Irish Times on the Arbour Hill Oration Silence Of Labour? dissecting table Brian P. Murphy osb Labour Comment John Martin book launch page 12 page 14 back page IRISH POLITICAL REVIEW May 2008 Vol.23, No.5 ISSN 0790-7672 and Northern Star incorporating Workers' Weekly Vol.22 No.5 ISSN 954-5891

For An Three Down, ? To Go EU Federal State!

So the mistress of the Party has had her way again. A third Taoiseach has fallen to In June the Irish people will be asked to the wiles of the failed and resentful party politician chosen by the Oath-bound vote on the Lisbon Treaty. We urge Directorate. of the Irish Times to front its campaign against the only functional party of people to vote "No", to help save the EU the Republic. project from its enemies. In the moment of its third victory the Irish Times felt slightly uneasy. Bertie pre- One could parse and analyse every empted it. Stephen Collins announced that he would be got rid of by being subjected word of the Treaty for its meaning and to a process of "death by a thousand cuts". But he went while the journalistic knives then consider its real meaning. And no were still being sharpened for a Summer campaign. And in his going he launched a doubt that will be done as it was done slight counter-offensive which made Tara Street feel uneasy. In order to confuse the during the French referendum of 2005. situation it gave momentary prominence on its pages to voices in its extensive stable of But the forthcoming referendum comes journalists which are usually required to be silent. The "right of due process" was even down to one question and it is the same mentioned, after due process had been systematically over-ridden—and will be again question that was asked of the Irish people when an opportunity is found. in 1972 when we voted to join the EEC. That question is: are you in favour of the "Due process" is an empty phrase in Ireland today. It has been shredded by the Irish European project? From 1972 until the Times and the Flood Tribunal acting together in pursuit of a vendetta. Both were Maastricht Treaty the answer to that determined to get Ahern. He was harassed fanatically over matters which had nothing question was an unambiguous "yes". to do with the issue for which the Tribunal was set up. And in the end they got him. But what did they get him for? For nothing in particular. It was just that the Judge The Irish people experienced the conducting the Tribunal, outside the judicial process, under ill-defined authority European project as a liberation. Roger conferred by the Dail, chose to keep on extending the range of the Inquisition, regardless Casement, a founding father of this State, of the initial object for which the Tribunal was set up, because he was intent on getting believed that one of the most iniquitous Ahern. aspects of British rule in Ireland was that The procedure he implemented was a bizarre mixture of inquisitorial and adversarial, it cut us off from Continental Europe. being one or the other according to his wish, and without the safeguards that would Joining the EEC was an opportunity to operate if it was definitely either one or the other. The endless bullying of witnesses with participate in an international project of regard to small financial transactions a decade ago or more until some usable equivocal cooperation on an equal basis with the continued on page 2 continued on page 3

going to become a permanent fixture, anti-partitionism became a central tenet The Irish Times Record On Kosovo of Irish foreign policy. From India to Vietnam to Korea, dividing countries on And The Men Of The West ethnic lines was no answer to disputes. All changed, changed utterly this week. It would be easy to begin this article that the overwhelming majority of western The three main Dáil parties have not just media pundits have been afraid to come to accept partition for the time with an ad hominem argument against being—they actively support it … I should Unionist polemicist Steven King. I could articulate: point out that I'm not talking about the provide lengthy quotations from the vast "It is too easily forgotten that no one, North. Rather, I refer to the declarations body of his articles that I detest before not Carson any more than de Valera, of support for the partition of Serbia, also proceeding to an exception. But that would Collins or Connolly, wanted to see Ireland known as the independence of Kosovo. carved in two. Even the first Stormont On Monday, much of the west—led by be pure self-indulgence. So let me proceed prime minister, James Craig, thought it the US, Britain and France —seized on straight away to his Irish Examiner column was probably just a temporary expedient. Kosovo as an opportunity to parade before of February 20th, where he raised questions But as it became clear that the border was the world as democracy's champion and continued on page 4 O'Toole's statement was not ridiculed, we C O N T E N T S must take it that the meaning of corruption Three Down, ? To Go. Editorial 1 has changed, and it no longer means a For An EU Federal State!. Editorial from Irish Foreign Affairs 1 public servant doing favours in returns for The Irish Times Record On Kosovo And The Men Of The West. bribes. And that opens it to any meaning Manus O'Riordan 1 one cares to give it. Readers' Letters: Eoin Neeson Not A Publicity Agent 3 The clearest case of misuse of public O Cuanachán And The Record. Report 7 office was when a Fine Gael Minister of Editorial Digest. (Legislation At Stormont; Easter Commemorations; The 'Riot In Defence, Hugh Coveney, canvassed the Derry; IRA Ex-Prisoner Frank McGreevy; Partnership And Migrant Rights; Chairman of Bord Gais, Michael Conlon, Markievicz Museum; The Queen; Normality; Cowen's Selection; Parking Protests; for consultancy work for his company. Black Propaganda; SF On Chad; Selling Our Heritage) 7 When that came to light, Coveney was Mitchelstown And Mandeville. Conor Lynch 8 merely demoted in May 1995 to be Mad Dogs Are Irishmen. Seán McGouran (on McDonagh and MacDonald) 9 Minister of State at the Department of National Agreements. Conor Lynch 10 Finance. But that was OK, as his party Shorts from the Long Fellow (Redmond; Parnell; Ahern & The Irish Times; leader was Garret FitzGerald, and it is Ahern & The Tribunals) 11 axiomatic that Fine Gael is not corrupt. Holding The Irish Times To Account. John Martin (launch speech) 12 Unfortunately Coveney killed himself A Parallel Universe. Pat Murphy on Cynical Use of Left-minded Journalists 13 some time later, pre-empting further New Book About Irish Times. Irish Times and Phoenix responses 14 exposures. An Easter Message. Brian P. Murphy's Arbour Hill Oration 14 And then there was FitzGerald himself Lord Professor Bew & The Forging Of A Shared Past. B. Clifford (Part 2) 16 who borrowed heavily from the Allied Does It Stack Up? Michael Stack (Call This Democracy?; A Totalitarian State; Irish Banks in order to make a speculative Kyoto Agreement; Duke Of Devonshire; Major Tom; Lest We Forget) 18 investment that went wrong, and then had Paddy Heaney On Coolacrease. (Report) 20 the loan written off in May 1993. Former Palestinian Suffering: State Urged To Act (Report) 20 Fine Gael Attorney General and European Commissioner Peter Sutherland— Labour Comment, edited by Pat Maloney: appointed to both positions by Dr. Fitz Silence Of Labour? by Pat Maloney (back page) Gerald—was Chairman of AIB. Labour University - call by Jack O'Connor, p20 And then there's Michael Lowry, the Fine Gael Minister who resigned from the Cabinet in November after it was revealed that Ben Dunne had built a £395,000 response is elicited could not be carried on Irish Times refused to divulge the leaked extension to his house, and who is still in a law court. It is carried on by the document so that the leak could be traced. answering questions to a Tribunal on Tribunal only because the Judge, freed In fact it said it had deliberately destroyed another matter. from the judicial restriction of courtroom the document in order to be unable to He has since contested his seat as an law, allows it—wishes it. divulge it. The Court ordered that the Independent and consistently held it. The Tribunal simulates a law court. Irish Times should co-operate with the And there is a Judge on the Bench—only Tribunal in tracing the leak. The Irish The Editor of the Irish Times urged her it is not a Bench in a law court. Times appealed that judgment, and the readers to hold their noses against the Tribunal was happy to let it rest. That was stench of corruption arising from the Irish The Tribunal is like the Times about six months ago. people. So the very electorate is corrupt? Commission set up to pin the Phoenix The procedure adopted by the Tribunal Or could it be that the electorate is not Park murders on Parnell. But there has for handling information given in motivated by an agenda set outside itself, been nobody of the status of Michael confidence was to give it very considerable and has a realistic understanding of the Davitt or William O'Brien to reduce the circulation within its system, virtually functioning of democracy by means of Judge sitting out of Court to size. ensuring that it would be leaked. representative government by parties. In an adversarial system there would be a barrister acting for the prosecution and a Would it be unfair to say that the most The critique of "corruption" often barrister acting for the defence with a corrupt institution in Ireland today is the seems to imply that legislation and Judge to keep the prosecution within the Irish Times, and the second is the Tribunal government should be conducted by pure rules. But in the Tribunal the prosecution investigating planning corruption—which legislators and governors who have no barrister acts for the Judge, and there are is a gravy train? organic connection with the society which no rules, and therefore he acts without they govern. How this might be arranged restraint in pursuit of the vendetta. The suburban Savanarola, who sees in a system o representative government That's the Tribunal acting adversarially. corruption almost everywhere except in is not explained. But that it is the ideal is Acting inquisitorially it induced Ahern to his own Oath-bound platform, made the made clear by the latest Anti-Corruption give it information in confidence. That famous statement some years ago that guru of the Irish Times, Elaine Byrne, in information was leaked to the Irish Times, there was no longer any question but that an article published on March 27th, entitled which used it selectively. The Tribunal Haughey was corrupt, because he had Unwavering Loyalty Admired And then took the Irish Times to Court—it been given a million pounds by Ben Rewarded In Politics, which says: could hardly have done otherwise and Dunne; the only question was whether he "Loyalty is commonly mistaken as a preserved any shred of reputation. The had given anything in return. Since moral virtue. It is not. The four cardinal

2 virtues, derived from Plato's Republic and the Christian scriptures, are justice, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR · LETTERS TO THE EDITOR· LETTERS TO THE EDITOR· wisdom, courage and temperance. All moral virtues hinge on those four virtues." Not A Publicity Agent Plato's Republic is a totalitarian Utopia In the course of an article (March Issue) which refers to my recent book governed by a self-selecting elite. It was Myths from Easter 1916 Brendan Clifford writes:—"I have not been dreamed up as an alternative to the democracy of Athens. And the English predisposed in favour of Eoin Neeson, who was Jack Lynch's publicity Puritans of the 1650s were not mistaken agent in 1970". when they envisaged the Scriptural state Brendan Clifford's predispositions, or how he arrives at them, are no as a theocracy. Party loyalty has no place concern of mine (though it is clear he is not familiar with some of my other in these systems, but the functioning of an books). earthly democracy is impossible without I wish, however, to make it clear that I was never Jack Lynch's—or it. anyone else's—publicity agent in 1970, or at any other time. Eoin Neeson How can it be that the 'newspaper of reform' in the Irish State applies the ideal of Plato's Republic in its criticism of the The debate in Britain about Europe is with the single-market, not as an democratic system of the state? Because not about whether she should be pro or alternative to membership, but anti Europe. That debate was decided potentially as a step towards it." the Irish Times exists apart from the earthly long ago. It was decided within the democracy of the state. Under its Conservative Party when Thatcher Miliband sees the role of Europe as an mysteriously-financed Oath-bound replaced Heath. And if ever there was a adjunct to American imperialism: Directory it bears some resemblance to pro-European element within the British "We must also overcome the Plato's "men of gold" who lay down the Labour Party it jumped ship to form the blockages to collaboration with NATO. law for men of inferior metals, and are not long forgotten SDP. We welcome the signs of increased subject to their corrupt concerns. And of willingness on the part of key partners course the Scriptural ideal sees all earthly The debate in Britain about Europe is to do so. concerns as corrupt. about how best to disrupt the project— from inside or outside Europe. It is very But although the EU cannot aspire to clear that—among the political class at being a "superstate" or "superpower" that least—the "insiders" have won. The should not prevent it from military "insiders" have won in Britain because intervention under the aegis of NATO: they have won in Europe. If anyone doubts "First, European member states must that the British have won they should read improve their capabilities. It"s For An British Foreign Secretary David embarrassing that when European Miliband"s speech of 15/11/07 to the nations—with almost two million men EU Federal State! College of Europe in Bruges. Quoting and women under arms—are only able, continued from one of his predecessors, Douglas at a stretch, to deploy around 100 thousand at any one time. EU countries other great nations of Europe. It also freed Hurd, he says this of the European project: have around 1,200 transport helicopters, our agricultural products from dependence yet only about 35 are deployed in "Certainly there are Continental on the UK market. Afghanistan. And EU member states idealists who bitterly regret that it has haven"t provided any helicopters in faded away, but faded it has, as has Darfur despite the desperate need there." And under Edward Heath even Britain been clear since Maastricht." appeared finally to have reconciled herself to the end of her empire and to wish to And why has the European project Miliband wants—in language worthy participate in this project along with the failed? Miliband gives a hint a few of an Orwellian nightmare— the EU to Irish. sentences later: "engage in shared activities": But the Irish people, along with the "In Iraq, where we are moving "The truth is that the EU has enlarged, French and the Dutch have fallen out of forward together to bolster the forces of remodelled and opened up. It is not and economic development and political love with this grand project. And it is not is not going to be a superstate." reconciliation." the Irish who have been unfaithful; it is the European project that has strayed. An And Miliband wants to prevent any This support for imperialist aggression alternative vision has emerged that is at possibility of the EU becoming a superstate is anathema to the founding principles of variance with the values of the founding by continuing the policy of enlargement: the Irish State. If the British vision of fathers. And it is this alternative vision Europe has supplanted that of its founding that has been in the ascendant. "The first step would be the accession fathers – Monet, Schuman, de Gaspari— Following Edward Heath, Margaret of neighbouring countries—especially the European project should be abandoned Thatcher became the leader of the British Russia and the Ukraine—to the WTO. before it inflicts any more damage on the Then we must build on this with Conservative party and then Prime comprehensive free-trade agreements. world. Minister in 1979. Her mission was to The goal must be a multilateral free- restore imperialist values and deepen the trade zone around our periphery—a However, we are of the opinion that the "special relationship" it had with the USA version of the European Free Trade original EU project is not irretrievable and whose President was her ideological soul Association that could gradually bring that the Irish have a key role to play in its mate Ronald Reagan. Blairism is a the countries of the Mahgreb, the renaissance. The first step is to stop the continuation of Thatcherism. Middle-East and Eastern-Europe in line momentum for enlargement and call on 3 the EU to define the borders of its territory. This is the editorial from neighbouring state. Next, ethnically the founding issue of cleanse the territory of all other groups to A "no" vote in the forthcoming create an artificial overwhelming local referendum will help bring continental Irish Foreign Affairs ethnic majority. Last, demand that these Europe to its senses and urge it to return it a quarterly magazine issued by the Irish actions be rewarded by the bestowal of to the task of building a stable Federal Political Review Group, Dublin independent statehood. Anyone for a Free Editor: Philip O'Connor Derry? Independence for west Cork? More European State. A continuation of the seriously, if the North ever voted for Irish policy of a free trade area with undefined unity, Kosovo would provide an excuse borders as well as ever closer collaboration It costs €7 (£5) to buy. Annual postal subscription €28. for Ulster loyalists to set up an independent with American imperialism is a betrayal homeland in counties Antrim and Down. of European ideals. Annual electronic subscription €20 The cabinet should think before it acts on All correspondence, orders to: Kosovo and not just follow the herd." [email protected] In stark contrast with the both sharp and serious questions raised by King, we had the following self-indulgent editorial from the Irish Times on February 18th, smugly entitled Kosovo Takes The Irish Times Independent Route: "Kosovo's declaration of independence Kosovo continued yesterday comes at the end of a prolonged struggle against Serbian rule which was continually frustrated, repressed and rejected as Yugoslavia broke up. These Muslims' protector. For the US to act living a 'peaceful and dignified existence' successive crises made its independence without UN sanction might be par for the means cowering behind barbed wire and politically inevitable. Following the course; for Ireland to nod it through next needing armed escorts whenever they step vicious campaign mounted by Slobodan week—as Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern outside their enclaves." Milosevic against Kosovo in 1998-9, and has promised—should raise eyebrows. "But what is this independence the Nato bombing campaign in retaliation, For once, you see, Russia and China, anyway? A flag, yes, but Kosovo will there has been no let-up in the demands supported by Spain and Greece, have a have no say on taxation, on foreign and for full sovereignty. Most European Union point. Kosovo's status since 1999 has security policy, on customs, on law member-states, including Ireland, have been governed by UN Security Council enforcement. The only thing independent rightly concluded that this should finally Resolution 1244 which envisages only about Kosovo is its independence from be supported, despite the refusal of Serbia self-government for Kosovo and Serbia. Kosovo has never been a state and and Russia to accept that. Legally this is acknowledges the 'sovereignty and its parliament isn't deemed worthy to do a regrettable and unsatisfactory state of territorial integrity of the Federal Republic anything very much beyond collecting affairs. It means the United Nations cannot of Yugoslavia'. Inconvenient as it might rubbish. If Kosovo has the right to secede, formally endorse Kosovan independence, be for Washington and Brussels, Kosovo's why not other nationalities or ethnic since Russia demands it be declared null status can't be changed legally without a groups living as minorities within and void. Although Serbia has pledged new UN resolution." someone else's state?… The great powers not to use military force in retaliation, it "The status quo might be unsustainable, claim the suggestion that Kosovo has any will be able to mount economic sanctions but it is one entirely of NATO's making. bearing on any other territorial dispute is against the new state, which is highly Eager to demonstrate that it still had spurious. Britain's foreign secretary, dependent on it economically. If Serbian relevance, NATO pulverised Yugoslavia David Miliband, says Kosovo is unique. leaders systematically follow this course with cluster bombs, depleted uranium and Why? Because, with Russian support, the they will reopen all the issues which have cruise missiles for 11 weeks. As an adoring UN was given authority to decide the delayed their association and accession media told the story, the US and its allies future of Kosovo. But the UN resolution negotiations with the EU…" were knights in shining armour, selflessly is clear: the authorisation was merely 'to killing and destroying in order to rescue provide an interim administration for Smug and self-righteous editorialising the oppressed Kosovo Albanians from Kosovo under which the people of Kosovo was followed by cheap sneering. In its the bloodthirsty Serbs. In reality, NATO- can enjoy substantial autonomy within led forces marched into Kosovo, stood by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia'. This Week They Said column on February passively as more than 250,000 Serbs Yugoslavia is no more, but Serbia is 23rd the Irish Times expected its readers fled or were driven out of the province, acknowledged by all, including the US to unquestioningly agree that the following and then cowered in the safety of their and the EU, as the successor state. Dermot statement was deserving of nothing else barracks in 2004 as the Kosovo Albanians Ahern argues that, never mind UN but unrestrained ridicule: "Kosovo is ours! went on a vicious anti-Serb rampage. resolutions, Serbia under Slobodan Kosovo is Serbia!—Serb protesters Eventually, talks did take place under the Milosevic forfeited its right to rule. If bad gathering at the US embassy in Belgrade aegis of Martti Ahtisaari, of IRA treatment of the local population dis- to protest the independence of Kosovo". decommissioning fame. The negotiations qualified a state from exercising sove- The Irish Times is indeed quite shameless inevitably went nowhere, as they were reignty over part of its territory, then an in covering up its own history. Nothing meant to. Given that key NATO and EU awful lot of countries would be eligible officials had already declared for enforced amputation, including some could justify more the need for John independence was inevitable, the Kosovo which receive vast chunks of American Martin's superb history of the role played Albanians knew they only had to sit tight, or EU aid." by that paper than also taking a look at the reject all other options and prepare to "Serbia is a legal entity entitled to self- historical record of both the Irish Times collect their reward. Ahtisaari claimed determination; Kosovo is not. If Muslims and its British imperialist masters in respect his proposals would provide 'the cannot be expected to live under non- of this very Kosovo question. For the foundations for a future independent Muslim rule, why does no-one recognise slogan that "Kosovo is Serbia!" had been Kosovo that is viable, sustainable and the Turkish Cypriots right to at the very heart of British propaganda stable and in which all communities and independence? The international during its Imperialist War of 1914–1918. their members can live a peaceful and community's message to other ethnic To further British objectives, its Foreign dignified existence'. Presumably we are groups is clear. First, grab a piece of meant to overlook the fact that for territory. Then permit unrestricted Secretary Sir Edward Grey had in fact told Kosovo's Serbs—the few that remain— immigration by its co-nationals from a France's Clemenceau as far back as 1908 4 that it was his policy to reinforce Tsarist On 23rd February 1916 the British a large number of Servians out of the Russia as a "counterpoise to Germany on Prime Minister Herbert Asquith was to province. They formed the State of land". A strengthened Russia would in declare: Montenegro. Ever since that date, more turn threaten Germany's ally Austria, and "We shall not sheath the sword… until than 500 years ago, Montenegrins and Grey sanctioned Russia's sponsorship of Belgium—and I will add Serbia— Servians have never relinquished the hope expansionist Serbian nationalism for that recovers in full measure all, and more of avenging that defeat, and of rescuing the province of Kosovo from the Turks." purpose, including its designs on both than all she has sacrificed." Kosovo and Albania itself. And damn the And in June 1916 that Government made On 29th October 1912, under the consequences. sure that what it designated as "Kosovo heading of The Victorious Allies, the Irish Day" would be celebrated under that name Times further exulted in Serbia's victories: James Joyce, who had lived under the throughout the length and breadth of Austrian Empire in Trieste, would, in a Britain in explicit honour of total Serb "Uskub, the ancient capital of the great Serb Empire, has fallen into the hands of post-war letter to Mary Colum, dismiss control of that territory. the Servian Crown Prince, without the Britain's anti-Austrian propaganda with firing of a shot… The Turkish commander the observation: "They called the Austrian The British Government already knew must have known that this avenging of the Empire a ramshackle empire… I wish to perfectly well the character of the forces it overthrow of the Serb Empire at Kosovo God there were more such empires". The was unconditionally supporting. The would be of inestimable moral value to the Servian cause." novelist and journalist Joseph Roth, whose Balkan Wars had commenced in October book The Wandering Jews provides one 1912, following a revolt against Ottoman of the most penetrating accounts of the Keeping up the same theme three years rule both in Albania itself and by the later, on 10th October 1915, the Irish horrifying predicament facing his fellow- Albanian majority in Kosovo. Serbia then Jews in inter-War Europe, also recalled: Times once again emphasised: attacked in order to annex not only Kosovo "My strongest experience was the War but also Northern Albania as additional "Pristina, to which the Serbians are removing from Nish their more important and the destruction of my fatherland, the coastal territory. Austria forced Serbia to only one I ever had, the Dual Monarchy of treasures, is the first capital of Old Serbia. withdraw from Albania proper and Austria-Hungary". But Britain wanted It is a place associated with the memories concede its independence. But Serbia of the battlefield which, in 1389, destroyed that Empire broken up, no matter what, hung on to Kosovo, having massacred and in fact expressed anger that Russia the Serbian Empire. Kosovo, 'the field of anything between 20,000 and 25,000 blackbirds', lies within sight of the towers had not reacted more firmly in 1908 against Albanian civilians by December 1912. of Pristina". Austria's formal incorporation of the These massacres had been recounted at Bosnia it had ruled since the collapse of the time in eye-witness reports by Edith In that same issue of 10th October 1915 Ottoman rule in that province in 1878. Durham in the English-speaking press; by the Irish Times unashamedly went on to Serbia, of course, wished to rule Bosnia Leon Trotsky in the Russian-speaking publish a report extolling Serbia's as part of a Greater Serbia, irrespective of press; and by a host of newspaper reports "Aryanisation" campaigns in Kosovo. the fact that the majority of Bosnians were right across Europe. The massacres in Under the heading of Ideals Of The opposed to any such outcome. In 1914 Kosovo were also confirmed by a Carnegie Southern Slavs, with a lead paragraph Croats, Muslims, Slovenes, Croatian Commission Report co-authored by the which pointed out that "the personal Serbs—and even a minority of Bosnian editor of The Economist, H.N. Brailsford. message of M. Mestrovic is a profoundly Serbs—would all fight in the Austrian That 1913 Report spoke of— interesting document at a time when Great Army against Serbia. And the spark that "houses and whole villages reduced to Britain is so vitally linked with Balkan came from that conflict set alight the aspirations", it quoted as follows an Inferno that engulfed Europe for the next ashes, unarmed and innocent populations massacred en masse, incredible acts of address on "the message of Serbia and of four years. Following the conclusion of violence, pillage and brutality of every all her race" that had been delivered at the the World War in November 1918, when kind—such were the means which were University of Leeds by the Serbian sculptor Serbia had finally conquered Bosnia, employed and are still being employed by Ivan Mestrovic: Britain's ally went on to celebrate its the Serbo-Montenegrin soldiery, with a triumph in the New Year of 1919 with the view to the entire transformation of the "I desire that Europe should dig out massacre of 1,000 Muslim men, the ethnic character of regions inhabited Yugoslavia from her ancient grave— exclusively by Albanians." Europe, whose religion and civilisation burning to death of seventy-six Muslim have been defended by the Serbians, women and the pillaging of 270 villages. And so it was that both Kettle and Croats and Slovenes, more than by any Asquith were made fully aware beforehand other Balkan people, through all their We are still living today with the as to what was in store for the Balkans history, whether from the barbarous consequences of the forces that Britain set when they went on to unequivocally Osmanlis or from the modern German out to unleash in Europe a century ago. champion Serbia's War in 1914. And the aggression. I do esteem and love all Balkan When the Redmondite M.P. Tom Kettle Irish Times performed accordingly. peoples as our brothers in history and in launched his war propaganda on behalf of the Peninsula; but I believe that chiefly Britain with an article entitled Europe On 12th October 1912 the Irish Times the pure Slavdom of the Balkans, that Against The Barbarians"(Daily News, 10 means Great Serbia, is the moral and carried the following report, headed creative principle of our Peninsula … The August 1914), it was to give Serbia a free Montenegro's Advance—From Our spirit of Europe can fully conquer the hand to do whatever she wanted to do in Special Correspondent: Balkans and set free the latent vitality in the Balkans, while Britain got to grips "The King, I hear, has expressed great them through my people. My life will be with the bigger picture: pleasure at the messages of sympathy and justified if my conception of the Temple "As for Serbia, it seems probable that congratulation received from many lands. of Kosovo, as well as my real artistic nobody will have the time to go to war The nation hopes that the redemption of activity, is an expression of the United with her. Her function has been that of the Kosovo is at hand. Kosovo is a large South Slavdom… It would be my eternal electric button which discharges the great province of Turkey, lying to the South of joy if the Temple should be built (in a not gun of a fortress. And now that the Servia and was at one time part of the very distant future) on the soil of lightnings have been released, what is the Servian Empire. At the battle of Kosovo Jugoslavia…. May the Anglo-Saxon and stake for which we are playing? It is as in 1389, the Turks broke up the Servian Slav races (the two of the principal forces simple as it is colossal. It is Europe Empire, and the province came under in the world) become faithful and lifelong against the barbarians." their sway. It was that battle which drove friends after this war, as they are in it, for 5 the sake of the unity of Europe and of war just as much as it is Belgium's war, is to be conscription, let it be enforced all human civilisation." because if Germany wins Ireland will round; but it seems to be the very intensity share Belgium's fate. Irish nuns will share of injustice to leave English shirkers go the fate of Belgian nuns …" free, and coerce the small remnant of the Under the sub-heading of The Temple Irish race into a war which they do not Of Kosovo this Irish Times report Why such a vehement Irish Times understand, and which, whether it is right continued: editorial attack on Bishop O'Dwyer of or wrong, has but a secondary and indirect "M. Mestrovic's message followed an Limerick? In its issue of 13th November interest for them." illustrated lecture on Southern Slav art by 1915, under the pooh-pooh toned heading M. Mitrinovic who said that if anything of Emigrants And the War—A Remarkable In November 1915 the Royal Inskilling was to be the base of spiritual union Fusiliers—with the Co. Meath poet Francis between the Southern Slav and the British Letter, it reported on a letter that Bishop O'Dwyer had sent to the Munster Express. Ledwidge in their ranks—was the British people, the sublime work of Mestrovic regiment that had been sent to Kosovo to ought to be that base. Proceeding to deal It is worth quoting that letter in full: with the idea of Mestrovic's gigantic fight against the more recently arrived creation, the Temple of Kosovo, the "Sir, The treatment which the poor claim-jumpers from Bulgaria, in order lecturer remarked that… the Temple of Irish emigrant lads have received at that Kosovo might be copper-fastened Mestrovic had both the human and the Liverpool is enough to make any under the control of the Serbian hands that Divine beauty… It represented an eternal Irishman's blood boil with anger and had grabbed it in 1912. It was at this point dawn of beauty and of New Aryandom." indignation. What wrong have they done that the Irish Times lent itself to a racist to deserve insults and outrage at the hands agitation against West of Ireland Gaeltacht of a brutal English mob? They do not men who did not wish to lay down their One month later, the Irish Times of want to be forced into the English Army 27th November 1915 carried on editorial and sent to fight battles in some part of the lives for either Belgium or Serbia. Under entitled Ireland's War, which rejoiced in world. Is not that within their right? They the heading of Emigrants At The North the opportunities provided by the death of are supposed to be freemen, but they are Wall, its anti-Irish report of November 4th the anti-War founder of the British Labour made to feel that they are prisoners, who recounted: Party, Keir Hardie, resulting in his may be compelled to lay down their lives "A large number of emigrants left the parliamentary seat being lost to a pro-War for a cause that is not worth 'three rows of North Wall on Tuesday night for candidate: pins' to them. It is very probable that these Liverpool, en route to the United States. poor Connaught peasants know little or The number, it is stated, reached two "The result of the Merthyr-Tydvil by- nothing of the meaning of the war. Their election will assist the process of German hundred. About 150 were booked at the blood is not stirred by the memories of station on the express steamer to disillusionment … The seat was vacated Kosovo and they have no burning desire by the death of Mr. Keir Hardie, an Holyhead… The emigrants are young to die for Serbia [my emphasis—MO'R]. people of the agricultural and labouring 'international' Socialist, who denounced They would much prefer to be allowed to the war, and was prepared to accept peace class, and have come chiefly from the till their own potato gardens in peace in West of Ireland, one train on Thursday at any price. Before the war Merthyr- Connemara. Small nationalities, and the Tydvil was a stronghold of Socialism: bringing over a hundred. Soldiers and wrongs of Belgium and Rheims Cathedral, others attracted by the number of Mr. Keir Hardie polled 11,507 votes it the and all the other cosmopolitan General Election of December 1910. Mr. emigrants at the London and North- considerations that rouse the enthusiasm Western Station, remarked that they were Winstone, the official Labour Candidate of the Irish Party, but do not get enough of at Thursday's election, was supported by going away to avoid war services, but the recruits in England, are far too high-flying emigrants made no reply." the notorious Union of Democratic for uneducated peasants, and it seems a Control, and Mr. Ramsay MacDonald cruel wrong to attack them because they [also anti-War—MO'R] pleaded for him cannot rise to the level of the disinterested But an English mob would be on hand with the electors. Mr. Stanton, the Imperialism of Mr. T.P. O'Connor and to do the Irish Times's dirty work for it. independent Labour candidate, contested the rest of the New Brigade." On November 7th it reported: the seat solely as a protest against the 'peace at any price' views with which "But in all the shame and humiliation "In Liverpool on Saturday afternoon a some members of the Labour Party in of this disgraceful episode, what angers party of young Irishmen were outside the Parliament have chosen to associate me most is that there is no one, not even Cunard offices prior to sailing, when a themselves. He advocated the vigorous one of their own countrymen, to stand up crowd assembled and taunted the prosecution of the war to a successful and defend them. Their crime is that they emigrants with unpatriotism. The police conclusion—no terms with Germany until are not ready to die for England. Why had to keep the crowd back. The party she is beaten to her knees. He has defeated should they? What have they or their proceeded to the landing stage to embark, the Elisha of the 'international' Elijah by forebears ever got from England that they but at the last moment the Cunard 4,206 votes …" should die for her? Mr. Redmond will say Company decided not to allow the "Merthyr-Tydvil has a moral for the a Home Rule Act on the Statute Book. But emigrants to sail. A statement has been Irish people… There is a considerable any intelligent Irishman will say a issued to all agents of the company that number of Irishmen who are definitely simulacrum of Home Rule, with an until further notice men eligible for hostile to the British cause in the present express notice that it is never to come into military service are not to be booked. Six war… [maintaining] that, as the Roman operation. This war may be just or unjust, hundred berths had been booked by the Catholic Bishop of Limerick said in his but any fair-minded man will admit that it Saxonia , and of the intending emigrants lamentable letter, this is 'not Ireland's is England's war, not Ireland's. When it is many were young fellows said to come war'… Let us point out to these people over, if England wins, she will hold a from the South and South-West of Ireland. that, the attitude of a large body of the dominant power in this world, and her When they appeared outside the Cunard English working classes was hostile to manufactures and her commerce will Company's offices recruiting officers the British Government… In fact the increase by leaps and bounds. Win or immediately busied themselves in talking position of many English trade unionists lose, Ireland will go on, in her old round to the men, while a great crowd collected in those days was the present position of of misgovernment, intensified by a and jeered at and tormented the Irishmen, the Irishmen who say: 'We shall never grinding poverty which will make life who had to be protected by the police. fight for England' and 'This is not Ireland's intolerable. Yet the poor fellows who do The Irishmen, sullen and obstinate towards war'. But the most obstinate of these not see the advantage of dying for such a recruiters' appeals, remained silent with English and Welsh trade unionists have cause are to be insulted as 'shirkers' and bowed heads under a fire of caustic suffered themselves to be persuaded by 'cowards', and the men whom they have invective from the crowd. When the the logic of facts. They have read the story raised to power and influence have not Saxonia came alongside the landing stage of Belgium and Serbia… It is Ireland's one word to say on their behalf. If there at noon, and the emigrants took their 6 passage vouchers to go on board, they had march organisers and had photographed to run the gauntlet of most pointed and questioned children as young as criticisms, and there was a lot of boohing. Editorial Digest seven. But it was the PSNI handout that A woman in the crowd could not control was mostly reported, and this was her indignation, and going up to one of the Legislation at Stormont. There hasn't believed by the local SDLP which emigrants, shook her fist in his face and immediately condemned the "rioters". tore his collar and tie. The emigrants, been any according to the Irish News looking very frightened, proceeded on (18.3.08). Though there has been Sinn Fein said that they would wait until their way amidst a chorus of execration. legislation begun by the previous direct they knew what had happened. Next Recruiting officers tried hard to stop rule arrangements. Many of us would day, Sinn Fein MLA, Martina Anderson them… It was decided that the emigrants describe this situation as near perfect. made a statement: "The community is should not be allowed to sail." But not, it seems, the Irish News. There able to identify what happened on their is, however, the promise to legislate for streets on Monday afternoon and they On the following day, November 8th, a reduction in quangos. A quango has are saying quite clearly that this was not in an editorial entitled The Fugitives, the been set up to look at this! Actually a full scale riot. Reports need to be Irish Times expressed its satisfaction at quangos in Northern Ireland are often a accurate and there is a duty to ensure this outcome: form of Outdoor Relief Work—or in that they do not become sensationalised. "For the moment it is the sudden rush this case Indoor Relief. They keep people I can recall past reports where we were of men from the South and West of Ireland in employment and, for the most part, told of a full scale riot at Shipquay Street to secure passage to America that has don't go around annoying too many only for eyewitness to tell a totally come most prominently under people as they are wont to do in England. different story. We have also had reports observation. Our Special Commissioner of sectarian incidents which later turned said on Saturday that during the past few Easter commemorations. This year the out not to be sectarian " (Derry Journal. weeks the emigration of young men from 25.3.08) certain districts of Ireland has reached Sinn Fein march to Milltown Cemetery serious proportions. On Saturday this in Belfast took the form of a pageant. Marchers carrying pikes and muskets IRA ex-prisoner Frank McGreevy was movement received a sharp check. The beaten to death in his home in the Lower number of Irishmen who had arrived in were dressed in the costumes of 1798. Liverpool to take passage to America by Others wore uniforms and carried Falls area of Belfast on 15th March. the Cunard line Saxonia had attracted "weapons" representing the volunteers Gerry Adams condemned the PSNI for public notice, and when they went to of 1916 and the IRA of 1920. Some Sinn not investigating the killing properly embark a hostile demonstration took place. Fein members expressed annoyance that and for not listening to local people. 24 A crisis was precipitated by the threat of things ended there. But mostly, as usual, yours afterwards a man handed himself some of the Saxonia's crew to strike if the in to the police and has been charged. It able-bodied male emigrants were it was a mixture of a fun day out for Republican families combined with is understood that he was given a lift to embarked. Their threat was effective: the barracks. passages were cancelled, and the Cunard individual tributes by relatives of fallen Volunteers and the speeches and cere- Company announced that it would cease Partnership and Migrant Rights. to accept bookings of British subjects monies at the Republican Plot. The IRA who are fit and eligible for military service Army Council statement was read out Following the dispute over the employ- … Everybody will applaud the action of and said nothing about disbanding itself! ment of cheap immigrant labour by Irish the Saxonia's crew. This is the first strike Earlier, a very respectable size of a march Ferries, the Trade Unions gave notice threat which will have won complete was held by the Irish Republican Socialist that further progress in the Social approval… It is indeed, somewhat Party and the INLA. At its start there Partnership process would not be surprising that the Government has not was a quite large police presence on the possible until the matter had been yet taken official cognisance of the extent addressed by law. This is now happening of the exodus from the British Isles since Falls Road. All of the policemen (though not the policewomen) seemed to be in with a new piece of Government the recruiting campaign entered upon its legislation. new and more vigorous stage. The whole their 50s. Some said that these were "The Government has promised that accommodation of some of the steamers more likely to keep their heads. Others under a second Bill, due shortly, agency outward-bound this month was booked said that they were from the old guard, workers will have to receive at least the long in advance. In the case of Ireland, in old enough to know who was who. The minimum wage or the basic terms and addition to whatever may be done by the Official IRA also marched. Heavens, conditions set out in registered Government to deal with this movement, they are getting old! agreements for specific sectors, where the influence of Irish members of they apply. The Bill, published Parliament ought to be exercised yesterday, will give legal effect to the effectively..." The "riot" in Derry. Most of the media reported a serious riot in the Creggan commitments for improved employ- area of Derry following a commemor- ment rights compliance measures Such a record of "the paper of record", agreed by the Government and the in respect of both Kosovo and Ireland ation by "dissident" Republicans on Easter Monday. Local people told the social partners in the Towards 2016 itself, does indeed stink to high heaven. national agreement. However, there is Manus O'Riordan Irish News that police had confronted widescale disagreement between the

paper. We noted the omission and said smaller obituaries than any kind of film we weren't surprised in view of that paper's star, actor, pop star, celebrity from the O Cuanachán & The Record obituaries policy. Those who feel they rest of the world and chiefly from the Last month we carried a moving have to inflict the paper on themselves Anglo-sphere. So the 'paper of record' appreciation by Jack Moylett of Pádraig have on occasion been surprised to find missing out Pádraig O Cuanachán was O Cuanachán, who died on 2nd March, that no Irish people died in the foregoing hardly a departure. Nevertheless, it seems and noted that the Irish Times had not week—judging by the Saturday Obituary that some mole in the Irish Times noticed marked his death. This was despite the page. And the policy pursued on that page our remarks and on 5th April the paper fact that he was an occasional contributor is curious to say the least: Irish people— finally carried an obituary: four weeks to the Irishman's Diary section of the when noticed—are generally given much after O Cuanachán's death.

7 social partners over how, or if, such Cowen's Selection. Someone from the French have made to the EU in recent measures should apply". (Irish Times North remarked on the speed of Brian times we would be concerned that 19.3.08) Cowen's selection as Fianna Fail leader. France is playing such an important The law will also exempt inspectors Nominations closed on April 5th and he role in an EU Force to a former French from the laws of defamation so that they was selected four days later by the Fianna colony. The regime of Idress Deby is can report their findings in full. Fail TDs. The only reason for anyone questionable in terms of its Human Rights record and levels of corruption. finding this odd is if they compare it It is no secret that the regime is supported Countess Markievicz's husband, with the carry-on that recently took place Casimir, was born in Poland but brought politically and militarily by France. in Britain. Gordon Brown was also Ireland has earned international respect up in the Ukraine. The Countess, who unopposed for leader of the British and credibility within the UN for its came from Lissadell, Co. Sligo, is now Labour Party. Nevertheless he raised support for the process of decolonis- to have a museum opened in her honour hundreds of thousands of pounds for his ation, to be perceived to be doing the in that country. "The Ukrainian "election campaign". For Deputy Leader bidding of one of the major colonial ambassador, along with other embassy there actually was an election. But here powers is just unacceptable. From officials, met with Lissadell owners the contenders also raised hundreds of participation in the EU Rapid Reaction Constance Cassidy and Eddie Walsh thousands of pounds—much of it through Force to NATO's Partnership for Peace, yesterday afternoon and viewed oil and now the EU Battle Groups, Ireland very dodgy means. One candidate— is increasingly becoming associated paintings by the count and countess, Peter Hain—had to leave the government many of which feature scenes from his with the concept of a fledgling EU and there is much speculation about the army and military intervention, as well native country. He revealed that he was winner—Harriet Harman—possibly as committing ever increasing amounts establishing a Markievicz Museum in being investigated by the police. Since of money on acquiring weapons of war. Zywotowka in the Ukraine dedicated to then there has been the 'employing For these reasons Sinn Fein continues Countess Markievicz and Casimir, which relatives' news: MPs using their to be opposed to Irish participation in will feature copies of material from allowances to pay members of their own this force. We would urge a rethink and Lissadell". (Irish Independent 10.3.08) families. It is one thing if a job of work would support the putting together of a is being done, but it is reported that Hain genuinely neutral UN peace-keeping force." The Queen of England visited Armagh was employing his 82-year old mother. and Hillsborough in the days leading up The media in Ireland never stops going to Easter. She met up with President Selling our heritage. Following on from on about corruption and wants us to be the profiteering from the files of Tom McAleese who then went on to speak at more like the British. Funny old world! Queen's University. There McAleese Clarke and others, there has been another auction of our history. The BBC, on intimated that any visit by the Queen to Parking Protests in Belfast were reported Dublin was linked to DUP agreement to 15th April, reported the sale of 700 items last month and have increased. The relating to 1916 and the War of 1919-21. the transfer of policing powers from problem is commuters parking for free Westminster to Stormont. Some These include a letter from Michael in inner city estates and blocking the Collins to Austin Stack expected to fetch Unionists thought that this was streets and the parking facilities for completely out of order. And probably 40,000 euros and a copy of the residents. The protesters in the Markets Proclamation going for 350,000 euros. they were right. But the most curious have now been joined by residents from Adam's Auctioners spokesman, one reaction came on Good Friday from the Sandy Row and Donegal Pass. Conor nationalist Irish News. Its editorial stated: Stuart Cole, said his company was going Murphy, Sinn Fein Minister, says that to make this type of thing an annual "Not every nationalist will agree with he is willing to impose parking event! the link suggested by the president restrictions if the residents pay £40 each. between a possible visit by the Queen to The result of that is that the residents Dublin and the devolution of policing have switched from protest, and and justice to the Northern Ireland appealing to commuters, to blocking off assembly… The president has been their streets. Catholic and Protestant Mitchelstown And working diligently to prepare the way working class areas do have something Mandeville for the arrival of the Queen in Dublin in common! throughout her term of office and a A few years ago an accountant and a solicitor from Mitchelstown Literary successful conclusion is now within Black Propaganda is a favourite tool of Society saw that almost everywhere else sight." Confirmation once again that the British. Both Republicans and had a Summer School and decided that traditional Northern nationalism, as Loyalists have been the subjects of it. their own town should have one. Who represented by the Irish News and most The latest to protest about it is Iris was famous around there? It was suggested of what is left of the SDLP, has nothing Robinson MLA, wife of First Minister that they base it on William Trevor and to do with carving out a separate space in Designate, Peter Robinson. She says Elizabeth Bowen. Like everyone else in the world for Ireland; but wishes, like that the British put it around that her the place they didn't know her at all, but the Hibernianism that it is, to see Catholic husband was beating her up. "This what harm! And so last year was born the Ireland as a recognised part of whatever malicious rumour was started by the Trevor/Bowen Summer School. To be England is in the world. This [British] government in an attempt to fair, Trevor was born there, but after "nationalism" is merely sectarianism— blacken Peter's name when he was studying at Trinity took himself off to getting one over on the Prods. protesting at the Anglo-Irish Agreement. England to do his writing. He is probably It took root because I was in hospital 17 most known as the author of The Ballroom Normality. UTV Live (10/4/08) asked a times during that period with Of Romance. mother on the Falls Road how she thought gynaecological problems" (Irish Bowen, born in Dublin but, spending the changes in the 10 years since the Examiner 21.4.08) Good Friday Agreement would benefit her Summers in the family Big House in Kildorrery, was a British spy in WW2 her children. She answered that people Sinn Fein on Chad. Aengus O Snodaigh who said she detested Ireland. Martin were more normal now and that soon Made the following statement to the Mansergh has taken it upon himself to they would be just like people on Dail: defend Bowen by attacking those who television! "Despite the contribution that the continued on page 9 column 1 8 revisionist journalist, Malachi O Doherty, attacking McDonagh as engaging in "paddy-whackery". Unfortunately Malachi O Doherty rather loses the run of himself (or this item Mad Dogs Are Irishmen was badly edited). He is quoted as saying Beckett "was Irish". At the risk of causing or Dr. McDonagh's Patent Remedy fits of the vapours throughout Dublin 4, the Grauniad and RTÉ, it needs to be said that he was only born in Ireland. Beckett The Guardian profile (a regular Fighters) and INLA (Irish National was a cricket-playing, Public School- column) for Friday April 25 2008 was of Liberation Army), respectively. Johnny educated Dublin bourgeois who went to Martin McDonagh. McDonagh is a Adair enjoyed his nom-de-guerre (drug- France and stayed there for most of his (commercially, and much more important pushing, more like). McGlinchey, while long life. He also wrote in French. It is for the Grauniad, critically) successful (apparently) a cold-blooded killer, was often said that he favoured Irish voices playwright. The writer was Henry Mc probably no more of a 'psychopath' than performing his translations into English. Donald, described, in an affectation as, Adair. What was the matter with But one of his favourite voices was Billie "Ireland correspondent", though McGlinchey, and the INLA / IRSP (Irish Whitelaw, from the north of England. His McDonald rather rarely reports anything Republican Socialist Party), was the favoured Irish voices belonged to Jack from the Republic. The reason being his crudity of the politics involved—not MacGowran and Patrick Magee, from being a NeoCon lapsed Sticky; and the quality of character. Dublin and Armagh respectively. PDs—virtual Saviours of the Nation for that ilk—no longer being the power in the McGlinchey is compared to the central Malachi O Doherty is reported as saying land they once were. He is not the man to character, 'Padraic', in McDonagh's The "…there is a case to be made for the ask hard question of McDonagh, whose Lieutenant Of Inishmore: both were "too debilitating effects of an Irish cultural shtick is the inherent stupidity and violence extreme even for the Provisional IRA". background…". Eh? (As Sam Beckett of Irish people. It includes those of us Henry McDonald, like Dominic might well have put it). As, (as is implied), with orange as well as green genes, but McGlinchey, is a former member of the opposed to what other sort of 'cultural that's about as subtle as it gets, we're all Official IRA. Like most ex-'Sticks', he background'? Malachi O Doherty and I scum, though McDonagh doesn't really helps 'disappear' the latter organisation. lived in Lancaster, in the north of England 'do' the Orange. The Lieutenant contains torture scenes, for some overlapping years in the early and "you are transported back to all those 1970s. Lancaster (despite being given a McDonagh is introduced as being born houses of horror across Ireland …",—in City Charter by one of the more in Camberwell, south London, to parents one of which his fellow-revisionist, Sean bloodthirsty Plantagenet kings, and from the 'west of Ireland' (a rather large O'Callaghan, killed an entirely innocent acquiring a university—which it didn't place: Sligo people are different from colleague, to consolidate his own position really approve of—in the 1960s) is a those from Galway, who are different as an agent of British military intelligence. market town. It is also a garrison town. I'd from Leitrim, and so forth). be surprised if, like me, he does not recall McDonald writes about "Mad Dogs". McDonagh uses "an Irish context" to seeing children (as young as thirteen) in These were, at different times, appellations expose the squalor of "the “armed the town in the full 'regimentals' of some for Johnny Adair and Dominic struggle”" in his play. McDonald part of the UK's armed forces. McGlinchey, of the UFF (Ulster Freedom (relatively subtly) quotes another Lancaster does not have a cathedral, but does have a Priory, attached to the castle (built to keep the Scots at bay, should they have got past Carlisle) and have pointed out what she actually was. and William O'Brien from Mallow were now a functioning prison. The castle also There is a subtext which implies a defence two of the leading activists in the Land has a Crown Court in which the Birming- of Protestants in the Free State is required. War and both were jailed in October 1887 ham Six were tried (for want of a better As most of them have long reconciled under a new law for inciting tenants to word). The Priory, entirely unembar- themselves to being good citizens of the resist evictions. Early in their sentence rassedly, exhibits booty from various State, they need no defending. Activities O'Brien was hospitalised. Mandeville imperialist exercises in plundering by the supporting Bowen and excusing her spying pioneered the dirty protest and went on local regiment. A major debilitating factor can only have the effect of encouraging the blanket—or in his case the sheet and in Irish culture is that we were only tan- grievances among Southern Protestants. then just the towel. He was kept in freezing gentially involved in that sort of thing, and At this year's Summer School Mansergh conditions and mostly a diet of bread and turned our backs on it decades ago. The will deliver the final lecture at the Firgrove water. Six months after his release he died Irish State's neutrality, despite the studied Hotel, Mitchelstown, on Sunday, May and an inquest was held. The jury returned forgetfulness of the Establishment, is anti- 25th at 8pm. The title is"Elizabeth Bowen the following verdict: "We find that John imperialist in origin. and her wartime role; an ideological class Mandeville died on 8 July of diffuse problem of national identity, neutrality cellular inflammation of the throat as The above is important, even crucial, and world wars, then and now". defined by the doctors, brought about by McDonald goes on to sneer at "Irishmen the brutal and unjustifiable treatment he with guns…". The standard of comparison MANDEVILLE AND MITCHELSTOWN received in Tullamore gaol." is, implicitly, England. The fact that The notion that the above-mentioned England has been at war for most of the Society had to look around for a subject But no John Mandeville Summer past three (nearly four) centuries never for their Summer School is ridiculous. School! The statue was unveiled on 9th seems to strike McDonald, or the people Mitchelstown is dominated by its main November 1906 by William O'Brien MP. he quotes. It does not seem to have struck Square. And the Square is dominated by No other Irish MP turned up, but there was McDonagh, either, as even pass- the imposing statue of John Mandeville. a crowd of 25,000. remarkable. (The 150th anniversary of Mandeville was a local landowner: he Conor Lynch the 'Indian Mutiny' aka Great Uprising, in 9 2007 barely caused a flicker of interest in early on (about the time of the 'Arms intellectual England). Trials') that they were definitely a minority. National Agreements

Despite his contorted view of McDonagh was born in March 1970, Employers are telling Irish workers contemporary [Northern] Ireland, and and therefore has no memory of the images that they must tighten their belts. No being something of an historical coming out of Belfast in August 1969—of question of the employers, the board revisionist, McDonald uses the term "sons whole streets in flames. The streets, despite members, the executives both private and daughters of the Irish diaspora" in his the 'one side are as bad as the other' cliché and public, or the politicians, being profile. This is in relation to McDonagh beloved of the Beeb, when young Martin expected to do so. It’s the downturn in not "romanticising… terrorism… in the was listening to BBC Radio 1—were the economy, you see. A downturn name of Ireland…". The profile adds that occupied, almost entirely by Catholics / caused directly by the greed and McDonagh was not "sucked into the “Brits 'Taigs'. The latter designation is quite economic mishandling of these people. Out” bar ballad culture… in north London important. There has always been a strong RTE reports (on the workers’ day, May and south Boston". (South Boston is element of ethnic contempt for 'the Day) that the employers are particularly always mentioned by 'revisionist' minority' in Ulster Unionism. The attitude disturbed by the idea that agency workers journalists—it appears to be their version of the UK authorities to those images was should have the same rights as anyone of Purgatory, or even Hell itself). As irritation that the Moscow Government else. This is because of the huge costs noted above, McDonagh comes from was able to trump 'Western' propaganda (hidden from the public) of employing 'south of the river': quite why he would about the invasion of Czechoslovakia— agency workers. Some Agencies (also, trek north, to listen to 'diddly-i' music or by showing, on 'Eastern bloc' television it must be remembered, a part of the 'rabble songs' it is difficult to get a grip on. services images of (what looked very like employers’ cartel) charge as much as a (Incidentally, many venues in north a pogrom) culled from the BBC and other full year’s wages to the employer for London—the giant Archway bar, for 'Western' outlets. getting the staff. So it is unusual and example—did not supply musical For a punk anarchist McDonagh has a rather welcome to come across the background for armchair 'Rebels'. They strangely credulous attitude to the BBC's following editorial in the Irish Examiner were recommended by Comhaltas for the spin on what is (or was) going on in on the matter. quality of the music and musicians they Northern Ireland. His plays are set in the engaged.) west of Ireland. But what happened in the THE EXAMINER ON THE WAGE ROUND: Republic was mostly 'spill-over' from the “Workers and businesses who relied Apparently McDonagh told "critic and North. And the worst incidents (by a long, on national agreements to regulate pay columnist Fintan O'Foole" (what a love- long, stretch) were perpetrated by the have been, by and large, well served by in that encounter must have been!) that he British 'security forces', the Dublin and the process and we are about to discover was "innately suspicious of the IRA's Clones bombings and a number of killings if that positive trend can be sustained. armed campaign". Presumably this was around the border. Some of these killings Yesterday’s vote by SIPTU delegates the Provisional IRA, as opposed to the were of IRA operatives. Some were not, to enter talks on a new agreement Official IRA, the INLA, not to mention and may have been cases of 'mistaken suggests that it might. No one, it seems, the others involved in the incivilities. identity'. There was a whiff of has a formula that will satisfy business (Engaged in the war were: the British 'encouraging the others' (and ethnic and unions. Unions argue that under the armed forces (the Navy and Air Force contempt) about them. They were current 27-month deal workers did not were involved as well as the PBI, poor invasions of the Republic's territory. Why enjoy any real increases. Inflation, which bloody infantry; the RUC, an armed has this sort of thing never featured in despite expectations, has accelerated gendarmerie; the Ulster Special McDonagh's work? again and has nullified any awards made. Constabulary, the 'B-Specials'—this So, from a union perspective, there has entirely Protestant paramilitary organis— This article is not a demand that been a wage pause… any public sense of ation had elite elements, which McDonagh (or any other writer), should responsibility and reality that might be consistently won Gold Medals for sharp not write what they please. Nor is it a fostered by IMF and World Bank shooting at Bisley in the 1960s. The demand that they should not take any warnings are diluted by the tremendous Belfast Telegraph was so proud . . . ; attitude they please to the people of Ireland, pay deals seen at the top end of our then, from 1966 onwards, the Ulster West or North. The same in regard to the economy. No matter how businesses— Volunteer Force; the Ulster Defence IRA. But McDonagh, and a number of especially in the financial sector— Association; and others.) Anyway, other writers, are dealing with a living 'on- blather on about the market rate for the McDonagh said, "I was always coming going situation', and, more to the point, a job, multi-million-pay packets topped from a leftwing or pacifist or anarchist multi-faceted situation. The 'security off by share options and seven-figure angle that started with punk, and which forces', apart from apparently being at bonuses undermine the suggestion that was against all nationalisms.". odds with each other, have shed more we are on the verge of a financial blood than any other element in the North, Punk was a good running kick in the meltdown. Claims “substantially above particularly if their record from 1968 seat of the pants of British 'pap' music. It inflation” have no prospect of being onwards is taken into consideration. They really amounted to little else. Some people realised but if partnership is to have any have used elements of the Loyalist in 'punk' were anything but 'leftwing', or real meaning, to play any part in paramilitaries to carry out atrocities, the 'pacifist'. Punk in Belfast was conscien- advancing or protecting our society, then Miami Showband killings being the most tiously 'non-sectarian', like every other concessions will have to be made and obvious example. There has been a lot of 'urban tribe' and musical tendency, from workers, especially the lower paid, will 'collateral damage' (killing, in plain jazz fans to New Romantics and 'Blitz have to be able to leave the talks feeling language) to ordinary citizens. There is kids'—you didn't get many sectarian their financial position is relatively no reason why Martin McDonagh, in punch-ups at Ulster Hall orchestral secure and that other issues, like agency writing his scripts, should take this sort of concerts. Anarchists—apart from, workers, are being dealt with in a thing into account. But the lack of even possibly, Stirnerite 'individualist meaningful way…” (Irish Examiner, the most cursory allusion to them is a bit anarchists'—would sympathise with 15.4.08) odd. abused minorities. The Taigs in the Six CL Counties were abused, and learned very Seán McGouran 10 The Irish Times adopted a puritan stance had nothing to do with it. But that wasn't in relation to Parnell. It also gave extensive the reason for The Irish Times's opposition coverage to statements from the Catholic to Parnell; it was against Home Rule and Shorts hierarchy. This was extremely unusual hated Gladstone's Liberal Party. That paper for The Irish Times. In general it had no has always delighted in the downfall of from interest in the pronouncements of the strong Irish leaders. Catholic Church. the Long Fellow Its editorial of 15th November 1890 is AHERN AND THE IRISH TIMES reminiscent of its pronouncements on more The Irish Times editorial of 3rd April recent Irish leaders: 2008 was not much different from its REDMOND editorial of 15th November, 1890. The The Irish Times had yet another article "We have no desire to repeat in 2008 version was of the opinion that in praise of John Redmond (25.3.08). This detail the incidents of a mean and miserable story, which from beginning whatever good Ahern might have done his time by Tom Fewer. Fewer finished his to end is a narrative of paltry deceit. resignation will have a "restorative effect article with the following extraordinary The public cannot excuse the unworthy on political standards". statement: part that Mr. Parnell has played and the recital of it will astonish and disappoint Ahern may not have been the father of "If we now consider ourselves to be many—even of those without the ranks the Celtic Tiger but he can at least claim to a civilised, peaceful, democratic of his supporters, who had placed his have been the father's most faithful son. country, it is surely time we gave due personality upon an ideal pedestal. That As the Minister for Labour in the Haughey credit to his life's work." Mr. Parnell has compromised his Government he played an important role reputation is obvious, and it is equally in establishing Social Partnership in 1987. But it was precisely because Ireland manifest that no exhibition of cynicism On the North Haughey set the ball rolling was a civilised, peaceful and democratic can obscure his conduct. The public by bringing Sinn Féin in from the cold and country that it rejected what Redmond will find it hard to discover for it any Reynolds and Ahern kept it going. stood for in the 1918 Election, the first exculpation and while there is no wish General Election since 1910. And in to turn the scandal to political account, Haughey broke the taboo of single party fairness even Redmond realised that the it is at the same time impossible to government and Ahern, unlike Reynolds, regard him as occupying that position could see that it would almost guarantee British had sold him a pup and died a of dignity which hitherto he has held…" broken man in March 1918, nine months continuous Fianna Fail-led Government. before his party was all but wiped out by Later on the editorial continues with But in truth Ahern was the author of his Sinn Féin. these weasel words: own downfall. It turned out that his greatest The State has no obligations to strength was also his greatest weakness. "There can be no desire upon any Redmond. But what of The Irish Times? hand to bear hardly upon Mr. Parnell, He believed that a deal could be made no Redmondism represented a genuine native but he is himself responsible for the matter how antagonistic the person or the Irish development, which was sympathetic depreciation of his character, and if institution. But he didn't understand The to British imperialism. Redmond condemned by the public for a lapse of Irish Times. That 150 year-old institution enthusiastically recruited the Irish to fight honour and of honesty that have knows itself and its principles even if for Britain in the First World War. In irretrievably wrecked the reputations some of its own journalists pretend that exchange for some local autonomy he of smaller men, he has only himself to they do not. It was never going to be committed Ireland to a junior role in blame. It would seem that he has no amenable to Ahern's legendary charm. intention to abdicate his position, but support of British imperialism. On the day of the election results Ahern The Irish Times might have been the utmost exercise of magnanimity upon any side displayed can hardly denounced the media. And in case anyone expected to support this native reinstate him in the respect of the had any doubt about who he meant he development but in the 1918 Election it community. These are days in which identified The Irish Times as being the refused to urge a vote for Redmond's Irish the public is censorious, but its moral problem in an interview with Ursula Parliamentary Party, even where there sense requires a high standard as well Halligan of TV3. And yet within a few was no Southern Unionist candidate in the of personal as of political honour. days he penned an article for that field. The only exception to this was Whether the time has come to judge of newspaper outlining his plans for the new William Redmond in Waterford who had Mr. Parnell's career from the standpoint of history we do not pretend to judge. Government. A contemptuous Martyn fought for the British in the war. Turner cartoon accompanied the article. The Irish Times preferred to rely on the Events have still to tell their tale. But it might of the British Empire to overwhelm must be said that the revelations now made strike a heavy blow at his Barry Egan's gossip column in the the movement towards independence reputation and vastly injure an influence Sunday Independent indicated that the rather than encouraging a pro-Empire that had been respected. The record Taoiseach had lunch with Geraldine sentiment among the Catholic population. that now presents itself to the public is Kennedy after the election. But if Ahern It is not the State, but The Irish Times wretched in its duplicity and disgrace, had read this magazine a little closer than itself which needs to explain its and while they condemn it, they cannot he does he would have realised that contemptuous attitude to Redmondism but regret that it has dragged down a Kennedy was not the person to meet. The when that tendency was still an active great name." Editor of The Irish Times is of no political force. consequence. Power resides with The Irish The Irish Times has had many Times Trust. Ahern was demeaning PARNELL honourable journalists, but as an institution himself by talking to a subordinate. John Redmond supported Parnell it is rotten to the core. It is incapable of dealing honestly with its own history. following the Kitty O'Shea affair. And AHERN & TRIBUNALS Tom Fewer in his article blames the Parnell had allied himself and his party The current Tribunals were set up by Catholic Church for the disintegration of with the Liberal Party. To many within the the Dail as a means of taking the gossip, the Irish Parliamentary Party following Home Rule party the sacrifice of its leader rumour and innuendo surrounding certain the O'Shea divorce case. But he doesn't in order to assuage the Liberals' non- events out of the political arena so that say anything about The Irish Times's view conformist conscience seemed a price firm conclusions could be reached by of the matter. worth paying for Home Rule. Morality disinterested parties. That is certainly their 11 function in other countries. But in Ireland the opposite has been the case. Their Report of Book Launch on 18th April of John Martin's The Irish Times: Past and Present deliberations have stimulated more gossip, EDITORIAL NOTE: The event started with the Chairman, Philip O'Connor, thanking rumour and innuendo, which have fed Conor Lenihan, Minister for Integration, for launching the book and referring to the historic into—and sometimes dominated—the links between Fianna Fail and the Labour movement. It is hoped to carry reports of both political debate. Philip O'Connor's and Conor Lenihan's remarks in the next issue. Below is John Martin's They are not inquisitorial with the aim edited speech of finding the facts, but adversarial. The objects of the rumours are placed in the Holding The Irish Times To Account position of being defendants in front of Tribunal lawyers intent on prosecuting a I first took an interest in The Irish media commentator for the Guardian, case against them. But unlike in a normal Times in January 2003 following the was as interested in how the "white nigger" court of law the prosecution can bring publication of a document from the British letter was dealt with by The Irish Times as new charges against the defendants arising public records office in the Irish Political the document itself. In particular he from the evidence. There has not been a Review. The document was a letter from wondered why the document was not shred of evidence to substantiate the the British Ambassador to Ireland published by The Irish Times or any other allegations made by Gilmartin but that has describing a lunch he had with Major newspaper when it was first released by not prevented the Tribunal from conduct- McDowell of The Irish Times in 1969. the British Public Records Office in ing a fishing expedition into the minute According to the Ambassador McDowell December 1999. details of Ahern's financial affairs. wanted to place the newspaper under The excuse given by former Editor British State influence because his Editor, Conor Brady was that he didn't know why Unlike in a normal court of law the Douglas Gageby was "a renegade or white the letter was not discovered by The Irish prosecution is not obliged to present its nigger on Northern matters". Times but suggested that it was significant case beforehand so as to allow the defend- The most extraordinary aspect of the that it was also not discovered by other ant time to prepare its case. At present document was the "renegade or white Irish newspapers. Ahern has had to appeal to the High Court nigger" phrase, which leaps out from the In 2004 also, Martin Mansergh—for to obtain information on the calculation of page. Douglas Gageby is widely believed reasons best known to himself—defended foreign exchange transactions. to have been one of the greatest Irish The Irish Times. Incredibly he interpreted It was with extreme reluctance that the Editors of the 20th century. And yet here the white nigger letter as evidence of the Mahon Tribunal suspended operations we have evidence of a fellow Director— declining influence of traditional during the last election. But it resumed its and not just any Director but also the Protestant business interests. But Major activities immediately after the election Chief Executive of The Irish Times— McDowell remained on as Chief executive and before the formation of a new trying to undermine Gageby and enlisting until 1997 nearly 30 years after his lunch government. There is no doubt it had an help from a foreign state to do so. meeting with the British Ambassador. And influence—even if it was not a decisive Furthermore, this was at a time when there since 1969 his power and influence had one—on the formation of the new was conflict between the Republic of increased dramatically. Government. Ireland and Britain as a result of the outbreak of war in Northern Ireland in The inadequate explanations and And it was clear following the formation 1969. evasions led me to do some more research of the Government that the political But almost as extraordinary as the on The Irish Times. My first port of call influence of the Tribunal was going to document itself was the reaction to it by was the Companies Registration Office. increase rather than diminish. The Taoi- the media. A copy was sent to Geraldine By the early 1970s five shareholders— seach had made a number of appearances Kennedy, a distinguished investigative Ralph Walker, Phillip Walker, George and the Tribunal reserved the right to journalist and current editor of The Irish Hetherington, Major McDowell and recall him at any time. This was placing an Times. And yet she was not interested in Douglas Gageby owned all the ordinary intolerable strain on the proper functioning this story. shares and in 1974 they cashed-in their ordinary shares for a total of £1.6 million of Government as well as undermining The Sunday Independent published the the dignity of the office of Taoiseach. details of the document a few weeks after pounds (or £325k each). the Irish Political Review, but even then The structure of The Irish Times Ahern and his Cabinet colleagues underwent dramatic change in 1974. Major not in all of its editions. The following day whinged about this but did nothing about McDowell was placed in a position of it. Last month, before his resignation, this The Irish Times issued a denial from Major McDowell dominance which was some achievement column stated that if Ahern didn't close given the fact that he had just cashed-in The Sunday after McDowell's denials down the Tribunals he would deserve his his shares for £325k. I have never seen fate. But by then it was already too late. Sunday Independent columnist Professor Ronan Fanning wrote that the idea that a anything like the 1974 Memorandum and The moment of truth came when Fine Articles of Association of The Irish Times. British Ambassador would lie to his own Gael proposed a motion of confidence in As well as the dominance of Major the Tribunals. Since the Tribunals are a superiors on a matter such as this "beggars belief" . McDowell there is also a requirement that creation of the Dail it is perfectly entitled the directors swear an Oath of Secrecy But thereafter the story seemed to die. to wind them up. If Fianna Fail had the every year in front of a Commissioner of courage of its convictions; if it had any Major McDowell had issued his denial in The Irish Times. Professor Ronan Fanning Oaths. This provision is strictly enforced respect for the political institutions of the as can be seen from Conor Brady's book had expressed his scepticism. The matter State, it would have voted against that Up With The Times. As far as I know this motion. But instead it decided on a fudge. had not been resolved to anyone's satisfaction. oath of secrecy is still in force. This column sees no reason to change its mind. Politics is too important for However, about a year after the Irish Further investigation revealed more sentimentality. Bertie Ahern was an Political Review first published the so- documents in the British Public Records exceptional servant of the State for a period called "white nigger" letter a distinguished Office relating to Major McDowell. of more than thirty years. But in the end he British journalist, Roy Greenslade, took One of these documents gives a very deserved his fate. an interest in the story. Greenslade, as a revealing insight into the relations that 12 Major McDowell had with the British the State was beside the point. At times Pat Murphy made the following remarks State. The document was written by one the support given by The Irish Times to at the launch of the Irish Times book of Harold Wilson's secretaries. It says that Cumann na nGaedheal was an embarrass- McDowell phoned Downing Street in ment to that party. For instance after the September 1969 from the Naval and Treaty The Irish Times wanted the British A Parallel Universe: Military Club in London. Unfortunately, Army to stay in Ireland. Cynical Use Of Left- he couldn't get through and by the time Downing Street had responded to the call Writers such as Lionel Fleming and minded Journalists McDowell had returned to Dublin. Brian Inglis, who worked in the paper When Prime Minister Harold Wilson during the 1940s describe the newspaper John Martin's book, The Irish Times: heard about the call he wanted the British as living in an Anglo-centric twilight Past And Present, gives us a graphic picture Ambassador to contact McDowell in world. So when Gageby took over the of its pro British Chief Executive and Dublin. According to this letter Wilson newspaper he had a job of work to do. The Director, Major McDowell, and his thought the matter related more to newspaper was on the verge of bankruptcy. increasingly vice-like control of the paper intelligence than newspaper activity. Gageby rescued it from oblivion by from the 1960s onwards culminating in bringing it into the mainstream of national the setting up of the Irish Times Trust There are three significant elements to culture. which became his mechanism of control this document. And in truth by the 1960s many former around 1970. Firstly, it shows that McDowell was Southern Unionists had grown accustomed He describes Douglas Gageby, a extremely well connected with the highest to the new Irish State and had become talented Editor whose loyalty was to the echelons of the British State right up to proud of the achievements of independ- Prime Minister level. ence. Even the old guard in the Irish Times Irish state, as a 'White Nigger'. Secondly it shows that he was not just had resigned themselves to the new State Gageby started a staff recruiting drive a newspaperman. I have heard from one after the declaration of the Republic by which he delegated to one of his staff, Irish Times source that McDowell worked the pro-Treaty party in 1948. Donal Foley, who came from a left wing/ for British Intelligence in Austria after the In the 1960s Anglo-Irish relations had Gaelgoir family and had worked in London war. Also the famous British media mogul never been better and the Unionists on where much of the Irish hard left developed of the 1960s Cecil King says in a matter- The Irish Times Board were prepared to in the early 1960s. of-fact way in his published diaries that accept a nationalist such as Douglas Foley was given an unorthodox McDowell was in MI5. So Harold Wilson Gageby to the Board of The Irish Times. recruiting brief. All that was required of wasn't the only person who thought candidates was that they could write well McDowell was a spook. However in 1969 the old instincts were and have an interest in the issues of the Thirdly, this document indicates that revived. In a situation of potential conflict the reason why the British Ambassador between Ireland and Britain Gageby's Irish day. Previously journalists were recruited was meeting Major McDowell for lunch Times was unashamedly on the side of from the provincial or national press or in 1969 was that Prime Minister Harold Ireland. On the Board of Directors he was had appropriate degrees from the Wilson requested it. This lunch in October supported by the Freemason George universities. 1969 was the one that the Ambassador Hetherington. The newspaper's reporting It was obvious that this open recruiting said that McDowell thought his editor of the North was sympathetic to the Civil brief had targeted candidates in mind. Douglas Gageby was a "white nigger". Rights movement. Those who were selected were from the Under the circumstances in my view the Communist Party, the Socialist Workers' British Ambassador would have been This is the historical context, which Party, the Militant, Sinn Fein, or student explains McDowell's contact with especially attentive to what McDowell radicals from the Universities. Their had said given that he was aware that Downing Street in 1969. It was precisely energy, originality and commitment to Harold Wilson was taking an interest. because there was a split on the Board that McDowell felt he needed to enlist outside society would have impressed Gageby for help. his paper. He would have seen them as a A Sunday Times profile of Major modernising influence on the society— McDowell in 2001 indicates that In my view since the departure of but the Major would have noted that they McDowell received help in setting up the Trust in 1974 from Lord Arnold Goodman. Douglas Gageby The Irish Times has were all professed internationalists in a Goodman has been variously described as returned to a largely Anglo-centric view society where the predominant politics of the world. It continues to denigrate the "Harold Wilson's Mr Fix it" and "the most were nationalist/Irish republican. How powerful man in Britain". And here we achievements of independence and has many people in the Irish Republic to-day have him helping to put McDowell in a been trying to restore the reputation of (40 years later) describe themselves as John Redmond. It has also reverted to an dominant position in The Irish Times. The nationalists or republicans?, almost hysterical hatred of the most same article says that McDowell has The first dramatic evidence of the always tried to preserve the newspaper's successful political party in the history of the State, Fianna Fail. transformation came during and in "British essence". particular after the Not Guilty verdict in How does it explain the behaviour of the Arms Trial in October, 1970. The I then tried to form a historical Major McDowell in 1969? Why was he Court heard from the Army's Military understanding of The Irish Times. From accorded such extraordinary powers after Intelligence that Capt. Kelly was operating its first editorial it saw Britain, and a 1974? Whose interests does the newspaper in the north on its authority and that the certain type of Englishman, as a role model. represent? arms importation was Government policy. After Independence it retained its imperial outlook. Right up until the 1950s it In my opinion it is time that the I should like to quote from Wikipedia: supported the Pro-Treaty party because institution which demands accountability "after the trial all the accused were this was the best means of retaining the for everyone else should itself be made acquitted but many refused to recognise imperial connection. The fact that the Pro- accountable. It is my hope that this book the verdicts of the courts". The many Treaty side was the most Catholic party in will be the start of that process. were the hard left (numbering a couple of 13 thousand—it was a very political "Irish Times It also accuses the newspaper of playing generation) and the media. a role in the “resignation of (An Taoiseach) The truth was turned on its head, the Alternative History Ahern” and that this was “only the latest innocent—the defendants, were portrayed coup inflicted by the newspaper against The Irish Times published a short, democratically elected Irish leaders”. as the guilty and the guilty—the sanitised report of the book launched by Government, was portrayed as the innocent The workings of the mysterious trust junior foreign minister Conor Lenihan that controls the IT and the financial party. last month, entitled The Irish Times: Past arrangements that benefited McDowell And thus the Irish media entered its and Present. While it quoted Lenihan's an a few others, (much of it covered in past parallel universe, which it still occupies to comment that the book was an “alternative editions of The Phoenix) are also recounted this day, playing havoc with the careers of view” of the newspaper, the report omitted in the book. And Martin writes about the three Fianna Fail Taoisigh—In the process to mention the central points of the book, oath of secrecy that directors of the Irish ousting a left of centre Fianna Fail/Labour which amounted to a damning account of Times Ltd and the Trust are obliged to the IT's coverage of Irish nationalism in Government which would probably have swear. the 19th century as well as the Treaty lasted for 15 years. Truly, the Major has One awaits with interest a negotiations and the founding of the Free comprehensive review of this fascinating succeeded in converting the Irish hard left State. Sounds like a dry tome that might and the media into his anti-national gillies. book in the paper's Weekend Review." find its way into the TCD library at some [2.5.2008] point. However, the book is a far more provocative read than this account suggests and the author, John Martin, refers to The Irish Times: REPORT: Here is the Irish Times former chief executive Major Tom Past And Present, McDowell's membership of MI5—as review of John Martin's book with a record of the journal since 1859 quoted in The Cecil King Diary—as well the Phoenix comment on it as his despotic and profitable role at the by John Martin Index. 264 pp. ISBN 978-1-872078-13-7. paper. Belfast Historical & Educational Society. 2008. "New book about 'Irish Martin also deals with the Major's dealings with the British Government, his SPECIAL OFFER Times' launched description of his own editor, the late Available to readers at €10, £8 postfree: Douglas Gageby as a “white nigger” and write to one of the addresses on the back CARL O'BRIEN page or mention the Irish Political Review Minister for Integration Conor Lenihan the view of former British premier Harold Wilson that McDowell was willing to when ordering from the website: yesterday launched a book which he said www.atholbooks.org aimed to give an "alternative" history of offer intelligence to HMG. The Irish Times. The Irish Times: Past and Present by Oration delivered by Dr. Brian Murphy osb at Arbour Hill—Sunday, 20 April 2008. The John Martin is published by the Belfast event was hosted by the 1916-1921 Society, originally formed to gather all sides of the Historical and Educational Society. Treaty divide together, hence the dates. Launching the book at a function yesterday, Mr Lenihan said the newspaper was one of the most influential institutions in Irish life which merited being held up to An Easter Message scrutiny. As we gather here to pay tribute to acceptance of the gospel of Irish "The Irish Times is an extremely those who died in the Easter Rising of Nationalism which they formulated in influential newspaper. One could 1916 and to those who lived and died worthy terms, giving clear definition and describe it as an institution, and it has fighting for Irish freedom in the years plenary meaning to all that had been been for more than 100 years. Like all 1916-1921, the words of Patrick Pearse, thought and taught before them by Irish- institutions, whether it's the church, delivered at the grave of Wolfe Tone in speaking and English-speaking men (and women)." politics, the banks or, indeed, Fianna Bodenstown Churchyard, 22 June 1913, Fáil, they have all been subject to are relevant and appropriate. I quote, with Pearse had no doubt that Tone's gospel combative scrutiny over the years. some paraphrasing, as follows: "It's good to have an alternative view of Irish Nationalism provided the essential of that tradition. I suppose you could "I feel it difficult to speak to you to- tenets of belief for the people of his time describe this as an unofficial biography day; difficult in this place (the holiest and for all time. He declared firmly: of The Irish Times. This is one side of place in Ireland). It is as if one had to speak by the graveside of some dear "we need not re-state our programme; the story. No doubt The Irish Times has Tone has stated it for us: 'to break the its own story to tell through its own friends, brothers in blood or well-tried comrades in arms, and to say aloud the connection with England, the never- official biography, but I think people failing source of all our political evils, will be interested in both." things one would rather keep to oneself. But I am helped by the knowledge that and to assert the independence of our country—these were my objects. To unite The author, an accountant and a you who listen to me partake in my emotion: we are none of us strangers, the whole people of Ireland, to abolish the contributor to the Irish Political Review, being all in a sense brothers and sisters, memory of all past dissensions, and to said the book was key to understanding sharing their faith, sharing their hopes substitute the common name of Irishmen the history of the newspaper and, on a still unrealised, sharing in their great love. in place of the denominations of wider level, the dynamics of Irish society I have, then, only to find expression for Protestant, Catholic, and Dissenter—these itself. the thought and emotions common to us were my means'." all, and you will understand even if the One cannot improve on these expression be a halting one." It covers issues such as the The Irish sentiments: to add to them would be to Times's coverage of the rise of nationalism "We have come here not merely to salute this noble dust and to pay our distract from the impact of their message. in the 19th century, the Treaty negotiations Political developments in the years and the formation of the Irish Free State." homage to their noble spirits. We have come here to renew our adhesion to their following the Easter Rising have inevitably [19.4.08] faith; to express once more our full led to current debates on forms of 14 'association' with England that are on that account." This evidence is not West, been victimised by the republicans compatible with breaking a 'connection' buried in the inner pages of Alan Stanley's on account of their religion or religious based on subservience. Such debates/ book on the topic: it is highlighted, opinion." negotiations may be accepted as an integral alongside a photo of Matilda, on the back It is, perhaps, significant that Peter part of the political process. Recent cover of the book. One can but wonder Hart has made reference to The Irish allegations, however, that those buried why this relevant source was ignored and Revolution in the Childers papers, Trinity here and their followers had abandoned from what other sources Foster and RTE College, Dublin, but has chosen to reject the religious toleration of Tone and had derived their understanding of the context its crucial source value on the issue of adopted a policy of sectarianism should of the period. Certainly it did not come sectarianism. be contested. This allegation is made from the Protestant people themselves, despite the clearest profession of religious many of whom were prepared to defend During the War of Independence, in toleration, composed by several in this the religious toleration of their Catholic January 1921, when many Protestants cemetery, and read by Patrick Pearse on colleagues and were prepared to participate joined their fellow Catholics to assist the the steps of the GPO in April 1916. actively in the work of Dáil Éireann. Their work of the White Cross Society, there I read from the Proclamation of the voices provide an alternative context to was no suggestion of sectarian discord. Republic of Ireland, paragraph four: the historical narrative to that adopted by The names of the Church of Ireland "the Republic guarantees religious and critics of Irish republicans. Bishops of Meath and Killaloe, Dr civil liberty, equal rights and equal For the years before the Easter Rising, Kathleen Lynn, Alice Stopford Green, opportunities to all its citizens... cherishing the words of Douglas Hyde, President of Molly Childers, Albinia Brodrick, James all the children of the nation equally... the Gaelic League since its foundation in Douglas and the Chief Rabbi, Dr Herzog, oblivious of the differences carefully 1893, have a particular relevance. are to be found as members of the Society fostered by an alien government, which Speaking in January 1913, he declared alongside several Catholic bishops, several have divided a minority from the majority that members of Dail Eireann, including in the past." "I myself belong to a great popular Michael Collins. Similarly, in the summer Significantly, it should be noted that movement, the Gaelic League, and of 1920, when pogroms against Catholics the expression "cherishing all the children although I am a Protestant I have been re- began in the north of Ireland, many of the nation equally", refers, not to mere elected President every year for the last Protestants living in the south wrote to the children, but to all the people of Ireland. twenty years... I have never known during national press asserting that they were not These sentiments of religious toleration all that time anybody to be warped or biased or even moved in his judgement by victims of religious discrimination. The were subsequently repeated in the words of George Russell (Freeman's proclamations of Dail Eireann in 1919 any religious or sectarian consideration... The men and women in the Gaelic League Journal, 9 June 1920) have a special and were also incorporated into the post- faithfully represent (if anybody in Ireland significance: 1916 constitutions of Sinn Fein and the now does) the old Irish spirit and "I, as an Irish Protestant and an Irish Volunteers. traditions... and the only thing they take Ulsterman by birth", he wrote, "have lived into consideration in bestowing their in Southern Ireland most of my life. I Despite these explicit professions of favours is whether a man (person) is a have worked in every county, and I have toleration, Roy Foster has concluded good Irishman or not." never found my religion to make any (Modern Ireland, 1988) that "the emotions barrier between myself and my Catholic focussed by cultural revivalism around In the immediate aftermath of the Easter countrymen, nor was my religion a bar to the turn of the century were fundamentally Rising, Protestant poets and authors paid my work." their tributes to the Catholic poets and sectarian and even racialist", and Peter One could go on: there were many Hart has argued (The IRA And Its Enemies, their comrades who had been executed in other letters and many other examples of 1998) that 1916. Among them were George Bernard Shaw, W.B.Yeats, Dora Sigerson Shorter, co-operation. More than sufficient to "nationalism veered towards indicate that these Protestant voices sectarianism in late 1920 and guerrilla Alice Milligan, Eva Gore Booth, Albinia provide a context for the historical narra- war became, in some places, a kind of Brodrick, the sister of the Earl of Midleton, and George Russell (AE). From the tive that, on the one hand, confirms the tribal war". On a popular level the film, idealism and the integrity of those we The Wind that Shakes the Barley, was formation of Dail Eireann several remember here to-day; and, on the other criticised by those who accept the views Protestants engaged in the constructive work of that body. Robert Barton was hand, indicates clearly that the historical of Foster and Hart for not portraying the narrative developed by Foster, Hart, their sectarian character of the Irish war; and appointed head of the department of academic acolytes and their associates in the same supporters of their views have Agriculture and, in turn, appointed Erskine Childers and Lionel Smith Gordon to work the media is at variance with the original praised the RTE film on The Story of the source material. Ironically, Roy Foster, in Pearsons of Coolacrease for accurately with him as directors of the National Land the sub-title to his book The Irish Story, depicting the conflict as sectarian. Roy Bank in December 1919. There were issues over land at that time but it is may have provided some explanation as Foster dismissed Ken Loach's film because to how he, and his associates, have got it it did not provide sufficient background inconceivable that Dáil Éireann would so wrong. Telling Tales and Making it up context; RTE and the BCC (Broadcasting have appointed Protestants in charge of a land reform programme, if they had wished in Ireland is the sub-title of his book and, Complaints Commission) defended the with these words, he may have revealed, film on Coolacrease because it did reflect to drive their fellow Protestants from the unwittingly, some insight into the the context of the time. land. Erskine Childers, himself, writing historical methodology that has created The decision of RTÉ to treat the killings privately, was quite clear on the matter. 'It the allegation of sectarianism. at Coolacrease as sectarian is almost is worth noting once more,' he stated in his inexplicable in the context of the contem- account of The Irish Revolution, For ourselves, as we gather to pay our porary evidence of Matilda, the sister of respects to those buried in this graveyard, "that the violence evoked in this year we will leave the last word to one of those the two Pearson boys who were shot. She (1919) was slight. Nor was it stated that the members of the IRA indiscriminate or undisciplined. At no Protestant voices that has helped to shape responsible for the shooting had told her: time, neither then nor subsequently, have the true historical context of the period. "Don't think we are doing this because civilians—Protestant Unionists living The words are taken from George Russell's you are Protestants. It is not being done scattered and isolated in the South and poem, Salutation: 15 "Their dream has left me numb and cold, Or were shot in the penal cell. majority, and in order to maintain its But yet my spirit rose in pride, Here's to you, Pearse, your dream not mine, strange mode of being part of the UK it Refashioning in burnished gold, But yet the thought, for this you fell, had to return a Unionist majority at every The image of those who died, Has turned life's water into wine." Six Country election. Nothing else of any consequence was dealt with in the Stormont Parliament. The things of consequence were dealt with through the party-politics of the state at Westminster and then formally adopted at Stormont. Lord Professor Bew In the 1940s Jack Beattie was elected from West Belfast to Westminster with a And The Forging Of A Shared Past mandate to take the Labour Party whip. Part Two The Labour Party refused him the whip. Subversives And The State is the sub- of things that happened instead of things He sat through the great Parliamentary title of a new book whose main title is IRA that were done. And so it is with the battles over the Welfare State in the late Interments And The Irish Government. I exclusion of Northern Ireland, as a region forties, voting with the Labour have not read it, so all I can discuss is the of the United Kingdom, from the political Government through excluded from misconception implied by the sub-title. life of the state. membership of the Party. He was also a When Fine Gael, in alliance with a local MP at Stormont. The Unionist Party recently-retired Chief of Staff of the IRA, I know of only one oblique reference to members at Westminster voted with the declared the Free State a Republic in 1948, the fact that it was decided by the state to Tories at Westminster. Beattie looked and launched an international anti- cut Northern Ireland out of its political life forward to doing battle with them at Partition propaganda, De Valera, in order while retaining it under its sovereignty. It Stormont on the same issues. But there not to be outflanked by the Treatyites is mentioned in passing in Nicholas was no Parliamentary battle at Stormont. making amends for what they had become Mansergh's book on Northern Ireland, in The Unionists voted with the Tories against under the Treaty, went on a defensive a way that seems designed to ensure that the Welfare State Bills at Westminster, propaganda campaign of his own. He it does not stimulate the reader into thought. and then, when they were passed, copied made a speaking tour of the world, of If it became a subject of thought the reader them at Stormont. which the most important places were would be likely to see it as by far the most There was nothing for Northern Ireland India and the English Midlands. important fact about Northern Ireland. politics to be about other than the According to a report of a Midlands meet- I noticed it because I searched for it. I antagonism of the two communities. ing he was asked if he thought the IRA had had concluded from reading his various The first Northern Ireland Prime outlived its historical function, and he histories of Ireland—or the various Minister, Craigavon, ensured that the replied that he did not think so. I cannot editions of his history of Ireland as it region would remain part of Britain for give a reference for that report. I did not slipped away in the course of the thirties social welfare purposes, and then sought come to write history through studying it and early forties—that as a British historian to reduce Northern Ireland politics to the at school, or through even the vaguest of Ireland he wrote carefully biassed routine of returning a Protestant majority intention of sometime becoming a history in the interest of the British state. at every election to maintain 'the connect- historian, so I did not have the habit of He could hardly have made a successful ion'. His successor, Brookeborough, accumulating references. I just noticed career as a functionary of the British state continued that practice. Then came things as they drifted by, but I have found if he had not done so. He wrote guardedly Captain O'Neill and Sean Lemass, neither that my memory of them is seldom on the whole, but in his big book on of whom seemed to understand what mistaken. Northern Ireland he let his guard down for Northern Ireland was. Between them they The surprising thing would be if Dev an instant. For the most part he described tried to activate politics in the North. had said around 1950 that there was no Northern Ireland as if it was a state, while Lemass browbeat the Nationalist Party longer any proper business in Ireland for showing that he understood that it was into apeing the role of Loyal Opposition, the IRA. Of course he did not see it as not. In his chapter on the Northern Ireland as if Northern Ireland was a democratic being the proper business of the IRA to set party system he dealt with it as if it was the state—or even a state of any kind. Brian about subverting the 26 County state as it party system of a state, while showing that Cowen said recently that this was the had been reformed by him. But how could he understood that it existed because the beginning of the Peace Process. It was in he possibly have thought there could be region had been excluded by the state fact the political preliminary to the war. no proper business for it in Northern from its party politics. And then he Jazzing up Northern Ireland politics could Ireland? With his acute sense of political proceeded to treat that fact as being of no only have the effect of energising the reality it is inconceivable that he did not consequences. communal antagonism. see that Northern Ireland, considered apart Northern Ireland was a region of the The IRA persisted in Northern Ireland from Britain, was a dysfunctional UK state with separate policing and because there was nothing in the politics substitute for a state, and that in essential separate politics. Almost everything else of the region for it to give way to, as it gave respects it was not part of Britain? was arranged by the Government and the way, by and large, to the Fianna Fail administration of the state, which were reform of the Irish State. And its persist- Britain is a well-conducted state. It always directly present in Northern ence in the South, while being formally an never discloses the reasons for its most Ireland, but these two spheres of activity ongoing dissent from the Treaty, was important decisions, and sometimes it were devolved to a regional authority in a always connected with the condition of succeeds in obscuring the very fact that a region which at the moment of devolution the Catholic community in the North. decision was taken. This prevents its was in the throes of communal antagonism. decisions becoming a subject of thought. Political life in Northern Ireland, in I spent thirty years trying to disconnect Thought is restricted to the consequences exclusion from the politics of the state, Partition from the Government of Northern of the decisions. That is substantially the could never be more than an expression of Ireland in the way that the Northern Ireland case with its decisions to launch its two this communal antagonism. problem was thought about. The world wars of the early 20th century. distinction was obvious but there were Those wars are therefore put in the category The Protestant community had a secure powerful interests determined to obscure 16 it and to take two distinct things to be the same thing. If the two were taken to be · Biteback · Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback one it could be said that the incorrigible nationalist idealism of the Catholic community, often described as 'atavistic', was what prevented normal politics from He Who Must Not Be Named coming about after Partition. That was the The following is the text of a letter which Stephen Richards submitted to the News Unionist interest. This suited the general Letter by email on 4th April. On that date the paper published an announcement that it Nationalist interest too in that, if the chronic had paid Peter Robinson costs and undisclosed damages on foot of a letter published on instability of the North was directly due to 13th December, 2007. That letter was from an SDLP councillor who alleged that Mr. Partition, that kept alive the possibility of Robinson in his Budget had been activated by hostility to Margaret Ritchie, the Minister realising the United Ireland ideal. Thus for Regional Development. The reason given for this hostility, apparently, was Mrs. there was a bipartisan agreement—not Ritchie's withdrawal of funding from some Loyalist community groups. The paper had formalised, but more real than many formal to recant from the allegation, made not by a columnist or reporter but by a reader in the agreements—to take Partition and Letters column. Northern Ireland as being the same thing. Stephen Richards's response to this announcement was eventually published on 18th April, but in a bowdlerized version, with the whole of the first paragraph omitted, and the That way of looking at it was general in reference to Peter Robinson in the parenthesis in the second paragraph deleted. The letter the politics of the South. On the Nationalist therefore was deprived of its context. It would seem that it would not have been safe for side in the North it was most clearly present Robinson's name to be mentioned at all, even though the references to him in the letter in the view of the SDLP, and its academic were of an obliging nature, in that Stephen Richards was careful not to number him with supporters such as Professor Cornelius the self-important litigants who formed the subject matter of the letter. O'Leary at Queen's (who was from Cork) John Martin has recently written of the power of the press, as wielded particularly by and Professor Brendan O'Leary of the the Irish Times, to 'go after' elected politicians in the Republic. It seems that in Northern London School of Economics. Ireland we don't have that problem, and instead the press has been cowed into submission My view was that, on the Nationalist by the libel laws. side, this persistent confusion of thought No doubt Mr. Robinson has donated the proceeds to a worthy cause, as one would was an obstacle to the realisation of the expect of a magnanimous man in public life. purpose that gave rise to it, since it necessarily went along with an equal Dear Sir, persistence on the opposite side. I'm not at all sure of the details behind your decision to pay costs and undisclosed damages to Mr. Peter Robinson on foot of a letter published in your correspondence Partition of itself would have left the columns in December 2007. I didn't see the letter in question and I don't intend to Catholic minority in the Six Counties with comment on the rights or wrongs of the matter. For all I know, the allegations about Mr. openings into the democratic politics of Robinson contained in the letter were so utterly outrageous that no self-respecting person the State. Of course it cannot be demon- could have let them pass without recourse to legal action or threat of action. strated that they would have availed of It seems to me however that there is a tendency in Northern Ireland for our politicians these opportunities in large numbers. But, to use the defamation laws in a way that is unusual when compared with elsewhere in the UK. I can think of very few examples of mainland UK politicians suing for defamation, if they had done so through involvement apart from John Major and the Scottish Socialist Jim Sheridan. In both cases the in Labour/Tory politics, during the allegations related to conduct in private life. Politics is not a career for super-sensitive generation when the Labour Party was souls who look upon each and every attack on their decisions as a ground for litigation. constructing itself to be a governing party The political arena is a place where you need a “rhinoceros hide”, to use the memorable in the State, it is unreasonable to assume words of our First Minister. I would be concerned that some politicians—and I'm sure that that this would not have tended to diminish Mr. Robinson isn't among them—might be using the legal process as a form of political support for "subversives" based in the trench warfare with a view to stifling debate on matters of public interest. South. The predicament of the Catholic I suggest that as a general rule the libel courts should be left as a playground for community in the Northern Ireland system, celebrities. Our politicians have, or should have, better things to do. Yours faithfully, Stephen Richards which the purposeful confusion of thought allowed to be referred to simply as Partition, was what fed the propaganda of All of which brings me back to the Lord During the 19th century mainland Britain the great Fine Gael/Clann na Poblachta/ Professor's book, The Politics Of Enmity. became both less ardently Protestant and Labour Party Anti-Partition campaign of He tells us in the Preface that— less emotionally engaged in this battle of the late 1940s and early 1950s, which Irish communal wills… In the 1880s stimulated a revival of Sinn Fein and led "the mutual contempt which British liberalism detached itself from the to the 1956 invasion of the North. characterized the relationship between cause of Irish Protestantism: the Tory the two main traditions—Protestant leadership stuck to it for much longer… I cannot demonstrate that simple “British”, and unionist on the one hand, Nevertheless by the end of the 20th century Catholic and nationalist on the other—on Partition would have led to an extensive Britain was perceived to have formally the island of Ireland at the beginning of declared itself neutral, save perhaps for a engagement of Northern Catholics in the the last century, and is not so much vestigial element of concern for the British state. But that is not to the point. diluted at the beginning of this century, as protestant community… The point is that the British State, when the violence which met the Ulster "This is the conflict which, for many, enacting Partition, made arrangements Unionists in the “Love Ulster march” in defines the modern Irish question… At which cut the Six Counties out of the Dublin in February 2006 demonstrated. the heart of this relationship is the problem democracy of the state. And it is Such animosity is the theme of this book. of the management of enmity. The inconceivable to me that the British The book is about the conflict of the union… in 1801 was, above all, presented statesmen of 1921-22—the rulers of the Protestant British—both on the British as a sophisticated attempt to manage that world, with an incomparable wealth of “mainland” and in Ireland itself—and the enmity: a new benign framework for Catholic Irish. It is perhaps more political experience in their make-up— Irish development. Not everyone accepted particularly about the ideas and attitudes British professions of good faith" (pviii). did not know what they were doing when which underpin that conflict: it is about they did it. rationalization and self-justification. This purports to be a history of Ireland. 17 I do not see how an intelligible history of from that possibility of development— I find Bew's book even sadder than that Ireland—either before or after the Act of from structural normality of the state. one. Those people were what they had the Union, but particularly after—could be And therefore I see their persisting enmities capacity to be, which was ordinary decent written apart from the history of the British against each other as having reasonable bourgeois. What was sad was that Ulster, state. Even in the 18th century when there grounds in the circumstances of each, pretending that it was embarking on a was a Kingdom of Ireland with a Parlia- largely determined for them by the state— great new adventure as Northern Ireland, ment, the Government—and therefore the and as being on the whole more reasonable could not present a more inspiring state—was never anything but the English/ than the normal ideological antagonisms collection of VIPs. The sadness about British state. The flimsy semblance of of party politics often are. Bew's book is that it is the product of a lost representative government in Ireland as a soul. I knew him fairly well for a couple region was done away with in 1801, and Passions abstracted from their causes I of years long ago, and the person I knew there was never again an appearance of first came across in Professor Foster's could not have written this book. Irish autonomy within the British state. little cameos, and I suppose the Lord When he was chosen to be an Important But Bew does not write the history of Professor picked it up from him. Person little biographies of him began to Ireland up to 1919 as the history of a Something similar was in evidence in be published. They all leave something segment of the British state. And yet he Blair's mode of denying that his decision, out, and I assume that what is left out is refers to Britain as "the mainland". taken for barely concealed Islamophobic where he got lost. I don't know if "the mainland" was the reasons, to invade Iraq and destroy the I first met him in early 1970, when I way Britain was generally referred to in Iraqi state, had any causative connection think he was still attached to the People's Ireland prior to 1919, or if Southern with subsequent Islamic attempts to Democracy. Unionist enclaves referred to it as "the retaliate against the British state—or the Brendan Clifford mainland" after 1921. I can only say that British democracy which authorised the To Be Continued I never heard the term until I went to live Government to do what it did. in Belfast, and I have taken it to be a Blair in this matter, like Foster and particularly Ulster Unionist usage. Bew in Irish affairs, leaves one with the If Britain is to be thought of as "the notion of a world in which a passion of Does mainland", and as being engaged in a hatred floats around in the air without a benevolently neutral management of Irish case and is seized upon for the purpose of it enmities, the case needs to be grounded in making trouble by 'radicals' (used at first an account of the decision not only to by Blair as a term of praise but later a term Stack Partition Ireland, but to set up Northern of condemnation) for no reason except up? Ireland as the means of doing so. It needs that they are evil. And they don't even to be shown, in terms of the realities of believe in the existence of the devil— British politics, how that decision can be though Blair in flight from the CALL THIS DEMOCRACY? understood as benevolence. The Lord consequences of his actions now pretends Metric speed limits were introduced on Professor makes no attempt to do so. He to. Ireland’s streets and roads by ministerial simply plucks abstractions out of the air— order (no democracy here) on 20th January "benevolence", "enmity". Bew was chosen for advancement 2004. Local councils did not have to vote within the Northern Ireland system (as to give effect to these limits (no democracy Enmities, in my understanding of the operated by Whitehall) about a generation here either). world, arise out of circumstances and give ago. That, as far as I can see, is what However, the ministerial order expression to conflicts of interest. And "meritocracy" means. introducing the new kilometre limits did enmity is a universal characteristic of allow for councils to create special areas democracy, which operates through party- Soon after the Stormont system was set where speed limits could be lowered or political conflict. It seems to me that the up, the Unionist Party published a book of raised to suit local conditions. Apparently ideological enmities of party-politics often pictures and potted biographies of the decisions were taken by Council officials lie beyond the scope of reasonable Very Important Persons of the (non-elected i.e. not democratic decisions) expression of actual conflicts of social Whatdoyoucallit—the Province, the to vary many speed limits throughout interests, but that on the other hand such Region, the Statelet, Our Own Wee Ulster. Ireland. But in most cases, the decisions unreasoning blocks of ideological It was a sad affair. A collection of the VIP of the Council officials have not yet been antagonism form a kind of ballast within nonentities of a Somethingorother that ratified by the elected councillors at duly functional democracy. nobody had wanted but nobody had the convened council meetings. The result is will to refuse. At least it appeared sad to chaos. The speed limit signs were erected What is distinctive about 'enmity' in somebody who knew what this Ulster had on the decisions of the officials but they Northern Ireland is that it exists outside once been but had ceased to be through are not legal until “ratified” by the the party-political enmities of the state. segregating itself from both Ireland and councillors who, it would seem, have no But that is a consequence of the exclusion Scotland and being segregated from democratic decision-making to do, only of Northern Ireland from the party-politics England. Ulster, which had once been to ratify, sometime, the decisions of the of the state. something impressive in its own right officials. In the meantime, the killing on when it was closely interconnected with the roads goes on and the statistics head I cannot demonstrate that the Hibernian Scotland and Ireland, was made into upwards. Summonses for speeding are politics of West Belfast would have found Northern Ireland through no will of its being dismissed in the Courts because the a place in the Labour Party of the state in own, and did not know what to do with limits are not legalised. You just couldn’t the 1920s and 1930s if that possibility had itself, having lost itself in the process of make it up? been open to it, and that the strong trade becoming. In its parish life it was stubborn unionism of East Belfast would also have and secure. In its public life as a Whatever A TOTALITARIAN STATE felt at home in that party, and that the it was lost. But it had to show something, In Ireland now we have the Broad- fudges of actual democracy would have so it showed this collection of Very casting Act of 2001 and the Broadcasting been operative on both. Important People who were instantly Complaints Commission (BCC) which I can only show that both were excluded forgettable. has decided that no one can run an 18 advertisement on local or national radio or wealth in the Celtic Tiger era. And so Special Gas Companies 1400 men into the television that is remotely critical of Sotheby’s (of that great book on ‘Buying trenches to discharge chlorine gas at the government policy, or trying to change Class’) have moved into the Irish Art in a German Army. The wind was not favour- any aspect of government policy. Public- big way. A preview of their May auction able, not that Haig thought too much about awareness advertising is affected, as is was held some weeks ago in Lismore that one imagines. It blew the gas across campaigning for change. The National Castle hosted by Bill Burlington (best pal the British trenches as well as the German Consumer Agency was not allowed to run of the Prince of Wales), the son of the trenches. It was a disaster for the troops on an advert inviting public comment on the Duke of Devonshire. Also at Bill’s bash in both sides. Many gas cylinders were Groceries Order. It was held by the BCC the ducal pile were his wife Laura, daughter defective and leaked in the British trenches. to be “political” and therefore not allowed. of Richard Roundell, Vice Chairman of Vermorel sprayers had been provided for Has it all gone too far to be reversed? Of Christies of London, and Marita Doyle of decontamination but they proved to be course the media, especially some outfits Kinsale, wife of Conor Doyle of the great useless. General French had bravely like the Irish Times seem to believe that Cork stevedoring Doyle family. The stationed himself twenty-five miles away they are the de facto opposition but when Doyles are into Harbours and Ports in a from the danger and he had no telephone— Madam Editor under her guise of being a big way and have huge factories in the UK a major blunder. How many Irishmen had Progressive Democrat TD went to the and other interests further abroad. Are he killed that day, or injured for life? By people for a second term, she was given they interested in developing Youghal nightfall 15,470 were dead or wounded by the boot by them and it really seems to Harbour? This is held by the present Duke French and Haig. It was known that French have done huge damage to her. and the water beneath it as he claims under was hugely motivated by jealousy of Haig. —wait for this—the Magna Carta, which Haig was ‘hung out to dry’ that day by THE KYOTO AGREEMENT shows his desperation as the Magna Carta French and his cohorts in Army HQ. There is a certain shock when we find certainly had no application in Ireland. Michael Stack ourselves calmly reading in newspapers The lads and lassies in Leinster House that to fulfil our “obligations” under the should get on with the job and render to Kyoto Agreement, there may have to be a the Irish the things that are Irish and let tax on Bovine Emissions. Will a tax really that be that. Recently the Duke let it be Church & State cause cattle and sheep to stop flatulating known that the Youghal Urban District No. 92 and belching? To whom is the tax to be Council should attend upon him in his paid and for what purpose will the money Castle and he might be persuaded to discuss be applied? And while we are at it, what the matter. The Duke’s title to Youghal Iraq: Our Fifth Anniversary about elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions Harbour and Bay is of course quite absurd. Executions Under Saddam etc? How about zoos and wild animal His forbears were “granted” (what a lovely The CIA's Afghan War sanctuaries and parks? Researching the sanitised word that is) the title by an Benign Tyranny? C.S. Lewis answers to these questions, a Scottish English king who had no title to it himself. Once Upon A Time In Tibet . . . company Rowett Research Ltd. is coming Why does not the Minister of the Marine The Frontiers Of Empire View to the rescue—it has produced a feed grant the title now to the State? Pearse And Casement Tim O'Sullivan (report) supplement, already tested on lambs, There is also the matter of the weir built Post-Modern Gaels? Stephen Richards which will reduce emissions by 70%. Also, just below Fermoy which is the cause of (review of Friel play) it will increase weight gain by 10% by flooding but the Duke says it is to keep the Wikipedia & The War Of Independence metabolically trapping hydrogen in the salmon in his own fishery near Lismore. Pat Muldowney animal. What this does to the human who He pleads “Tourism”. It would be interest- Vox Pat: by Pat Maloney (British-backed eats the meat is not yet clear. Vegetarians ing to know the actual amount contributed Clerics; Rosary Beads and Mass Cards; Tullylease To Christ Church; Priest Shortage; may not be too worried about the meat but to the Irish economy by the Duke’s tourism Guinness; Sports Ban; Proxy Wedding; if things under the Kyoto Agreement interests. Lisbon Referendum; Clerical Landlord proceed further, the vegetarians them- The Irish Times John Martin selves will be taxed because, it seems, MAJOR TOM "Coolacrease Complaints Rejected By Vegetarians produce more emissions than According to the Irish Daily Mail, 14th Broadcasting Commission" carnivores. April 2008, the revelation in Saturday’s A Journey Around Tom Dunne Where is all this leading us? The USA Irish Times that the St. Stephen’s Green Brendan Clifford (part 4) and several other large states have not Hibernian Club is “the old school NIPSA: Palestinian Relief signed the Kyoto Agreement. President stalwart” “of Dublin clubland” will have The Second American Revolution And The George Bush says he does not agree with raised a few eyebrows in the neighbour of Sense Problem In The West. it but then he is the biggest dumper of the Stephen’s Green Club, the Kildare Desmond Fennell (part 1) depleted uranium on this earth. There is a Street and University Club. Even that A Religious View Of 9/11: Pastor Wright theory that most ‘unwanted’ emissions notoriously louche establishment, the Iran: Puncturing The Zionist Dream? arise from natural causes—i.e. volcanoes, United Arts Club, got a mention. So spare (report, with David Morrison letter) wild animals, forest fires, etc. And a thought for Major T.B. McDowell, De Valera's Fine Ghaedheal relatively enormous emissions come from former Chairman of The Irish Times and, (report: Brian Murphy letter) aeroplanes (which by some logic are not ahem, trustee of the Kildare Street and Quo Vadis? Pat Maloney (Thoughts on 2006 counted for Kyoto purposes). In reality, University Club. In fairness, the club is Census) and in common sense, we all know that by very secretive and rarely, if ever, divulges far the biggest polluters are those anything to journos. Including the fact SUBSCRIPTIONS governments who use and develop nuclear that on Wednesday, 9th April 2008, the weaponry and to date the USA have that members gave a dinner in honour of Major € 10 (£7.50) heinous honour. Tom to mark his retirement as a “trustee” for 4 issues (Electronic €5, £4) of the club of course. from THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE P. Maloney, Irish Art has become very very pricey LEST WE FORGET C/O Shandon St. P.O., due to the demand for it from the many On the 24th and 25th April 1915, Cork City new Irish millionaires who made their General Haig ordered the British troops’ 19 Paddy Heaney On Coolacrease Silence continued

The following letter appeared in the Tullamore Tribune of 31st March production of silicon and saline breast implants from Arklow to a state-of-the-art plant in Costa Rica. The Slieve Bloom Mountains played a noble part in the history of this country. A few days earlier, Jacob Fruitfield Food The area is steeped in history and folklore. At present it is a beacon for tourists and Group confirmed it was restructuring its walkers who come to visit its many attractions—such as bronze age burial mounds, operations with the loss of 220 jobs in Tallaght, standing stones, ring barrows, monastic sites, ruins of castles, and ancient roadways. Dublin. Aware of the connections between Offaly and the State of Maryland, many And 100 jobs were lost in Dundalk, Co Americans are coming on weekend breaks to Kinnitty Castle. Maryland's Charles Louth with the failure of iQon Technologies. O'Carroll was one of the Founding Fathers, who signed the American Declaration In Bray, 40 staff at Trinity Biotech's of Independence; and his grandfather, also named Charles O'Carroll, was born at manufacturing facility lost their jobs in a Bally Mac Adam Castle in Cadamstown major restructuring operation. The area was the last stronghold of the Gaelic language, music and song. Many organizations have worked tirelessly over the years to showcase the area. The Slieve ***************************************************************** Bloom Association, Rural Development Society, Offaly and Laois County Councils, Shannon Development, Bord Fáilte—and many more—are playing their part to LABOUR UNIVERSITY develop awareness of the Mountains. SIPTU President Jack O'Connor has said The people of Cadamstown, and of Offaly as a whole, were deeply offended by unions should come together to develop a RTÉ's Coolacrease documentary. And, by falsely portraying this area in a sinister new university which would teach courses and menacing way, its attraction to tourism was damaged. from a social solidarity and social science The Coolacrease documentary, and the newspaper articles of Eoghan Harris, rather than a business perspective. painted the area in a false and negative light. It is amazing to think that Irish Speaking at an ICTU Economic Conference taxpayers' money was used to promote this destructive and hostile agenda. Especially in Dublin yesterday, Mr/ O'Connor said the when public money for constructive and positive purposes is so hard to obtain. For time had come for unions in Ireland to come example, our local Tidy Towns Committee applied recently to the National Heritage together and "look at a fresh initiative that Council for funding to erect an information board to promote tourism. The application would breathe fresh life into the idea that was turned down, the reason for rejection being given as: "There were 236 education is about something broader and applications this year and only 350,000 euro available. Given our limited financial better than simply supplying a given quota of resources, it would be impossible to finance your project." narrowly-qualified and narrowly-focused Our local elected representatives, including our TDs in Dáil Éireann, should tell professionals to corporate Ireland". us how taxpayers' money has come to be used lavishly to promote revisionist Such a university would need to be propaganda. "academically proofed and independent", but I make no apology to anyone for the public stand I have made on behalf of the would also have to be informed by the men and women who took part in our struggle for independence. principles of social solidarity and the assertion Pádraig Ó hÉanaigh, Cadamstown, Birr, Co. Offaly of human values over the market. "It would be a university that provided a Report seamless progression through the Fetac-Hetac framework of qualifications with a social science rather than a 'business school' "State urged to act now perspective of the type that predominates in to end suffering of Palestinians all the existing institutions that teach subjects such as industrial relations, human resource management and financial forensics." The Government was urged to take a stand "against the relentless destruction of the Palestinian people" at a demonstration organised by the Ireland-Palestine Mr. O'Connor said the only requirement Solidarity Campaign in Dublin on Saturday. for entering courses would be that students would be members of a union that was Hundreds of people marched from the Central Bank to the Dáil and on to the GPO affiliated to the university. on O'Connell Street, where they heard from speakers including Dr Bassam Nassar He said if the Government was serious from the Palestinian community in Ireland. about its commitment to create a knowledge They carried posters saying "Gaza's pain, EU shame" and "Stop Israel's war society and the need to up-skill up to 50,000 crimes". members of the workforce then the provision Outside the Dáil, Michael D Higgins of Labour urged the international community of funding should not be a problem. to act now to bring the suffering in the Israeli-occupied territories to an end. He also said the agreement of strategic Senator David Norris said Israel was breaching the Euro-Med Agreement because partnerships with one or more third-level it was failing to protect human rights. The agreement covers political, economic and institutions should also be achievable social co-operation between the EU and Mediterranean countries. relatively quickly. Protesters welcomed the news that Bono had refused an invitation to speak at a "Even if the Government does not see the celebration to mark the foundation of Israel. obvious merit of such an initiative, I believe Philip O'Connor of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign said Gaza was being we have no choice but collectively or strangled economically, while the EU looked on and the Government here wrung its individually to pursue such an objective. hands." "In reality it will call for collective action [Alison Healy, Irish Times 14.04.08] because none of us, even my own union, is big enough to undertake such an initiative alone. But greater co-operation and pooling Look Up of resources is inevitable anyway if we are to Athol Books www.atholbooks.org meet the challenges of globalisation." on the Internet Pat Maloney

20 "SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP MUST GO!" a common bond—a sense of belonging— Silence continued "That time is past. Bertie Ahern and among all who live in Ireland at a time Brian Cowen should not waste too much when exceptional economic change has Paul Hansard from the Dublin energy chasing an agreement if it becomes placed great stress on the social fabric. Construction branch said conditions on clear that none is possible. Social Prolonged booms usually induce sharp construction sites were now "actually partnership has served its purpose and is redistributions of income, widening the worse than they were before the agreement edging towards history. Its passing should gap between rich and poor. came into play". Large firms were not be mourned. (Sunday Independent, "The evidence suggests this has not happened in Ireland. Income inequality removing direct employees and workers 17.2.2008). "The danger now is that another deal has not decreased, but neither has it were being let go if they queried any increased appreciably. Prof Robert practices, he said. will be agreed in order to keep the process alive, regardless of the economic Erikson of the Swedish Institute of Social consequences. Research wrote last year *: "The general MANDATE RETURN "This must be avoided at all costs. increase in income does not seem to have MANDATE, which represents about Strong political leadership is now much been matched by a general change in 44,000 staff in the retail and bar sector, is more important than a social partnership income inequality, except for a possible to return to the national pay talks, two deal. but uncertain increase of the relative share years after withdrawing from social "Hopefully, Brian Cowen will deliver of the very highest incomes." partnership. that. It is time to give social partnership "The Irish social partnership model, supported by the policies of successive Mandate pulled out of the process in a Christian burial." (Jim Power, Chief Economist, Friends First Group, Irish governments, is founded on the belief 2006 because it believed that national that there is such a thing as society. This deals had failed to deliver for low-paid Independent, 24/4/2008). "'Social partnership', far from is not an article of faith that should be workers in the private sector. In the interim, promoting social cohesiveness and lightly discarded. We are more than a the union has negotiated locally with inclusion, has created a privileged class collection of individual self-interested employers and has said it secured a number of workers in the public sector whose profit-maximisers. (Paul Tansey, Irish of deals which gave workers increases wages are paid for by a much less well- Times, 25.4.2008). over and above those in the National paid private sector. This isn't "social *Best of Times?, edited by Tony Agreement. partnership", it's social exclusion. Fahey, Helen Russell, Christopher T. MANDATE General Secretary, John "'Social partnership' was very much Whelan, IPA, 2007, page 271. Douglas yesterday said that while the union the creation of one man, Bertie Ahern. ****************************************************************** would take part in talks today on a new Now that he is leaving in disgrace, it's UNEMPLOYMENT reached its high- pay deal, it would "reserve its position time to take a long, hard look at his legacy. est level in almost nine years (5.5%), the and re-evaluate its participation at any "'Social partnership' and centralised state employment agency FAS warned of time in the future". pay deals which only benefit public-sector further job losses by next year. workers should be top of the list. The general jobs market situation has ****************************************************************** "Brian Cowen should scrap 'social been bleak since Christmas, with almost THE GOVERNMENT has been partnership' right now." (Dan White, 1,500 employees being told they were to strongly criticised by some of the social Evening Herald, 24.4.2008). be laid off, either immediately or in the partners over a failure to implement several coming months. commitments set out in the current national NO WAGE AGREEMENT— Company liquidation, the relatively agreement, Towards 2016. NO PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT! high cost of labour here and the downturn The director of the Conference of "Since the social partnership process in the economy were among the reasons Religious of Ireland (CORI) Justice, Fr. began back in 1987, the wage element has given for the job losses. Seán Healy, said he would call into been the central feature of the process, On April 29th, computer giant Dell question the Government because of the and it will be so again this time around. "Without a wage agreement, the announced the loss of 250 jobs in Dublin non-implementation of key commitments. partnership process would fall apart.". and Limerick. Fr. Healy said these included the (Jim Power, Irish Independent, 24/4/ Smurfit Kappa plant in Waterford is to provision of funding for 300 primary care 2008). cease production on May 8 with the loss of teams. "Of course, national pay agreements 24 full-time jobs. He also said the Government had failed are not set in stone. If negotiators cannot Wavin, Europe's leading supplier of to provide adequate funding for the mental reach a wage deal that benefits both sides, plastic pipe systems, said it would have to health strategy, to deliver the National all bets are off and there would be a shed 50 jobs at its Balbriggan base, due to Carers Strategy and to make progress on reversion to free collective bargaining. the fall-off in construction. resourcing those who had not previously Many would applaud just such an In February, Merriott Radiators in pursued third-level education. outcome, but they should be careful of what they wish for. Clonmel, Co Tipperary announced that it Fr. Healy said targets adopted in other "Free collective bargaining would was to close with the loss of 90 jobs. national strategies had been hugely at reward the strong and punish the weak. The same day, staff at Grove Turkeys odds with the commitments contained in Those operating in the non-traded sector— in Smithboro, Co Monaghan, were told of Towards 2106. in local monopolies and the public company plans to shed 130 jobs. He said these included setting a target sector—would benefit while those in the Workers at one the country's most iconic for adult literacy in the National Action traded sector, particularly low-skilled stores Arnotts also heard of plans to cut Plan for Social Inclusion "which accepts workers in vulnerable industries, would 400 jobs this year, ahead of a €1bn as okay that between a third and half a suffer. redevelopment. Arnotts, however, will million people in the labour force will The transition to new types of bargain- employ a total of 1,200 in its new store. have serious literacy difficulties in 2016". ing procedures would cause dislocation On January 31st, pharmaceutical Fr. Healy added: "Major commitments and, most probably, an increased incidence company Allergen announced that it is to on social issues in areas such as primary of industrial disputes. close its plant in Arklow with a loss of 360 healthcare teams and adult literacy have "But the principal costs would be social, jobs. not been honoured" (Irish Times, not economic. Social partnership has The company will transfer its 25.4.2008) been an attempt, often muddled, at creating ****************************************************************** continued on page 20

21 currently at 5%. for the last six to eight years and we have Silence continued Proposing the motion that workers take not attended to the needs of the part in the new partnership talks, SIPTU multinationals in Ireland," he said. (Irish * Further legislation to give agency Vice-President Brendan Hayes said Independent, 30.4.2008) workers equal treatment and protect workers had not secured any significant ****************************************************************** them against exploitation by employers. contribution for the economic growth of * A legal framework to protect the the past 27 months. BENCHMARKING right of an employee to bargain with "The people who made the profits, their employer through a trade union. On the controversial Benchmarking the people who made the super incomes, report, which recommended no special * Adequate investment in public are the people who should accept the services especially health, education and adjustments, not ordinary working increases for most public sector workers, care infrastructure. people, and we'll be delivering that SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O'Flynn ****************************************************************************** message to Government." said members wanted a new mechanism In addition to a pay increase equal to put in place. Peter McLoone, General Secretary of The SIPTU motion describes the IMPACT, the Public Service Union, said: inflation, it wants an extra payment based on a proportion of the country's annual Benchmarking process as "irrelevant" "Left to their own devices, Government because of "growing inequality" between and employers want no wage increases— economic output, or Gross Domestic Product. lower and higher paid workers. even increases in the minimum wage. In The meeting also heard a call for the fact, what they want is lower wages." SIPTU leaders dismissed the previous scrapping of benchmarking by shop IBEC, the employers' group, warns that national agreement as essentially a "pay steward Kieran Allen. He said workers a pay deal that tried to keep up with freeze " because it "barely kept pace with must enter into new partnership talks but inflation would be bad for the country and inflation". must do so "with a very very different put more jobs at risk at a time when the Towards 2016 awarded workers a 10% spirit". economy is facing its biggest challenge in pay rise that was spread over 27 months. 20 years. The Trade Union said inflation in that ****************************************************************** Director General, Turlough O'Sullivan, time was far higher, at 11.7%, than the Following a number of recent court added: "It is not sustainable to suggest wage rises given to the two million-strong cases there is now "no legal basis for that pay should chase inflation" (Irish workforce under the pay agreement. collective bargaining", Mr Begg said. Independent, 18.4.2008). As a result, the Union calculated that (Irish Times, 23.4.2008). The Trade Union, UNITE also backed the average worker is now taking home ****************************************************************** the decision to join pay talks but warned 1.2% less in real terms than before Towards they will be fraught with difficulties. 2016 began. INFLATION WIPE OUT Regional Secretary, Jimmy Kelly of "We want to wish him (Mr. Cowen) SIPTU Head of Research, Manus Waterford said: well as all our interests are in his hands," O'Riordan said that higher inflation had "It is right that we should enter the said SIPTU President Jack O'Connor at wiped out any real wage gain under the talks but nobody should be under any the conference. current national pay deal which provided "But if 40% of workers are members illusion about how difficult they will for 10% increases over 27 months. be. We represent members for whom of trade unions and Minister Cowen's party gets 35% to 40% support in He said that the consumer price index wages are real. they know that Ireland had increased by as much as 11.7% over is a tough place to make ends meet. opinion polls—many of them are the "Employers who salt away big profits same people. the period, leaving the lower-paid facing and then plead inability to pay because "It's alright to attack workers and a decrease of 0.7% and those on average of macro economic trends need to listen attack unions, but it is very foolish to earnings with a drop of 1.2% in real terms. to the voice of the working people of attack your own." (Irish Independent, Manus O'Riordan told the meeting that Ireland. We will bring that voice to the 15.4.2008). real pay and living standards were basically table loud and clear." (Daily Mail, He told delegates frozen when inflation and mortgage 18.4.2008). "…his negotiating team would do payments were taken into account. its best to deliver an acceptable "Higher inflation has wiped out any agreement but SIPTU also had to SIPTU DELEGATE CONFERENCE real wage gains," he said, while average prepare for the alternative. We are not SIPTU President Jack O'Connor pre- pay had fallen by 1.2% in the 27 months afraid to negotiate, but we are not afraid dicted that talks on a successor to Towards of Towards 2016. 2016 will be the "most difficult to fight either," he said. "SIPTU General Secretary, Joe SIPTU Shop Steward Kieran Allen said negotiations in the history of this process". O'Flynn said that a nationwide And he warned Taoiseach-in-waiting the recession was caused by financial consultation process had identified pay, speculators "who've gone around the Brian Cowen he would be "foolish" to pensions, trade union recognition and attack workers who vote for Fianna Fail— world, treated the world like a global quality of life issues such as accessible casino. They're now bringing the world something the current Taoiseach, Bertie and high-quality healthcare, affordable Ahern "knew so very well". housing and childcare facilities as key economy down to its knees". The Tanaiste, Deputy Cowen has concerns for SIPTU members." (Irish Workers would not "carry the can" for previously urged the social partners to Times , April 15, 2008) them, and he warned that incoming accept wage restraint. Mr. O'Flynn stated that members would Taoiseach Brian Cowen "is not going to A spokesperson for Mr Cowen said the also like an agreement of a shorter duration bully the trade union movement". Workers were not responsible for higher Finance Minister maintained that "all than previously, with a review clause stakeholders in our economy must bear in included. interest rates, higher fuel and food prices, mind the need to maintain our he said. ****************************************************************** Michelle Monaghan from the Health international competitiveness" (Irish "Dr. Ed Walsh, founding president of the Independent, 15.4.2008). Professionals branch said the partnership University of Limerick, called for an talks were "the only game in town" and it More than 500 delegates attended the immediate pay freeze to make Ireland a would be a "disaster" to negotiate pay Dublin conference at which SIPTU leaders viable option for foreign investment. increases individually. demanded a pay rise above inflation— "We have been paying ourselves too much continued on page 21 22 Mr. Walshe said the greatest threat were coming together to work for the Silence continued comes from the proposals to cut beef and common good. However that "appears to dairy product import tariffs by 70% and have diminished on the employers' side", ECJ held that this was fine: worker's rights those for lamb, pig meat, poultry and he said. to collective action are less important than cereals by 55% to 70%. He dismissed a call from the Organisa- market freedom of access to cheaper There is an amount that Brussels could tion for Economic Co-operation and workers. achieve through internal reform before Development (OECD) to show restraint That theme has run through all 3 going down the road of a 'Constitution', in wage increases, and pointed to the hefty decisions; the ECJ stated that the right to but it hasn't the courage. salary increases enjoyed by executives in strike only exists where it is 'proportionate' Why is Britain which is the third largest the private sector. and 'justified', and their test for those is member of the community still refusing to "I know when somebody is taking heavily weighted in favour of exploitative enter the Euro monetary zone? One would me for a ride and this is what is employers. think that of all the member states, Ireland, happening in our economy at the more than any other, pays the greatest moment—it just cannot go on," he told "RUFFERT" price for Britain's refusal to leave Sterling delegates. In the 'Rüffert' case the ECJ cut the and become a full and proper member of But suggestions that Trade Union member states' power to make law to Europe. demands would lead to a wage price spiral protect worker rights. It overruled the With the Euro at such strength, Irish were "nonsense", said Mr. Begg. German regional government of Lower exports to Britain are being crucified at Recent factory closures could not be Saxony, which makes its contractors the moment and none more so than the blamed on wage costs as this only ensure that local union-backed labour indigenous trader. But not a 'beep' out of accounted for 5% of employers' expenses, standards are maintained. This case could the Government, our 13 MEPs or Dick he claimed. be used to destroy progressive agreements Roche! Mr. Begg warned delegates the health that have been won in Ireland which service was going the American way with exceeded the National Minimum Wage. ICTU DELEGATE CONFERENCE the co-location plan. If the middle-class Delegates representing more than 50 pulled out, soon only the rich would be ICTU SUPPORT 'LISBON' trade unions and over 850,000 workers able to afford healthcare. Since April 17th, the Farmers' agreed to enter talks on a Wage Agreement Concern was raised about workers being organisations have put the Government on Thursday, 17th April 2008, at a Special exploited. More than 500 employment on the run, with a first-class co-ordinated Delegate meeting of the Irish Congress of agencies exist in Ireland, delegates were advertising campaign which highlights Trade Unions in Liberty Hall, Dublin. told, and some were using legal loopholes the loss of agri-jobs if Mandelson succeeds The motion to enter talks was carried to avoid providing standard rights or —it is now accepted that if the Referendum by 350 votes to four. wages. fails to get the support of the farming On the previous Monday, April 14th, at "Therefore, they don't have to worry community, it is dead in the water. the Savoy Cinema in Dublin, more than about discriminating against people The 20th May 2008 is decision day for 500 delegates from Ireland's largest trade who are pregnant, old, people who are the WTO negotiations in Geneva. union, SIPTU also voted overwhelmingly black or disabled or any of these normal Agriculture Minister, Mary Coughlan has to back proposals put forward by the Irish provisions that they know they would met Commissioner Mandelson in recent not get away with in the standard Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) that it arrangements for recruitment," said Mr. days. There is talk that the May 20th should participate in the talks with the aim Begg. meeting may not now take place, well, of securing improvements in pay, He said a fifth of workers in Ireland certainly not before the June 12th date of pensions, rights for agency workers and were earning less than €10 an hour and hit the Referendum in Ireland—it is a public services. out at private groups where bosses had calculated risk by the Government but it is Talks were due to begin on 24th April given themselves millions of Euro in doubtful if the Farm Organisations will 2008. bonuses including in Bank of Ireland, change their mind on Lisbon over a mere Congress is looking for measures to Diageo, AIB, Tullow Oil and Ryanair. alteration of a date. help the low paid and to reduce the gender Talks will begin next Thursday. pay gap. It also wants better pension Both the Labour Party and the ICTU "There's a real difficulty in Irish provisions for workers and the introduction support the Lisbon Treaty, perhaps with society. We need to develop a sense of of a mandatory contributions regime that their leadership, they might get enough common purpose, but it's missing would secure the livelihood of workers in workers out to vote 'Yes' and save the because society is so unfair," the general their retirement. secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Government, however, a substantial Other demands include the equal Unions (ICTU), David Begg, said section of Irish workers are now following yesterday, launching its Economic the line of the farm organisations and they treatment of agency workers, the legal Outlook 2008. (Irish Times, 23.4.2008). are not in the least concerned about "the recognition of workers' rights to engage in But Begg says that, in the absence of collective bargaining with employers and remit of the Lisbon Treaty" and its relation any shared sense of social purpose, "it to WTO talks, they are worried about their further investment in public services, would not be the worst thing in the world jobs and they're correct! especially health, education, childcare and if there were no agreement". (ibid.). Padraig Walshe, IFA President, said care for the elderly. ****************************************************************************** 50,000 processing and service jobs would Small business group ISME has The five main pay talks objectives are: be lost, 50,000 farmers would be put out called for a 12-month wage freeze to of business and there would be a €4 billion provide "breathing space" for companies * Sufficient pay rises to protect a year loss to the national economy. being hit by the slowing economy. against the cost of living and a fairer "In 50 towns around the country, share of profits that help the lower paid meat, milk and other food processing ICTU General Secretary David Begg and reduce the gender pay gap. and allied services are vital employers told the conference that when the concept * The establishment of an enforceable of social partnership was first developed and wealth creators—in some cases pensions policy which includes manda- they are the only enterprises in the 20 years ago, there was a feeling that tory contributions from employers. town," he said. Employers, Unions and the Government continued on page 22 23 VOLUME 26 No. 5 CORK ISSN 0790-1712 Silence of Labour?

AS THE 400 Irish Congress of Trade UNITED WE STAND Mr. Barroso also said that, in the main, Union delegates assembled in Liberty Hall Agriculture, industry and businesses tariffs would hit only half of the low-end in Dublin on 17th April 2008, to consider closed down in a show of support for the market : a statement he surely would not new National Pay Talks—across the river farmers' protest, the largest in a decade. repeat in Warsaw, Riga or Vilnius—but Liffey at the entrance to Dail Eireann, the Major co-operatives, all 50 FBD insurance then they won't be engaged in any Agricultural 'pillar' of Social Partnership offices and 1,000 businesses, including Referendums! marshalled 10,000 of their 140,000 livestock marts, closed their doors for the If the ratio of attendance at the Farmers' membership in protest "over EU proposals duration of the protest. Protest were applied to the ICTU affiliates they fear will destroy the beef and dairy To a roar of approval, Jackie Cahill, with a membership of 850,000, we could industry and bring rural Ireland to its president of the Irish Creamery Milk rally over 60,000 trade unionists outside knees" (Irish Independent, 18.4.2008). Suppliers Association (ICMSA), warned: the Dail and would we not be equally The protest coincided with the visit of "Tougher men than Commissioner justified in the light of recent developments European Commission President Jose Mandelson have learned to their cost it is taking place in the European Union in Manuel Barroso who told the National a mistake to underestimate Irish farmers relation to workers' rights? Are the rights Forum on Europe that it would be in the and the population of rural Ireland" (Irish of workers inferior to the rights of farmers? interest of Irish farmers to have a quick Independent, 18.4.2008). resolution at the upcoming World Trade In 3 recent cases, the European Court The protest coincided with the visit of of Justice (ECJ) has moved to decimate Organisation (WTO) talks in Switzerland. EU Commission President, Jose Manuel Padraig Walshe, President of the Irish the rights of collective action, including Barroso to Ireland. the right to strike. Farmers Association (IFA), said the Mr. Barroso was at pains to point out decision to be made by EU Commissioner that the issues of concern to the farmers Peter Mandelson at the United Nations "L AVAL" were outside the remit of the Lisbon Treaty. In the 'Laval' case, a construction com- Conference on Trade and Development in He made the point that negotiations on Geneva in May will have a huge bearing pany from low-wage Latvia won a contract the Doha Agreement and the WTO were to build a school in Sweden. The company on the way farmers vote on the Lisbon ongoing and that the EU was intent on Treaty. refused to sign a collective agreement staying within the 2003 mandate. with the Swedish construction union, but He stated that the new deal would not Walshe told the rally outside Leinster instead did so with a Latvian one which affect the high-end of the agricultural did not observe the Swedish collective House that since the turn of the year Mr. market , which is where Ireland is placed. Mandelson had completely undermined agreement standards. In response, the the position of the Irish farmer and warned: Swedish union took collective action in "Sell us out and we will have our say on Subscribers to the magazine are regularly the form of a blockade of the site and got offered special rates on other publications the 12th of June." sympathy action from other unions. The Mr. Walshe continued: Irish Political Review is published by Latvian company went bankrupt, but the "Don't come back from Geneva the IPR Group: write to— ECJ have held the Swedish union liable having sold us out. Thousands of for their losses. workers in the food industry will lose 14 New Comen Court, North Strand, The ECJ ruling on the case means that Dublin 3, or their jobs, hundreds of businesses will PO Box 339, Belfast BT12 4GQ or unions cannot take action against have to close down. Don't expect us to companies employing imported workers do your bidding in the referendum." PO Box 6589, London, N7 6SG, or at rates below those for local workers, "We are all here today to defend our Labour Comment, except to defend wages up to a universally own interests, because if you shut down C/O Shandon St. P.O., Cork City. applicable minimum. For Ireland, this Irish farming—you shut down rural means the National Minimum Wage. Ireland. Our battle is your battle, we Subscription by Post: have had our battles with the meat 12 issues: £20, UK; factories in the past, but today we are on € 30, Ireland; € 35, Europe. "V IKING" the one side." Electronic Subscription: In the earlier case of 'Viking', a Finnish He attacked previous EU trade direct- shipping line sought to evade a union € 15 / £12 for 12 issues agreement by re-registering its ship under ives affecting agriculture, saying assur- (or € 1.30 / £1.10 per issue) ances given about the sugar beet industry the Estonian flag so it could instead employ You can also order both postal and workers from Estonia at lower cost. The before the Nice Treaty has seen that electronic subscriptions from: industry shut down. www.atholbooks.org continued on page 23