Fís Nua Convention – Sat. 10th November 2012

by | Sep 14, 2012 | Fís Nua Organisation | 0 comments

The next Fís Nua Convention will place on

Saturday, 10 November 2012, 12:00 noon

in The Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 (map)

Motions and Amendments

All members are welcome to submit Motions and Amendments to Motions to info@fisnua.com.  Motions must be received by midday Saturday 6 October 2012. All motions will be published on this website.  Amendments to motions must be received by midday Saturday 20 October 2012.

All members, out of probation, can vote at the convention and all members  are invited to attend and take part in discussions.

Special Invite to non-members

Non-members are also invited to attend the first hour of the convention (from 12 noon) when there will be a discussion about the work of Fís Nua and future campaigns.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Postal or Email Voting

If a member wishes to apply for a postal or email vote instead of attending the convention, they must apply by email to info@fisnua.com, or by post to Fís Nua, Upper Killult, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal, by midday Saturday 20 October 2012.

The condition for postal/online voting is that the member must have attended at least one convention in person within the previous year. If you wish to have a postal or email vote then please state if you have attended any conventions in the past year (i.e. since 10 November 2011). This information should accompany your request for a postal or email vote.

Exceptions, to the requirement to attend a convention at least once a year for postal vote or online vote eligibility, can be made if there are cases of personal emergency (mourning, illness, disability) at the discretion of the Convention.

MOTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION AT THIS CONVENTION

Motions From Charlie Williams – Donegal

Motion No. 1

Motion to amend the Federated Party Constitution section 6.1 Postal Votes, Online Voting

Amend the following sentence to section 6.1:

“Party members who are eligible to vote and have applied for postal/online voting in time will be sent the ballot papers no longer than two [2] weeks prior to the Convention.”

Reasoning:

Myself I got the ballot papers for the Convention at the 21 April 2012 just around midday April 20th. In case of a postal vote it would have been impossible to send my votes back on time according section 6.1.1 of our Constitution. Even by email (online) voting this time frame is far too short – in other words this is unacceptable – and it needs to be regulated – at least – in the same manner as it is in section 4.2.3 of our Constitution when it comes to Procedure of Extraordinary Motions and Amendments.

From Pat Kavanagh, Wicklow

Motion No. 2

 

That Fis Nua creates a new role within the F.P.C.C of P.R.O. (Public Relations Officer) who will be responsible for issuing public statements from the party.  The P.R.O will liase with the rest of the F.P.C.C. to ensure that any statements issuing are in keeping with agreed policies ONLY. The P.R.O. should be fully au fait with the party Constitution, Manifesto and Rules and Procedures and also possess impeccable literacy skills.  No member of this party should be permitted to issue statements on behalf of the party or in the name of the party unless the statement is issued through the P.R.O.  The P.R.O should be the only person with the access passwords to any social media sites held in the name of Fís Nua (e.g Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In etc).

Reason:  There have been huge internal rows about maverick statements appearing in the public arena, unsigned by anybody, which have not been agreed party policy.  This has led to a split in the party and enormous damage to the party’s public image.

Amendment From Pat Kavanagh, Wicklow

Amendment No. 1 to Motion No 3

Amend motion to read (parts in red have been added)

In all Internet and forum posts and any verbal exchanges, Fís Nua members should refrain from personal attacks or belittling the other people taking part in the debate, or from making populist or defamatory remarks to or about individuals or organisations whose opinion or position does not support our own, or who have not been invited to the discussion to defend their reputation against such accusations. Effort should be made to give and accept constructive alternative suggestions rather than concentrating on negativity or the perceived lack of coherency of the opposing protagonists. Where official complaints about such disputes are lodged, the nominated members of the FPCC and the Co-Ordinator must undertake those responsibilities which they have been elected to undertake, by enforcing the Complaints Process contained in the Party’s Rules and Procedures within the agreed time frame.

From Mary Attenborough, Donegal

Motion No. 3

In all Internet and forum posts and any verbal exchanges, Fís Nua members should refrain from personal attacks or belittling the other people taking part in the debate. Effort should be made to give constructive alternative suggestions rather than concentrating on negativity or the perceived lack of coherency of the opposing protagonists.

 Motion No. 4

Fís Nua supports the Campaign Against the Household and Water Taxes and the boycott of the Septic Tank registration.

Motion No. 5

Fis Nua supports the future withdrawal from the Euro as long as, in so doing, there would not be caused any further destabilisation of the economy. The government would first need to attempt to resolve issues around the banking crisis and repudiate the legacy debt created by the government adoption of private banking debt.  If negotiations fail to remove the banking debt from the government debt burden then there should be a referendum on the issue of withdrawal from the Euro and, if withdrawal is confirmed, then a national unit of currency should replace the Euro.

 Motion No. 6

Fís Nua supports all ‘innocent’ victims of the banking crisis i.e. those people who were encouraged by financial institutions to take on mortgages or debt that could easily become (and did in fact become) unsustainable. No one should become burdened with a life of debt or lose their homes because of the government and financial institutions fuelling of the property bubble.

Amendment From Pat Kavanagh, Wicklow

Amendment No. 2 to Motion No 7
Amend motion to read  (parts in red are proposed changes from original)

Fís Nua believe that the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)  in relation to bog management was well advised because proper consultation over a 15 year period did take place which was in keeping with the spirit of the Aarhus Convention, even though it had not yet been ratified.

We believe:

a)      ALL the bogs in Ireland should be managed to an agreed management plan which has been well researched, resourced and developed by the Peatlands Council, with input from ALL interested parties, organisations, stakeholders and members of the public throughout the island of Ireland.

b)      Each bog should have an elected management committee comprising of local and national representatives with particular expertise in rare ecology and E.U. Regulations, as well as local knowledge of the area.

c)      We propose those turf cutters inside and outside the present SAC designation be prohibited from cutting their turf  until other acceptable arrangements have been found.

d)     The possibility of allotting Coillte managed lands, as compensation to turfcutters in order to allow them to plant trees suitable for coppicing should be explored. This would have the potential to give them a sustainable fuel supply.

e)      The idea should also be explored of leasing allotments of Coillte land to other residents who wish to become self sufficient for fuel.

(Mary, can you please supply us with links to the facts and statements you have made in your ‘Reasons’ submission : “Coillte records show that at best they make a mere 30 Euros per acre per year and the average turf plot is one half acre. Therefore this would be a long term huge saving for the State and the hard pressed taxpayer. This would create meaningful local employment and quadruple the biodiversity and natural habitats in those allotments. It would at the very least double the profits on these areas of land if Coillte/the state were paid a mere 1 euro per week per acre. This would also save the state/taxpayer millions with regards the imports of coal etc. These allotments could also become forest gardens, which also would have a knock on impact on the local economy. The other benefits to numerous to mention would include water quality, air quality, etc.)

Amendment from from Peadar Ó Ceallaigh, Dublin

Amendment No. 3 to Motion No. 7

Add to the motion

Currently in draft the New National Monuments Act is preceding  Further to motions from Peadar Ó Ceallaigh which called for conservation plans to be made a statutory instrument, and for licenses granted by (currently) Minster Philip Hogan Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government,  Minster James Deenihan, Minister for the Arts Heritage and Gaelteacht, Minster Patrick Rabbitte Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,and the Environmental protection agency, (EPA) can become a part of a larger public committee decision. We ask if the new National Monuments act removes the right of the state to destroy a national monuments as in the current national monuments act 1930 – 2004 (amended),and further more provides statutory protection measures such as statutory conservation plans and licensing of major works to be a public body decision, to sustainably protect the environment, landscape and national monuments (and people upon these estates and areas). We ask that these stipulations are included in the new National Monuments act.

http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Taoiseach_and_Government/Government_Legislation_Programme/SECTION_B1.html

Reason: The new National Monuments act and its wording is due in 2103. Therefore conservation plans should be statutory and an archeological area should be defined and the public should have legal participation in licensing.

From Mary Attenborough, Donegal

Motion No. 7

Fis Nua believe that the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)  in relation to bog management was ill advised because proper consultation did not take place which we would consider a breach of the Aarhus Convention. We believe:

a)      ALL the bogs in Ireland should be managed to an agreed management plan.

b)      Each bog should have an elected management committee from within the local community and monitored by representatives of that community.

c)      We propose those turf cutters inside and outside the present SAC designation be allowed cut their turf for an interim period until other acceptable arrangements have been found.

d)      The possibility of allotting Coillte managed lands, as compensation to turfcutters in order to allow them to plant trees suitable for coppicing should be explored. This would have the potential to give them a sustainable fuel supply.

e)      The idea should also be explored of leasing allotments of Coillte land to other residents who wish to become self sufficient for fuel.

Reason

Coillte records show that at best they make a mere 30 Euros per acre per year and the average turf plot is one half acre. Therefore this would be a long term huge saving for the State and the hard pressed taxpayer. This would create meaningful local employment and quadruple the biodiversity and natural habitats in those allotments. It would at the very least double the profits on these areas of land if Coillte/the state were paid a mere 1 euro per week per acre. This would also save the state/taxpayer millions with regards the imports of coal etc. These allotments could also become forest gardens, which also would have a knock on impact on the local economy. The other benefits to numerous to mention would include water quality, air quality, etc.

Something like this motion was previously proposed for discussion on our Facebook page by Brendan Kelly. I am proposing it now as I think it is important that this issue is discussed at convention.

From Peadar Ó Ceallaigh, Dublin

The following motion was received after the deadline for motions for this convention.

Motion No. 8

Currently in draft the New National Monuments Act is preceding  Further to motions from Peadar Ó Ceallaigh which called for conservation plans to be made a statutory instrument, and for licenses granted by (currently) Minster Philip Hogan Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government,  Minster James Deenihan, Minister for the Arts Heritage and Gaelteacht, Minster Patrick Rabbitte Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,and the Environmental protection agency, (EPA) can become a part of a larger public committee decision. We ask if the new National Monuments act removes the right of the state to destroy a national monuments as in the current national monuments act 1930 – 2004 (amended),and further more provides statutory protection measures such as statutory conservation plans and licensing of major works to be a public body decision, to sustainably protect the environment, landscape and national monuments (and people upon these estates and areas). We ask that these stipulations are included in the new National Monuments act.

http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Taoiseach_and_Government/Government_Legislation_Programme/SECTION_B1.html

Reason: The new National Monuments act and its wording is due in 2103. Therefore conservation plans should be statutory and an archeological area should be defined and the public should have legal participation in licensing.