COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, April 14, 2014
HEADED ITEM NO. 3f)
HEADED ITEM: C. Services Department
STANDING COMMITTEES - ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE & FINANCE COMMITTEE - 20th March 2014
Freedom of South Dublin County (Dunnes Stores 1984 Strikers)
At the Organisation, Procedure and Finance Committee Meeting held on 20th March 2014 the following motion and report were considered:
"MOTION: Councillor G. Kenny
In July 1984 Eleven Dunnes Stores workers working in Henry Street Dublin went on strike. The workers union directive at the time instructed workers on a principled and moral stance not to handle apartheid South African produce namely fruit and vegetables. In carrying out the union directive the eleven workers ten women and one man went on a strike on a principled stance not to handle fruit from apartheid South Africa. The strike lasted for two and a half years and untimely changed government policy at the time on the importation of fruit from South Africa to Ireland. Ireland became the first country to ban produce from South Africa. The strike and boycott gained international prominence and garnered the international community and workers movements against apartheid. The strike became was one of the most important trade union strikes in Ireland in the twentieth century. 2014 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the strike. The strike not only highlighted the abhorrent system of apartheid but inspired workers from around the world that they could make a difference in their workplace and community. To this day the legacy of the strike this holds the great ideals of international solidarity and social justice. On this basis and the contribution the workers made to the anti apartheid struggle in Ireland I would like to nominate the eleven people with the honour of the freedom of South Dublin County Council.
REPORT:
Section 74 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that a Local Authority may confer civic honours on distinguished persons. At the Organisation Procedure & Finance Committee meeting held on the 20th March 2008, the members agreed a protocol to honour distinguished persons for significant achievement.
Cllr. Kenny's proposal for Freedom of the County was submitted to the Mayor's office for inclusion on an agenda for discussion with the CPG/ Group Leaders on the 10th February 2014 and agreement in principle reached to forward this proposal to the Organisation Procedure and Finance Committee.
In accordance with the protocol, should the members pass this resolution; a recommendation for the awarding of the Honorary Freedom of the County will be sent to the full council meeting in April for approval." End of Report to OPF.
The motion as proposed was seconded by Councillor E. Ó Broin and AGREED.
It is now before the members of South Dublin County Council to determine if Civic Honours including the Freedom of the County should be conferred on Mary Manning, Cathryn O'Reilly, Karen Gearon, Theresa Mooney, Veronica McCue, Sandra Griffin, Alma Russell, Michelle Gavin, Elizabeth Deasy, Brendan Barron and Thomas (Tommy) Davis. The following resolution would be required:
"That Civic Honours including the Freedom of the County of South Dublin County be conferred on Mary Manning, Cathryn O'Reilly, Karen Gearon, Theresa Mooney, Veronica McCue, Sandra Griffin, Alma Russell, Michelle Gavin, Elizabeth Deasy, Brendan Barron and Thomas (Tommy) Davis, to acknowledge the eleven striking workers and their contribution to the anti apartheid struggle internationally.
Should the members pass this resolution:
- The Mayor (or Deputy Mayor) will honour the recipient(s) with a Civic Ceremony and signing of the Roll of Honorary Freedom in the Council Chamber immediately following a future meeting of South Dublin County Council.
- A Civic Reception will follow the ceremony.
- Appropriate arrangements will be put in place by the Department of Corporate Performance and Change Management subject to budgetary and time constraints and the agreement of all parties concerned in keeping with the stature of the event.