Disappointed that you haven´t answered my question (14/5/09). Posed the same question to the other candidates. No reply from Gay Mitchell or Eoin Ryan, no surprise there. But I did expect an answer from yourself. You have answered other questions, so I dont see why you cant reply to my question.
Looking forward to your reponse
29.05.2009
Reply from Mary Lou McDonald
a chara,
Thank you for the comment. Unfortunately there may have been some mix up as I have not received any question from you on 14/05/09. If you could possibly re-send it I would be happy to answer your query.
Is mise le meas,
Mary Lou McDonald MEP
Europe's role in the world
27.05.2009
Question from
Thanks for your response. Even considering the percentage allowed due to maternity leave, 73% is still unacceptable, as far as citizen representation is concerned. If a college student is required, e.g., 85% attendance to class in order to sit for the Final Exam, then, a representative ought to aim even higher, setting the example. You have failed to do so, in my opinion.
Reply from Mary Lou McDonald
no reply so far
Social policy
22.05.2009
Question from Bob
What are your personal views towards abortion? I am aware that Sinn Féin supports abortion in the instances of rape and incest...would you rather abortion as a means of contraception be a fundamental right throughout the E.U.?
Reply from Mary Lou McDonald
4 interested people are waiting for reply
Civil rights, data protection and political participation
21.05.2009
Question from
Could you be clear as to your involvement/work in the European Parliament? I am somewhat puzzled as to the extent of your contribution and commitment, given your 56% attendance.
27.05.2009
Reply from Mary Lou McDonald
As a Sinn Féin MEP I want Ireland to play a central role in shaping the future direction of the European Union.
Since my election in 2004 I have been a positive and constructive voice in the European Parliament and have actively supported proposals and measures that are in the interests of Ireland and the EU as a whole and campaigned to change those that are not.
In the European Parliament I have supported measures that:
protect workers rights and public services
promote environmental protection and sustainability and balanced regional development
provide greater democracy and accountability in the EU instutions
protect Irish neutrality and oppose increased militarisation of the EU
promote greater human rights protection for all
promote fair trade and greater equality for the developing world
Since my election to the European Parliament in 2004 Bairbre de Brún and I have:
Brought the case for a United Ireland to MEPs and other decision-makers from all over Europe, and promoted practical measures to strengthen all-Ireland working to -Worked with our Ministers in the Executive to help secure the €333 million PEACE programme including €225 million from Europe.
Worked with Irish language groups ÊÊ to secure the status of official and working language of the European Union for Irish.
Raised issues of conflict resolution, and the possible lessons of the Irish peace process for resolving conflicts in other countries inside and outside the EU.
Facilitated the engagement of trade unionists, community groups, collusion victims and others with the EU institutions.
Brought the workings of the EU to local people through direct engagement with
local businesses, trade unions, community organisations, environmental groups, NGOs and rural communities.
Initiated and secured overwhelming support for a Declaration calling for action by the EU and member states to end street homelessness by 2015.
Worked to maximise the potential of the EU Economic Recovery Plan to tackle the economic crisis and supported measures to help our small businesses.
Secured a visit to the North West of the influential Regional Development Committee to promote fair regional development.
Secured recognition of the issue of corporate manslaughter in a report on Corporate Social Responsibility.
Secured overwhelming support for the McDonald Report and subsequent resolution on the ILO Maritime Labour Convention to create an international framework to limit workers’ rights abuses in the maritime sector.
Successfully campaigned against the proposed Port Services Directive which would have cost jobs and driven down pay and conditions in ports across the EU.
Campaigned for workers’ rights and against proposals to increase working time and to end opt-outs and abuses of the Working Time Directive.
Campaigned against the liberalisation of public services, particularly through the Services Directive, the proposed Directive on cross-border health care and the Directive on Postal Services.
Resisted imports of Brazilian beef over traceability concerns.
Secured further support for farmers in meeting the requirements of the Nitrates Directive, and pushed for reduced bureaucracy.
Briefed farmers and rural communities on EU developments and facilitated their engagement with Europe.
Promoted renewable energy and energy efficiency as a way of boosting the local
economy and tackling climate change and fuel poverty.
Campaigned for a Directive on equal treatment, irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, to complement existing Directives against discrimination on the grounds of gender or race.
With regard to my attendance in the European Parliament, it is important to note that when I had my second child in 2006 I was excused from 45 of the parliament’s plenary sessions for maternity leave by the President bringing my attendance record to 73%.
Is mise le meas,
Mary Lou Mc Donald MEP.
Jobs
19.05.2009
Question from
You say "Sinn Fein has produced a Job retention and creation plan, we were the first political party to do so." What impact does this policy have on our cheap immigrant labour policy and the use of the minimum wage to drive down pay and conditions.
29.05.2009
Reply from Mary Lou McDonald
a chara, Sinn Fein recognises that Irish workers and trade unions have genuine concerns regarding ´displacement´ by lower paid migrant workers. Indeed, we raised our concerns around the impact of cheap labour on Irish workers. It is important to understand the true nature of this phenomenon. It stems not from the avarice of non-Irish workers but from employers´ quest to increase profits by lowering pay and increasing hours, and by reducing holidays and other entitlements.
´Displacement´ is therefore not so much the exchange of Irish workers for non-Irish workers but the exchange of organised workers with good pay, conditions and benefits for unorganised, unaware workers who are ripe for exploitation. In order to do this, employers more and more frequently take advantage of migrant workers´ lack of awareness of their rights in Ireland to subject them to conditions which are inferior to those of other workers and below legal standards. The solution to displacement lies in regulating employment standards (including pay and working conditions) for all workers, and their effective enforcement. The best protection against displacement is ensuring that Irish and migrant workers have the exact same pay and conditions of employment - and indeed, the harmonisation of employment standards islandwide and throughout the EU, and ultimately beyond. Only this can remove the financial incentive for unscrupulous employers to displace their existing workforce. Increasing solidarity between Irish and migrant workers, Irish and EU workers, and EU and non-EU workers is therefore crucial. But admittedly this is not easy to build. Indeed, the objective of global unification of workers on the basis of common interest was high up on Connolly´s own agenda ninety years ago. Is mise le meas, Mary Lou McDonald MEP.
Candidates
