Bertie’s remarks ‘shocking and disgraceful’
The Taoiseach stated that “the Minister (for Justice) has, in this Criminal Justice Bill, adopted what will be regarded by many as a draconian position... these are very tough measures. People will be down to St Luke’s complaining about them. Parents do so now and say their Johnny is getting a rough time from the police. However, the reality is that if young people do not get a bit of a rough time from the police, we will never address these issues”.
These comments, we feel, are shocking and disgraceful.
The Union of Students in Ireland believes that, in its current form, the bill, if enacted, would excessively impinge on the civil liberties, especially those of students and young people.
These ‘get-tough’ measures are not a solution to anti-social behaviour. The reality is that incidents of crime are decreasing.
The solutions to anti-social behaviour lie in tackling the lack of amenities for young people, the lack of non-alcoholic entertainment venues, and investing in equal access to education.
At our recent annual congress delegates from student unions around the country voted to campaign against the Criminal Justice Bill because of its infringement on civil liberties.
We are calling on the Taoiseach to take back his misplaced comments and for the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, to see sense and put the bill back to drafting stage until the civil liberties issues are dealt with adequately.
The minister was forced recently to reverse his decision on the deportation of a Nigerian student.
It appears that it will again take a mobilisation of civil society and protest for him to reverse the Criminal Justice Bill, a law that is unjust and attacks the most vulnerable.
It’s time for the so-called ‘ordinary’ people of Ireland to make their voice heard on this issue: a campaign to stop this bill must begin immediately.
Rory Hearne
Deputy President
Union of Students in Ireland
Grattan Street
Dublin 2
