Ireland Version 2 – our democracy’s due an upgrade

Gearoid Fitzgibbon

By Gearoid Fitzgibbon

Given the scale of the economic crisis in Ireland, it is no surprise that political reform was one of the key issues in the 2011 General Election. There was a sense that the “operating system” of Ireland, our constitution, needed to be upgraded.

Our democracy needed an upgrade and all parties came up with proposals including Fine Gael and Labour. Nine pages of the 64-page ‘Programme for Government’ were on the topic of political reform.

Along with a number of specific referendums, the Programme promised to establish a Constitutional Convention.

Seanad Debate - Opposition divided over “alignment”

Minister Phil Hogan (FG)

Minister Phil Hogan addressed the issue of “aligning” the local development sector with local government in the Seanad on November 9th.

 
The Local and Community Development Programme is, Hogan said, “a key social inclusion intervention” in tackling poverty and exclusion through partnership between the government and disadvantaged communities. 

He continued: “The programme is more relevant than ever, given the current economic crisis and the level of unemployment.”

High five looking at alignment of local govt & local development sector

Jim Miley

Five people were appointed by Minister Phil Hogan to a high level steering group in September to look at how a closer alignment between local government and the local development sector would work.

The five were chosen on the basis of their experience and considerable knowledge of both the Local Government and Local Development sectors, said the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. They are:

Jim Miley (pictured) - former chairperson of Concern Worldwide, founder of myhome.ie and former secretary general of Fine Gael (in the late ‘90s). He was once a broadcaster and also served in the past as chief executive of Dublin City Chamber of Commerce. Mr Miley will chair the steering group.

Geraldine Tallon - secretary general of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Gerry Kearney – former secretary general of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 

Dr. Patricia O’Hara – regional policy expert with professorial duties at the National Institute for Regional Spatial Analysis in Maynooth

Liam Keane - former regional co-ordinator of HSE South.

Martina Moloney - Galway County Manager.

The SPRING EDITION of 'Changing Ireland' has just been published online (click here for a pdf)! The print version will be out later this week.

Inside, we've 24 pages of coverage on:

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• 5000 TÚS 'JOBS' on the way nationwide through the LCDP
• FINE GAEL PLANS for communities
• ANTI-RACISM update
• MEDIATION saves lives and money (in Mayo)
• PILOT delivers (for parents)
• VOLUNTEER interview (Patsy Cronin)
• COMMUNITY RESILIENCE training (Editor's recommended top read on page 23)
• PARTY promises - 5 pages on what the parties promised communities
• News report: GARDA cuts crime by texting
• COMMUNITY Services Programme profiled
• HORACE - EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD NEWS FOR IRELAND!

Thanks to Finbar from Mayo for the above.

The cut to the minimum wage has been widely criticised. The €1 cut equates to 11.5% of salary if you're on the minimum wage.

Business leaders have welcomed the proposal saying it will cuts costs.

However, Fine Gael have said they may revisit the proposal.

Frank Feighan is new Fine Gael spokesperson on Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs

Roscommon-based TD, Frank Feighan has been appointed Fine Gael spokesperson for Community, Equality & Gaeltachtt Affairs, as of today.

The 48-year-old from Boyle was first elected to the Dáil in May, 2007. He replaces Mayo's Michael Ring who has become the party's spokesperson on Social Protection.

Other changes to the Fine Gael front bench are published on: www.insideireland.ie