Views from conference floor

Posted on March 29, 2009 at 03:07 PM

Conference 2009
One delegate catching up on the news on conference floor.

Over the last couple of years as part of our online coverage of conference different delegates have written about their conference experiences for us, this year is no different and here are our delegates' views from conference floor.

Friday evening

Cllr John Lyons (Finglas, Dublin)

The speakers at tonight's debate on education were very critical of the education cuts in Budget 2009 and the more recent axing of 128 special classes for children with learning difficulties.

If Budget 2009 was a budget aimed at the most vulnerable in our society, why has there been so many cuts in education which would clearly affect the disadvantaged in our society most. Other speakers including myself spoke about how a well funded education system is the key to both the future success of our economy and society.

Saturday morning

Joanne Rourke - Having stashed the child at the conference crèche (Oh the guilt! Oh the peace!) on Saturday morning, I scooted down to the hall to see the local election candidates who had secured telly-time to make their pitch. I thought the format was effective; woman then man then Oireachtas member, all the slots were short, but the presentations were sharp and punchy and most importantly, from the heart.

Candidate after candidate told real-life stories about the nightmare situations that increasing numbers of people are dealing with; stories of sudden unemployment, big mortgages that can't be paid, special needs children who will be left to sink or swim in school. The overall message from that morning's session was that Labour is listening.

Claire Power - The motion on Energy and Natural Resources called for greater investment to maximise Ireland's wind and wave potential. Liz McManus, the Spokesperson for this area spoke on the motion. Overall, it could be said that this is a non contentious issue in that we all agree we have to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

However, it is so crucial to Ireland's security of supply and there is frustration at the lethargy shown by the government in this area. Ryan talks the talk, but has failed to set out the framework to harness our natural resources.

Liz spoke about the Foreshore Act, a piece of legislation that hasn't been updated since 1933 and is needed for further offshore and tidal energy projects to go ahead. At the moment it is floundering between a few different departments with no one taking full responsibility. Liz mentioned an Irish tidal company that is the first company to connect to a grid but it is in Scotland, not here.

The Joint Committee on Climate Change where Liz is the Labour Party representative came up with its own legislation that would facilitate further wind and wave projects but it was rejected by the Minister, without offering an alternative.

Michael McLoughlin (candidate for Dunboyne, Dunshaughlin, Ashbourne and Ratoath.)

My first Labour Party conference was 1988 (gulp!).

I was a fresh faced delegate looking for trouble with the leadership...I suppose some things do change over time. As always the level of organisation and attention to detail was very impressive. So finally I get to a conference as a candidate, it's not that different really so that's one of the great things about the party. I was to speak in the live television session on the economy and jobs and there is no more pressing issue in County Meath today.

It's a hard speech to do, I would be used to TV appearances form my day job but the big hall is still a tough ask. I have done conference speeches a number of times and I've finally settled on the very basic notes method and then hope pithy phrases come when you're up there, I simply couldn't deliver a prepared script as I think you need to address your audience and not the podium.

Anyway think I got the key messages across, Meath has the fastest growing unemployment in the country and those who find themselves in that terrible situation are subjected to very poor treatment

Eamon's speech was up to it's usually quality, he's a natural for audience interaction and motivation. So a great week-end in all, well done to the staff and all delegates. Now the real work begins.

Saturday Afternoon

William McLoughlin - (William is a member of the Standing Orders committee)

In breaks between last minute meetings, contentious debate and lost delegate cards I finally managed to get to watch the debate on the main reason everyone was here this weekend: Motion 54 - The Constitutional Amendment.

The floor was packed with delegates eager to see how the Labour Party dealt with the recommendations of the 21st Century Report. With bated breath they listened to passionate arguments on both sides and cheered at the refreshing candour expressed by those speaking.

Both sides want to better the Labour Party, both strongly believe in what we stand for but the question before the floor was how do we do it?

As the second last speaker left to the sound of rousing applause the podium was left empty and the crowd fell silent...

One man was next and we all waited...

Our Leader appeared, looked out over the mass of eager faces and without saying a word we knew what was coming. Eamon spoke on where the party is now, who we are and the dangers of failing to plan for the future. The reactions were positive and members quietened to hear more over the ripples of applause but suddenly Eamon burst forth such a passion and fire that hasn't been felt at conference for years. He told us about how we can become better, not just for Labour, not just for ourselves but for our country. He ended with such a high spirited crescendo that within seconds we all on our feet. There was no need for doubt and question.

We all knew that this was the way forward and the vote was overwhelmingly passed.

I cannot recall a debate with such vigour and candour in all my times at conference and I very much doubt that it will ever be beat. Watching this I felt the touch of Party History, a history that I was very much a part of...

But now I have to go any find your lost delegate card...

Sunday Morning

Elaine Deegan - At the Sunday morning transport debate members from around the country strongly condemned the proposed cutbacks to bus services around the country and highlighted the devastating impact these cutbacks will have on communities and commuters around Ireland.

I enjoyed the lively discussions and impressive proposals on a number of local transport issues including the re-opening of the Mullingar-Athlone rail line and Killucan Rail Station in Westmeath and the development of Ceannt Station, Galway as a central transport hub for Galway city and region. There was also lot of support at the debate for proposals to develop rail freight in Ireland given that at the moment less than 1% of goods are transported by rail.

Tommy Broughan, Labour transport spokesperson also re-iterated Labour's strong support for the SR Technics workforce and local management at Dublin Airport and called on the government to make sure that we protect this critical sector of the aviation industry and its 1200 jobs.

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