ELECTORAL REFORM: I’ve always liked the idea that everyone should have ‘an equal right to elect and to be elected’, that is fundamental in a democratic society. Is this what we have in Ireland, does every citizens have equal opportunity? Every year the established Political Parties received up to €15 million in state funding. We … Continue reading “Fund the Process, not the Parties”
Tag: Democratic Renewal
Local Elections – Cork City
Statement: In a statement today Cllr Diarmaid Ó Cadhla confirmed that he will be standing as an independent candidate in the coming local elections. Cllr Ó Cadhla, currently representing the Cobh Electoral Area in Co. Cork, will seek election to Cork City Council in the South East Ward where he lives. Cllr Ó Cadhla, who … Continue reading “Local Elections – Cork City”
The Political Party Elite have Disgraced Cork County Council
This morning Council refused to nominate a candidate for the Presidential Election, yet there was only one proposed, Ms Gemma O’Doherty. Under our Constitution, Local Authorities have a duty to “provide a forum for democratic representation” – this hasn’t applied today, the democratic choice of the citizens is being limited. It is as if the … Continue reading “The Political Party Elite have Disgraced Cork County Council”
Councils, TDs & Senators fail the Citizens
Oireachtas Members Disgrace Themselves! The statement released tonight by independent members of the Oireachtas reveals the sorry state of our democratic processes – does individual responsibility even exist? Just 19 independent TDs and Senators met and they have adopted a collective cop-out, none taking individual responsibility for their lack of action. There and sins committed … Continue reading “Councils, TDs & Senators fail the Citizens”
The Politics of Private Member Clubs?
The foundation of any democratic system is that it should affirm and defend the rights of the people. Our own history has produced many documents declaring this, not least of which is the Proclamation of the Irish Republic in 1916. The Constitution of 1937 affirmed the right of the people “to decide all questions of national policy”. However, we … Continue reading “The Politics of Private Member Clubs?”
Budgets Process Must be Transparent
In order to try to bring the otherwise cryptic budget process into the open, allowing members to understand its preparation and content and to participate in its construction, the following is proposed by Cllr. Ó Cadhla. Adoption of the proposal outlined below, and implementation (a separate task entirely), would represent an advance for democracy, the … Continue reading “Budgets Process Must be Transparent”
1916 – Let’s have a People’s Celebration?
Celebrate the Centenary by rebuilding the Unity of ‘Irishmen and Irishwomen’ in the great cause for which our Patriots struggled! A .PDF copy of this article can be downloaded here. Our Patriots wre self-less; they never counted the cost; they sought no fame; there was no greed; they were content to ‘scatter the seed’. Our … Continue reading “1916 – Let’s have a People’s Celebration?”
Do we know what Local Government is?
There are elections due in May… Politics these days is almost like a dirty word, it is associated with junkets, corruption, back-room deals, dishonesty, dynasties and generally something divorced from the people. It is a sad reality that today the vast majority of citizens are effectively excluded from our democratic process, we have no say … Continue reading “Do we know what Local Government is?”
Will Irish Unity mean the Empowerment of the People?
There is a new Page opened on Facebook, called “1 Million Voices for Irish Unity“, a thing we agree with. It has prompted the following comment: Let’s give some thought as to how unity is going to come about, to what purpose and on what basis? James Fintan Lalor declared he “had never gone into … Continue reading “Will Irish Unity mean the Empowerment of the People?”
Discussion about Empowerment – Awaken Forum
The Awaken Ireland Forum is continuing every two weeks at the Imperial Hotel in Cork. The forum is a facilitated ‘open space’ discussion, where participants select the topics they wish to discuss themselves and break into group discussions, later coming together to share at the end of the evening. Topic selection varies with the participants … Continue reading “Discussion about Empowerment – Awaken Forum”