Policing, Justice and Equality Motions

Justice and Policing

182. This Ard Fheis acknowledges continued progress towards achieving civic policing and securing a policing service which is representative of the community it serves, free from partisan political control, and subject to local democratic control and accountability.  Our vision remains the achievement of a new beginning to policing on an all Ireland basis.

We commend the enduring efforts of many Sinn Féin and community activists in the promotion of this work across Ireland, within the Policing Board and District Policing Partnerships in the 6 Counties, and Joint Policing Committees in the 26 Counties.

The strategic framework which governs our critical engagement strategy and underpins our vision of a new beginning to policing north and south remains unchanged.

In the 26 Counties we call for immediate measures to ensure JPCs become more representative and inclusive of, and accountable to local communities.  We seek their urgent reform along the model of DPPs in the north, to achieve equivalence in powers, functions and resources.

In the 6 Counties we note that the political context in which we seek to bring about further progress continues to be variously affected by resistance to change from some state agencies, as well as British intelligence organisations, and also militarist factions opposed to the peace process.  Attempts by such agencies or organisations to remilitarise the north will have both policing and wider community implications in the 6 Counties.

This Ard Fheis opposes all such attempts to reverse progress made thus far.  Sinn Féin’s position is unambiguous: we oppose all efforts to introduce any form of remilitarisation.  The only role for the PSNI and other crime prevention organisations should be to deliver on democratic civic policing and to ensure community safety.

This Ard Fheis reaffirms our resolve to achieving a new beginning to policing in Ireland.  We pledge to continue working in partnership with those in the PSNI who are committed to progressive reform and alongside An Garda Síochána towards realising this vision through consistent, critical engagement.

Ard Chomhairle

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

183. This Ard Fheis commends the role of the Sinn Fein's Policing and Justice Committee in promoting our Party's continued efforts to fully achieve a new beginning to policing, and greater reform and enhanced accountability within the criminal justice systems north and south.

We note the considerable work undertaken to date, in developing a comprehensive, national policing and criminal justice policy, particularly in respect to the following areas:

• Effective, Accountable Policing that Delivers
• An Impartial, Accountable and effective Legal and Judicial System
• Crime Prevention
• Restorative Justice - For Victims and Communities
• Safe Management and Rehabilitation of Offenders
• Specific Areas of Criminal and Civil Law

This Ard Fheis endorses the conclusion of this work by December 2011, and calls for the committee to facilitate a thorough and timetabled internal consultation to ensure completion prior to Ard Fheis 2012, and with maximum input from the Party membership. We agree the final draft should be submitted to the next Ard Fheis for adoption as policy by the Party.

Ard Chomhairle

 Passed                      Lost                       Referred

184. This Ard Fheis notes that:

 -  Sinn Féin has been at the forefront of developing a range of community safety initiatives throughout west Belfast which include among others the establishment of the West Belfast Community Safety Forum.

- Sinn Féin believes that no single agency can effectively deal with anti-community activity, therefore it is essential that all statutory agencies in discharging their duty within the delivery of community safety do so in parallel with community-led partnership approaches.   

 - At the heart of these initiatives are the principles of community empowerment and accountable public service. It is about demanding that the statutory agencies that have the resources and responsibility for providing services to the public do that effectively.

 - The West Belfast Community Safety Forum has become a model of best practice in developing a community-led partnership approach to reducing violent and anti-social crime, the fear of crime and in doing so has enhanced the quality of life within West Belfast.   

 This Ard Fheis calls on the relevant statutory agencies and government departments to:

 - Ensure that the West Belfast Community Safety Forum, and other similar projects, receive the resources required so they can be properly sustained and developed in the long term.

West Belfast Comhairle Ceantair

Louth Comhairle Ceantair

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

185. This Ard Fheis notes the continuing, and in many cases, escalating instances of anti-social behaviour experienced by areas throughout the 26 counties.

This Ard Fheis also notes that in many areas the number of Gardaí deployed is woefully inadequate to deal with these issues.

This Ard Fheis calls for a more active approach to individuals and gangs carrying out anti-social behaviour. Communities need to claim back our streets, our cities and towns and not accept any forms of anti-social behaviour. There is a need to make tourists and residents alike to feel safe, particularly in areas in Dublin City centre such as Custom House Quay, the Boardwalk and elsewhere in the city centre.

This Ard Fheis calls on the Minister for Justice to reverse his decision to place an embargo on the enrolment of student cadets into the Garda College, which he has recently put in place and has stated will remain in force for the foreseeable future. This Ard Fheis believes this embargo will have a further detrimental effect on Garda numbers and their ability to adequately police areas already suffering greatly from anti-social behaviour problems.

Markievicz, Ryan and O’Farrell Cumann, Tallaght.

Charlie McGlade Cumann, Drimnagh,
Dublin

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

186. In recognising the serious threat that the increase in intimidation across the state poses, this Ard Fheis calls on the Irish Government to establish a national task force to tackle intimidation. The task force should consist of senior representatives from local authorities, government agencies, relevant government departments, community and voluntary sectors and tasked with drafting a National Anti Intimidation Strategy within 6 months of its formation.

James Connolly Cumann, Ballyfermot,
Dublin

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

187. This Ard Fheis:

-   Expresses concern at the high level of domestic violence that is reported across the island and acknowledges that many more cases go unreported.

-   Notes that figures showing a domestic violence incident in the North is reported every 21 minutes demands urgent action

-   Calls on the Minister of Justice to work alongside support organisations to bring forward the necessary measures to keep women safe – including improving the criminal justice system to encourage women to report the crime and be provided with adequate safety and support

-   Calls on the Executive to expand education campaigns on domestic violence, and ensure that vital services such as Women’s Aid organisations are provided with the necessary resources

Fennell/Rooney/Sands Cumann, Twinbrook,
Belfast

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

188. This Ard Fheis deplores the continued practice by the Garda Special Branch of attending and monitoring Sinn Féin commemorations, which often includes the harassment of those in attendance through intrusive photography, taking of names and noting of car numbers.  Such activities by the Gardaí against a legal political party with significant public support throughout the island of Ireland are wholly incompatible with basic democratic norms and the spirit of the peace process.  They are also a scandalous waste of police resources, which could be better directed at the protection of citizens against crime and anti-social behaviour.

The Ard Fheis calls on the incoming Ard Chomhairle to intervene with the appropriate state authorities in order to bring an end to such activities.

Clancy/O’Callaghan Cumann,
Limerick City

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

189. This Ard Fheis notes:

·         that evidence shows that building strong communities is the best and most effective means of tackling the drugs crisis.

·         By cutting funding and by closing down Community Development Programmes in our most disadvantaged communities the Irish government is seriously undermining The National Drug Strategy.  

·         The National Drugs Strategy is supported by the 5 pillars of prevention, supply reduction, treatment, rehabilitation and co-ordination, all equally important in responding to Ireland’s continuing drugs crisis.

·         In addition to direct cuts to drug projects and community development, communities are also facing cuts to programmes & projects funded by the Department of Health & Children, Department of Education & Skills and the HSE. The cumulative effect of these budget cuts will further marginalise communities struggling to deal with the devastation of the drugs crisis. The overall savings will prove very costly in the long term.

Accordingly this Ard Fheis calls on the 26 county Government to:

• reinstate all funding to community drug projects and to Drug Task Forces.
• reverse the cuts under the Developing Communities Programme.
• reappoint a Minister with sole responsibility for the implementation of the National Drug Strategy.
• re-engage fully with communities and Local & Regional Drug Task Forces. 
• reinstate both the Office of the Minister for Drugs and the National Drugs Strategy Team to oversee the full implement of the National Drugs Strategy.

James Connolly Cumann, Ballyfermot,
Dublin

 Passed                      Lost                       Referred

Equality and Rights

190. This Ard Fheis:

-       Acknowledges the valuable contribution that women have made to the republican struggle and to broader society

-       Reaffirms Sinn Féin’s belief that there is a vital need for women to be fully involved in public and political life and the decision-making process in order to advance towards a society of equals

-       Reaffirms that ensuring equality for women will be kept high on the party’s agenda.

West Belfast Comhairle Ceantair

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

191. This Ard Fheis continues its support for the introduction of legislation in the 26 counties to recognise Irish travellers as an ethnic group and supports the calls of the Louth Traveller Support Group for:

• The implementation of the Louth County Council Traveller Accommodation Plan
• Restoration of the Primary Health Care Programme in the county back to ten workers
• Reversal of the cuts to traveller education
• Support for Traveller Representation in Louth on relevant bodies and committees.

Louth Comhairle Ceantair

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

192. This Ard Fheis commends and supports Special Needs Active Parents (a Louth-based support group for families of children with special needs) in its campaign for essential services for their children.

Louth Comhairle Ceantair

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

193. This Ard Fheis notes the Council of Europe report of June 2011 on discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity across Europe, especially its criticisms of the 26 Counties. These include the failure of the state to recognise transgender people and its statement that schools in the 26 Counties “do not provide any information about homosexuality or if so only biased, incorrect information”. This Ard Fheis restates Sinn Féin’s commitment to equal rights for LGBT people, commends the work of LGBT activists and organisations to achieve equality in Ireland, and encourages members and elected representatives to work with the LGBT community across the island against homophobia and discrimination.

Emmet Clarke Cumann, South West Inner City

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

194. This Ard Fheis looks for an extension to the Civil Partnership Bill 2009. This Bill also to include:

1.     The rights of any children born or adopted before and during the partnership

2.     Recognition of couples who got married outside the 26 County state and then moved to the State to have their marriage recognised

3.     Reduction of the waiting period from six months to two months for marriages to take place.

Terrence Clarke Cumann, North Clondalkin,
Dublin

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

195. This Ard Fheis calls on the Minister for health to make it legally binding on Theatres, Cinemas and public transport companies to have in place adequate Wheel chair facilities and some placed together to  facilitate wheel chair bound couples where appropriate.

Logue/Marley Cumann, Crumlin,
Dublin

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

196. This Ard Fheis calls on the Irish Government to demand that the Religious Institutions who were involved or complicit in the Clerical and Industrial School Abuse Scandals to contribute more financially to the Treatment of Victims and to support the continued campaign of bringing the Perpetrators of these crimes to Justice.

O’Malley/Russell, North Inner City,
Dublin

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

197. This Ard Fheis calls on the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn to reverse his decision not to include Bethany Home survivors in the schedule of the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme where over 200 babies and infants died.

Markievicz, Ryan and O’Farrell Cumann, Tallaght.

Passed                      Lost                       Referred

198. This Ard Fheis supports the survivor advocacy group Justice for Magdalenes' (JFM) calls on the Irish state, to offer a formal state apology to all survivors of the Magdalene laundries and demands that the Irish government immediately establish a statutory inquiry into these abuses and that our elected reps do all in their power to push this within the Oireachtas. To do otherwise is to cause additional pain and suffering to the women and girls and bring further shame on our nation. The women and their children deserve justice now.