Convention March 2015–02-28
Motion B – Make it Easier to Amalgamate Constituency Groups
Proposer NEC
Add to section 5.1.1: “A Constituency Group may amalgamate with one or more Constituency Groups in adjacent constituencies. The National Executive Committee may amalgamate Constituency Groups for adjacent constituencies if it considers that this will lead to increased activity.”
Explanation: The way this can happen at the moment is unclear.
Motion C – Allow the NEC to Convene Constituency Groups
Proposer: NEC
Add 5.1.5: “The National Executive Committee has the right to convene a meeting of any Constituency Group by notifying all members on the records maintained by the national party.” [This will be 5.1.4 if Item 7 is passed.]
Explanation: This is to cater for situations where Constituency Groups have become inactive.
Motion D – Remove the Requirement for Constituency and Regional Development Plans
Proposer: NEC
Delete section 5.1.4 and section 5.2.6.
Explanation: The Party does not currently have the staff to guide this process.
Motion E – Shorten the Section on Regional Groups
Proposer: NEC
Delete sections 5.2.1 to 5.2.7 inclusive and substitute:
“5.2.1 Regional Groups may be formed where there is a perceived regional focus for co-ordinated activity, either by unanimous agreement of the Constituency Groups in a region or by decision of the National Executive Committee.
5.2.2 The decision-making structure of a Regional Group shall be decided by a General Meeting of members in the region who have voting rights according to Section 4.4. It shall be subject to approval by the National Council except in the case of an organisation outside the Republic of Ireland recognised by the National Executive Committee as having Regional Group status in the Party.
5.2.3 Each Regional Group shall have a Co-ordinator for the purpose of communications."
Explanation: The exception in 5.2.2 relates to the Green Party in Northern Ireland. No other Regional Groups are operative at present.
Motion F – Remove the Requirement for Delegates to national Council to be Elected at the First Meeting after Convention
Proposer: NEC
In section 5.3.5 delete “at the first meeting of each Constituency Group and each Regional Group subsequent to Convention” and substitute “annually”.
Explanation: This allows Groups to elect their delegates at any point of the year.
Motion G – Add Two Members to Policy Steering Committee Elected by National Council
Proposer: NEC
In section 5.3.6 delete “and the Party Chairperson” and substitute “the Party Chairperson, and two members elected by National Council.”
Explanation: The Policy Steering Committee already has several non-voting members who assist in its work. This would allow two of them to be voting members. The gender balance rule (section 5.03) would apply so that these two members could be of the same sex if necessary for gender balance.
Motion H – Remove Requirement for General Secretary
Proposer: NEC
In sections 5.1.4 and 5.2.6 [if not deleted under Item 7] replace “the General Secretary” by “Party staff”.
In section 5.5
amend section 5.5(a) to “To employ staff, who may include a General Secretary”;
delete section 5.5(b) and re-letter subsequent sections;
in section 5.5(c) delete “through the auspices of the General Secretary”;
in section 5.5(h) amend “Chair of National Council and the General Secretary” to “and Chair of National Council”;
in the passage following section 5.6(e)(iii) delete “the General Secretary and”;
in section 5.6.2 replace “the General Secretary between meetings of the National Executive Committee” by “Party staff”;
in section 5.7.3(d) replace “General Secretary” by “staff”.
In section 9.6.7 delete “drafted by the General Secretary and”.
Explanation: As the Party no longer has a General Secretary these provisions are inoperable. If the Party is able to employ a General Secretary in future the NEC will have power under the amended 5.5(a) to appoint one and allocate appropriate functions to them. However, giving the General Secretary voting rights at the Management Committee would require a subsequent constitutional amendment.
Motion I – Clarify Distinction between Appeals Panel and Appeals Committee
Proposer: NEC
In section 5.9.1 amend “The Appeals Tribunal” to “The members of an Appeals Tribunal”;
In section 5.9.3, section 5.9.4, and section 5.9.5 amend “The Appeals Committee” to “An Appeals Tribunal”.
Explanation: This reflects what has always been the practice as the Constitution as drafted appeared to be unworkable.
Motion J – Align Consensus Decision-Making With What Actually Happens
Proposer: NEC
Amend section 6.1.1 to read:
“In circumstances where, in the view of the chairperson, all reasonable efforts to achieve consensus have failed and the time available for debate is exhausted, the chairperson may put the matter to a vote. Upon the chairperson announcing a decision to do so, any member entitled to vote at the meeting may request that a procedural vote be taken to overturn the chairperson’s decision; in which case the procedural vote will be held immediately without discussion.”
Delete section 6.1.5 and re-number 6.1.6 as 6.1.5.
Explanation: This reflects current procedure by chairpersons and provides a way of objecting.
Motion K – Change Reference to ‘Convention Delegates’ to ‘All Members’
Proposer: NEC
Delete 7.3 and 7.4 and substitute:
"7.3 At all Conventions, all paid-up members of the Party shall be entitled to attend, speak and vote, except as specified in section 7.4.
"7.4 If the National Executive Committee considers that the number of members of the Party has grown to such an extent that Conventions organised under section 7.3 are not practicable, the National Council shall adopt Rules and Procedures for Conventions to be held on a delegate basis, with Regional Groups and/or Constituency Groups and/or Local Groups being represented proportionally. The number of members for the purpose of establishing the ratio of delegates shall exclude members in their probationary period. The decision of the National Council on the issue of proportionality shall be final and binding."
Explanation: At present, by a long-standing decision of National Council, all members are deemed to be delegates. This amendment makes the present situation easier to understand, while allowing change in the future.
Motion L – Remove Obsolete Provisions About Ending of NEC Terms of Office
Proposer: NEC
In the passage following section 7.5(l), delete
“or until the conclusion of the following Annual Convention where elected for 2 years; with the exception that those members of the National Executive Committee elected other than by Convention shall remain in office until such elections are held, or for one month after Convention, whichever period is the shorter.”
Explanation: These provisions referred to members elected for 2 years and delegates from Regional Councils and from groups of public representatives, and should have been deleted when these positions were abolished.
Motion M – Allow NEC to Convene a Selection Convention if Constituency Group Does Not
Proposer: NEC
Add to section 9.1: “The National Executive Committee may call a Selection Convention if it considers that the Local Group or Constituency Group is unduly delaying doing so.”
Explanation: This is to cater for situations where Constituency Groups may be inactive.
Motion N - Change the names of the “National Council” and “NEC” to be more indicative of their functions AMENDED MOTION PASSED
Proposer: Dun Laoghaire Greens
Throughout the Constitution, the name ‘National Council’ would be replaced by “Policy Council” and “National Executive Committee” would be replaced by “Executive Committee”.
Motion 2 – Local Public Banking
Proposer: Louth Greens
The Green Party supports the proposal from the Savings Bank Foundation for International Co-operation (SBFIC), to establish a network of Local Public Banks in Ireland.
We further urge the Government to provide the necessary resources to allow a detailed Business Plan of a new Local Public Banking system to be drawn up in co-operation with the SBFIC. Convention urges the Government to facilitate the drawing up of the necessary establishing legislation to allow these new banks to be set up as soon as possible.
Motion 3 – Reform of the Derelict Sites Act
Proposer: Dublin Central Greens
"That Convention calls on the Minister for the Environment, Communities and Local Government to tackle the under-use and hoarding of derelict land by the state, semi-state and private sectors by reforming the Derelict Sites Act to make available such lands for self-build and other forms of affordable housing"
Motion 4 – Amend the Constitution to Prevent the Privatisation of Public Water
Proposer: Dublin West Greens
The Green Party / Comhaontas Glas reiterates its call for a referendum to amend the Constitution to prevent the privatization of public water and water supply services in Ireland. The Green Party is committed to working towards this goal during the lifetime of the next Oireachtas.
Motion 5 – Ireland should Implement the EU Reception Directive
Proposer: Mayo Greens (AMENDED MOTION PASSED)
That the Green Party would support the end of direct provision and the introduction of more appropriate measures including the adoption and implementation of the reception conditions directive to manage the applications of asylum seekers and the asylum process.
Motion 6 – Site Value Tax
Proposer: UCC Young Greens
The Green Party / Comhaontas Glas calls for the immediate reform of the property tax and commercial rates, transforming from the current faulty system to a coherent site value tax.
Motion 7 – Mandatory Green Infrastructure
Proposer: Dun Laoghaire Greens
“The Green Party supports mandatory green infrastructure planning to be integrated into traditional planning and implemented in all urban and rural development”.
Motion 8 – Creation of a Public Liability Insurance Scheme
Proposer: Galway Greens
“That the Green Party supports the drawing up of legislation that creates a public liability scheme similar to the ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) in New Zealand”.
Motion 9 - The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
Proposer: Brussels Greens
The Green Party:
Motion 10 – Support for a referendum on the 8th Amendment
Proposer: Dublin Young Greens
The Green Party supports the holding of a referendum to allow the people of Ireland determine whether or not the 8th Amendment should be repealed.
Motion 11 – Support for a Yes Vote in any Referendum on the Repeal of the 8th Amendment (AMENDED MOTION PASSED)
Proposer: Dublin Young Greens
The Green Party will support a vote in favour of repeal in the above proposed referendum on the 8th amendment.
Motion 12 – Legislation Regulating Abortion in the Event that the 8th Amendment is Repealed (AMENDED MOTION PASSED)
Proposer: UCC Young Greens
That upon the repeal of the 8th amendment the Green Party will advocate legislation allowing for the lawful termination of pregnancies in cases of fatal foetal abnormality, rape, incest.
Motion 13 – Funding of the Health Service
Proposer: Carlow Kilkenny Greens
The Green Party strongly disagrees with other party's who prioritise tax cuts over solving the crisis in the Health Service. The Green Party will campaign for an increase in the staffing levels in the health service to abate the crisis.
Motion 14 – Tax Rebate on Gas Oil
Proposer: Dublin South Central
The Green Party/Comhaontas Glas supports a change to the legislation to consider replacing the marking of gas oil (Green/Red Diesel) with a tax rebate to farmers and agricultural contractors.
National Council – February 2015-02-15
A no-position stance on Fluoridation of Water – Passed
Proposer: Cork & Young Greens Motion
The Green Party acknowledges the continuing concerns of many people regarding health risks associated with fluoridation of water. The Party also acknowledges a substantial body of evidence that fluoridation of water can reduce the incidence of tooth decay. The Green Party supports targeted public programmes to improve education and practice related to oral hygiene and improve access to dental care.
National Council – December 2014
Support for Alltrials iniative - Passed
Proposer: Dublin Central
That the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas supports the "alltrials" initiative, calling for mandatory publication of all clinical trials involving medications and medical devices. The party also requests that any health related lobby group seeking the support of the party, its candidates or representatives signs the alltrials petition.
National Council – October 2014
Return of overpaid taxes - Passed
Proposer: Waterford Greens
Waterford Greens propose that Revenue be mandated to return all overpaid and known personal unclaimed taxes automatically and without notice to Irish taxpayers.
Variable Rate Mortgages for entire loan term - Passed
Proposer: Waterford Greens
Irish Government to mandate financial lending Institutions to provide fixed rate mortgages for the entire term of the mortgage should the consumer desire it. The same institutions borrow money from the markets at wholesale fixed rates. This financial product is available in most western economies except Ireland.
Convention March 2014
Current text of Constitution (as of Galway 2013):
5.6 National Executive Commitee Composition. The National Executive Committee shall comprise:
a) the Party Leder;
b) the Deputy Leader;
c) the Cathaoirleach;
d) a representative selected in advance of each Annual Convention by the Young Greens /Óige Ghlas;
e) a Treaurer, elected individually by preferendum at each Annual Convention;
f) 10 other members elected by preferendum at each Annual Convention so=that:
i) of the 15 members there will be at least one member of the=Parliamentary Party and not more than three
ii) of the 15 members t=ere will be at least one local government representative
iii) of the 10 members elected at Convention there will be there will be at least one member resident in each EU constituency covered by the Party.
Proposed amendment:
Replace 5.6(f)(iii) with:
iii) of the 10 members elected at Convention there will be there will be at least one member resident in each of the following areas:
Dublin (City or County); the rest of Leinster; Munster; Connacht, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan;
Northern Ireland.
Dedicated national flood prevention fund - PASSED
Convention calls on the Government to establish a dedicated national flood prevention fund with funding sourced by:
Publication of Annual Declaration Forms prior to Local Elections - PASSED
Proposer: Dublin North
At least one month prior to the 2014 local elections all Green Party candidates will complete and publish the Annual Declaration form (Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001) online or be able to make them available on request from a member of the public.
Reversing Cuts to the European Solidarity Fund - PASSED
The European Solidarity Fund is a crucial source of support for EU Member States and regions which experience natural disaster, such as the recent flooding experience in Ireland. The 51% cut to its funding in the 2014-2020 EU budget was unnecessary, and is particularly short-sighted considering the increased risk of natural disasters resulting from climate change. Irish Green MEPs will work to reverse this cut in the 2016 EU budget review, and will simplify the procedure by which Member States can apply for it.
Full Reserve Banking – AMENDMENT PASSED
The Green Party/Comhaontas Glas requests the European Green Party to study the merits of a shift to full reserve banking, and to issue a report within one year of the European Parliament elections.
Process to Review and Rewrite the Party Constitution - PASSED
The NEC proposes to initiate a process of reviewing and rewriting the Party Constitution to reflect the new conditions of the Party. The proposals from this process will be voted upon at the Party Annual Convention in 2015.
Green Party preference for electoral system – AMENDMEND MOTION PASSED
Mindful that, in an electoral system:
(i) freedom of choice is best given effect if the system is preferential(and, therefore, multi-candidate);
(ii) a voter can only cross the gender and/or party and/or ethno-religious divide(s) if it is indeed preferential;
(iii) the principle of regional/national proportionality is paramount, especially in a plural society;
(iv) the voters should ideally have a direct link with their local elected representative(s); and
(v) principles (iii) and (iv) can best be effected in a two-tier system;
Convention calls on the National Council to organise a discussion and decision-making process in the Party on electoral systems in the light to these principles.
Fair Site Valuation Tax – AMENDED MOTION PASSED
The Green Party/ Comhaontas Glas accepts the benefits of introducing a properly implemented and fair site valuation tax. However, we abhor the ultra right-wing style of a ‘land-grab’ penal property tax introduced by the Fine Gael / Labour Party coalition. We propose that the Household Charge be rescinded and not be replaced with any similar type of charge until there is a total overhaul of the taxation and local government system, to include directly-elected Mayors and corresponding transparent practices and policies in the local collection and expenditure of taxes..
Ban on Fracking – AMENDED MOTION PASSED
The Green Party supports Leitrim County council in banning "unconventional oil/gas exploration and extraction projects/operations" within their county, and also supports an immediate and outright ban on the exploration and extraction of Shale Gas by the fraction of Shale rock by hydraulics, cryogenics or similar purpose technology generally known as Fracking.
Registering young people to vote - PASSED
The Green Party believes that all applicants for Garda Age Cards should also be registered to vote unless they choose to opt out.
Offshore Farmed Salmon - PASSED
The Green Party calls on the Government to end the licensing of offshore farmed salmon and supports the development of an alternative onshore salmon farm industry.
Review of the 7 Guiding Principles of the Party - PASSED
At this time of historical review, 100 years on from the events which shaped our Island, Convention calls on our National Council to help reset and reaffirm our 7 Guiding Principles, to present a compelling vision for the people of Ireland, North and South.
Local Authorities retaining Irish Water Assets - PASSED
That the assets of Irish Water be retained by the State.
Policy on drugs of abuse - PASSED
The Green Party/Comhaontas Glas considers that policies centred around prohibition of drugs of abuse have been costly to communities, to society and to the economy and we call for an evidence based review of national and international policy in this area.
National council – October 2013
Explanation: This would put an end to that by introducing a transparent audit of what is in the budget in advance, to make sure that it’s equality-proofed.
That it be Green Party policy that legislation would be introduced making it mandatory on County and City Councils to use only timber product that is certified as being manufactured from forests that are sustainably managed.
National Council – July 2013
Deposit Refund Scheme – Amended Motion Passed
Proposer: Carlow/Kilkenny
‘The Green Party call on the Government to introduce a deposit refund scheme for all glass, plastic and aluminium drinks containers sold from retail and off-license outlets’.
Organ Donation - Passed
Motion to presume organ removal and donation, unless otherwise registered (the reversal of our current organ donation system) was passed.
National Convention 2013
The National Executive Committee shall comprise:
iii) at least two members resident in each EU constituency covered by the Party.
If the above conditions and gender balance cannot both be satisfied by the candidates available, additional members will be selected to achieve gender balance. In this event the next highest ranking males or females in the preferendum will be elected. Failing this the National Executive Committee will co-opt members to achieve gender balance.
Meetings shall be attended in a non-voting capacity by the General Secretary and the Chair (or in his/her absence the Deputy Chair) of National Council.
The National Executive Committee shall comprise:
iii) of the 10 members elected at Convention there will be at least one member resident in each EU constituency covered by the Party.
If the above conditions and gender balance cannot both be satisfied by the candidates available, additional members will be selected to achieve gender balance. In this event the next highest ranking males or females in the preferendum will be elected. Failing this the National Executive Committee will co-opt members to achieve gender balance.
Meetings shall be attended in a non-voting capacity by the General Secretary and the Chair (or in his/her absence the Deputy Chair) of National Council.
We call on the Green Party to reduce the number required to constitute a Constituency Group from 10 to 5 as defined within our party constitution."
An Opposition at Stormont - Approved
Proposer: NI Executive
‘While restating deeply held concerns about the nature of so called ‘normal’ adversarial politics and endorsing all parliamentary methods that promote consensus decision making, The Green Party in Northern Ireland advocates the establishment of a recognised Opposition within the Northern Ireland Assembly.
We believe that the Northern Ireland Executive should be formed by post-election inter-party negotiations that should also agree a Programme for Government. Both the Executive Ministers and the Programme for Government should be subject to endorsement by the Assembly by a 66% majority of elected Members present and voting.
Such a fundamental change to the principles underpinning the Good Friday Agreement should be part of a wider political reform programme tackling other legacy issue arising from the Good Friday and St. Andrew's Agreements. Such a political reform programme should be endorsed by a referendum put to the people of Northern Ireland, endorsed by resolutions in both houses of the Oireachtas and enabled by primary legislation passed at Westminster.’
Crime of Ecocide in International Law - Passed
Proposer: Carlow/Kilkenny – Cathy Fitzgerald
'The Green Party supports the proposition that a crime of ecocide be created in international law, as a crime against nature, humanity and future generations, to be defined as ‘the extensive damage to, destruction of or loss of ecosystem(s) of a given territory, whether by human agency or other causes, to such an extent that peaceful enjoyment by the inhabitants (human and non-human) of that territory has been or will be severely diminished’; and that the proposed crime of ecocide be formally recognised as a Crime against Peace subject to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.'
Integrated European Green Party - Passed
Proposer: East Belfast Greens – Ross Brown
‘The Irish Green Party believes in and will campaign in favour of a more integrated European Green Party’.
Abortion in Ireland - Approved
Proposer: South Belfast – Clare Bailey
‘The Green Party calls for the 'risk of suicide' to be included as a ground within 'life',
Basic Income - Passed
Proposer: NI Executive – Ross Brown
‘The Green Party will campaign in favour of the establishment of a basic income'.