8 January 2004 Edition
Ahern urged to pursue social justice agenda
Bairbre de BrÚn, has also called on Bertie Ahern to use the Irish Presidency of the European Union to pursue a social justice agenda across a range of areas. Detailing a 13-point plan of proposed priorities for the six-month Presidency, de Brún called on the Government to make the drive for social justice and poverty eradication the main focus of its Presidency and ultimately its legacy.
"The upcoming EU Presidency provides the Government the opportunity to make a major impact on policies across a range of areas and sectors in Europe. It can choose to set the pace in relation to social justice and the eradication of poverty, not just in Europe but around the globe.
"Sinn Féin is putting out the call today — and we hope that the Government will take up the challenge — for Ireland to use its term of the Presidency to push a positive social justice agenda and to promote positive initiatives on socio-economic, political and human rights.
"In our 13-point plan we are calling for the Presidency to be used to promote and pursue the fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals and the eradication of poverty within EU borders and beyond. We are also calling for the introduction of Human Rights Proofing in relation to all EU law and policies focusing particularly on recent so-called anti-terrorist measures adopted by the Union, and the proposed Common Migration and Asylum Policies.
"To combat the negative impact of the economic constraints placed on Ireland and other states by EU rulings, especially in relation to the future development of infrastructure we are also calling on the Government to seek a renegotiation of the Stability and Growth Pact.
"We are calling for the full implementation of the CAP reform proposals agreed in Luxembourg last June and the placing on the agenda a proposition to completely reform the Common Fisheries Policy, which is continuing to have a devastating impact on our fishing industry, most recently evidenced by the ruling to allow fishermen on the Irish Sea fish only 15 days a month.
"Continuing with our policy of critical engagement with the EU we will push for further EU equal rights instruments including a specific Gender Equality Directive and a Disability Directive; and the development of a mechanism for equality- and poverty-proofing all EU legislation. We will push for the EU-wide upwards harmonisation of workers' rights, including trade union recognition.
"Also in our top 13 recommendations is for the Irish Government to pursue with a vigour and determination which shamefully hasn't manifested itself to date a policy of ensuring the recognition of the Irish language as an official language of the European Union."