Robert Glynn:
Thanks for your interest in my campaign and I would be happy to answer your questions.
Q1. People should be at liberty to educate their children as they see fit provided children are not denied basic rights to literacy and numeracy. This should include home schooling and all education should be provided by the family at its expense. Obviously families of like mind may coalesce to invest in facilities to best achieve the education of their children.This is their right. Those educators that wish to set up schools and colleges should be subject only to the scrutiny of the market. That should be their right. I am not in favour of public education and would end the system if in a position to influence legislation.
Q2. I would have no objection to a referendum to remove religious references in the Constitution.
Q3. Blasphemy should not be an offence. As who has been offended? By definition the blasphemer offends against God not the individual who believes in God. The zealous believer seems intent on protecting God from the offender; a ludicrous notion. How would God require protection? However zealotry can be a cause of violence and the non-believer should exercise caution when making utterances in such company. Having said this, it should be an offence to incite hatred and so invoke violence. Likewise any violence committed in the name of God should be seen as gross violations of the property rights of others and punished accordingly. In many issues around ethnicity it is vital that those who consider themselves citizens should accept the primacy of the law. It is only under the law that all citizens are granted protection.
Q4 I believe that like in the case of education, the provision of medical care should be in the hands of market practitioners operating in a free and unfettered market unhindered by government edict. I would seek to disconnect the State from the provision of medical care or insurances if given the opportunity to legislate on the matter. As to whether a particular private institution should practice religious observances within the institution or not? I would say that is up to them.
Q5 As a Libertarian I am committed to the repeal of any equality and employment legislation. I am certain that the state is the least suited entity to legislate on either topic. If a grievance which impinges the personal property rights of an individual were to pass unchallenged I concede that this if repeated often enough could lead to the disintegration of society. I am therefore committed to the establishment of an enhanced judicial reach into the community through a system of public jurists. The jurists would be one of the few agencies operated by the State on behalf of the citizens, the other institutions being; the judiciary proper, the police and armed forces. I have not mentioned the emergency or prison services as I believe these services should also be in private hands.
Q6 I am committed to radical changes in the Tax Code. I favour a property tax which would be universal and non discriminatory. One in which all real estate and farm land, all ports and infrastructure except state lands and buildings should have an annual charge levied against their current market valuation. In as much as religious orders own property they, as would be the case with all others, would be liable to be taxed. As for income tax, corporation tax, VAT, PRSI etc. I would eliminate these taxes if in a position to legislate on the matter.
Q7 I see the State as having a small number of legitimate roles in support of the citizens. These are as outlined in response no. 5. I cannot imagine why the heavily circumscribed State I have described would act if not with impartiality and in support of secular mores. As for Ireland I believe huge change has occurred and much greater change is to come. Education through the Internet is growing year by year and it may soon be possible to bring down the monolithic education system which has been a trap for our youth for generations.
How much can be achieved and how soon depends on who is running the country when the international fiat money system finally comes off the rails. This will be soon and therefore I urge you and your friends to vote for any radical who can articulate your needs and aspirations. As an Austrian economist and a libertarian I might be fit for the task. Its up to you.
David Bradley:
Thank you very much indeed for writing to me. I respect very much the views of people of other faiths and indeed non-believers. However, my message in this election campaign is to speak openly about what I believe: the Gospel of Salvation, to point people and politicians to Jesus. I believe that the promises in God’s Holy Word the Bible are the ones we can believe, not the promises of human beings. What I am urging both the electorate and the incoming politicians to do is to involve God in all their decision making, to seek His guidance in everything they do. If the outgoing government had done this we would not be in our current mess – which, as we can see, is deteriorating further each day. I am seeking votes that I might have a strong voice to convey this message to the incoming elected government to whom I will be quoting from Wisdom Chapter 6, verse 3: ‘for sovereignty is given to you by the Lord and power by the Most High, who will himself probe your acts and scrutinise your intention’.
While there are many issues such as the ones you raise that may require consideration/action, they are not matters that I am in a position to engage in at this time. However, I do appreciate very much the fact that you have sought my views.
May I respectfully suggest that you refer to the Bible: Matthew, Ch. 24: verses 6 to 24 and Jeremiah ch. 9, v. 22 to 23. I can only tell you what I believe which is totally backed up by the Word of God, and that is that the disastrous events in a deteriorating world are the consequences of man-made decisions rather than allowing God’s laws to be applied.
The other point I would make is that if we had obeyed God’s commandments – a simple set of rules which provide a formula for perfect living – our beautiful planet would not have been destroyed by toxic waste from man’s technological so-called advances, and the lawlessness that prevails.
Chaos and destruction are what have resulted from man’s ambition and defying God’s law.
My campaign is being carried with sincere love for the entire human race – believers and non-believers alike. It is obviously up to each one whether to accept or reject what I am trying to convey.
Very best wishes to you and the members of your society.
Ged Nash:
With regard to education reform, The Labour Party believes that there is now a compelling case for moving towards a new system of patronage. This is taking into account of changing views in regard to religion and education, when an increasing number of people want to be able to opt for non-denominational or inter-denomination education for their children. Moreover, our Spokesperson on Education, Ruairi Quinn has stated that we should place the patronage of Vocational Education Committee (VEC) primary schools under the control of the local community and that they should be answerable to local elected representatives.
It would also require the orderly transfer of Catholic patronage of some primary schools to other patron bodies under the supervision of the Department of Education and Science. This would reflect modern day practice and observance. It would of course enable Catholic parents to have Catholic schools which would deliver Catholic education for observant Catholic parents and their children.
Moreover, Senator Ivana Bacik has outlined, Labour supports the setting up of a national forum on reform of the education system. This would address the major issues surrounding education which would involve the major stakeholders in education such as parents, patrons, teachers, principals and others.
With regard to religious references in the Constitution and blasphemy, Labour believes that a constitutional convention should be held in order to review the Constitution and make it more representative of modern Ireland. The constitution should take into account the fact that Ireland is far more diverse and multi-cultural than it was in the 1930s. At out last Party Conference, Labour passed a motion promising to hold a referendum proposing to delete the word ‘blasphemous’ from Article 4.1.6 of the Constitution and to repeal any legislation that made reference to blasphemy as a form of defamation.
On the subject of preventing hospitals from having a religious ethos, the Labour Party appreciates the role that religious institutions play in our health sector. However, Labour believes that we must take into account the diverse nature of Irish society and ensure that we have a secular approach to our public services that respects the religious beliefs and practices of all citizens.
Labour also believes that all organisations, whether religious or secular in nature, should be treated equally. Labour acknowledges the enormous amount of work that many organisations undertake in this society and many are indispensable given the role they play. Labour encourages the activities of charitable organisations and does believe that they should respect employment legislation.
In addition, please see the Labour Party response on behalf of all its candidates.
Declan Breathnach:
I have a very simple philosophy on life” ones work is ones prayer” I am not into labelling anyone
Gerry Adams:
See the statement provided by Sinn Fein on behalf of all its candidates.
Mary Moran:
See the statement provided by the Labour Party on behalf of all its candidates.
Fergus O’Dowd:
See the statement provided by Fine Gael on behalf of all its candidates.
Peter Fitzpatrick:
See the statement provided by Fine Gael on behalf of all its candidates.
Mark Dearey
See the statement provided by the Green Party on behalf of all its candidates.
No Response Received From:
James Carroll
Thomas Clare
Gerry Crilly
Frank Godfrey
Fred Matthews
Luke Martin
Robin Wilson
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