Received today. Name and address withheld. This is what we are up against.......

Dear Mr Ó Ríordáin,


Having heard your interview on RTE's "Drivetime" on Friday, I felt that I must comment on some of the issues that you raised. Although I do not live in your constituency as a public representative it is important that you are fully aware of public opinion.

The first issue is that of prayers in the Dail, I thought that you would have realised that you do not have to take part if you do not wish to - but that you would have enough respect for others who have different beliefs and traditions to allow them to do so.

The more important issue is that of child protection, in advocating gay male teachers in a week when male homosexuals are in the news for child abuse, surely you must be aware of the risks associated with male gays. As a family man I do not want my grandson given "guidance" by someone who feels that a homosexual relationship is normal, and who may be lovingly sodomising his partner, albeit in the privacy of their own home.

Inevitably and possibly unintentionally, views, standards and norms are passed from teacher to pupil. Our children are too important and vulnerable to be exposed to unnecessary risk, mental or physical, from someone who has such ambiguity with their sexuality.

Ó Ríordáin welcomes upgrades to local Dart stations

Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has welcomed the impending improvements to Clontarf, Killester, Harmonstown and Raheny Dart stations. These works are a result of funding contained in the Government's recent Jobs Initiative.


"I am extremely happy to inform residents that funding will be allocated for improvements to several Dart stations in the Dublin North Central constituency. The Dart line is a great asset to families and commuters in the area. Therefore it is very important that we ensure stations are adequately maintained for rail users.


"This is just one of many benefits of the Government's Jobs Initiative which earmarked additional revenue for capital intensive projects throughout the country. In times of fiscal turmoil, it is very important that Government take action to encourage job growth and shovel-ready projects are a great way of stimulating an economy.


"I want to assure residents that I will continue to strive for the best possible public services for Dublin North Central and, in particular, that the most disadvantaged areas are protected from the effects of this downturn."

Literacy the liberator from poverty and exclusion- Ó Ríordáin

Speaking ahead of the Minister for Education's launch of 'The National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People' Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has again stressed the importance of literacy in empowering marginalised young people.

"Having spent 11 years as a teacher and then principal in the North Inner City and having been politicised by my experiences in the classroom, I am particularly proud that the Minister Ruairí Quinn has embraced the literacy issue so readily and so enthusiastically.

"In my estimation there is no greater obstacle to social justice than the fundamental ability to read. It is no surprise to me that an average of 30% of deprived children have fundamental reading problems or that the figure is closer to 50% in more acute areas of disadvantage.

"Upon my election to Dublin City Council in 2004 I worked tirelessly to put literacy at the top of the council agenda and I launched my 'Right the Read Campaign' as Deputy Lord Mayor in 2006. This campaign succeeded in investing €1million into the Library service in Dublin City and opened every library in the city at weekends for the first time, including libraries in disadvantaged areas. Nine learning zones were also founded and building standards for apartments were improved to encourage learning at home.

'However today's launch will make a fundamental change in the lives of every child in the state, making literacy a national cause, and driving through that empowerment that will break down barriers of poverty, social exclusion and inequality. Today for me is the proudest of days and points to a bright future even in these darkest of economic times".

You can view the literacy and numeracy strategy here.

Stopping sexualisation and commercialisation of our children must be priority for Government- Ó Ríordáin

Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has stated it is imperative that we stop the sexualisation and commercialisation of children in Ireland. Deputy Ó Ríordáin also stated that this must be a priority for the new Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald.

Deputy Ó Ríordáin was speaking on foot of a reply from Minister Fitzgerald to a Parliamentary Question he submitted to the Department of Children.


"I greatly welcome the reply from Minister Fitzgerald which indicated that her department is evaluating the recent publication Letting Children Be Children which investigated this issue thoroughly. This report, which was commissioned by the coalition government in the United Kingdom, made numerous recommendations which I believe have some merit.


"Among them the report recommends:


- Putting age restrictions on music videos
- Making it easier for parents to block age-restricted material from the internet
- Ensuring retailers offer age appropriate clothing for children
- Restricting outdoor advertisements containing sexualised imagery where children are likely to see it


"Given the enormous level of sexualisation and commercialisation of our children at the present time, I believe this warrants a similar study to be conducted by the Department of Children. By undertaking such a study, we could assess how best to protect some of the most vulnerable people in this society."

STATEMENT BY AODHÁN Ó RÍORDÁIN
Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central
Wednesday, 06 July 2011

Ó RÍORDÁIN REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HONOUR LITERARY GIANT STOKER

Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has stated that he is committed to ensuring the delivery of a fitting memorial to writer Bram Stoker. Deputy Ó Ríordáin comments come as Dublin City Council continues to debate the best location for a Bram Stoker memorial.

“I would like to reaffirm my commitment to delivering a suitable and lasting tribute to Bram Stoker in the Marino/Clontarf area and I look forward to engaging with residents and local authorities on how this can be achieved.

“As a nation, we rightly celebrate the works and achievements of great literary giants such as Joyce, Beckett and Yeats. However, another home-grown literary genius who is often forgotten, Bram Stoker, created one of the most renowned characters in literary history; Dracula.

“Therefore I believe it is our duty that we honour the memory of Stoker and ensure that we continue to promote the great works he created. As the Council continue to debate this issue, I would like to state we would greatly welcome a memorial to be located in Dublin North Central. This would not only be a fitting tribute to Bram Stoker, but it would also be a great tourist attraction for the area.

“I will continue to work on this issue with Cllr. Jane Horgan-Jones and we hope that a suitable resolution can be achieved for all parties involved.”

ENDS
Contact Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: 086-819-0336
Twitter: @AodhanORiordain
www.labour.ie/press