Archive for the 'Supporting Minorities / Human Rights' Category

GREEN PARTY CONDEMNS SINN FEIN MINISTER FOR REFUSING SCHOOL BUSES FOR IRISH SPEAKING CHILDREN

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on September 3, 2010
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, Downpatrick, Schools and Supporting Minorities / Human Rights
. 0 Comments

Cllr Enright called on Minister Ruane to confirm or deny that the first dedicated bus in NI for the Irish Speaking secondary sector will be available to Irish Speaking children in Downpatrick from the 1st September.
The Education Minister has rejected an appeal from Downpatrick parents to fund a bus service for chidren hoping to attend an Irish language secondary school in Belfast.
‘This leaves children as young as 11 travelling two hours each way to Belfast and back again each day, yet the official target for a school journey in Northern Ireland is one hour’ explained Cllr Enright.
Over the last 4 years the Green Party has been part of a cross-party and cross-community group attempting to ensure that children attending Irish speaking secondary school did not continue to be deprived of school transport to and from Belfast and that they had the same facilities as all other regional colleges in Belfast like Lagan, Methody and Victoria have a dedicated network of buses, as do many other schools in Down District. These buses are provided over and above normal Translink services that are also accessed with a bus pass.
Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright said “Sinn Fein Minister Caitriona Ruane has not been particularly helpful in this matter given that the campaign had the unequivocal support of the NI Human Rights Commission, The Children’s Commissioner and many members of her own party. She had ample opportunity to over-rule her back-ward looking civil servants who have found it hard to adjust to the idea that Irish Medium secondary education is entitled to the same support as the Integrated sector”.
Cadogan Enright pointed out that “There are approximately 2030 dedicated buses delivering children to and from school every day in the English language State, Catholic and Integrated sectors. These are mostly delivering children to distant schools that are not necessarily the nearest in their sector. This would never be allowed in England and Wales. However not one bus has ever been provided to the Irish Medium sector, despite the fact that children are seeking to travel to their nearest school. It was only last year that the department were forced through legal action to recognize the existence of Irish Medium Education in the transport regulations – 11 years after the legal requirement was placed upon them”.
“It is high-time for the Minister to concede that her civil servants have failed to encourage and facilitate Irish Medium education at secondary level as required under the 1998 British-Irish agreement in a similar manner to Integrated education, that no meetings ever took place to organize this legal duty with Education Boards and with Translink. It is high time the Minister followed the advice of the NI Human Rights Commissioner and sorted this out” Concluded Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright.

GREENS WELCOME SUCCESS OF LOCAL STUDENTS IN SCHOOL BUS CAMPAIGN

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on January 6, 2010
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, Downpatrick, Schools and Supporting Minorities / Human Rights
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Photograph shows Claire NicInnreactaigh (left), now studying at 3rd level through the medium of Irish at 3rd level in Galway, and Méibhín Ní Ruiséil (third left) who has secured a scholarship to attend Maynooth College in Kildare. Included are fellow students Anton O Dubhthaigh (center left) and Leá Aubert (far right).

Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright has welcomed the news that the Department of Education are taking steps to introduce a pilot bus scheme for Irish speaking students in Downpatrick to their nearest Irish Medium school Coláiste Feirste.

The decision to attempt this pilot scheme comes as parents and students took steps to challenge the Department for not providing a dedicated bus service to the Belfast school despite there being over 2000 other dedicated bus services to other schools in Northern Ireland.

Cllr Enright said, “I welcome the news that this pilot scheme from Downpatrick to Coláiste Feirste will come into effect but I feel a lot more has to be forthcoming from the Department of Education. When there are over 2000 dedicated buses in Northern Ireland and not one of them are designated to the Irish Medium sector the grounds for discrimination are clear and I will campaign until full equality between all education sectors in Northern Ireland is achieved.”

Senior teacher at Coláiste Feirste Mr Dairmaid Ua Bruadair commented, “We were delighted to hear this week that a case brought by Downpatrick parents of students attending our school against the Department of Education has resulted in the department choosing Downpatrick for a trial of the first dedicated bus in the Irish Medium Secondary School sector. Our Downpatrick students are all very committed and have had to cope with inadequate transport from the Department of Education. There are currently 2020 dedicated buses serving the secondary school sector in NI over and above the normal translink services. But up until now not one of these buses serviced Irish Medium secondary schools. Had Claire and Méibhín chosen to go to Lagan College, Victoria or Ballynahinch Convent they would have had a good transport service throughout their years at secondary school.”

“Staff and students at Coláiste Feirste owe Claire, Méibhin and other current Downpatrick students like Aoife McConn Midhe a debt of gratitude for fighting this case over the last few years,” concluded Dairmaid Ua Bruadair.

Cllr Enright also congratulated the outstanding achievements of Coláiste Feirste students from Downpatrick in their recent A-level results despite the failures of the Department to provide them with proper transportation to school. Claire and Méibhín are also active in the local Green Party involved in a number of local campaigns.

Claire NicInnreactaigh of St Patricks Avenue and Méibhín Ní Ruiséil of New Bridge Street celebrated their success with classmates home from University for Christmas.

Claire received the Tomás Ó Leannáin Cup for top results with her 4 “A” levels in Biology, Art, Irish and French and is now studying at 3rd level through the medium of Irish at 3rd level in Galway, whilst Méibhín (third left) received straight A’s also and has secured a scholarship to attend Maynooth College in Kildare.

Press Cuttings: Success for Irish Speaking Students From Downpatrick

DOWN GREENS SPEAK UP FOR BILINGUALISM

Published
by
Mark McCormick
on September 7, 2009
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright and Supporting Minorities / Human Rights
. 0 Comments

Downpatrick Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright

Downpatrick Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright has called upon the Ulster Unionist Party in South Down to distance itself from divisive statements on the Irish Language put out by Danny Kennedy MLA.

Cllr Enright said, “All political parties in the South Down area are signed up to the Good Friday Agreement as modified by the St. Andrews Agreement. The Ulster Unionist Party in particular signed up before the St. Andrews Agreement and committed themselves to supporting an Irish Language Act and mutual respect between the British Community and the Irish Community.”

Cllr Enright continued, “It does not sit well with Danny Kennedy to be countering what his political party has signed up to. Change is never comfortable but moderate political parties need to work together to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement is fully implemented.”

The Green Party in South Down supported the British Governments ratification of the European Convention on Minority languages in 2001 and call for all elected representatives to support the United Kingdoms obligations.”

“The Green Party in South Down has active members from both the British Unionist community and the Irish Nationalist community. We base our behaviour, as we feel all other political parties in Northern Ireland need to do, on Equal Respect for both traditions under Northern Irelands new constitution, the Good Friday Agreement.”

“I would call upon the UUP to put Danny Kennedy right on what his party has signed up to with regard to respect for both traditions,” concluded Cllr Enright.

Danny Kennedys divisive comments against bilingualism can be read by clicking here.

GREENS OPPOSE MOSQUITO ALARMS

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on April 22, 2009
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, Council, Killyleagh and Supporting Minorities / Human Rights
. 0 Comments

Down District Cllr Cadogan Enright in Killyleagh with locals Barbara Haig (l), Michael Mann (c) and former teacher in Killyleagh Rosalind Radcliffe (r) near St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Chapel on Irish Street Killyleagh who are campaigning against Mosquito Alarms.

DOWN District Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright has confirmed with Council Officials that no Mosquito Alarms have been installed in any council property in Killyleagh, nor are there any plans to do so.

The Mosquito Alarm is a device, which emits a high-pitched noise in an attempt to ward of anti social youths.

Cllr Cadogan Enright said, “These alarms will inevitably affect pregnant mothers and the parents of toddlers leaving the council open to legal action.”

Cllr Enright has pointed out that some other local councillors have been campaigning for Mosquito Alarms to counteract the small minority of teenagers in Killyleagh engaged in anti social activities.

Cllr Enright said, “In my own experience my neighbours and I have been subject to anti social behaviour but we have worked this out with close involvement with community police officers.”

“The vast majority of young people in the Down District area are a credit to themselves and their families and we have no right to drive them off the streets. The irrational fear of young people is called ‘Ephebiphobia’ and I condemn any attempt to demonise any minority. This is a human rights issue and I have contacted the Human Rights Commissioner Monica McWilliams on this issue.”

“These Mosquito alarms have been banned in Scotland and councils in England are now attempting to ban them as well. Kent County Council already banned them last year and Devon will soon ban them as well. The Minister for Justice in the Republic of Ireland has referred these devices to the Gardai under Section 2 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 with a view to prosecution for assault.”

“These facts should be sufficient for us to realise that other methods need to be implemented in order to address anti-social behaviour without discriminating or assaulting every young person and child in the area.”

Cllr Enright also pointed out, “Killyleagh is in a unique position in Northern Ireland by having six bat species. I am concerned that the Mosquito Alarms will be very disruptive to bats using high frequency sounds to navigate and find their insect prey. These alarms will not only have detrimental effects to children but also to the important wildlife in Killyleagh.”

Press Cuttings: Killyleagh backlash against teen deterrent

SOUTH DOWN YOUNG GREENS TAKE PART IN IRISH LANGUAGE MARCH

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on October 6, 2008
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Mark McCormick and Supporting Minorities / Human Rights
. 0 Comments

Young Greens Claire Nic Innreachtaigh (l), Mark McCormick (c) & Méidhbhín Ní Rúiséil (r)

The Young Greens took part in this years Irish Language Parade in Belfast. It was a colourful rally and we, like all other groups taking part, demanded official status for the Irish language!

Leading the Young Greens on the day Mark McCormick said, “The Green Party is a global party firmly based of a Human Rights approach, dedicated to respect for diversity in all its forms and opposed to discrimination in any way.

We support the Good Friday Agreement, the European Convention on Minority Languages and other HR legislation at European and UN level, not just abroad, but in the UK and Ireland too.

Irish has the same status as Welsh under EU and UK law and the GFA is now ten years old!! Young Greens feel this issue is long overdue for resolution and I feel this should have been recognised just as Gay Rights have been recognised in NI.

It was promised in the St. Andrews Agreement over 2 years ago and this type of legislation is already rooted in Scotland, Wales and the South of Ireland, why should N. Ireland be the odd one out?”

PARENTS HOPEFUL THAT MINISTER WILL INTERVENE IN BUS DISPUTE

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on August 17, 2008
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, Downpatrick, Health / Local Services, Newcastle, Schools, Supporting Minorities / Human Rights and Working with other Parties
. 0 Comments

Photograph shows Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright with (LtoR) Claire NicInnreactaigh, Councillor Eamonn Mac Conn Midhe (Sinn Fein) , Sinead Ni Chuarain, Aoife Ni Conn Midhe and Gareth Dé Rís.

Children attending Irish Speaking school in the Newcastle and Downpatrick areas have been denied transport to get them to school by Department of Education officials. Department Officials claim they have an exemption under the Human Rights Act in respect of Irish Language and Cultural Education. The children concerned have received considerable support from the Human Rights Commissioners Office and from the Children’s Rights Commissioner.

By contrast, children from South Down attending Methody or Victoria have Translink buses laid on by the same officials, even though the number of children attending these schools is much smaller. SEELB officials have referred appeals over this matter to the Department.

As a result children as young as 11 have a huge commute to Coláiste Feirste in Belfast, a situation that in the past has persuaded many parents whose children attended one of the local Irish speaking Primary Schools not to let their children go on to secondary school through Irish.

Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright said that “As far as we can tell the UK is the only European Government to have sought a Human Rights exemption to another European country’s language and culture in this manner. We have checked with Green Parties in other countries in Europe with mixed nationalities and this sort of situation is unheard of. The Green Party in England and Wales could not believe it when we told them. No such situation could possibly arise in Wales”

Cllr Eamonn Mc Conn Midhe of Sinn Fein pointed out “The Good Friday Agreement as amended at St Andrews was supposed to make this type of issue a thing of the past. Unfortunately Department Officials are grimly hanging onto discriminatory regulations that pre-date the GFA, and claim that even though the British Government has signed up to the European Convention and Framework Directive on minority Languages, the Department can ignore these laws as they have not been ratified as per the GFA.”

Claire NicInnreactaigh is spokesperson for the children currently travelling to Coláiste Feirste. Claire is in 5th year at Coláiste Feirste taking 5 “A” levels in Maths, Biology, Art, French and Irish. Claire said “I have personally canvassed Education Minister Catriona Ruane who was very supportive. Now that her civil servants are finally reporting back to her on this issue we hope to see support from her in this constituency and for others in a similar situation around N.I.”.

Claire concluded by saying, “We are like a big family in Coláiste Feirste, with the older children looking after the younger ones on a buddy system, and we give younger children help with their studies on the long journeys we have to currently endure. We really appreciate the offers of support we have received from nearly all political parties on this issue”.

Press Cuttings: No school bus for Irish speakers, Department claims it has not denied free transport to Irish speaking pupils

GREENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE LIVES OF YOUNG MIGRANT WORKERS

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on August 1, 2008
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Ballyhornan, Bill Corry, Cadogan Enright, Employment/Economics, Strangford Lough and town, Supporting Minorities / Human Rights and Wildlife/Trees/Nature
. 0 Comments

Photograph shows Green Cllr Cadogan Enright with Green Party Official Bill Corry with Guns Island in the background.

The Green Party has been campaigning for the safety and lives of young migrant workers along the coastline from the abuse and exploitation of gang masters.

It was recently highlighted that up to sixteen young migrant workers were camped out on Guns Island whilst they laboured everyday for two weeks collecting winkles and cockles of the coastal rocks.

GREEN Cllr Cadogan Enright said, “The safety of the migrant workers is our primary concern. We have witnessed how up to four workers are making their way across a dangerous stretch of water from Guns Island to the shore in a small dingy with no life jackets. This is not safe given the half Kilometre of choppy water between Guns Island and the mainland – especially when laden down with heavy bags of shell fish. The last thing we wish to see is another tragic loss of life along our coast.”

“We have sent photographs to the Gangmasters Licensing Authority showing them the danger to the young workers. We managed to record the license plate number of the people carrier used to transport the workers which we also submitted to the Gangmasters Licensing Authority. We have also been in contact with the Health and Safety Executive who in turn contacted the Coastguard.”

Cllr Enright pointed out that,” The Green Party in Down District has had a long standing campaign to protect inter-tidal species such as cockles and periwinkles from over exploitation. There has been a sharp decrease in the number of cockles and winkles along the coast which shows the effects of over harvesting. We cannot allow people to take unsustainable quantities of shellfish from the fragile ecosystem, along the coast, and I have been seeking for proper enforcement and regulations on this issue.”

“These creatures form an important part of the food chain for wildlife in coastal areas and the periwinkles are not only being harvested, but the stones under which they grow are being left overturned which results in immature shell fish drying out and dying. This interrupts the natural life-cycle of these sea creatures and diminishes the chances of the population recovering,” said Cllr Enright.

Cllr Enright said, “I have raised this issue with the Strangford Lough Management Advisory Committee and the Green Party have made a submission to the new Wildlife Order on this subject.”

The Green Party believes that local families should be able to collect these sorts of inter-tidal species for personal use and also local licensed fishermen, so long as it is carried out in a sustainable way.

“We oppose the strip mining of beaches especially in such cases as Guns Island were we see disregard for the sustainability and biodiversity of our sensitive Lough and the complete lack of concern for young peoples lives,” concluded Cllr Enright.

Press Cuttings: Green Party seeks protection for young migrant coastal workers, Councillor calls for protection of migrants, Concern over Gunn's Island winkle pickers

Belfast Pride March 2007

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on January 18, 2008
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, 5. EVENTS, John Hardy and Supporting Minorities / Human Rights
. 0 Comments


 

Pictured are members of the Green Party including John Hardy of the the Down District Greens.

The Green Party and Young Greens took part in this year’s annual Belfast Pride march on Saturday 4th August in Belfast City Centre.

The party joined with a diverse range of participants – from a wide range of businesses and interest groups to the PSNI, to support the message, as participant group Amnesty International put it, that “love is a human right.”

Newcastle Green Party representative John Hardy said: “The recent homophobic comments by Ian Paisley Junior in Hot Press magazine in May, and with the ongoing problem of abuse and attacks on members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community, the Green Party views their participation in the Belfast Pride march as a chance to show their solidarity with members of the LGBT community, and to demonstrate that these issues are important, whatever your sexual orientation.”