Letters to the Editor: Recognition for same-sex families needed now
Families Says Their In Discrimination Irish 'makes Country', A Children Own Reader And Unequal
Nine years later, the families that same-sex couples have been building remain blatantly discriminated against, as their children are not allowed their two parents, one only being recognised as such.
The proposed Assisted Human Reproduction Bill as it presently is wouldn’t change that situation and would perpetuate the discrimination faced by same-sex couples whose children have been conceived abroad or via international surrogacy.
A child born in the USA by surrogacy, to two Irish citizens, is not recognised by the Irish State, and is denied the right to have two parents as indeed only one parent is recognised, the other parent being denied any right on their child.
This may have far-reaching consequences: What about the professional future of a couple forced to stay abroad for their children to keep their legal right to having two parents, while their plans were in their home country? What about the ordeal of ageing grandparents who are deprived of the pleasure to have as much time as possible in their last precious years (can be even months in some cases) with their grandchildren?
I have read the bill and several amendments still have to be brought in to allow a fair treatment for all families. In December last year, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly met representatives of various LGBT+ families and charities and made them a promise to introduce those amendments, but so far nothing has changed in the bill. Politicians, and those who make the laws in the name of the Irish people who voted them in, must listen to the voices of those who have first-hand experience on the matter and are thus the ones who know best.
As a person with Irish friends whose families are affected by the present situation and as a member of one of France’s major unions and militant in a leading French LGBT+ rights charity, I have written recently to Mr Donnelly to ask him to act now and introduce the amendments needed to the bill, to put an end to the blatant discrimination that makes Irish families and children unequal in their own country.
An open letter to Minister Jack Chambers: Ireland has recognised the state of Palestine. After seven months, over 35,000 dead, millions of people of all demographics marching across the world, Ireland has recognised the state of Palestine. In the words of renowned human rights attorney Noura Erakat, “this recognition is too little, too late”.
You see, politics is a tricky thing, not often guided by a moral compass but manoeuvred by election strategy. Ireland recognises Palestine, but what will be left of Palestine when 2,000-pound bombs rain down on children? We want to have faith in our democratic leadership, but let’s face it, we didn’t elect them. And to be perfectly honest, how can we trust in our Government when they refuse to abide by international law? We know that you alone cannot enact the sanctions that are needed or ensure the Occupied Territories and Illegal Settlement bills are passed.
But you are in a unique position… We’re sure you’ve received countless versions of the same email asking you to flag the Freedom Flotilla that is currently stranded in Turkey with over 5,500 tonnes of aid. You will know that this is being blocked by Israel and its allies, they have used their tactics to demand numerous checks of the vessels and somehow pressured Guinea Bissau to withdraw their flotilla flags.
Without flags they cannot sail.
Imagine, Gaza, 2.3m people crammed into less and less space with no food, water, medicine, no international law to protect them. Imagine that these atrocities are taking place, and the only hope they have is from a group of activists.
You have an opportunity. You are in this unique position where you have the power to do something, to take a stand. Can you imagine? We can. Because its not just a flag, it would cause uproar, it would make a statement, it could save actual lives.
We’ve seen Micheál Martin in the Dáil, for some reason he keeps talking around this genocide and when he’s challenged to take action, apply sanctions, he’s patronising. For some reason, he refuses to listen to the citizens, the voters of Ireland. We see genocide, we see children starved to death.
Our question to you, is are you going to cause an uproar? Are you going to do what is within your power as minister to flag a ship, to put your career at risk because it’s the right thing to do? See we know it’s not just a flag, we know you have a life to support and a career to think of, but the old Fianna Fáil is long gone.
We believe in doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. Morality shouldn’t be dependent on the perceived outcome. See it is not just a flag, it is a catalyst for change. A change in your party for sure, a whole new perception of what Fianna Fáil could be. But more importantly, for humanity. If this flotilla sails with Ireland’s flag it could be the catalyst that emboldens others to step up and take action.
You, sir, could change the world.
I’m delighted that three female ex-students of mine are contesting the local elections to Kerry County Council. My dilemma is that all three have declared for the Tralee electoral area where I vote.
They are energetic, personable, enthusiastic, and blessed with the full skill set for public life. I wish them all well. It’s refreshing to see so many new faces on the ballot paper, many of them young, many of them female.
I admire candidates willing to contest elections. Politics causes many aspects of personal and family life to suffer. Invasion of privacy, personal safety, hurtful commentary on social media, and ingratitude are issues regularly encountered by politicians.
All candidates deserve to be treated with courtesy on the canvass and in office, as politicians are the custodians of our democracy.
Not all candidates can be successful due to the limited number of seats available. There is disappointment but no shame in failing to win a seat. Community and voluntary associations are always glad to have members who wish to serve others.
In the inspirational words of John F Kennedy in his inaugural speech as US president in January 1961, “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”.
As for my three former students-turned-politicians, I haven’t yet decided which of them, if any, will receive my first preference vote, but I’ll do my best for them on polling day. Good luck to all election candidates on June 7.
It’s not a new idea — putting delinquents into the army has often been proposed as a solution to society’s problems but has rarely occurred. There are few problems in society that can be solved by hiding them or moving them elsewhere, a common approach with refugees in many countries, including Australia.
Most 18-year-olds spend their time studying a bit, working so they can buy alcohol, and occasionally being annoying, but in general they are good people. They don’t want to spend the weekends doing good deeds in khaki.
The army option is even worse, as the military won’t want weekend warriors but dedicated people who decide to enlist to serve their country. Don’t embarrass and insult those who have served by forcing youths to wear uniform.
Enda McEvoy was quite correct to highlight the illegal ball-throwing which has been destroying our beautiful game of hurling for the past few years. ‘Last weekend was thrilling but in some ways also rotten for hurling' ( May 25). Enda also mentioned the fact that players are not being penalised for over-carrying, which is also a big problem.
He also quoted from former referee Barry Kelly who said that “75% of hand-passes are illegal” and “lazy refereeing has brought this to pass”, while “spineless refereeing is keeping us there”. This is indeed an awful statistic, which is frustrating both players and spectators alike. They deserve better.
I have mentioned before that while the hand-pass cannot be banned altogether, it could be curtailed by introducing a new rule which could be quite easily policed. The proposed rule would ban a player executing a hand-pass if he or she had just received a hand-pass.
This rule would cut out a goal similar to a recent Dublin one in Parnell Park when the ball was thrown on at least three occasions, as mentioned by Enda. And Kilkenny players had been fouled twice before this illegal Dublin run.
If the hand-pass was curtailed as I have suggested, the skill of passing the ball with the hurley would be more often applied, which would add to the game as a spectacle.