1. Ard-Fheis reaffirms that the IRSP is a republican socialist party influenced by the writings of Tone, Marx, Engels, Lenin, Connolly, Mellows, Costello, and Power. [Cork]

STRATEGY

2. Ard-Fheis directs the incoming Ard-Chomhairle to concentrate the main bulk of its efforts in the coming two years to:

a) Develop and implement an internal educational political programme that covers the history of the movement, the political ideology of republican socialism and the basic tenets of socialism and that such a programme be implemented first with the Ard-Chomhairle, the Executive and then with the cumann and then finally with individual members and newly recruited associate or probationary members,

b) Draw up and implement a modernised broad front strategy that reaches out to not only the existing leftist groups and republicans but to wider sections of the community that have an interest in the development of progressive working class policies,

c) Develop an aggressive and militant grass roots strategy that sees our membership take the lead in organising working class fight-backs against the continuing implementation of the neo-liberal agenda in both parts of Ireland. Our clear policy in these fight-backs shall be to lead, to stimulate, to educate, to agitate, but not to control, any independent organisations that have or will emerge such as on issues like water rates, housing, interface clashes, racism, etc.,

d) Develop a party publishing company for the printing and publication of historical, educational and party literature under the control of the party. [Political Secretary]

PROTESTANT WORKING CLASS

3. Ard-Fheis believes that a political priority is dialogue with the people in the North who consider them selves to be British, unionist and loyalist. The current crisis within unionism and loyalism provides an opportune moment to do so. The purpose of this dialogue should be to:

a) Gain a greater understanding of those communities,

b) Challenge their politics by focusing on their ideological weaknesses and contradictions,

c) Gain political capital and credibility for the Republican Socialist Movement by demonstrating our non-nationalist republicanism,

d) Encourage the development of independent currents within the Protestant working class. Teach Na Failte, Glencree, etc. should provide the means through which we can carry out this task. [L. O'Ruairc]

4. The IRSP fully support dialogue between communities and between political parties that is aimed at peace building on the ground. However, we urge caution and recognise that many community representatives are also political activists and that such community dialogue is not necessarily representative of the entirety of the local community they claim to be talking on behalf of. Political parties can dialogue on their own behalf. Political parties should support and facilitate community dialogue. Any community dialogue is based on a peace building on the ground agenda and should be left to community organisations themselves, as they are the only people who can actually deliver peace on the ground. [North Belfast]

5. The IRSP reject the notion of monoculture or majority culture communities. We support and recognise diversity within the community. The working class are the only true majority recognised by the IRSP. [North Belfast]

DECOMMISSIONING AND POLICING

6. Ard-Fheis believes that this movement should not have any contact whatsoever with bodies such as the District Police Partnership Board, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, or the Independent Monitoring Commission. The IRSP declares its opposition to republicans ever taking seats on the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The IRSP declare the police force of the six counties to be irreformable, no matter what name, uniform, or emblems it uses. [Strabane; IRSCNA]

7. Ard-Fheis calls for no decommissioning from the Irish National Liberation Army or disbandment of the INLA no matter what pressures or inducements are offered from the British occupiers of our country and following on from the Northern Ireland Secretary of State's meeting with representatives of the Ulster Defence Association and the buying off of that group with £3 million it is our view that the Irish Republican Socialist Movement under no circumstances enter into any similar negotiations. [Kevin Lynch Cumann, North Derry; Derry City; Strabane; Dublin]

YOUTH AND WOMEN

8. Ard-Fheis believes that a political priority is work amongst young people and the incoming Ard-Chomhairle encourages all IRSP members to be involved reaching out to young people and encouraging and promoting political awareness among our youth by making republican socialism relevant to the lives of young people. [Derry City; L. O'Ruairc]

9. Ard-Fheis calls on the incoming Ard-Chomhairle to do more to promote the active participation of women at all levels within the IRSP. [Brendan Convery Cumann, South Derry]

INTERNATIONAL (external)

10. Ard-Fheis demands that the party should:

a) Develop a profile of the movement that it is going to present to international audiences (i.e. conferences),

b) Clarify its approach to international matters: i.e. what organisations is it going to approach, what are its priorities, should we attend events like the Assisi Camp, etc.. [L. O'Ruairc]

11. Ard-Fheis recognises the achievements of the Cuban, Vietnamese, and Venezualan revolutions and that these be presented as reasons that socialism can work. [L. O'Ruairc]

12. This Ard-Fheis expresses its solidarity with protracted people's wars for socialism in Nepal, Peru, India, Turkey, the Philippines and Colombia. [L. O'Ruairc]

13. The IRSP:

a) Declares its complete opposition to the imperialist "War on Terrorism" being waged by the United States, Britain, and their allies. The IRSP reiterate that Irish workers have no stake in any war but the class war,

b) Reiterates its support for the Palestinian national liberation struggle in general and within that struggle,

c) Supports the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in particular, for the class-conscious leadership it provides to the Palestinian working class. [IRSCNA]

INTERNATIONAL (internal)

14. Ard-Fheis agrees that all our international work must be in conjunction with the Ard-Chomhairle and all international contacts be known to the party leadership and that the Ard-Chomhairle appoint a working party to:

a) Examine ways of improving our international contacts,

b) Re-evaluate our political positions with struggles around the world,

c) Make recommendations to the Ard-Chomhairle as to how to re-structure our international work,

d) To take evidence and recommendations from the membership to carry out this task efficiently.

PRISONERS

15. Ard-Fheis endorses the role of Teach Na Failte within the Republican Socialist Movement and recognises the unselfish dedication of the membership of TNF and the various memorial committees who have been instrumental in raising public awareness to both current prisoner and ex-prisoner issues and the unveiling of fitting memorials to our fallen comrades. [Dublin; Strabane]

16. Ard-Fheis:

a) Calls on the party to actively continue the campaigning work necessary in securing the immediate release of our friend and comrade qualifying political prisoner Dessie O'Hare who is currently being held hostage by the 26 County regime and requests the incoming Ard-Chomhairle to re-double their efforts and commitment in pursuance of this,

b) Condemns the framing of Derry republican Seamus Doherty by the RUC/PSNI and demands his release,

c) We also reiterate our stance that neither of the partitionist regimes in Ireland has the right to imprison any republican. [Derry City; Strabane; Dublin]

17. Ard-Fheis extends solidarity greetings to our imprisoned comrades in Portlaoise and Castlerea. Ard-Fheis fully supports the ongoing campaigns for segregation in Maghaberry Prison and for political status and we send solidarity messages to our imprisoned comrades abroad, particularly communist prisoners in Spain. [Dublin]

CLASS ISSUES

18. Ard-Fheis calls on the IRSP to openly oppose all acts of racism, sectarianism and homophobia. The recent rise in racially motivated attacks on the Island of Ireland are a damning indictment of a culture of racist behaviour is on the steady increase, and this will not be reversed without action and education. [Dublin]

19. This Ard-Fheis calls on the incoming Ard-Chomhairle to launch sustained campaign against the British plan to put a levy on drinking water and the planned privatisation of the Water Service, which will lead to 700 job cuts. [Derry City]

20. Ard-Fheis recognises the need for improved safety conditions for all grades and classes of labourers and site workers on the island of Ireland. The island of Ireland has the worst safety record in the so-called western world and it is important that those who flout the regulations should be severely fined and imprisoned. [Dublin]

21. Ard-Fheis condemns all forms of wage slavery, particularly, in Ireland. It is important to highlight the dreadful conditions endured by African and South American workers at our dairy and meat factories. The IRSP also call on all those who have evidence of this type of worker exploitation to name and shame the companies involved and when this is done we call on all sections of the working class of Ireland to boycott these goods and services where applicable. [Dublin]

22. Ard-Fheis calls on the organisation of the IRSP to be based ON THE NEEDS OF THE WORKING CLASS. A political party is the most active and well-organised segment of a class. As distinct from none political, cultural, social and economic organisations the political party is open about its specific goals. Primarily involved in and development with the organised and none organised of the class of which they have emerged. The political party is the product of the needs of a class, social and economic. There is no such thing as an extra-class political party. It is true that many members may believe that their party represents specific or more than one class. Several parties represent some classes. Reactionary parties tend to mask their true objectives by advocating programmes, which do not reflect their essence. For example, some parties are opposed to PFI and PPP yet they implement without debate. The contradictions between the parties who serve the ruling class are usually superficial. At the point of the class conflict, these parties join ranks against the majority. The only majority in any industrial society are the working class. Many or indeed the majority of these parties are members of the working class who believe that they are acting in the interest of the working-class. Look at any Unionist Branch meeting the majority if not all are proud to claim that they are working class. If they knew that they were opposed to their class, they would not be unionists. Opportunist parties who claim to represent the working class did not find their way into the ranks of the working class by accident. The ruling class opened the doors for conflict with the true Republican Socialist Party. Such left wing opportunism draws its support members of the lower middle class, students who may not yet be politically aware. However, they are identified that have no based within the working class. Or sometimes referred to as the City Centre or University Party, whereby many good young socialists are burned out during their university year because of such opportunism, how do we know or recognise a party that is a product of and represents the working class is found in the exactness of their goals. In simple terms, they have no special party interests other than that of the needs of the working class. At the same time, there may be differences of opinions on policies and strategies. However, these differences are not for the interest of the party but a reflection of the needs of the working class. [Peter Black]

PARTY EDUCATION

23. Ard-Fheis demands that the coming Ard-Chomhairle develops and implements a basic education programme in all parts of the movement on the core principles of republicanism, socialism, and republican socialism. This should enable the membership to have a minimum shared political consciousness. [L. O'Ruairc]

24. Ard-Fheis calls on the incoming Ard-Chomhairle to undertake all relevant training required for leadership positions (e.g. facilitative leadership) and we support and endorse the full political education of all membership of the IRSP, whether they be old or new, the implementation of a compulsory educational programme to be completed by each member regardless of status or rank within the party, the return to the grass-root politics upon which the party was founded, the implementation of a secure vetting and educational system of all potential members, the implementation of a facilitative leadership programme to members of the incoming Ard-Chomhairle and to the grass roots members of the party; the set up of a confidential shadow leadership to be educated and trained so that they are ready to take position in the eventuality that any said member of the Ard-Chomhairle need to be replaced -- ensuring the continued existence of the party. [North Belfast; Strabane]

HOUSING

25. The IRSP call for:

a) A review of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's points allocation system for social housing, and the implementation of a system that promotes full housing equality. The one points system used across two communities is unfair and leads directly to discrimination, inequality and housing poverty,

b) The suspension of the sales of social housing in areas where housing inequalities exist,

c) The IRSP only supports the building and allocation of social housing on the basis of need. Any policy that takes into account religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or social status seeks to diminish the human rights of all those in housing need. Any community that wishes to exclude potential or existing residents because of any of the above reasons cannot be facilitated by the NIHE. [North Belfast]

WORK IN THE 26 COUNTIES

26. Ard-Fheis recommends that the incoming Ard-Chomhairle call a conference of our members, supporters and sympathisers in the 26 counties to discuss how best to propagate the ideas of republican socialism within that area. [Political Secretary]

ORGANISATION

27. The incoming Ard-Chomhairle furnishes the editorial committee of the Starry Plough with full resources needed to continue the high standard of the publication thus far. [Derry City]

28. Ard-Fheis supports the establishment of a full time 32 County Organiser by the incoming Ard-Chomhairle. They appoint a National Organiser to assist the growth and development of the party nationally with particular attention paid to areas of the country that are not experiencing the growth in membership. The National Organiser would be responsible for following up on all 32 county contacts, applicants, and visiting existing Cumann on a regular basis. [Dublin; Derry City; Brendan Convery Cumann, South Derry]

29. Ard-Fheis supports the setting up of an affiliated branch of the IRSP by the incoming Ard-Chomhairle so that in areas were there is no visible party structure, would-be applicants would be encouraged to join this branch until a time there was enough applicants in said areas to set up cumann branches. [Dublin]

30. Recognising that at the present moment in time the IRSP has no recognised economic policy per se. Therefore we call on this Ard-Fheis to formally recognise that the present economic system is based on greed and profit for the few, does not adequately provide goods and services, and is unstable and wrong. This Ard-Fheis is therefore called upon to adopt as economic policy the following:

Minimum Programme

a) The nationalisation of all banks and an end to what could be described as a rehashed laissez faire (under monetarism and the free market) thus allowing more government intervention in the economy.

b) The nationalisation of all major industry, indigenous and multinational, with no compensation to the present owners, domestic or foreign, thus helping guarantee job security for the workers.

c) Narrowing of pay differentials between higher and lower paid workers upwardly. Tax increases earmarked for health, housing, education, etc.

Maximum Revolutionary Programme

a) A planned economy based on economic planning of the production of goods and services for the needs of the population and not the greed and profits for a few entrepreneurs.

b) Workers' ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange which will be aimed at the provision of goods and services of the highest standard. All positions of managerial responsibility to be filled by election and subject to recallable accountability, thus reducing the possibility and scope for abuse of power. [Bray]