Send letters of support for Chinese artist Ai Weiwei to DCC Delegation

A delegation of Dublin City Councillors and a Labour TD, the City Manager and a city official will travel to Beijing, China on 31st May 2011 for a four day official visit in order to further the process of the twinning of Dublin with Beijing. The motion that I presented to Dublin City Council in relation to the detention of the political artist Ai Weiwei was passed on May 10th.
We are now in a legitimate position to call on this delegation to raise this issue with the relevant Chinese authorities.
Please write to and email the members of this delegation supporting the call for the release of Ai Weiwei and that of the many other individuals who are detained in similar circumstances throughout China.
The delegation members are:
Lord Mayor of Dublin,Mr Gerry Breen
City Manager, Mr John Tierney,
Cllr Pat Crimmins
Mr Eric Byrne, TD (joining the delegation as observer)
Mr Peter Finnegan, DCC official

Please send letters of concern and support for this motion to lordmayor@dublincity.ie or gerry.breen@dublincity.ie

That this chamber express its deep concern for the welfare and safety of the Internationally renowned Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei. At present there is international concern regarding the manner in which Mr Weiwei and his associates are being treated by the Chinese authorities. Ai Weiwei, it is believed, has been recently arrested and detained. His whereabouts and his well-being are of concern to his many supporters and family. Mindful of Irelands continuing good relations with China and Dublin City Councils most recent successful twinning initiative with Beijing and given the continuing strength of our mutual trust and strong friendship it is legitimate for us to express our concerns in relation to this issue (Motion by Cllr Flynn, passed at May 10th 2011 Dublin City Council Meeting)

WAITING FOR CHANGE, SEANAD 2011

Lets wish the new Seanad well in their efforts to reform their whole process. However, this will not be achieved without constant vigilance and correction from the members of the public. The senators will need our navigation and wisdom because the State and its apparatus, agents and institutions is incapable of reforming itself alone. The key to all of this is the actualisations of difference and change. The watchword is the reconstitution of the total system. That system which is incapable of being honest with itself is now bankrupt. The primary task of Seanad Eireann and Dáil Éireann and the Irish Republic and State is to once and for all sober up and be accountable.