IRISH ISSN 0790-7672 September 2005

Greaves & Connolly POLITICAL Italy And The Great War Lord Fitt Volume 20 No 9 REVIEW The End Of The Co-Op? (Back page: Labour Comment) Incorporating Volume 19 Number 9 The Northern Star Workers' Weekly ISSN 0954-5891 Contents: See Page Two

The Celtic . Past And Present Ant The war in Northern Ireland is back where it started. In 1969 there was no Provisional We are all supposed to be cogitating IRA, but there was an Ulster Volunteer Force. This fact is much forgotten. An Irish on the future of the EU at the moment as Times dateline published after the July Statement of the IRA was entitled, The IRA From a prelude to whatever next grand plan we The Start Of The Troubles To 1994 Ceasefire. It started from 5th October 1968, when will be presented with in a year or so. The a Civil Rights march was attacked in Derry. But the Provisional IRA did not come into Irish Times published a series of articles existence until 14 months later, in December 1969. And the miltary activity of the in August on the issue to help our revived UVF had begun a few years before that. reflections along. It also posed a whole series of questions in an editorial And, now that the Provisional campaign has run its course, the Ulster Volunteer introducing the debate: Force is still active, as it was before the Provos were formed. And it has announced that “What is the European Union 48 years it is the Praetorian Guard of Ulster Unionism (BBC, Newsnight, 31 Aug), and that it is after its foundation? What new visions out of the question that it should disarm, still less disband. and narratives should animate its leaders and peoples for a new generation? Where There are two kinds of Loyalist military action in progress at the moment. One has are the EU’s boundaries and borders? the purpose of furthering UVF monopoly by destroying its Loyalist Volunteer Front What powers should it have and how splinter army. Four people were killed in the course of this action during the past few should they be exercised? How should it relate to the member states, their weeks, and a number of families were driven out of their homes in a number of housing parliaments and citizens? What role can estates while the new police force (the Police Service of Northern Ireland) looked on. it play in a world where the United States has military preponderance but The other form of Loyalist military action is for the openly declared purpose of ethnic diminishing political and moral appeal cleansing. Members of immigrant racial minorities are driven out and Catholic families and in which China and India are strongly continued on page 2 emerging competitors? Was it appropriate to call a consolidating treaty a constitution? How can national and European identities be united or combined so that sacrifices or commitments can be demanded from citizens—and should they be? …It deserves to be addressed in a non- dogmatic, reflective spirit rather than a narrowly partisan one at this stage of the process. Contributors raise many issues that were inadequately dealt with in the debates surrounding the constitution— or may not have been properly tackled at all. They are not confined to the campaigning arguments for and against the document, although the series has several contributions from each of these positions” (1.8.05).

Bertie Ahern was the first to provide

continued on page 8 appearing to engage in anything political. C O N T E N T S Greater Britain took on for it the character Page of a force of Providence. Past And Present. Editorial 1 The Celtic Ant. Jack Lane 1 But then the Empire went astray. Na Creatuiri Bochta Gallda. Liam Mhic I Shearcaigh 3 Greater Britain evaporated in the course Lord Fitt. Editorial 4 of the 1st World War. The empire expand- ed instead of consolidating, and began to China's Currency Still Red? Seán McGouran 7 fall apart. The falling apart began in Louisana Floods. Randy Newman (contributed by Joe Keenan) 8 Ireland. Revivalist Ulster was deprived of Shorts by the Long Fellow (Crime Ireland; The “Doc”'; The Looney Right; its Providential sphere of action, and More Looney Tunes) 10 reverted to its 1649 status of being a Greaves And Connolly. Brendan Clifford 11 corner of Ireland (Milton’s words), in Connolly Column. Manus O'Riordan book launch (report) 12 conflict with Ireland and suspicious of England. If politicians and historians had Italy And The Great War. Pat Walsh (Part 2 of The Irish Catholic & kept these basic facts of the situation before Benedict XV) 14 the public mind, Catholics might have Justice For Captain Kelly. Open Letter To Michael McDowell From thought as carefully before going to live Fionnbarra O Dochartaigh (report) 17 there as would be prudent before going to Allied Bombing Of France Towards The End Of World War II. live in Mecca. F. O'Raghallaigh (unpublished letter) 18 A Know-nothing Review (O Cathaoir & The Catholic Bulletin). The police denied in the first instance Brendan Clifford 19 that the attacks on Catholics in Ahoghill Green (not Red) Sticky Bile About Haughey. Seán McGouran 20 were sectarian. The denial took a strange Labour Comment, edited by Pat Maloney: form: The End Of The Co-Op? “Sinn Fein has claimed paramilitaries are trying to ethnically cleanse Ahoghill but Mr. Leighton [Deputy Chief are being cleared out of areas which are the pragmatic calculations and accom- Constable] said he did not think this was designated as inherently and exclusively modations which would have allowed for the case. ‘It’s much more serious than Protestant. The police have offered vulner- an evolutionary development in Irish ethnic cleansing. There is real hatred able families in these areas smoke alarms affairs. between communities in Northern and fire blankets, so that they might protect Ireland’.” (Irish News, 18 Aug.) themselves if they stay on in defiance of In our efforts over twenty years to His reasoning was that the attacks on the order to move out, and have left it at bring Northern Ireland within the sphere Catholics were not instigated by Loyalist that. of the democracy of the British state, the organisations, but were entirely spontan- insuperable obstacle that we encountered eous actions by local Protestants. It was The centre of the ethnic cleansing was the essentially apolitical character of an interesting way of putting it. campaign at the moment is Ahoghill in Protestant Ulster at its core. We convinced Mr. Leighton also said, in the same Co. Antrim. Ahoghill is where the 1859 a number of individuals of the political connection: Revival began. It will be interesting to see validity of the case that we made, but they “Northern Ireland has suffered for how the 150th anniversary will be marked found that they could do nothing about it too long from ‘the dogs in the street in a few years’ time. because the culture of the Ahoghill revival know who did it’. The dogs in the street don’t get into the witness box and don’t decreed that politics was not a proper The revisionist historians who are make good witnesses” (ibid). engaged in a well-funded mission to activity for Christians. That is presumably why they weren’t straighten out Irish history have paid little required to bark out their evidence in a or no attention to the 1859 Revival. It was The strangeness of Protestant Ulster in prosecution of Adams and McGuinness a great upsurge of what we now call funda- the 20th century was that it lived in a for the Northern Bank Robbery. We were mentalism. It was a reassertion of the medium of actual Christian belief. This assured at the time that the ‘dogs in the ideas and impulses which had made Pro- gave rise to a very attractive mode of street’ knew that they did it. They told the testant Christianity a force in the world conduct in commercial affairs. Nothing Chief Constable and the Taoiseach so. once Calvin had given it shape and direct- like it is encountered in the rest of Ireland And Lord Alderdyce’s “Independent ion, but which had fallen into confusion in or the rest of Britain. But what it gave rise Monitoring Commission” took their word Ulster in the 18th century under the influ- to in political affairs is what we have got. for it. And even Brian Feeney was convin- ence of Scottish philosophy and Irish ced by them. Affairs of state have been politics. The Revival coincided with the glory regularly conducted on their say-so. What days of the British Empire as an arena of had they done recently to cause the Deputy The 1859 Revival swept like wildfire Christian endeavour. The Empire had Chief Constable to disparage them? As through Antrim and Down, uniting been opened to Christian missionary far as we can see they are as capable of Protestants across denominational lines activity following the re-admission to saying “Woof! woof!” to order as they on the basis of the original Reformationist Parliament of the Puritan middle class in ever were. enthusiasms. It was not a political move- 1832. Revivalist Ulster revelled in the ment, but it had profound political Christianising activities of the Empire, And a couple of days later Mr. Leighton consequences. It de-politicised Protestant and in the “Greater Britain” project which regained his faith in canine informants: Ulster, rendering it incapable of making accompanied it. It could do that without “The deputy chief constable has made 2 an apparent U-turn and confirmed that all attacks on Catholics in a Co. Antrim · Biteback · Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback village were sectarian”. He said so in a letter to Ballymena SDLP Councillor Declan O’Loan, who chairs Na Creatuiri Bochta Gallda the Ballymena District Policing Partner- ship (IN 20 Aug). Is e seo dan a chum me le deanaigh ar abhar athsgrudaithe staire na hEireann agus nosanna nua na haigne ghallda ata ag teacht in Eirinn le deanaigh. The Irish Times gave very muted coverage to the Ahoghill affair, and the Cad a dheanfaidhmuid feasta gan oglaigh, only Southern politician who spoke out O cuireadh na gunnaigh faoi chlar? An bhfuil tracht ar O Duibhir I gCill Manntain on the matter, as far as we noticed, was Liz Na’r Choilean I mBeal Atha na mBlath? MacManus, deputy leader of the Labour Na laochrai a sheasuigh an la linn Party, who urged Unionist politicians to Nuair a thuirling Clann Luther ar tra; do something about it. MacManus is of Thug omos a’s dilseacht do’n Phapa the ‘Stickie’ tendency which controls the Agus drochmheas do’n Eiriceach thall. Labour Party, but she has not recently been acting in an entirely Stickie spirit. Cad a dheanfaidhmuid feasta gan sagairt? She was also the only politician who made Nil fonn ar na stocaigh do’n chleir. an issue of a trial currently being conducted Ta call aca laithreach sa chulghort in England, under some kind of extra- Le giorsaigh tointarnocht’ san fhear. territorial law, of a man charged with Ce leighfidh an Leabhar duinn De Domhnaigh ‘dTigh’n Aifrinn ar leitir an chnuic? committing murder in Ireland. Her Ce maithfidh sa bhocsa ar bpeacaigh? demand for explanations was reported in “ Abair Paidir a’s Deichniur, a mhic! “ considerable detail in the Irish (nee Cork) Examiner. It was reported far less clearly Cad a dheanfaidhmuid feasta gan eigse? in the Irish Times, whose coverage of this Nil rann anois sgriobhtha fiu faic. unusual trial is heavily muffled. Beowulf I reim imBeal Ath’ Aoidh A Pheist dortadh orainn cnuic caic. Mr. Leighton’s imagery was also Shakespear le “Fwat ish my nation?” recently used by Mr. Raymond McCord, Broim Beckett, yuc Yeatsach comh maith whose son was killed by Loyalists and Slog siar iad sa scornach go doimhin, who is trying to get a proper investigation Bronnfar Nobels anuas ort seacht saith. of the matter. After a 15-year old Catholic Cad a dheanfaidhmid feasta gan fiorGhaeil? boy, Thomas Devlin, was stabbed to death, Siol Eibhir a dibirt thar lear he claimed that the ‘dogs in the street’ An Glas Gort a dingeadh le bruscair knew that UVF members had been O Mhalainn go Conndae a’ Chlar. responsible (IN 15 Aug). The police, Slan le fear bainte na mona! however, played down the loyalist angle, Slan leis an fhear chuireas tuighe! saying merely that it was not ‘ruling out’ Slan le fear silte na heorna… sectarian motivation in this killing. The A’’s cead slan leatsa, Eire, a chroidhe. view in the Catholic community of a Liam Mhic I Shearcaigh  number of incidents over the Summer is (A translation will appear next month, Ed.) that the police have been treating Loyalist Independent column is usually devoted to that Dr. Paisley was put in to prevent. violence with kid gloves whilst using virulent attacks on the IRA, wrote on 21st Perhaps that is why there is talk of Praetor- strong measures to curb Catholic unrest. August, The Loyalists Are Determined To ian Guard now. The Loyalists are to Another example of this occurred just as Spill Blood. Perhaps the Sunday Independ- guard the Constitution. this magazine was going to press. When ent is being shaken in its one-sided anti- there was rioting in Woodvale after two republicanism by the attacks on newspaper Judging from the major Irish papers, Loyalist drinking clubs were shut down shops selling its sister-paper, The Sunday the Peace Process was imperilled by the by the police, a cordon was erected around World. It seems that some of its articles on return of the ‘Colombia Three’, which the area, and the riot was allowed to play Loyalist leaders were not liked. But the was widely report on 6th August. The itself out. It is felt that, if Catholics had main reason for Unionist fury is the Sunday Independent carried out a spurious been rioting, plastic bullets would have announcement a couple of days after the phone poll, which enabled it to write: 9 been used. In addition, there is dis- IRA Statement of 29th July that the North- Out Of 10 Say ‘Lock Them Up’, while the satisfaction at the way in which the police ern Ireland-based battalions of the Royal Irish Times carried a lying article by the are carrying out their criminal duties, with Irish Regiment are to be disbanded as they Colombian Vice President, but no article undue delays in following up leads and are no longer needed. As these units are setting the record straight about State- taking action in serious cases. The PSNI the grandsons of the B-Specials, it is felt sponsored violence in Colombia. The approach is undermining the position of that elements of Protestant security are Daily Ireland captured the view coming the SDLP, which is seen as supporting a disappearing. And the unkindest cut of all from Government with its lead, Hunt Them poorly conducted and apparently biassed is that this is being done with the Demo- Down Demand From PDs (9.8.05). If policing service. cratic Unionist Party being the major Fianna Fail was unhappy with the view of Ruth Dudley Edwards, whose Sunday community party. It was this sort of thing its dominant partners, it did not show. 3 Fine Gael took up the cry, trailed by those Treaty elections held under duress Editorial Notes Labour seeking clarification. It was all a as valid—at least not until it made Dr. The IRA Ceasefire took effect from 4 pm good excuse to beat Sinn Fein and not to Mansergh its ideologist and he did so. on 28th July 2005, not the 29th as stated in the look at what is really happening in the Six last issue of this magazine. Counties. Cramphorn says the message in 1923 The Irish Times corrected its report of was, “Lay down your arms to fight another 22nd July about the Brazilian shot by British Another Northern Ireland policeman day”. That “other day” came in 1932 police at Stockwell Underground Station on 25th July with a front-page lead, Apology For has been in the political news recently: when the electorate regained their Family Of Brazilian Shot By Mistake. Colin Cramphorn, the last Deputy Chief republican equilibrium and elected the In Michael Stack’s column last month, Constable of the RUC, and now Chief Anti-Treatyites. The presence of the IRA, there was reference to two British Intelligence Constable of West Yorkshire. He told the as a counter to the Free State military formations, Cobra and JTAC. The acronyms Yorkshire Evening Post after the July IRA force ensured a peaceful transition to anti- mean Cabinet Office Briefing Room A and statement: Treaty democracy. Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (MI5). “This is not the end of the IRA, it is the beginning of another era of it.” This is reported by Frank Millar, formerly Secretary of the Ulster Unionist Party and now London Editor of The Irish Times. According to Millar: Lord Fitt “He does not see the present process The late Lord Fitt resigned from the might have diverted people into a different providing a smooth transition to a leadership of the Social Democratic & course of action. “normal democracy” “I think in about 15 or so years we will see the unification Labour Party, and from membership of it, of Ireland. And it will be like Sicily”.” a quarter of a century ago. If he had retired He called himself Republican Labour (IT 13 Aug). from all political activity relating to at the start. And around 1966 he regularly Certainly there will not be a smooth Northern Ireland at the same time, on the threatened Stormont with the IRA if it did transition to normal democracy. But what ground that what he helped to start forty not hurry up and deliver the reforms he makes it certain is that normal democracy years ago was something he could no was demanding. An apologist might say is not a possibility of the Northern Ireland longer live with, one might sympathise that he was only making a prediction and Constitutional structure. This is something with his predicament. But he did not this prediction turned out to be accurate. that Millar once understood. He even led retire. He entered the aristocratic chamber But, when he said it, it always sounded a Unionist delegation to Downing Street of the Legislature, and periodically uttered like an exhortation, and it usually elicited and put it to Mrs. Thatcher. He came out the anathemas that were expected of him. a loud cheer. He knew what he was doing of Downing St. fuming and told the when he raised the spectre of the IRA in television that Thatcher had absolutely Vincent Browne, perhaps feeling that this manner. And we cannot recall that he ruled out the admission of Northern Ireland he has overdone the politics of reality in ever tried to lay that spectre at the critical to the democracy of the state. But, angry recent months, devoted his Irish Times time—that he ever said: The necessary though he was, he took her word for it and column to “praise of valiant Gerry Fitt” reforms have been achieved and now is gave up the struggle. A few months later on 31st August. Not once referring to him the time to settle down within the Stormont he lost his job as UUP Secretary in some by his aristocratic title, Browne praises apparatus. internal party conflict which we cannot him for bringing “international attention quite recall and was given a job with the to the corruption at the heart of the old “One man, one vote” was introduced Irish Times. And the Politburo which Stormont state”; and for then bringing in 1969, the B Specials were disbanded, conducts the Irish Times has never allowed attention to “a new and more vicious and the Derry gerrymander was stopped. the view of things developed by this journal injustice, the campaign of murder, These were the reform demands. But Fitt to be expressed in it. But Cramphorn’s maiming and mayhem of the IRA”. And did not say that the Civil Rights demands suggestion that what the IRA is doing now he comments: had been met and that Northern Ireland is a repetition of what it did in 1923 is grist “Had Gerry Fitt’s politics been given was now OK. to its mill; as is his assertion that recent time to mobilise, might not thousands of lives [have?] been saved?” The following year he took part in the Republican actions follow from the World formation of the SDLP and became its Trade Centre incident, rather than from Thousands of lives might have been leader. The SDLP had two incompatible the Good Friday Agreement. saved if a number of people in positions of aims: British social reform and the ending authority in London, Belfast, and Dublin of Partition. We put it to Fitt that these two What happened in 1922-23 was that had acted differently. But we cannot see reforms could not be pursued together in anti-Treaty Republicans were defeated in now, any more than we could see then, practical politics, but he would not chose a war instigated by Britain for the enforce- what politics Fitt had that could mobilise between them. ment of a Treaty which it presented as an people in any way other than the way they ultimatum, the penalty for rejection being were mobilised. Such politics as he had In early July 1971 Brian Faulkner (as “immediate and terrible war”. Those went into the mobilisation that actually Stormont Prime Minister) made him an who submitted to the Treaty won an occurred. And, when that mobilisation offer at a meeting of the Stormont Parlia- election on the same terms. An election began to take a turn of which he ment which on the spur of the moment he held on those terms would not be recog- disapproved—a point that is not easy to not see how to refuse. But a few weeks nised as democratically valid today, except pin down—he failed utterly to make his later he withdrew the SDLP from by someone with a special interest in disapproval effective. He had nothing to Stormont, using the excuse of a shooting doing so. And Fianna Fail never accepted say, beyond expressing disapproval, which by the British Army in Derry for which the 4 Northern Ireland Government bore no Professor Bew expressed regret on North was governed under Craigavon and responsibility. If he had delayed for a few Radio Eireann some yeas ago for having Brookeborough was not deviant. They weeks longer, he might have had the better taken part in the Civil Rights agitation of operated the structure according to the excuse of Internment, and he did in fact 1968-69, because of what it led to. But logic of the structure. It would have been pretend that Internment was the reason for Bew’s participation made no difference to deviant if the North had existed within the rejecting Stormont and setting up the the course of events. Fitt was a leader in politics of the British state—but in that Alternative Assembly at Dungannon. those years. The course of events would case it would not have existed. have been different if he had played a A couple of years of fantasy politics different part. In view of the attitude he Fitt understood all of this in private, followed. As the war raged with great struck later, it would have been appropriate but in public he would not take a stand on intensity, the SDLP played hard to get. for him to express remorse for stirring it. And, when he broke with the SDLP and Then, in the Autumn of 1973, Prime things up, and to apologise to the people entered the Lords, he regularly denounced Minister Ted Heath lit a fire under the he had stirred up for having done so without people for not behaving normally in what party with the suggestion that he would having any idea of where to lead them, he knew was a thoroughly abnormal incorporate Northern Ireland into the and for then feeling obliged to leave them framework of state. British State if the SDLP kept up its refusal in the lurch. Instead of doing that, he to negotiate within existing structures. turned on the people he had stirred up, and Browne’s view seems to imply that This brought Fitt back to the conference denounced them to order whenever the structures of state do not influence conduct. table, and in January 1974 he became BBC required him to. People can be good on individual grounds, Deputy Prime Minister of Northern Ireland regardless of the way public life is organ- under Faulkner in a power-sharing Expressions of remorse are now ised. Public peace and well-being is an arrangement that was semi-voluntary, demanded of the Provos. Vincent Browne outcome of individual goodness, and combined with an elaborate Council of demands them whenever he gets one of disorder therefore an outcome of Ireland. The understanding among Union- them on his programme. But the Provos individual proclivity to evil. On this view ists was that the Dublin Government (with are a consequence of the state of affairs it scarcely matters how the state is C.C. O’Brien and Garret FitzGerald to the that Fitt helped to bring about. organised. But that is a view that is hardly fore) had agreed to amend the sovereignty supported by the history of the world, clauses in the Irish Constitution. In March Vincent Browne, demonstrating how especially not in recent times. And it is no 1974 Dublin declared formally that this little he has learned since he was Northern more supported by the history of the 26 was not the case, and that the assertion of correspondent of the Irish Press in the Counties than of anywhere else. Political sovereignty over the North remained in early seventies, says that Fitt’s career life in democracies proceeds through place. This led to a strong Unionist demand would have been a success if he had done conflict, and if the conflict which demo- for the postponement of the establishment nothing else but bring “Westminster and cracy encourages is not connected with of the Council of Ireland pending a international attention to the corruption the governing of the state in a way that resolution of the sovereignty issue. The at the heart of the old Stormont state”. gives the active political minority a realistic SDLP refused to consider postponement, prospect of power, then it is a pseudo- and was supported in this stance by the Commentators in the Republic have a democracy which can only give rise to Dublin Government and the new Labour mania about corruption these days. But trouble. The alternating exercise of power Government in London. The Strike (or mere corruption would not warrant an all- in the state makes democracy functional is “Constitutional Stoppage”) against the out agitation to undermine a State. Indeed power in the state, and supervised local Council was launched in May and became a state without corruption (as the word is government—in which majorities and general throughout the Northern Protestant currently used) is an impossibility. minorities must share power—is no community. Fitt declared that it was a substitute. Fascist Counter-revolution and must be What was wrong with Stormont was put down by force. But the dog it was that its essential structure. And nobody needed West Belfast sent Jack Beattie to died. The best attempt at cross-community to draw Westminster’s attention to that Westminster 60 years ago with a mandate devolved government that there has been because Westminster devised it. to become part of the Labour Party. If the was sacrificed to a delusion by the SDLP Labour Party had not refused him the under Fitt’s leadership. And Stormont was not a state, but a whip, the subsequent course of events region of a State, an area for which a would have been different. Politics in the Fitt hung on in the leadership for about peculiar form of government had been North would have been connected with five years longer, and then resigned from devised which could only function through power in the state. And the gravitational the party and entered the House of Lords. the conflict of communities, with the larger pull of power in the state would have Protestant community exerting dominance brought alterations in political life in the 6 During the mid-70s he would agree over the smaller Catholic community. It Counties. But the Labour whip was privately with what we were attempting to is inconceivable that the British statesmen refused. Northern Ireland remained locked do, but he refused absolutely to say who set it up did not know what they were up in itself. And the make-believe of anything publicly about it. And his story setting up. Stormont politics was borne in on Beattie. was that he was straitjacketed by “the Though refused the Whip, he voted with countrymen” in the SDLP. That meant The routine of Protestant communal the Labour Government in the post-1945 John Hume. But the truth is that, insofar dominance maintained a semblance of reforms. The Ulster Unionists then had a as Fitt had a political position different order for close on half a century. It kind of external association with the Tory from Hume’s, he held it only in the bar of trivialises the situation to describe that Party and voted against the social welfare the Europa Hotel, and all it was capable of routine as corruption. Corruption has the reforms, with every appearance of earnest mobilising was a pint. implication of deviancy. But the way the opposition to them. But Beattie was also 5 a member of the Stormont Parliament, Vincent Browne was clearly shocked are, like political parties, either and he saw the Unionists enacting there, by Daily Ireland’s brisk dismissal of Fitt. triumphalist or despondent.) after the briefest of intervals, the very Living as a guru in the smug revisionist legislation which they had opposed provincialism of a functional state which And another great difference is that vehemently at Westminster. has relinquished the moral obligations the men in 1974 were not as earnest and implicit in its origins, he does not even resourceful in carrying through the meas- It might be said that legislation is all attempt to envisage the actual conditions ure to which they had committed that matters, and it doesn’t matter who of life in the North, does not see the themselves—or into which they had been does it. But that is essentially an apolitical damage done by Fitt to the cause which he inveigled—as the men of the GFA have view. It was rejected by Beattie, as it had stirred up, and cannot imagine why he been. Fitt and Devlin entered fantasy- been rejected long before him by Edmund came to be so well hated. But the sad truth land in May 1974 and threw away their Burke in a famous pamphlet directed is that Fitt became thoroughly bogus, and political hand in order to indulge their against the contention of the Crown that remained so for a quarter of a century. delusion of a historic stand against the what mattered was “not men but resurgence of Fascism, instead of measures”. Representative government Browne found in Daily Ireland— manoeuvering to preserve the Sunningdale is all about men in the first instance. It “an odious triumphalism that reflects structures in the North. works because it gives people the feeling the mentality of some of those who call of participation in the exercise of power in themselves republican”. Fitt’s last political action of the state, rather than because it produces He knows very little of the North if he consequence is not mentioned by Browne. legislative measures which are dispassion- thinks this mentality is specific to “those It was to bring down the Labour Govern- ately judged to be good. who call themselves republican”. Such ment in Britain and open the door for experiences and mentalities are communal Thatcher. His Republican and Socialist Beattie demanded admission to the and, in the structured absence of any kind elements were always tripping each other political democracy of the state and was of politics other than communal, nothing up. He was at ease as a Socialist supporting refused. He then applied for membership else is possible on a social scale. Commun- the minority Labour Government, but in of the Irish Labour Party and was admitted. ities experience in the North what the the end he brought it down. And the But the ILP, though a real political party, adherents of political parties experience reason? That it had increased Northern was the party of another state. And therein in Britain and Ireland, and moralising Ireland representation at Westminster from lay the predicament of the Catholic about it is only a kind of supercilious 12 seats to 18!! community in the North. (Beattie, a posturing. * Protestant and a Socialist, was elected And Fitt, before he became the Brit, Newspaper columnists have taken on largely by Catholic votes.) It was deprived indulged in this “odious practice” along the role of moralisers in the Republic. of a democratic political outlet for its Politicians have become little more than with the community which he represented. energy in the politics of the state, and the hucksters, and the Church has been In more meagre times he gave expression Stormont system was nothing more than a silenced for the time being, so newspaper to communal triumphalism when Glasgow system of communal Protestant policing columnists tell us how we ought to live. Celtic won the European Cup. And in of Catholics. It was compelled by the Something similar happened in the Soviet 1974 it was no less evident in the “Social- circumstances imposed on it by the Union around 1930, with consequences ist” wing of the SDLP (Fitt and Paddy Partitionists to be anti-Partitionist. that are not auspicious. But that is the Devlin) than amongst “the countrymen”. phase we are in, and we must live amidst And it was around that time that he These were the circumstances which a daily barrage of moralising columns. described the Protestant community as “a made Fitt both an Irish Republican and a And, if we take issue with Vincent Browne, million monsters” bred from the Plantation British Socialist. If Beattie’s demand had it is because he is the only one worth of Ulster. been conceded, Fitt would probably have bothering with. been a Junior Minister in Harold Wilson’s Browne asks what difference there is Government. He was in many respects an In his column on Fitt he worries about between the Sunningdale Agreement and archetypal British Labour politician of the “the campaign of slaughter”, and when the Good Friday Agreement. The old school. But he lived as a Catholic in such a campaign is warranted. While he difference perhaps does not appear great Northern Ireland, and that made him a praises Fitt for condemning “the barbarity if one looks only at the measures and Republican as well. He was anti- of the IRA”, he thinks that condemnation disregards the men. But the Sunningdale Partitionist and therefore Republican. He blinded him to “other injustices”: measure had much less representative was Catholic and therefore Republican. “But how about those who now, with force behind it, vis a vis the Catholic That is how it appeared to Unionists, who the benefit of dispassionate hindsight, community, than the GFA. The SDLP, disregarded fine distinctions, and that is remember only the injustices of Stormont which had fed the insurrectionary substantially how it was. And he called and the viciousness and arbitrariness of movement from July 1971 to 1973 and himself Republican Labour. the British military response to the IRA had then been cajoled and nudged into campaign, and not at all the crimes But he never made an effective com- negotiations by William Whitelaw and against humanity perpetrated by the bination between these two elements of Ted Heath, did not carry the community IRA?… his position. And, until he removed himself with it as Hume and Sinn Fein did in 1998. “Yes, I know, the benefits of hindsight from Northern Ireland to the Lords (with, The social atmosphere in the Falls in early and all that, but at least we might now acknowledge, lest anything like that ever as Browne puts it, “the sad acceptance of 1974 was nothing like what it has become rise again, that the campaign of slaughter a peerage”), he refused to choose between since 1998. The community was not “up” then, as it is now. (And when communities was wrong, that there was no justification them. And then he just became “Fitt the for the taking of a single human life (and stand in the place of political parties they Brit”. I am not saying this from a pacifist 6 position for I believe that the taking of unembarrassed white racism for a genera- wilderness which justify that war. It is human life can at times be justified, as, tion after the defeat of Nazi Germany in difficult to establish hard objective stand- for instance, in apartheid South Africa, 1945. ards in these things, but one can see grounds where injustice was so grave and politics The subversive influence of the Com- for saying that the South was less oppressed so hopeless.)” munist third of the world on the civilised and its position was less hopeless in 1919 But this is to go sub speciae aeternitatis, world by way of the anti-Imperialist than that of the Catholic community was and to see some elemental human standard regions gradually undermined the racial in Northern Ireland at any time between beyond states and their political relativities, values of the West. A situation then 1921 and its going to war in 1970. and it is at the same time to succumb to a developed in which the South African If there is a message in all of this, it is fashion of the moment. Man, however, is regime was widely held to be illegitimate, a political animal, and politics has little to that wars are not generated by absolutes, and the civilised West subjected it to but arise out of the relativities of actual do with eternal standards. And fashion economic sanctions for fear of otherwise fluctuates from decade to decade. politics in the dynamics of a definite losing Africa to Communism. situation. And it was on the battlefield, Morality might not be synonymous Thus a regime which the civilised world campaigning against the war, that we con- with political authority, but it exists on the had not only considered legitimate, but cluded that there was sufficient reason for basis of the authority of states. There is no had treasured as a particularly valued part it. That did not lead us to support the war. moral arbiter in the world beyond the of itself,became illegitimate not through We kept on trying to achieve the alternative power of the state. We live in the 21st any changes in itself but through external until Unionist conduct made it entirely century, for goodness sake. We have left changes. At that point the Boer community hopeless. But it led us to reject the ‘Good European mediaevalism behind us. The was locked in unavoidable conflict with and Evil’ ideology with which the West is Reformation which abolished the separate the Black and Coloured communities. The tormenting the world today. moral order and merged the functions of Anglos, who were no less racist, had the King and Pope happened over four centur- option of returning home (which many China’s Currency Still Red? ies ago and became the dominant Imperial thousands of them had only left for the Power two hundred years ago. There has The People’s Republic Of China, on racial Paradise of South Africa and Thursday, 21st July 2005, revalued its been no replacement for the position that Southern Rhodesia in the preceding Rome held in the Middle Ages—certainly renminbi (or yuan) currency. This was done generation). But the Boer had no home under pressure from the US, which likes, not not the United Nations, which is the other than South Africa. instrument of a handful of states. so much ‘a level playing field’ as one sloped in its own favour. America used the WTO The communal conflict in south Africa The way of our world is that an existing (World Trade Organisation) to browbeat must be judged to be necessary, unavoid- China, which wants to become a member of structure of political authority sets the able, by any reasonable realistic standard parameters of morality within it. This is this genuine ‘rich mans club’ located in actual Western values. But the On the next day the Irish Times, in its substantially denied only as between one communal conflict in Northern Ireland system of authority and another. Con- Business This Week section, carried a report was entirely unnecessary. There were on the matter. It was neutral about the fact demnation by one system of authority of reasonable practical alternatives to it. But that the revaluation is seismic in scale—the the morality which forms part of another the political structure which could only British and American papers have grumbled system presents itself in general terms, as reproduce communal antagonism was about the Chinese simply making a gesture generally valid and binding, and purports freely chosen for the 6 Counties by the in this matter. to be derived from something other than governing authority which set up Northern The Chinese probably are making a fairly the interest of the state which issues the Ireland, in preference to the democratic rude gesture. The capitalist states have condemnation. But it requires little prob- structures of the multi-national state which proved to be ‘paper tigers’ at the game they ing to discover that it is all apologetics and operated elsewhere in the UK. Westmin- invented. The Irish Times reports that the special pleading, and that it depends very ster no doubt had its reasons for this, and Yuan would no longer be pegged to the US$, much on absence of memory. it gave priority to those reasons over but to a “basket” of currencies (which may everything to do with good government in include the Euro). The US Treasury is Why would indiscriminate slaughter peculiarly nervous about the latter. The of the Boers in South Africa have been the 6 Counties. Those reasons can only have been to retain leverage in the internal Americans can feel superior about the EU. uniquely moral, as Browne suggests? They After all, without Marshall Aid (‘invented’ politics of the part of Ireland which it was did not wantonly set up a situation of by Ernie Bevin), there would be no European communal conflict when a better alterna- obliged to let go. But, even if that is Union. Western Europe would be a tive was open to them. The South African desputed, it remains the case that the collection of poverty-stricken national states. State was for generations an integral part Northern Ireland predicament, unlike the Or part of the ‘Soviet Empire’. of what presented itself as the civilised South African predicament, was freely set No matter about the accuracy of the jibes order of the world. It was particularly up by the governing power in preference coming out of Washington about ‘Europe’, active, as part of the British Empire and to the more reasonable and practical it has no hold over China, other than ‘human full of Imperialist enthusiasm, in the wars alternative. rights’ infractions. China has been blunt in against Germany, both of which were Vincent Browne thinks he would have response to such criticism, pointing out that held by the victors to be wars for the justified indiscriminate slaughter of the the Americans (and the British) hardly defence of civilisation against a deadly Boers. But he had no need to. It didn’t covered themselves in glory on such matters danger—and which were widely accepted happen. The clear and acknowledged when China was at their mercy. China made as such by virtue of the immense prestige absence of democracy did not lead to “a the decision to play the capitalist game without reference to anyone outside China, which accrues to the military victor in a campaign of slaughter”, while the least of all the Americans. world war. And its race distinctions were perversion of democracy in the North did. As the IT reports, “more than half of all inherent in the civilisation which it And that should not surprise anybody finished goods in the world are made in defended. who sees the way of the world. China”. It does not report that the USA has In 1919 the Versailles Conference When Ireland voted to be independent become dependent on cheap goods from refused to adopt a declaration on racial in 1918, it fought a war of independence China. For instance, 60+% of footwear sold equality proposed by the Japanese. And when the Government ignored the vote, in the US is made in China; other household both Britain and the USA kept up an and there can still be heard voices in the to page 9 7 The Celtic Ant Louisana Floods continued Introductory Note: Randy Newman is a very political singer/ songwriter who made an album in the 70s about Huey Long and his reflections. The last time Bertie wrote in the Louisiana. Part of Long’s rise to the Governorship as a populist Irish Times on the issue, about two months ago, he Democrat was central Government failure when there was severe told us that “Europe’s citizens do not need more flooding. New Orleans and Baton Rouge weren’t badly affected but by debate about the future construction of Europe” (27 god they got Evangeline (see Edgar Allen Poem of that name). It is May 2005) and not to waste our time thinking about worth recalling now the lyrics of of Newman’s song from the album, it. The future of the EU was self-evident for him: Good Old Boys (Joe Keenan). the only thing to do was vote for the Constitution. Well, we know what happened and Bertie has had Louisiana 1927 to put on his thinking cap. Anyway, he was never What has happened down here is the wind have changed afraid of that hobgoblin called consistency and his Clouds roll in from the north and it started to rain advice now is that the— Rained real hard and rained for a real long time “EU economy needs revitalising. …The roots Six feet of water in the streets of Evangeline of this climate of uncertainty, and even fear, lie in the economic area. In the national debates on the The river rose all day European Constitution, voters are expressing fears The river rose all night that their jobs are under threat from low cost Some people got lost in the flood producers in the new member states. There are Some people got away alright concerns that there will be a race to the bottom and The river have busted through cleard down to Plaquemines an undermining of social systems. …Revitalisation Six feet of water in the streets of Evangelne of the European economy is the core challenge. The Union simply will not command the loyalty CHORUS and support of Europe’s citizens if there is a Louisiana, Louisiana yawning gap between our rhetoric and the reality They’re tyrin’ to wash us away of people’s daily lives. …Maintaining the status They’re tryin’ to wash us away quo in Europe is not an option for the future. Louisiana, Louisiana Neither is building up protectionist barriers. Both They’re tryin’ to wash us away approaches are recipes for stagnation and a steady They’re tryin’ to wash us away decline in Europe’s economic and social standing… The rejection by French and Dutch voters of the President Coolidge came down in a railroad train European Constitution in their recent referendums With a little fat man with a note-pad in his hand is a powerful demonstration of the sense of The President say, “Little fat man isn’t it a shame what the river has done disconnection between what many voters see as To this poor crackers land.” important in their daily lives, such as jobs, social security and the fight against crime, and their CHORUS perception of the European Union. The irony is that the European Constitution greatly strengthens the Union’s capacity to protect and promote competition between individual wonderful enterprise, ants are no match Europe’s interests and those of its workers in the nations as there can be with groups of for the ant-eater when he ambles by. global marketplace”(1.8.05). nations like the EU. If the purpose of the EU is reduced to economic An elder statesman of Europe and So the whole issue is an economic one. Let’s all efficiency, it means then it has no its current Ambassador to the US, John get working and competing like mad and all will be necessary raison d’etre at all, no Bruton, made a contribution to the right with Ireland, Europe, and the world. What necessary purpose whatever, and we Irish Times series: more could there possibly be to discuss? What else can all forget about the whole exercise. “What is the EU for? The Euro- is there to do or talk about and one can almost hear That is precisely what is happening pean Union is an instrument of policy, not a policy in itself; it is a tool rather him cry in exasperation, ‘Wha’more d’yiz want?’ and it is happening for the reason that than an objective. That tool may be Bertie does not seem to believe that people engage Bertie believes is its salvation—total used for new, and now unforeseeable, in economic activity for a purpose and that those emphasis on economic matters. He is purposes in the future. We cannot, few who do so as an end in itself are usually adding fuel to the funeral pyre of the and should not attempt, to prescribe suffering from some sort of neurosis and are in need EU. all those purposes in advance in any of some help. Nations which do likewise will sooner rigid document. or later also need some help. One of the most Bertie is a true representative “The EU can achieve things that peculiar legacies of Marxism is a near total accept- politician and he reflects the political individual states are too small to ance of economic determinism by the traditional desert of thought that characterises the achieve separately. It is also a guaran- opponents of Marxism. They defeated Marxism Irish political class at present. The tee of good internal democratic and adopted its caricature with a vengeance. nearest thing it has to a vision for governance and security of member states. This EU “seal of approval” is Ireland and the world is that of a society so valuable that countries are queuing The European project was not founded for busy as bees, competing, hard-working up to sacrifice some sovereignty in reasons of economic efficiency and competition individuals (non-smoking, of course) order to join the EU. The attractive- with the rest of the world. There is no reason along the lines of those hyper-efficient ness of that EU “seal of approval” is whatsoever why there cannot be the most super- anthills that one sees in nature. Behold one of the reasons why 13 countries efficient economies and the most thoroughgoing the Celtic ant! But, despite their —dictatorships when I entered 8 political life—are now democratic “But the reality is that the Anglo- strategy in Europe, the strategy that that members of the EU. Saxon theories allegedly introduced by kept Europe divided and Britain Great for “The needs of the 450 million EU the constitutional treaty in fact go back centuries. It was an attempt to change this citizens converge sufficiently for the to the Treaty of Rome. It was Germany situation and thereby alter the future history EU to function effectively. This is who rightly insisted upon them at the of Britain and Europe. Peter should really because all of them, even the richest, outset and if anything they are expressed read some elementary pre-revisionist have a vital interest in maintaining the in more uncompromising terms in the history book and he will clearly learn validity of that seal of approval and in Treaty of Rome than anywhere else.” keeping legally enforceable access to some things about the real world that are one of the largest markets in the world. If these theories were the purpose of as relevant now as they were when written. “As to the boundaries of the union, I the project, then Britain should have had He asks: “How is it that “the Brussels do not think these can be set in stone. In no problems in being a member then—but practice, all the citizens of the present why was it not a member? Why did it bureaucrats” can be, at the one time, demonised as free market ayatollahs in EU have some shared history and oppose the whole project with contempt identity. Some of that shared history France and sometimes in Germany and and set up an alternative—EFTA? Why yet in the United Kingdom they are goes back 2,000 years and some of it did the Europeans not invite Britain to goes back to an EU meeting last week considered as interfering busybodies join then? Why did the leading European determined to disrupt the market?” where some difficult problem was solved politician reject them ten years later when together by consensus. A shared history The answer is: because the issue is not they first applied to join? Whey doesn’t and identity is a growing and living about free or unfree markets—it is about Peter ask himself these questions? thing. Its growth can be hastened, but Britain and Europe and all policies are only to a limited extent. He seems incapable of seeing that this good, bad, or indifferent in that context. “The EU should leave the door of shows that the free trade principles of the Peter must really try to get head round membership open, but explain that that. membership requires a deep, lasting Treaty were a means to an end for those commitment to develop a common that made them. They were not an end in As “president of The Federal Trust, a history and identity together” (5.8.05). themselves. Any trade policy is just that— London-based think tank that studies the a trade policy—to achieve an end. Peter, interactions between regional, national, So the EU is a sort of trademark, a label like Bertie, thinks the means is the end. European and global levels of that one applies for after a country goes And they simply do not see what the end government”, he should put this matter on democratic. At least he did not have the was for the founders of the EU. the agenda of their next meeting. neck to say that the EU caused these 13 The British electorate at the moment So what is Peter to do? countries to go democratic. So the EU would clearly prefer to eat grass than vote “It is time to get the show back on the was set up as a political standard-awarding for whatever economic benefits the EU road. Perhaps this crisis can still be agency for countries! And this is the role considered as a salutary one but only if might bring them. But Peter will not face it is looking for in order to give it a great we learn from it. We can learn above all purpose and to keep it growing! The whole up to this. All British opposition must be that if there is a disconnection between idea is too ludicrous for words. Mr. Bruton explained away. We are told: the people and the European Union the is promoted as one of the EU’s political “Unfortunately, according to main culprits are to be found at home Eurobarometer polls, the British people heavyweights but that is clearly only true banging a jingoistic drum.” are “less attached to Europe” than anyone This can only mean that it is Anthony in the literal sense. Even Bertie has a else. vision that beats this. “Uniquely a minority, only 3 out of Coughlan banging away on his Gestetner 10, apparently believe that the UK for over 30 years that has brought the EU Then another heavyweight joined in, benefits from membership and a lower to the state it’s in. What a compliment to Peter Sutherland (9.8.05). proportion than anywhere else think the him! And what an excuse for an analysis! EU “a good thing”. Jack Lane I would not be surprised if Peter is “For many other Europeans this continued having sleepless nights at the moment. attitude is a very bad thing because it China’s Currency His WTO is running into serious trouble negatively affects Britain’s role and goods and clothes are in the same category. Is it any wonder they grumbled about China’s as some of the larger nations (Brazil, India therefore it damages the EU as a result. “One may draw consolation from the ‘under-valued’ currency? and China) wake up to the tricks and clear reality that British values line up Ireland does a roaring trade with China: double standards that are being applied to well in political and social attitudes with it has “risen by over 1,000 per cent in the them about free trade and protectionism. the rest of Europe. This has been last six years”, and was “worth Euro 4 As a result, the next Ministerial meeting in demonstrated among others by the Pew billion in 2004” (thirty years ago the Irish Hong Kong seems set to go the way of all Institute research. budget dealt in the hundreds or even tens of thousands of pounds—where is the statue to the others—down the plughole. The WTO “One may conjecture that the British C.J. Haughey?). people are still open to be persuaded on only thrives in the little ideological world The IT, illustrated this story with a of Peter and his friends. And now his the merits of the European project and photograph captioned, “customer checks 100 second great love, his version of the EU, indeed it might have been hoped that the yuan notes at an ATM in Beijing seems set to follow the WTO. opportunity to persuade could have been yesterday…”. The (suspiciously crisp- afforded by a referendum there.” looking) notes bear a portrait of one Mao Tse-tung (or Mao Zedong). Clearly China, Peter also sees the world through Why cannot he accept the facts that economic determinist eyes. He is very on going on its big capitalist adventure, had stand out a mile: Britain is in the EU but and has no intention of cutting itself off from frustrated at the criticisms that the EU is not of the EU and was never happy in it its past. now “Anglo-Saxon”, and free trade and never will be. The reason is simple. How different, how very different, based, pointing out that the Treaty of The EU project was designed to curtail from the ‘Celtic Tiger’. Rome was for free trade: and eliminate Britain’s balance-of-power Seán McGouran 9 HARNEY BOOTS PHARMACISTS THE LOONEY RIGHT You have to read The Irish Times very This magazine has already commented Shorts closely to get the real story. If you blink on the Competition Authority’s damaging you could miss it and sometimes the real interference in the affairs of the Credit from story isn’t there. Unions (see December, 2004 Irish Political Mark Hennessy under the headline Review). It has now decided to get the Long Fellow Harney Lifts Restrictions On Pharmacists involved in the health service (The Irish reports: Times, 6/6/05). “Irish pharmacists who trained abroad The State-financed Competition CRIME IRELAND will be able to run pharmacies in the Authority is a sort of national equivalent All credit must go to Tommie Graham, Republic of Ireland following the of the World Trade Organisation. Its job is decision by Minister for Health and the editor of History Ireland, for facilitating to ensure that the economy serves the Children Mary Harney to lift restrictions” the debate on Peter Hart’s book The IRA capitalist interest. If an individual or And Its Enemies. But what are we to make (The Irish Times, 1.7.05). And what could be more reasonable than organisation infringes “competition law” of Hart’s defence in the July/August that? But then in the fourth paragraph it doesn’t hesitate to take legal action. The edition of History Ireland? Instead of there is a small opinion piece which seems Irish Hospital Consultants Association answering his critics he indulges in a to indicate that there is more to the story (IHCA) is the latest target. Every year the homily on the evils of violence. Incredibly, than the headline and first paragraph IHCA, on behalf of its members, negotiates he compares the IRA in the 1919-1921 indicated: with the VHI the fees for consultants. The war with the US Army in Iraq! Individual “However, the changes announced agreements are accepted by the other acts of violence are examined in isolation by Ms Harney, which have been the insurers in the market and 90% of from their political and social context. subject of major lobbying by pharma- consultants. It brings certainty and stability The psychological antecedents of the cists, will do little to boost competition to the market and insurance companies perpetrators are investigated and then in the sector, one of the most expensive can anticipate costs. Before there was judgement is pronounced. The war of in Europe. In particular she has refused chaos and the VHI had no idea what bills to accept one of the key recommend- independence was not a “war” (an it would receive. ations of the Pharmacy Review Group, outbreak of crime perhaps?). He believes So the Competition Authority wants that those who “kill others… should be which proposed that no chemist chain should own more than 8 per cent of the to go back to the old system. In the interests scrutinised very carefully indeed”. of the ‘consumer’, the VHI and perhaps But unfortunately, those who accuse shops in any health board area.” So she is going against the recommenda- the other insurers will have to negotiate cannot be scrutinised at all. He has refused tions of the Pharmacy Review Group and individually with each consultant. Perhaps to identify the participants in the the pharmacist ‘lobby’ because she wants the Competition Authority wants the Kilmichael Ambush who allegedly claim to boost competition, you understand. patients to negotiate individually with each that there was no false surrender even The next paragraph opens with: consultant just before they enter the surgery though these anonymous participants have “All new pharmacists, whether Irish, for their heart by-pass operation. Why long ago shuffled off this mortal coil. or not will have to pass linguistic and not? One of the benefits of the ‘collective’ It is time that History Ireland made an “forensic competence tests, the agreement was that patients did not receive editorial comment on the infantile outpour- Department of Health said last night.” a ‘top up’ bill from consultants over and ings of this Canadian moralist. So it’s not just Irish pharmacists who above what the VHI paid them. trained abroad who will be able to run Presumably, if the Competition Authority THE “DOC” pharmacies as the first paragraph indicated, has its way that old practice can be The tragedy of Sean Doherty was that it’s all foreigners. There follows a few resumed. he was a small time politician who got out more paragraphs of quotations from Maybe I’m being unfair in saying that of his depth. When he was found out he Harney’s Department, but it is only in the the Competition Authority acts in the last two paragraphs that we get to the nub couldn’t retire gracefully. He took Irish capitalist interest. What it’s doing in the of the issue: Times journalist John Waters too seriously health service is in nobody’s interest, it is “Expressing ‘deep disappointment’, and assumed that there was some ideological lunacy. significance to his political demise. There the Irish Pharmaceutical Union said Ms wasn’t. But for nearly ten years Doherty Harney’s failure to regulate the hinted darkly that he had a story to tell. ownership of Irish chemist shops would MORE LOONEY TUNES hasten the end of local shops. ‘The reality After revealing a tit bit on a light Last June Professor Brendan Drumm is that the only people who will benefit entertainment programme he panicked and was appointed Chief Executive of the are big business who the Government Health Service Executive. Apparently, went slobbering into the arms of PR seems determined to facilitate in buying consultant Terry Prone whose husband Mary Harney is impressed by his ideas for up the sector’ said Karl Hilton, president reform. was working for Albert Reynolds. of the Pharmaceutical Union of Ireland. What those ideas are is difficult to say Prone convinced Doherty to tell a “ ‘A pharmacist in Newry, or anyone different story to what he had intended else from Newry, can come down here because The Irish Times interview and he knifed Haughey allowing Reynolds and open up a shop, or a chain of shops (18.6.05) with him is more in the nature of to become Taoiseach. But why blame tomorrow morning, but a pharmacist a ‘Hello magazine’ type description of the Prone? Doherty couldn’t be trusted to tell from the Republic cannot go the other nail biting negotiations of his contract. He a bigger story because he had no sense of way,’ said general secretary of the IPU will be on a basic salary of 320,000 euros Seamus Feely last night.” perspective. He was small time. with a potential bonus of another 80,000. Despite the generous salary it seems His political friends must have cringed It took a while, but now I understand. that nobody wants to be associated with when they read Bruce Arnold’s glowing Harney thinks we need more Boots obituary. branches in Ireland. the shambles that Mary Harney is presiding 10 over. According to Drumm, health service help he can get. (The last point, that Connolly took part staff are “demoralised”. How morale will The picture accompanying the in the Rising as an act of despair, echoes be improved by Drumm’s proposal to interview shows Drumm with his arms the view of Robert Lynd, whose Introduc- bring in his own ‘cabinet’ with him is not outstretched in an imploring gesture. He tion to the 1916 reprint of Labour In Irish explained. An extra one million euros a is wearing a tie with the well known History was included in Communist Party year has been set aside for his 5 man team. cartoon characters “Tweety bird”, “Sylves- editions of the work down to the 1980s. Included in the Drumm cabinet will be tor the Cat”, “Daffy duck” and “Bugs Lynd was one of the foremost war a business strategist (“how can we make Bunny” among others. It’s difficult to propagandists of the British press in the money out people’s illnesses?”), and a know what his communications consultant Autumn of 1914, and it must be presumed “communications consultant”. Normally, had in mind. “What’s up doc?” that his misrepresentation of Connolly as this column would scoff at such having lost his bearings under the pressure appointments, but maybe he needs all the Ehhh, that’s all folks! of the War was calculating and deliberate. It is unimaginable that he did not know that Connolly was a propagandist on the other side. His Introduction was British war propaganda designed to explain Connolly away as a bewildered man and Greaves And Connolly to reduce him to the status of an icon. And, I went to a meeting of the Desmond in which it originated has long gone. whether it suited the Communist Party to Greaves Summer School in Dublin on have it thus, or it just reprinted Lynd’s August 27th. It was the first meeting The meeting of the Summer School I Introduction without reading it, I would connected with Greaves or the Connolly attended was on the subject of Greaves as not care to guess.) Association that I had attended since the a historian. It was chaired by Kevin Mc Going on early experience of the 1960s. Greaves did not welcome discuss- Corry, who was prominent in the Civil Connolly Association and the atmosphere ion or questions, and I had no wish to Rights agitation in the North back around which Greaves generated around him, I disrupt his devout get-togethers of the 1970, and it was addressed by Brian Hanley decided to take no part in the discussion. faithful few, so I kept well clear of him. and Mary Cullen, both of whom are The audience appeared to consist chiefly There were matters relating to the real academic historians. While praising him of old familiars of the Greaves circle, of world, particularly with regard to Northern in general, both of them questioned his which I only recognised Roy Johnston. Ireland, that needed to be worked out, and dismissal of the pretensions of academic None of them addressed the matters of it was not in association with Greaves that history, his assertion that history is always Pilsudski and Germany raised by Hanley, this could be done. His vocation was to written with a bias, and his failure to give but towards the end somebody who was convey the Moscow Line, as interpreted any references in his biography of Liam not of the circle said that, if it was the case by the British Communist Party, to Ireland. Mellowes. Anthony Coughlan, who seems that Greaves misrepresented Connolly’s This was done in the name of James to be his literary executor, said in reply to position on the War, how could he be Connolly. The Connolly Association in the latter point that Greaves’ attitude was trusted on anything else? Anthony Cough- England was taken in hand by the Com- that the academic historians might work it lan responded that, when Connolly went munist Party in the 1940s and Greaves out for themselves if they had a mind to, to war, it was natural that he should have was put in control of it. He made it a but he wasn’t going to do their work for some dealings with his enemy’s enemy. guiding principle that the Irish Govern- them. Which I thought was fair enough. Jack Lane disagreed with this, saying ment should not be criticised on Socialist The academic historians might carp but Connolly’s admiration for Pilsudski was grounds where the English could hear. He they did not produce. I can think of of long-standing, and that his relationship compared the national difference between nothing of value that came out of the with Germany was not a mere military the Irish and the English to the difference history departments of the Universities on alliance but was a thoughtful and worked- between cats and dogs. He devised a the subjects which Greaves was investigat- out political position. And he thought scheme to circumvent the Unionist work- ing, or on any other subjects. The revision- that, instead of evading or apologising for ing class by means of resolutions adopted ist historians of later times inserted Connolly’s position on the War, it should by unrepresentative Trades Councils and themselves into a vacuum. be accepted as the right position. Union Executives to make it appear that there was widespread consent to Irish Hanley was tentatively critical of Coughlan did not comment on this, but unity which was being held in check by a Greaves’ treatment of Connolly as a it was too much for the speaker who had reactionary Unionist ruling class. He Marxist whose position on the 1914 War raised the matter. Hanley said he didn’t presented Connolly as a latent Leninist. was of a kind with Lenin’s and who was necessarily think the world would have And he directed the Irish Left into a working his way towards Leninism. He been a better place if Germany had won hostility to the European Union which said that Connolly eulogised Imperial the War. Look at South-West Africa, for accorded with Moscow’s interest, but Germany as a high civilisation which was example. made no rational sense in Ireland. The effective because it was progressive; that This comment must have been dis- Power which was intent on curbing Irish his European counterpart was Pilsudski; illusioning for anybody who had been national development was not Europe but that he justified German repression in impressed by Hanley’s strictures on Britain, and the anti-European line threw Belgium as the fault of the Belgians; and Greaves for his Cavalier attitude towards the Irish Left into alliance with Britain. that in 1914-16 he was not maturing into academic historians. Surely, if the critical This disorientating anti-Europeanism has Leninism, and his participation in the pretensions of academic history are to be been carried on by Greaves’ heirs down to Easter Rising was an act of despair. taken seriously, it should, when it raises a the present, even though the Soviet regime matter like this, present a well-founded 11 opinion on it, either in confirmation of early on in the war. Much more to the historian. Connolly’s view or in refutation of it. But point is German East Africa where the Anyway Hanley did not appear to have it looked to me as if Hanley had raised the British were held at bay to the end of the an opinion on this rather serious matter, matter as a kind of radical revisionist War by a small German force, cut off from whose consequences are still working gesture, taking it for granted that all right- Germany by the Royal Navy, which themselves out. thinking people must see Connolly’s organised an Army of Africans. The position on the war as wrong, and that he German General, Lettow-Vorbeck, was If the revisionists had taken on great was disconcerted when somebody, instead honoured by his African colleagues a issues like this, which nationalist historians of arguing that it was not really Connolly’s couple of generations later, following the evaded for half a century, they would have position, said that of course it was his retreat of the British Empire. done something useful for the world. But position, and it was right. the world is not their concern. They are But the consequences of a German only British provincials coping with an There are two quite distinct parts to victory can only be a matter of speculation. Irish aberration and trying to get things Connolly’s position on the War: his It should, however, be possible even for a back to the status quo ante. And their account of its origins, and his support for well-trained academic historian in mental horizon is set by Britain. Germany on socialist grounds. revisionist Ireland to form a well-founded opinion on Connolly’s view of the cause I was very surprised to feel, while Whether the world would be a better listening to Hanley, that there was place if Germany had won the war than it of the Great War. Even if they are all irrevocably committed by higher something to be said for Greaves after all. was when Greater Britain, France and the Brendan Clifford USA won it is something that can never be considerations to the view that it would demonstrated, either critically or have been a catstrophe for the world if otherwise. All we can know for certain is Britain had lost the War, surely they could Connolly’s view of Germany is the consequences of the British victory, still apply their critical faculties detailed in Connolly And German which were dire. dispassionately to the question of who Socialism, which was first published in started it? After all, Bernard Shaw, who 1982 under the title, Connolly Cut-Outs. The war was actually won by the United was as much a British warmonger as Robert States. The Tsarist ally crumbled in 1917 Lynd, could still be of the opinion that Connolly And German Socialism and Britain and France had no hope of Britain started it. by Brendan Clifford. winning. The United States had for years 80pp. been supporting both of them with finance But perhaps he couldn’t have taken ISBN 0 85034 106 X. Athol Books. April and war material and in 1918 it sent the that view if he had been an academic 2004. Euro 5, Sterling 4. Army to Europe, which won the war. It entered the war on the basis of President Wilson’ 14 Points, which the British Government did not reject at the time. But, once Germany was defeated, it gave Wilson the run-around and sent him home Connolly Column defeated, with his programme in ruins, Address by Manus O’Riordan on the launch of a new expanded edition of the classic and Congress refusing to accept the history by his father, Michael O’Riordan, Connolly Column, The Story Of The Irishmen Versailles Treaty. And then Britain sub- Who Fought For The Spanish Republic, at the Imperial War Museum, London, 12th verted the French attempt to make a March 2005 European settlement which would Chairperson and Friends, Cardeña, where he was imprisoned for a probably have ensured some generations My name is Manus O’Riordan and I year following his capture along with his of peace by disabling Germany. It co- am the Irish representative on the executive fellow-Dubliner the late Maurice Levitas operated with France in humiliating of the International Brigade Memorial and their commander-in-chief Frank Ryan. Germany but refused to disable it because Trust. I am indeed honoured to be here I am delighted that two members of the balance-of-power strategy decreed that it today representing my father, Irish Inter- Levitas family are able to be present here needed a strong Germany in order to national Brigader Michael O’Riordan, at today, Morry’s sister Toby and his prevent French hegemony. this London launch of his book, Connolly daughter Diana. And I also welcome Column. I am particularly honoured that Deirdre and Lynette, daughter and grand- The Italian Prime Minister, Francesco chairing these proceedings is my father’s daughter of the Reverend Robert M. Nitti, who was a pre-war admirer of Britain, comrade-in-arms from the 1938 Battle of Hilliard, a Church of Ireland Pastor who was appalled by what he saw of British the Ebro, the President of the IBMT, Jack was both an Irish Republican and an post-war conduct at close quarters, and he James Larkin Jones. Among other British internationalist, and who gave his life in publicly expressed the opinion that the International Brigade veterans I am defence of the Spanish Republic at the European situation would not have been pleased to see present, I note that today we 1937 Battle of Jarama. worse if Germany had won. And Nitti was intend celebrating the 90th birthday of about as close to being a well-informed Sam Lesser, to whom I say biz hundert un Friends, and dispassionate observer as there was to tzvantzik! (May you live to be 120!). Six weeks ago saw ceremonies com- be found among the belligerents. memorating the victims of the Nazi It is furthermore a special honour to be Holocaust, as well as marking the 60th I cannot see that South-West Africa in the presence of that other remaining anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz was an issue in the War. The Herrero Irish International Brigader Bob Doyle, by the Red Army. Among the press photo- massacres had occurred a generation now the sole Irish survivor of the Fascist graphs from such ceremonies that were before the War as far as I recall, and the concentration camp of San Pedro de transmitted around the world was that of a colony was conquered by South Africa 12 German Jewish ex-inmate, Kurt Goldstein, principal architect of that axis of evil, he indeed proud to call, not “premature”, but who is the Honorary President of the voiced a certain amount of concern about farsighted anti-fascists. As our IBMT International Auschwitz Committee, as “the treatment of Jews by your friends”. anthem so rightly proclaims: he finally allowed himself to weep on But that same warmongering Minister, in “We are proud of our British Battalion completing a commemorative address the course of his reply, proceeded to justify And the fight for Madrid that it made”. delivered with all the self-discipline and those very massacres with the words: strength of character we know him to “There is a very bitter feeling throughout My father’s book Connolly Column possess. For we ourselves also know Kurt Russia against the Jews, who are regarded tells the story of the Irish International Goldstein as our own comrade, one of as the main instigators of the ruin of the Brigaders who fought in both the British those International Brigaders who had the Empire ... This feeling is shared by ... the and American Battalions, and in particular foresight, conviction, commitment and army of the Don under Denikin”. No, we the story of their leader Frank Ryan, who courage to see that if Hitler was to be are not talking of 1941, but of 1919, and had written that he was fighting against stopped, the war against fascism needed that apologist for genocidal “ethnic Fascism in Spain in order to prevent it to be fought in Spain. cleansing” had been none other than Sir triumphing in Ireland itself. In recent years Winston Churchill. various revisionist academics in both International Brigaders would them- Britain and Ireland have sought to slander selves become targets and victims of the And neither was 1939 the year in which Ryan’s reputation. He has been called a Holocaust, while many others would lose fascism first waged war outside the collaborator by Fearghal McGarry of close relatives. The Irish Jewish Inter- boundaries of where it had come to power. Queen’s University Belfast, and a ruthless national Brigader Maurice Levitas, whose Many years beforehand fascism had in desperado and National Socialist (by obituary is carried as an appendix in this fact already waged such wars on three which he means Nazi) by Robert Stradling new edition of Connolly Column, was to different continents. Moreover, in the case of Cardiff University, while Roy Foster of lose his maternal aunt, together with her of each of those wars, Churchill had been Oxford University is more effete in his husband and two sons, in the Riga very much in favour of the fascist side: manner of expression, but effectively Holocaust; Morry’s paternal aunt and all Japan against China, Italy against makes the same allegation with a snide of her family were burned to death in the Abyssinia and Franco’s revolt, supported reference to “the influence of Germany” synagogue of the Lithuanian shtetl of by the intervention of the Hitler-Mussolini on the career of Frank Ryan. A new Akmeyan; while his paternal uncle, whom Axis, aimed at overthrowing the appendix in this book makes use of the he had visited both en route to and on his democratically elected government of the most up-to-date releases of British and return from the Spanish War, was shot Spanish Republic. In September 1936 German intelligence files in order to dead by the Gestapo right outside his own Churchill would justify his support of vindicate Ryan’s reputation and good Paris home. And yet, for the very reason Spanish fascism with the words: “I am character. And, since going to press, further that Maurice Levitas had the audacity to thankful that the Spanish Nationalists are documentation has now come to light try and prevent the triumph of fascism by making progress ... Better if the showing that it was none other than the taking up arms against it in Spain in 1938, Communists are crushed”. And since we British Government’s own representative he was discriminated against by the British are meeting today in the Imperial War to the Franco junta in Burgos who had Establishment, and debarred from joining Museum, it is worth noting an article on most strenuously agitated and pressed for the British Army when he wished to the Spanish Anti-fascist War in the “Army a fascist execution of Ryan. continue the fight against Hitler, having Quarterly” in October 1940, an article been judged and condemned as a published under the Churchill regime and Seventy of Frank Ryan’s Irish anti- “premature” anti-fascist. Forced to remain not that of Chamberlain. While recognising fascist volunteers were to be killed in in London working as a plumber and that the Spanish Republic had won the action throughout the length and breadth denied the opportunity to put the military support of the vast majority of the of Spain, 19 of them at the Battle of experience he had already acquired in population and that it was indeed the Jarama alone. In 1994 the late Peter O’ Spain to good use, it was only in 1942 that British-French embargo on arms for that Connor, the very last of Jarama’s Irish Morry was finally permitted to enlist in Republic that had enabled Franco to survivors, would speak in their honour at the Royal Army Medical Corps. triumph with massive military aid from commemorative ceremonies to mark the Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, that article unveiling of a memorial over the mass As we head towards celebrations in derisively referred to the Republic as “the grave of anti-fascist fighters in the Jarama May to mark the 60th anniversary of Reds”, and unashamedly persisted in valley’s cemetery of Morata de Tajuña. In Victory in Europe, it is incumbent upon us justifying a British policy that had resulted 1942 Peter had again left Ireland, with the to reflect upon and learn from the lessons in the strangulation of the very first objective of assisting war production in of history. For neither fascism nor the democracy that had dared to fight back Britain. He was, however, prevented from Holocaust sprang out of thin air. Nor had against the onward march of fascism. entering this country when stopped by there been only one set of appeasers Special Branch detectives and questioned indulging the roots of such evils. During Nobody can ever take away from the about his activities in both Ireland and one period of warfare, when more than inspirational leadership that Churchill Spain. Making no secret of the fact that he 100,000 Jews in the Ukraine and Russia gave to Britain itself during the course of was an Irish Republican, but one who had had already been massacred, including the Second World War. But in these completely broken with the IRA in 1934, the complete annihilation of one whole coming months of commemorative Peter would further recount: “I told them community of 1,500 souls, the Prime celebration it falls to bodies like the ... as I was an anti-fascist and they were at Minister of a country closely allied with International Brigade Memorial Trust to war with German fascism, they need have their mass murderers began to express set the record straight on appeasement, no fear of me. Maybe I was too much of an some qualms of conscience. Writing to especially by honouring all those anti-fascist for the establishment; they his Secretary of War, who had been the International Brigaders whom we are gave me short shrift and I was put on the 13 next boat home”. grouped Donnelly with that great Spanish The allies still expected the new Pope, The International Brigades united all poet who had been murdered by the Benedict XV, to become an ardent partisan that was best in the world under the fascists, Federico Garcia Lorca, as well as and join in their crusade against Germany common banner of humanity, irrespective with English poets Christopher Caudwell by issuing propaganda on their behalf. of differences of creed or race. And it did and John Cornford who had also fallen in But the Pope declined to join their crusade. the same in Ireland itself. The County the ranks of the International Brigades. Tyrone Catholic-born poet Charlie And the Irish Protestant poet Ewart Milne, In June 1915 a French journalist was Donnelly had already fought against Eoin who served as an ambulance driver in granted an interview with Pope Benedict. O’Duffy’s Blueshirt fascism on the streets Republican Spain, coupled Donnelly’s This was subsequently published in the of Dublin, and against Oswald Mosley’s name with that of another friend, the French paper La Liberte (and was Blackshirt fascism on the streets of German Jewish ambulance driver Izzy reproduced in the Catholic Bulletin April London. When he was killed in the Battle Kupchik. The latter’s death had been 1930). This interview seemed to be largely of Jarama while fighting against fascism witnessed and described by George Green concerned with attempting to get the Vati- in Spain, fellow Irish poets from all in correspondence with his wife Nan, and can to enter the politics of condemnation— traditions paid tribute to him in verses of I am pleased that today’s launch of against the German/Austrian side, alone, their own. The Catholic poet Blanaid Connolly Column is so closely associated of course. It was felt that the Papacy Salkeld coupled Donnelly’s name with with the simultaneous launch of Nan should enlist its services as a propaganda that of another Jarama casualty, the Irish Green’s own evocative memoirs, A organ of the allies in the crusade of Good Protestant Republican, Rev. Bob Hilliard. Chronicle Of Small Beer. against Evil. The Dublin Jewish poet Leslie Daiken The Vatican subsequently disputed some of the recording detail of the interview with the journalist, Monsieur The Irish Catholic And Benedict XV Part Two Latapie, and declined to do interviews afterwards. But the content is illustrative of the allied design on the Papacy and Italy And The Great War Benedict’s resistance to it: Benedict: “In the beginning of my The Irish Catholic continued its review by Italian nationalists, no longer had state Pontificate, I addressed to the whole of Benedict XV And World War I in its interests to balance up with Catholic world a letter in favour of peace, in edition of 25th April 2005. This time, policy. At this very time the Papacy also which I earnestly begged and exhorted however, it enlisted the services of more was becoming more influential in Europe, those ruling the destinies of nations to intellectual weight in the shape of the because the Catholic masses were becom- make up their differences and turn their energies to the welfare of mankind. I Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Oliver ing more powerful as democracy proposed a truce for Christmas Day; I Rafferty, at Maynooth. developed and the power of the oligarchies laboured to effect an exchange of Rafferty blames the lack of Vatican declined. prisoners… I reproved injustice of every influence on the belligerents at the start of sort, but I added that it would be neither One also wonders what effect the the Great War on Pius X’s (1903-14) useful nor prudent to mix up the efforts against the Modernists (including conflict between Traditionalists and Pontifical authority in disputes with the Benedict) in the Church: Modernists within the Roman Church had belligerents. “Part of the problem was that under on Britain’s decision to wage war in August Latapie: “But it is a matter of crimes, Pope Pius X the political authority of the 1914—the thing that made the European not of disputes.” Papacy had, among non-Catholic war a Great War—and how a Modernist Benedict: “Would you have me powers, dropped to a very low ebb. This in the Vatican may have persuaded Edward denounce every individual crime that is was partly as a result of the Modernist Grey otherwise? That is also leaving aside committed? Every one of your charges crisis, when the Vatican’s apparent the anti-Catholic Governments of the other calls forth a counter-charge from the rejection of attempts to reconcile main belligerents, Russia, Germany and Germans. One cannot set up a permanent Catholicism and a certain type of France. criminal court here, nor even hold an scientific inquiry, left many independent investigation, under the circumstances…” observers agog. The methods employed It was not the Vatican’s effect on rulers Latapie: “But does not all the world to stifle debate in the Church weakened and a government that was a concern for know that numerous Belgian and French the Church’s moral authority in a world the belligerents—it was its potential moral priests were made hostages and shot?” Benedict: “I have had from the now tearing itself apart by war. At one effect on the masses that were needed as Austrian bishops a statement to the effect level, therefore the Holy See could not cannon fodder in the first mass democratic possibly hope to influence the activities that the Russian army also had made war. And particularly by the Entente, of either the Central Powers or the Catholic priests hostages, and on one Allies.” whose masses—unlike those of Germany, occasion had compelled 1,500 Jews to This view is very much in conflict with and Austria/Hungary—were being enlisted form a living wall between themselves what Francesco Nitti had to say about the in a crusade inspired by propaganda of a and the enemy’s fire. The… Italian army influence of the Vatican (toward the end highly moralistic kind. has already taken eighteen Austrian priests as hostages…” of Pius’s Pontificate in 1911). On the eve The Vatican had immense potential Latapie: “But the burning of Louvain? of the Great War the Pope, argued Nitti, moral force in this situation so the Entente And the bombardment of Rheims?” was free for the first time to pursue a set about narrowing the parameters within Benedict: “The Germans reply that principled policy in line with Catholic which the Pope operated so that the Holy their troops had been first fired on, and moral doctrine. This was because the See possessed as little real power or influ- they declare that there was an observation Vatican, having been reduced to a church ence on the masses as possible. post on the turrets of the cathedral in 14 Rheims…” To counteract the moral authority of England had to apply its entire military, Latapie: “But the Lusitania? Here the Papacy on the Catholic masses the propagandist, financial, and diplomatic we have innocent victims not belligerents?” Entente by-passed the Italian democracy, resources to get Italy into the war, as it was Benedict: “But do you think that a to make secret deals amongst the oligarchic generally believed by the majority of [British—P.W.] blockade closing round elite, and set peaceful Italy into turmoil, Italians that nothing good would come of two Empires and condemning millions undermining the Pope’s freedom of action. participation in the slaughter. But Britain of innocent human beings to starvation had control of the Press Agencies, which is inspired by very humane feelings?…” The British naval attack on the Latapie: “Holy Father, we were Dardanelles in early 1915 had a dual determined what appeared in the Italian painfully impressed in France when we purpose. It was meant as an assault on the newspapers. And vast amounts were spent learned that the Holy See was Ottoman Turks and as a demonstration of in this matter. endeavouring to keep Italy neutral. Did ‘shock and awe’ that would impress and this not amount to promoting the designs persuade Italy into the war. E.J.Dillon described very well, from of German neutrality?” the British perspective, the situation in Benedict: “I decidedly admit we were By attacking the Dardanelles England Italy in his 1916 book Ourselves And neutralists… We desired peace… was sending out a signal to those who Germany: because we wish peace to reign among were keeping out of the war that it was “At first all Italy was opposed to men… we wished to spare this country, intent on a reordering of the Middle East belligerency. Deliberate reason, which we love, the sufferings of war… and the Balkan regions when it had won irrational prejudice, religious sentiment, Finally, we do not wish to conceal the the war. And it would be rewarding its political calculation, economic interests fact that we are mindful of the interests friends with the scraps of victory at the and military considerations all tended to of the Holy See. War imperils those expense of its enemies, and the neutrals, confirm the population in its resolve to interests…” when it got round to distributing the spoils. keep out of the sanguinary struggle. The Latapie: “Is the Pope not free? In (Dr. E.J. Dillon’s columns from Italy for Vatican, its organs and agents, brought virtue of the Law of Guarantees, can he all their resources to bear upon devout not freely exercise his mission?” the Daily Telegraph during 1914-5 reveal British strategy implicitly.) Catholics, whose name is legion and Benedict: “…We hear a bell of but whose immediate aim was the mainten- one tone. Our relations with the enemy ance of peace with the Central empires.” nations of Italy have been practically It was one of the fundamentals of pre- (Ourselves And Germany, pp190-1.) suppressed. Their accredited represent- war British foreign policy, after its re- atives have had to leave Italy. We have orientation towards regarding Germany The lever used by the Allies to bring confidence in the present government rather than France as enemy no. 1, to Italy into the war was the “irredenta”. but we dread to see ourselves exposed to detach Italy from the Triple Alliance, so Some Italian nationalists were in favour the uncertainties of Italian politics. Rome that Germany could be isolated and is a hotbed of perpetual ferment. Do you of joining the war on the side of France encircled. Italy had been a member of the imagine it would be absurd to fear that and England in order that “Italia revolution may have its day? How will Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria irredenta” would be redeemed. The they behave in case of victory? …Do since 1882. It had joined Germany to gain “irredenta,” or unredeemed, was the you now understand we were opposed Bismarck’s protection against France and territory between the Northern boundary with all our might to the ending of Italian had achieved much of its political stability of Italy and the Alps, including the Trentino neutrality?” and economic development in alliance and Tyrol regions, and a stretch of land with Germany prior to 1914. But when between Eastern shore of the Adriatic and The British and French wanted the war broke out Italy decided not to fight the mountains behind it, now part of the Pope to aid their secular crusade by con- alongside its allies, because through a Croatian State, known as Dalmatia. demning particular, i.e. German, wrongs clause in the Triple Alliance she was not Mazzini had defined these territories as in his capacity as supreme judge in matters required to do so if Great Britain was in Italian, although they lay outside of the of morals. But in the days before the “war the field against them. Italy had also made frontiers of the Italian State formed in for small nations”, when small nations a secret agreement with France in 1902 to 1870. They had remained part of the had had their day and the love of them was the effect that it would enter no war against Austro-Hungarian Empire when the Italian not a concern, as at the time of the war on France. State was formed, and were composed of the Boer Republics, the Vatican’s a mixed nationality. Italian was the condemnations would surely not have been But Italian neutrality was not enough language of the majority, but the regions welcomed. for England. From the start of the war also included large numbers of Germans Britain set to work to entice the Italians and Croatians. The Irredentist view was This secular crusade for Good against into the ranks of the Entente and against that the incorporation of these regions Evil depended much on propaganda being their former allies so that Germany and within the Italian State would complete believed by neutral nations. But the Pope, Austria could be encircled. the Risorgimento. Prior to the war, the the supreme arbiter in the world over Italian desire to redeem the “irredenta” issues of good and evil, at least as far as the It was in the British interest to expand seemed to have declined and Italians had Catholic democracies were concerned, did and escalate the war it had entered into to put their minds to other matters. But there not give his imprimatur to the crusade of destroy Germany as much as possible, was still a strong irredentist undercurrent good over evil and characterised the war just as it was in the interests of Germany in Italy and the Entente applied their efforts as one, instead, of Evil versus Evil. So the to keep it limited to as few belligerents as into encouraging it as a means to lever moral standing of the crusade, which was possible, and let peaceful nations be. In Italy into the war on their side. everything to a crusade that sought to this sense the Papacy appeared to be pro- enlist a sceptical world in its ranks, was German since it desired to limit the effects The major centre of opposition to incomplete. The Italian masses were of the war and bring it to a fast and Italian participation in the war was, as therefore unavailable as cannon fodder. peaceful resolution. Dillon noted, the Vatican. Benedict XV, 15 who had become Pope at the start of the Europe which identifies itself with Straits, Constantinople, and adjacent war, had declared for neutrality and this Catholicism is the Hapsburg Monarchy. districts. France was to get Alsace- was very important because it effectively Within the boundaries of this State the Lorraine and the left bank of the Rhine. countered, from the highest authority, the Church and its institutions have free Britain was to be rewarded by the Nationalists’ Catholic moral propaganda scope for their activity and are efficiently destruction of the German navy, merchant in favour of “Catholic Belgium”, which protected by the strong arm of secular marine, and its small colonies. Altogether, power. And so long as Austria endures, aimed to get Italy to join the war. the Allies were to destroy the “economic the Church may continue to thrive and dream of better things in retrospect and power of Germany”. The Vatican had been in conflict with prospect, but with the disappearance of the Italian State since its foundation. In the Hapsburg Monarchy from the rank The fifteenth article of the Treaty 1870 Italian nationalists availed of the of the Great Powers, the last stronghold provided that these three Powers “will Pope’s loss of French protection—when of Catholicism among European States support Italy in opposing any and every Napoleon III withdrew his army to attack will have passed into the hands of an diplomatic step on the part of the Prussia—and occupied the Papal States. enemy.” (pp187-8.) representatives of the Holy See for the The Laws of the Guarantee of 1871 conclusion of peace or in regard to imposed on the Pope the rights of a Sir Henry Howard, from the old questions arising out of the present war”. sovereign without territory, declaring the English gentry Catholic family, arrived in Papal residences the property of the Italian Rome in January 1915 as Envoy The Treaty, known as the Treaty of State. In response to the ending of the Extraordinary of the British Embassy London , was kept secret until the Vatican’s independence Pius IX and his (temporary) to mount a diplomatic assault Bolsheviks took power in Russia and successors refused to go outside the at the Vatican. But at the same time, revealed the Secret Treaties of the Allies. Vatican (until Mussolini settled the conflict Britain played a double game. These proved that the Entente propaganda in 1929 by accepting Pius XI as sovereign about the aims of their war—”the war for of his own state and territory) and forbade Benedict found his freedom of action small nations”—was no more valid than Catholics to take part in elections to the drastically curtailed as British pressure the assertions made about the events of Italian legislature. grew on the Italian Government. The the Summer of 1914. Italians intrigued hard to prevent the The Treaty of London made sure that But in the years leading up to the Great Vatican from getting any increase in Britain and its allies would not only share War a kind of functional compromise had international prestige and profile from the spoils but also dictate a moral been worked out which produced a opposing the war. They also continuously judgement over the vanquished at the end patriotic clergy and a national Catholicism opposed Benedict’s humanitarian gestures of the war. The Vatican would not have a with Catholics participating in national —such as donations of relief to suffering voice or influence on the type of Europe politics as Italians. And Italy’s decision to civilians on both sides and the organisation set up upon an Entente victory. There remain neutral at the start of the war of prisoner releases—putting practical would be no moral restraint on the victors undoubtedly brought Church and State difficulties in the way of many of his on what they would do to Germany, closer together. Giolitti, the pre-war Italian initiatives. Austria/Hungary, and Turkey. Prime Minister, had remarked that the The Pope became very much a prisoner Roman Question was dead. within the Vatican’s walls and was at the Oddly enough Catholic Ireland, mercy of Italy’s anti-clerical and Masonic although not party to the secret deal, helped In 1915, with the war not progressing politicians. The Italian High Command bring it about. as well as the Liberal Imperialists imagined and the Censorship Office broke all the, it would, it was decided to step up efforts primitive, Vatican codes and intercepted There was awareness within the Irish to throw the Italian democracy into the its telegraph traffic. The security of the Party leadership that Catholic Ireland held melting pot to aid the British interest. Vatican’s diplomatic mail was constantly a uniquely pivotal position in the British violated. The Italian police effectively plan to entice Italy into the war. Dillon described the important obstacle spied on the Pope and Curia without Redmondite Ireland went along with the the Vatican presented to the British design hindrance. At one point it was suggested British policy and aided it with the object in his 1915 book, From The Triple To The the Pope move to Spain as fears for his of securing Home Rule at the end of the Quadruple Alliance: safety grew but Benedict resisted such a war. “On the outbreak of the war the Allied suggestion. Redmondite Ireland helped in the Powers were practically unrepresented creation of a climate in Europe within at the Vatican. The Belgian Minister, a Benedict’s strenuous efforts to keep which it was almost impossible to allow venerable old man whose diplomatic Italy from joining the war were thwarted the continued existence of neutrals. It career was drawing to a close, wielded in April 1915 when a secret agreement actively assisted in Italy’s enticement by no influence there. Russia’s was concluded between Britain, France sending a strong delegation to Paris to put representative, M. Nelidoff, was and Russia, as part of the bribe to get Italy on a show of Catholic solidarity as the tolerated, but in his quality of schismatic to join “the war for small nations”. Italian Government signed up to the and spokesman of a nation of crusade. It did this to communicate the proselytizing schematics whose aim is Under this Treaty Italy was to have impression to Catholic Italy on the eve of supposed to be the crushing out of Trentino, Istria, Dalmatia, and some its announcement of hostilities that the Catholicism in the Tsardom, his voice carried no weight. Great Britain as a islands off Greece to make the Adriatic an Freemason Government in France, that Protestant State and France as an anti- Italian waterway. It also was to receive had once boasted it would “put out the Catholic Republic, were without envoys. colonies in Asia and Africa and fifty lights of heaven”, had, with France’s The Teutons on the contrary, were in million pounds to fight the war. Under the participation in the blood-sacrifice at the force… Moreover the great power in Secret Treaties Russia was to get the front, returned to the old faith. 16 Our current historians, who rant against not be reconciled with their public the bloodshed of the Easter Rising, have pledges... Thus the Italian people no problem with Ireland helping to extend emerged from the Great War in a mood Justice For Captain Kelly and escalate the war and encourage Italy’s of cynical disillusionment and scarcely participation in it. Italy lost 500,000 men less exhausted than the beaten foe. An Open Letter to Michael and 1,000,000 wounded as a result of “There can be no doubt that Italy’s McDowell TD, Minister of Justice discomfiture in the field of foreign policy joining the crusade against Germany and 21 August 2005 increased the neurasthenia from which Austria/Hungary. And its political system the masses were suffering, as the result Dear Mr. McDowell, was broken up into its elementals as a of so gigantic an effort... Parliamentary I have been instructed by the October consequence—and the result was Government never recovered from the Fifth Association, a national and global Mussolini. fatal eclipse of May 1915, when war was network of 1968 Civil Rights‚ veterans forced upon the Government at the and supporters, to write to you on the The English historian and propagand- insistence of ‘the street’ (la Piazza), in above campaign. It is an initiative ist, R.W.Seton-Watson in his 1938 book, the teeth of a strong majority among the undertaken by concerned veterans, in the Britain And The Dictators, described the Deputies. Mussolini denounced weeks following the sad passing of former relationship between the Treaty of London, Parliament as ‘the bubonic plague which Irish Army intelligence officer, Capt. the Great War, Versailles, and the post- is poisoning the nation’s blood, and needs James J. Kelly (1929-2003), who was one to be extirpated’, now set himself to war Fascist takeover by Mussolini. In his of the co-accused in the high-profile Arms organise a movement in every village account he is keen to dismiss Italian rights Trial of 1970. and at every street corner that would to the spoils of war promised by England: Although he and his co-accused were meet violence with violence, a revolt acquitted, several matters, relating not from the Left by a revolution from the “This Treaty was of capital import- only to Capt. Kelly, have been left to Right—this a revolution based upon rigid ance for the whole future settlement: for fester, without Œofficial‚ resolution, to an discipline and upon the assumption that on the one hand it violated those rights extent which we consider to be our nation‚s Democracy and Liberalism are played and interests of small nations to which shame. Therefore, this letter, to you person- out and must be replaced by some new the Allied Statesmen had paid repeated ally, and other known interested recipients and more abiding political force... and emphatic lip-service, while on the who have visited our website: www. “If from the very first Mussolini other hand it tied their hands towards captainkelly.org or communicated by other insisted on the revolutionary character Italy, and when in due course events means. of his movement, he really secured power made exact fulfillment impossible, gave I personally, on an entirely voluntary at the supreme crisis by a process not her an obvious grievance and a strong basis, as hon. Secretary, have spent many altogether dissimilar from that which legal case... No one, indeed, could read months in research. Thereby, I have dis- brought Italy into the war in 1915” the text of the Treaty without realising covered various facts which are most (pp147-57). that it was quite irreconcilable with the disturbing. I am, and many other people, public definition of peace terms issued The way in which Italy went to war in are totally convinced that Capt. J.J. Kelly by the Allies in answer to President was made a scapegoat. He and his family May 1915 had the effect of seriously Wilson’s inquiries in December 1916. suffered greatly as a direct result of carry- At the same time it is important to note undermining constitutional politics in the ing out his official duties, sanctioned by that the real motive force of Italy’s entry country. Parliament was proved not to be the then Taoiseach and his Cabinet, into the war was not the tortuous sovereign since the will of the people was regardless of later denials, and what can diplomacy of Sonnino... but the taken to be the popular expression on the only be described as a selfish "cover-up". spontaneous outburst of popular feeling streets. It was a precedent that was to be We are thankful that God spared him in Italy, voiced by three such different taken up again in Mussolini’s march on long enough to see with his own eyes, in figures as D’Annunzio, Bissolati and Rome and coming to power in 1922. As 2001, documents, many marked 'Secret' Mussolini (who had shaken off his Sir Charles Petrie commented in his Lords which confirmed his own suspicions, after Socialist and Syndicate antecedents and Of The Inland Sea, it “proved to be the such were made freely available in our was making of the Popolo d’Italia the beginning of the end of the Liberal regime National Archives. Alas, his poor health organ of ultra-radical opinion). But this in Italy… Parliament was not necessarily drained him of the energy necessary to made it all the more deplorable that, synonymous with Italy” (p19). pursue his 30+ years struggle for Truth behind the back of opinion in all and Justice. countries, a discreditable bargain should On his death on July 16th 2003, no The enticement of Italy into the war, have been concluded which was never doubt others may have wished that certain legally annulled, and which, at a moment aided by Redmondite Ireland, coupled issues would be buried with him amongst when national hysteria and territorial with the Treaty of London and its the historic patriot graves in Glasnevin greed were throwing their shadow over subversion by England after the war was Cemetery. Maybe that might have been the high professions of idealism at the over, had disastrous political effects in so, but his cries for Truth and Justice Peace Congress, could be represented as Italy—and ultimately for Europe, and the continued to be heard, and we to-day feel Italy’s hardly earned reward and just British Empire. highly honoured to take up that standard, rights, of which unscrupulous allies were on his behalf, and that of his seriously-ill seeking to rob her... The only person who does not bear widow, family, friends in the Irish Army, “On a pure basis of nationality and responsibility for the state of post-war and many more, world-wide, besides. self-determination, Italy had no case Europe and its descent into another My research reveals: whatever against either Jugoslavia or * The original transcript of the Trial Greece: and the Treaty of London was in catastrophic conflict was Benedict XV who struggled vainly against Britain to has gone "missing", and may never have many respects the most immediately been lodged with the National Archives, Imperialistic of the whole bunch of secret prevent the chain of events that occurred or was removed before the 30-year 'State conventions. But for this the allies were from happening. (To be continued) equally, if not more, to blame: they had Secrets' embargo elapsed, in 2001. undertaken commitments which could Pat Walsh * That the entire trial was recorded on 17 tape, paid for by the Department of Finance, and that this too has gone · · Biteback · Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback "missing", as the tapes are not at the National Archives, where they should be Allied Bombing Of France Towards The End Of World War II for public inspection and possible further The following letter failed to find publication in The Irish Times investigation. Were these also removed Desmond Fennell (10th inst) writes of Hiroshima that “The agreed morality and law of the immediately before the embargo elapsed? West at the time forbade any deliberate act of indiscriminate massacre and held such an act Who authorised such a removal, and in to be a grievous sin and a heinous crime. This ethical and legal principle admitted of no exception, no possible justifying circumstances or motives.” whose interests was such action taken? Dear Desmond, would that it were so! Recently, perusing my Lonely Planet for France Certainly not in the interests of Capt. while there on hols, I was suddenly seized of an entry, for a south western coastal town and Kelly or his long-suffering family circle! resort, Royan. The entry informed me that Royan had been “flattened by allied bombing in That around 20% of a statement, written early 1945 and rebuilt after the war…” by Capt. Kelly‚s immediate superior, Col. Sorry? Early 1945? But were not the allies, from east and west at that point racing deep Hefferon, who was not on trial, was delib- into Germany? Was not the war at this point virtually over? What had the Atlantic south west erately deleted, and although a pivotal to do with the capture of Berlin? There had to be a mistake, a printing error! But it turned out, no. document, was never fully presented in There were two very big raids on Royan, a 19th century beach resort and reputedly the open court. I use the word "deliberately", home of sunbathing, in early 1945: one in January (night of 4/5) by RAF Bomber Command as this was not a matter of a "last page" and the second in April by the 8th USAAF. Together they “flattened” the resort, wiped it off going "missing", rather, the deletions were the map. The explanation for this concerted action was the presence in the Bordeaux/Royan made to key paragraphs, throughout Col. area of a pocket of German troops stranded after the German withdrawal from France. The Hefferon‚s personal statement of fact. January raid by the RAF (350+ planes dropping more than 1,500 tonnes of high explosive) The late Col. Hefferon, at the close of destroyed most of the town, resulted in many hundreds of civilian casualties and little cost to the Germans: none of their defences were destroyed. the Trial made it known to Capt. Kelly, The April raid by the USAAF was carried out over three days (April 14, 15 and 16) that what eventually was presented, was deploying a force of more than 1,300 bombers with for obvious reasons no fighter escort rather "selective", and the names of key necessary. On at least two of those days (April 15 and 16), the bomb load comprised napalm players in this affair, were obviously bombs, it is said to have been the first use in Europe of napalm and it was against a civilian removed. The original statement of Col. population. What little had been left by the RAF was incinerated by the USAAF. Again the Hefferon can be viewed at the National cost to the Germans was negligible although they did surrender two days later however by then Archives, should you care to question the war was practically over and Hitler would be dead in days. In January and April it was known that the town had not been depopulated of civilians and yet the raids went ahead. The what I state herein. role of the Free French military authorities in all of this is also highly questionable. It is also of interest to note that the We know something of all of this because of the outrage following the RAF attack and the Colonel, was ordered to prepare a presence in the American raid of a then bombardier and now retired academic but active statement for the Trial. He was subsequent- political radical, Howard Ziff. Ziff (and indeed other crew men) wrote about Royan after they ly blocked from entering his office, to discovered what those strange bombs (no smoking in flight) actually were that they carried on view his own files. What he wrote was those raids. based on his memory, which must surely Was this a one-off? No: we now also know about the sustained firebombing of civilian centres in Japan and Germany. We have the remarkable testimony of Robert MacNamara in have been very sharp indeed to have The Fog of War. And we also know it from the story of the late William Douglas Home, the warranted 20% of the statement being playwright and younger brother of the later to be British PM, Sir Alec Douglas-Home. He deliberately deleted. This was not some refused in September 1944 to participate in the assault on Le Havre after the allies turned down young typist's error, but quite obviously a German request for a ceasefire to allow civilian evacuation. He justified his refusal to obey occurred because what was written did orders on the ground that participation in the assault would make him guilty of a war crime. not please certain people, at the very When he publicised this in the press, he was court-martialled, stripped of his rank and highest levels of the State. That is somet- sentenced to a year’s hard labour, first at Wormwood Scrubs and then at Wakefield. He defended his conduct ever after, though his eventual appeal for a review of the case failed in hing that should concern every Irish 1991. citizen, not least a Minister for Justice, An So Desmond, there were exceptions, unfortunately plenty. Taoiseach and Cabinet Ministers, the F. O’Raghallaigh (submitted to IT for publication, 11 August 2005) Attorney General, Mr. Rory Brady, An Editorial Note: As far as we know Royan is among a number of French towns Garda Siochana and the office of the bombed in this way towards the end of the Second World War. Information about the Director of Public Prosecutions, regardless matter is to be had, not from English history books, but from travel guidebooks. of the personalities‚ or the current politics‚ involved in a coalition government. A team, in 2001. Other prima facie evidence [Capt. Kelly] is the Irish Dreyfus. His copy of this letter will be mailed to all of available, strongly supports the contention name should be cleared". Kevin the afore-mentioned, and others who have that these matters can not simply be swept McNamara MP, writing from the House expressed an interest in our campaign for under the Establishment‚s carpets, or totally of Commons echoed our own feelings on Truth and Justice— the supposed pillars ignored for one convenience or another. these issues: "We cannot erase the past of any, and every, democratic republic. It is our hope that after considering the but that should not prevent our striving There are many other points that I dossier, assuming that you will take up my for Justice for those whose reputation has could add, but I feel it would be best to offer to study such, that you too will come been cruelly besmirched. Captain Kelly offer to send you, in your capacity as to the realization, that this is "An deserves Justice, even if he cannot be here Minister of Justice, a dossier, which extraordinary story of injustice", to quote to see it." Yours truly, includes original Irish Army documents, Tony Benn, a former Labour MP and Fionnbarra O Dochartaigh, BA [Hons.], previously stamped "Secret", Et al, in Minister. The historian and commentator, A son and nephew of decorated Tan War addition to DVDs based on two prog- Tim Pat Coogan, Glengeary, Co. Dublin, in Veterans; Co-founder, N. Ireland Civil Rights rammes produced by RTE's Prime Time his communions with us, wrote, "This man Assoc. [1967]; CKJCampaign Manager; Email: [email protected] 18 selling graven images and superstitious relics—around the corner from the Pro- Cathedral in Dublin. The proprietor, MacGiolla Phadraig, told me what I wanted to know, and then engaged me in A Know-nothing Review: a long conversation about the dynamic of Irish political affairs in the 1930s. He said Brendan O Cathaoir On The Catholic Bulletin I would never get to understand it through Marxist sources and should read the Brian Murphy’s The Catholic Bulletin “The Catholic Bulletin which appears Catholic Bulletin. I was not inclined to And Republican Ireland: With Special to have acquired a historical curiosity read anything with ‘Catholic’ in the title, Reference To J.J. O’Kelly (‘Sceilg’) was value—perhaps because of its extremism but MacGiolla Phadraig was an impressive sent to the Irish Times for review. It beats and bombastic pedantry—far in excess individual and I did so. I found it at least me why such things are done. The Irish of its actual significance at the time is a equal in quality to the very best English Times is a paper with a political mission, publication that can be viewed as political magazines. It ceased publication and it is controlled by an Oath-bound representing merely the most hysterical at the end of 1939 and has never had a and distorted fringe of the tradition from political Directorate. Its mission is now, replacement. I learned things from English which it came. It does however provide Imperialist magazines even though I could as it has been ever since 1921, to restrict as a key to an understanding of the sense of much as it possibly can the development cultural inferiority that disoriented and never be an Imperialist, and I learned of nationalist Ireland away from the confused many Irishmen…” things from the Catholic Bulletin, even English mother-country. And that mission “In effect it represents a magnified though I found when I was very young most definitely does not include publishing and corrupted monument to the basest that I could never be a Catholic. informative reviews of a journal which insecurity of the post-colonial society in contributed substantially to that pursuit of identity” (pp136 & 138). Murphy’s book, which deals with the development. early years of the Bulletin, is travestied by I think the best description of that is O Cathaoir. I am familiar only with its last Books on Irish affairs are rarely wrong-headed, which is I suppose an decade—its series on Irish Fascism when reviewed by the Irish Times unless they advance on O Cathaoir’s Know- Fine Gael declared itself Fascist, for either contribute to eroding the Irish nothingism. (Is Know-nothingism an example. O Cathaoir’ Know-nothing national development, or a report of them understood term these days? I bring it gibberish would be a suitable entry-point can be made to contribute to that erosion. with me from the backwardness of the old, for a treatment of the early 1930s to A review of Murphy’s book was published self-confident rural Ireland that both supplement Dr. Pat Walsh’s treatment of for the latter reason on 23rd July. The O’Callaghan and O Cathaoir transcended the late 1930s in a pamphlet of Catholic reviewer was Brendan O Cathaoir, of in their elevation to the Anglosphere (a Bulletin extracts. whom I know nothing beyond this word which I first heard a couple of days Brendan Clifford review—which is sufficient as it is a Know- ago in John O’Sullivan’s exposition of the PS: I was informed much later by Manus nothing piece. Here it is in its entirety: virtues of Imperialism on BBC radio). It O’Riordan that MacGiolla Phadraig, from “JJ O’Kelly (‘Sceilg’) was a man of comes from American politics around the amidst his plaster saints, produced satirical high but narrow intelligence. He was a time of the Civil War. anti-Fascist verses in ridicule of the Gaelic evangelist, Sinn Féin ideologue, Volunteers which Fine Gael sent to fight and editor of the Catholic Bulletin. He I first heard of the Catholic Bulletin for Franco. formed part of the Sinn Féin rump which about 40 years ago when, in search of entrusted the grail of the republic to the information on something else entirely, I IRA army council in 1938. Two years was directed to a Repository—a shop The Catholic Bulletin later O’Kelly was praising Hitler for freeing Germany from the “heel” of the And Republican Ireland “Jewish white slave traffic”. The weed Below is O Cathaoir's review, with special reference to J.J. O’Kelly (‘Sceilg’) by of anti-Semitism had been nurtured the same size as appeared in earlier. In 1916 the Bulletin promoted a Dr. Brian P. Murphy osb. The Irish Times (23.7.05) series of articles alleging ritual killings 314pp, Illus. Bibliog. Index. ISBN 1 0 85034 with a poster which read “Murder by 108 6. Athol Books, 2005 Jews”. The publication of Murphy’s Euro 22.50, Sterling 18 postfree research is a reminder that it is time for republican militarism to go away.” The Politics Of Pre-War Europe: Murphy’s book was written as a Thesis The Catholic Bulletin on Peace, at University College, Dublin 20 years ago. Another Thesis on an overlapping War And Neutrality, 1937-1939. Introduction: Pat Walsh. subject was produced at UCD about the 92pp. ISBN 874157 06 5. same time: Language And Religion: The A Belfast Magazine. November 2004. Quest For Identity In The Irish Free State Euro 6, Sterling 5 postfree 1922-30, by Margaret O’Callaghan. O’Callaghan’s dismissive view of the SPECIAL READERS' OFFER: Catholic Bulletin, depicting it as matter Both together for Euro 22 or Sterling 18 for ridicule, has been made orthodox for Athol Books, PO Box 339, Belfast BT12 4GQ revisionism by Roy Foster. She writes: Athol Books, C/O Shandon St. P.O., Cork City 19 Co-Op continued Of course, there is a price for every- thing! And it wasn’t just the farmers. The Green (not RED) Sticky on tax free earnings. Liberty Hall and state’s entire infrastructure has been Bile About Haughey many other Trade Union buildings were overhauled and refurbished, at huge enabled to be built out of tax free funds. expense to German and French workers, and cheap Asian labour, and all the while The Sunday World’s ‘Ulster edition’ Similarly, mutual life assurance the native entrepreneurs were stashing does not carry a Readers’ Letters’ column, companies did not suffer tax or suffered their new found wealth offshore and gain- much less page. Even if it had, Hugh minimal tax which enabled very ing a reputation as the foremost speculators Jordan’s rant in the edition of 10th July substantial capital bases to be established. in property in the UK, the old Eastern might have passed over the heads of many Europe, South Africa, without creating a SW readers. This is partly because he was Only the income/profits derived from single job for their own. writing about a programme shown on members was exempt from tax. Other Their media mouthpieces have found RTÉ television, about the career of Charlie income such as dividends or interest from new courage and every day you open the Haughey. Jordan seemed to be implying invested capital and rents from properties daily papers they celebrate each misfortune in this piece that the hagiographical series was taxable. that befalls the Euro and predict its demise. on Dessie O’Malley shown some time The tax exemptions enabled relatively previously was acceptable. O’Malley, the large pools of capital to be built up which **************************************************************** founder of the PDs (Progressive Demo- greatly strengthened the Irish economy at “Farmers now and in the future need all crats), apparently for reasons of injured a time when it was needed because of the the help and support they can get from vanity, has been implicated in the Goldman weak financial situation after so much every other element in the community. Sachs scandal (suppressed by the spineless capital had been destroyed or wasted in The farmer vote is getting smaller and ‘Irish’ media), and in the importation of two world wars. the urban vote, urban influence and arms for Catholics in the North in 1969. above all urban economic power is “FARMER AND BUSINESSMAN” The big question is: are the farmers getting stronger every day.” O’Malley, whose PD party attracted a (Lt.-Gen. M.J. Costello, Irish Farming number of ‘law and order’ Fine Gaelers, men of capital or men of labour? This News, January, 1986). has always allowed Haughey, (Neil question was posed by Emmet O’Connell **************************************************************** Blaney, and Kevin Boland) to carry the a few years ago. Every day that passes, the state replic- can on that matter. Though it is obvious to “The rural-urban divide that farmers ates the culture and customs of Albion and anyone who chooses to think about the now decry was ploughed, harrowed, and its first cousin across the Atlantic. Not an matter for even a few seconds that the seeded by their own leadership, with aspect of our way of life is exempt: trans- only the occasional—very occasional— whole Oireachtas (Government, Opposi- port, health and education. Now it seems exception. that farming is next in line: sugar, potatoes tion, Lower House, Senate, Presidency) “And herein lies the basic quandary as well as the Defence Forces and most of for farmers: are they men of property, could be on the way out as a profitable the diplomats were implicated in the part and parcel of the capitalist class, commodity for farmers. If the mad surge matter. Even Garret the Good (at what?) income poor (for most) but asset rich for of expansionism continues, we’ll end up was in on the act—it could not have all? Or are they stewards of the land, in an urban jungle like England, ultimately happened if Fine Gael and Labour, the earning their bread by the sweat of their importing the greater part of our foodstuffs. Opposition parties had not agreed not to brow? Even now, the co-ops and their farmer look too closely at what the Government “The Irish farmer, by allowing direct members are becoming more and more (Fianna Fáil) was doing about (and in) payments from Brussels to be tied to reliant on property and outside investment Northern Ireland. land ownership and production to be for the greater part of their financial return. limited by quotas (milk quota, suckler As the urban octopus spreads his tentacles cow quota, sheep quota, tillage quota via wider into the countryside, the role of the The title of the SW item is Haughey area aid quota), has made a major error.” Was No Peacemaker, based on the (Emmett O’Connell, Farmer and Busi- farmer diminishes as a provider of daily assertion that Haughey helped to facilitate nessman, Sun. Business Post, 15.11.1998.) sustenance. the Peace Process—his successor as Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, took the matter in hand and prioritised it. But FF was fishing in troubled Northern waters because he proved to be the most capable Jordan clings to the ‘Haughey as after the debacle of August 1969. Far person from the ‘Arms Trial’ era. He embodiment of evil’ theory put forward from ‘setting up’ the Provisonals, money survived the Trial and went on to lead his by the Sticky-’revisionist’ West Brit from the Dublin Government was shared party, then the Government, through media. He also uses the proliferation of between the groups that became the dangerous, exciting and ‘historical’ times, Tribunals as a stick to beat Haughey with. ‘Official’ and ‘Provisional’ IRAs, as well which have changed the Republic for The fact that this bonanza for lawyers has as the Catholic Defence Leagues of physic- keeps. Haughey balanced the books after done a grave disservice to the democratic ally isolated Short Strand and the New the mess Jack Lynch left behind, got the process in the Republic, but has led to very Lodge Road areas. huge subvention (¤8 billion) from the EU little in the way of proving malpractice — It is interesting that a Northern Ireland (aka the Unknown German Taxpayer), especially on Haughey’s own part—is not Sticky blurted out undiluted Sticky bile of introduced the National Agreements, in mentioned. over thirty years’ vintage, rather than the which the Trade Unions were treated as comparatively refined venom of the equal partners to the bosses’ organisations, Jordan, inevitably, writes of Haughey South’s media, about Fianna Fáil. and the Government: the list could be that he “helped set up the Provos”—the extended for pages. tired old Sticky jibe against Fianna Fáil— Haughey is on the receiving end Seán McGouran 20 Co-Op continued original aim was to write on the Bi-Annual corporation has an unlimited life span, Conference of the ICTU held in Belfast on provided it makes its annual return to the June 21-24, 2005. So little of significance Registrar and provided it remains solvent. others in undermining the position of or inspiration occurred on the banks of the The corporation will continue to exist farmers. Lagan that, when it was announced that even if the shareholders die or leave the “Sensible farmers now justifiably see IAWS Co-op was going private, the writer business, or if the ownership of the business themselves in an industry under pressure was compelled as a socialist and Trade changes. on all fronts and but for the flawed EU financial assistance model, most of them Unionist to express a view on what he * Corporations also have more would be unable to put food on the table. believed is a development that will ability to raise money, which may make it When asked by farmers about their contribute little to the well-being of our easier for your business to grow and future, my instinct is to tell them to sell society and incur the surrender and loss of develop. It is a ‘body corporate’, with the up and get out of an industry that is dying what is still a practical and noble ability to act in its own right, to sue and to on its feet. principle—Co-Operativism! be sued, to make contracts, to give credit “The reality for farmers is that they Labour Comment has no hang-up, and to borrow money. produce a primary commodity, tiny on a either, in relation to the contribution of global scale, having no pricing power, farmers and their families. We accept as CO-OPS AND TAXATION have relatively high production costs, well, that the Co-ops in the main were Under the Income Tax Act, 1918 and have seen a massive increase in all good employers and had no difficulties in (which until 1967 Income Tax Act was input costs over recent years. “As somebody who has worked in recognising the Trade Union rights of the basic taxing statute in Ireland) the fund management industry, it struck thousands of their workforce. exemption from tax was granted to me and still strikes me as very odd that Friendly Societies, Trade Unions, Clubs, those farmers in favour of the merger ROLE OF CO-OPS Savings Banks and Industrial and [Glanbia, Editor] at the time failed to The contribution of co-operatives to Provident Societies. recognise one of the basic laws of fund the economy in exports, employment, In the case of mutual and professional management, particularly as it would industrial activity and development of rural societies, clubs and associations which relate to a food co-operative turned Plc. areas is substantial. were not founded for the making of “Basically, anything that a food Plc Co-operatives in Ireland play a major commercial profits, taxes were not such as Glanbia would do to screw the role in the economy, contributing to almost assessed on any surpluses they might farmer suppliers, the better it would be 50% of our total food exports. Food exports make, on the basis that a person cannot for profitability and for the share price, and the more applause the company make up over 40% of Ireland’s net export. make profit out of himself or herself. That would earn from fund managers. By The Irish Co-operative Organisation is provided any trading was among definition what is bad for the farmer Society is the umbrella body of the co-ops themselves only. suppliers to Glanbia is good for the which is directed and controlled by a However, profits made from trading company. National Council elected by the 150 with non-members was not exempt. “Whatever hope the farmers in the member co-ops representing an individual Most agricultural co-operative Waterford area had when they had some membership of 150,000 people. societies and livestock marts were control over the product they produce, ICOS is one of the Social Partners and incorporated under the Industrial and they lost it all when they handed it over is a party to the current Sustaining Progress Provident Societies Act 1893. They usually to the board of a Plc who are more agreement, indeed it has been party to all paid very little tax because most of their interested in growing salaries and the National Programmes since the first trading was between fellow members. keeping fund managers on side, than with placating farmer suppliers.” (Irish Programme for National Recovery in There was a formula used to find the Examiner, 10.6.2005.) 1987. taxable profits and this formula was based Labour Comment should send a copy of Despite the high profile plcs like on the proportion of profits attributable to Jim Power’s article to Oliver McDonnell, Glanbia, Kerry, Lakeland and Donegal, trading with non-members by multiplying the facts of barbaric economic life are all the great majority of creameries operate the profits by a factor which was the sale/ there, and Jim was “born and reared on a on the co-op principle alone. purchases to or from non-members divided farm”. by the total overall sales/purchases. BENEFITS OF CO-OPS So the Trade Union movement, “along Co-operatives have a long and Also, under Finance Act, 1927, Section with many others”, played a successful successful tradition both in Ireland and 8, the profits of societies formed for the part in “undermining the position of around the world. Although the precise promotion of Gaelic football, hurling and farmers”. What a load of cobblers. Anyone advantages of each co-operative can vary handball are statutorily exempt from tax with an objective eye, can almost witness depending on the organisation and the in so far as the Revenue Commissioners a parallel decline in both the influence of needs of its members, several benefits are are satisfied that the profits are applied for the farming community and the Trade common to all: the promotion of those Gaelic games. this Union movement. What is even more * The main advantage is the limited provision greatly helped to build up and apparent in the Brave New Global era is liability of the incorporated company (i.e. strengthen the capital base of the Gaelic the rampant demise of voluntarism and its the liability of the individual members to Athletic Association. discouragement in every aspect of life, their share capital). This means the Likewise, societies like Cork Mutual nothing is done out of love anymore—any individual shareholders liability is limited Benefit Building Society, Irish Permanent endeavour that’s unpaid just cannot be of to the amount he/she has invested in the Building Society, Educational Building any value! company. Society, etc. were all enabled to build up In fact, when the present writer set out * It provides for continuity of their own and their members capital base existence. Unlike a sole proprietorship, a to do his monthly tract for this journal, the continued on page 20 21 Co-Op continued paying off their debts and increasing and they have formed ambitious plans to their business outlets while we struggle become major internationally effective all the hours God sends to meet our food firms, Professor Lucey told the worth around 125 million Euros, Co-op commitments. International Co-operative Alliance in members are in for another ‘killing’. “Life has changed and business has Italy that year. changed and not for the better. Just a But he raised several questions about In the meantime, IAWS Co-op (One51) short few years ago we as farmers had a the long term future of the new business will probably go on making money from good relationship with our milk organisations, which are seen by co- anything from newspapers to ports to processors. But not any more. there is operation experts around the world as broadband and property, especially too much aggression on their side and innovative, if not experimental and that too much anger on our side. Even our was putting it diplomatically. property. Anything, it would seem but proposal of no confidence in the board “If a tension emerges between short primary production. was deemed illegal. terms profitability and milk payments to “Glanbia are of a one-track mind at farmers, will management and Board “PLCS THE WORST MISTAKE” the present time. They are focussed on focus more on the investor?” But it is not all sunshine and roses, oh, driving forward, increasing business and “Does the 51-49 per cent share holding No! increasing profits. And I have no problem provide, in practice, the guarantee which “Turning co-ops into plcs the worst with these objectives [emphasis added, the formal procedures imply or, in other mistake we ever made” was the cry of Editor]. They are as they should be. The words, could an institutional investor Oliver McDonnell (Irish Independent, problem lies with their methods and holding a large bloc of shares exert a 24.5.2005). McDonnell is a working farm- their attitudes and the fact that they are significant influence on the orientation er and writes a weekly column for the Irish determined to walk all over us and to of the organisation?” Independent farming supplement each hell with the cost in human or financial week. terms. Professor Lucey also raised the quest- “I attended the agm of Glanbia plc “The processors and the superstores ion which is uppermost in farmers’ minds. last week and I have never come across in this country are enjoying phenomenal “What pattern of milk payments will the levels of frustration prevalent among profits. We are the second most expen- emerge? Who will be leaders and dairy farmers at this present time. The sive country in Europe. The consumer is followers in changing milk payments to second thing which shocked me even spending more than ever on the weekly farmers?”. more was the fact that the Glanbia shop and the producer—the first link on Co-ops and Plc’s are fundamentally management had included “our” de- the chain—struggles to survive. different, “night and day”, Professor Lucey coupling payments into their accounts “We have not had an increase in milk told the Farm Examiner. price in real terms for more than 20 in their calculations and their paperwork As far as UCC Centre was concerned, years. along with discounting in an effort to the ultimate test for the three ‘public’ prove to us that it was necessary for “The horse has well and truly bolted now but it is a sorry day that we ever dairies will be if their farmer users are them to introduce such a huge reduction better off. in the price paid for milk. signed up to turn our co-ops into plcs. Going Plc has been an indictment of “This is what I call a huge indictment Co-ops worked for the farmers and in on farmers and on farming today. We the farmers interests. Plcs work for the the co-operative structures, Professor are monitored and spied upon at every shareholders and in their own interests Lucey stated. level and any privacy we ever had has only.” (Irish Independent, 24.5.2005.) He loves the sea, but doesn’t want to get ceased to exist. Everything we have, JIM POWER ROMANCES! everything we possess and every wet! Jim Power is chief economist at Friends resource at our disposal is currently Oliver McDonnell doesn’t object to First, the building society. He comments orientated towards producing milk for Glanbia’s craving for increased profits. regularly in the daily press. He is no friend an ungrateful processing industry whose It’s their “methods and their attitudes”. Is of the trade union movement but he has only aim is to fleece their supplier and to he for real? Does he sincerely believe sympathy for the farmers! deplete the source of supply in the name this? If he does, he must be the most naive “Having been born and reared on a of profit for themselves. They will do farmer in Leinster! Perhaps the “lords of farm, I have done my utmost over the anything and everything they can in the the land” have had it too easy for too long. years to maintain as much interest as name of profit and we have no voice. Now the ‘chicks are coming home to possible in things farming. “The aggression and dictatorship roost’. “It is not easy, because such is the fall prevailing among those who govern the from grace that farming has suffered processing industry (at least in that which over the past couple of decades, that it THE CO-OP PRINCIPLE! I supply) knows no bounds. The leading rarely warrants any mention in the Plc/Co-op in this country is at the bottom In 1989, the then Director of the Centre numerous economic reports that are of the milk price ladder. Irish farmers for Co-operative studies at University produced in this economy on a regular are paying a very high price for the College, Cork (UCC) Professor Denis basis. exorbitant profit levels in Glanbia of Lucey pointed out that— “Farming accounts for a relatively over 80 million Euros as we see it. “everyone is happy in the dairy small part of the overall economy and “They can buy businesses and industry while profits remain at their employment in the industry is declining industries in many countries all over the present healthy levels, guaranteeing good on a consistent basis. Unlike the 1970s world but they cannot pay their own returns to farmers and investors. and 1980s, we never now hear trade indigenous suppliers. I cannot speak for “But the expected weakening of dairy unionists complaining about the suppliers in other countries. We have a product markets could create tension in privileged position of farmers in society. situation whereby our milk processors the plc/co-ops, Kerry, Avonmore and “These trade unionists must be happy are getting richer and richer while we Waterford. that after years of bitching, they have their suppliers are getting poorer and “All three raised substantial sums of played a successful part along with many poorer. They are gaining in strength money by adopting the plc mechanism, continued on page 21 22 Co-Op continued In late May, 2005, IAWS Co-op went and Premier Proteins. It has a 45% stake in about ending its links with IAWS plc, French fertiliser company, Cedest Engrais. when it sold off a million shares that It also has a stake in a Cork-based Euros up front, to be followed by earn- raised 12 million Euros. Malting Company of Ireland, where its outs of over 26 million Euros over the The Co-op still has a further 11 million partners are Dairygold and Glanbia. IAWS following three years, is set to conclude in shares in the plc, which represent almost Co-op also owns the Dublin-based Irish late summer. 9% of the company. It is expected to Pride bread business. “The standoff between SWS board distribute these shares among its own IAWS Co-op also owns a variety of and management over the sale of certain shareholders in the coming months. A property interests, it has extensive property assets to I.A.W.S. Co-op is over and the pay-out which could be worth in excess of along the quays in Waterford city and in deal is moving towards conclusion.” 125 million Euros to IAWS Co-op Cork. In the last 18 months, it has sold the (Irish Examiner, 16.8.05.) members. On future funding, Mr. Philip Lynch, famous Boland’s Mill property on Managing Director, said he saw no prob- Dublin’s Barrow Street. Is it a Co-op or a ‘body corporate’ they lems raising the levels of cash required to want—or do the farmers want it both drive the combined fortunes of IAWS Co- One of the most interesting aspects of ways? When IAWS became IAWS plc in op and SWS forward. After the conversion the co-op’s operations was its investment 1988, the apostate was not excommunic- to a public limited company “we can policy. It invested around 100,000 Euros ated. In fact, the IAWS Co-op became the borrow all the money we want because we in Ireland On Sunday when the newspaper biggest shareholders in the new plc. have good projects. When we get member first started. approval to convert we will have the In 2003, IAWS Co-op had net assets of The Co-op made a tidy profit when the wherewithal to raise capital.” (Irish 104 million Euros plus a 17% stake in the newspaper was then sold to Scottish Radio Examiner, 15.7.2005.) IAWS plc which at the time was worth Holdings in 2003, IAWS Co-op then took “Everything out there in that sector is nearly 200 million Euros. an eight per cent stake in the Dublin Daily for sale”, Mr. Lynch said, adding that newspaper, investing 200,000 Euros. This One51 could comfortably spend “a WHO IS IAWS CO-OP? investment proved to be less successful, couple of hundred million” if the right The Co-op’s shares are owned by and the paper collapsed at the end of the deal came along. around 35 other co-ops throughout Ireland, summer of 2003, just months after its North and South. There is also one co-op launch. The July 14, 2005 meeting of IAWS in Britain which has shares. IAWS Co-op (One51) has a 50% stake Co-op also approved a motion to keep at The big co-ops of Kerry, Glanbia, in Greenore Port in Co. Louth. Earlier in least 12 million Euros within the society Dairygold, NCF, Lakeland and a couple 2003, it emerged that the Co-op had inves- and use this to found a charitable trust. of the big Cork co-ops together own more ted in a broadband technology venture, The trust will focus on self-help than 50% of the shares. partnering with a Canadian company initiatives and educational causes at home There is a sizeable number of small co- called Axia NetMedia Corporation. and abroad, with an emphasis on under- ops around the country that also have privileged people. Its establishment is shares. Kerry’s shareholding was boosted Aside from a diverse investment port- designed to reflect the original ‘self-help’ through it takeover of Golden Vale, but folio, the Co-op’s biggest function in recent aims of the society and its first Chairman, because of the machinations of the way years has been its role in putting money Horace Plunkett. the society works, shareholdings and con- directly in the hands of its members. trol, are two different things. Since 1996, two major share distribut- It is important for readers to note that The Board consists of ten Directors ions have taken place. IAWS plc (public limited company) was who run for re-election every four years. Around 250 million euros has been a pup of the IAWS Co-op. Today, they are The bigger co-ops have around 10 votes distributed directly to the Co-op’s absolutely two distinct companies. each in that election process, smaller ones members and its remaining stake in the IAWS plc was floated on the Dublin have around six votes. privatised IAWS plc is worth close to and London stock exchanges in 1988 and But once the Board is elected, irrespect- another 125 million Euros. specialises in convenience food and is a ive of the number of shares behind each This 250 million Euros has been top profit performer in food stocks. member, it is one Director, one vote around extremely useful for some of the co-ops in Most recently, it has expanded into the the table. recent years. growing foodservice market through four “The sale of property and shares For example, Dairygold made six branded concept offerings: Cuisine de helped hike up profits at the IAWS Co- million Euros in 2002 from the sale of France, Delice de France, Pierre’s and La op by 166% last year. Accounts for the IAWS shares which had been distributed Brea. The group employs 2,500 people, company show pre-tax profits for the 16 from the co-op. This six million Euros with sales of 1.25 billion Euros and months to the end of last December were was the difference between the co-op operating profit of 84.4 million Euros for 65.5 million Euros, compared with 24.9 million Euros in the year to end August showing a profit or a loss for 2002. the year ended July, 2003. 2003.” (Irish Examiner, 12.8.2005.) Lakeland Co-op cashed in around 20 Ironically, Philip Lynch, for a time, million to 25 million Euros from the 1996 was chief executive of both companies— The assets and investments of the co- and 2002 allocations, providing it with the IAWS Co-op and the privatised IAWS op are tremendously varied. Yet there are funding that enabled it to deliver on its plc. Having quit IAWS plc in late 2003, common threads running through them. expansion plans. Mr. Lynch turned his attentions to develop- For example, in terms of actual And with the anticipated sale of its ing the Co-op again with the intent to float businesses, the IAWS Co-op (One51), further 11 million shares, almost nine per it at the earliest opportunity. owns meat rendering companies, Monery cent of IAWS plc and estimated to be By-Products in Ballinsloe, Co. Galway continued on page 22 23 VOLUME 23 No. 9 CORK ISSN 0790-1712

The 108-year existence of the IAWS Co-Op came to an end yesterday. Its members voted to ditch its co-operative status and pay back 125 million Euros to its members in a process that will see it float on the stock market.” (Irish Independent-18.7.2005). “We shouldn’t lament the end of the I.A.W.S. society. It has served its purpose and things have moved on.” (Richard Curran, Irish Independent, 18.7.2005). The End Of The Co-Op? What would Horace Plunkett make of move which is expected next year. ONE51 it all? This was an historic move for the Irish As part of this process, assets with a What would he make of the new wave Agricultural Wholesale Society, ending value in the region of 230 million Euros of native capitalist entrepreneurs, the its 100 years plus status as a co-operative will transfer to the new company, One51, grandchildren of those whom he body, breaking from the co-operative later this year, the members approved a admonished and told them that their want structure it embraced when it was first set resolution granting them 11 million shares of industrial success was largely due to up in 1897 by Plunkett, Anderson, Finlay in IAWS plc (a distinct company) later in their Catholic faith? and colleagues. the year. But, above all, what would the author The name of the group has been chang- “This windfall gain is worth over 125 of Ireland In The New Century (1904) ed to “One51” to sustain the link with 151 million Euros to members and is a follow- think of the decision after 108-years of the Thomas Street, where the company has on from similar allocations in 1996 and Irish Agricultural Wholesale Co-Op to operated from since it was set up in 1897. 2002, which were worth circa 400 million ditch its co-operative status and float the The decision was taken at a Special Euros to members.” (Irish Independent, society on the stock market? General Meeting of the Irish Agricultural 15.7.2005). Most likely he would have supported Wholesale Society (‘The Co-op’). It Over the past 18 months, IAWS Co-op such a move! To him the co-op principle approved six separate resolutions has been changing from a relatively dorm- was the means to an end—efficiency. proposing amendments to the current rules ant company to one which is actively Plunkett, the son of Baron Dunsany, was of the Co-op. seeking investment opportunities a liberal Unionist MP for South Dublin. The society made the first move primarily in the waste and energy areas. As an imperialist, he realised the more towards its new status as a body corporate, The Co-op has built a 26% stake in efficient Irish agriculture became, the when its more than 40 co-operative mem- NTR, the operators of the national toll cheaper its commodities became for the bers voted unanimously for the change road, with interests also in waste British market. and the new name. management and wind energy. I bet his old antagonist, Father Michael The main change involves the transfer “The I.A.W.S. Co-op has taken a O’Riordan, author of Catholicity And Pro- of key assets to the company structure, controlling interest in Techrec Ireland. gress In Ireland, would once against chal- which will subsequently float on the Irish “This is a new company set up to lenge Plunkett’s view, as he challenged Stock Exchange. recycle electrical and electronic Ireland In The New Century. And Labour equipment. Total investment is Five Comment might just agree with him. Subscribers to the magazine are regularly Million Euros and I.A.W.S.—soon to be offered special rates on other publications One51—is understood to have put up BODY CORPORATE Irish Political Review is published over 2.5 Million Euros of the total On July 14, 2005, IAWS Co-op voted by the IPR Group: write to— figure.” (Irish Examiner, 17.8.2005.) overwhelmingly to change its status, This investment follows the recent paving the way for a stock market flotation. PO Box 339, Belfast BT12 4GQ or introduction of WEEE (Waste Electrical PO Box 6589, London, N7 6SG. The ultimate step in the separation will and Electronic Equipment) disposal be when IAWS Co-op (One51) transfers Labour Comment, regulations into the Republic and could C/O Shandon St. P.O., Cork City its remaining stake in IAWS plc directly prove a boon for One51 as it will be the to its co-op shareholders, thereby ensuring first automated plant in Ireland capable of Subscription by Post: handling this important waste stream. them a further windfall. At current prices, Euro 25 / £17.50 for 12 issues the value of the windfalls handed over to IAWS Co-op is already involved in the co-ops would then hit around 520 Electronic Subscription: negotiations to take over South Western million Euros. Euro 15 / £12 for 12 issues Services (SWS). The deal involving the (or Euro 1.30 / £1.10 per issue) The new company is expected to have Bandon, Co. Cork-based SWS group, for You can also order both postal and which the Co-op offered 42.5 million a valuation of around 400 million Euros electronic subscriptions from: when it comes to the Dublin market, a www.atholbooks.org continued on page 23