A quick review of policy proposals by examining the manifestos of the five main parties with regard to LGBT issues.
Fianna Fáil – Nil
Fine Gael – No policy section on LGBT issues,
Party does not support civil marriage for same sex couples (checked via email)
Civil Partnership: We will amend tax law in a second Finance Act in 2011 to give effect to the rights for civil partners and cohabiting couples introduced in the Civil Partnership Act 2010.
Anti-bullying Policy: We will encourage schools to develop anti-bullying policies and in particular, strategies to combat homophobic bullying to support students.
Labour
LGBT rights
Labour is committed to holding a referendum to provide for constitutional recognition of samesex marriage. Labour also supports entitling all parties to a marriage or civil partnership to apply to adopt a child, while ensuring that all adoption decisions must be made in the best long-term interests of the child. In the immediate term, Labour will enact provisions to extend the tax benefits of marriage to same sex couples in civil partnerships.
Labour is committed to ensuring all publicly funded colleges operate in accordance with the constitutional right to Freedom of Conscience.
Labour will ensure the five teaching colleges introduce a Freedom of Conscience clause so that trainee teachers no longer are obliged to undergo compulsory religious education.
Labour will amend Section 37 of the Employment Equality Acts (1998) and (2004) to end discrimination against LGBT teachers and trainee teachers, and to ensure that there is no obstacle to schools tackling homophobic bullying.
Labour will continue to fund Gay HIV Strategies.
Labour will advance equality for trans-gender people by enacting gender recognition legislation, and by extending to them protections afforded by existing equality legislation.
Green Party
Same-sex couples
The Green Party will:
In the event of the Supreme Court ruling against Zappone and Gilligan, seek to have the Constitution amended to permit civil same-sex marriage.
Seek to further reform family law in Ireland to protect the welfare of children in a variety of families, including providing for the extension of legal guardianship to de facto parents.
Ensure the continuation of the HSE-National Office of Suicide Prevention LGBT Mental Health Programme.
Sinn Féin
Legislation to permit and recognise same-sex marriage. Provide full and equal recognition of all civil partnerships in law.
A review of general equality and human rights proposals will follow shortly
In the build up to tonights Big Ticket debate in Sligo the organisers have been doing vox pops around the town. They met this gentleman in Sligo (beside Tescos if I’m not mistaken!)
Any Workers Solidarity Movement types about want to explain this to me or to the gentleman?
Fine Gael published their manifesto today and as part of my review of the party’s manifestos here is the section on disability. (Pg. 33)
8. Disability
Fine Gael will ensure that the quality of life for people with disabilities is enhanced and that resources allocated reach the people who need them. To achieve this, we must reform the delivery of public service to bring about the back room savings that will protect front line services
8.1 Income Support and Independence Income Support: We will retain disability and blind payments at the current rate. Fine Gael will also facilitate people with disabilities in achieving a greater level of participation in employment, training and education. Personal Budgets: Fine Gael will give adults and children with disabilities and their families the option of needs-based Personal Care Budgets so that they have much greater choice and control over the services they need. Personal budgets introduce greater transparency and efficiency in funding so that service providers only get paid for the services they deliver. 8.2 International Obligations UN Convention: In order to make sure that the legislation on decision making is clear and that the rights of people with disabilities are protected and promoted, Fine Gael will update the mental capacity legislation as quickly as possible to allow for the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 8.3 Improved Services for People with Disabilities Disability Strategy: Following consultation with all stakeholders, Fine Gael will publish a realistic implementation plan for the National Disability Strategy, including the Disability Act, EPSEN Act and sectoral plans, which will include achievable timescales and targets. We will ensure whole-of-government involvement and monitoring of the Strategy, in partnership with the disability sector. Irish Sign Language: Fine Gael will examine different mechanisms to enhance the recognition of Irish Sign Language. Standards and Inspection: Fine Gael will ensure that national standards apply to residential services for adults and children with disabilities and that these are independently inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority. Transparency: Fine Gael will ensure that money spent on disability services under the National Disability Strategy will be clearly laid out and audited. Universal Design: In planning legislation, Fine Gael will promote and support universal design whereby all environments can be used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of age, ability or disability.
Reviewing the current Disability Act with a view to the introduction of a new rightsbased Disability Act alongside robust enforcement mechanisms and establish a Disability Ombudsman and a National Disability Strategy within the Department of the Taoiseach to set annual targets towards full delivery by 2016.
Introduce a Cost of Disability Payment on a phased basis, to offset extra costs related to disability and in recognition of disproportionate rates of poverty and unemployment among people with disabilities.
A major pilot study on direct payments to include individuals from across the disability spectrum. Define people’s qualifications for personal assistance services, supporting independent living for disabled people, and regulate in law the provision of these services to ensure proper standards.
An email winging it’s way around Dun Laoghaire voters from a solicitors office about a meeting being held in the constituency tomorrow evening.
Dear xxx
Minister Mary Hanafin is holding a meeting for pro-life supporters from the Dun Laoghaire Constituency in the Merrion Suite, Stillorgan Park Hotel, this coming Wednesday, 16th February from 6-7pm. Mary will discuss her re-election campaign and answer questions on the life issue.
I wish to extend a warm invitation to you to attend this meeting and please feel free to notify family and friends also.
All the indications suggest Mary will be fighting for the last seat in Dun Laoghaire, most likely against Senator Ivana Bacik of the Labour Party or Cllr Richard Boyd Barrett of United Left Alliance. Mary faces a very tough battle to secure that last seat, and every help will be needed to ensure that she does.
As you know, Mary has a strong record in defending the pro-life position over many years and it is of particular importance in this election that people like her be returned to Dáil Éireann.
Please do your best to try and make it along on Wednesday. We very much look forward to meeting you and your friends and family at this short get-together.
Best wishes
Louis
Louis J. Dockery BA DLS RTMA Dip. Ecomm
DOCKERY Solicitors
