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Latest News - 14 February, 2009
Visit www.ardfheis.com. In the lead up to the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis, the party's General Secretary Rita O'Hare says that the event promises to be very upbeat and forward looking.
"The theme is A Vision for Ireland's Future and that incorporates issues like, peace, justice, unity and equality", she says.
"The current situation in Ireland highlights Sinn Féin's status as champion of equality in all its meanings. We have come through a difficult year. The pace of change North and South has been slow -- change in terms of improving people's lives in economic terms, the promotion of the Irish language, in defending people worst hit by the economic downturn. But in all these areas Sinn Féin has clearly been to the fore.
"Sinn Féin was the only party to oppose the Lisbon Treaty, again defending the rights of Irish people and defending the provisions of the Irish Constitution particularly in relation to neutrality.
"The Ard Fheis will very much reflect not just the past year but the year we're entering and how Sinn Féin must equip ourselves to continue to grow and continue to protect and represent the interests of the people."
Rita anticipates a very large turn out this year particularly in the aftermath of the hugely successful Céad Dáil commemorative events held by Sinn Féin in January.
"We just had the commemoration of the First Dáil, a resounding success which attracted a massive turn out -- people who wanted to see that anniversary properly marked."
John Douglas of the Mandate trade union will be a guest speaker at this year's Ard Fheis.
Rita O'Hare is encouraging people to avail of the crèche facilities, which will be provided for the weekend and stresses the importance of registering for the service in advance by contacting head office, "so that we can make appropriate provision by way of the number of care workers that will be required."
There will also be ready availability of translation equipment to enable Gaeilgeoirí to be understood by everyone in the hall.
"Microphones for translation purposes will be distributed around the hall for those requiring them.
"There will be the usual stalls, the Sinn Féin stall, the An Phoblacht stall and a trade Union stall.
"This Ard Fheis will be a positive and uplifting event with a celebratory atmosphere similar to that at the Céad Dáil celebration and we urge everyone to come and join us."
Speaking at a public meeting in Limerick tonight on 'Why Irish Unity makes Economic Sense' Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams noted "it is now time to end the nonsense of two competing economies on this island with two administrations, two health services, two education systems, two investment bodies with separate strategies and two different tax regimes. Irish Unity is not just a dearly held republican aspiration. It is an economic imperative."
Mr. Adams said: "This is an historic year, marking as it does the 90th anniversary of An Chéad Dáil Éireann. At Dublin's Mansion House just a few weeks ago Irish republicans gathered in large numbers to celebrate that momentous event and to once again rededicate ourselves to the objectives of Irish independence, national unity and social equality proclaimed by the First Dáil.
"Sinn Féin's commitment and strategy for Irish unity distinguishes us from all other Irish political parties, some of whom may proclaim republican credentials but who have neither a strategy nor the political will to bring about republican objectives.
"The economic challenges before us are huge but they can be overcome with honest leadership and decisive action. The starting point must be stimulating the economy. This means measures to encourage economic growth, economic strategies which invest in jobs, in people and in public services.
"It means ending the nonsense of two competing economies on this island with two administrations, two health services, two education systems, two investment bodies with separate strategies and two different tax regimes.
"Irish Unity is not just a dearly held republican aspiration. It is an economic imperative. In short Irish unity makes economic sense A considerable market of six million people exists on the island of Ireland. Over three million workers across Ireland have fuelled extraordinary economic growth in the past 10 years.
"Despite these developments the continuing partition of Ireland creates impediments to economic development. These impediments cost individuals and businesses on a daily basis. They cost the island economy hundreds of millions each year. The identification and removal of these costs will create efficiencies, employment, wealth and opportunity across Ireland.
"Economic planning and development on the island of Ireland has been carried out in a 'back-to-back' fashion for decades. Due to a lack of joined-up development in areas such as road, rail, air and sea transport, businesses have suffered major transportation costs and large isolated regions have suffered reduced economic opportunity.
"Constant fluctuations in the areas of VAT, Corporation Tax, Excise Duties and Currency create barriers to economic development on both sides of the border. These differentials cost millions in tax revenue. Fluctuations in these areas also prevent long term planning and investment.
"The border costs money through wasteful duplication; e.g. Invest NI and the IDA currently pay for separate offices in New York, Boston, Southern California, Shanghai, Tokyo, Taipei and Mumbai. Duplication exists at nearly every level of Irish administration.
"Despite all this progress is being made and a number of things have been achieved to date on the road to creating an all-Ireland economy. The newly developed All Ireland Energy Market provides for a competitive, sustainable and reliable Electricity and Gas market on the island of Ireland. It aims to deliver long-term economic and social benefits to communities' right across Ireland.
"Tourism Ireland is an all-Ireland body designed to efficiently promote Ireland abroad. They have done this with much success in key source markets, such as Britain, the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland and Australia.
"InterTradeIreland was set up by the Good Friday Agreement to develop North/South business opportunities. Since 2003 over 1,300 businesses from all over Ireland have benefited from their help, creating hundreds of jobs and generating hundreds of millions of euros of trade.
"In future, Ireland, north or south can not afford to develop the island in a disjointed manner. The development of Derry City Airport, the Dublin-to-Belfast Motorway and the Monaghan-to-Derry dual carriageway are prime examples of joined up thinking that brings economic benefits to all. To ensure seamless and strategic economic development the island of Ireland must plan and implement as one.
"VAT, Excise and Corporation Tax differentials along with sterling depreciation cost our economy dearly and create crippling disadvantages for both jurisdictions. As a result an All Ireland Economic Committee made up of decision makers from the Dáil and the Assembly must be constituted in order steer both jurisdictions towards convergence in these areas.
"Given the severe pressure being placed on public service budgets by the current crash in government revenue, duplication in service provision on the island of Ireland cannot be allowed continue. A root and branch review of all services must be undertaken to integrate services. This review will ensure the quality provision of services to our citizens and will reap savings from the efficiencies gained.
"The recent scandal of Dioxin contaminated Irish pork products is an example of the need for a joint Ministerial approach towards our international food brand. Agriculture like other sectors naturally operates on an all-Ireland basis. As a result it is imperative that the Irish food brand be safeguarded by all Ireland standards. This necessitates an all-Ireland agricultural body to implement such standards.
"Universities Ireland was set up in 2003 to promote co-operation between the nine universities across the island of Ireland. Third level education is well placed to act as an engine of growth in the emerging knowledge economy. In order to ensure potential is reached, further cooperation and integration in this area should be facilitated. Universities Ireland should be constituted on a similar basis to InterTradeIreland.
"Sinn Féin is working to build a united Irish economy. But such an objective is only important to us if it serves the needs of Irish society and not the other way around.
"Ireland today needs a new standard of patriotism that is not in thrall to gombeenmen, bankers and profiteers. The foundation stone of that patriotism is the Democratic Programme of An Chéad Dáil.
"Republican values and republican politics have never been so relevant or so necessary.
"Irish unity makes sense politically, economically and socially. Ever growing numbers of people are seeing the logic of this proposition. Sinn Féin is committed to the task of turning that aspiration into a reality but we need more people to become involved. I hope many of you here tonight will join us in this work in the time ahead." ENDS
A new book Sinn Féin and the Politics of Left Republicanism, by An Phoblacht columnist and Sinn Féin activist Eoin Ó Broin, is set for release next week in Dublin and in Belfast.
Published by Pluto Press of London, the book is a critical analysis of the past, present and future of Sinn Féin and 'left republican' politics.
The premise of the book is that, despite the growth of the party in recent years, Sinn Féin is much misunderstood and often misrepresented.
Speaking this week, Ó Broin said:
"I wanted to write a book which, on the one hand, told the history of Sinn Féin and left republicanism from its origins in the 18th century to the present while, at the same time, offering a critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the left republican project."
CHAPTERS
The book is divided into four chapters.
Left Republican Origins explores the history of the United Irishmen, Young Ireland and late 19th century socialists.
The Arrival of Left Republicanism takes a critical look at Connolly's Irish Socialist Republican Party and asks why this project was such a political failure.
Left Republican Interventions looks at various left republican forces during the 20th century, including Liam Mellows, the Republican Congress, Clan na Poblachta and the Workers' Party/Democratic Left. Again, the author explores why each of these projects failed to develop into significant long-term political projects.
The book's final chapter, A Century of Struggle, charts the history of the Sinn Féin party from Arthur Griffith to the present.
Ó Broin again asks why left republicanism failed to become dominant within the broader nationalist movement or indeed in the country as a whole. He also explores the relationship of Sinn Féin's nationalism to its socialism, and issues of class, gender and the party's attitude to unionists.
HISTORY LESSON
The book's conclusion, The History Lesson, looks to the future and asks how Sinn Féin can become the dominant political force in Ireland.
"The vast majority of books on republicanism," Ó Broin says, "are written by non-republicans. This does not diminish the value of books by such authors but it is time that we started to engage in the debate about our own past, present and future in a more analytical, critical and reflective way. To do so can only strengthen our ability to advance the struggle for a 32-county democratic socialist Ireland."
The Dublin launch of Sinn Féin and the Politics of Left Republicanism will take place on Monday 16 February at 6pm in the Pearse Street Public Library, 138-144 Pearse Street. Councillor Daithí Doolan will chair the event and Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald will speak. The Belfast launch will take place the following Wednesday, 18 February, at 7pm in Lecture Theatre 2, St Mary's College on the Falls Road. Sinn Féin Mayor of Belfast Tom Hartley will chair and former Hunger Striker Dr Laurence McKeown and Queen's University Belfast Professor Richard English will speak.