‘Take Charge of Change’ young people of Ireland declaration praised by President Higgins
David Berry joined the President and other young people at Aras an Uachtarain for the first of a series of seminars.
Legislation for the X case and a new approach to teaching Irish are among a list of proposals contained in a declaration unveiled today at a presidency seminar for young people.
President Michael D Higgins and 100 young people convened in Áras an Uachtaráin to consider the drafting of the ‘Take Charge of Change’ declaration, the culmination of a six-month nationwide engagement with 700 or so 17 to 26-year-olds.
The process, initiated by President Higgins in May, also resulted in the publication of a report titled Being Young in Ireland 2012. The report formed the basis of the declaration and reveals concerns about employment, the future of the economy, political reform, citizen participation and education for a full life.
In particular it highlights a desire among young people to see greater equality and a wider acceptance of diversity. It recommends diversity training in schools and calls for the drafting of a constitution which “represents all members of our society regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation”.
The declaration was unveiled before President Higgins, Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald and representatives from various State agencies at Áras an Uachtaráin.
It states: “Our vision for Ireland is a secular inclusive, multilingual, confident state with excellent and universally accessible education, health and social support systems; an Ireland of which we can be proud on the global stage; a place where people, arts, culture, heritage, sport and the Irish language are nurtured and developed.
It goes on to outline a vision of community co-operation, active citizenship and a “place where human rights are valued; where there is an acceptance and celebration of all citizens and where all people have equality of access, equality of opportunity in society and in the State.”
Afterwards the President said “any president of any country in the world would be enormously proud of the presentation.” In particular he praised the focus on social justice, education, and the promotion of diversity.
“If anyone is in any doubt now about the myth that’s going around that young people are disengaged, disaffected and cynical, well there is your answer,” he added.
He stressed that it was his wish as President that the proposals get a real, rapid and positive response at every level of politics and within institutions of State. “It must not be a lost conversation, a lost consultation,” he said.
Elsewhere the declaration called on legislators to allow for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender marriage and adoption rights.
The report outlined a belief that young people at home and abroad have a role to play in promoting Ireland and creating a positive image of the country. The declaration urged the government to increase its engagement with the diaspora by extending voting rights to Irish people living abroad.
The young people called for reform of the Leaving Certificate, saying the points system and emphasis on rote learning fails to prepare students for “active citizenship”.
Ms Fitzgerald said the submissions were wonderful, positive and inspiring. “Having your voice heard and bringing about change are not easily achieved,” she added.
She praised the participants for making a positive start in attempting to bring about change and promised to “work with the Government and the President to make sure full attention is given to your findings.”
She said she would study the views with a particular interest in drawing upon them for the young people’s strategy, which is currently being drafted. She said she would also pass on any other relevant proposals to the appropriate authorities.
A summary of the Being Young and Irish Report released this afternoon identifies the following themes as being of particular concern to the participants:
Employment, enterprise, social security, concern with the economy :
The participants expressed concern about graduate job opportunities and the long-term impact of Ireland’s banking debt. They called for “the economy to be stimulated, with an emphasis on job creation and the need to integrate welfare and social protection more closely with inclusivity, enterprise culture and social solidarity”.
Political reform : A perceived disconnect between young people and politicians needs to be addressed. Respondents felt greater engagement and communication is a responsibility of both young people and politicians.
Education : The emphasis on rote learning in the Leaving Certificate was criticised by many who felt secondary education fails to prepare students for “active citizenship”. The introduction of university fees was unanimously rejected, while there was “an overwhelming sense that access to third level should be free of cost”.
Equality : One of the most prominent submissions. There was a heavy emphasis on the need for respect for individual rights and freedom of expression.
Involve young people : There is a prevailing sense that young people are not being listened to and that, consequently, “many opportunities are missed by those who ignore the youth”. Participants identified a need for a “structured forum where the youth voice can be promoted, encouraged and fostered”.
Being positive : “Young people expressed a strong need for optimism in envisaging an Ireland of the future and a sense of disillusionment with the negativity they experience around them.”
Health : Overall, respondents believe the healthcare system is “wrong”. Submissions on mental health, suicide, and mental health services featured, as did issues of alcohol, smoking and drug use. One participant noted: “Too many people are dying because they aren’t aware of the help that’s there and too often they can’t get the help they need when they look.”
Community and civil society : Young people believe Ireland lost some of its sense of community during the boom years. They believe community spirit can empower individuals and contribute to Ireland’s recover.
Identity as Irish : The economic situation, unemployment and emigration have raised the question of what constitutes Irish identity. Young people said students, graduates and the diaspora had a role to play in promoting Ireland. The need to incorporate the Irish Language into everyday life was also underlined.
Irish health budget pharmaceuticals bill 50% higher than the EU average
Ireland, under huge pressure from the troika to slash its health budget spend, cut the amount of money it spends by more than any other EU country in 2010.
But despite the reductions, the country is still the highest spender on pharmaceuticals, paying out an average of €528 per person per year. This is 50% above the average and almost 70% higher than Denmark’s.
The report, released by the European Commission and the OECD, shows that Ireland increased it’s spend on health services by 8.4% in real terms between 2000 and 2009.
But almost all this increase was lost in just one year, 2010, as the crisis bit deep and the previous government tried to cut the burgeoning budget deficit.
Ireland spends €2,862 per person — the ninth highest in the EU, just below Sweden, and above Britain.
The cuts in State spending was compensated for in part by households paying more out of their own pockets. The State picks up the tab for 70% compared to 75% before the crisis, and private health insurance and individuals pay the balance.
In 2009, EU countries spent an average of 9% of their GDP on health with the Netherlands the highest at 12% and €3,607 per person. Bulgaria was the lowest at €700, while Ireland was just slightly above the average at 9.2%.
The pharmaceutical bill across the EU reached more than €190bn in 2010, with wide variations from one country to another.
In Ireland in 2008, it was around €1.8bn, accounting for almost a fifth of the total cost of health. It dropped from 1.7% of GDP to 1.2% in 2010.
At €528 per person, Ireland spent more than any other country per person — 50% above the EU average of €349. Germany was the next highest at €492, while Denmark spent 0.8% of its GDP — an average of €229 per person.
In Ireland, pharmaceutical spending per person increased at a rate of over 8% a year, in real terms, between 2000 and 2009, but the growth rate slowed down to less than 2% in 2010.
This slowdown followed a series of measures introduced to control this spending, including large price cuts and increases in co-payments by households.
The Government has just concluded a three-year agreement with the industry on drug prices that it says will cut €400m from the total bill.
Isme chief calls for more Irish public sector spending cuts
ISME chief executive Mark Fielding has called for cuts to public sector perks and allowances, universal payments, public sector pay and pensions bill.
HE ALSO SAID IRELAND?S SOCIAL WELFARE BILL WAS TOO HIGH.
The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Isme) has called on the Government to increase the ratio of expenditure cuts to tax increases in Budget 2013.
In its pre-budget submission Isme said fiscal consolidation and austerity has had a more negative impact on economic activity than originally envisaged and urged the Government to implement a 75:25 ratio of expenditure cutbacks to revenue raising measures instead of the proposed 65:35 ratio.
The organisation said the “overall magnitude” of Government expenditure was unaffordable in the long or short term. Increased taxation, it continued, would cause greater damage to businesses than spending cuts.
“It would be more appropriate to focus more heavily on reducing current expenditure,” ISME chief executive Mark Fielding said.
He called for cuts to public sector perks and allowances, universal payments and the public sector pay and pensions bill. He also said Ireland’s social welfare bill was too high.
“Government needs to be brave in addressing these issues and remain focused on the fact that growth and employment creation are the two things that the economy now needs more than anything else,” he said.
ISME called on the Government to reduce business costs, including commercial rates, rents, labour costs and transport costs.
The organisation joined the Institute of Directors and business lobby group Ibec in urging the Government not to change PRSI or sick pay schemes. A statutory sick-pay system could see employers bearing the first few weeks of employee sick leave.
Mr Fielding said the Government should develop a strategic investment bank to introduce competition and open other sources of finance to small and medium businesses.
The organisation said the Government should “recognise the contribution that entrepreneurs make to the economy of Ireland and incentivise them accordingly in this year’s budget.” It added that the self-employed should be able to avail of social welfare entitlements immediately.
In a proposal which would “kill two birds with the one stone” Mr Fielding said tax incentives should be offered to home owners who use verifiable trades people. This, he claimed, would tackle improvement of housing stock and the issue of black market operators.
“Legitimate traders are being rifled at the moment by fellows with which vans and yellow number plates,” he said.
Scottish Archaeologists unearth Stone Age dwelling on the banks of the river Forth crossing
A new forth crossing artists impression on the left of the dwelling that archaeological excavation from the Mesolithic period.
THE remains of an ancient dwelling believed to be Scotland’s oldest house have been discovered on the banks of the River Forth.
Experts say the Stone Age timber structure – which may have resembled the wigwams constructed by North American Indians – was built more than 10,000 years ago, possibly as a winter retreat, in the period after the last ice age.
It was discovered in a field outside the village of Echline, near South Queensferry, during routine archaeological excavations in advance of work on the new Forth Replacement Crossing over the Forth estuary and contained flint arrowheads used by the original occupants.
Dated from the Mesolithic era, the remains consist of a large oval pit, seven metres long and half a metre deep, with a series of holes which would have held upright wooden posts. They would have supported walls possibly made from animals skins, although some experts believe there may have been a flatter turf roof.
The remains of several internal fireplace hearths were also identified inside the house, which would have kept its occupants warm on cold winter nights. The site has been dated to around 8240BC, the earliest in Scotland.
Ed Bailey, project manager for Headland Archaeology, the company that carried out the excavation of the site, said: “The discovery of this previously unknown and rare type of site has provided us with a unique opportunity to further develop our understanding of how early prehistoric people lived along the Forth.
“Specialist analysis of archaeological evidence recovered in the field is ongoing. This will allow us to put the pieces together and build a detailed picture of a Mesolithic lifestyle.”
Inside the dwelling, more than 1,000 flint artefacts were found, including materials which would have been used by the previous owners as tools and arrowheads. Other discoveries included large quantities of charred hazelnut shells, indicating that nuts would have been an important source of food for the hunter-gatherer residents. All of the artefacts will be removed from the site and preserved.
However, it is believed that the house would have been a “holiday home” for its residents, occupied only during the winter months rather than all year round, because of the warmth provided by its turf roof and fireplaces.
The site bears similarities to other Mesolithic sites previously discovered along the Forth. In 2001, a settlement was found in Cramond near Edinburgh, where the River Forth and River Almond meet, that was dated to around 8500BC and included stone tools and hazelnut shells. Proximity to the rivers would have allowed its occupants to exploit the abundant aquatic life.
Historic Scotland’s senior archaeologist Rod McCullagh, an advisor to the project at Echline, said: “This discovery and, especially, the information from the laboratory analyses adds valuable information to our understanding of a small but growing list of buildings erected by Scotland’s first settlers after the last glaciation, 10,000 years ago.
“The radiocarbon dates that have been taken from this site show it to be the oldest of its type found in Scotland which adds to its significance.”
The £1.5 billion Forth Replacement Crossing Project – billed as the biggest transport infrastructure project in Scotland for a generation – is currently at its most critical stage of building as its ten main sections are lowered into position. Construction started in 2011 and is expected to be finished in 2016.
Transport minister Keith Brown said: “This ancient dwelling, which was unearthed as part of the routine investigations undertaken prior to construction works, is an important and exciting discovery.
“We now have vital records of the findings which will inform our understanding of a period in Scotland’s ancient history.”
The Mesolithic age is the cultural period of the Stone Age between the paleolithic and neolithic periods between circa 8000BC and 4000BC. It is when man is thought to have first inhabited Scotland.
Man dies after a ‘hit and run’ collision in Ardrahan, Co Galway
A 60 year old man has died in a Galway hospital after a ‘hit and run’ accident in the Republic of Ireland.
He was hit by a vehicle as he attempted to cross a road in the village of Ardrahan County Galway at about 19:30 on Friday night last.
The vehicle failed to remain at the scene. The injured man was critically injured and was taken to University College Hospital Galway where he died.
The Gardai in Galway have appealed for any witnesses to make contact with them.
They want to speak to the occupants of a white van and a black car which were seen in the area at the time of the accident.
Does Yawning have any links with your social life?
Researchers recently have found some reasons explaining that a good yawn is essential for maintaining social life or one can also say that a good yawn can work wonders for a person’s social life.
Yes, researchers are suggesting in their recent page (published in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE) that contagious yawning could be stated as a kind of social glue, which actually strengthens emotional bonds and enhances social relationships.
Above are the findings that are concluded by the scientists after studying chimpanzee subspecies with human-like behavior traits i. e. bonobos, when they found that yawning was more catching in animals that were relatives or friends than the strangers.
They added that similar is the effect seen in humans too as yawning do not trigger much in strangers but yes, people whom we are close to, does are effected severely with yawning. Researchers are still trying to find out about the origins of yawning and its significance after its social aspect. They claim that yawn-catching is a form of emotional communication among humans.
Authors Dr. Elisabetta Palagi, from the University of Pisa in Italy, and his colleagues wrote in their findings: “The importance of social bonds in shaping this phenomenon in bonobos suggests that a basic form of empathy may play a role in modulating yawning behavior”.
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