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Super Blues keep double in sightsJoe Schmidt's side won their third European trophy in successive years and gave Connacht reason to celebrate also as the Westerners gained entry to next season's Heineken Cup courtesy of their neighbours to the east.
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Referendum on animal rights
The proposed children’s rights referendum will mark a turning point in the treatment of children in this country.
Political inaction in the area of child protection has led to needless suffering and death. The pious speaking must cease and genuine child protection reform should begin.With a reform agenda in motion perhaps now is the time to bring into the public arena the issue of holding an animal rights referendum. Such an action will put into a legislative framework the protection of animals and ensure that their rights are upheld and protected.
Ireland has an appalling record on animal rights/welfare issues. Animal abuse, both within the legal and illegal realms, are stitched into the fabric of our society. It seems there is no level that elements of our society will not stoop to in order to violate the rights of animals be it for profit, entertainment, food and for the sheer enjoyment of causing suffering.
There is a layer of Irish society that remains handcuffed to the traditions of the dark ages. For them, animals are objects to use, exploit and abuse. Existing in the constituency of human abusers animal abusers shuttle between animal and human targets with ease.
An animal rights referendum would push the issue of how we treat the non-human members of our society into the public and political arena. It would establish a debate on what type of relationship should exist between humans and animals who are our psychological kin.
For now we can say that animal abuse in all of its forms is an attack on the non-human members of our society. It should not be tolerated, defended or allowed to be promoted by those who have lost all connection with a conscience.
Children are suffering and animals are suffering. Both are united in a common desire for the abuse to stop. With child protection measures on the way when will it be the turn of animals to enjoy an abuse-free environment? If not now, then when?
John Tierney
Campaigns Director Association of Hunt Saboteurs
PO Box 4734
Dublin 1