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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
Posted in: Events | Comments Off During a meeting today members of the IRSM spoke to one of the protesting workers from Green Isle foods, John Guinan, who is currently on hungerstrike along with fellow worker Jim Wyse. In a show of solidarity members of both the IRSP and RSYM joined comrades on the picket line and Hunger Strike outside Green Isle Foods Naas Co Kildare. A member of the IRSP outlined our activism over the their plight to Hunger Striker John Guinan and TEEU reps that were there, John expressed his heart felt thanks and said our activism and concern for them ment “more than anyone could imagine”. John said the only way this will work is if the people refuse to buy Green Isle Products “we need the support of the people its been slow in coming but since the rally on Saturday local national and international media have been turning up every hour and RTE haven’t left but it is up to the Irish people they are the ones that will make or break this strike we need there support”.  A member of the IRSP and a member of the RSYM at the picket line today in NAAS, Co Kildare with hungerstriking worker John Guinan Posted in: Events | Comments Off Members of the IRSP and RSYM held a protest tonight at ASDA in Strabane in solidarity with the Green Isle workers who are currently involved in action against their employers. As part of the action tonight our activists handed out literature to shoppers explaining the reasons behind the protest and this was met with a very positive response with a number pledging not to buy Green Isle products as the IRSP literature called for a boycott of Green Isle products until the strike is resolved to the satisfaction of the workers. In a token of solidarity one of our activists filled a trolley with Green Isle products, then had these products scanned at the tills, then walked out towards the doors of the centre to join other members of the IRSM where literature was then handed out to shoppers. This action was carried out in solidarity with Jim Wyse and his fellow Green Isle workers who are currently on hunger strike until such times as the strike is resolved satisfactorily. Further activities are planned.
Posted in: Events | Comments Off The Irish Republican Socialist Party and the Republican Socialist Youth Movement has began its recruitment campaign in Belfast. ”The Irish Republican Socialist Party exists to agitate, educate and organize within our class and to mobilize our fellow workers towards the objective of removing the Northern colonial ”The Republican Socialist Youth Movement is a Working Class Revolutionary youth Organization, inspired by the teaching’s of James Connolly, Seamus Costello, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Our Goal is to educate, train and organize the youth of Ireland in the method’s of Republican Socialism. Contact Details Republican Socialist Youth Movement Or Join the Alternative, Join the Republican Socialists
Posted in: Events | Comments Off On Sunday 21st of February the Belfast Republican Socialist Youth Movement remembered with pride Irish National Liberation Army Volunteer Hugh Ferguson. A parade of up to a 100 people which included the family of Hugh Ferguson, as well as comrades and supporters, was held on Sunday 21st, which left from the Whiterock area of West Belfast. A colour party consisting of Belfast RSYM and IRSP activists headed the march on its way to the memorial plaque of Volunteer Hugh Ferguson and Comrade Hugh O’Neil. Wreaths on behalf of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, the Republican Socialist Youth Movement and the Irish National Liberation Army were laid at the memorial plaque. The colour party then lowered the flags in remembrance of Volunteer Hugh Ferguson. Friend and comrade of Volunteer Hugh Ferguson, veteran Republican Socialist Joe Heaney, gave the main oration at the event. Proceedings came to an end with Amhrán na bhFiann being played by a member of the James Connolly MFB. Speaking at a fitting commemoration on the 35th anniversary of the INLA volunteers death, Joe Heaney Said: ‘’Hugh as a young man was full of courage and bravery who fought for the rights of the Irish Working Class throughout his short life, Hugh’s spirit lives on amongst our young Republican Socialist’s of today namely the activists of the Republican Socialist Youth Movement’’ We would like to extend a special thank you to the Michael Kearney/Patrick Campbell Cumann for organising the event. Posted in: Events | Comments Off Wreath laying ceremony Sunday 24th January for TA Power & John O Reilly Friendly street , Assemble 2.00pm ALL WELCOME Posted in: Events | Comments Off Organised by the Belfast Republican Socialist Youth Movement
Posted in: Events | Comments Off “As part of SIPTU’s campaign a major protest is being organised against the critical underfunding in the sector and the savage cuts proposed by Colm McCarthy’s “Bord Snip Nua” report. “We are encouraging all workers, activists and communities to make every effort to show you support on: Posted in: Events | Comments Off Demonstration Against Bord Snip Cuts A National demonstration against the 26 County Administrations proposed cuts and bail-outs will be held on Saturday 19th September. Everyone is asked to assemble at Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin, at 1pm. Please bring placards, banners, whistles, family and friends. Posted in: Events | Comments Off |
