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············1:jUY.ilU,SttOOi . . . . ···· i 1alist.net ...... orll � !ww.irisbsoc . Irish Sociallst tletw ofit­ the inclusion of the and Greens. While the near­ class demise of the PDs is etter welcome, capitalism will fthe get along fine without its ther pocket-rottweilers. The y of Election shock: gap between profits and em- wages will continue to grow, US troops will class continue to pass through "arly By Colm Breathnach (ISN) Shannon on their imperial adventures and the tion TwoTweedledum major right-wing parties offer more of the same. privatisation wins! of health, robbery of our natural has Three left-of-centre parties offer to prop up the right­ resources and dependence on multinationals will neo­ wing parties. Is it any wonder that we ended up continue apace. just with ... well. ..more of the same! Coming after a long Sure, elections are not irrelevant: the end of capitalist boom, it's hardly surprising that many Michael McDowell's reign can only be good news working people voted for the safe bet of Fianna Fail for victims of miscarriages of justice and for asylum or the non-alternative of Fine Gael. Fear of a down­ seekers. Yes, some power lies in the hands of the turn also probably convinced more people to vote suits in Leinster House, but most of it lies in the for these conservatives. Despite the obvious inequal­ hands of the O'Learys and O'Reillys. Ultimately, it ities of Irish society, people were essentially afraid is their ladders that we must kick away from the of losing what little they had gained. lamp post. The so-called left parties - Sinn Fein, Labour and This was also a bad election for the radical left. the Greens - helped this process along by having Almost all of the far left candidates saw a drop in almost exactly the same policies as the parties of the their votes, including the sole ISN candidate: John right. They did badly because voters opted for the O'Neill in Dublin North West. The loss of Joe real thing rather than the mini-versions. The only Higgins' and Seamas Healy's seats, combined with thing that Pat, Gerry and Trevor could offer was the the failure of others to win new seats, was a big set­ prospect of propping up the conservative parties back for the working class. Even if the smaller parties in government in return for a seat or two at the and independents were squeezed - especially in the cabinet table. Not exactly enticing stuff! 'Enda versus Bertie' atmosphere generated by the The new 'Fianna Fail-plus' government, will pro-capitalist media - the far left cannot entirely impose the same basic neo-liberal policies, despite continued over

Irish Socialist Networ k• www· iri shsocial'ISt.net Saving the �lanet? The left andBy Fintan Lane (ISN)tfi e environmentpublic health waiting list. ment, particularly from plundering profit­ This planet is too important This is not to say that driven corporations such as Shell and to be left to the Greens. the issues of climate Esso, are as necessary as 'traditional' class If anybody was in any change and the local conflicts in the fight to construct a better doubt about this, it environment are life for everybody. They are part of the became very clear in unimportant. same struggle. Ultimately, we need another June as the Green Quite the socio-economic world, another way of Party binned many contrary. These doing things, not a Green-tinged govern­ key policies, opted for are crucial issues ment that supports business as usual. meres and perks and that must be The Green Party, largely middle class entered government addressed by in composition and mentalite, is clearly 1 with the right-wing, anybody seeking a unable to see this organic connection 1 neo-liberal Fianna Fail better world. The with working-class concerns and has 1 and PD parties. Beaming environmental move­ become an ineffectual prop in a neo­ \i broadly, John Gormley and ment has done much in the liberal government. It is now just \i Eamonn Ryan toddled off to the past few decades to alert people another establishment party. • C Park to be anointed as fully fledged to the importance of a wide range of tasks \ members of 'Team Bertie'. that currently confront humanity. We From here on, collective cabinet cannot continue to live as we do and we responsibility kicks in. The Greens will must tackle the issue of global warming be obliged to defend every nasty policy if we are to avoid well-signposted catas­ implemented by the current government, trophes. from 'co-location' in the health sector to However, the Green Party, as a polit­ the building of a motorway through Tara ical expression of the environmental to support for Shell in Mayo. They will movement, is fatally flawed, believing as remain bit-players, with little influence, it does that it can 'save the planet' by but they will defend this right-wing making deals with devil- with the social government to the hilt. conservatives, neo-liberals and capital­ In addition, they will be co-equally ists who believe that the market rules responsible for the presence of the US and that big business must always come military at Shannon airport, a complete first. In truth, it is the so-called 'free u-turn for a party that was once viewed market' and its promoters who are as an intrinsic - albeit moderate and primarily responsible for the environ­ weak-kneed - element of the anti-war mental degradation of this planet, and movement. As US troops in their tens of it is the poor and the working people thousands trundle through Shannon who suffer most from its effects. airport on their way to kill people in the The radical left has failed in the past Middle East, it can said, without hesita­ to make environmental concerns a �ion, that 1 the Green Party has blood on central element in its politics. That must �s hands. It is complicit in Bush's impe­ change. A better, collective and egali­ rial �ars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and tarian social world necessitates a sustain­ pr�vides his war machine with practical able way of living on this small planet assi stance. of ours. The 'anti-globalisation' move­ The Greens, of course, will tell us that they ments are imperfect, but they do hint have bigger fish to fry- they have to at ways in which the desires for social save the . pla net... and it seems th at Iraq and justice and env ronmen al sustainability th e people � � of Finglas and Knocknaheeny can be meshed m non-hierarchical polit­ are not an espe . . . l c1. a ll y significant part of this ical formations. P an et. They c . and an continue to die .m thehere For activists on the radical left, mass­ now at en d of a US bullet or on a based campaigns to protect the environ- Standing with Palestine - but how? By David Landy Palestinians are no less cultured, no less Palestine - isolated, imprisoned and reasonable and a lot more politically denied a right to exist by Israel - desper­ savvy about their situation than ately needs our solidarity. But we need to ourselves, but this message needs to be ask what kind of solidarity is needed. repeated time and again. 'Critical solidarity' is a common reaction And yet ... there's no escaping the against 1960s 'third-worldism' - when reality that there are problems with left-wingers in Europe acted as cheer­ Palestine. Taking Hamas as an example, leaders to Third World elites, something we can argue that it is democratically that led to such grotesque nonsense as elected and we can point out that, with desperately trying to establish connections, the glorification of Chairman Mao. their political pragmatism and btdrock but it is precisely this contact with the Instead, it was proposed that Westerners nationalism, they are certainly no Al­ outside world that Israel is choking off. should support liberation movements Qaeda. In fact they're more like our own Anyone who invites Palestinians to Ireland elsewhere, but fed free to offer friendly Sinn Fein circa War of Independence - knows that all arrangements are provi­ and constructive criticism. another party of religious, nationalist, sional - most institutions give up or don't It sounds good, but can be tricky when socially-conservative revolutionaries. even bother trying. it comes to Palestine because, uniquely, The British government demonised It's easy to go on about other problems we have an active anti-solidarity move­ Sinn Fein as religious fanatics, psycho­ with Palestinian solidarity - the growing ment to deal with - various Zionist and pathic murderers and so on - the same bias of the media, the fractured nature of pro-Israel groups. Even if they haven't way that Hamas is demonised now. the Palestinian leadership, and so on. But, convinced anyone that Israel is good, they While socialists have no business in in the end, the difficulty of solidarity 1 have convinced many that Palestinians buying into this poison - the propaganda work doesn't make it any less necessary. are bad - primitives under the sway of an used in all colonial wars - it is still fair to The spread of anti-Palestinian demoni­ alien fanatical culture - who we should ask if we'd have supported the Sinn Fein sation in our media, the urgency of have nothing to do with. And this is all of that era any more than Hamas now. opposing Israeli aggression against Zionists need to do: if they make people Certainly not uncritically. Palestine (and Lebanon), and the lack of feel that they should wash their hands of After all, it's one thing to respect contacts with Palestinians has created a � this ugly little matter, Israel gets free rein Palestinians' different culture and their situation where criticism should be put for its devastation of Palestine. right not to be dictated to by ourselves. on the back-burner, or at least expressed In this context, any criticism of It's another to say, 'whatever they do cautiously. For the moment, it seems that Palestinians (and there's no shortage) can doesn't matter, their cause is just and we - unfortunately - there's more important feed into Israel's ongoing war against can't judge them by our own - civilised work to be getting on with. • them. For the Ireland Palestine Solidarity - standards'. This sounds less like respect, Campaign (IPSC), the impetus to portray more like patronisation. David Landy is secretary of the Ireland Palestine positively is overwhelming. It is One thing that can help us to tread this Palestine Solidarity Campaign. He writes crucial to show that Palestinians are more line is contact, so that we build up knowl­ here in a personal capacity. than victims or terrorists, but subjects in edge and respect for each other. Solidarity The IPSC can be contacted at their own right. It may seem obvious that groups and Palestinian organisations are [email protected] Election shock: Tweedledum wins! our involvement proved to be minimal. continued from front page or to hide our commitment to class poli­ . . . Though it is no excuse for a poor elec­ tics behind populist fronts...... toral performance, the ISN has always However, sticking to principlesis just the escape blame for this setback. While seen electoral work as a subordinate part first step and we must learn from our conditions were not good for a break­ of our struggle. The revolutionary trans­ mistakes. As a participatory democratic through, the loss of support indicates a formation of society will not be carried organisation, we do not look forguidance ne e� for some serious rethinking by out by an elite on behalf of working from 'leaders', but try to overcome our radi cal socialists. people but by working people themselves mistakes and develop new strategiesthr ough ISN_ stood in the election, not because through mass struggle. From our foun­ collectivedebate and decision makingi nvolv­ wett eve 10 a p s arliamentary road to social­ dation, we have refused to accept that ing the equal participation of all members. i m bu t to take another opportunity among man t salvation lies in the leadership of a Through this process, hopefully we can move spre!d �e �gage with people and to try to e vanguard, parliamentary or bureaucratic. forward with others on the left who share hon s teas of radical socialism. To be Despite the prospect of short-term gain, o­ e t, we av our commitment to revolutionary, dem e to admit that the impact of we have refused to engage in clientelism cratic, class-struggle politics. Here come the new cops, same as the old cops By Brendan Harrison (ISN) What happened to the law of 'innocent ons, When the civil rights marchers set out until proven guilty'? Or was it just a case 1 the some 40 years ago, little did they realise of old habits dying hard? ; off. that some of the demands for which And now we learn that the Northern ::land marched would not have been imple­ Ireland Office is trying to preserve the Eovi­ mented four decades later. The demand repressive powers of the PSNI - by clon't for the reform and disarmament of the extending 'anti-terrorist' legislation to RUC is one notable change that is as far the whole of the UK. Our cops don't )lerns away from being granted as it was at the want to lose the power to stop and ques­ !wing inception of the civil rights movement. tion people without needing any reason. lfe of One could argue that while the RUC So, London is drawing up plans to spread . But, has had a name change, little else has those powers UK-wide. According to larity changed. The newly-named PSNI are far leading Blairite Hazel Blears: 'What I ssary. better equipped with the latest weapons understand is that the request has come noni­ and the recent orders for tazer stun-guns from the Northern Ireland Office because cy of that have caused the deaths of more than they have the powers, they want to be �ainst 25 people in the US says a lot about the able to carry on using them, they find ick of likely future direction of the PSNI. them useful.' 1ted a Can anyone justify an armed police If Northern Irish society is to move ,e put service·? In the recent past, the PSNI have forward, then the police, as members of ressed been quick to use lethal force against so­ that society, must be made aware that �s that called 'joy-riders' in County Down. they are answerable for any actions they ortant While in pursuit of a 'suspect' in the carry out. They are not above the law. Old park area of North Belfast, a PSNI There should be no wall of silence to officer discharged a firearm at a time protect them if they break the law. They re/and when large numbers of children were must be rooted out and the full force of writes playing. Can this be the norm when chil­ the law must be used against them. dren's lives are at risk? Has the 'suspect' And the job of socialists is to challenge no rights? He was only running away. the police, not to support them. •

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�ust the im our locratic I L1idance CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555111 me our through r involv­ �rnbers. m move 10 share •, demo- Shannon warport By of Fintan sca dal TheLan n e (ISN) anti-war movement in Ireland has been activism on the issue? The answer to this In late May, during the negotiations for at a low ebb, the mainstream media and is complex, but a significant element is a new government, the independent TD Ireland's career politicians have lost inter­ a pervasive sense that the outcome will Finian McGrath raised Shannon airport est and what should be judged a scandal be determined primarily by events in Iraq and its use by the US military. McGrath's of government-toppling proportions - the itself. This may be the case. However, kite was promptly shot down by Bertie handing over of an Irish civilian airport international solidarity remains crucial Ahern, who insisted that his government to a military engaged in 'pre-emptive' and it is important that ordinary working will continue to facilitate George W. imperialist war - continues almost unhin­ people in Europe put clear blue water Bush's killing machine. dered. Last year saw just one major anti­ between themselves and their complicit war protest at Shannon airport, though governments. local activists staged several smaller In Ireland, it is essential thatbefore we end j actions as well. the Shannon military stopover the Despite the downturn in activism, US is forced out of Iraq. If we fail to do anti-war sentiment remains very strong this, it is likely that landing facilities will in Ireland. Indeed, in April, a Lansdowne be extended to the US war machine for Market Research poll, commissioned by even more bloody adventures. Indeed, the Peace and Neutrality Alliance, indi­ Bush and his cronies are already cated that 58% of Irish people are eyeballing Iran in their push to further opposed to the US military presence at extend US geo-political power. If they Shannon. Only 19% support the traf­ attack, it is not the reactionary Iranjan I McGrath's reaction? He backed down, ficking of US troops. Such figures come regime that will suffer; instead, as usual, declaring that the issue of Irish complic­ as no surprise to anti-war activists. There innocent people will be at the receiving ity in the murder of tens of thousands of is enormous goodwill towards the anti­ end of US bombs and missiles. I Afghani and Iraqi children and adults was war movement and most people are Help to end Irish complicity with mass not ... ahem ... a 'deal breaker'. The Green instinctively opposed to the warmonger­ murder and imperialism by getting Party's negotiators took a similar view, ing of George W. Bush. involved in the anti-war movement. Join despite theirprevious high-profile involve­ Why then is there a reduced level of the resistance. • ment in the anti-war movement, and are now part of the government that rubber­ stamps the US military presence. Certainly, the issue of Ireland's involvement in a vicious imperial war is troubling - like a little boy, somewhere in the background, tugging occasionally at the liberal conscience - but many of our left-leaning Dail politicians, notably the Greens, have found that they can live with it. They have tussled with their consciences and they have won. Since at least the summer of 2004, the Racism and the new immigrants By Rosanna Flynn asylum issues, the most numerous to the US government on behalf of Irish Until about 15 years ago, the only group complaints that Residents Against Racism illegals in the States. Of course, they facing racism in Ireland was the receive from refugees are about their should be allowed to stay and work there. Travelling community. Foreign nationals, desire to work. Does he not see the contradictio m n in his ostly tourists or students, were Migrant workers are the other group attitude to non-Irish nationals he welco re at med and treated very well. who are demonised for allegedly 'taking home? Surely they deserve the same Then asylum seekers began to arrive. our jobs'. In fact, we should thank them opportunities as the illegal Irish in the US. First came groups of 'programme for the success of the Celtic Tiger. We The new immigr. ation bill, due to refugees', for whom a general feeling of need them and will continue to do so for come before the Dail soon, will / all make a goodwill prevailed. As time went on, the foreseeable future. Most stay for a bad situation worse. Among other tough other, non-programme, asylum seekers short time - just a few years - almost measures, it would take away the rights began to arrive. There was no problem at do the low-paid or unpleasant work we of non-Europeans to marry withouoft first. The main reason for this was that don't want to do. permission from the Department until November 1999, they were all Of course, a small number will stay. Justice, and force asylum-seekers into �Hov·,.. ed tc vvo:lc. They may marry Irish people, er decide to 'holding centre�' {priscn�; b:;.�ed en the When this right to work was taken make their Lives here for other reasons. Fine! notorious Australian model. Positive changes would be fairly away,11_ _ the urbanI 1myths 1 started11· 1 I and 1 were Let's not pretend that this1. has Lnot happened··- ,1 __ ...1 ,...,...... ,..,,._ ---� ...... ,...... _,_,,�,.,... ,., .. ,, ...h- _,,,, 1"\PlA,.\1 fuelled by wretched politicians, who cyni- before - from time immemorial. We keep simple. Let asylum-seekers work. Crack goo w, I preva1 e . '.A.--S tTme went on, me roreseeaole future. Mos stay or a a situation worse. Among other tough I other, non-programme, asylum seekers short time - just a few years - almost all measures, it would take away the rights began to arrive. There was no problem at do the low-paid or unpleasant work we of non-Europeans to marry without first. The main reason for this was that don't want to do. permission from the Department of until November 1999, they were all Of course, a small number will stay. Justice; and force asylum-seekers into :i!!owed to """ode. They may marry Irish people, er decide to 'h0lding centres' tp-riso ") b:1sed n he When this right to work was tak en make their lives here for other reasons. Fine! notorious Australian model. e e away, the urban myths start d and w re Let's not pretend that this has not happened Positive changes would be fairly el e e e l fu l d by wr tch d po iticians, who cyni­ befo�e - from time immemorial. We keep simple. Let asylum-seekers e el e e work. Crack cally spread and mb lish d th m in h�armg about our culture being under­ down _o� rogue employe e rs who pay below order to gain support. Now, w are mmed. l e e el e e e 1 e Cu tur d v ops by n w influ nces th mm mum wag . Take asylum out of repe e l told that asylum seekers are a l a a at d y being slowly nd steadi y bsorbed nd the hands of politicians and civil servan l l l e e e ts 'bogus', 'spongers', 'il ega a i ns', etc., adapt d. Otherwis , it stagnates. and set ur a new a lle e l e body simil r to the a g d y getting fr e cars, mobile phones Don't be fooled by the 'Immigration Human Rights Commission. and luxurious accommodation, all at the Co?�r?l Platform', or, indeed, by any We often hear the phrase 'we should expense of the Irish taxpayer. In reality, p�ht1�ians, w?uld-be politicians, or right­ look after our own'. Who are our own�. they get € 19 .10 a week and hosted wmg JOurnahsts who spread vicious lies Surely they are members of our own class accommodation with meals provided. and distortions. After all, Bertie Ahern wha�ever their race. Certainly not the fa; It is no wonder that, aside from has for many years repeatedly grovelled cats m power - the Tony O'Reillys Denis O'Briens and Dermot Desmonds 'of this A�G,HAN\STAIV world. When did successive governments \-\f\Sl,J'T BE.EN M ever look after the poor? Was the health 9cuR.f. CO\..)(\)TR'I service ever anything but bad? Was there ever good housing policy? These things are not the fault of ethnic minorities. RFGHRNlST AN H/1S Let's put the blame where it belongs - HII D W/IR. !IN on the rotten system. • D DISIISTE!< FOR 3 0 YEIIR.S Rosanna Flynn is a leading member of AFGHANISTAN . Residents Against Racism. HAS

I�ish Nurses' Organisation (INO) maga­ year period of it and whose behaviour has zine, the union had this to say about the worsened considerably during that period.' The nurses' HSE's propaganda and spin: 'At the The founders of our movement would commencement of the recent talks in be spinning in their graves at the total lack government buildings they proclaimed of solidarity that SIPTU (and indeed dispute and the that 70% of health expenditure related ICTU as a whole) have shown towards to pay. We checked those figures against the INO and the PNA in their just cause. the published public accounts figures for That lack of solidarity can be traced sell-out of social health and, in fact, it turns out that the back directly to the cosy 'partnership' pay bill for health is a mere 55% of total between the union bureaucracy, the health expenditure. The Department of employers and the government. Finance, in the talks process, confirmed The leadership of the two unions have partnership our calculations as being correct.' accepted a deal that fell short of their By Stephen Lewis (ISN) The INO represents the vast major­ justified demands. This shows the need Several weeks ago, the nurses voted by a ity of nurses - 35,000 in total. The indus­ to build grassroots networks of union break narrow margin to end their industrial trial action that was rolled out across the activists: even when union leaders consensus, we can't action. This followed a relentless health services by the INO and the PNA with the partnership 00 carry the fight with the campaign of vilification by their employer, has received almost 1 % support from rely on them to it needs, unless they feel the government and the bulk of the media. the two unions' members. On the other determination 000 of their members on their Nonetheless, their willingness to fight and hand, SIPTU (which represents 8, the breath opposing any climb-down. defy the consensus should be an example nurses) refused to join the industrial necks dispute is more than for all trade unionists. action and merely called for the claims to The INO/PNA's a claim for a shorter working week Their claim for a 35-hour working be pursued through the National simply increase in pay. It directly chal­ week dates back to a Labour Court Implementation Body, a body that was and an neo-liberal consensus that recommendation made 27 years ago, set up within the parameters of Social lenges the surrounds Social Partnership. which has still not been implemented by Partnership (SP). e current The nurses have tried 'partn rship' health services management. The 10% The INO did not engage in the a delivered. They have f ced pay claim is simply needed to bring SP programme Towards 2016, as they felt and it hasn't war waged by the HSE. nurs that the process has not met the a propaganda _ l es' pay back into line with other strongly full ideolog1ca hea In fact, one of the They have faced the lth workers: this claim has been needs of its members. Healt� last year that, weight of the most right-wing pursued for almost six years. PNA's leaders told delegates expen­ the cosy Minister this country has ever During this time, the nurses in the 'the INO and PNA are rejecting e e ge enced. The nurses have r ceiv d hu fr?n tline of which suggests that individual c the dispute have been faced consensus patients for thei a tions. witb a suStain members' legiti­ support from � ed attack from all of the so­ unions must bury their is also symbolic of what called a of the Their action 'soci l partners'. mate complaints in the interests l e and a l we as socialists va u : solidarity The e d'ia h ave lazily accepted the overall goal of maintaining industria e If e in the fac of adv�rsity. outri ht�ies Industrial peac , under fighting spirit that the HSE has been spin- peace and stability. e e e esume their strug­ nin g b Progress, by the and wh n th nurs s r t the economic facts of this Sustaining was abused eside them. • dis;u;e. � a three gle, it is our duty to stand b the May 2007 edition of the employers who have now enjoyed strikes or militant trade MICHAEL unionism; in that sense The politics of DAVITT he was an earl; o this supporter of 'social part­ ent is nership'. He fell out will e Michael Davitt badly with Dublin social­ 1 Iraq ists, such as Adolphus ,ever, Shields, in the early 1890s :ucial By Fintan Lane (ISN) ,ricing Laurence Marley, Michael Davitt: because of his failure to Nater Freelance Radical and Frondeur associate with the labour .plicit (Dublin: Four Courts Press, movement in Ireland. 2007), 314 pages, €45 hardback. James Connolly later e end rather unkindly described Davitt as a re the Michael Davitt (1846-1906) is remem­ willing tool of home rule social conserva­ tives; this was hyperbole - Davitt was to do bered by most people as the leader of the swill Land League, whose legacy is 'peasant capable of much independent thought and 1e for proprietorship' - the fact that Irish action - but there was a kernel of truth in deed, farmers now largely own their land Connolly's critical remarks. :eady rather than rent it fromlandlords. In fact, On other issues, such as anti-Semitism, .rther Davitt was head and shoulders above unknown to most people, Davitt was a they supporter of land nationalisation not most of his contemporaries, and he was rnian peasant proprietorship and he interpreted a staunch defender of the Jewish people sual, 'the land for the people' rather differently at a time of pogroms in Eastern Europe :iving from Parnell and other social conserva­ and aggressive harassment in Limerick. tives in the home rule movement. Likewise, he supported the Boers against mass Moreover, on a range of issues, from British imperialism, though, in this regard, :tting imperialism to education, Davitt revealed he completely sidestepped the Boer .Join himself as a social radical on the left oppression of the black African popula­ fringes of the Irishnationalist movement. tion, who he curtly labelled 'savages'. Irish socialists, at times, tend to exag­ Laurence Marley's book is an excel­ gerate the extent of Davitt's radicalism, lent study of the complexity of Davitt's ignoring, for example, his lack of practi­ social and political thought. Marley is cal solidarity or empathy with theLeft and empathetic, yet aware of Davitt's short­ trade union movement in Ireland, despite comings, and consequently this is a clear­ his stalwart support for labour in Britain. headed analysis that allows us a glimpse Davitt was primarily a nationalist and he of the real Michael Davitt. I highly worried about social movements that recommend it. could potentially interferewith the strug­ The price, unfortunately, is a bit steep gle for home rule. He was also a strong at €45, so one can only hope that a paper­ advocate of 'conciliation boards' to deal back edition will follow. In the meantime, with industrial disputes and did not back ask your local library to stock a copy. •

of Irish ;e, they k there. n in his here at 1e same rrt he US. , due to make a er tough he rights without ment of ers into _rl r,n �',o be fairly k. Crack >ay below Im out of control the economy. Most newspaper I ervants No.1 - Socialists "lr,::,, ,,..,...._.. _ _...11-.....l L .1 . __ 1enr of

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fairly c. Crack y 1 below control the economy. Most newspapers out of are controlled by the same interests. The ervant pressure for elected governments to to the No.1 - Socialists satisfy the demands of business is enor­ mous, and it usually delivers the goods. · should The rest of the population has to get r own? and elections behind them in the queue. vn class By Ed Walsh (ISN) Much of this will come as no great t the fa� Irish politicians like to tell people that shock to people who keep their eyes s, Denis they're 'non-ideological'. But, often, the open. But what's the alternative? Well, if of this most powerful ideologies are the ones we democracy is such a great idea (and rnments barely even recognise. And the ideology everyone seems to agree), why don't we e health that holds together our political system give it a try, beyond the limited horizons 'as there is a prime example. Over the last couple of the Dail? Democracy should be some­ e things of months, we've had a fierce bout of thing people experience every day, in their "ties. indoctrination. Every time a politician work-place, in their community. They elongs- has gone on the airwaves, every time a should be given a say in all the decisions canvasser has knocked on someone's that affect them. door looking for a vote, they've been When they choose fellow-citizens to hammering home the message. represent them, they should be able to It goes something like this: we live in ditch their representatives if they break a democracy. That means we get to their promises - not five years down the choose people to represent us in the Dail. line, either. And those citizens who put We vote for them every few years, themselves forward for election should because they promise to do certain things. be willing to do the job for an average iour has If they don't keep their promises, we can worker's salary, not the bonanzas our c period.' throw them out of office next time. TDs award themselves today. °'twould If you're not happy with the way If this sounds ambitious, that's otal lack things are at the moment, that's fine, because it is. But just look at the long indeed that's healthy. That's what democracy is struggle people fought to get the limited towards all about. But the only way to change it form of democracy we have today. Every st cause. is by voting. You can't take matters into step of the way, there were plenty of ,e traced your own hands. That would be unde­ 'experts' insisting that it was madness to nership' mocratic. You can have all the changes give the vote to workers, or women; or acy, the you like, just as long as a majority of anyone who didn't have a double­ voters agree with you. barrelled surname. ons have It all gets repeated so many times, by In the meantime, the only way to of their so many people, it seems like common counter-balance the power of money is the need sense. But how much choice do we really for the people who can't afford lobbyists of union have? And why do so many citizens shrug or big donations to take action them­ �rs break their shoulders and say 'all politicians are selves. No matter how loudly the estab­ we can't the same'? lishment commentators shriek that direct with the For starters, how much power do the action is 'undemocratic', it's the only way they feel TDs we elect to the Dail really have? The to deliver real change. Electing left-wing on their thing that affects people's lives more than TDs to the Dail can be useful - but only n. anything else is work. Whether or not if they use it as a platform to promote 10re than you have a job, how much you get paid, activism outside parliament. Electoral 6ng week how long you have to work - these are machines don't change society, mass :tly chal- the things that really matter. movements do - 'twas ever thus ... • 1sus that But those decisions lie in the hands of wealthy businessmen, who are elected by tnership' nobody. They decide to hire and fire ave faced people, to build a factory in one town the HSE. and not another, to cut the wages of their eological staff or give themselves a huge pay rise. [g Health Nobody has the right to interfere with !r experi­ their decisions. Try acting like a citizen ge _ved hu in the place you work, and you'll be . : actions shown the door right away. what ic of Politicians still have a lot of power. nd a tity a But the way they use that power is a rsity. If ve shaped by the society we live in. Money heir strug­ buys influence. Political parties are �e them.• funded by the rich businessmen who The strikes or mil1tamt t rrade unionism; m By Fi11ta11 sca11 ndal of Shannonla warporte s h is t ha sense La , (ISN) anti-war movement in Ire nd has be n activi m on t e sue? The answer tO his The politics he was an e-arl; l u i of t d d ln late I 1s comp ex, b r a s gnificant element ts �fay, durmg the- negorianons for a a low ebb, rhe mainstream me tia i an u ll supporter of 'social part­ a new 1 a pervasive sense that the o tcome wi government, rhe independent TD Jreland's careers politiciansdhave d los nter-l nership'. He fell out Finian �kGrJth r;1isc-dShannon airport est and what hould be 1u ge a scanda bet determinedi primarily by sevents in Iraq Michael Davitt badly wirh Dublm social- I l i u and us use by rhe US military. McGrath's of government-topp ing proport ons - the 1 self. Th s may be the ca e. However, s ch as Adolphus t d a i a s By Fi11ta11 La11e (ISN) 1srs, kite was promptly sho own by Bertie ! handing over of an Irish civili n airport nrernational solidarity rem in crucial l t d c s M1ehael Davitt: Shields, m rhc e:irly I 890s Ahern, who msisred rhat his government I to a mi i ary engage in 'pre-empnv ' and it i important rhat. ordinary working Laurence Marley, because of his failure to will t George t u u Freelance Radical aud Frondeur continue ro foc1h1.1 e \V/. imperialistwar- con inues almost nhin- people in E rope put clear blue water associate with the labour st a t h i t t m d Bush's ktllmg machine. 1 dered. Lastt t year saw ju one m jor an i­ betweeno themselves and t e r complici (Dublin: Four Cour s Press, movement Irelan . ! warl pro tes att Shannon airport, thoughl g vernments. h 2007), 314 pages, €45 hardback. James Connolly later I ocal ac ivis s staged several sma ler In Ireland, it is essential t at we end t d as a before e ra her unkindly describes Davitt 1acrions as well. rhe Shannon military stopover the d Michaeld Davitt (1846-1906) is r mem· will1ng roolof home rule ocialconscrva-t j �espire tl�e ownturn sin activism,t US is forced our of Iraq.a If we ilfail ro do bere by most people as the leader of rhe rives; this was hyperbole - Davi t was ! ann-war sennment rema111 veqr s rong this, it is likely that l nding fac ities will u i s d t d m d d t Land Leag e, whose legacy ts 'peat anr capableof u mucht in cix:nden thoughtt an I Ireland. Indee , in April, a Lans owne be ex ended rn the US war machine for m ll l proprietorship'a - ethe fact ha lrish action - b r here was a kernelof rru h J Marker Research po , commissioned by even more b oody adventures. Indeed, i s i c farmers now tl rg ly own their land Connolly'st crincal remarks. the Pe3ce and eutraliry Alliance, ind - c e urather than ren ir frome landlords.In fact, On o her issues, such as anri-Semirism, j cared that 58% of Irish people arc !;:��11f�t lr�� in ;���r �u:� rn ��;t��� l o d e ol t t nknown tO mostd p ople, Davitti was a Davittt was headt and shoulders above ! ppose ro the US militn.rypr sence at extend US geo-p i ical power. If hey emporaries, and he was 19% s t a supporter of lan nationalisatt on not mos of his con j Shannon. Only upport the traf­ arrack, i is not the reactionary Irani n he in erpreted a staunch defenderof the Jewish people McGrnrh's reacrion?He backed down, t t e t peasantt proprietorship andt d t s u ficking of US troops. Such figures come regime ha will suff r; ins ead, as usual, Ea rern E rope t ll a th I ' he land for the people' ra herl ifferen ly at a rime of pogromss in declaring thatd the issue of Irisht complic­ \ ass no surpriseu to anti-wart rtc ivists. There innocent people wi be t e receiving and other socia conserva- and aggressive haras ment in Limerick. d from Parnell h i i e t t ity in the mur er of tens of hous3nds of j i enormo s goodwill owards the anti­ en of US bombs and missiles. s , he suppor ed he Boers against Afghani and lrnqichildren and adults was l l i rives in rhe ome rule movement.u L kew h u \ war movementt and most peop e are He p to end Lrish compl city with mass Moreover, on a range of iss es, from British impenalism,t o gh, in chis regard, nor ...ahem ...a 'deal breaker'. The Green i instinc ively opposed ro the warmonger­ d t t murder and imperialismt by getting imperialism to e ucation, Davitt revealed he completelyt sidestepped the Boer Parry's nego ia ors rook a similar view, ! ing of George W. Bush. h i popula- despite their previous high-profileinvolve­ h involved in rhc an i-war movement.Join imself as a soc al radical on rhe left oppression of he black Africans · \Vhy then is t ere a reduced level of t t t the resistance.• fringes of rhe Irish na ionalist movement. tion, who he curtly labelled ' savages'. men in he anti-war movement, :rnd are d t Irish socialists,at rimes, ren to exag- Laurence Marley's book i an excel- now part of he government that rubber­ e t t t t d u e g ra e he ex ent of Davir 's ra icalism, lent sr dy of tht complexityt of Davin's sramps the US military presence. , social and poli ical though . Marley is ignoring, for example,t his tlack of pracri- a i t Ccrt:iinly,l the issue of Ireland'ss hy wi h the Left and emp thetic, yet aware of Dav n's shor · calt solidarity or empa t a u im·o vemcnt in a vicious imperial war i despi e comings, nd conseq ently this is a clear- hradea union smovement in Ireland, t u troubling - like a little boy, somewherein headed analysis hat allows s a glimpse d as a l t is st lwart upport for labour int Britain. d I the backgroun , rugging occ ion l y a a l i u an he of the real Michael Davi tr. highly D vitt dwas primarily a nationalis t t the libera consc ence - b t man)' of ' ourt tha recommend i . ) worrieul about social movementsr u i left-leaning D.iil politicians,t norabll he h the srrug- The price, unfort nately, s a bit steep colc d potentiallye interferea wi t t t Greens,e have found hat they can ive with so one can only hope hat a paper· iL y g for hom rule.l He w s alsos a s rongd a €45, Th have tusslede with their consciences advocate of 'conci iation board ' to eal back edition will follow. In rhe meantime, and they hav won. du d d d u s t 00 with in strial isputes an di nor hack ask yo r locallibrary ro rocka copy.• Since at least he summer of 2 4, rhe Racism and the new immigrants

By Rosamta Flynn l t i u e asy um issues,t at esthed mosra nnumerousa s rol the USi governmen on behalf seor Irishr Unt l abo t 15 years ago, th only group complaintS l t h R i ents Ag i stu R ci m i legals na the Stares. Ofa courd , hey facinga racism in Ire and wast hes dreceive from refugees are abo t their should be llowed ro sray n work there.l Tr velling community. Foreign na ional , esire ro work. s e ad n u t d e a Doet t hed not see th hcontr nalictio in his mostl)• to rists or s u t te ents,e w re M.igr nr workers are the other groupa a ti u e ro non-Iris natio s here at welcomed and rea d very w ll. t who are demonised for allegedlya 'r tking home? Surely they edeservea thet same Then asylum seekers began o arrive. g a our jobs'.h s In esfact, we shouldti th nk hem opportunitiese as the ill l Irish in he US. First c me groups of 'programme for dr te ucc ds of then Cel c Tiger.s We The n w timmigrationa bill,l due to refugees', for whom a a general feeling of nee heme an will co tinues ro do o fora come before he D il soon, withl make a goodwill nprev iled. As times u went on, theh for seeable future. Mo t staya forr bad ssituation worse. Among o ere rough other, no -programme,e a yl m seekersa s ortt rime - justa a fewu yearsa a - lmos all mea ures, it woulda rake awaya rh rightst beganst to arriv . There was no problemt rt d do het low-p id or nple s nt work we ofe non-Europe ns to m rrya wi hout fir t . The main reason1999, for rhise was ha on' want sto do.a a p rmissiond from thea Dep rtment of un il November th y were all Of cour e, small number will st y. Justice, an force sylum-seekers into :::!!o-.·:t"d :-� ....-o:-!:. t a e . They m:1yei m:u:"';Irish peop!�, er deciden to 'holding centres' !pri�cn� b::tedon th� When this arigh to workt was t k n ! make th r ll\'e.5n heret a fort others reasor s. Fine! notorious eAustralian model. e :1way.d rhe urb n myths ts arred and were ; Lc(s nor prete d h it his ha noa happenede Positivl changess ewould b foirlya fuelle by wretched poli icians, who cyni- beforea n - afrom rime mmemorit l.n We k ep simp e. Let asylum-u e kers work. Cr ck down on rog e employers who pay below l cally spreadto a andu embellished them in he rie g boutt oure cul uren bei g under•n l conrro the economy. Most newspapers Cul ure d velops by ew influe ces the minimum wage. Take asy um out of t n t e order gt ind s pport.u Now, we aree min d. an a l a s a n l t a l se a s are con rolled by the same i teres s. Th ) slowly d ste di y b orbed nd the ha ds of po i icians nd civi rv nt u e t ts repeated! ' ol rhat asyl m seekers ar abeingted e a a e No.1 -Socialists press r for elec ed governmen ro t d s 'bogus',' 'spongers', 'illegal aliens', ere., dap . Oth rwise,ed it stt gn:ues.e and seran up a new bodyss simil r ro th satisfy eg ) e u he demant s of busmcss i enor• gerring free cars, mobil phones Don·r be fool by h 'Immigration Hum Rights aCommih ion.as all edlu a d h lat d moe s, and i usually delivers rhe goods. all at t e Control P form', or, in eed, by any We often he r t e phr e 'we should e t and lux rioust ccommo ation, a t o h o e and elections Th r st of he population has to ger t· l ok after our own'. Who ar our own? i u expense of he Irish taxpayer. In realiry, politici ns, would-be poli eaicians, ru rig u a behind them n the q t By Ed\Vais/, (JSN) u eue. t and hosted wing journalists who spr d vicio s lies S rely they re membersa of our nown class,e they ge d€19.10t a weeks d i l t e M ch of this will come as no grea whatever their r ce. Certainly ot th far t e acc l s sf e e e Irish poli icians lik to tell people tha shock l e tot peoplt wholt keep their eyes ���:r, �:?J; ���m j �:: f�r ::�;7�a� �:�!; !f;1;o��I�;� cars in pows a r- the Tonyt esO'R nillys,s Denis they're 'non-ideologica '. But, often, ��;�: ��:���� t l th open.e Bu whrt 's the a ernative? Well, if d of 1his t d O'Brieno d hnd Dermo D mo e mos powerfu ideologies are s d t the onesl we d mocracy is such a grea idea (an gov rnments d e ew rl . W en did successive e h barely even recogni e. An l he ideosogy everyone seems ro agree), why Was th ealth t t on't w ever look afrera rhe poor? d chat ho ds rogcthcr our political e l st sy teme give it a try, beyond he (uni ed honzons ? Was there l d e s rvice everd nythingus butl ba n is a prime xamp e. ever Overd rhe la coupl of the D.ii ? Democracy shoul icy? These tl11 gs i e e e d besom ­ c goor ho ing po n i of months, we've ha a t fierce bout of th ng peopl xperience ev ry ay, in ar no the foulr of ethnic mi orit es. indoctrination. t u their t s h s t Every ime a politician work-place, in heir belongs­ comm nity.d They Le ' put t se sblame where it ha gone on t h he airwaves, every rime a should be given a say tem. • affect e in all rbe ecisions on he rotten y canvasser as knocked on someone's that h t the m. is a leading member of doorh looking for a vote, they've Rosanna Flynn n h been W en h y choose fellow-citizens 10 ammeri g home t u Residents Against Racism. Ir s t e imessage. represent chem, they sho t e e ld bee able to d goes aome hing l ke this: we live in h s diech rhe1r r prcs manves if th y break a emocr e t h cy.l T at mean we get to th es t ir promisest - not five y ars down he c oose peop e to repr ent us in he D3il. s t e ut t s tline, sei her. And tho e ci iz ns who p \Vic vote for hem every d e e t d few year , . hem elves forwar for l ction should i o ha a because be t d they promise o o certain things. willing u wh se bc viou� h � s aro do rhe job for an average (INO) maga­ year period of t and d a i If they don't keep their u Irish 1 rses' Organisahad t ion a u t promises, we can workcr· uring 1h r per od. e e sd lary, not the bonanzas o r his ro say bo r rhe worsene considerablyo l hrow them out of d zine rhe union o hoffic n xt time. TDs awar themselves f our movement wou d t d to ay. and spin: 'At rl�e The foundersh l _ If you're n t appy HsE•s propagandae t m s t e e with the way If this soun The nurses' in t eir gr3vcs ar the ro�a lack s r s ambitious,t rhar•s be spinning t h n of the recente talksa d d thingt are a th mom nt, tha commencem t 's fine,s becau e it is. Bu jus arity hat SIPTUs (and mdecdd u u t looket at t t e long th y procl imet d of soli o tha 's healthy. Tha d government buildingse d u 's lwhat democracyi str ggle people a wh le) have hown rowar s t d fo ghe to g he limite xpen it re rela e ICTUh as nd e i rh ?11 abou1_. Bur t that 70% eof healthed u t the on y way to change i form the ) n cir just c�rnsc. tt t e of emocracye w have oday. Every and rh PNA t dispute JNO a c n fig res against r c t i is by t ro pa '· W check thoseu e vo ing. Youd can't take ma ers in d ty a be traced e o ste p of th way, here were plen figur s for Tha lack of solidarr ne }'our t s ey of the publishe public accot nts t h c own han s. Thar would b unde- lt d he cosy 'parr rship' t ' ixpens• insisting that i wa madn ss 10 i turn) ou r ar the ba k directlye ro mocr?tic. _You e hea h an , ine fact,t u can have rtll he changes g ve the vore of social union bureaucrncy, rbe o a to workers,d or wom n, or sell-out 55% th u of roral between t yo like, pay bill for h alt h is a mere 1ust ast long as a maj rity of nyone t d he government: ha e d who di n't have a do ble- The Department of employers ande voters agree heal h expen i rure. s � l s wi h you.ted barrelle i rship of the rwo unions e t surname. e alks �roces , conprmed Thee lead a h ,heir Ir a l ger repea F nance, in the a so manyli rim s, by In he meantim partnership accept d de l r ar fell short ofhe ir e , the only way ro as being correct. u e so many people, seems ke our calculations t . shows t need u d commone counrcr•babnce th power By Stephe11 Lewis (ISN) j stifi d demands.t This e t of money is I O represen s rhe vasthe o:1a1or­ i sense.h But how m ch choice ) The s 0 roral. s nerworks of union n h o w really for the peopl who can' afford lobb l e u ed T ndus­ to build grassrooe n a t c•isrs it}' of nurse -35,00 oinle a�c?1 A d w y do so many citizens shrug Severa weeks ago, th n rses vot u by a t h wh n u ion le ders brea� an l or big donations to a kc acr,on rh was r l d our across rhe activists: even � dcrs h l m­ to end their ind strial trial ac ione it at e he w_e can t d say 'all po iticians arc selves. No narrowt n margini d alth consensus, t mrtttcr ow loud y rhc cstab- and t P A with rhe partnershiph :::� :;�: ! l t s rv ces br th I O t t ac io . Th s followeo a i relentless he e the fight wi h d t s from rely on t em nto carry ;'1� l by the r employer, has r ceived almost 100% support t e: For s ar ers, how much power o he �:;:�; campaigne of vilificati n l it needs, unless theyt t d .::�;��:��;.e , ��:�:�� the On rhe o her dcrerminarioa h h t t::c; the two unions' members.e 0 h heir J1?:g\ l ' . th go,-emmem andi bu k oft the media.d a members on o eliver r al chrtngc. Elec ing prese�ts 8, �0 t e bre t of t eir ;�: ��:; � �� �! � a u lef -wing onethcless, the r willingness o fight an h nd, SIPTU (which r h n t t s ; � ;� � -:;'�\��� I o s s l e md�smal necks opposing any climb-down. a y htng nurses) refused to lJoin t h 1 aelse 1 work. Whether or nor defy the c nsen-.u houlds be an examp e dispute is m?re rh� o e J��;; � � ;,��f�!� :o-:r:::!� !NO/PNA's e ����!d merely ca led for t e cla 1m to The l � 1 e for all trade umornsr . actione and t r working weea activism outsi i simply a caim for a shorta • d e parl1amenr.0 El ctoral hrough the Nationalt n a �- �:�v �:��y�:h��:\:�i�rk The r claima for a 35-hour working b lpursued y. It d1rel.'.rl)'ch h t t te � ;h:s���; a d n increase in p e mass Body, a bodyt hat was the things tha really mat week datesd b ck toa a Labour Court lmpt cmcncanont in co�1sensus c a h e r.t e �����;:,�rs �� � .:::�: lcngcs the neo-liberala a r h : 1t recommen anon m de 27 years ago, se up wi h the parame er-. of Socirtl Bui t os decisions lie 111 h hands of �;'• i l t d a sur u c t t t wealthy businessmen, wh ch has sril nor been implemen e by° P rtnership (SP).di e e d d who ar elec ed by t s a ;?h ;��1�:: ��:/ :r�;� �:�rtncrsh1p'h 10 The r O d nor engag 111 het curren i nobody. Th y eci e ro hire heal h ervices m nagement. The I 0n Towards They aver ��1 l and fire 2016, as hey felt and t hasn ·r ddivercd.a people, pay claim is simply needed to bri g SP programmet s e he _ ro bui d a factory 10 one town t e war twaged by 1ca e a ha nor m t thee a propagand nnd nurses• pay back into lme wi h oth r strongly chat he process j nor another.t ro cut th w ges or t s d faced he fullh ideolog e rheir fuct, one of th They thave h Hcalt� health workers: hi claim has been nee ,;; of 1rs members.d In e a t t staff or give hems lves a huge s t e most ng r-wmg cn ht paye rise.t pursued. s last ye r ha , weighn of Nobody for almost ix ye.1rs. PNA's leadersa tol ddegar cxp e­ has rhc rig to interf re wi t country hns ever it eh the cosy Mi e1srer hrhi-.n e INO nd P A uare rejccnngt i e their de is1ons. Try acting During thist nme,t he nursesn in thee 'the e us 1 s hove received hu� u liked a c iz n nc d. T e urs ie u fromhne of he ns wh cb s ggests hat ind vidualt 111 the place yo t dispu e have beel face od cons s t u pat nts for their acttons. t work, an yo 'll be With a sus b ry their members' legi i• support from shown ained anack from a l of rh s ­ union mus i symbolic of what he doorn righr away. ca\ or t�c Their actiont is alnlso h e 'socialparmers•. complnmrs n thea mtere)tSn Politicia s t mare l s v ue: solidarity and snit uave at lot of pow r. �he ini g mdusmal we asn socinlis e media have lazily accepted he overa l goal of1 maint a 1( Bui 1he way 1hcy a g spmt in rhe face of ndv�rs,ry. t e se hat power is ���ng 1es Industri l peace,under fighti ne) that the HSE has beensp1�- pe ce nnd srab hry. s d1c1r strug­ shape� nby h society � S11stau1mg Progress. and when the nurses r sume 1e e 1 wer live 111. Mo ' wa abused by the • u s 11 gle, 1t is our duty 10 stand beside chem. a a d,\�u1e. 1�\�:\���;��;\��; � °�/��! who have now en1oyed a three ru ,;Je� e n employers �; r�: ,ri:: ���f� :s :,�� w :� Title: Resistance, No. 1 Organisation: Irish Socialist Network Date: 2007

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