Phone: 01 618 3209

Email: aodhan.oriordain@oir.ie@AodhanORiordain

AODHÁN Ó RÍORDÁIN TD

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD

Summer 2015

Dear ResidentSince my appointment as a Minister of State, I have worked hard both locally andnationally to bring about necessary change.

I have always believed that the upturn in our economy should be used to create amore equal society. Over the last number of years we have talked a lot as a nationabout economic changes. I believe it is important that any such discussion occurs intandem with a discussion about the type of society we want.

In this leaflet, I have included details of local events that I have organised as part ofthe Decade of Commemorations and I hope you can attend them.

If I can be of assistance to you on any issue please feel free to get in touch.

Regards,

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Minister of State for New Communities,Culture, Equality & National Drugs Strategy

Walking tour: W.B. Yeats’ Howth with

historian Pat Liddy

Saturday 20th June at 2.30pm

Meeting at Howth DART Station

Join Pat Liddy and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin on a walking tour o

f W.B.

Yeats’ Howth, followed by a cup of cocoa and readings f

rom

Yeats’ works at 3.30pm in Wright’s Findlater, Howth.

Readings from James Joyce’s “Ulysses”

with Senator David Norris

Saturday 27th June at 11.30am

Meeting at Kennedy’s Fairview

James Joyce lived in Windsor Avenue, Fairview, for a time

in his

late teens. Join David Norris and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin clos

e to his

Fairview residence for readings from “Ulysses”.

Public Talk: “Gallipoli: One hundred years on”Thursday 25th June at 8pmKillester College of Further EducationThousands of Irishmen never returned home from the ‘GallipoliCampaign’. This year, we mark the Centenary of their passing. Speakers: Catríona Crowe (National Archives) Dr. Jennifer Wellington (UCD) Lar Joye (National Museum Ireland)

In April, I was given special responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy. This is inaddition to my current portfolio of New Communities, Equality & Culture.

I am delighted to be afforded this opportunity to take on the National DrugsStrategy. It is a vital role that needs the attention of a dedicated Minister. Myexperience as a teacher and principal in Dublin’s North Inner City taught me allabout the horrors of drug abuse and the need to tackle the effects that it can haveon families and communities.

As Minister I intend to meet with the different community organisations, groupsand advocates who are concerned with drug issues and listen to their concerns. TheDepartment of Health is beginning work on the development of a new NationalDrugs Strategy for the period after 2016 and I want to ensure that everyone’s voiceis heard in the preparatory period.

Over the last number of years there have been far too many people who have diedas a result of drug use and this has knock-on effects for families and widercommunities. I hope that for the remainder of my term I can make a meaningfulimpact in bringing these figures down.

Minister O'Sullivan visits GaelcoláisteReachrann to discuss new building projects

Minister Ó Ríordáin visits his old Primary School GealscoilMíde, Donaghmede

DRUGS STRATEGY

JAN O'SULLIVAN VISITSDUBLIN BAY NORTH

PUBLIC SECTOR PAY TALKSWe know that Public Sector workers made great sacrifices in theirpay in order to aid the economic recovery. Workers took between14% - 19% cut in their wages over the last 7 years and it is onlyright that the recovery seeks to recoup some of these lostearnings.

My colleague Brendan Howlin has invited Public Sector Unions toenter into discussions with him about pay restoration. These ofcourse will take place in the context of the State’s fiscal positionand the pace of financial recovery for this year and 2016.

The fact that we have been able to build a sustainable recovery isin no small part due to the contribution of public servants inkeeping the cost of the public service pay bill at sustainablelevels.

I will be working with Minister Howlin and all of my colleagues inthe coming months to ensure that we achieve a fair outcome forall public sector workers.

SPRING ECONOMIC STATEMENTAs part of this Government’s reform agenda we introduced a Spring Economic Statement, with the intention of making the budgetary process moretransparent and efficient.

The last seven years have been very difficult for us as a country. However, it is clear that we have come a long way. Unemployment is falling andconfidence is returning as the economy grows once again. By the end of this year unemployment should be below 9% and we are working towards fullemployment by 2018.

In Budget 2016 we will be able to deliver tax adjustments and spending increases of up to €1.5 Billion. This return will focus on low and middle earnerswith spending priorities being in the areas of Education & Health.

The Spring Economic Statement is intended at starting a dialogue about the budgets of an improving Ireland. My colleagues and I are intent that thepolicies we follow are sensible and sustainable, building rather than jeopardising the recovery.

Earlier this year I was honoured to receive the Politician of the YearAward at the Gay and Lesbian Awards (GALAs). It was a privilege toattend and see all of the inspirational people who advocate on behalfof the LGBT community in Ireland and I was very humbled that I waschosen as politician of the year.

When I accepted the award, I mentioned that a key piece oflegislation that I am working on revolves around amending Section37 of the Employment Equality Act. At present this section givesprotection to religious organisations to be exempt from any aspectof the act that contravenes their religious ethos. This has led to hugeproblems for teachers, particularly at Primary School level where thevast majority of our schools are run by religious orders. It has meantthat LGBT teachers have been prevented from being open about theirsexual orientation for fear of reprieve, single parents have worriedthat they might lose their job and divorcees have been unable to talkabout their change in familial status with their colleagues.

While I believe in freedom of association for religions, I also believethat public sector workers deserve protection and to be able to goabout their lives without fear of persecution. I will be amending thisAct and thus guaranteeing protection by preventing people frombeing discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation orfamilial status.

DECADE OF COMMEMORATIONS As Minister of State in the Department of Arts,Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I was proud to join anTaoiseach, an Tánaiste and Minister Humphreys tolaunch the State’s 1916 CentenaryCommemorative Programme in April.

Since I was appointed as Minister of State withresponsibility for Commemorations, I have soughtto ensure that our programme is reflective,respectful, inclusive and forward-looking. I ampleased that we have delivered such aprogramme.

As a Republic, we must constantly question thesociety that we are forging. That is the societythat our children will grow up in. The commemorationof the Centenary of the 1916 Rising belongs to all of us. Let’s use this opportunitynot only to reflect on the momentous events of our struggle for independence, butto question the society that we are creating. I want to ensure that our republicanvalues of citizenship, equality and inclusivity are core to this conversation.

The 1916 Commemoration programme is extensive. There is something foreveryone to get involved in and to enjoy - you can view the programme of eventsonline at www.ireland.ie

Get involved!

SECTION 37 OF THEEMPLOYMENT EQUALITY ACT

Cllr Jane Horgan JonesClontarf Ward086 837 5219horganjones.jane@gmail.com

Cllr Alison GillilandBeaumont - Donaghmede Ward086 6015154alisongilliland.ie@gmail.com

Brian McDonaghHowth-Malahide Ward086 385 8979brianmcdonaghlabour@gmail.com

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD

ContactAodhán:Constituency Office:203 Philipsburgh Avenue,Marino, Dublin 3

Phone: 01 618 3209Email: aodhan.oriordain@oir.ie

@AodhanORiordain

YOUR LOCAL LABOUR TEAM

Working with Sean Kenny TD

Working with

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POLSKA ÉIRE 2015To champion the diversity thatPolish people bring to our country, Iestablished a nationwide festivalcalled PolskaÉire2015 in March2015 to coincide with the Republicof Ireland vs. Poland UEFA qualifier.

Working with the FAI, the PolishEmbassy, Dublin City Council andother local authorities across theState, as well as Polish groups wecreated a week long programme ofevents across the countryencouraging Polish – IrishIntegration.

As the Minister with special responsibilities for New Communities, I believe it isimperative that a major effort is made by the Government to encourageintegration between all communities on our Island. The Polska Éire festival was ahuge success and I hope that it will continue on in years to come.

Aodhán at Baldoyle Utd's Polish Open Day as part ofPolska Eire 2015