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AN IRISH REPUBLICAN SOCIALIST PARTY OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE 13/8/2010 OVERVIEW On Easter Sunday 2010 the Republican and Republican Socialist political prisoners, being held in Roe House, Maghaberry Gaol, barricaded themselves in the canteen in protest against the punitive regime in which they where forced to endure. The Republican wing at Roe House is made up of prisoners from different organisations including the INLA, CIRA, RIRA and other independent Republicans. It includes convicted and non-convicted political prisoners ranging in age from their early twenties to one prisoner in his sixties. Over recent years the IRSP, 32CSM, RSF, Eirigi and RNU have been organising protests both individually and collectively on the outside to highlight the ongoing plight of the Republican prisoners in Roe House. When the prisoners barricaded themselves into the canteen on Easter Sunday it was quite clear that they had reached the end of their tether and that their protest was going to be intensified. The prisoners believed that an intensified campaign was necessary which would put the prisoners plight in the public domain and which would bring a focus to seeking a satisfactory resolution. At the beginning of May 2010 following an IRSP white line picket on the Falls Rd the IRSP were approached by a former republican prisoner with a view to forming a prisoners support group in Belfast that would campaign on behalf of all the republican political prisoners. This led the IRSP, 32CSM, eirigi and RNU as well as a number of non-aligned republican political ex-prisoners, to hold a meeting in West Belfast. (RSF could not take part, as their constitution does not allow them to take part in broad front campaigns but who nevertheless organised their own pickets and protests.) Out of this meeting a prisoners support group, ‘Families, Friends and Ex-prisoners’, was formed. It was immediately decided to hold a demonstration at Maghaberry prison to highlight the plight of the prisoners. Hundreds attended this demonstration which put added pressure on the establishment. Also a large, well attended, public meeting was also organised, in Conway Mill in support of the prisoners, by the support group. Further demonstrations at Maghaberry were also organised during this period-all of them being well attended which further added more pressure on the establishment as well as successfully highlighting the plight of the prisoners. Protests were also held at the Prison Ombudsman’s Office, Alliance Party Office in South Belfast. White line pickets were held on the Falls Rd, Andersonstown, Short Strand, Antrim Road, Carrickhill lower and Upper Springfield Road. A successful protest march was also held in Lurgan, County Armagh. After the protest at the Ombudsman’s Office contact was made with the Families support group through Jim Auld (CRJ). He had been involved in the resolution of a hunger strike by Liam Hannaway in an unconnected protest in the isolation block in Maghaberry. Jim Auld related to the group that the prison service wished to seek a resolution to the protest. More in hope than expectation, the Families group requested that a delegation from the group be allowed into Maghaberry to speak to the protesting republican prisoners to ascertain exactly what would be required to bring a resolution to the protest. Jim Auld related this to the prison service who surprisingly granted the delegation visit for the 19th of June 2010. The delegation arrived at Maghaberry at the arranged time and quite quickly it became clear that the prison service and/or the POA were not prepared to let this delegation visit take place. Whilst the Delegation got through as far as the visiting area there was an attempt to strip search one of the protesting prisoners on their way to meet the delegation. The prisoner rightfully refused and the rest of the prisoners were returned to Roe House. The families delegation was informed that the meeting would not now take place. Jim Auld was then contacted and came and met the group. He reported that the cancellation of the delegation visit was a cock-up and assured the families group that the prison service were serious about seeking a resolution to the situation and that a further delegation visit would be permitted to visit the prisoners on Monday 21st of June. Though the Families group had its reservations it agreed to accept the visit with the proviso that no republican prisoner would be strip-searched. This delegation visit was unilaterally cancelled by the prison service on Saturday the 19th June-no reason was given. Following this fiasco the IRSP released the following statement; IRSP condemn Prison service Jun 19, 2010, 6:08pm The IRSP have reacted strongly to the decision taken by the Prison service to cancel a planned delegation visit by the families and friends of prisoners committee to the protesting Republican prisoners in Maghaberry. The families group then decided to dispense with the services of Jim Auld as a facilitator. Whilst it was accepted that though Jim Auld was acting in good faith it was quite clear that he was viewed by the prison service as expendable and that he did not enjoy the confidence of anyone involved. The IRSP whilst supporting the families campaign reserved the right to explore and initiate other strategies that potentially would support the prisoners and assist them in finding a satisfactory resolution to their protest. It was evident to the IRSP that outside protests alone would not bring a satisfactory resolution to the deepening crisis in Maghaberry. The IRSP had, from the outset of the protest, began lobbying political contacts which included a meeting with the NIO. We made it clear, as did the other participants from the prisoners support group, that the prisoners and the prisoners only would have the final say in any settlement. Our ex-prisoners group, Teach na Failte, also lobbied their contacts including meeting Sinn Fein whom we felt, given their senior position and responsibility in the Stormont Executive, had a role to play in seeking a resolution. At the same time, given the collapse of the ‘Auld Initiative’, the IRSP began to search for possible facilitators/mediators that we believed would be acceptable to the Prisoners. After talks with trade union officials and Creggan Enterprises members of the IRSM leadership flew to Amsterdam to talk with the Dialogue Advisory Group who had already been lobbying their political contacts at the request of the IRSP. We explored the possibility of them becoming involved in the dispute as facilitators if this was acceptable to the prisoners. They agreed and along with Rath Mor Creggan Enterprises and the ICTU, a four person team of joint facilitators/mediators was put in place. An IRSP delegate met with two of the four Facilitators/ mediators in the Belfast Centre for the Unemployed and presented them with the following briefing document. Irish Republican Socialist Party Currently, thirty+ Republican prisoners are being held at Roe House in Maghaberry Prison. Roe House is a separated wing housing only Republican Prisoners over two landings. Since Easter 2010 Republican prisoners have been on protest against the conditions in which they are being held, this protest has escalated to a limited dirty protest beginning a fortnight ago. The protest by Republican prisoners arose following a deterioration of the conditions in which they are being held following industrial action by the P.O.A. which essentially was a ‘go slow’ action, the result of this action being a denial of republican prisoners basic human rights. • Wearing Easter Lilies by a 23hr lock up, confined to their cells, which have been stripped of their personal belongings. • The regime is only allowing one prisoner at a time get a shower thus insuring some prisoners do not have the opportunity to wash. • Legal visits, family visits and association have been interfered with. • Controlled Movement, (Three Prison Officers to move one prisoner or Five to move two prisoners), has to cease immediately. • Prisoners have been assaulted and singled out for strip-searching. • Prisoners are currently on a limited dirty protest • Republican prisoners, their families and representatives have indicated a willingness to enter dialogue with the Prison Service to bring a resolution to the protest. • The Prison Service and the P.O.A. so far have frustrated any dialogue, which could see a resolution of the crisis within Maghaberry. • The Republican prisoners have two basic demands. 1- End to controlled movement/ Free Association, 2- End to strip-searches. • It is imperative that prisoner’s human rights, which were compromised by the industrial action by the P.O.A., do not become the normal way of treating republican prisoners. • To that end the I.R.S.P. caution the P.O.A., British government and indeed the Stormont regime against continuing down this road that can only result in continued confrontation. Following this briefing a meeting was organised between the potential Facilitators/Mediators and the ‘Families, Friends and Ex-prisoners’ support group, The Families listened to and questioned the Joint Facilitation Group and agreed, to explore further the possibility of finding a negotiated resolution, subject to the agreement of the protesting prisoners. Key to their proposal was that there would be face-to-face negotiations between the protesting prisoners and the prison Service. To this end we requested another delegation visit to the republican prisoners in Maghaberry through the Joint Facilitation Group. The aim of this delegation was to inform the protesting prisoners of this possible initiative and to gauge whether they would support this as a possible resolution process. This was granted and after some discussion within the prison with the prisoners they agreed to give this initiative the go ahead. There was not much movement in the first two weeks of July due to the 12th holidays. It was difficult for the Joint Facilitation Group to pull together the people necessary to find a resolution due to holidays etc. However, the JFG spent time lobbying various groups and interested bodies to use their influence to support a negotiated dialogue that could bring a lasting resolution in Maghaberry. Some of this lobbying included; ROE HOUSE Friday 16 July 2010 Notified Northern Ireland Office Prison Service (Colin McConnell) that prisoners seeking a facilitated meeting between Prison Administration and themselves to seek resolution to the issues that gave raise to the current protest in Roe House. Meeting with Mark Durkan to discuss how best to secure the need for independent chair and observers for any face-to-face discussion between the prisoners and the prison regime. Notified Department of Foreign Affairs (Dublin) on the need for the use of independent facilitators to be engaged to resolve the current impasse at Roe House. Meeting with International Committee of the Red Cross (Geoff Loane) on thee issues of concern. Geoff Loane who is the Head of Mission based in London agreed to raise the issue with David Ford, Department of Justice and the NIO. Discussed the prisoners’ concerns that their human rights were being violated with Monica McWilliams who indicated that the Human Rights Commission have alerted the prison authorities of their concerns and requested a visit to the prison. Monday 19 July 2010 Informed by both Alan Craig and Colin McConnell that the Prison Service were keen securing “a win-win” for the prisoners and the prison service but required clarity on who was speaking for whom. Both raised concerns that confusing messages could undermine any potential for a resolution. Tuesday 20 July 2010 Meeting with representatives of the Pat Finucane Centre (Maggie O’Conner and Paul O’Conner) re: feedback with their meeting with David Ford yesterday. PFC reps said they were informed that if NIPS can’t resolve this matter internally it would consider moving to some form of mediation and was aware of need to act on the issues quickly. Requested by CAJ (Mike Ritchie) for update on current position and how could they further assist the process towards a resolution based on the rights of the prisoners being protected. Discussed current position with Richard Good, Special Advisor to David Ford who indicated he would encourage a local resolution involving the prison service and the prisoners with support from an independent chair and observers in the event of any face-to-face dialogue. Held meeting with Jim Roddy and Seamus Heaney and welcomed their support to help resolve matters in Roe House and would be grateful for any endorsement of our approach to resolve in Roe House (to the Justice Minister, the Prison Service or – most importantly – the prisoners and their representatives). *(During this time the 32CSM in Derry moved their weekly picket in support of the prisoners from the Bogside to Bishop St. in Derry city centre. This caused concern within the Business community in Derry especially with the annual Apprentice Boys of Derry commemoration of the Siege of Derry which was due to be held on Saturday 14th of August. This meant that if the Republican prisoners were still protesting on this date that both Republicans and Loyalists would be demonstrating in Derry city centre at the same time on the same day. Jim Roddy and Seamus Heaney contacted the 32CSM in Derry to see what it would take to resolve the protest. They both met the prisoners and the Families group and agreed to support and lobby for the ongoing initiative.) The ‘JFG’ over the course of almost a month literally spent days behind bars with both the prisoners and the establishment facilitating and chairing joint meetings between both as well as separate meetings inside Maghaberry with both of the delegation parties. The JFG also had a series of meetings with other parties/individuals over that period including a number with Ford’s office. After long, protracted, negotiations, which at one point seemed on the verge of collapse the JFG successfully brought the talks to the following conclusion/agreement: TEXT OF AGREEMENT ENDING ROE HOUSE PROTEST A. Agreement Reached on Dispute at Roe House in Maghaberry Prison Following a protest by Republican prisoners in Roe House, the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) and the prisoners agreed to engage in a facilitation process. A Joint Facilitation Group (Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Creggan Enterprises and Dialogue Advisory Group) met both parties on a number of occasions over the past several weeks. The discussions were underpinned at all times by the following principles: B. Fundamental Principles C. Prisoner Forum An effective Prisoners’ Forum will be established, in addition to existing processes for complaints and requests. This should provide a meaningful mechanism to address issues of mutual concern and is designed to build trust. D. Full body searching 4. NIPS reserves the right, in exceptional cases, to require any prisoner to undergo a full-body search – under existing arrangements – if: 5. In such cases the full-body search must be authorised and observed by a supervisor and carried out in a manner, which is both sensitive and dignified. The process of searching will be audited and monitored to ensure it complies with human rights standards. E. Movement / association 1. The Prisoner Ombudsman’s report of June 11 2010 recommended that a review of the separated regime should be included in the current independent Prison Review and that the review team should examine the evidence considered by the CJINI/HMCIP when it concluded in 2006 and 2009 that the arrangements for the movement of separated prisoners “were unnecessarily restrictive”. (The HMCIP finding states that “there was severely restricted prisoner movement… this was particularly noticeable on the separated units where, even within the unit itself, the system of controlled movement meant that only three prisoners were allowed out an any one time, with no less than five staff present”). NIPS have fully accepted the Prisoner Ombudsman’s recommendation. F. Next Steps The Republican Prisoners in Roe House called of their protest on Friday 13th August 2010. The IRSP issued the following statement; IRSP WELCOME MAGHABERRY PROTEST RESOLUTION The Irish Republican Socialist Party welcome the resolution of the current protest by the republican political prisoners in Roe House, Maghaberry Gaol. IRSP Press officer Paul Little said that the prisoner’s demands had been conceded and that there would be a phasing out of controlled movement and that random strip-searching has been abolished. At this time we would pay tribute to the republican prisoners who have been steadfast in their determination to see that they achieve their basic human rights, we also pay tribute to the families friends and ex prisoners support group who have campaigned ceaselessly since the protest began at Easter. Finally, the IRSP commend the facilitators/mediators for their sterling efforts in bringing about this resolution. Statement ends. The role of the IRSP in assisting the resolution of Maghaberry Protest The process, which resulted in this resolution, was undoubtedly unprecedented in the context of prison struggle. Never before in the history of prison struggle/protests was there direct face-to-face negotiations between political prisoners and the establishment with an outside 3rd party known as ‘The Joint Facilitation Group.’ A 3rd party of the prisoner’s and the ‘Family and Friends Committee’s’ choosing facilitating and chairing the talks. The establishment delegation who had negotiated with the prisoners during this period made it clear that they were unhappy with the presence of the JFG. Furthermore, the JFG are now recognised by both the prisoners and establishment as being the custodians of the agreement that was accepted by all and who will be regularly monitoring the agreement. What was also clear, long before the agreement was concluded, was the fact that the establishment conceded, by the very nature of the process itself, that these prisoners were indeed political prisoners. Posted in: Information , Political Prisoners | Comments Off The Irish Republican Socialist Party welcome the resolution of the current protest by the republican political prisoners in Roe House, Maghaberry Gaol. IRSP Press officer Paul Little said that the prisoners demands had been conceded and that there would be a phasing out of controlled movement and that random strip searching has been abolished. At this time we would pay tribute to the republican prisoners who have been steadfast in their determination to see that they achieve their basic human rights, we also pay tribute to the families friends and ex prisoners support group who have campaigned ceaselessly since the protest began at Easter. Finally, the IRSP commend the facilitators/mediators for their sterling efforts in bringing about this resolution. Statement ends. Posted in: Political Prisoners , Statements | Comments Off IRSP Spokesperson Michael McLaughlin attended today’s protest in Letterkenny opposing cuts in the health service in the Donegal town. Speaking afterwards Mr McLaughlin said: “In a recruitment drive and show of solidarity the Irish Republican Socialist Party joined the people of Donegal today to protest against proposed cuts to services at Letterkenny General Hospital. It is with great dismay that the IRSP learned of plans by the Health Service Executive [HSE] to drastically cut health services for people in the West and North-West of Ireland. “In a document delivered to the HSE by consultants Mott McDonald, we see a blueprint for drastic cutbacks to health services across the North-West. The proposed measures range from redundancies and the non-renewal of contracts for up to 1,000 staff members, to the closing of hundreds of beds and even the possibility of complete hospital closures. Ironically, the report also acknowledges that government policy thus far, designed to save money in aspects of the health service, has actually had the opposite effect, something that is quite indicative of the level of incompetence of our political elites. “But to put these proposed cuts down to sheer incompetence alone is entirely missing the point. What we have here is a conscious policy on the governments behalf to attack the living standards of the people of the North-West, something which must be set in its proper context. When we consider these cuts in the context of billions worth of tax incentives for developers during the boom, low corporation tax, the wholesale giveaway of our natural resources to a transnational corporation, the recapitalisation of private financial institutions with our money, it is clear there is a right-wing agenda at play here. What we have, in effect, is socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor. “We in the IRSP encourage the working class people of Ireland to take to the streets to fight back against these proposed cuts. However, it is also important to remember that any reversal of these cuts amounts to little more than a stop-gap measure. While Irish society continues to be underlined by capitalist economics and the unsustainable profit motive, we will always be faced with a political administration determined to reflect this in the political sphere. This means, on a practical level, that whenever the economy inevitably contracts it will be the working class and vulnerable who suffer the most, as the elites in our society enact all possible measures to save the system that directly serves their interests. The people of the North-West know this all too well and this latest attack on our health services is just another example of this fact. “Let it be made clear, these cutbacks cannot be considered in isolation, they are not just a health issue but a political and economic issue as well. What is needed is a fundamental uprooting of the current status quo, one characterised by an elite class in Irish society controlling this nation and its affairs in their interests alone, to the detriment of the lives of the majority. We need an all-encompassing re-evaluation of what democracy means, and what the results of it may be. Who better to administer society in working people’s interests than them themselves? The only long-term and sustainable solution is a Workers’ Republic, where the Irish people as a whole are in control of their resources, their services and the whole political, economic and social affairs of our country. Mr Mc Laughlin concluded, “We urge people to take to the streets, and to begin the fight back. If our political elites and their system won’t give us what we need, and what are entitled to, then we must cast them aside and take it for ourselves.” ENDS Posted in: Events , Statements | Comments Off Strabane Irish Republican Socialist Party spokesperson Michael McLaughlin has condemned death threats made against a member of the Republican Socialist Youth Movement, the youth wing of the IRSP. On 16th July, members of the PSNI informed a member of the RSYM that his life was under threat. “Over the last number of weeks and months, the IRSP has sought to highlight the futile and dangerous nature of the actions of an anti social element within Strabane. The IRSP believe that the PSNI, the current judicial system and indeed the mainstream political parties in the North have little interest in tackling the drug problems in working class communities. But the simple fact is, as this problem is structural and deeply-rooted in the inequality that capitalism creates, any attempt to solve it through the use of violence is not going to work, and in engaging in such activities those responsible have only served to exacerbate the problem and further endanger communities.” “This death threat should be condemned outright by all quarters. The RSYM member in question is a tireless worker in his local area and offers a fine example to young people in Strabane through his anti-drug activism. We view this threat as extremely cowardly and it certainly is a worrying development. The IRSP believes that in dealing with the scourge of drugs we must empower our communities. That is the only method that is accountable, democratic and in the end, the only way we can effectively challenge the current political order of things, the same system that creates fertile ground for the continued spread of drug dealing and abuse. In working toward this goal, the IRSP and the RSYM are not going to be intimidated by anybody. We have to question what is the agenda of these people in threatening a young anti-drugs activist, because it certainly is not in the interests of the people of Strabane.” ENDS Posted in: RSYM , Statements | Comments Off The Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) have recently organised in North Antrim particularly in the following areas, Loughguile, Ballycastle, Rasharkin and Dunloy. The IRSP stands for the establishment of a 32 county republic in which the working people are in charge of their own destinies, a republic which is representative of all the people and one which will cherish all the children of the nation equally. This development in North Antrim is part of the continuing expansion of the IRSP throughout Ireland and reflects the desire among working class people for an alternative political voice to represent their views. For too long the people of North Antrim have had very little choice in terms of political representation, it was either of the main two nationalist parties, the SDLP or Sinn Fein. We see very little political difference between these parties in terms of their positions on many fundamental political issues. We intend to offer the people of North Antrim an energetic and vibrant voice that can and will challenge the current political situation. We will offer the people of this area the chance for real positive change. We will be exposing the hypocrisy within the established political parties and showing their contradictions for what they are. In these days of cut backs brought about by the banking crisis we intend to hold the parties of Stormont to account and to prevent them from punishing the poor and marginalised, we will be at the forefront in the battle against the cuts and we will be standing shoulder to shoulder with the poorest and most deprived sections of our society. Why should the working class suffer for the actions of the rich bankers? If you would like more information on the IRSP and are looking for real positive change the you can contact us on 028 71 353090 (Derry Office) or email northantrimirsp@gmail.com Posted in: Information | Comments Off The Irish Republican Socialist Party has since its foundation been among the most revolutionary and progressive forces in Ireland. We have always sought to spread the message of Republican Socialism to as many as possible and in the process used many means to achieve this. In 1995 the IRSP were one of the first political organisations in Ireland to make its presence known on the world wide web. The party’s website has gone through a number of changes over the years, and as we attempt to build our party on a solid political foundation, we have decided to launch a brand new website: www.irsp.ie. This site will be the central clearing point for news and information about the IRSP, as well as that the new site contains many features and is a wealth of information about the politics and background of the party. It also features an improved news section which will feature all the latest statements from the party and details of upcoming events. We would like the thank everyone who has contributed to our web presence over the years, especially Eric Hayes Patkowski, the IRSM’s first webmaster whose foresight brought republican socialism onto the web 15 years ago. We would also like to thank the Derry IRSP and IRSCNA for their tireless work to revamp the IRSP website. IRSP Webmaster Posted in: Statements | Comments Off The IRSP have reacted strongly to the decision taken by the Prison service to cancel a planned delegation visit by the families and friends of prisoners committee to the protesting Republican prisoners in Maghaberry. Posted in: Political Prisoners | Comments Off The Irish Republican Socialist Party wish to extend our sincere congratulations to the families of the Bloody Sunday dead and wounded, to all those who supported them and to the people of Derry for their unmovable dedication to clearing the names of those who were killed and wounded on 30th January 1972. Today they have finally been vindicated. Today’s verdict is also a damning indictment on British military involvement in Ireland. Their involvement is one of persecution, brutalisation and oppression and this fact has been laid bare, through the Saville Report, for the entire world to see. No longer can Britain claim to have been a neutral party intent on keeping two warring factions at bay, no longer can Britain claim that their involvement in Ireland is a peaceful involvement. From the very beginning their involvement on the streets of Ireland was to keep a population of civilians in their place. Many of those who were prominent in the Civil Rights campaign went on to become founding members of the Republican Socialist Movement and carried on their fight for justice within the IRSP and INLA. They had first hand experience of the events of Bloody Sunday and the events of that day obviously helped steer them in a certain political direction. Both Patsy O’Hara and Michael Devine, the Derry INLA hungerstrikers, cited the events of Bloody Sunday as having influenced their decisions to become involved in the military struggle for freedom in Ireland such was the huge impact of what they had experienced on that day. Patsy O’Hara was recuperating from a previous bullet wound inflicted by the British army and on the day of Bloody Sunday watched the march pass the Brandywell. Micky Devine later wrote about attending Creggan Chapel and seeing all the coffins laid out in front of him and from that moment on resolving to help rid Ireland of the British army once and for all. It took 38 years for the truth to come out but finally, after much campaigning by many people, the British establishment have finally admitted that all those that they shot on Bloody Sunday were totally innocent. Today is a wonderful day for the families and they deserve every credit for the way in which they have conducted themselves since 1972. Their dignity has always been tempered with a silent determination to get the British establishment to admit the truth of what happened on that fateful day. There has been a lot of early speculation as to whether there should be prosecutions following the publication of this report. Our position is clear. We will take the lead of the families and if the families want to further pursue this we will continue to support their efforts. Posted in: Statements | Comments Off The Irish Republican Socialist Party [IRSP] wishes to put on record our opposition to the slashing of Sligo Borough Council’s housing budget. Currently, the situation in Sligo in relation to housing is at breaking point, with over 1200 people on the Borough and County Council waiting lists. To deal with this growing problem the government has instructed local authorities to lease derelict houses belonging to property developers on a long-term basis. The IRSP sees this ‘strategy’ for what it is. It is a further attempt by this government to come to the aid of their friends and cronies. Under the initiative, local authorities are responsible for the upkeep of the property during the leasing period. This is obviously a very beneficial arrangement for the owner. It is plain to see that the inspiration behind the leasing scheme was not a concern for those in desperate need of housing, but rather to help Fianna Fáil’s supporters through the recession until the market recovers. Stating his opposition to this recent government proposal, Sligo IRSP representative Ross Gildea said: “This situation will undoubtedly get worse as more and more families struggle to meet inflated mortgage payments. It is totally unfair to put people in a situation where they must take up the leasing offer or be bumped down to the bottom of the waiting list. The leasing initiative offers no security for tenants, little opportunity for those who aspire to own their homes and only serves to destroy community spirit. This must be seen in the wider context of government policy, like the bank bail-outs. Why is it that funding for housing is being slashed, with no money seemingly being available for the homeless and vulnerable in society, yet when failed institutions like Anglo-Irish Bank get into trouble there is no limit to the amount which can be spent? This contradiction is made all the more contemptible by the fact that it is Fianna Fáil who encouraged people to get onto the property ladder during the boom and to pay these massive mortgages. It was their policies that have led to mass unemployment and to more and more people feeling the full effects of this recession and applying for social housing.” Gildea continued: “There is no excuse, with an estimated 300,000 properties lying vacant in Ireland, for the state not to acquire these empty properties and provide secure and suitable housing for people. The leasing scheme is designed to come to the rescue of Fianna Fáil’s developer friends, while simultaneously acting to disrupt communities and pressurise families into an arrangement that is not right for them, one that offers no stability or prospect of purchase. We in the IRSP have been active on the housing issue with our ‘House the Homeless’ campaign and will continue to work until a satisfactory resolution is found. It is now time for these properties to be acquired by the state and for stable housing arrangements to be made for those in need. People should not be bullied and threatened into this scheme through fear of losing their position on the waiting list. This proposal has nothing to do with meeting housing needs, the current crisis is being used as a flag of convenience for Fianna Fáil to bail-out their loyal supporters .” Posted in: Statements | Comments Off On behalf of the Irish Republican Socialist Movement, the Irish Republican Socialist Committees of North America unreservedly condemn the Zionist state of Israel for its murderous attack on a flotilla of civilian vessels carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces’ commando attack on the Freedom Flotilla in international waters early Monday morning resulted in the deaths of at least ten activists aboard the lead ship and injuries to dozens more. The six ships in the flotilla were carrying humanitarian aid to Palestinians under siege in Gaza, and were illegally boarded by IDF personnel eighty miles out in international waters. When activists responded in self-defense, the commandos opened fire. The organizations which sponsored the flotilla, the Free Gaza Movement and the Turkish-based IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation,planned to deliver 10,000 tons of food, medicine, construction materials, wheelchairs, and other aid. Israel has been engaged in an illegal blockade of Gaza since 2007, as a form of collective punishment against the residents of Gaza, provoking a major humanitarian crisis condemned by numerous human rights organizations and other non-governmental organizations. The majority of the more than 600 activists aboard the ships were Turkish, but there were also activists from Ireland, the United States, Britain, Australia, Greece, Canada, Malaysia, Algeria, Serbia, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, and Kuwait, and included Nobel laureate Mairead Corrigan-Maguire, European parliamentarians, human rights activists, at least one Holocaust survivor, and Dr. Fintan Lane (son of former Irish Republican Socialist Party chairperson Jim Lane). In a troubling development, those aboard were kept away from the media, allowing the Israeli government to control the message of what happened before and during the raid. These are the rogue actions of a rogue state. Israel was born a rogue state, and will remain a rogue state as long as it exists in defiance of the national rights of the Palestinian people. All progressive minded people must stand together against the brutality perpetrated by this rogue state, whether it be the daily oppression meted out to the Palestinian people or acts of aggression against those who would aid the Palestinians. The Irish Republican Socialist Committees of North America call on Israel to immediately release all Freedom Flotilla activists currently being held, and put an end to the illegal blockade of Gaza. Further, we salute the courage of the activists who were willing to risk their lives to aid the Palestinians, and mourn the loss of those who died. # # # Irish Republican Socialist Committees of North America http://www.irscna.org/ Posted in: International | Comments Off |
