MacGill Summer Schools 2011

[Noel Whelan at the MacGill Summer School in Donegal, 2011]

The suggestion that anyone who disagrees with full equality for gays and lesbians is homophobic is surely a misuse of the word.

An overwhelming majority of our parents’ and our grandparents’ generation opposed equal rights for gays and lesbians; indeed most of them supported the continued criminalisation of homosexuality.
To many of us today that seems irrational on their part, but which of us would brand our parents or grandparents as a shower of homophobes?

Calling opponents homophobes may bring some level of satisfaction to those who do it and may attract cheers of applause in their own circles and on microblogs in the liberal realm, but it does nothing to advance the cause of debate.

It is also counterproductive in the effort to engage and persuade the mass of the moderate Irish electorate to support and vote for marriage equality.

Fianna Fail adviser and political analyst Noel Whelan in Saturday’s Irish Times.

 

Meanwhile…

Readiness to hurl the word ‘homophobe’ may not help the liberal reform agenda (Noel Whelan, Irish Times)

Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Samsungglass

As the purveyor of smart phones, TVs, fridges, ovens, and even kitchen sinks, Samsung couldn’t possibly let the opportunity to create smart glasses pass it by. A new report from the Korea Times cites unnamed Samsung officials who claim the company is presently developing a competitor to Google’s Glass — tentatively named Galaxy Glass — which could make its debut at the IFA trade show in Berlin this September.

Samsung ‘Galaxy Glass’ wearable reportedly set for September reveal (The Verge)

Pic: BRG

 

€20m over six years.

Chris Stephenson, Canterbury CEO, said:

In the IRFU we have found a partner with shared values, a shared heritage and a shared focus and ambition to succeed at the pinnacle of our disciplines. These mutual traits were paramount in our decision to join forces and share in what we believe will be a truly exciting journey for Irish Rugby, most particularly the supporters, and Canterbury through the next two Rugby World Cups.

Canterbury NZ

Ryanair

[Ryanair.ie this morning]

The Daily Business Post reports:

“Ryanair has said it will create 50 new information technology and digital jobs in developing its website. The airline is recruiting web developers, designers, analysts, software engineers and other website specialists to help “transform” its website, develop a digital marketing platform and create a new mobile app. It is holding an open day for “web stars” at its Dublin offices in Airside, Swords on February 8.“

Previously: Rebranding Ryanair

00136821missPantiok

Further to our irksome legal skirmish with solicitors acting for the extremely handsome businessman Denis O’Brien (top) on Friday and RTE’s apology after comments made by Miss Panti (above) on The Saturday Night Show.

We asked Legal Coffee Drinker, what’s it all about?

Broadsheet: “Legal Coffee Drinker, what’s it all about?”

LCD: “The Defamation Act 2009. It defines defamation as the publication, by any means, to one or more than one person, of a statement that tends to injure a person’s reputation in the eyes of reasonable members of society.”

Broadsheet: “Taken to its logical conclusion, you can’t say anything bad about anyone, right?

LCD: “Yes. That’s why there are also a number of defences available for the defendant in a defamation case. The first, naturally enough, is truth. If the defendant can prove that the ‘sting’ of their assertions is true, that is a complete defence to a defamation action.”

Broadsheet: “So once you stand over your facts?

LCD: “The facts may be correct, but the conclusion drawn from facts may not be, or may be a matter of opinion not susceptible to proof. That’s why there are two more defences which might be worth mentioning. The first is honest opinion and the second is fair and reasonable publication on a matter of public interest.
The defence of honest opinion has already been raised by some commenters on your site as something which might be relied on by Rory O’Neill (Miss Panti) in any libel action which might be brought against him by John Waters/Iona in respect of certain comments made by him on the Brendan O’Connor show. It applies to honestly held statements of opinion on matters of public interest based on provably true allegations of fact generally known or specified or referred to in the statement containing the opinion.
The defence of fair and reasonable publication on matters of public interest applies to factual statements and conclusions of fact rather than opinion. It has to be shown that the statement/conclusion was made/reached in good faith, and in the course of, or for the purpose of, the discussion of a subject of public interest, the discussion of which was for the public benefit, and, in all the circumstances of the case, it was fair and reasonable to publish the statement.

Broadsheet: “Are these new defences?

LCD: “Well, the defence of honest opinion (previously known as ‘fair comment’) has been round in more or less the same form for a long time. But the defence of fair and reasonable publication on matters of public interest is a new – and very interesting – one [refills coffee].
It was introduced because of concerns that defamation law, as it stood, might be used as a tool to unfairly restrict freedom of expression which, as you possibly know, is a human right protected by the Constitution and also by the European Convention on Human Rights. It’s one of the oldest human rights and absolutely integral to democracy because free exchange of information and discussion is necessary to enable citizens to make proper, informed judgments about how to exercise their democratic rights – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights describes it as ‘the highest aspiration of the common people’.

Broadsheet: “Mmmf.”

LCD: {interrupting] “Obviously there can’t be complete and untrammelled freedom of expression because the right to a good name is also a right protected by the Constitution and human rights law generally and a balance has to be struck between the two. However it was felt by the drafters of the 2009 Act that discussion should be freer in circumstances where the subject matter is one of public interest and hence the two defences above.
Obviously the fact that the subject of discussion is one of public interest shouldn’t be a licence to deliberately or negligently misstate either – a defence of fair and reasonable publication on matters of public interest, for instance, exists to prevent freedom of expression being abused and shouldn’t be abused itself.”

Broadsheet: “Can you answer one final thing. Why do legal letters always seem to arrive on a Friday afternoon?

LCD: “To crush your spirit, fracture relations with friends and colleagues and ruin your weekend. Are we done?”

Broadsheet: “We are. Thank you very much Legal Coffee Drinker. We always appreciate your wise counsel.”

Legal Coffee Drinker: “Right bye.”

Previously: That Friday Feeling

(Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland, Miss Panti)

011 (6) 016 (4) Card3 Fionnuala Malone Happy Birthday Bunting Card

Fionnuala Malone writes:

“II own and run my own business called Fuzzy Irish Crafts. I make and sell handmade greeting cards and wedding stationery through my website [link below] Fuzzy Irish Crafts . All my cards are €4 each, including P&P, to anywhere in the world. I also do personalised and custom cards for the same price. I am a big supporter of small Irish businesses. I only use supplies sourced in Ireland and I regularly write about Irish arts and crafts on my blog.”

Fuzzy Irish Crafts

Do you make, produce or ‘craft’ Irish-made stuff?

‘Irish-made stuff marked ‘Irish-made stuff’ ‘to broadsheet@broadsheet.ie. No fee just fuzziness.

margarettaPalestine

[Margaretta D’Arcy, top, and supporters in Bil’in, Palestine]

On Saturday Zoe Lawlor and John Lannon, of Shannonwatch, visited 79-year-old Margaretta D’Arcy in Limerick Prison.

Shannonwatch writes:

“She was brought photographs and reports of demonstrations in Galway, Limerick, Dublin, London and Bil’in in Palestine, as well as a selection of some of the many articles written about her since her imprisonment. She was pleased that the issue of the U.S. military use of Shannon was being highlighted, and expressed her thanks to everyone who has shown their support.

“Margaretta was in good spirits and talked passionately on a range of issues. She once again referred to the unsatisfactory conditions in the prison, and of the state of ongoing sensory deprivation that the prisoners have to contend with. The impact on the women who are imprisoned is something she said that needs urgent attention. She noted that while plenty of research is being undertaken in relation to prisons, with prisoners often being passive subjects, there was little active engagement with prisoners themselves and very little being done to address their needs.

“Margaretta was pleased to hear that 15 MEPs from 8 different countries had written to Minister for Justice Alan Shatter calling on him to release her. This is something he could do since the government has it within their power to allow a Presidential pardon. However the question of whether or not she could accept a pardon would depend on what it was for, she said.

“She referred to the fact that she and others can stand outside Shannon Airport at the regular monthly vigils witnessing complicity in crimes. “When I went onto the runway I did so to stop those crimes” she said. “It would seem that it is ok for me to witness crimes, but not to do something to stop them. This is something the Minister needs to explain.”

“Margaretta also spoke of the irrelevance of age when it comes to taking action to stop injustices. “A person’s age is not relevant when it comes to taking action” she said. “I may have fewer commitments to family now than a younger person would, and this gives me the opportunity – as well as the duty – to act. It’s important to realise that people can be effective regardless of age.”

Margaretta D’Arcy thanks supporters and highlights role of women in conflict resolution (Shannonwatch)

Margaretta D’Arcy on Broadsheet

Pic: Galway Alliance Against War

Broadsheet.ie