Why This Website?

“We believe Justice will come when the voices of all people are heard”

This website is hosted by The Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice (www.vpsj.ie). The Vincentian Partnership for social justice was established in 1996 to work for for social and economic change – tackling poverty and exclusion. This Partnership consists of representatives of the society of St Vincent de Paul, the Vincentian Congregation and the Daughters of Charity and the Sisters of The Holy Faith.

In its work with communities in disadvantaged areas to promote justice and inclusion, the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice became aware of the large number of people who do not vote and who are alienated from society and the democratic process. The VPSJ along with a small number of people had a vision of an Ireland in which the voices of all citizens would be heard – an inclusive Ireland characterised by active citizenship and greater social and economic justice.

The VPSJ along with its National Active Citizenship Network members began to promote the facilitation of an Active Citizenship/Voter Education Programme in areas of low participation in the electoral democratic process. This Voter Education programme was developed by a religious group in Washington called NETWORK and adapted for use in Ireland by the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice.

This Voter Education programme provides a valuable resource for all who are committed to addressing the situation where a only relatively small number of people who are marginalised or disadvantaged in some way vote in elections. As a consequence their views are not taken into consideration by many of the political parties as they formulate and implement their policies. In 2011, the vision of an Ireland where voices can be heard is shared and promoted by an ever increasing number of people.

This website is a further resource and tool in the work of the VPSJ to encourage people to use their vote as their voice and to engage with the democratic process. The Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice and this website are non-party political. They are not here to influence your vote but to become more aware of how to use our vote.

Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice Vision of a Just Society:

A Just Society is:

• FAIR
• RESPECTFUL OF ALL
• CARING
• RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF ALL PEOPLE AND ALL CREATION.

The Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice acknowledges the generous grant from Dept of Community rural and Gaeltact Affairs towards the development of this web site.

Contributions and ideas from members of our Active Citizenship Network

Local and EU Elections - May 24^th 2019

Local Government Elections Two fictitious profiles of two candidates running for Local Elections (which may be useful in encouraging voters to focus on their own issues when studying the profiles of candidates for the Local Election. Do the candidates have a track record or a position on the voter’s issues?)   Fictitious Candidate Profile  - Seamus and   Fictitious Candidate Profile -Eileen 

The Powers and Functions of Local Authorities  

Questions on The Doorstep  Local Candidates and EU Candidates 

Leaflet -  Questions for Local and EU Representatives

Local Elections Manifesto 2019

EU Elections  The following are links  to the material from the European Parliament office Dublin

Brochures e.g. European Elections – this time im voting E.U.

What is the European Parliament

Good Reason to Vote in the European Elections 2019

Voting Eligibility Across the EU

www.thistimeimvoting.eu  – “In advance of the European elections, the European Parliament has launched an information awareness campaign called 'This Time I'm Voting'. As an apolitical campaign, our objective is to raise awareness about the elections at a local and encourage as many individuals, groups and organisations to promote the campaign within their local areas through their own individual activities.”

 www.what-europe-does-for-me.eu – “To complement our election activities, the Parliament has produced a website which provides a breakdown of EU activities according to specify policy areas, subjects and regions. In Ireland, there is a county-by-county breakdown of the means by which the European Union has supported activities in the local area. The website features over 8,000 fiches and provides in-depth information on different benefits of EU membership.”

 www.european-elections.eu – “Lastly, the EU has produced a concise website which provides information about how to vote in different countries throughout the EU. As such, it provides information about how EU nationalities can vote in the European elections here in Ireland.”

The Identify of the EU candidates.

EU Elections – you are probably aware that Ireland has 11 MEP’s  - 3 Representing Dublin, 4 Representing Ireland South and 4 Representing Ireland Midlands and North West

The Returning Officers for the three European constituencies: Dublin, South and Midland-North-West have officially announced the candidates running for the European elections. You may find a list of all candidates here:

(i)        Dublin - https://dublincountyreturningofficer.com/index.php/euro-local-elections-2019/65-notice-
of-poll-euro-2019

(ii)        South - https://corkcityreturningofficer.com/

(iii)       Midlands-North-West - https://www.mayoreturningofficer.com/nominations

In total, there are 59 candidates contesting the European elections across all 3 constituencies.

“Should you wish to reach out them in any capacity, a public website has been created a group of citizens with contact information for the local and European election candidate. You may find it here: www.candidates.ie. Please note that the EU Parliament Office does not endorse any website.”

 The position regarding the number of MEPs. The possible increase in the number of Irish MEPs because of Brexit.

The Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy, confirmed that Ireland will elect 13 MEPs in the upcoming European elections. The breakdown of those seats is as follows:

Dublin – 4 MEPs  (including 1 additional seat due to the reallocation of seats arising from Brexit)      South – 5 MEPs (including 1 additional seat due to the reallocation of seats arising from Brexit)  Midlands-North-West – 4 MEPs

“In the event that the United Kingdom is still a member of the European Union by the start of the new Parliament term (which commences on the 1^st July 2019), the additional two seats that have been allocated to Ireland will be placed on hold until Britain officially leaves. As such, the candidates who win the 4^th seat in Dublin and the 5^th seat in Ireland South respectively will only take up their seats once Brexit occurs.”

 European Elections Manifesto 2019

Coalition 2030 Election Manifesto

 

 

 

 

In order to vote in the upcoming Local and EU Elections you must be registered

Register of Electors

To find out if you are on the register of Electors go to  www.checkthe register.ie Forms  regarding registration are also available on  www.checkthe register.ie

For any queries relating to registration, change of address etc  contact the Franchise Section of your Local County Council.

List of  County Councils  http://www.housing.gov.ie/local-government/administration/local-authorities/local-authorities

Postal - Special Voters Supplement  28-04-2019 is the closing date for your Local Authority to receive an application for entry to the Supplement to the Postal or Special voters list for the European Parliament election and local elections

Supplement Closing Date  Tuesday 07-05-2019 is the closing date for your Local Authority to receive an application for entry to the Supplement to the register of electors for the European Parliament    All  forms available on www.checktheregister.ie

N.B.  Do not post any forms to The Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice they must be sent to  your Local County Council 

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