Conference 2006 - motions passed

Issued : Monday 6 November, 2006

EDUCATION

A sure start for all kids

Labour Youth recognises that:
A child's formative years, between birth and school age, are key to their social and educational development.

Labour Youth firmly believes that:

Where any child comes from should not determine where they can go; that their opportunities should in no way be determined by their material situation.

Labour Youth calls for:
A comprehensive analysis of the 'sure-start' programme implemented in the UK over the past decade with a view to developing a similarly far-reaching child support programme adapted for the Irish context.

Labour Youth mandates:
The incoming Education and Policy Development Officer to complete, within 9 months of taking office, the above analysis and to prepare, within the framework of a broader policy document, a series of recommendations which should then be promoted within the Labour Party as one of the vital step-changes that are needed in Irish youth support policy.

Education & Child Poverty

Conference reiterates:
the view that Education is a right and not a privilege.

Conference dedicates:
Labour Youth to campaigning to eliminating child poverty.

However Conference notes:
that it is still largely the privileged that gets to go to 3rd level college.

Conference also notes:
that child poverty is most prevalent in single parent households.

Conference supports:
the view that education is one of the clearest paths to improving life chances of the person.

Conference condemns:
the lack of support to single parents and indeed the obstacles that this Thatcherite Government puts in the path of single parents returning to work or returning to education.

Conference dedicates:
Labour Youth to combating the vicious circle of poverty and constructing a virtuous circle of potential and opportunity.

To this end Conference instructs:
Labour Youth to present a comprehensive policy document on Childcare, Child Support, Social Welfare and Educational Grants that facilitates:
-single parents entering education
-keeping them in education until qualification, be it second level, VTOS, FETAC, FAS, PLC, IT or University
-supporting them with adequate childcare means.

Conference also mandates:
the NYE to campaign for the implementation of these recommendations.

 

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Tax Policy

Conference notes:
the gross inequality in Irish Society

Conference believes:
that this is as a direct result of the unfair tax system in Ireland.

Conference mandates the NYE:
1) to lobby the party to produce strong tax reform that will see justice for PAYE workers and some redistributive efforts.
2) to continue to campaign for the taxation policies outlined in the Labour Youth policy document 2006
3) In addition to campaign for the closing off all tax loopholes within our tax code
4) For the Education & Policy Development Officer to propose an appropriate policy on Inheritance tax to be proposed to the OC for incorporation into Labour Youth policy

 

ARTS, CULTURE AND THE GAELTACHT

Artists' Tax Exemption

Conference notes:
That the artists' tax exemption has finally been capped

Conference further notes:
That actors in Ireland remain amongst the worst paid in Europe

Conference therefore calls on:
The Labour Party in government to include actors' earnings in the artists' tax exemption

Conference mandates:
The Chair of Labour Youth to write a letter and/ or send a press release to the media at the time of the Irish Film and Television awards highlighting this issue.

Ministry for Arts

Conference notes that:
The last time Labour were in government there was a separate ministerial portfolio for Arts under Michael D. Higgins

Conference further notes:
That this was a great success for the industry

Conference calls on:
Labour in government to re-introduce a separate portfolio for Arts

Conference mandates the Labour Youth Chair:
- to raise this at the NEC for inclusion in the manifesto and subsequently any programme for government
- to meet the relevant party spokesperson to raise the issue

 

The Internationale

Conference calls on
Delegates to sing The Internationale at close of business of the first night of Labour Youth Conference.

Conference resolves:
The Organisation Council will decide which verses and in which language it will be sung.

WORKERS RIGHTS/ CAMPAIGNS

Living Wage

Conference notes with shame that:
-An alarming number of workers in Dublin and Ireland suffer from low-wages and that such low-wages are a threat to the prosperity and public welfare of society;
-Many workers suffer from job displacement or the threat of such in many sectors of the economy and,
-As a consequence, many workers cannot participate in civic life or pursue educational, cultural and recreational opportunities because they either do not have the income or because they must work such long hours in order to meet their households' most basic needs;
-There is a substantial social cost associated with the phenomenon of low-pay and the resulting denial of full participation in civic and economic life;
-All democratically elected authorities and public agencies should play a vital role in ensuring the public welfare and that public welfare requires adequate wages and benefits to ensure a decent and healthy life for workers and their families;
-The National Minimum Wage, while protecting workers from the worst abuses in the workplace and the economy, is nonetheless insufficient to provide the income and benefits for a decent and healthy life;
-The EU threshold measurement for Low Pay and the Council of Europe's Threshold of Decency are set substantially higher than the national minimum wage.
Conference calls on:
the NYE to fully support the campaign for a living wage and to keep members fully aware of developments of the living wage campaign which is currently before Dublin City Council.

No to Privatisation of Electricity

Conference recognises:
- That recent policies of the European Union show their determination to privatise every last one of our public services.
- That sites have been set aside in this country with the intention of providing a base for the entry of competitors into the electricity market.

Conference acknowledges:
- That current competition law dictates that competition must be introduced irrespective of circumstances.
- That given the size of the Irish market; for any new player in the energy market to compete with the E.S.B., prices across the board would have to be increased.
- That this is yet another example of the all-too obvious limitations of the neo-liberal ethos which holds sway in Brussels.

Conference condemns:
Any attempt to privatise electricity provision in this country.

Conference mandates:
The NYE, and in particular the Chair, Vice-Chair and International Officer, to campaign both within and outside the party against the privatisation of public services.

 

Ethical State Contracts

Conference reaffirms:
its support for the Shell to Sea and Killer Coke campaigns.

Conference notes:
that there are multi-million euro contracts with oil and soft drink companies held by various government departments and local authorities across Ireland.

Conference calls for:
an ethical-based approach to all state contracts.

Conference mandates:
the Vice Chair/Campaigns Officer to research the extent to which local authorities and government are contracted to Shell, Statoil and Marathon, the three companies involved in exploitative practices in Mayo, and Coca-Cola.

Conference further mandates:
the Vice Chair/Campaigns Officer to contact all Labour Party public representatives, including town and county councillors, to ask them to propose the cutting of all links with these companies by local authorities and government in the relevant bodies.

INTERNATIONAL/ ANTI-WAR

Republic of Belarus

Labour Youth condemns: the lack of open democracy and the repressive nature of government in the Republic of Belarus and offers our support to an opposition movement demanding human rights and a pluralist democracy with a view to supporting the normalisation of Belorussian society and eventual EU membership.

Labour Youth mandates:
the Vice-Chair/Campaigns Officer and the International Officer to launch an awareness campaign on the situation in Belarus and the fact that it is considered the last Dictatorship in Europe."

Non-Violent Direct Action

Conference notes that:
Labour Youth is an active, campaigning organisation which has had some notable successes on the streets this year.
The government refuses to address the interests of the vast majority of the people of Ireland
Protest action is one of the most effective means to raise public awareness at injustices being carried out by large Transnational Corporations in Ireland with the backing of the neo-liberal and corrupt government.

Conference further notes that:
Sometimes no matter how large and noticeable protesting can be, the issues raised by the movement are not addressed. In such cases further action is required such as occupations and blockades.

Conference recognises:
-The courageous Non-Violent Direct action taken by the Pit Stop Ploughshare demonstrators in disabling a war machine in Shannon Airport.
-The bold and decisive move by the Derry Anti-War movement to occupy and disrupt the activities of the Raytheon facility.
Labour Youth sees both of these actions as Non-Violent and necessary to save lives where government inaction has failed to intervene.

Conference believes:
That the occupation and possible destruction of the tools, machines and apparatus of war especially are completely justified action.

Conference mandates:
-The Campaigns Officer and the NYE to support Non-Violent Direct action

British Labour & John McDonnell MP

Conference notes the close ties between Ireland and Britain, and the important historical relationship between our party and the British Labour Party.

Conference notes with the disgust the continuation of the vile New Labour project in the British Labour Party which has led to the invasion of Iraq, attacks on the NHS and fees for third-level students amongst other policies.

Conference believes that New Labour is a remnant of Thatcherism, and that Tony Blair's leadership of the British Labour Party has resulted in a diminution of party democracy and the loss of some 200,000 members over the past decade.

Conference expresses its solidarity with those in the British Labour Party who are seeking to reclaim the party for the principles it was founded on - the values of solidarity, equality and democracy which have underpinned the British Labour Party for over 100 years.

Conference believes the future for democratic socialism in Britain lies inside the Labour Party, not outside.

Conference expresses its support for John McDonnell MP, the Chair of the Socialist Campaign Group, in his campaign for Leadership of the British Labour Party, and calls for our British comrades to vote for and support his campaign.

Conference mandates the incoming Chairperson to send a letter of support on behalf of Labour Youth to John McDonnell MP

Blockade of Cuba

Conference notes the economic blockade placed on Cuba by successive American administrations for over 40 years.

Conference further notes the Helms Burton Act and its extraterritorial pretensions aimed at punishing non-U.S. corporations and non-U.S. investors who have economic interests in Cuba.

Conference notes with concern the adverse economic and social effects these measures have had on Cuba.

Conference calls for the immediate lifting of the Cuban blockade, in line with United Nations recommendations.

Conference mandates the NYE to make links with the Cuba Support Group in Ireland with a view to assisting in any actions or campaigns aimed at the removal of the blockade.

ENVIRONMENT

Nuclear and Renewable Energy

Conference remembers:
sombrely the nuclear incidents at Windscale (now Sellafield), Long Mile Island and the tragic catastrophe at Chernobyl.

Conference notes with concern:
the increasing message being put around in the media that nuclear energy is the only solution to global warming

Conference notes with horror:
the pressure around the world to build a new generation of nuclear power stations and the immense cost to taxpayer and potential cost to the environment and future generations.

Conference resolutely opposes:
any building of any fission nuclear power stations in Ireland.

Furthermore conference demands:
that the Irish Government rejects the purchasing of any energy that is produced by nuclear fission.

Conference demands:
that the Labour Party in government commits to pursuing activist policies to encourage development and use of renewable energy sources and energy conservation methods.

Nuclear Proliferation

Conference notes:
with alarm the ever increasing number of countries that have nuclear weapons.

Conference believes:
that there is no justification for any nation or organisation to have nuclear weapons.

Conference:
will join with other groups and campaign against nuclear proliferation.

Community before Infrastructure

Labour Youth condemns:
inter alia the siting of a regional landfill dump in Lusk, a regional sewage treatment plant in Portrane, a super-prison in Swords, a new airplane flight path over Portmarnock, and other such large-scale infrastuctural developments around the country which are imposed upon communities, firstly without prior consultation and subsequently against their will and which put economy of scale before the proper planning and sustainable development of the country.

Labour Youth further calls for:
the nationwide establishment of statutory directly elected community councils which have the power and resources to fight for the social, educational, environmental, recreational and cultural improvements of their communities and which operate along the lines of direct democracy.

Motor Insurance

Conference asserts:
- our belief in the need for all motorists to be insured
- our disgust at the exorbitant insurance costs incurred by the young people of Ireland
-our commitment to reducing the cost of basic motor insurance for all motorists in Ireland

Conference believes that:
- a more equitable third party insurance system could be provided for by the state
- such a system could be funded by way of a levy on petrol/diesel sales
- provision must be made for commercial drivers in such a system, by way of tax relief on fuel expenditure
- full investigation must be made, as to whether such a system would prove prohibitively expensive for rural dwellers, and whether any relief provision should be included to counterbalance such an expense

Conferences recognises that:
-an identical system is in successful operation in South Africa
-South Australia cover all motorists for third party insurance by way of a levy on vehicle registration charges
-such a system would only prove economical if a fuel levy does not bring the cost of fuel significantly above the cost of fuel in Northern Ireland

Conference mandates:
- The Education & Development Officer to fully investigate the costs associated with such a levy, including the costs of any commercial/rural reliefs
- The NYE, in co-operation with the Labour Party Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade & Employment, to seek to have such a levy included in any programme for Government
- The Vice-Chair & Campaigns Officer to campaign on this issue once costings are complete, articulating this LY policy to the Irish electorate.

Political Donations

Conference recognises that:
-The Irish political system has been riddled with widespread corruption throughout the history of the state. In particular Ireland's two largest conservative parties Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have in historical terms an appalling record in terms of the ethical standards of many of their public representatives and the fundraising mechanisms employed by both parties
-Corruption in Irish politics is due to the high level of corporate donations to Irish politicians and political parties.

Conference proposes that:
-All Corporate donations to political parties should be banned
-Strict spending limits should be introduced for local and European elections

Conference mandates that:
-This proposal be brought up by Labour Youth's representative on the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party and that Labour Youth campaigns for its implementation at a national level.

Sustainable Rural Development for the 21st century

Labour Youth recognises that:
1)There is a stark regional divergence in the economic benefits accrued in Ireland over the past ten years - with the Border-Midlands-West region lagging far behind Dublin, the South-East and even Northern Ireland in terms of per capita income, for instance.

2)There has been a tendency in the past for Labour not to pay sufficient attention to social policies which extend beyond serving the needs of Ireland's large urban centres.

Ireland has one of the sparsest population densities in the EU, thus necessitating a coherent spatial strategy designed to knit together rural communities with each other while tying them into modern national infrastructure.

3)The need for economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture is of growing salience - Carbon neutral, 'Green Energy' could be a progressive way forward in this regard.

Labour Youth mandates:

The incoming Education and Policy Development Officer to develop, within 6 months of taking office, a comprehensive rural development strategy based on Labour values; and designed to attract support in areas where Labour support is not traditionally strong.

In particular, Labour Youth calls for:
1.Sustained and significant investment in regional infrastructure, tying into national networks:
-Development of the Western Rail Corridor
-Investment in regional airports as 'tourist hubs'
-Improvement of secondary road infrastructure, both in terms of quality and safety.
-Implementation of a public transport plan to link regional urban centres with their hinterlands.
2.A junior minister to be dedicated to rural development.

3.Tackling 'e-exclusion' in rural communities:
-Target 100% broadband installation for rural schools
-Capital grants and €10 per month for the 1st year for low-income families to install broadband
-A second-hand computer grant scheme for low income families

4.Support for sustainable green-energy agriculture:
-Double current 'energy-aid' payment from €45 to €90 per hectare
-Capital grants to sugarbeet farmers to switch orientate production towards bioethanol production
-Targeting a fuel substitution target of 6% by 2012
-Enhance excise duty relief for renewable fuels

5.Increase the range and scope of the 'Clár' programme for rural disadvantaged areas:
-By doubling annual funding to €50m
-By targeting support for rural SMEs, the potential engine of the rural economy

Bin Tax

Conference notes:
- that bin charges are a form of double taxation
- that bin charges are a form of indirect taxation, which place disproportional financial pressure on low-income families.

Conference also notes:
- that bin charges are linked with incineration and have had little or no effect in reducing waste.
- that bin charges have provided people with little incentive to recycle

Conference also expresses concern:
about the health and environmental hazards associated with incineration

Conference further notes:
the lack of a national waiver scheme for low-income families.

Conference also condemns:
- the privatisation of waste disposal services
- the government's shameful record on recycling and the fact that many homes throughout the country do not have access to adequate recycling facilities. Conference also notes that there are no levies on big businesses who use excessive packaging.

Conference notes with disgust:
that the Labour Party has not expressed explicit opposition to waste charges and that many Labour Party representatives have voted to increase bin charges at local government level.

Conference supports:
the anti bin tax campaign.

Conference mandates:
the incoming national Chairperson and Vice Chairperson to lobby Labour Party local government representatives to vote against any increases in waste charges.

Conference calls for:
the abolition of waste charges and the implementation of a national waste strategy involving the provision of adequate recycling facilities in order to minimise the percentage of non-recyclable household waste.

Conference also calls for:
environmental levies to be placed on businesses that use excessive packaging in order to clamp down on waste at the source as opposed to charging the general public. In the meantime, conference calls for a national waiver scheme for low-income families to be implemented and an end to the privatisation of waste disposal services.

PARTY AFFAIRS

Connolly Festival

Conference acknowledges:
-The importance of interaction with other like-minded groups, including, but not limited to, peace campaigners, environmentalists, human rights campaigners and independent activists.
-The tradition of solidarity on which Labour Youth and the Labour Party were founded
-The need for increased co-operation with other groups, in order to
facilitate various shared campaigns

Conference recognises:
-The need for Labour Youth to continue efforts to recruit activists outside the traditional college recruitment timeframes
-The need for Labour Youth to organise events which serve as an opportunity for new members to become active
-The need for Labour Youth to hold more regular events which provide opportunities for members to have an input on the development of campaigns and policy
- The sucess of this year's Connolly Festival in engaging with non-Labour Youth members, opening dialogue between ourselves and other left-wing groups, and providing a vital opportunity for non-college recruitment

Conference mandates:
The National Youth Executive to organise an annual event, titled 'Connolly Festival', to promote co-operation and interaction with other groups and individuals, and to provide an opportunity for recruitment of new Labour Youth members, the activation of those members, and the further development of Labour Youth campaigns and policies.

Equality Officer

Conference notes:
The introduction of the position of a Labour Youth Equality Officer

Conference mandates:
The incoming Equality Officer to publish a plan of action for the coming year within 2 weeks of been elected

Conference further mandates:
The incoming Equality Officer to offer a constitutional amendment to next year's conference outlining in detail the role of the Equality Officer.

Gender Equality

Labour Youth affirms:
its belief in gender equality and gender quotas

Labour Youth mandates:
the NYE to look at ways in which females can be encouraged to participate more in Labour Youth.

Furthermore Labour Youth believes:
that Labour Youth and Labour Women should work together more closely

Conference mandates:
the NYE to seek if possible, by discussions with the Labour Women Executive, a female Labour Youth representative to Labour Women.

Internal Democracy

Conference affirms:
The importance of democracy, accountability and transparency within Labour Youth.

Conference therefore mandates:
That all members of the NYE must include as part of their written reports to the OC an update on the progress towards implementation of mandates related to their position throughout the year.

Conference further mandates:
The NYE to assume collective responsibility for the implementation of all mandates which are not related to a specific officer and to devise mechanisms through which they will be implemented and reported upon at the Organisation Council.

Labour Youth Budget & Finances

Conference notes that the annual Labour Youth budget is of vital importance in planning and strategy for the organisation.

Conference mandates that a draft Labour Youth budget will be prepared by the National Youth Executive as soon as possible after Youth Conference.

In the interests of greater democracy and accountability, Conference mandates that this budget will be brought to the first Organisational Council after Youth Conference for its agreement.

Conference further mandates that:
the finances of the organisation shall be an item for discussion on the agenda of each Organisational Council, and that a report on the financial situation is distributed to all OC reps at least 3 days prior to every OC.

Location of Meetings

Reflecting the all island nature of Labour Youth, conference believes that Labour Youth should strive for at least one national meeting in each of the four provinces of Ireland a year.

Seize the Power

Conference notes:
That there has been extensive consultation with Labour Youth members about what they would like to see Labour Youth prioritise as issues of concern for young people in the next election.

Conference calls on the Labour Party in Government to:
1. Remove the US Military from Shannon
2. Stop the Privatisation of our Public Services
3. Introduce Free GP Care for all
4. Introduce same sex marriage and the right for children to be adopted by the best parents regardless of sexual orientation
5. Legislate for the X Case and hold a referendum to introduce safe, free and legal abortion in Ireland
6. Introduce legislation to give workers the right to union recognition
7. Abolish all full and part time college fees
8. Remove religious ownership and control from educational institutions
9. End public funding for private schools
10. Invest properly in social housing, to end land speculation and repeal Part 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2002

Conference mandates:
1. The NYE to prioritise these areas when campaigning for Labour in the next election
2. The NYE to campaign for the inclusion of these points in the Labour manifesto and any programme for government

Coalition Government

Conference Mandates:

The NYE in conjunction with the Education and policy development working group to develop, update and expand upon the Labour Youth policy document "Towards an Alternative Politics" by May 30th 2007 with the purpose of circulation at any special delegate conference of the Labour Party following a general election in 2007.

Conference further Mandates:
The NYE to campaign actively against any possible coalition proposal in which the Labour Party is not the largest party. This includes distribution of literature and active canvassing of party members outlining and seeking support for Labour Youth's stance.

Electoral Strategy

Conference calls for:
a vote for the Labour Party in the upcoming general election, and for voters to transfer against the government.

Conference believes:
all Labour Youth members should contribute as much of their time and effort as possible to ensuring the maximum number of votes for Labour candidates in all constituencies.

Conference reaffirms:
support for an independent electoral strategy for the Labour Party.

Conference mandates:
Labour Youth to include a call for a vote for the Labour Party alone in all its election literature, press releases and communication to members.

Conference asks:
all Labour Youth members not to co-operate with the distribution of any material, including leaflets and posters, which calls for a transfer to the Fine Gael party.

EQUALITY

Same Sex Marriage

Conference notes:
The Marriage of Anne Louise Gilligan and Katherine Zappone

Conference further notes:
The injustice and discrimination in the refusal of the Irish Government to recognise their marriage or to allow them to marry in Ireland

Conference calls for:
an end to this discrimination through the introduction of same sex marriages

Conference mandates:
The campaigns officer to campaign vigorously in support of same sex marriage

Women's Rights

Conference acknowledges:
the need for the protection of and upholding of women's rights within Ireland.

Conference also recognises that:
-women living in Ireland at present experience various forms of discrimination and undue hardship due to the lack of educational, health and financial supports available to them.
-Problems within the education system include the lack of proper sex education at second level, inevitably contributing to the high level of crisis pregnancies in Ireland among young women, and also the rise in STIs among both women and men in recent times.

Conference notes:
the problems within the health service include the lack of access to the morning
after pill and the lack of abortion services available in Ireland. This causes great hardship on a daily basis to women facing crisis pregnancies, particularly for women of low income backgrounds. It is also a fundamental violation of the reproductive rights of women.

Conference further notes:
that financial problems include (a) the high cost of contraception in Ireland and(b) the lack of financial support given to women (and men) who work within the home.

Conference believes that:
-the high cost of contraception is inevitably contributing to the high numbers of crisis pregnancies and STIs.
-the lack of recognition of the work women (and men) do within the home is contributing to existing economic inequalities between women and men.
-Economic dependency hinders any advancement in gender equality, and is particularly a crucial issue in relation to situations of domestic violence.

Conference calls for:
-the introduction of a sex education programme at second level so as to provide young women and men information on sexual health, contraception and crisis pregnancies. This should be implemented regardless of the religious ethos of certain schools.
-for a reduction in the cost of contraception in Ireland.
-the morning after pill to be made available across the counter in all pharmacies.
-the provision of free, safe and legal abortion services throughout the country.

Conference further calls for:
the provision of a wage to women (and men) who work within the home.

Conference mandates:
the Vice Chair Campaigns Officer to coordinate a vigorous campaign encompassing the above aims.

 

JUSTICE

Drugs Policy (UCC Motion)

Conference calls upon:
Labour Youth to research and produce a comprehensive Drugs Policy that is saner, safer and legal than the current head in the sand policy.

This Policy will outline the medical and social advantages associated with the legalising of cannabis. Conference recognises that hard drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine are a scourge on many communities in Ireland. Conference notes that the best way to prevent the use of soft drugs from leading to harder drug use is through legalisation, this will serve to take the supply of softer drugs out of the hands of criminal gangs who use it as stepping stone to pushing heroin use on young people.

Conference affirms that personal consumption of cannabis should be decriminalised.

Conference also calls for a reversal on the ban on magic mushrooms.

Drugs policy (TCD Motion)

Conference notes:
the lack of any coherent drugs policy within Labour Youth.

Conference mandates:
the Education and Policy Development Officer, in consultation with Labour youth membership, to direct a comprehensive and detailed policy document on all drug use.

Labour Youth believes that cannabis is a lot less dangerous than heroin and that this differentiation is vital

Conference mandates:
the Vice-Chair/Campaigns officer to launch a Labour Youth campaign calling for a Harm Reduction policy towards drug use

Conference also mandates:
The Chair of Labour Youth to oppose any moves by the Labour Party to combine all drugs into one category as is the present practice..

Special Criminal Court

Labour Youth affirms that the right to trial by jury is a cornerstone of the justice system in a democratic state and therefore calls for the disestablishment of the Special Criminal Court and the repeal of part V of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

Garda Corruption

Conference notes:
The widespread corruption in the Gardaí revealed in the reports of the Morris Tribunal.

Conference further notes:
That many of the recommendations of the reports have been entirely ignored by the Minister for Justice.

Conference calls for:
The full implementation of the Morris recommendations.

Conference insists on:
The setting up of a fully independent Garda Ombudsman

 

HEALTH

Sexual Health and Contraception

Conference notes with dismay:
the huge increase in recent years of the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections, which predominantly affect the young and the socially disadvantaged, the most vulnerable in our society. Conference calls for resolute action to be taken in order to combat the further spread of such infections.
To this end, Labour Youth is committed to:

1)Campaigning for the universal provision of free, state funded contraception
2)Ensuring that all GPs are equipped and trained to provide treatment and screening for STIs.
3)Increasing funding for the expansion of services in the dedicated Sexual Health clinics in St. James' and in the Mater Hospital "as well as the setting up of free STI clinics in all Third Level institutions.
4)Campaigning for the expansion of Sexual Health screening and treatment centres in heretofore neglected rural areas.
5)campaigning for compulsory sexual health education in all schools and a national information campaign on sexual health.

On the related issue of contraception, conference notes the continued rise of the phenomena of crisis pregnancies. Labour Youth commits itself to campaigning to ensure that emergency contraception, or the morning-after pill, is made available over the counter, ie without a prescription from a doctor.

Universal Health Care

Conference notes with shame:
the dreadful state of the Irish health service.

Conference abhors:
the precedent of the National Treatment Purchase Fund as it undermines the ideal of universal health care by committing public monies and patients to the private sector.

Conference condemns:
the recent Labour-Fine Gael joint policy document as lacking the substance necessary to see this goal achieved.

Conference rejects outright:
the current policy of the Irish Government to subsidise the building and maintenance of private hospitals.

Conference affirms that:
healthcare is a human right

Conference mandates:
the NYE, and in particular the Education and Policy Development Officer, to produce a detailed policy document focussing on proposals for the implementation of a comprehensive and universal healthcare service based not on the ability to pay, but rather clinical need. This must include the following points:
1)Public funds designated for healthcare will be devoted solely to the public health service.
2)The National Treatment Purchase Fund will be regarded as the temporary measure that it is, and shall be phased out so as to allow for the redirection of funding which will render it unnecessary.
3)Free GP care will be made available to all.

National Childrens Hospital

Conference believes:
that, as far as is practicable, health care should be resourced and provided for in local communities across Ireland.

Conference recognises:
the excellent work of the National Childrens Hospital, which moved to the Tallaght Hospital Campus in 1998. Conference recognises that over 30,000 children received treatment there in 2005 alone, and that the Hospital provides quality care in spite of underfunding, government and HSE mismanagement and the ideological threat of privatisation.

Conference notes:
that it is the Government's intention to remove the National Childrens Hospital from Tallaght, having spent millions on the 1998 relocation, in favour of centralised provision of paediatric care in the Mater.

Conference believes that:
this decision is motivated by the location of the Mater in the Taoiseach's constituency, and that there is no reason why world-class paediatric facilities cannot be located in more than one hospital campus.

Conference notes:
that the appalling traffic in the Greater Dublin area and the dearth of public transport will mean that those in the natural hinterland of Tallaght Hospital will be forced to sit in traffic for up to 3 hours to get to the Mater.

Conference believes:
that the hundreds of thousands of people in the natural hinterland of Tallaght Hospital will best be served by the development of children' facilities in Tallaght.

Conference mandates:
Labour Youth to participate in and support the campaign to Save Tallaght Children's Hospital.

Scientific research

Conference notes:
the increasing commodification of scientific advances in the health sector.

Conference does not believe:
that this is compatible with achieving the widest possible distribution of medication especially in developing countries
Conference calls on:
the Government to increase state funding in scientific research and to use discoveries in the interest of the public good.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Organisation Council name change

Delete all references to "Organisation Council" and replace with "Council"

Working Group Empowerment

Article 7

Delete:
The Campaigns Working Group will have at least 4 meetings a year and will assist the Vice-Chair with the formulating and conducting of all Labour Youth campaigns.
Replace with:
The Vice-Chair must delegate extensively to individuals on the Campaigns Working Group and consult with the Campaigns Working Group on all Campaign strategy and formulation; taking guidance from the experience of its members and giving responsibilities to individuals on it for specific campaign co-ordination where their interest lies.

Delete:
The Communications Working Group will have at least 4 meetings a year and will assist the Communications Officer with their duties in particular the production of the Labour Youth newsletter.
Replace with:
The Communications Officer will operate the Communications Working Group as the publications team of Labour Youth assigning specific responsibilities to individuals on the Working Group to cover topics Labour Youth is involved in on an ongoing basis for the newsletter, website(s) and third party news websites

Delete:
The Recruitment Working Group will have at least 4 meetings a year and will assist the Recruitment Officer with their duties.
Replace with:
The Recruitment Officer must delegate extensively to individuals on the Recruitment Working Group responsibilities for coordinating with specific Labour Youth sections. The Recruitment Working Group will formulate all Recruitment strategies taking guidance from the experience of its members.

Delete:
The Policy and Education Working Group will have at least 4 meetings a year and will assist the Education and Development Officer with their duties.
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The Education and Development Officer must coordinate the production of all Labour Youth policy and training with the Policy and Education Working Group. Extensive delegation of subsections of policy is to take place and use of the experienced trainers on the Working Group for seminars is to be maximized.

Delete:
The Equality Working Group will have at least 4 meetings per year and will assist the Equality Officer with their duties.
Replace with:
The Equality Officer must extensively delegate responsibilities to the Equality Working Group on an ongoing basis taking guidance from the experience of its members and delegating responsibilities to individual members.