Diarmaid Ó Cadhla:
Many thanks for your questions …
Our basic position is that citizens should be the ones to determine all state policy, through consultation on the major points of all proposed legislation and through mandating their representatives accordingly.
I am all in favour of respecting peoples individual right to conscience, be that religious or not – and the state should recognise this. I also recognise that this is not a question treated properly in our society today, especially in the education system.
You organisation has obviously thought about these questions a lot and so I would encourage you to extend this debate as widely as possible.
There are many many ‘wrongs’ or shortcomings in our society … how are we going to address them? At present I believe that the political parties have no interest in addressing such questions in a fair and democratic way – not unless you can make it hurt them in votes etc, which is almost impossible.
I believe the way forward is to do exactly what we are proposing, build the movement for democracy so that people can decide these matters without the influence of vested interests of any kind. If all causes, like your own, came together on this basis we could solve everything, so long as we remain separate then the vested interests will continue to decide matters for us.
I hope this addresses your questions.
Gerard Linehan:
1. Will you work to reform the education system so that all children in your constituency can access publicly-funded schools which have no religious ethos?
No
2. Would you support a referendum to remove religious references from the Constitution?
No
3. Do you believe that blasphemy should be a criminal offence?
No
4. Would you support legislation to prevent hospitals from having a religious ethos?
No
5. If elected, would you vote to ensure that religious bodies are treated the same as other organisations under equality and employment legislation?
Yes
6. Do you believe that religions should have to pay their fair share of tax on income that does not come from charitable activities?
Yes
7. If you wish to provide a brief general statements of your views on the future development of secularisation in Ireland, or to highlight any previous comments you have made on related issues, please do so.
While I respect the views and religious beliefs of all people, I do not believe that the state could afford to provide designated schools that would not have a religious ethos. If elected, I would advocate for those who did not wish to participate in religious teaching in order that they could be excused from attending such classes.
Ted Neville:
ISP [Irish Solidarity Party] seeks to minimise and indeed reverse the un-mandated demographic changes that have occurred in Ireland since 1997, which have introduced a splintered social fabric. ISP recognises that Ireland inherited a religious value system overwhelmingly based on Christian beliefs. While organised religion has a less pervasive influence on public matters in recent times, it is still a core attachment of the large majority of people. ISP rejects the modern ‘politically correct’ banishment of many symbols held dearly by Irish people eg. the display of Christian statuary or artifacts in areas of public access such as hospitals, Garda stations etc., the erection / advertisement of the nativity crib, and would not countenance the abandonment of the Angelus being broadcast by the State-funded broadcaster.
Michael Finn:
Regarding your queries, I believe religion is a private matter for people to decided themselves and while acknowledging the role of Catholicism in Irish society, I believe it’s grip on schools in particular needs to be addressed in the modern world in which we live. The ‘special place’ within the Constitution needs to be revisited and I have written as much via letters in the national papers. Options must be given to people, however, I would guard against this being a licence for whatever group to determine their religion or lack of it should be a norm: anyone should be free to chose their own path, once it doesn’t infringe on anybody else. Hope this is something along the lines of an answer!
Eric Isherwood:
Thank you for your email which I have no problem in answering. My thanks to you for sending the questionnaire and hope other will respond also. I will have no posters up as I cannot afford the costs of a Poster campaign. My website if you would not mind passing on to members is www.ericisherwoodfortd.weebly.com I will have to use my Birth name Edward but I was always know as Eric by everyone so hopefully i will be able to put both on ballot paper. Please contact me at any time.
1. Will you work to reform the education system so that all children in your constituency can access publicly-funded schools which have no religious ethos? Yes Parents should have a choice if there children take part in religious classes in schools.
2. Would you support a referendum to remove religious references from the Constitution? Yes The Constitution is outdated as there are so many different cultures now living in this country.
3. Do you believe that blasphemy should be a criminal offence? No it’s victimization
4. Would you support legislation to prevent hospitals from having a religious ethos? Yes no one religious group should be allowed have a monopoly in Hospitals and they also use Hospital radio as a platform especially CUH in Cork and I don’t believe this is in breech of the radio stations Licence agreement.
5. If elected, would you vote to ensure that religious bodies are treated the same as other organisations under equality and employment legislation? Yes of course why should there be one law for us and another for Religious orders.
6. Do you believe that religions should have to pay their fair share of tax on income that does not come from charitable activities? Yes everyone who can afford to pay Tax should be made pay taxes as Taxes will improve Education, Health and Social Protection and as I have twin sons with Autism now 24 years old, these taxes could be used for early diagnoses and early intervention which is badly needed.Children are waiting up to 4 years old some longer to get diagnosed.
7. If you wish to provide a brief general statements of your views on the future development of secularisation in Ireland, or to highlight any previous comments you have made on related issues, please do so. I also believe that RTE should drop the angelious as its discrimination, that one religious group and other religious groups don’t get equal airtime.It’s outdated and should have been removed years ago.Also Sunday Mass on TV should be removed from RTE as Sky Television offer a wide range of religious channels. The views expressed to you are my own only, no other third party have had any input to the views I express to you.
Dan Boyle:
One of my greatest disappointments in government was having to approve legislation legislating for the ‘crime’ of blasphemy. In the renewed programme for government talks we secure an agreemnt not listed unfortunately that the provision should be removed for the Constitution. This remains our position.
In addition, see the statement provided by the Green Party on behalf of all its candidates.
Green Party statement
Chris O’Leary:
See the statement provided by Sinn Fein on behalf of all its candidates.
Ciaran Lynch:
See the statement provided by the Labour Party on behalf of all its candidates.
Paula Desmond:
See the statement provided by the Labour Party on behalf of all its candidates.
Deirdre Clune:
See the statement provided by Fine Gael on behalf of all its candidates.
Simon Coveney:
See the statement provided by Fine Gael on behalf of all its candidates.
Jerry Buttimer:
See the statement provided by Fine Gael on behalf of all its candidates.
No Response Received From:
Michael Martin
Michael McGrath
David McCarthy
Candidates Not Contacted:
Sean J.B. Dunphy
Finbar O Driscoll
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