Why I am a member of the EU IND DEM Group

national | eu | news report

Tuesday July 11, 2006 22:15

by Kathy Sinnott

I campaigned for the office of MEP based on a platform of independence. I wanted to be a voice of independence for my Munster constituents, neither to be beholden to any interest group nor to be forced to take positions against the interests of the people. There are a lot of people who felt unrepresented or under-represented and I wanted them to have a voice. I also wanted to promote positions that I felt strongly about, but had difficulty finding support in the political parties who are too close to special interest groups.

The greatest threat to the independence of my constituents and to Ireland is the EU’s creeping and undemocratic control, and of course the EU constitution. When elected I looked for a political group that would allow me the freedom to pursue my electoral promises especially in the fields of health, the environment and the respect for life and at the same time fight to protect Ireland’s independence. The only group that fitted this requirement was the Independence and Democracy group.

Every other group would have required me to take parliamentary discipline in the form of a whip, and also had as a platform plank some item(s) that was opposed to the views of me and my constituents and would have resulted in serious tension between me and that group. The Socialists, a very monolithic group with little dissent allowed, oppose my position on embryo research and will willingly give the most helpless up for violent experiments. The GUE hold a similar position. The Christian Democrats and the Liberals have no qualms about nuclear power and generally oppose me on the environment and our involvement with the US Military. The Greens and the UEN (Fianna Fail's group) are strong federalists. The greatest tension would have come from the near universal support for the now moribund constitution. Every other group has either a strong or very strong pro-constitution bias. Even though as we know from the Nice campaign this is not necessarily reflected in Irish public opinion. Consequently the only group that fitted my needs was the IND DEM group which has a limited binding agreement: members agree to support the concept of national independence, traditional and cultural values, and transparency in the union, and to oppose the new European Constitution and a European Superstate. We are also opposed to xenophobia, anti-Semitism and any other form of discrimination. Otherwise we can take our own positions on issues. Here I have been able to vote as I wanted on all the issues of importance to me: the constitution, health care, nuclear power, incinerators, fluoridation, social inclusion, disability, life itself, and many others.

In plenary voting sessions when I look around myself as we vote and I see some of my group voting with me and others against me on many issues, but not on the one critical issue: national independence. Then we all vote together because that is the primary issue we all have in common, a desire not to lose our greatest national treasure, our independence. It really grieves me to see (so many) other Irish MEPs so glibly vote away piecemeal that long sought and most precious possession, which once given up, will we ever get it back?

For many years now Irish governments have accepted the strings attached to Europe in exchange for the money Europe has given to Ireland, and Irish MEPs belonging to the various groups have gone along with this position. They have done so partly because of representation from interest groups, but also because they are briefed by the government and rarely does national independence trump the financial position. But now that Ireland is going to become a net donor to the rest of Europe, will an independent spirit reassert itself? I am not optimistic.

Since the group was started, a couple of corrections have been required. Forming a political group is a little bit like an arranged marriage. You get to know more about the people with time. This is especially true of the new entrant countries. We all signed an undertaking to abide by our 5 point statute; however it came to our attention some months ago that some Polish members (League of Polish Families) had a youth section which was involved in discriminatory practices, when they refused to break with the people responsible, and were unable to answer for other questionable decisions, we expelled them from our group. A second delegation (Lega Nord) was expelled when they refused to distance themselves from the discriminatory actions of a government minister in their country at the time of the cartoon incidents.

The group is smaller but stronger than ever. I have had MEPs from other groups, tell me that they wish they had my freedom from compromise, my opportunities to speak in debate, to work cross grouping. I also appreciate the freedom I have to work for the people of Munster especially the most vulnerable.

Our group President Jens-Peter Bonde will be touring Ireland with me at the end of the summer. We will be happy to explain to you our proposals for a more democratic, accountable, Europe that would respect people and their counties while creating cooperation in the areas that are appropriate to Europe.

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Comments (22 of 22)

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Why are you in a group at all?

by anon

Wed Jul 12, 2006 05:37

MC said on the other page that you were the only true independent in the group, why are you in a group at all, especially one with afaik apparent political parties? which by definition aren't independents.

Jesus Wept

by M Cotton

Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:34

The comment above is so ignorant of the political facts its difficult to know where to begin. First off, try actually reading what Sinnott has said . My remark about Sinnott relates to the fact that WITHIN the Ind Dem Group, Kathy is not affilliated to other MEPs from her own country as are the others. The other MEPs in Ind Dem can and do regularly vote differently but they would consult with each other with their colleagues. Kathy is free from even that restriction. That is, even over and above the independent (non-whip driven) voting which the Ind Dem MEPs are free to do, Sinnott is entirely free to vote with her conscience on any issue.

Kathy

by Tank Girl

Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:35

You are in the same Euro-group as the League of Polish Families, they are still part of IND DEM, this party is homophobic and anti-Semitic. As well as the LPF "legally" banning LGBT Parades where it can, the youth wing of the LPF physically attacks LGBT events. Why are you lieing about this? To get the truth you just need to check:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/expert/politicalB...ge=EN

Kathy you might also answer the following questions to clear up any misconceptions.

1. Are you opposed to "artifical" contraception?

2. Do you oppose contraception being provided freely through the HSE?

3. Are you opposed to the morning After Pill?

4. Are you opposed to sex outside of marriage?

5. Do you oppose sex education for children which states that gay/lesbian relations are normal?

6. Are you opposed to condoms being freely distributed to teenagers?

7. Do you support the view that condoms spread AIDS?

Perhaps this is a mini interview but it is in your own interest to answer these questions.

The question stands

by jesus

Wed Jul 12, 2006 12:35

Why is she in the group associating with these people/parties UKIP etc, when she could do the same voting job outside it. Is there a requirement to be in a group?

re: Kathy Interview

by small d dem

Wed Jul 12, 2006 13:05

Good questions for Kathy, i look forward to an answer

But I wonder how her answers would stack up against any other Irish polician's - or most of the Irish public.

indeed

by pat c

Wed Jul 12, 2006 13:08

i look forward to kathys answers with bated breath. i very much doubt though that the majority of the irish public are opposed to contraception. nor do they believe that condoms spreads aids.

Dear Kathy

by D.

Wed Jul 12, 2006 14:13

If you are so anxious to distance yourself from the League of Polish Families, why did you join with them to propose a motion calling for a global ban on abortion and euthanasia?

If you are so careful about who you associate with, do you repudiate your connection with the homophobic xenophobic Maciej Marian Giertych, who was your ally in your anti-choice drive?

Let's analyse the group's members again:

Vladimir Železný (Czech Republic) - suspected of major tax fraud and corruption
JuniBevægelsen (June Movement) (Denmark) and Junilistan (June List) (Sweden) - anti-EU
Mouvement pour la France (Movement for France) (France) - anti-immigration and believes Turkey should never join the EU
Popular Orthodox Rally (Greece) - religious nationalists
[Lega Nord (Northern League) (Italy) - separatists, dubious fascist heritage]
ChristenUnie-SGP (Netherlands) - conservative Christian party
League of Polish Families (Poland) - the craziest this side of Mongolia
United Kingdom Independence Party (United Kingdom) - you can't make fun of these guys, we all know what they're like

And you.

Oh, and the IndDem website lists some of those elected under the League of Polish Families as being still members of the group. Any comments?

Finally, the greatest threat to the independence of your commitments isn't the EU; it's the sight of you begging the United Nations to take away their liberties and freedoms to satisfy the urges of control of you and your anti-abortion, anti-women, anti-choice, anti-science friends.

Tank Girl

by Miriam Cotton

Wed Jul 12, 2006 15:42

The straightforward answer to your question is that Sinnott does oppose abortion and sex outside marriage. No she doesn't believe that condoms 'cause aids'. So what? Does this 'proove; that you are right and she is wrong? Does this make you superior? Obviously you seem to think so.

You might like to consider the people you offend. While we are fighting for equal rights for people with disability for example, there are politcians and others whose policy is to pursue genetic research so they can all be identified in pregnancy and aborted. The nazi solution.

Question: do you oppose the elimination of disability by abortion? Do you regard disability as something disgusting and troublesome that can be killed off like this? Do you want this bright and 'perfect' nazi future?

The life of a person with a disability has little or no worth to some people. For want of decent facilities and communities that will value them, they are often marginalised and neglected and die younger than they should.

The pro-life ethic is a much more complicated issue than many pro choicers ever want to concede. Many people choose abortion not because they really want to but for economic and social reasons. Sinnott's solution is to challenge the social and economic unfairness that puts people into that dilemma. That is a pro-people, pro-life position.

Incidentally, Sinnott is supported by a massive cross section in her constituency many of whom do not agree with every stance she takes - the reason being that where people actually know her and therefore know what they are talking about, she is a good person. During her election campaign one of her most ardent supporters inlcluded a male-female transvestite and people of every sexual persuasion. I know that won't sit well with your prejudices but, hey, lets not let the facts get in the way of good lynching, shall we.

Sinnott would be well within her rights to take legal action for the continuing allegation that she supports violent oppression and discrimination by the LPF. You find me a signle other politician in the EU who would take the stance she did when their associations were pointed out to her. She responded here on Indymedia with honesty and good will to the person who brought it to her attention but who is too vicious himself to recognise an honest and decent person when he sees one. Instead he is riding high on his own foolish sense of moral superiority. You won't find another Irish MEP that would challenge anyone within their own party or group like Sinnott did. But of course it doesnt suit your narrow and venomous agenda to acknowledge anything positive in what Sinnott does. If you really believe there are ANY groups in the EU who do not include people who have seriously corrupt or questionable associations of one kind or another, then you live in Noddy land.

Questions:

Do you oppose Sinnott's challenges to vested interests on environmental, pharmaceutical and other issues?

Do you support her pursuit of real and transparent democracy in Europe?

Do you support her fight for the rights of people with disability?

Miriam

Wed Jul 12, 2006 15:57

As usual there is more heat than light in that nasty piece of yours. Its so silly and insulting. Let Ms Sinnott sue away if she so wishs, the fact remains that she is in the IND DEM along with members of the LPF. Your casual use of the word Nazi might well leave you open to legal action.

I have nothing to say to you I just hope that some day you will mature. I posed the questions to Kathy Sinnott, I will not debate them with any sidekick unless she responds first.

Euthanasia.

by Euphrasia

Wed Jul 12, 2006 16:10

Whoa there.

Having witnessed two deaths, one at embryonic stage due to medical ethical restrictions and catholic ethical morality. The other an eleven month nightmare, caused by b-strepp meningitis, which led
to an infant existent in a vegetative stage , tube -fed, brain-dead, blind, deaf, 24 hour-nursing care.
Where palliative care had to be fought for, no- resussiation had to be fought for.
Because a Pro-life stance in a medical community disallowed the issue of choice of care
to the parents of the infant. I would have to say that the poiticising of issues to do with the pro-life
stance are ethically wrong. Both cases had been medically known and were tragic to the extended families.

would Kathy Sinnott fight for the right of the parents to allow their children to die in dignity
and as peacefully as posssible?- because when it comes down to it, it is no-ones choice
to legislate on the morality of issues that are so obviously outside of the restrictive grouping
she has involved herself in.

To prolong the life of this infant was medically and ethically wrong and against the wishes
of the parents. How then Miriam does one legislate for the personal /ethical when ring
-fenced by the religious/ethical.

Pro-choice means respect for choice, be it grounded in religious ethos or not.
It does not mean the imposition of a set ot out-dated values onto the private sphere.

Wed Jul 12, 2006 17:28

"As usual there is more heat than light in that nasty piece of yours."

Indeed, just read this for a perfect example:

" Its so silly and insulting. Let Ms Sinnott sue away if she so wishs, the fact remains that she is in the IND DEM along with members of the LPF. Your casual use of the word Nazi might well leave you open to legal action."

And you are posting on this site along with war apologists and biggots. That must make you a war apologist and a biggot yourself, by your own logic. And you call me silly.

Obviously not well up on the laws of libel: to make damaging and false allegations about a person in a public forum, which is what you have done.

So, questions about aborting people with disability are silly?
Do you think people with disability should be aborted? And this is your reply:

"I have nothing to say to you I just hope that some day you will mature. I posed the questions to Kathy Sinnott, I will not debate them with any sidekick unless she responds first."

Mature???

Sinnott has been decent enough to post a response for a constituency of readers whom she takes seriously - unlike most of our public representatives.

Your questions have been answered, now answer those that have been put to you.

Wed Jul 12, 2006 17:34

Abuse is no use. You are just confirming what everyone on the editorial list already knows about you. My questions have not been answered. I addressed them to Kathy Sinnott. I want the organ grinder not the monkey.

Well done Kathy for engaging the site & its readers & possibly your voters this way.

by iosaf

Wed Jul 12, 2006 17:39

I have yet to read the comments others have left, but I suppose I wouldn't go too far wrong if I quickly pointed out something :-
Quite Honestly Deputy Sinnott : "You are in the group you are in (above all) because you can't politically be in any other group."
{ There aren't many groups in the EU parliament, the Irish readership can hardly name 3 Irish attorney generals let alone name the over 700 MEP's. If you sit in the "unalligned group" you're next to the Leaguge of Polish family deputies _you did choose to sit with at first_ and of course Mr Haider of Austria. You're not doing that. If you join the Nordic Greens you're sitting next to Sinn Fein. You're not doing that. You can't sit with the other 3 groups because then..... you're with FF/FG/PD & if you didn't sit with the nations without states, you're not going nationalist now. }
I believe you haven't really told us why you sit with the group you do.
I have many problems with how a 25 state union is represented by 700+ MEP's and only a few states such as Ireland return local provincial representation (e.g. you supposedly represent Munster). & I'm not really satisfied that either your or the other dozen and a few Irish MEP's serve Ireland or Europe best by tabling the ocassionally wonderfully well written question. Coz Europe doesn't work that way -
Be honest ! does it ? Most MEP's would serve their communities, nations and politics better if they did so from a local and national base, rather than the chambers of the EU parliament. But all that said, it is very good that you are prepared to engage with people here on this site even if most are not in your constituency. Its a lot more than the other "dozen and a few" best paid Irish professional politicians do.

Iosaf

Wed Jul 12, 2006 17:53

Iosaf:

Sinnott has explained why she is in Ind Dem - because she can vote with her own conscience on any issue - you cant do that on any of the other groups because of the whips - well you can but you get expelled quickly if you do. None of the FF, FG, SF or Labour MEPs will ever vote against measures that favour corporate interests over health or the environment.

Also it is really not true to say that Europe doesnt matter. It was always a corporate-driven club - an 'economic community' - everything that is done there in the interests of the corporate sector. We need people over there to fight that. While voices like Sinnott are in a minority, they are still important in that without them we at least get to hear about what is happening. There is much more to it too - MEPs are involved a huge amount of research and consultation on a wide range of issues - all this drives EU policy which increasingly dictates what happens in the regions. We need people there to get involved in influencing that.

Miriam that is simply not true. it may be "conscience" but it is not "economic or ecological".

Wed Jul 12, 2006 18:09

She could have adopted the same voting pattern on corporative or ecological grounds by joining one of the left-wing blocks or remaining non-aligned. Pleading its "the opportunity to place more written questions" is really pathetic Miriam. She has tabled less than 30 written questions. Do you know how many written questions have been tabled? ( a little clue : there are over 700 MEP's & they all know how to write)
Kathy represents a little over a million people in one of the very few provinces represented at the parliament in the group she does -
because she may vote with her "conscience" on matters relating to "fertility".
But at no point does she use the word "life ethics". Why?
What does she have to lose? Her constituency has seen counted the most No! votes in Irish referenda on such issues. What's wrong with being honest about the position on abortion, divorce, IVF, euthanasia, embryonic research, stem cell research & then explain her view on relations with the USA & NAFTA?
If you hold those beliefs surely - hold your head high no?

Again Thank you Deputy Synott for being one of the dozen and a few best paid Irish professional politicians, elected on less than 0.0003% of the popular european franchise for engaging with the site & possibly your voters. But I do not accept your answer is completely honest.

perhaps thats because I understand how Europe works.

whilst we await Euro-deputy Sinnott's replies to points made (if any)

by eurosceptic

Thu Jul 13, 2006 03:32

here are links on the "Ind Dem" party :-
http://indemgroup.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_and_Democracy

Anti-plan

by D for Defecit

Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:05

Just skimmed the EU links.

Question: If there is such a democratic defecit, inherent in and at all levels
of ' democracy' - (local/national/federal)

and people necessarily 'get in bed with de devil' -wot's that all about?

Why are they not coming home and addressing the issues , informing the people
who mandated them?

It begins to look like a political view firmly held has to be compromised and twisted
out of existence. The people who stand on the verges of EU 'democracy'
or that corporate entity posing as democracy are not engaging with us.

Meanwhile the crowd of lobbyists posing as politicians try to sell us a model
which is a worthless shell, involved in reducing citizen rights and ameliorating
the lives of a few.

Microcosm ;-no opposition In Ireland, it is a marketplace to sell your goods
and tout your flag.
(local and National governmental level : ideology has been replaced by
whips, rotas, vote majorities, deals and other such bogeys)
{The old Left has moved into the centre and is busily cosying up to the right,
Labour/Fine Gael. In Engerlund Margaret Beckett and Condi are girlie friends)

Macrocosm : Federal Europe
{ Ideology has been replaced by market econmics, including a system of
whips, rotas, vote majorities and other such bogeys}

as yeats said >>>"The Centre can't hold....

(its too fucking crowded)

neither the deputy or her local supporters replied to the points made.

by tactical & brainy feminist

Sun Sep 03, 2006 16:59

We still don't know why Deputy Synott votes the way she does with the people she does. & her tour of Ireland's southern EU constituency has just ended. Interestingly a constituency which contains some of the most right wing voters in the Irish state. Those who alone voted against divorce legislation.

Perhaps she has gone away now to start her own site or even better her own far right party? We must keep our eyes to the global lists.

Pity because there are so many gender/sexuality issues which touch on disablity which might profit from her and her supporters expertise as parents in tackling head-on areas of obvious prejudice.

http://indymedia.ie/article/78190

Burning Witches, Again Iosaf?

by Genuine Feminist

Sun Sep 03, 2006 17:55

Your definition of feminist is idiotic if you seriously believe that being against divorce means you have no feminist ideals. And what do you do for people with disability? A fraction of what Sinnott does, if anything at all. I suppose you have to fill your Sunday afternoons somehow and resurrecting a fresh opportunity to burn your favourite witch figure all over again must be a particularly gratifying passtime for you, judging from your obsession with it. Some feminist!

I didn't hint that deputy Synott's voters were the same as those who rejected divorce legislation.

by brainy tactical sexist unfeeling type

Sun Sep 03, 2006 19:17

The constituencies of north and west cork are generally thought by Irish political scientists and the rte people who do the election nights as being core FG. & their track rejection of liberalism has made them Ireland's answer to Ohio - "the benchmark constituency"

I hope deputy Synott has done more for disabled people than I have, she won an award as citizen of the year because of her parental role & expertise in disablity issues.
I didn't (win a good citizen's award or find myself being such a parent). I merely brought attention (yet again) to certain oddities of Irish societies progress. & also that deputy Synott wrote us an explanation for her political affiliation at the EU level, a group which didn't exist last time she went to the polls. Oh yep - I also reminded all readers that Deputy Synott has just finished a tour of her constituency & of course didn't reply to any points put to her, especially those ones which don't address her role as parent or even a "good citizen" but rather inquire as to her association with the far right in Europe.

are you her secretary?

SF and Corporate Interests

by DOD - Sinn Féin

Sun Sep 03, 2006 21:11

None of the FF, FG, SF or Labour MEPs will ever vote against measures that favour corporate interests over health or the environment.

As a member of SF, I have to totally reject the implication that we favour corporate interests over health and the environment. SF are among the most vociferous opponents of the neo-liberal policies of the EU as well as the proposed Rapid Reaction Force and Nuclear power. In fact, next Saturday we are hosting a conference in Dublin entitled "another Europe is possible, so whatever about the other parties, your slur against SF is just plain wrong.

Wrong Again, Iosaf

Sun Sep 03, 2006 22:07

You know perfectly well that those who oppose the EU as a concept span the entire political spectrum. You also know that regardless of their actual position, they are ALL tarred with the tags of 'far right', fascist, racist etc etc and that that is how the No votes have been traditionally defeated - a combination of political spin and compliant mainstream media only too willing to do the bidding of the FF/FG/PD monopoly. Brendan Ryan, sore at being defeated by Sinnott, was the first to put this idea around about her. Labour play a dirtier game in Irish politics than other parties as a rule, in any case. No, I am not her secretary but I am someone who, unlike you, has direct knowledge of Sinnott and what she actually does. So long as you continue to misrepresent her, I will continue to defend her.

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Why I am a member of the EU IND DEM Group

Comments (22 of 22)