SDLPY Chair Cllr Matthew McDermott was part of an SDLP delegation that met with Irish Environment Minister, John Gormley TD to discuss North South arrangements, Climate Change and the SDLPY campaign “The Countdown is on” regarding international climate talks in Copenhagen.

The delegation included Chair of Assembly Environment Committee Dolores Kelly MLA, Chair of the Assembly Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee Alban Maguinness MLA and Chair of SDLPY Cllr Matthew McDermott.  

After the meeting Cllr McDermott said, ‘ The SDLP pushed the Minister to press the DUP and SF to have Climate Change included on the agenda of North South meetings. As it is not on the agenda it can’t be discussed at these meetings, which is an absurd situation.

‘ The go slow approach of the two ruling parties is unacceptable; if we don’t act on climate change now, future generations face disaster in so many ways.

Regarding the SDLPY campaign Cllr McDermott said, ‘ Climate Change is the most important issue facing my generation and the agreement being sought in Copenhagen in December is crucial. I outlined to the Minister that SDLPY will be rolling out a campaign throughout November, visiting our schools and seeking signatures to an online petition from our students, of all ages.

‘ These are the people that generally don’t have a vote but want a voice. The petition will be calling for a 40% cut in emissions by 2025 and an assistance fund for developing countries to adopt. It will be delivered to the Irish and British governments before they embark for Copenhagen.

SDLP Youth wish to congratulate both the Irish Rugby Team and boxer Bernard Dunne on their fantastic wins over the weekend.

Speaking on the events SDLP Youth member Malachy Quinn said:

“Last weekend will go down in history as one of the greatest for Irish Sport. First we had the Irish Rugby Team win their first Grand Slam in 61 years in what proved to be a nail-biting match against last years Six Nations Grand Slam winners Wales in Cardiff. The Irish team showed great spirit and grit to come from behind to claim a memorable win that had everybody in Ireland both north and south cheering from the rafters. Credit must go to the Irish team and all its staff on this fantastic achievement”

He continued:

“Later on Saturday night in what was one of the greatest fights ever to take place on Irish soil Dublin boxer Bernard Dunne added more pride to the Irish by claiming the WBA Super-Bantamweight title by beating Ricardo Cardoba. Dunne displayed great guts and strength coming back from two knockdowns in the 5^th round to win by knockout in the dying seconds of the 11^th. He showed the all the character of a true world champion and he has marked his spot in Irish boxing history by being our 17^th world champion following in the foot steps of legends like Steve Collins and Barry McGuigan. Credit must be paid to Bernard and his Belfast trainer Harry Hawkins for this incredible achievement. I would also like to congratulate Belfast boxer Martin Rogan on capturing the Commonwealth title last month starting a fantastic run for Irish boxing”

“An interesting note of history is that when Ireland last captured a Grand Slam 61 years ago an Irish boxer also won a world title on the same day. Congratulations to both the Irish Team and Bernard Dunne for doing the nation proud”

At the weekend SDLP Youth took part in a public debate on the Irish Economy, hosted by Labour Youth in the Temple Bar Hotel, Dublin. SDLP Youth representative and Lecale Branch Secretary Barry Magee participated in a panel discussion alongside representatives from Irish Labour Youth, Socialist Youth and Young Greens. Barry has blogged about it in more detail on his own blog, Tales from Lecale.

More information is below the fold…

(more…)

There is great work going on at the moment to revitalise the SDLP and strengthen it’s future. The SDLP Annual Conference last month was very upbeat, with a great sense of purpose and much more confidence than I’ve seen before.

There is a lot of work being done to ensure the party policy addresses the needs of the people during this time of economic turmoil and high unemployment. There is also considerable ground work underway to ensure the SDLP are strong in every constituency, and that we are running a large number of young representatives in future elections.

SDLP Youth held a fringe event at Party Conference on ‘Energising the Electorate‘ (Obama-style) while the Balmoral branch also proposed a motion on building a New Ireland Coalition to demonstrate the support for the SDLP right across Ireland.

The Irish Labour’s Party National Executive on Sunday adopted a report from the 21st Century Labour Commission that will renew the whole party, practically rebuilding their party Constitution from the ground up and decentralise the selection of candidates so that local branches have much more say in who is running for election in their area.

I particularly welcome a section of the report on the ‘Island of Ireland’:

The Northern Ireland electorate must continue to have the opportunity to vote for a party affiliated to the Party of European Socialists such as the SDLP. We - and indeed our sister parties throughout Europe - are committed to ensuring that there will continue to be a member party from Northern Ireland within the PES.
The relationship between the Labour Party and the SDLP is grounded on a mutual acknowledgement of our different situations and a mutual respect for each other’s autonomy. But there are strong and enduring links between us, based on individual friendships, joint solidarity and a shared philosophy. We should work together to make those links more visible, to our members and to the island as a whole.

Sinn Féin may flout their so-called all-Ireland credentials, but in reality the SDLP are working much harder on a daily basis to improve the lives of people, communities and businesses in Ireland. We are working on hundreds of issues that affect the whole of Ireland and our north-south makes sense policy document, which has the support of all the main parties in the south and is much more capable of achieving a better Ireland for everyone.

In January 2008, a delegation from SDLP Youth met in Dublin with the leadership of the Labour Party, and we will meet with the Fine Gael leadership later this month to further discuss issues affecting young people in Ireland.

Why? Because North-South does make sense and so does the SDLP.

So while Sinn Féin have their 2016 vision and now 2040, the SDLP recognise the realities of creating a Better Ireland. We understand the hard work that needs done, and we are doing it at every level.

Members Notice

A Chara,

The annual SDLP Youth Dublin Trip takes place on Wednesday Thursday 19th February 2009.

This year will include a visit to Áras an Uachtaráin, a chance to meet with the Fine Gael leadership, a tour of Leinster House, and the usual dinner + night out. Other events are still to be announced!

Transport will be provided from Belfast and Newry, leaving early on Wednesday Thursday and returning on Thursday Friday morning.

We need numbers as early as possible, so if you are aged 16-30 and would like to go, please contact us ASAP.

SDLP Youth

SDLP Youth have congratulated the Tyrone Senior team on winning All Ireland victory on Sunday and have also paid tribute to the Minor Team.

Chairman Peter Armstrong said, “Congratulations to the Tyrone Seniors on their historic win against Kerry. It’s magnificant to see Sam Maguire return north to Tyrone for the 3rd time in 6 years. It’s an absolutely fantastic achievement and the tremendous performance demonstrates the level of professionalism and talent coming from the Tyrone side.”

“I also want to wish to pay tribute to the performance of the Minor Team and wish them the best of luck in their re-play scheduled next weekend (27th September). “

REMINDER: Impending Event on Monday 22nd September

SDLP in West Belfast have organised a public forum discussion addressing the issue of All-Ireland Politics, the changing face of politics in the North, the impact of the credit crunch and if the executive is measuring up to the needs of the community.

The debate will also consider the SDLP and potential realignment: what this will mean for unionists, what effects it will have on politics in the north. But most of all, it is a chance for you to tell the SDLP and other politicians what you are thinking.

The Panel will be:

* Alex Attwood SDLP

* Basil McCrea UUP

* Edwin Poots DUP

The evening will be a short introduction to the issues from all panellists followed by a question and answer session.

It will take place on 22nd September in Forthspring Community Centre, Springfield Road, West Belfast at 7pm.

All members of the public, party and press welcome.

For more information contact, Matthew McDermott 028 9080 7808/9

SDLP in West Belfast have organised a public forum discussion addressing the issue of All-Ireland Politics, the changing face of politics in the North, the impact of the credit crunch and if the executive is measuring up to the needs of the community.

The debate will also consider the SDLP and potential realignment: what this will mean for unionists, what effects it will have on politics in the north. But most of all, it is a chance for you to tell the SDLP and other politicians what you are thinking.

The Panel will be:

* Alex Attwood SDLP

* Basil McCrea UUP

* Edwin Poots DUP

The evening will be a short introduction to the issues from all panellists followed by a question and answer session.

It will take place on 22nd September in Forthspring Community Centre, Springfield Road, West Belfast at 7pm.

All members of the public, party and press welcome.

For more information contact, Matthew McDermott 028 9080 7808/9

SDLP Youth members are invited to…

THE RE-ALIGNMENT OF POLITICS IN IRELAND

Thursday 24 April 2008

The SDLP’s Newry Branch invites you to a debate on ‘The Re-Alignment of Politics in Ireland’.

In the Mourne Country Hotel, Belfast Rd. Newry

At 7.30 sharp

On Thursday 24th April 2008

For further details contact Peter McEvoy: mcevoysdlp AT gmail DOT com

SDLP Youth are mounting a demonstration at the Dáil calling for northerners to be allowed to vote in Irish Presidential elections.

The demonstration will take place at the gates of the Dáil at 1:45pm today (Wednesday 30th January 2008).

Speaking ahead of the demonstration SDLP Youth Chairperson Gary McKeown said: “People living in the north have the right to identify themselves as Irish, so it is only fair that they should be allowed to vote for their head of state. This is in-keeping with the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement and strengthens democracy. We believe that anyone who is eligible to vote in the north should be allowed to cast a ballot in the race for Áras an Uachtaráin.”

All Press and Photographers are welcome to attend.

ENDS

30-01-08