cumhachtacha. }} Maoirseacht mhéadaithe pharlaiminteach, lena n-áirítear múnla nua rannpháirtíochta poiblí a chuireann le forbairt beartais phoiblí agus reachtóireachta agus a thugann eolas di agus a thugann cumhacht do shaoránaigh agus don pharlaimint araon. }} Ionadaíocht dhaonlathach a chothaíonn éagsúlacht, atá go hiomlán cuimsitheach agus a léiríonn sochaí nua-aimseartha na hÉireann, lena n-áirítear ár saoránaigh is imeallaithe agus iad siúd a chónaíonn sa Tuaisceart agus diaspóra na hÉireann. }} Struchtúir nua rialachais a cheapadh ar féidir leo daonlathas parlaiminteach láidir a bhaint amach, atá cuntasach don phobal a bhfreagraíonn sé air, agus a ghlacann go réamhghníomhach le cultúr nua um oscailteacht agus thrédhearcacht.
Sholáthródh Sinn Féin:
Ionadaíocht Dhaonlathach Níos Fearr }} Coimisiún Toghcháin neamhspleách a bhunú chun gach páirtí polaitíochta a chlárú agus caighdeáin toghcháin a rialáil, lena n-áirítear iad siúd a bhaineann le deonacháin airgeadais agus leasanna airgeadais; chun toghcháin agus reifrinn a reáchtáil, clárú vótálaithe a dhéanamh agus bearta réamhghníomhacha a dhéanamh d’fhonn rannpháirtíocht vótálaithe a mhéadú. }} Cuóta inscne 30% a chinntiú i dtoghcháin Dála, ag ardú go hincriminteach i dtreo 50%.
}} An aois vótála a laghdú go 16 bliana d’aois. }} Ballraíocht den Dáil a dhéanamh níos ilchineálaí agus níos ionadaíche don phobal trí chóras liosta pháirtigh a thabhairt isteach le haghaidh toghcháin don Dáil - ag úsáid an liosta chun a chinntiú, mar shampla, go dtoghtar níos mó ban agus níos mó ball de ghrúpaí faoi ghannionadaíocht i sochaí na hÉireann, le linn an córas um thoghadh trí PR-STV don chuid is mó de shuíocháin a choinneáil. }} Trian amháin den Dáil a thoghadh ó chóras dúnta liosta páirtí, agus an dá dtrian eile a thoghadh ó dháilcheantair seacht suíochán ag úsáid PR/ STV. Cinnteoidh na dáilcheantair níos mó seo go léiríonn na torthaí rogha iarbhír na vótálaithe níos fearr. }} An ceart chun vótáil i dtoghcháin Dála agus Uachtaránachta a leathnú do dhaoine nach saoránaigh iad atá cónaitheach go dleathach sa tír ar feadh cúig bliana ar a laghad.
Maoirseacht agus Cuntasacht Níos Fearr }} Coiste Dála nua a thabhairt isteach, ina mbeidh ceannairí Páirtithe Freasúra agus a bheidh ionadaíoch do chomhdhéanamh na Dála, chun iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar Roinn an Taoisigh. }} An Ceann Comhairle a thoghadh trí rúnbhallóid le haghaidh théarma na Dála agus an post mar LeasCheann Comhairle a uainiú ar bhonn bliantúil trí rúnbhallóid ag úsáid PR/STV. }} Aisiompú a dhéanamh ar an eisiamh a bhaineann le Teachtaí Dála an Fhreasúra ag cur reachtaíocht billí airgid nó leasuithe sa chlár nó ag tagairt dóibh. }} Cumhacht chun reachtaíocht a thabhairt isteach a thabhairt do chomhaltaí coistí Dála. Brú a chur ar an rialtas glacadh le leasuithe comhdhearcaidh Freasúra le reachtaíocht agus leis an mbuiséad - sonrach le sainchúram an choiste. Éisteachtaí inrochtana comhairliúcháin phoiblí agus finnéithe saineolacha a reáchtáil, lena n-áirítear as an láthair ar fud na tíre, chun ionchur poiblí a iarraidh sa phróiseas seo um fhianaise iomchuí a bhailiú chun eolas a thabhairt do chinntí agus do sheasaimh.
}} A chinntiú go n-úsáideann Coistí Dála méid iomlán a gcumhachtaí chun Airí comh-aireachta, Airí Stáit agus Oifigigh Roinne a ghairm go foirmiúil d’fhonn scrúdú agus ceistiú a dhéanamh faoi bheartas roinne agus faoi chinnteoireacht bhuiséadach. }} Ba cheart rannpháirtíocht i gcoistí Dála a dhéanamh éigeantach agus gan aon liúntas breise ós rud é gur cuid intreach de ról an Teachta Dála é seo. }} Nach ngabhfaidh ach Teachtaí Dála Freasúra seilbh ar phoist mar Chathaoirligh nó mar Leaschathaoirligh ar gach coiste Dála a leithdháilfí go comhréireach, bunaithe ar neart an pháirtí chun scrúdan, cothroime agus neamhspleáchas polaitiúil iomchuí a chinntiú. Níor cheart aon luach saothair airgeadais breise a bheith ceangailte leo. }} Suíonna a chabhraíonn le teaghlaigh a thabhairt isteach, faoi mar atá i ndea-chleachtas nuaaimseartha parlaiminteach i ndlínsí eile. }} Grúpáil pholaitíochta Dála a chaighdeánú le go gcuirfear líon nach lú ná cúigear Teachtaí Dála san áireamh a dtabharfar am cainte, am gnó comhaltaí príobháideacha, ionadaíocht ar Choimisiún Thithe an Oireachtais, ionadaíocht ag cruinniú aoirí páirtithe agus acmhainní dréachtaithe reachtaíochta ón Oireachtas dóibh. }} Ceisteanna Parlaiminteacha (scríofa) a thabhairt isteach i rith thréimhse shosa an tsamhraidh. }} Aisiompú a dhéanamh ar an gcleachtas trí nach bhfreagraíonn Airí ar son gníomhaireachtaí nó comhlachtaí ar neamhchomaoin faoina sainchúram. Ní ghlacfaí le hiarchur faoi bheartas agus faoi chaiteachas os comhair na Dála, Coistí agus mar fhreagairt do Cheisteanna Parlaiminteacha a thuilleadh. }} Deireadh a chur leis an úsáid a bhaintear as gilitíní ar reachtaíocht agus ar dhíospóireacht, ach i gcás cúinsí eisceachtúla agus le comhaontú idir aoirí páirtithe agus an Ceann Comhairle.
Rialachas Níos Fearr }} Athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar Lámhleabhar na Comh-Aireachta. Aisiompú a dhéanamh ar an gcleachtas ina ndéanann coistí comhaireachta cinntí feidhmiúcháin lasmuigh de chruinnithe foirmiúla an rialtais é féin, nach mór dó comhchinntí a dhéanamh. Áirítear leis seo an Chomhairle Bainistíochta Eacnamaíche ceathrar fear atá ag rith an gheilleagair agus ag déanamh cinntí ar bheartas rialtais ina n-aonar go bunúsach, gan aon bhaint a bheith ag an gcomhaireacht ar fad leis. }} Bunú a dhéanamh ar Choimisinéir nua um Cheapacháin Phoiblí a rialálfaidh próiseas neamhchlaonta um cheapacháin phoiblí le haghaidh comhlachtaí stáit agus poiblí bunaithe ar chritéir chomhaontaithe, ar oscailt don phobal, atá bunaithe ar fhiúntas agus ar cháilíochtaí agus atá saor ó rialú polaitiúil agus idirghabháil pholaitiúil. }} Teorainn €100,000 a chur le tuarastal Airí agus teorainn €75,000 a chur le tuarastal Teachtaí Dála. }} Deireadh a chur le táillí Saorála Faisnéise agus tuilleadh rochtana a thabhairt don phobal agus do na meáin ar iniúchadh ar thaifid phoiblí. }} Ba cheart don Rialtas próiseas um buiséadú rannpháirtíochta a thabhairt isteach. Ba cheart dó dréacht-bhuiséad a fhoilsiú lena chomhairliúchán poiblí iomlán gníomhach agus, ina theannta sin, Measúnachtaí Tionchair Chomhionannais agus promhadh ó thaobh an chomhionannais a thabhairt isteach i dtosaíochtaí beartais agus caiteachais an Uachtaráin, Parlaiminte agus comhlachtaí Feidhmiúcháin agus poiblí. }} Tuilleadh feabhais a chur ar an gclár for-rochtana poiblí agus ar an straitéis cumarsáide faisnéise chun cur chun cinn a dhéanamh ar oideachas polaitíochta agus ar chuimsiú gníomhach an phobail, na bpobal agus na scoileanna sa phróiseas daonlathach. }} Méadú a dhéanamh ar na Comhlachtaí Feidhmithe agus na Réimsí Comhoibrithe faoi choimirce na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas. }} Clásail shóisialta a chur le gach conradh soláthair phoiblí an rialtais agus an Oireachtais chun sochar poiblí a uasmhéadú agus tuilleadh luach ar airgead a bhaint amach.
Rialtas Áitiúil Níos Fearr }} Baineadh roinnt mhaith dá chumhachtaí as rialtas áitiúil le blianta beaga anuas. Ní mór daonlathas áitiúil a neartú. }} Is gá go gcuirtear san áireamh anseo méadú chumhachtaí agus fhreagrachtaí na n-údarás áitiúil, lena n-áirítear urlámhas ar oideachas, ar fhostaíocht, ar chomhshaol, ar sheirbhísí tithíochta agus sóisialta agus ar an gcumas chun ioncam a thiomsú. }} Méadú - nó, sa chás gur baineadh iad, athbhunú a dhéanamh ar na cumhachtaí atá ag comhairleoirí ar phleanáil, ar thithíocht, ar iompar agus ar bhainistíocht dramhaíola agus, dá réir sin, teorainn a chur le cumhachtaí Bainisteoirí. }} Ba mhaith le Sinn Féin go ndéanfar cumhachtaí agus feidhmeanna a chineachadh do Chomhairlí Ceantair a chlúdaíonn an chúlchríoch.
}} Straitéis a fhorbairt chun a chinntiú go bhfuil gach seirbhís phoiblí ar fáil i nGaeilge i gceantair Ghaeltachta. }} Struchtúr ardleibhéil a chur le chéile, ar a bhfuil ionadaíocht ag eagraíochtaí pobail, ag an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, ag an gComhchoiste um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), ag Údarás na Gaeltachta, ag Foras na Gaeilge agus ag saineolaithe teanga, a mbeadh freagracht air as treoir a thabhairt don Rialtas maidir le cur chun feidhme ‘Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-30.’ }} Stad a chur le comhcheangal COGG, ag a bhfuil ról lárnach oideachais laistigh den straitéis 20 Bliain, leis an gComhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta. }} Bille nua Gaeltachta a fhorbairt, i gcomhairle le príomhpháirtithe leasmhara, chun aisiompú a dhéanamh ar an damáiste a rinne Acht na Gaeltachta, 2012, agus feabhsú agus neartú a dhéanamh ar phleanáil teanga agus ar thacaí don teanga.
}} Creideann Sinn Féin gur féidir an t-easnamh daonlathach áitiúil a chomhlíonadh trí Chomhairlí Dúiche agus trí Choistí Pobail Ceantair áitiúil a bhunú.
}} Forbairt a dhéanamh ar Phlean Gníomhaíochta Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta i gcomhairle leis na pobail Ghaeilge agus Ghaeltachta, a dhéanfaidh forbairt ar na moltaí atá sa ‘Staidéar Cuimsitheach Teangeolaíoch ar Úsáid na Gaeilge’.
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Conclúid
}} Aisiompú a dhéanamh ar an gcinneadh chun deireadh a chur le bord Údarás na Gaeltachta a toghadh go daonlathach. }} Deireadh a chur leis an gcinneadh chun oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga a chomhcheangal le hOifig an Ombudsman agus, dá bhrí sin, neamhspleáchas an Choimisinéara Teanga a chinntiú. }} A chinntiú nach gcuirtear pobail atá éagsúil ón taobh teangeolaíoch de sna réimsí pleanála teanga céanna chun críche Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, mar atá molta sa Staidéar Cuimsitheach Teangeolaíoch. }} Tuilleadh freagrachta a chur ar Údarás na Gaeltachta agus ar Fhoras na Gaeilge as dréachtú na bpleananna forbartha teanga i réimsí pleanála teanga, faoi Acht 2012.
Tá muinín agus iontaobhas sa chóras polaitiúil ina smidiríní mar gheall ar an mbainistíocht tubáisteach a rinneadh ar an ngeilleagar, ar sheirbhísí poiblí agus ar airgeadas an stáit ag riarachán Fhianna Fáil a bhíodh ann roimhe seo. Toghadh an Rialtas reatha Fhine Gael/an Lucht Oibre agus é ag geallstan go mbeadh leasú suntasach polaitiúil ann. I bhfocail a Phríomh-Aoire, tá taifead an rialtais ar athchóiriú na Dála “go dona”. Ritheadh fríd go gasta nó imríodh an gilitín ar níos mó ná leath cuid de na Billí a cuireadh faoi bhráid na Dála ó tháinig an chomhghuaillíocht Fhina Gael/ an Lucht oibre in oifig i Márta 2011. Gheall an rialtas nach dtarlódh an cleachtas seo ach cúinsí eiseachtúla a bheith ann. A fhad le lár Mhí an Mhárta, imríodh an gilitín ar 52 de 90 bille. Nuair a chuirtear reachtaíocht fríd go róghasta, is amhlaidh go mbeidh fabhtanna ann a dtabharfar a ndúshláin sna cúirteanna.
Ritheadh an reachtaíocht chun soláthar a dhéanamh do cháin árachais teaghlaigh go gasta fríd an Dáil roimh an Nollaig agus b’éigean é a leasú sa Bhliain Úr. Níorbh fhiú mún dreoilín san fharraige cur chuige chomhghuaillíocht Fhine Gael/an Lucht Oibre maidir le leasú polaitiúil agus bhain sé go mór mór le líon na n-ionadaithe tofa a laghdú. Casadh gan substaint ar fad a bhí ann. Seachas líon na n-ionadaithe a laghdú, níor thug an rialtas reatha athruithe cearta, dearfach chun cinn. Ní dhearna sé a dhath leis an gcumhacht idir an rialtas láir agus áitiúil a athchothromú ná san Oireachtas idir an Tionól agus Reachtas. In áit daonlathas níos éifeachtúla, follasaí agus cuntasaí a chruthú, ghearr Fine Gael agus an Lucht Oibre líon na n-ionadaithe tofa sa Dáil agus sa rialtas áitiúil agus dhiúltaigh cead a thabhairt don Tionól Bunreachtúil plé a dhéanamh ar thodhchaí an tSeanaid. Ba cheart go mbeadh ról cuiditheach ag an Tionól Bunreachtúil agus an próiseas polaitiúil a leasú. Ina áit sin, choinnigh an Rialtas é seo siar, agus chuir sé cosc suntasach ar shainchúram an choinbhinsiúin. Tá moltaí Shinn Féin maidir le leasú polaitiúil bunaithe ar phrionsabail fhlaithis, daonlathais, cuntasachta, follasachta, aontacht náisiúnta, cumasú pobal áitiúil agus córas polaitiúil a chruthú ina mbíonn tús áite ag saoránaigh. Creideann Sinn Féin go bhféadfadh na moltaí seo mianta práinneacha agus gá i measc na saoránach ár gcóras polaitiúil a thabhairt isteach sa 21ú hAois. Tugann an páirtí chun tosaigh iad agus é dóchasach go gcuirfidh siad go dearfach le díospóireacht chuimsitheach faoi dhaonlathas nua-aimseartha agus ceart a chruthú, atá oiriúnach.