Environment & Health

(Sunday 11.50/12.30)

1. Support the motion   Oppose the motion

   The Ard Chomhairle welcomes this opportunity to bring forward the new policy proposals titled Environmental Waste Management in Ireland. Tackling the issues dealt with in the document are vital to ensure a healthy environment. The document commits Sinn Fein to the principle of sustainable development which means supporting only economic development which will meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It also commits Sinn Fein to play an active role campaigning on environmental issues. The proposals assert that policies on the environment must be produced on an all-Ireland basis and that you cannot partition the environment. The other central plank of the document is a recognition of the role of the community. It is imperative that local communities should be involved in the discussion, planning and running of waste management projects. We urge the Ard Fheis to adopt this document.

   Ard Chomhairle

2. Support the motion   Oppose the motion

   This Ard Fheis supports the concept of reduction,reuse and recycling, reiterates our opposition to the proposed National Incinerator and supports the following measures:

   1. The extension of kerbside schemes
   2. A tax on plastic bags
   3. The promotion of compost boxes
   4. The banning of takeaway plastic bags from Supermarket retailers by the new millinneum.

   Instructs Sinn Fein Councillors to support motions instructing Councils to use recyclable materials. Instructs Sinn Fein Trade Unionists to lobby the Trade Unions Movement to support and encourage job creation involving recycling. Instructs Sinn Fein offices throughout Ireland in the greater use of recyclable paper in everyday documentation . Instructs Ard Oifig to use recyclable paper in all future pamphlets and documents.

   Markievicz Cumann, Tamhlacht

3. Support the motion   Oppose the motion

   The rights of local residents usage of existing green/recreational areas should be upheld. Rather than have more buildings by either local authority or private developers.

   Louth Comhairle Ceantair

4. Support the motion   Oppose the motion

   That this Ard Fheis continues to support the STAD Group in their campaign against Sellafield/Thorpe.

   Louth Comhairle Ceantair

5. Support the motion   Oppose the motion

   That this Ard Fheis views with grave concern the failure of successive coalition administrations to address the scandal of hospital waiting lists.

   Noble Six/Coen/MacManus Cumann, Sligo

6. Support the motion   Oppose the motion

   This Ard Fhéis asserts that it is a fundamental right of all people in Ireland to exercise control over the social, economic and environmental factors affecting their health. Accordingly, Sinn Fein advocates the introduction of a balanced health strategy throughout the island based upon the imperative that communities must through inclusive partnerships be enabled to become involved in the decision and policy making process concerning health development.

   In accordance with the World Health Organisation's Declaration of Alma Ata, 1978 which states:

   Health is a fundamental human right whose realisation requires the actions of many social and economic sectors in addition to the health sector''; Sinn Fein supports the formulation and implementation of a health for all policy. Such a policy should be premised upon equal access for all citizens to good health and quality health and medical care, irrespective of where they live or their economic circumstances.

   Therefore, this Ard Fheis resolves that the Policy Review and Development Department be tasked with completing a full review of Sinn Fein's existing health policy and the formulation of a comprehensive health for all discussion document, for detailed consultation within the party culminating in a single issue conference in advance of Ard Fheis 1999.

   Ard Chomhairle

7. Support the motion   Oppose the motion

   Sinn Fein demand that the commercial telecommunications masts be erected only in those locations where there is the complete agreement of the local community.

   Companies such as Orange have been given a free hand to erect these masts (which pose unquantifiable risks to health) with total disregard to the wishes or the well being of local residents. In doing this they are following the practice of the British Government in endangering all who live within range of the emissions form these installations. Communities have already been bombarded in this way for almost 30 years and commercial enterprises now intend continuing this indefinitely.

   Beechmount Mid Falls Sinn Fein

8. Support the motion   Oppose the motion

   That this Ard Fheis calls on the Eastern Health Board to accept that their policy on methadone stabilisation for long term addicts has failed. This policy amounts to nothing more than state sponsored free drugs and offers no incentive to addicts to give up their habit.

   Logue Marley Cumann, Crumlin

9. Support the motion   Oppose the motion

   Sinn Fein opposes the imposition of mobile phone masts in residential areas, the long term health effects of which are unknown.

   Ceannt Breathnach, Gaillimh

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