Lab Party Conference to debate motion on screening of Civil Servants..for Catholicism

[BlueNovember]

A ban on senior civil servants being members of secret organizations would suffice. I'm Catholic and I don't like the insidious presence of Opus Dei in parts of the upper echelons of Irish public and corporate life.

You can't be a member of a political party and be a civil servant. They're very specific on this. I wasn't aware there was any secret societies at work in the upper echelons. I'm sure there must be a few members of Opus Dei or the Masons,but there couldn't be many surely?

[Macy]

Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the motion, as things stand it's nothing more than a motion being brought before conference from one branch, with the support of the local TD. It hasn't even been bloody voted on. Some of the comments on the thread are ridiculous given that context (as so many are these days on this site).

[reform14]

Funnily enough, the civil service isn't been screened for neptotism and cronyism.
Neither is it screened for corruption in awarding state contracts.
Neither is it screened for competence.
I take it Ruairi Quinn is having a laugh.

[Clanrickard]

Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the motion, as things stand it's nothing more than a motion being brought before conference from one branch, with the support of the local TD. It hasn't even been bloody voted on. Some of the comments on the thread are ridiculous given that context (as so many are these days on this site).

It says a lot about the mindset of certain members of the Labour party. A rather unhealthy Stalinist mindset.

[Tawdy]

Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the motion, as things stand it's nothing more than a motion being brought before conference from one branch, with the support of the local TD. It hasn't even been bloody voted on. Some of the comments on the thread are ridiculous given that context (as so many are these days on this site).

What do you expect when the OP is taken from an article in an in&m rag?!

[newport2]

Change in abortion law (substantial change, not legislating for x) would require constitutional referendum, should we ban devout religious people from voting in it?

If a majority vote it in (devout religious or otherwise), then I've no problem with it. What I do have a problem with is one devout religious person making political/national decisions for religious reasons. That's why I included "other things", ie abortion was an example.
But as you jumped on that, it used to be illegal to provide info for women travelling to the UK for an abortion, that was changed without a referendum. If someone religious had been in an influential position, it might still be illegal. Hope you can see the difference between that and a religious person having a vote in a referendum.

[BlueNovember]

Funnily enough, the civil service isn't been screened for neptotism and cronyism.
Neither is it screened for corruption in awarding state contracts.
Neither is it screened for competence.
I take it Ruairi Quinn is having a laugh.

Now the truth of this would make your eyes bleed,my friend.Trust me.

[stakerwallace]

Opus Dei have had a strong presence in places like the Dept. of Education over the years, is it any surprise that over 90% of schools are still under church control?

It appears to be the case. And of course, we have majority of teacher education colleges in Church ownership while totally subsidised by the taxpayer.

[pippakin]

I must admit I like the idea. For too long Irish politicians have been not much more than marionettes with the RCC pulling the strings, even now the Irish Cardinal is still in place after being found to have assisted in the cover up of child abuse.

If someone is to take a senior position then he/she should be able to show the only allegiance they have is to the people of Ireland.

[stakerwallace]

Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the motion, as things stand it's nothing more than a motion being brought before conference from one branch, with the support of the local TD. It hasn't even been bloody voted on. Some of the comments on the thread are ridiculous given that context (as so many are these days on this site).

May not even get on the programme or through Standing Orders: hold your beads tightly.