To put my role and the role of VSO in context, (in short) we are lobbying to convince the Ugandan Government to adopt a formal strategy on volunteering in the country and to put in place a legal framework to protect and promote volunteering. This is something that has already happened in countries like Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique and is currently happening in Tanzania. The importance of such a development is critical for a number of reasons. Many volunteers in Uganda are exploited and essentially used as slave labour. This is something that gives volunteering a bad name and turns off potential volunteers. Additionally, the labour laws in Uganda actually seem to punish volunteering. If a Ugandan national volunteers his or her time in a hospital or school, for a certain number of hours a week, they are considered to be employees and therefore fall within the terms of the Employment Act. This means that they must be paid the minimum wage and avail of all of the usual benefits. This of course defeats the purpose of volunteering. Hospitals and other institutions are forced to give up essential volunteers because they cannot afford to keep them on.

Another important issue is youth unemployment. Currently 470,000 young people are graduating from second or third level education according to the Ugandan Government. Of these only about 70,000 can secure jobs. The rest of these bright young people are destitute, frustrated and without hope. A concerted and strategic approach by the Government could see thousands and thousands of these young people placed with NGOs, public bodies and corporate entities in a formal volunteering capacity for a period of time after graduation. Such a programme could lead to the development of new skills, the acquirement of much needed experience for job seekers and could assist young people in preparing for future employment. This would foster a greater sense of self-confidence in young Ugandans, develop a sense of optimism and hope and would contribute enormously to the local community and the local economy.

Over my twelve day period in Kampala, I will be meeting with NGOs who benefit from volunteering to hear their experience. Many of these are members of NAVE (National Alliance for Volunteering Efforts) an umbrella body set up in 2008 to coordinate the agenda of these organisations. I will meet with donors such as JICA, (the Japan International Cooperation Agency), Irish Aid and the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) in order to impress upon them the need to factor in the volunteering agenda in all of their discussions and meetings with the various Government Ministries. I will also meet with the Minister and officials in the Department of Gender, Labour and Social Affairs as this is considered to be the key Department in the quest to advance the notion of a national strategy for volunteering.

Taoiseach and Government Ministers Must Be Accountable to Oireachtas on Key EU Decisions

A report published today by a Sub-Committee of European Affairs and European Scrutiny Committees, chaired by Lucinda Creighton TD makes a series of recommendations which would overhaul the current system of interaction between the Houses of the Oireachtas and the EU.

Click here to open the report.

In total, the report makes twenty-eight recommendations which aim to address the disconnect which exists between Oireachtas business and the EU and advises how best to exploit the new powers granted to the Oireachtas under the Lisbon Treaty

Among its proposals is a requirement that in future, Ministers must attend the relevant Oireachtas Committee to explain their decisions and get input from TDs and Senators prior to their attendance an upcoming EU Council meetings. It also suggests that the Taoiseach should answer questions in the Dáil in advance of EU Summit meetings and not after as is the current practice.

Sub-Committee Chairperson, Lucinda Creighton TD said:

“The current system whereby the majority Government Ministers do not account to the Oireachtas on decisions they take on behalf of Ireland at EU meetings is highly undemocratic. It also feeds into this notion of a “democratic deficit” existing between Ireland and the EU. (more…)

Irish MEPs, Mr. Seán Kelly, Ms. Mairead McGuinness, Ms. Nessa Childers , Mr. Joe Higgins and Mr. Alan Kelly appeared before the sub-committee

Video of the meeting of the 25th May, is available by clicking here:

Debate on Terms of reference of the review of the interim arrangements in the Houses of the Oireachtas implementing the powers conferred by the European Union Act 2009

In attendance:

Micheál Martin, T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs

Lucinda Creighton TD: I am delighted to welcome the former EU ambassador, Mr. John Bruton, and Mr. Alan Dukes. Both men were formerly Members of these Houses and Ministers. They are very welcome and we are pleased to have them in attendance. I invite Mr. Dukes to address the committee first, followed by Mr. Bruton and then we will take questions.

Mr. Alan Dukes: Go raibh maith agat. I read with considerable attention the report which is being prepared. I understand the Chairman would like me and Mr. Bruton to give our views on how we feel the committee might carry out its role of investigation and assessment of European legislation.

I do not believe there is anything to add to the report in regard to the matters contained therein but I wish to add a couple of general remarks on the basis of having experience in dealing with this legislation at various levels. (more…)