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

STATEMENT: Ó RÍORDÁIN BRINGS RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS REGARDING DUBLIN BAY TO MINISTER PENROSE

STATEMENT BY AODHÁN Ó RÍORDÁIN

Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central
Friday, 17 June 2011

Ó RÍORDÁIN BRINGS RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS REGARDING DUBLIN BAY TO MINISTER PENROSE

Labour Party Representative for Dublin North Central, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin met with Labour Minister Willie Penrose TD, who has responsibility for planning relating to Dublin Bay.

Deputy Ó Ríordáin explained local concerns regarding Dublin Port’s recent statement that they intended to recommence their plans to infill Dublin Bay, and briefed the Minister on the planning history relating to Dublin Port and the recent An Bord Pleanála decision to refuse permission to expand the port into the bay.

Following a detailed discussion on the matter, Deputy Ó Ríordáin welcomed Minister Penrose’s commitment to bringing forward long overdue legislation on foreshore licensing and marine spatial planning. The Minister also agreed that any major projects such as the proposed expansion of Dublin Port should take place with full public engagement and consultation in the Port masterplan, and in the context of the report of the Dublin Bay Taskforce.

Deputy Ó Ríordáin said “Marine spatial planning is required by the EU to ensure proper planning for large scale foreshore developments, and deals with all aspects including environmental concerns. It is essential that our out-dated foreshore legislation is brought up to the standard of best examples in other EU countries. There is considerable pressure on our marine environment, but great potential too for aquaculture, tourism and the creation of green energy solutions. We need any plans for the Bay to take place within a modern planning framework.”

ENDS

Contact Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: (01) 618-3209

Twitter: @AodhanORiordain

Ó RÍORDÁIN WELCOMES DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON SCHOOL ADMISSION POLICIES:

Ó RÍORDÁIN WELCOMES DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON SCHOOL ADMISSION POLICIES:

I am delighted to welcome the most recent initiative from the Minister Ruairí Quinn in relation to the restrictive admission policy practices of some schools.

The details of the initiative are outlined below in the communication received from the Minister's office yesterday.:

Dear colleague,

This morning, I am launching a document entitled “Discussion Paper on a Regulatory Framework for School Enrolment”, which contains proposals on how to make the process of enrolling at primary or second level schools more open, equitable and consistent.

Central to the debate on enrolment is the need to ensure a fair and transparent system at all of our schools, which does not discriminate unfairly against students or parents. At the heart of this paper is the simple question, ‘Can we find a better way for all?

80% of all schools enrol all children who present, according to a 2009 ESRI report, while selection criteria are used for the other 20% of schools. Appeals have risen by over 750% since the procedure was introduced in 2002.

One of the main problem areas with enrolment in schools is when demand exceeds supply of places at a school. The discussion document sets out a number of options to be considered in these cases:

• Age of applicant. Schools could give, as is often the case now, priority to children who are older.
• Remove waiting lists. This is seen to disadvantage new comers to an area.
• The practice of giving priority on a first come first served basis, which can result in long waiting lists in schools or even queues forming outside schools at the time of enrolment. However, if such a decision was taken, consideration would have to be given as to how to deal with existing waiting lists.
• Siblings in the same school. It would seem reasonable to continue to give priority to students who already have siblings in a school.
• Remove the practice of giving priority to a student on the basis of being a relative of the staff, board of management, past pupil or benefactor of the school.
• Faith. Continue the right of denominational schools to give priority to children of a particular faith
• Give priority to pupils on the basis of proximity to their schools.
• Replace requirements for competency of parents in a particular language with a criterion that parents should respect the linguistic policy of the school.
• Ensure that admission to a school is not based on a pupil’s skills, whether academic or otherwise.
• Admission should not be contingent on the payment of a booking deposit.

The overall approach in the discussion document is to regulate only those aspects of enrolment policies and practices where a common or national approach may be desirable. Otherwise, maximum discretion remains with the school and board of management.

However, the paper also sets out possible new sanctions in a case where a school or board of management is not compliant with any new regulations. In such cases, a patron or the Minister may have the power to appoint an external admissions officer and remove the control of enrolment from a board.

I am inviting education partners and interested parties to submit their views on school enrolment to the Department by the 28^thOctober 2011. A new regulatory framework will then be devised on school enrolment.

Yours sincerely,

Ruairi Quinn, TD
Minister for Education and Skills