That this Ard-Feis
a) endorses the entire leadership of the RSM and
b) supports the strategy adopted since the last Ard-Feis.

The IRSP
a) continues to support the INLA decision to call a cease-fire,
b) salutes the courageous decision of its leadership and
c) calls on all members of the movement to fully engage in direct political activity.

Call for the IRSP to continue support for the ongoing INLA cease-fire subject to constant review in the light of ongoing developments.

GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT

The IRSP:
a) reaffirms its outright opposition to the Good Friday Agreement and
b) rejects the current power sharing executive as intrinsically anti-democratic and anti-working class and sectarian and
c) calls on all genuine working class republicans and socialists to work for its overthrow.

SOCIAL ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

This Ard-Feis calls for the Ard-Comhairle to task itself to the development of a comprehensive social, political and economic programme for government in accordance with the principle of democratic socialism. The unveiling of this programme and a strategy designed to implement such we regard as a means to restore cohesion to the movement.

The Ard-Feis:
a) Call for the minimum wage to be set at Stg £6 per hour in the occupied six counties, and at £ 7.50 punts per hour in the rest of the country. In addition, we call for distinctions in the granting of the minimum wage to be abolished.
b) believes that following an immediate all round rise of 25% in all social security benefits,

(i) future increases in these benefits should be linked to real wages as opposed to what we regard as a bogus 'official' measure of inflation.
(ii)Furthermore, we demand that those receiving benefit be excused any obligation to pay TV licenses and be granted free transport, telephone and power supplies. These benefits to be granted also to persons over sixty years of age and those disabled to be provided with free transport, telephone and power supplies.

TRADE UNIONS

Whereas the IRSP recognizes that trade unions organize the working class in the economic sphere of society, it also recognizes that they are seriously flawed through having sought accommodation within the system of capitalism;
a) It is the position of the IRSP that its members should be active in their trade union if one exists in their workplace. If no trade union exists in their workplace, IRSP members should be active in efforts to unionize their workplace
b) This Ard Fheis declares that the position of the IRSP is that the rank and file members should direct union policy. Further, this Ard Fheis declares that the IRSP supports its members seeking to become union Shop Stewards in their workplace, and once having done so, that they seek to unite with other revolutionary shop stewards from the various spheres of the economy.

PUBLICATIONS

The Ard-Feis supports the effort to date to produce a monthly newspaper and would encourage all comrades to take a more active role in getting our message across through the Starry Plough.

We recommend continuing publication of the Starry Plough and commend those responsible for publication of the paper thus far. We suggest continuing effort be made to ensure publication at least on a monthly basis.

PARTY EDUCATION

Whereas the IRSP has previously stated its strong support for provision of regular internal political education to its members, it remains true that little progress towards that goal has been made;

Accordingly, the Ard Comhairle is instructed
a) to name a party member to coordinate a new internal political education department. The person chosen for this position will be responsible for creating a curriculum, acquiring the works to be studied, and developing a schedule for the internal education to take place.
b) Each cumman shall be required to participate in the internal political education curriculum once it has been established.
e) These topics, however, shall be presented in a manner which allows the party membership to form their own conclusions regarding the applicability of these ideas to contemporary Ireland, as it essential that the membership of the party is responsible for shaping the party line, analysis, and programme. (numbering due to amendment after discussion of educational report)

We propose the unveiling of a basic education programme for ratification by the incoming Ard-Comhairle having taken on board an input from individual Cumman.

The Party calls for the establishment of a standardised education programme for the movement.

The Ard-Feis strongly recommends that every party member with access to internet facilities join the IRSP 'internal discussion list' as this mechanism would serve to stimulate debate within the movement.

EQUALITY

The Irish Republican Socialist Party affirms its commitment to full equality for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people.

INTERNAL COMMUNICATION

Whereas internal communication within the party is essential to the flowering of internal democracy; and it is essential that members and supporters of the IRSP throughout Ireland and abroad be aware of the party's position on issues in order to speak out on those issues and further, since IRSP members and supporters draw inspiration from actions of comrades elsewhere and are encouraged to undertake similar actions to those which have succeeded elsewhere, and refrain from those which did not;
a) The incoming Ard Comhairle is instructed by this Ard Fheis to select a party member to be responsible ensuring the free flow of internal communication. This shall include, but not be limited to, publishing An Sceal, an internal monthly newsletter and sending it to every cumman in Ireland as well as party organisations in Britain, North America, and elsewhere should they subsequently be formed.
b) It will also be the responsibility of this individual to ensure all party press statements, position papers, and summary minutes from the Ard Comhairle's meetings be sent on to every cumman in Ireland, as well as the British and North American sections. Whenever possible, these documents will be distributed internally prior to being released externally.
c) Finally, every Irish cumman, and the British and North American sections will be kept aware of actions taken by any IRSP cumman or section. To make this possible,
d) it shall be the responsibility of each cumman and the British and North American sections of the party to report on their activities to the person responsible for internal communication on, at least, a monthly basis.
e) It shall be the responsibility of any comrade issuing a press statement to send a copy, preferably in advance, to this person for internal distribution. And,
f) it shall be the responsibility of all comrades receiving such internal communications to see that it is shared with all local members within a reasonable time after having received it.

INTERNAL ORGANISATION

We call for the incoming Ard-Comhairle to commit itself to consolidating and expanding the party. In addition we call for the establishment of cadre to oversee the national organisation of the party on an all-Ireland basis. We call for those voted in as organisers to be pro-active in contributing towards the further development of the party.

PRISONERS OF WAR

This Ard-Feis wishes to thank the POW representative Willie Gallagher, the entire POW department and Teach Na Failte for their work on behalf of POWs and ex-POW's over this past momentous year and calls for the work of Teach Na Failte to continue.

The Party expresses solidarity with our support groups world wide and with our fellow POWs in Portlaoise and Maghaberry.

The Irish Republican Socialist Movement
b) also applaud the excellent work of Teach na Failte in its first year of effort and its continuing work to ensure the re-integration of the RSPOWs into active and productive lives within their communities, their class, and their party.
c) remain mindful of the continuing incarceration of many of our comrades in Portlaoise, Magilligan, Maghaberry, and Long Kesh, as well as the continued legal persecution of Eddie John McNicholl in the United States, and pledge to continue efforts on their behalf.
d) are concerned by the loss by these remaining prisoners of their special category status, and call upon the IRSP to actively campaign for the restoration of their rights as prisoners of war.

BROAD FRONT

Whereas the IRSP should represent the most class conscious section of the Irish working class and therefore should set an example for other workers in its approach to the national liberation struggle, the fight for socialism, and campaigns for social justice; and in that it is the fundamental responsibility of the IRSP to work towards raising the class consciousness of the working class in Ireland in any way possible;
a) It shall be the responsibility of every cumman of the IRSP to keep abreast of the actions of other republican and socialist organisations in their area.
b) Whenever it is consistent with the Broad Front policy of the IRSP they shall participate in these actions or
c) shall be prepared to articulate their reason for not doing so, if circumstances are contrary to the IRSP's programme.

MARCHES

The Ard-Feis
a) extends support to beleaguered communities in the Ormeau and Garvaghy roads and
b) voice opposition to the recent 'deal' struck between the Derry business class and the Apprentice Boys to permit sectarian marches in the city under the guise of culture.

ELECTIONS

The Ard-Feis a) calls for the IRSP to direct individual Cumann in the matters of building party profile with a view to contesting elections and
b) calls further for the party to consider nominating a director of elections.

COMMEMORATIONS

The Ard-Feis
a) supports the sponsorship of a mural to the republican socialist martyrs of the 1981 prison struggle from Derry to commemorate its 20th Anniversary
b) and calls for the party to make a concerted effort to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Hunger Strikes.

INTERNATIONAL

The Ard-Feis calls for the The Party to actively oppose and demonstrate during any future visit by Bill Clinton to Ireland.

Propose
a) that the IRSP actively oppose any visit by the outgoing United States President, Bill Clinton - or any future USA President - to Ireland and
b) opposes the recent USA intervention of 'aid' in Colombia as an effort to enforce their economic and military might on the working class and c) accordingly we support the revolutionary working class militants against US intervention in their lands. (Sean Blacking)

The IRSP denounces in the strongest possible terms the decision by the German Internal Ministry to ban all political activities of the anti-fascist DHKP-C on the grounds that it is a "terrorist" organization and that it "threatens the security of Germany". We believe such claims should be rejected as neither credible or true.

The IRSP
a) opposes the growing number of "isolation cells" and the continuing repression and torture of political prisoners of war in prisons throughout Europe,
b) we demand the immediate release of Francisco Brotons Beneyto who has suffered over 22 years in prison at the hands of the fascist Spanish state for his revolutionary beliefs and
c) we send our revolutionary greetings of solidarity to the POWs of the world imprisoned for their continued resistance.

The IRSP add our support to miscarriages of justice victim, Mark Barnsley and the growing international campaign in demanding justice for him;
a) we endorse calls for the Crown Prosecution Service to hand over the hidden evidence they have been unlawfully holding since Mark's wrongful imprisonment in 1994,
b) demand the British Home Secretary re-examine his case and release Mark immediately.

The IRSP support all campaigns for justice as a result of miscarriages of justice and give our unconditional support to all campaigns for political prisoners of war.

Whereas the IRSP believes that socialists must take seriously the work of building revolutionary alliances of the working class internationally and recognizes that the international efforts of the IRSP require coordination;

In that the British and North American sections of the movement form a natural basis for carrying out the international relations of the IRSP,
a) an International Department Secretariat of the IRSP shall be established, to be composed of the British Coordinator of the IRSP, the North American Coordinator of the IRSCNA, and a party member resident in Ireland.
b) This third participant in the Secretariat is to be chosen by the Ard Comhairle after its election, and to chiefly serve as the liaison between the other two members and the Ard Comhairle. She or he will be responsible for ensuring that matters related to international relations receive proper attention before the Ard Comhairle.
c) Should a support organization for the IRSP develop in the future in Australia and/or New Zealand, the Secretariat shall be expanded to include the Coordinator for that region as well. Finally
d) That contacts received by the party in Ireland from abroad shall be shared in a timely fashion with the members of the International Department Secretariat, so they can be developed to their fullest potential.

PARTY IDEOLOGY

This Ard Fheis affirms,
a) that the IRSP is a revolutionary Marxist organization, and that by this we mean that the IRSP believes:
b) Class conflict is the motive force in human history;
c) The IRSP stands unreservedly and exclusively for the interests of the working class against all others;
d) Only the creation of a 32-county Irish socialist republic can provide the means by which Irish national liberation can be realized;
e) That there can be no socialism without national liberation in Ireland, nor can there be national liberation without socialism;
f) That there is no parliamentary road to socialism, because socialism cannot be forged by seizing the bourgeois State apparatus; nor is there a guerilla road to socialism, because a social revolution requires the active participation of the masses; and therefore that a socialist republic can only be established through the mass revolutionary action of the working class in the political, economic, and social spheres;
g) That socialism means the ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange collectively by the entire working class, with an end to wage labour, an end to production for profit and its replacement by a system of production based on human need; and
h) That socialism must be administered democratically by the working class itself, recognising that the class dictatorship of the workers, because the vast majority of society is formed by that class. This does not suggest the need for a political dictatorship of a single party. Rather it calls out for a class dictatorship, administered through new working class institutions created to permit the greatest degree of political freedom for all working people.