Speech on Mahon Report Today:
A Cheann Comhairle,
I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak on the Mahon Report today and I want to raise four separate points:
· Firstly the findings of the report and what it says about Irish politics
· Secondly, the findings of the Mahon Report in relation to my own party, the Labour Party
· Thirdly, the recommendations of the Report, many of which I agree with, some of which I would have opinions on
· Lastly, the fundamental need for Local Government reform as a lasting legacy for Irish citizens today, and for the generations to come.
Let me turn to the findings of the report:
This report is a damning indictment of the toxic political culture that Fianna Fáil has brought to every level of political life in Ireland. It gives me no pleasure to read this report, or to discover the level of poison, lies, corruption and bribery that have been such a feature of Irish politics in the past.
It should be remarked that there are many decent and disappointed members of the Fianna Fáil party, but their emotions are secondary to those of our citizens whose lives and communities have been broken by the Fianna Fáil style of politics.
When a political party, like Fianna Fáil, believes that they own Ireland and that they have the title deeds of the country in their back pockets - this means that any action of a Fianna Failer is excusable as long as that member is still electable.
The only value that Fianna Fáil hold dear is electability. No lies, no corruption, no allegations of bribery ever mattered to Fianna Fáil because to them the party is everything, and politics is just a game. It is not good enough to act like an infantile football manager, claiming that you didn’t see the incident, blaming the referee and then retreating to the dressing room saying to your team that you must win at all costs.
This is not a game – this is national politics – and it is far too grave and important for such pathetic behaviour. Fianna Fáil is the party of all of my grandparents but became the home-place for every cowboy seeking career advancement because they knew that the party had no standards.
The issue is not just corruption – it is the manner in which corruption is dealt with. Accusations against Fianna Fáil members, councillors, ministers, and indeed leaders were treated with derision, they defended the indefensible, prioritising stroke politics and hoping that the Irish people would believe that all politicians are the same and all political parties were on the take.
And they succeeded, because standards in Irish politics flattened. We must examine as a society why every single TD mentioned in the Mahon report enjoyed massive support continually from the electorate. Fianna Fáil TDs rightly point to those mentioned in the Moriarty report, yet it is Fianna Fáil who were quite happy to enjoy the support of Deputy Michael Lowry for their government until last year regardless of what evidence was heard during the course of the Moriarty tribunal hearings.
Not all political parties are the same. One party of government stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to backhand politics. That party is Fianna Fáil.
Fianna Fáil now have the country that they shaped. No other party had the influence over Irish life that they had. In power for 22 of the last 25 years – Ireland is now what Fianna Fáil created. A country effectively run by the IMF, with a demoralised people who view politics with suspicion and cynicism.
I can bearly utter the words of what my job is; a politician. You have destroyed the words ‘Republican’ and the words ‘Politician’.
It is clear from listening to the contributions from many Fianna Fáil TDs in the house today and yesterday that nothing has really changed. You joined a party knowing its history of corruption. You remained members despite your party surrendering this Republic to the IMF. You can do no more damage. You have no role in the future of politics in this country.
I turn now to the issue of the Mahon Reports findings in relation to the Labour Party:
The attempt in some quarters to paint all politicians and all political parties with the same brush in the wake of the Mahon Report, does not stand up to scrutiny. The Labour Party has a proud record of standing up and speaking out against what has now proven by the Mahon Report to have been corrupt practices. It is important to note that in 1993 the Labour Party expelled the one and only one public representative linked to Labour that the Mahon report is critical of.John O’Halloran was elected as councillor in Lucan in 1991. In September 1993 he was expelled from the Labour Party as a result of his voting record on planning matters while a member of Dublin County Council.
Labour was proactive in dealing with such issues as they arose and had no need to wait for a tribunal to be called or for its findings to be published to act decisively. In contrast to others, Labour councillors on Dublin County Council had a proud record when it comes to planning matters. Specifically mentioned in the Mahon Report are Pat Rabbitte’s actions in returning a cheque to Frank Dunlop in 1992 (p1068), and Eamon Gilmore’s decision to refuse a cheque from Monarch developers also in 1992 (p1579), both of which were described by the Tribunal as ‘commendable’. Joan Burton’s consistent record in opposing rezoning at Quarryvale is also highlighted. (p868).
That is the difference between the Labour Party and others who engaged in, or ignored corruption.
I turn now to matter of the recommendations of the Mahon Report and the Need for Fundamental Reform of Local Government:
The recommendations of the Mahon Report are far reaching and deal in the main with anti-corruption legislation and reforming the planning procedure in our local authorities.
The fundamental reform of our political system is not the abolition of the Seanad, although I support it, or the reduction of the number of TDs in this house, although I support that too.
It is the reform of local government – the connectivity of the vote of the citizen, to the responsabilities and accountablility of the councillor, to the functions of the local authority which are of such importance to each and every community in this country.
Local elections in Ireland are notable for the following:
· Poor turnout
· Used mainly as a referendum on the national government of the day.
· Typified by a general mis-understandings of the role of Local Councils
· Allowing councillors to be elected sometimes with merely a few hundred votes
This dynamic has to change – the reform of local government just involve the levelling of local taxation, including a property charge, a rebalancing of powers away from unelected officials towards the elected councillors, who then by the very nature of the reformed system would be more accountable to the people.
Diarmuid Ó Gráda writing in last week’s Irish Times sites some of the anomalies that exist in the local government system in Ireland:
Leitrim has one councillor for every 1444 constituents. Fingal has one councillor for every 11,377 constituents.
A local government system, with less councils and less councillors is surely desirable. Accountable local politicians who set the rates and take responsibility for formulating budgets around areas of policy such as waste disposal would prevent the type of debacle we have been in Dublin City recently with the privatisation of the bin service.
The Mahon tribunal recommendations are wide and varied: They deal with planning, conflicts of interest; political finance; lobbying; bribery; corruption in office; money laundering and asset confiscation.
I would like to make a number of brief comments relating to the recommendations of the report:
In terms of the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 of 1906, there are recommendations in relation to the specific act of bribery, however I would suggest that considering both these acts are over a hundred years old and society has changed radically since their introduction, that the Minister for Justice perhaps needs to completely overhaul this legislation and make it more robust and relevant to the modern age.
In terms of planning, the over-arching watchdog for council Development Plans i.e the National Development Plan and the National Spatial Strategy need to be placed on a statutory footing.
There are two recommendations that I have some concerns over:
Recommendation 12 states:
'The Tribunal is recommending that where the elected members decide to depart from the recommendations made in the manager’s report (of a development plan), they should be required to state their reasons for doing so.'
Recommendation 14 states:
‘The tribunal is recommending that the Minister for the Environment’s ability to give directions to Regional Authorities and Local Planning Authorities should be entrusted to a Planning Regulator.’
Both these recommendations assume the corruptability of the elected councillor and minister of government, but do not take account of the potential corruptabilty of the unelected official or proposed independent ‘Planning Regulator’.
The democratic legitimacy of all agencies of the state is key to how we re-build democracy. It is from the people that political representatives gain their mandate, it is a deficit of accountability in the past which has lead to corruption. While not rejecting these recommendations in totality, it is important that the balance of power within local authorities edges towards those who are elected, and not those who are appointed.
This report gives our democracy a chance to change, to be re-inforced, to re-engage with the people, and to reform in such a way that we never return to the type of politics that have brought such disgrace to this Republic.
We have to expect better, demand better from ourselves, from those who play leading roles in public life and from those who cast their votes. Fianna Fáil stroke politics is over.
Our Republic demands better.
Friday, March 23, 2012
LABOUR'S PROUD TRACK RECORD ON PLANNING CORRUPTION AND THE MAHON TRIBUNAL
LABOUR'S PROUD TRACK RECORD ON PLANNING CORRUPTION AND THE MAHON TRIBUNAL
Friday, 23 March 2012
Friday, 23 March 2012
The attempt in some quarters to paint all politicians and all political parties with the same brush in the wake of the Mahon Report, does not stand up to scrutiny. The Labour Party has a proud record of standing up and speaking out against what has now proven by the Mahon Report to have been corrupt practices.
It is important to note that in 1993 the Labour Party expelled the one and only one public representative linked to Labour that the Mahon report is critical of.
John O’Halloran was elected as councillor in Lucan in 1991. In September 1993 he was expelled from the Labour Party as a result of his voting record on planning matters while a member of Dublin County Council.
Labour was proactive in dealing with such issues as they arose and had no need to wait for a tribunal to be called or for its findings to be published to act decisively.
In contrast to others, Labour councillors on Dublin County Council had a proud record when it comes to planning matters. Specifically mentioned in the Mahon Report are Pat Rabbitte’s actions in returning a cheque to Frank Dunlop in 1992 (p1068), and Eamon Gilmore’s decision to refuse a cheque from Monarch developers also in 1992 (p1579), both of which were described by the Tribunal as ‘commendable’. Joan Burton’s consistent record in opposing rezoning at Quarryvale is also highlighted. (p868).
I will be speaking on the Mahon Tribunal in the Dáil next week.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
My Article that Appears in Irish Times Today (Tues March 20th) Unedited
'Access to Teacher Training Key to Tackling Educational Disadvantage'
Children from disadvantaged communities typically don’t grow up to be teachers; typically don’t return to their old schools as education leaders or beacons of educational advancement. Until we can address this deficit, poorer children will continue to feel disconnected from our education system and will never enjoy the opportunities most young people take for granted.
Any teacher with experience in a disadvantaged school will confess that obstacles to advancement lie in the lack of self-esteem and the absence of an educational tradition in the local community. Children are greatly influenced by the adult experiences around them, but also by the expectation levels that society places on them. My experience is that the greatest challenge lies in the core-belief of many children that they just aren’t good enough. It is this cultural gap in education that is our responsibility to bridge.
My school in Dublin’s North Inner City was typical of those operating under the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) system. While numerous academic studies have investigated the causes and potential strategies to tackle educational disadvantage, what is immediately apparent to newly-qualified educators is the difference between the demographic of the student body of their training college and those children who now depend on them so much.
From the perspective of these children, often their generational family experience is one of negative interactions with state institutions. The Irish state has struggled since its inception to deal respectfully with difference, including the ‘difference’ of disadvantage. Irish society still treats with suspicion and even fear those who speak with a certain accent or with a given address.
Our society therefore unwittingly undermines the self-image of the poor. We are all to blame for this, and many of our teachers are at the front-line attempting to address it. However, the perpetuation of this reality within education is almost inevitable when observing the cohort of the student body of the average Institute of Education: almost exclusively middle class, studying in an isolated environment under a singular ethos with a particular understanding of the social order.
These students become teachers in our schools and are educational role models for our children. While acknowledging that most Irish primary teachers are remarkable people and DEIS schools are staffed by incredible professionals, there is an undeniable cultural barrier within education. Poorer children observe their teacher as not being ‘of’ their community and they view the system as not understanding or respecting them. Therefore a fresh approach is now necessary to allow disadvantaged students into the teaching profession to break down that cultural obstacle, and also to change the dynamic within school communities.
Access to primary teacher training requires a Leaving Certificate points total in the high 400s and a minimum C3 grade in Higher Level Gaeilge. The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) already provides for a level of positive discrimination but the Irish language stipulation disproportionately impacts on poorer students, considering the resources many middle-class families have for Gaeltacht summer courses and private tuition. Also DEIS secondary schools often struggle to provide Higher Level options for their students.
The required standard of Gaeilge could readily be obtained over the course of the college years. It is surely of greater importance to concentrate on the competencies of the teacher as they leave college rather than on their abilities on entrance. In addition, the advent of an added fourth year to the Bachelor of Education Degree offers opportunities for colleges to initiate electives focusing on the social, cultural and historical context to educational disadvantage and an academic analysis as to how it can be eradicated.
The term ‘eradicating educational disadvantage’ is often avoided by those charged with empowering our poorer children. We prefer the term ‘tackling’, however to merely ‘tackle’ is to be ambiguous about our chances of success. The educationalist Laurence J. Peter once said: ‘Education is a method whereby one acquires a higher grade of prejudices’. Our children deserve more than prejudice, they deserve an educational experience that respects them. We must eradicate the barriers to those from lesser means to enter that most noble of professions: to let them teach so they can in turn enable, inspire and empower others. Surely they are worth that much?
Children from disadvantaged communities typically don’t grow up to be teachers; typically don’t return to their old schools as education leaders or beacons of educational advancement. Until we can address this deficit, poorer children will continue to feel disconnected from our education system and will never enjoy the opportunities most young people take for granted.
Any teacher with experience in a disadvantaged school will confess that obstacles to advancement lie in the lack of self-esteem and the absence of an educational tradition in the local community. Children are greatly influenced by the adult experiences around them, but also by the expectation levels that society places on them. My experience is that the greatest challenge lies in the core-belief of many children that they just aren’t good enough. It is this cultural gap in education that is our responsibility to bridge.
My school in Dublin’s North Inner City was typical of those operating under the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) system. While numerous academic studies have investigated the causes and potential strategies to tackle educational disadvantage, what is immediately apparent to newly-qualified educators is the difference between the demographic of the student body of their training college and those children who now depend on them so much.
From the perspective of these children, often their generational family experience is one of negative interactions with state institutions. The Irish state has struggled since its inception to deal respectfully with difference, including the ‘difference’ of disadvantage. Irish society still treats with suspicion and even fear those who speak with a certain accent or with a given address.
Our society therefore unwittingly undermines the self-image of the poor. We are all to blame for this, and many of our teachers are at the front-line attempting to address it. However, the perpetuation of this reality within education is almost inevitable when observing the cohort of the student body of the average Institute of Education: almost exclusively middle class, studying in an isolated environment under a singular ethos with a particular understanding of the social order.
These students become teachers in our schools and are educational role models for our children. While acknowledging that most Irish primary teachers are remarkable people and DEIS schools are staffed by incredible professionals, there is an undeniable cultural barrier within education. Poorer children observe their teacher as not being ‘of’ their community and they view the system as not understanding or respecting them. Therefore a fresh approach is now necessary to allow disadvantaged students into the teaching profession to break down that cultural obstacle, and also to change the dynamic within school communities.
Access to primary teacher training requires a Leaving Certificate points total in the high 400s and a minimum C3 grade in Higher Level Gaeilge. The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) already provides for a level of positive discrimination but the Irish language stipulation disproportionately impacts on poorer students, considering the resources many middle-class families have for Gaeltacht summer courses and private tuition. Also DEIS secondary schools often struggle to provide Higher Level options for their students.
The required standard of Gaeilge could readily be obtained over the course of the college years. It is surely of greater importance to concentrate on the competencies of the teacher as they leave college rather than on their abilities on entrance. In addition, the advent of an added fourth year to the Bachelor of Education Degree offers opportunities for colleges to initiate electives focusing on the social, cultural and historical context to educational disadvantage and an academic analysis as to how it can be eradicated.
The term ‘eradicating educational disadvantage’ is often avoided by those charged with empowering our poorer children. We prefer the term ‘tackling’, however to merely ‘tackle’ is to be ambiguous about our chances of success. The educationalist Laurence J. Peter once said: ‘Education is a method whereby one acquires a higher grade of prejudices’. Our children deserve more than prejudice, they deserve an educational experience that respects them. We must eradicate the barriers to those from lesser means to enter that most noble of professions: to let them teach so they can in turn enable, inspire and empower others. Surely they are worth that much?
Monday, March 12, 2012
Ó Ríordáin Welcomes Five-Year School Building Programme
Statement from Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Vice-Chair of the Jobs, Social Protection & Education Committee
Labour Party TD, Dublin North Central
Labour Party TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has today welcomed the announcement of the Government’s new five-year school building programme. The programme will see approximately €1.5 billion invested in primary and post-primary schools up to 2016 in order to provide greater capacity for the rapid rise in student numbers.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin stated: “I greatly welcome the announcement made by the Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn today that €1.5 billion is to be spent on the school building programme over the next five years.
“This programme is another example of the Minister and the Labour Party delivering on their Programme for Government commitment in terms of education. This ambitious plan will see 275 major projects completed over the lifetime of the Government with over 100 new school buildings at primary level and 43 new schools at second level.
“Moreover, this building programme will also ensure that an estimated 15,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs will be created over the next five years. This is another very welcome aspect of the announcement today and it represents the kind of multi-faceted approach that is needed in order to expand resources and spur employment.
“As our students numbers continue to rise, it is absolutely essential that we continue to provide the best facilities and surroundings for the pupils and educators in our schools nationwide. Like every other department, education will have to do more with less over the coming years as we bring our budget deficit under control and get our economy back on track. However, Ruairí Quinn’s ambitious programme of investment and reform will do a lot to protect the most vulnerable areas of the system.
“At a time of national crisis, I am proud that the Labour Party in Government have ensured that the problems in our education system, such as capacity, will be addressed now and not put on the long finger when brighter days come around. I very much look forward to working closely with the Minister as he tackles the various challenges facing education over the lifetime of this administration.”
Vice-Chair of the Jobs, Social Protection & Education Committee
Labour Party TD, Dublin North Central
Labour Party TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has today welcomed the announcement of the Government’s new five-year school building programme. The programme will see approximately €1.5 billion invested in primary and post-primary schools up to 2016 in order to provide greater capacity for the rapid rise in student numbers.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin stated: “I greatly welcome the announcement made by the Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn today that €1.5 billion is to be spent on the school building programme over the next five years.
“This programme is another example of the Minister and the Labour Party delivering on their Programme for Government commitment in terms of education. This ambitious plan will see 275 major projects completed over the lifetime of the Government with over 100 new school buildings at primary level and 43 new schools at second level.
“Moreover, this building programme will also ensure that an estimated 15,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs will be created over the next five years. This is another very welcome aspect of the announcement today and it represents the kind of multi-faceted approach that is needed in order to expand resources and spur employment.
“As our students numbers continue to rise, it is absolutely essential that we continue to provide the best facilities and surroundings for the pupils and educators in our schools nationwide. Like every other department, education will have to do more with less over the coming years as we bring our budget deficit under control and get our economy back on track. However, Ruairí Quinn’s ambitious programme of investment and reform will do a lot to protect the most vulnerable areas of the system.
“At a time of national crisis, I am proud that the Labour Party in Government have ensured that the problems in our education system, such as capacity, will be addressed now and not put on the long finger when brighter days come around. I very much look forward to working closely with the Minister as he tackles the various challenges facing education over the lifetime of this administration.”
Monday, March 05, 2012
Ó Ríordáin & Horgan-Jones host first Senior Citizens Forum
Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Cllr. Jane Horgan-Jones hosted the first Senior Citizens Forum in Carleton Hall, Marino to address the many national and local issues affecting older persons in the community.The Forum’s attendance was close to seventy as participants debated an array of issues ranging from community policing to the household charge.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin stated: “Cllr. Horgan-Jones and I were both extremely pleased to see such a great attendance at the first Senior Citizens Forum in Marino on Friday. A lively debate took place with excellent contributions from residents in the local area.
“It was quite clear from the meeting that many residents are concerned with issues such as the household charge, waste collection, public transport and community policing, and it is up to us now as public representatives to address these issues.
“Both Jane and I are very conscious of the fact that in many instances people only really contact us when they have a specific problem and otherwise would never dream of picking up the phone and calling their local representative to discuss issues.
“These Forums will seek to change that. We are determined to keep up a continuous dialogue with local residents and to ensure that if constituents are concerned about any particular national or local matter that we are there and ready to act on their behalf.
“Jane and I are really looking forward to hosting more Senior Citizens Forums in the near future.”
Ó Ríordáin hosts second Jobs Roadshow to address local unemployment
Statement from Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central
Monday, 5th March 2012
Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central Aodhán Ó Ríordáin will this afternoon facilitate a second Jobs Roadshow* in order to address the problem of unemployment in his constituency.
This follows on from the Roadshow Deputy Ó Ríordáin hosted in Donnycarney last week where a broad coalition of organisations were on hand to supply information regarding unemployment assistance, educational guidance, enterprise supports, CV and interview advice and internship and placement opportunities.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin stated: “Excellent local services are available for the unemployed and it is essential that local representatives show leadership in connecting people with the agencies that can assist in getting people back into the workforce ."
“These Roadshows are a proactive measure to try and address the problem of unemployment which has blighted the constituency of Dublin North Central. Last week, approximately one hundred people attended our first Jobs Roadshow in Donnycarney and availed of the abundance of information on display."
"Today's Roadshow will be attended by representatives from Northside Partnership, Citizens Information, JobBridge
National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), Money & Budgeting Advice Service (MABS), Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed (INOU) and Volunteer Ireland."
“It was extremely reassuring to see so many people avail of the information provided and I look forward to facilitating the second Roadshow this afternoon in Kilmore West."
Further information:
Date: Monday, 5th March 2012
Venue: Kilmore Community Centre, Kilmore West
Time: 3pm-5pm
Attendees:
Northside Partnership
Citizens Information
JobBridge
National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA)
Money & Budgeting Advice Service (MABS)
Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed (INOU)
Volunteer Ireland
Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central
Monday, 5th March 2012
Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central Aodhán Ó Ríordáin will this afternoon facilitate a second Jobs Roadshow* in order to address the problem of unemployment in his constituency.
This follows on from the Roadshow Deputy Ó Ríordáin hosted in Donnycarney last week where a broad coalition of organisations were on hand to supply information regarding unemployment assistance, educational guidance, enterprise supports, CV and interview advice and internship and placement opportunities.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin stated: “Excellent local services are available for the unemployed and it is essential that local representatives show leadership in connecting people with the agencies that can assist in getting people back into the workforce ."
“These Roadshows are a proactive measure to try and address the problem of unemployment which has blighted the constituency of Dublin North Central. Last week, approximately one hundred people attended our first Jobs Roadshow in Donnycarney and availed of the abundance of information on display."
"Today's Roadshow will be attended by representatives from Northside Partnership, Citizens Information, JobBridge
National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), Money & Budgeting Advice Service (MABS), Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed (INOU) and Volunteer Ireland."
“It was extremely reassuring to see so many people avail of the information provided and I look forward to facilitating the second Roadshow this afternoon in Kilmore West."
Further information:
Date: Monday, 5th March 2012
Venue: Kilmore Community Centre, Kilmore West
Time: 3pm-5pm
Attendees:
Northside Partnership
Citizens Information
JobBridge
National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA)
Money & Budgeting Advice Service (MABS)
Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed (INOU)
Volunteer Ireland
Friday, March 02, 2012
Ó Ríordáin wants schools to fly yellow flag for diversity & inclusion
Statement from Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Labour Party TD, Dublin North Central
Friday, 2nd March 2012
Dublin North Central T.D. Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has stated today that he wants to see more schools promoting diversity and social inclusion through initiatives such as the Irish Traveller Movement's Yellow Flag Programme.
The Labour Party Deputy was speaking after visiting teachers and students in Margaret Aylward College, Whitehall, who are currently participating in the Yellow Flag Programme.
"It was an absolute privilege to be able to speak with the teachers and students in Margaret Aylwards this afternoon and to see firsthand the excellent work they are doing to promote diversity and inclusion.
"The Yellow Flag Programme is a fantastic initiative which seeks to bring the issues of interculturalism, equality and diversity into the whole-school programme and allows schools to apply them to the day to day running of the school. Moreover, Yellow Flag also promotes the idea of parents and the community working in conjunction with students and educators in order to ensure that the benefits of the programme are not just confined to the classroom.
"The Ireland we live in today is very different to the Ireland of twenty or thirty years ago. Our citizenry is far more diverse and multicultural and it is incumbent on all of us to take this into account and to promote inclusion in this society.
"The next step in this programme now is investigating the possibility of rolling out the Yellow Flag programme nationally and I intend speaking with all relevant stakeholders in order to make this possibility a reality."
Labour Party TD, Dublin North Central
Friday, 2nd March 2012
Dublin North Central T.D. Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has stated today that he wants to see more schools promoting diversity and social inclusion through initiatives such as the Irish Traveller Movement's Yellow Flag Programme.
The Labour Party Deputy was speaking after visiting teachers and students in Margaret Aylward College, Whitehall, who are currently participating in the Yellow Flag Programme.
"It was an absolute privilege to be able to speak with the teachers and students in Margaret Aylwards this afternoon and to see firsthand the excellent work they are doing to promote diversity and inclusion.
"The Yellow Flag Programme is a fantastic initiative which seeks to bring the issues of interculturalism, equality and diversity into the whole-school programme and allows schools to apply them to the day to day running of the school. Moreover, Yellow Flag also promotes the idea of parents and the community working in conjunction with students and educators in order to ensure that the benefits of the programme are not just confined to the classroom.
"The Ireland we live in today is very different to the Ireland of twenty or thirty years ago. Our citizenry is far more diverse and multicultural and it is incumbent on all of us to take this into account and to promote inclusion in this society.
"The next step in this programme now is investigating the possibility of rolling out the Yellow Flag programme nationally and I intend speaking with all relevant stakeholders in order to make this possibility a reality."
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