Conference Motions

Party Constitution

Session 1 : Party Affairs:

Motion 1 )

That the Party Constitution be amended by inserting the Article in Schedule 1 to this motion as Article 19.

SCHEDULE 1

1. On the 24th April 2017 –
  1. The Principles and Objects in Part 1 of the Party Constitution are substituted by the Principles and Objects set out in Schedule 2 to the motion the passing of which inserted this Article into the Party Constitution,
  2. Articles 1 to 17 in Part 2 of the Party Constitution are substituted by the Articles set out in Schedule 3 to that motion,
  3. Article 18 in Part 2 of the Party Constitution is unamended but is renumbered Article 16,
  4. (This Article is renumbered as Article 17, and
  5. The Standing Orders of the Party Conference in Part 3 of the Party Constitution are substituted by the Standing Orders set out in Schedule 4 of that motion.
2. Until elections are held at the next following Party Conference, the 3 Party members to be elected by the Party Conference to the Policy Research Unit, the Campaigns Unit and the International Affairs Unit respectively shall instead be appointed by the Central Council and any vacancies in their number shall be lled by the Council.
3. The amendments to the Constitution effected by this Article shall be reviewed at the second following Party Conference and a report shall be presented by the Executive Board. If in the interim a Special Party Conference is summoned by the Board, it shall be constituted in accordance with Article 9, section 3 of the current Constitution but with the omission of the delegates elected by constituency members provided for in paragraph (b) of that section. During the interim period, the bodies that were immediately prior to then registered as group members shall retain the right to elect delegates under paragraph (c) of that section.
4. At the conclusion of that second following Party Conference, and subject to any amendments to the Party Constitution that may be made before then or at that Conference, this Article shall stand repealed.

Proposing Branch : Central Council -

Amendment :

SCHEDULE 1

In Article 19 (1), delete paragraph (a) and reletter the subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

NOTE: This amendment would preserve the Party’s existing Principles and Objects unamended and prevent them from being replaced by the text in the new draft.

Proposing Branch : Cork South Central Constituency Council

Amendment :

SCHEDULE 2

Delete the Schedule and substitute the following:

OUR OBJECTIVE is to build a society based on political, social and economic democracy. We seek to challenge and redistribute all inequalities of power and wealth in society through the empowerment of ordinary people. We strive for social and economic justice, where everyone has a guaranteed standard of security and well-being, and fair opportunity to develop their personal and social selves and to participate in the economic, social and cultural life of the nation in conditions of freedom, solidarity, justice, economic security and equality.

OUR DETERMINATION is to change Irish society through the broadest possible engagement with and empowerment of all progressive social forces – Irish, European and international – and through contesting elections and pursuing policies in government that further progressive ends.

OUR PARTY is a democratic socialist party and, through its membership of the Party of European Socialists and the Progressive Alliance, is part of the international socialist movement working for equality and to empower of citizens, consumers and workers in a world increasingly dominated by big business, greed and sel shness.

It was founded from the trade union movement by James Connolly, Jim Larkin, Tom Johnson and others as a means for working people to organise politically, to combat squalor, ignorance, want, idleness and disease. These aspirations remain valid today. Despite Ireland’s economic wealth, class divisions continue to exist and many of its citizens continue to experience, from childhood, major inequalities in wealth, health and life chances. The ability of most ordinary people to pursue free and ourishing lives, and the potential for a fully democratic society, are hindered by the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of capital. Inequalities based on gender, ethnicity, sexuality and political in uence further deny people the equality and freedoms to which they are entitled in their daily lives. We will never be satis ed with the existing status quo in Irish or international society as long as this continues to be the case. We are a movement of democratic socialists, social democrats, environmentalists, progressives, feminists, trade unionists, united in our commitment to social and economic justice – to closing the gap between what is and what ought to be.

OUR PRINCIPLES are grounded on human dignity and rights and on the socialist and civic republican values of equality, interdependence, public participation, social organisation, civic pride and the common good. We promote social inclusion and solidarity between all members of the human family.

WE stand for a dynamic role for the activist State working through responsive and accountable public institutions. In expressing the democratically decided public good, the State should be an enabling, civilising and bonding force. It should be central to the creation, management and distribution of wealth. It is also responsible for effective and accountable public services, for regulating and shaping markets in the public interest, for challenging and safeguarding against concentrations of private power and wealth, and for a progressive and effective taxation system. Its fundamental purpose should be to enhance the levels of equality, prosperity and personal freedom in society.

Economy and society are inseparable and a healthy economy is central to a decent society. Our vision of social inclusion requires levels of prosperity that can only be produced by a dynamic, ef cient and thriving economy, part of a society that also thrives. Above all, we recognise the centrality of work to achieving these ends, and the dignity and purpose which work provides. This means that we believe all citizens should have the right to work, and the right to direct democratic control over the conditions and fruits of their labour.
High quality public services, equally accessible to all citizens, are a hallmark of a humane and civilised society. We stand for public provision in health care, education, social protection and all other basic needs and rights – progressive communitarianism and the civilised welfare state. We support an ef cient public sector, operating in and central to the functioning of an open, mixed economy, responsive to citizens’ needs, generating and maintaining quality employment, and implementing egalitarian and evidence-informed solutions.
Community solidarity and willingness to work for the common good are essential to good quality of life. A healthy public space is a precious inheritance, which each generation must protect and develop. We are committed to fostering, expanding, engaging with and participating in the public realm, civil society, the arts and recreation – the things that shape our national identity.
And we commit to sustainable interaction with the environment, the common heritage of humanity, so that we can meet the needs of today without compromising the rights of future generations.

OUR VISION is of an Ireland that is committed to and inseparable from a wider international community - contributing to the sustainable development of the earth, to solidarity and mutual respect among peoples, to international organisation and engagement between people in their common interest, to the eradication of poverty and the protection of children’s rights, and to the strict observance of international legal commitments and to a collaborative and participative approach to international relations and peace between states.

NOTE: This amendment would replace the new Principles and Objects proposed by the Central Council with the text above.

Proposing Branch : Labour Youth

Amendment :

In the fifth paragraph, after the sentence ending “of that tradition”, insert: “We are committed to Ireland’s continued membership in the European Union, the most successful peace project in the history of Europe and the most effective means to safeguard and extend workers’ rights.”

NOTE: This amendment would insert into the new Party Principles and Objects a speci c commitment to membership of the European Union.

Proposing Branch : Castleconnell, Limerick City

Amendment :

Amend Schedule 2 by substituting –

(a) In the fth paragraph, “We are the authentic Irish voice of that tradition and are
committed to the European Project.” For “We are the authentic Irish voice of that
tradition.”, and
(b) In the last paragraph, “Our vision is of a secular Ireland...” for “Our vision is of an
Ireland ...”

NOTE: This amendment would change the new draft Principles and Objects by (a) inserting a commitment to the ‘European Project’ and (b) inserting a reference to Ireland as secular.

Proposing Branch : Blackrock, Dun Laoghaire

Amendment :

SCHEDULE 3

ARTICLE 4: GENERAL RULES FOR BRANCHES AND CONSTITUENCY COUNCILS

In section 3 (b), after “equality of cer”, add: “responsible for keeping in contact with Labour Equality, attending Labour Equality meetings, conferences and events, reporting to meetings on the activities of Labour Equality and encouraging and supporting members to overcome discrimination.”

NOTE: This amendment describes the functions of a constituency or branch equality officer.

Proposing Branch : Labour Equality

Amendment :

LABOUR DISABILITY: ARTICLES 5 AND 7

Amend –

(a) Article 5, section 1 by inserting:

(g) Labour Disability comprises all party members with disabilities or with an interest in disability policy who opt to participate; and

(b) Article 7, section 2 by substituting the following for paragraph (d):

(d) The Chairpersons of the Association of Labour Councillors; Labour Youth, Labour Women, Labour Equality, Labour Disability and Labour Trade Unionists.

NOTE: This amendment seeks to change Labour Disability, currently a sub-section of Labour Equality, into a Party Section in its own right.

Proposing Branch : Labour Disability

Amendment :

ARTICLE 7: THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Amend the Article –

In section 2 (b) and 3, by deleting “8 delegates” and substitute “10 delegates”; and
In section 3, by deleting “Four candidates” and substituting “Five candidates”.

NOTE: this amendment would increase the number of Executive Board members elected at the Party Conference (currently 3 men and 3 women) from the 4 men and 4 women proposed in the Central Council text to 5 men and 5 women.

Proposing Branch : Clonsilla, Dublin West

Amendment :

In section 2, delete paragraph (d) and substitute the following:

(d) The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Association of Labour Councillors;
(e) The Chairpersons of Labour Youth, Labour Women, Labour Equality and Labour Trade Unionists.

NOTE: This amendment would give Labour Councillors two seats on the Executive Board, instead of the proposed one seat.

Proposing Branch : Labour Councillors

Amendment :

ARTICLE 8: THE CENTRAL COUNCIL

Amend the Article –

In section 10 (Policy Research Unit) by substituting the following for paragraphs (a) to (f):
1. 5 members elected by the Party Conference, one of whom shall be nominated by those members to Chair the Unit, and at least 2 of whom shall be women,
2. 1 member elected by the Parliamentary Labour Party,
3. 1 member elected by the Association of Labour Councillors,
4. 1 member elected by Labour Trade Unionists,
5. 1 member elected by Labour Equality,
6. 1 member elected by Labour Women,
7. 1 member elected by Labour Youth,
8. The Party Chair,
9. 1 member nominated by the Party Leader, and,
10. The General Secretary, who shall be a non-voting member.
In section 11 (Campaigns Unit) by substituting the following for paragraphs (a) to (f):
1. 5 members elected by the Party Conference, one of whom shall be nominated by those members to Chair the Unit, and at least 2 of whom shall be women,
2. 1 member elected by the Parliamentary Labour Party,
3. 1 member elected by the Association of Labour Councillors,
4. 1 member elected by Labour Trade Unionists,
5. 1 member elected by Labour Equality,
6. 1 member elected by Labour Women,
7. 1 member elected by Labour Youth,
8. the Party Chair,
9. 1 member nominated by the Party Leader, and,
10. The General Secretary and the Chairperson of the Organisation Committee, both of whom shall be non-voting members.
In section 12 (International Affairs Unit) by substituting the following for paragraphs (a) to (f):
1. 5 members elected by the Party Conference, one of whom shall be nominated by those members to Chair the Unit, and at least 2 of whom shall be women,
2. 1 member elected by the Parliamentary Labour Party,
3. 1 member elected by Labour Trade Unionists,
4. 1 member elected by Labour Equality,
5. The International Of cers of Labour Women and Labour Youth,
6. The Party Chair,
7. The member nominated by the Party Leader, and,
8. The General Secretary, who shall be a non-voting member.”
In section 13 (Trade Union Liaison Unit) by substituting the following for paragraphs (a) to (e):
1. 2 members elected by the Parliamentary Labour Party,
2. 3 members elected by Labour Trade Unionists
3. 1 member elected by Labour Equality
4. 1 member elected by Labour Women
5. 1 member elected by Labour Youth
6. the Party Chair,
7. 2 members nominated by the Party Leader, one of whom shall be nominated by the Leader to chair the Unit, and,
8. The General Secretary, who shall be a non-voting member.”
In section 14, by deleting the last sentence.

NOTE: This amendment would change the composition of the four Units proposed to be attached to the Central Council.

Proposing Branch : Rathmines, Dublin Bay South

Amendment :

in section 14, delete: “The chairperson of each Party Section is a non-voting member of any Unit on which that Section is not otherwise represented” and substitute: “A representative of each Party Section is a voting member of any Unit on which the Section is not otherwise represented”.

NOTE: This amendment seeks ex-of cio representation of every Party Section on each of the new Units attached to the Central Council

Proposing Branch : Ross Connolly-Greystones, Wicklow-East Carlow

Amendment :

ARTICLE 9: THE PARY LEADER

In section 8, delete: “Only members of Dáil Éireann are eligible for election” and substitute:

“All members of the Labour Party in good standing with in excess of 4 years continuous membership are eligible for election”.

NOTE: This amendment would extend eligibility for the of ce of Party Leaders from serving TDs only, as at present, to all Party members of good standing of four years or more.

Proposing Branch : Clare Constituency Council

Amendment :

ARTICLE 14: GENDER BALANCE

Insert the following as a new section 5:

5. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, a Constituency Council shall ensure that on its Executive as a whole, including both its constituency of cers and the other elected members, a minimum of 30% of members identify as women and a minimum of 30% identify as men. Where this balance is not achieved, a waiver may be given by the Organisation Committee or on appeal by the Executive Board. A Constituency Council that does not achieve this balance on its Executive, and that has not been given such a waiver, is not entitled to submit nominations, motions or amendments to a Party Conference and its members are not entitled to attend that Conference.

NOTE: This amendment inserts a speci c gender balance requirement for Constituency Council Executives. It provides that an Executive that does not achieve a gender balance and is not given a waiver by the Organisation Committee is not entitled to submit motions, amendments or nominations to, or to attend, a Party Conference.

Proposing Branch : Labour Women

Amendment :

SCHEDULE 4

ORDER 2

Amend the Order –

In rule 2 –
1. By inserting “branches,” before “Constituency Councils” where it twice appears; and
2. (By deleting: “Not more than 2 motions may be submitted by any body other than the Central Council and the Executive Board” and substituting: “Not more than 1 motion may be submitted by a Branch or a Constituency Council. Not more than 2 motions may be submitted by a Party Member Section”; and
In rule 3, by inserting “branch,” before “Constituency Council”.

NOTE: This amendment would reinstate the entitlement of branches to submit motions and amendments for the Party Conference agenda.

Proposing Branch : Donabate, Dublin Fingal

Amendment :

In rule 2, second paragraph, “after Party Member Section”, insert; “or any Sub Section of Labour Equality (deemed to be active by the Executive Board)”.

NOTE: This amendment would give Sub-Sections of Labour Equality the entitlement to submit motions in their own name to the Party Conference.

Proposing Branch : Wicklow East Carlow Constituency Council

Amendment :

ORDER 7

Delete rule 10.

NOTE: This amendment would delete a power of the Conference Arrangements Committee to structure debate on motions so that related motions can be debated and voted on in a committee or workshop and referred to the Conference for formal adoption without debate.

Proposing Branch : UCC-Jim Kimmy, Cork South Central