Leafletting debate at City Hall, Galway, Last night

by Orla Ni Chomhrai - DFSAA Wed Nov 12, 2003 13:45 nichomhrai at eircom dot net

Defend Free Speech, Assembly and Activity Comment on Bye-Law debate

Galway, Wednesday, 12th November



At last nights meeting of the Environment SPC at the City Hall there was a discussion of the litter pollution bye-law, which, in its original draft, would have prohibited all advertising leaflets on the streets. Michael Burke, acting director of services at City Hall proposed an amendment which would have excluded 'advertisments announcing any event or issues of a religious, cultural, educational, political, social, recreational or sporting character, not being an event promoted or carried on for commercial purposes." from the ban. This was in answer to the many concerns raised by the original proposal which people argued would place a great restiction on political, educational, cultural, and community groups trying to advertise a meeting or event and it was felt that this would greatly restrict freedom of expression.

Michael Burkes proposed amendment was discussed last night. Councillor Catherine Connolly (Labour Party) proposed a change in the wording of the amendment to make it simpler. This was a technical and practical question rather than one about the spirit of the law, as both proposals are essentially the same in spirit.

Her proposal, which was accepted by the commitee, was just to simply prohibit commercial leaflets. This leaves out the need to have an exemption list, where it might be difficult to fit a group under any named category. This still needs to be voted on by the City Council.

Basically we feel that the concerns raised by our members and oursleves about the Litter Pollution Bye-Law were taken on board by City Hall, and that this was reflected in Michael Burke's proposal, and the discussion and proposed amendment last night. We hope that this issue will be resolved by the next Council meeting (what was proposed last night still needs to be voted on at the City Council). We hope that our concerns will also be addressed in regard to the Parks and Open Spaces Bye-Laws which will be discussed by another committee.

The Defend Free Speech Assembly and Activity Campaign will be continuing with the campaign against the Parks and Open Spaces Bye-Laws. This set of bye-laws propose placing restrictions on busking, filming, assembly, social and sporting activities. We will be out on the street on Thursday, and Donnacha O Briain the award winning director of "The Revolution will not be Televised" about the coup against the Venezualan leader Chavez, is joining us. Other artists and musicians will also be there, at Moons Corner (outside Brown Thomas) at 1pm. The Irish filming team were in Venezuala doing a documentary on Chavez at the time of the coup and captured the events on film. The Galway Alliance Against War is screening the Directors Cut of 'The Revolution Will not be Televised' in An Taibhdhearc Thursday evening at 8pm.

Orla Ní Chomhraí

Defend Free Speech, Assembly and Activity Campaign.

by pat c Wed Nov 12, 2003 15:08

Keep up the good work. How did the anti Bin Tax meeting go?

by Orla Ni Chomhrai Wed Nov 12, 2003 18:46

A campaign against bin tax is getting going in Galway. More on that again. In the meantime here is some info from a meeting at city hall in Galway.


http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=62113

by Fintan Lane Thu Nov 13, 2003 03:03

Keep up the good work folks. It's vital for every part of the country that they don't get away with this.