Ivor Callely sends me Christmas Joy

One of the most bizarre aspects of being a Sinn Féin Councillor is the Christmas cards and gifts you receive from Senators from opposing political parties. In years past I have received books, ties, pens, DVDs, diaries and chocolates from senators whose parties are in bitter battles with us in a crazy bid for a senate vote. I think the only party from which I never received a senatorial gift was my own. Pearse Doherty, the cheapskate, never sent me so much as An Phoblacht souvenir keyring during his time in An Seanad.

This year (or do I say last year?), I have to say, the numbers of cards and gifts reduced dramatically from previous times.

However I am happy to report that one Ivor Callely didn't forget me (even though he has never met me)! Ivor duly sent me a wee Christmas card in which I think he describes himself as the Holy One of Israel (which may or may not be his current place of residence).

Ivor went a step further in his quest to bid me all the merriment of the Christmas season by giving me a little help with those awkward dates that will arise in 2011 by also enclosing a little calendar. I particularly like his reference to himself as having "Unwavering Energy & Dedication Born of a True Passion for Public Service". It was easier believing he was the Holy One of Israel.

It appears that there is going to be a bit of a debate on the future of the Seanad in the run up to the election and possibly (unlikely) even a referendum on election day itself. Who knows, maybe its days are numbered. Would anyone (apart from senators) even notice?

Well, in a very very very small way, I would. Because, after all, if it weren't for the Seanad and the gombeen who Bertie Ahern appointed to it I wouldn't have had one of my biggest laughs of 2010.

Happy New Year!

The none-too-popular issue of Father's Rights

The issue of the rights of Fathers, especially those who are unmarried and separated, is one that becomes prominent for short periods of times every couple of years. I have to say, its not an issue that I spend too much concentration on for the most part.

However, in recent weeks, and by co-incidence, the issue has been raised with me by three separate constituents. In one instance a man approached me. He is the father of a three year old girl whom he has seen only four times since he and her mother split up when the baby was around two months. He pays an agreed sum into the mothers bank account each month. The mother now has a new partner and they and the young child live in Munster and good luck to them.

The mothers attitude is simple and probably understandable. The girls father can see her whenever he likes but he must come to her and sort out his own accommodation etc. For one reason or another he has rarely made the trip and when he has he feels like a complete outsider in the child's' life. He has spoken to a solicitor but because he lives in a one-bedroom flat his legal advice is that he won't win the right to have his daughter stay with him. He is on the social housing waiting list in County Monaghan but because there is no legal agreement in place the odds on him being offered a house suitable for his daughter to stay with him are slim.

In the other two cases it was the children's paternal grandparents who contacted me. They love their grandchildren and yet never, and I literally mean never, get to see them. In one instance the father had negotiated the right to keep his child every second weekend. However, on one occasion, at the suggestion of his own mother he let his son stay with his Granny while he went for a few pints. You would think that everyone was a winner. The wee lad was spoilt rotten and Granny was in her element. But, when the boys mother was told what had happened she withdrew from the previous agreement and now the boy and his father have four hours together every second Sunday.

In the third case another Granny approached me. Her son and his partner have just separated. His wife and their two children are living in the family home. He continues to pay half of the mortgage and household bills and after he has paid his own rent he barely has enough to purchase food. Possibly because the separation is a new one and emotions are running high his access to his children is often denied. He is currently (or rather Granny is) pursuing every legal avenue available to resolve the situation.

In each of these cases there are decent fathers who only want to play an active part in their children's lives. Indeed, I have no doubt that in each case the children's' mothers are also decent people who love their children dearly.

I also know that there are many separated fathers who don't step up to the mark in the care of their children and the only person stopping them is themselves. I know many mothers who desperately want their children to spend time with their father but he's never about.

Separated Fathers have responsibilities that they should live up to.

But, they should also have legally protected rights.

As it stands they don't have. In the case of an unmarried separated father their rights are almost nill. They have no say in naming the child - it is most often the case that the mother will give the child her surname without consulting the father (I'm not saying that the child should take one name or another, only that it should be an agreed position in cases where the father wishes to participate in the child's life). In some instances the child is registered without the fathers name on the birth cert without his knowledge.

But these are in fact, only minor issues. The real difficulties arise when a father is denied or given severally limited access to their children. This not only infringes on the fathers rights but also the children's.

There is a gross inequality at play in the current legislation. Last week I wrote to the Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern, asking him to address this inequality. I am not too confident.

The fact is that most men affected by this injustice are fighting their own private battles and it appears that most are slow to make a public stand on the matter. The place where they should be getting support - i.e. from human rights and equality campaigners - appears to be quite on the subject. I suspect that there are so many areas where women have yet to achieve full equality that some people feel it doesn't merit campaigning for the one huge area for which men are at the receiving end.

The fact is that inequality is inequality no matter who it is directed at and where it exists we each have a responsibility to tackle it head on. It's no less than children deserve.

Presentation to An Bord Pleanála Oral Hearing into North-South Interconnector

Yesterday, Wednesday 3rd June, Sinn Féin made our submission to An Bord Pleanála Oral hearing on the North-South Interconnector. EirGrid & NIE are planning to erect high voltage 400kv power-lines, and associated massive pylons, through the heart of counties Monaghan, Cavan, Meath, Armagh and Tyrone. The An Bord Pleanála hearings are examining the planning application as it pertains to the three counties on this side of the border.

Sinn Féin's position is cystal clear. The current application should be rejected and the project should be undergrounded. There is amble evidence to show that this is feasible, although it is likely to be a more expensive option (how much more expensive is a matter of considerable debate). Our party will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with those communities who are engaged in a mammoth battle with EirGrid and the forces of the state.

Unfortunately the government have assisted EirGrid through the introduction of the Strategic Infrastructure Act which removes local authorities from the planning process on issues such as this. To their eternal shame Fine Gael supported the government in the passing of this legislation. The Sinn Féin TD's voted against as did the Green Party (while in opposition of course; ironically it is a Green Minister, Eamon Ryan, who has the power to direct EirGrid to underground the project but he has refused to do so).

So, yesterday, we took the opportunity to address the Bord Pleanála inspectorate and make our case against the current proposal and in favour of undergrounding. Our delegation was led by Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and also consisted of myself and fellow Councillors Jackie Crowe and Noel Keelan. We have also secured the technical support of Simon Allen, an expert in the field of electricity provision and a well respected expert in particularly on the undergrounding of electricity cables.

(Outside the Oral Hearings at the Nuremore Hotel, Carrickmacross prior to presenting the SF submission were L-R Cllr. Noel Keelan, mise, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, Simon Allen and Cllr. Jackie Crowe)

Caoimhghín, speaking mostly trí Gaeilge, acted as main spokesperson and dealt specifially with the issue of land valuations and their impact as a result of the development. Noel Keelan spoke of the implications for the tourism development and the visual impact consequences. Jackie Crowe spoke extensively on the health concerns that many people have regarding overhead high-voltage power lines. I spoke regarding the environmental concerns of those of us opposed to the development (the text of my remarks are below). Simon Allen gave a powerful, fact-based contribution outlining EirGrid's failures to properly investigate the prospect of undergrounding the interconnector. He also explained how, scientifically, it was feasibly possible to underground such projects.

I was incredibly proud of the Sinn Féin presentation. It was professional, well researched and based of scientific fact. I hope it has made an impact.

I would like to say that we stole the show at yesterdays hearings. However, that honour belongs to Jim McNally, a resident along the route of the proposed interconnector. Jim made a passionate and detailed case against the project. Put simply he was outstanding - Maith Thú Jim!

It is important to acknowledge the huge community effort that has been invested against the plans of EirGrid and NIE throughout the five affected counties. The companies seriously underestimated the level of opposition they would encounter. At often huge personal cost, financial and otherwise, community representatives have challenged and matched the unlimited resources of the state's apparatus. We can only hope that An Bord Pleanála will do the right thing from a planning perspective and reject EirGrid's flawed planning application.

One way or another, the communities involved can be assured of the full support of Sinn Fein - the only party to have adopted, as policy, the position that all such electricity networks should be undergrounded.

My remarks to the oral hearing:

I wish to begin by thanking the inspector and the board for affording my party colleagues and I the opportunity to address this oral hearing.

I wish to also record my party’s view once again that developments such as this that will, one way or another, have a significant developmental impact on any county, should be subject to the planning process in that particular county. In this case Counties Monaghan, Meath and Cavan will be, in Sinn Féin’s view, subjected to development which will have a significant negative impact across an array of barometers that have been outlined in our submission and those of other organisations. Therefore I want to reiterate our opposition to the Strategic Infrastructure Act.

Nevertheless we are where we are and I am hopeful that An Bord Pleanála will accept the overwhelming arguments that have been articulated by united communities along the entire route of this proposed development, in opposition to the erection of overhead high voltage power lines and associated pylons.

From June 2008 until June 2009 I had the honour of being the Mayor of County Monaghan. In that capacity I visited almost every community in this county at one point or another. I can tell this forum, without fear of contradiction, that there is no issue that unites the people of Monaghan more than this. This is particularly the case in the South and Mid Monaghan areas that would be most directly impacted upon if An Bord Pleanála were to grant planning permission based on EirGrid’s current application.

A question of democracy has arisen. Monaghan County Council has unanimously adopted numerous motions in opposition to this application and in favour of the underground option for the inter-connector; so too has every municipal authority in the county; likewise every Oireachtas member from this constituency has issued statements in support of the local communities. Therefore the question must be asked; can and will An Bord Pleanála override the entire democratically elected opinion from any given county simply on an interpretation of government policy which in my mind, based on the statements of government Oireachtas members locally, is vague to say the least on the issue of underground versus overhead development of electricity networks.

I would like to deal broadly with the potential Environmental Impact of the proposed development.

The EIS presented by EirGrid has been described as containing ‘limited information’ by senior Monaghan County Council planners on matters of such importance as justification for the chosen route of the inter-connector. If the EIS fails to satisfy senior planners with regard to such a central matter then how can it possibly satisfy local communities with regard to wider Environmental concerns?

It is Sinn Féin’s contention that this application contravenes vital aspects of the County Development Plans of the three affected counties in this state. I want to refer to elements included in the Monaghan County Development Plan because that is the one that I am familiar with.

Policy ENV 2 of the Monaghan County Development Plan states that it shall be a priority of the Planning Process to “Protect the landscapes and natural environments of the county by ensuring that any new developments in designated sensitive rural landscapes do not detrimentally impact on the character, integrity, distinctiveness or scenic value of the area”.

Policy ENV 3 states that the Planning process will “Sustain, conserve, manage and enhance the landscape diversity, character and quality of the County for the benefits of current and future generations”.

There can be no doubt that a Pylon network which will literally divide County Monaghan in two will contravene both of these policies. The entire landscape character of County Monaghan will be changed forever. The outcome will be similar in Counties Cavan and Meath and indeed in Armagh and Tyrone if the NIE proposal were to be approved.

You will know from the Monaghan County Council submission that the local authority considers the environmental impact upon landscapes such as Drumlins, Upper Farmland, Lakelands and other uplands to be in many cases significant. In many instances the Sensitivity of Local Landscape affected by this proposed development has been characterised as ‘High’ while the significance of the visual impact of the development has been characterised as ‘Major’ in many areas.

The proposed development will directly and adversely affect the settings of at least eleven lakes and their environs in County Monaghan alone. As well as that, in a number of instances the development is proposed to be located between the road and the lake contravening a further policy, ENV 15 of the Monaghan County Development Plan.

You will have learned from the Monaghan County Council submission that the EIS has failed to properly assess the impact of the proposed development upon bio diversity in the vicinity of the proposed development and consequent mitigation measures have not been included. A statement, which was prepared by council officials (and not elected representatives) states: “It is apparent from the lack of detail provided, in particular for flora and ecology, that no botanical surveys were undertaken on the ground.

And “the habitat classifications provided on the maps and in the flora and fauna sections have not been elaborated upon, and are at a very general level. Cutover bog is often used as a broad term, although most of these sites are mosaic habitats with transition mire and secondary fen vegetation which should be recorded. Lakes are recorded as simply lakes with no reference to their fringing and surrounding habitats.

And: “no species lists for any site are provided. No detail on protected flora is provided”.

And alarmingly: “Some of the detail regarding “status” of sites has been incorrectly transcribed from Monaghan County Council reports, to give a lower importance to sites. For example Corlea Bog, page 99 vol 2B, is stated to have been identified in the Fen Survey of Monaghan “….as a diverse site of high local value. This is a C status.” The Monaghan Fen Survey actually rated this site to be of National Importance, of B status. This cutover bog site (7.7ha) has 3.4ha of transition mire, and a species protected by the Flora Protection Order”.

What does it say about the professionalism of an EIS that a point of such environmental significance could be “mistaken”? This point, as much as any other, in my view, warrants the dismissal and refusal of this application.

But there are other environmental concerns which have been reported to this oral hearing which we in Sinn Féin share. Included among these are issues relating to the noise impact and pollution, lack of information relating to displaced material associated with this development and its impact on waste management considerations, the impact upon surface and groundwater and the lack of a flood risk assessment in the EIS.

I want to put on the record Sinn Féin’s endorsement of the section in the Monaghan County Council submission entitled “comments by elected members”.

In that submission prepared by Monaghan County Council the elected members identified 25 policies in the Monaghan County Development Plan which this proposed development contravenes. 21 of those policies are in the chapter of the development entitled “Environment and Heritage”.

If any individual or organisation in Counties Cavan, Monaghan or Meath submitted an application to their local authority that contravened a single policy they would encounter severe difficulties in the planning process regardless of the so-called ‘greater good’ that they would be accommodating. But if they contravened several policies of a County Development Plan they would be refused in record time. If they had the nerve to appeal to An Bord Pleanála they would, I don’t doubt, again be refused.

An Bord Pleanála should do the right thing according to proper and sustainable planning in this instance. They should reject this development and send EirGrid back to their experts to draft a new application that considers, in a meaningful way, the environmental impact of their proposals. An Bord Pleanála should also, in my view, recommend that EirGrid give serious consideration to the option of undergrounding the inter-connector, as I don’t believe they have thus far.

Israeli Ambassador gets his answer

On Wednesday 27th January I received a phone call from a senior council official. He wanted to know what I would think of the council hosting a reception for the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, at his request. "I think you know what my reaction would be" I replied "I would oppose it and if it were to happen we would mount a protest." I took it from his response that it wouldn't be happening.

Then, at the close of business on Thursday 28th January I received another call from the council - this time to invite me to a civic reception for the said ambassador, Zion Evrony, first thing the next morning. It appears that the Mayor of Carrickmacross Town Council, Mary Kerr Conlon, felt that it would be 'rude' to refuse such a request by a diplomat. Initially I gave Mary the benefit of the doubt. I thought perhaps she didn't understand the record of the Israeli government that Mr. Evrony represents. So I immediately called her and outlined the huge insult that such a reception would be to all of those people in Carrickmacross and further afield who are continually horrified by the actions of the Israeli government, particularly in the Palestinian territories. For some reason she wasn't for turning - she was insistent that the visit would take place despite the fact that she had no mandate from the council to host it.


Considering the short notice it is quite likely that Mary Kerr Conlon believed that there wouldn't be time for Sinn Féin to organise any sort of a credible protest. Thankfully she was wrong. A late night text message ensured that over thirty people were gathered outside of the council offices the next morning. Most of those people were from Carrick and many had taken the morning off work to attend. We were also grateful that a few people made that extra effort to travel. Fellow Sinn Féin Councillors Seán Conlon (Cathaoirleach of Monaghan Town Council), Peter Grimes (Castleblayney) and Sheila McKenna (North Monaghan) all came along. My staunch aunt Ann Kelly and her husband Tom travelled down from Dublin. I was also pleased that a former Workers Party Chairperson of Carrickmacross Town Council Francie O'Donoghue came along to show his support.


Suffice to say that Zion Evrony received the welcome he deserved. A dignified silent protest met him (and about 12 Gardaí who accompanied him) at the road adjacent to the council offices. Myself and Councillor Noel Keelan addressed him at the door of the council offices and informed him that regardless of whatever pleasantries the Mayor intend to greet him with his government were not, in fact welcome in Carrickmacross. I asked him to get in his car and return to his embassy. We then entered the council offices and made a formal, and perhaps heated, complaint to the Mayor and then left the chambers once more.


When the Ambassador was leaving we again informed him that the actions of his government were unacceptable to the people of Carrickmacross. We issued this statement after the protest.


Since then I am told that Zion Evrony wrote to my party leader calling on him to condemn my actions and those of the others who protested that morning. I don't think its a surprise that Gerry Adams did no such thing - Maith thú Gerry!


So then there was the political fall-out. Since the event I have received a fair bit of correspondence from Israeli supporters, mostly Irish. To give them their dues they are a committed bunch that will defend Israel to the last. Some of their comments though show a hatred towards anyone who does not agree with them that is unsettling. We've also had interesting media reports on the protest; This one is typical.


Carrickmacross Town Council met last Friday. I attempted to raise the matter and it took an almerciful shouting match with the Mayor before she allowed me to speak. I proposed that the page in the 'distinguished visitors book' which Zion Evrony had signed be removed. I further proposed that the council write to the Israeli embassy stating that their representatives would not be welcome to return to Carrickmacross Town Council until such time as their government acted in accordance with UN resolutions and International Law.


I was nervous about putting the vote to the meeting in case it failed to secure a majority and in which case the Mayor and her supporters would portray that as a vindication of her actions. However not to have a vote recorded in the minutes and to allow the page to remain in our visitors book would, I believed, forever sully the name and reputation of the council I am proud to have been a member of since 1999.


There are nine members of Carrickmacross Town Council. Obviously myself and Noel Keelan were going to vote in favour of my proposal. And I will be forever grateful to Councillors Catherine Martin and Kristina Jankaitiene of the Green Party and Padraig McNally of Fianna Fáil who all supported the motion. The other Fianna Fáil member, PJ O'Hanlon and the three Fine Gael members voted against.


But the motion was carried. Carrickmacross Town Council has redeemed itself and the Israeli Ambassadors' PR stunt has backfired - Zion Evrony has got his answer from our little town in South County Monaghan.

Seán O'Carroll & Patrick Tierney Commemoration; Ardee Co. Louth

(Cllr. Pearse McGeough & myself at the O'Carroll/
Tierney monument in Ardee)
Earlier today I had the honour of addressing the annual Commemoration of IRA Volunteers Seán O'Carroll and Patrick Tierney who were murdered by the Black & Tans on November 30th 1920. The event took place in Ardee, Co. Louth and was proceeded by a march through the town to the monument erected in memory of the two men.

Local Councillor Pearse McGeough chaired the proceedings. Because everyone was freezing I kept my contribution relatively short. Here are my remarks for anyone who may be interested:





Today, like every year, republicans gather to remember and commemorate 2 heroes:
Seán O’Carroll, a native of Celbridge in Co. Kildare who had moved to Belfast at a young age and found himself here in Ardee, County Louth, where he was teaching Gaeilge and Patrick Tierney, a local man rooted in the Ardee community.

In November 1920 Seán O’Carroll was 25; Patrick Tierney was 26.

Reading reports on their lives it was clear that they were relatively ordinary young men enjoying the same pastimes as their peers. But, they were different in one respect – they were IRA volunteers, having recognised the injustice perpetrated on their country by foreign occupation they decided they were going to do something about it. That is what made them heroes.

On the evening of 30th November British forces murdered both men, in separate instances, here in the town of Ardee.

Similar stories are to be found in almost every town in this country and in far too many cases we don’t have to go back 90 years to find the story.

In 6 counties, up until recently, similar methods were used continually by RUC, British army and their agents in unionist death squads in attempts to silence the heroes of the day.

They failed.

And while we have not yet succeeded in bringing about the objectives for which Seán O’Carroll and Patrick Tierney gave their lives we must be confident that we are on course for that victory which has alluded the Irish people for so many generations.

The last 15 years have been difficult. The Peace Process, has in many ways shown the determination of our enemies and opponents. It has tested our resolve. It has sometimes caused difficulties for us personally. But, these difficulties have been nothing compared to what has been caused for our enemies.

Take the issue of policing, for example. A tough decision for many republicans, myself included, was taken. But witnessing the crisis caused with unionism and elements of the British establishment it is clear that the republican leadership (made up of the same calibre of people as Seán O Carroll and Patrick Tierney) took an initiative which has the potential to undermine the solidity of the 6 county state.

Who knows how this current dilemma will be resolved. One thing we know for certain is that if republicans remain united and committed then we will come out stronger than we went in.

Another certainty is that the endgame for partition must be put in place.

Consider the economic crisis that this state is in. And consider the perceived wisdom among so many of those who actually caused the crisis that a major obstacle to recovery is the fact that hard strapped families sometimes decide to do their shopping in an Irish town 40 miles down the road from where we are standing.

Of course, Sinn Féin representatives should be encouraging people to support local businesses where appropriate. But in my own town of Carrickmacross, I know that for years there was never so much as a whisper when busloads of people travelled to Dublin to spend their hard earned cash. But when they make the shorter journey into a neighbouring county in search of value for money their patriotism is questioned.

We know what our patriotic duty is, in economic terms and in every other way. It is to do all within our power to end partition and unite our country once and for all.

Sinn Féin has a plan to achieve this. Other parties tell us that they too want to see reunification. Well, let us see their plans. We have no desire to have a monopoly of the Irish Republican tradition. But likewise we will not listen to election time republicans, who mention the names of the likes of Seán O’Carroll and Patrick Tierney only when it’s in their political interests to do so, without exposing their hypocrisy.

The hardest battles for Irish Republicanism are yet to come. We know the resolve of our opponents. They were at the home of Seán Hughes and his family recently. They united in force to deliver the Lisbon treaty. They are at one in forcing the lowest paid and the less well off to pay the cost of an economic bubble that delivered no benefit to those targeted for cuts.

And they are united in their fear, their hatred and their contempt for Irish Republicanism. They comprise of course of the most reactionary elements of Unionism and the British political and military establishment. But they also include the political, media, big business establishment in this state, just like they did during the tan war when the same elements turned a blind eye to the murders of Seán O’Carroll and Patrick Tierney.

And just like the comrades of Seán Carroll and Patrick Tierney did all those years ago we need to take our opponents on with even more resolve than they have themselves.

That means becoming stronger. It means being rooted in our communities and leading from the front. It means presenting the Irish people with radical yet achievable short and medium term solutions as well as having a broader vision for a new and united Ireland.

Our elected representatives have been carrying out this work. Arthur Morgan and his staff should be especially congratulated for their work in producing comprehensive policy documents including a pre-budget submission and an employment creation strategy document that proves the lie behind government assertions that there is no alternative to cuts in public services and the targeting of the low paid and unemployed.

With the commitment of party members and supporters we need to by-pass the establishment media and get our policies into local communities. We need to create the debate about what kind of Ireland the Irish people want.

It is my firm belief that, at the basest level, the Irish people don’t want a partitioned, conservative, right wing, uncompassionate, corrupt country. Yet many of them continually elect partitionist, right-wing, uncompassionate, corrupt politicians. Maybe its because they haven’t been convinced that there’s an alternative.

Well, that’s our job. Lets show them. Lets make sure that County Louth, just like my own constituency re-elects our Sinn Féin TD's. Lets set the example for other constituencies to do likewise. Lets take power in this state and use that power to demolish the border that is the source of so many of this country’s ills.

Let do this together. Lets create a real, living commemoration to Seán O’Carroll and Patrick Tierney and to the thousands of others who gave their lives to the great cause to which we still aspire.

Reflections after Lisbon

So, Lisbon has been passed and, it has to be said, by a substantial margin.

I’m not going to go down the line that advocates of the treaty did when the same proposition was rejected last year which was basically “the people were too stupid to know what they were doing”. I think all democrats must accept the result, dust ourselves off and prepare for the next battle for the hearts and minds of the Irish electorate.

Standing back I don’t think the surprise is that the Lisbon Treaty was passed; rather that is was rejected in the first place and that even on this occasion a considerable 33% of people refused to be sold by a ‘Yes’ campaign that comprised of the collective energies of the entire political, corporate, religious and media establishment. The fact that a sizable section of the trade union movement also endorsed the treaty, while unsurprising, was disappointing and undoubtedly swayed many progressive voters.

The result presents challenges for us into the future. The first, obvious one, is to be ready to expose those ‘lies’ expressed by the yes side in the course of the referendum particularly relating to the economy.

(Looking forward to all the job creation? Don't hold your breath.)

We must also accept the need for independent analysis of all directions coming from the EU and of all decisions agreed by our government at EU level. I feel that a central failing of the No side was our simple acceptance of the ‘yes’ sides’ simple assertion that “Europe has been good for us”. Of course, the EU has been the source of much positive legislation (almost all of which regarding say, women’s and workers’ rights, could have been introduced by the Dáil) and many sectors have received welcome funding. But there is no organisation or body that analyses the role that the EU has played across the board without having a particular agenda.

There are also other lessons to be learned for those of us who campaigned for a ‘No’ vote.

Certainly the Coír campaign was often embarrassing and their poster proclaiming €1.84 minimum wage played straight into the government’s hands as once they were able to disprove one claim they managed to discredit the entire No campaign. Now I know there was a question mark on the poster and I accept that Coír were simply attempting to draw attention to the anti-worker decisions of the European Court of Justice but they should have left that to those people who actually knew what they were talking about.

Libertas, again as a group I have little affinity with, ran a relatively good campaign in fairness. They highlighted those aspects of the treaty which will impact on those sections of society that we, in Sinn Féin for example, couldn’t resonate with. Declan Ganley’s late arrival added nothing to the campaign however other than to excite the chattering classes in the media.

The UNITE and TEEU trade unions deserve great credit. They stuck specifically to the contents of the treaty and made a strong case for a No vote. Unfortunately the decision of SIPTU to change its position (on the back of Fine Gael and Labour promises) meant that the public perception was that the entire trade union movement was in unison in favour of the treaty.

For Sinn Féin’s part it is clear that we simply do not have credibility among a sufficient proportion of the electorate. Clearly the anti-Sinn Féin bias in the media holds a massive sway. Similarly, other than Lisbon itself, nothing unites the establishment political parties more than their hatred for republicans. But we can’t just keep whinging about these things. We have to accept them as a given and move on. The experience in Monaghan, for example, is that when Sinn Féin get a substantial mandate the other parties are less likely to spend their time attacking us for fear of missing out on transfers.

We have to get off our high horse; the reason Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour can direct so much venom towards Sinn Féin isn’t just because we go against the cosy cartel that has existed in this state since its foundation. It’s also because they know they can. We simply aren’t strong enough to combat it.

So, we need to get stronger. That means building a better organisation. It means that some of those people who have left our party in recent years must be encouraged to come back. We also need to attract thousands of new members and accept the fact that not all members will feel comfortable in the traditional cumann structure that the party operates. We need to alter the definition of what a Sinn Féin member is and agree that it will not always be necessary for someone to attend three meetings a week and go leafleting, campaigning etc for the other four evenings to meet the criteria.

We also need to build and support an alternative media. The failure of the Daily Ireland initiative was disappointing. I sincerely hope that somebody, or a collection of individuals, will at some point in the future launch an alternative progressive national daily newspaper. In the mean-time there is a need to increase the level of other means of media such as newsletters and on-line methods such as social networking sites and you-tube.

It is only by building a strong Republican party delivering a strong Republican message can we hope to win the battle for Irish hearts and minds. This is a historic project that will take many years to achieve. It certainly cannot be measured in election cycles or election results although these will always be useful indicators as to the success, or otherwise, of our efforts.

As a first step we need all progressive political groupings and parties, whether coming primarily from a socialist or republican perspective, to work together on issues of mutual concern. They/ We should each start concentrating their/ our energies on the conservative forces in our society, of which there are many. It is draining to see progressive parties and organisations attacking Sinn Féin rather than joining us in tackling the greatest challenges facing our nation i.e. partition, poverty and inequality.

There is a large amount of work to do in the struggle for a United Democratic Irish Republic. A battle was lost last weekend; and the hard work has only started.

Lisbon Treaty Re-Run campaign intensifies

Well, maybe the title is a bit misleading. But, certainly those campaigning for a Yes vote are getting their act together quickly. For those of us who dearly want to see the Irish people once again stand up for themselves and reject this bad treaty the very thought of another campaign is draining.



Prior to the last campaign I read the Lisbon treaty. And, even though I can now quote very few of the exact phrases/ sections/ paragraphs etc, you can have your shite if you think I’m going to read it again. I’ll leave that to Eoin O’Broin.

Of course I’ll read the summaries and the analysis and the opinion pieces (most of which incidentally will be written by people who didn’t read it the first time and won’t read it this time either). It just sickens me the contempt that those advocating a Yes vote have and the brass neck on them when it comes to this subject. They are oozing confidence; and perhaps they have every reason. I just hope that we can take those smug, patronising, self-serving smirks off their faces in October.

I may return to this subject again so at this stage suffice to make these short points:
1. The Lisbon Treaty was a Bad Deal last year – It’s still a Bad Deal.
2. The rejection of the Lisbon Treaty had nothing to do with the recession – the no vote didn’t create it and a yes vote won’t reverse it.
3. There is nothing patriotic, or even sensible, about a state giving even more power to a commission or a council of Ministers for which, once decisions are made and directives issued, provide no democratic mechanism for reversing them.

This will be a defining moment for the Irish People (well those in the 26 counties who’ll have a vote). I hear so much about how mature our country has become; how sophisticated we now are; how outward looking the Irish People are seen.
Well this is the opportunity to prove it.
Like any good parent can we, on this occasion, say:
No means No!

Louise Minihan Leaves Sinn Féin

Dublin City Councillor Louise Minihan has left Sinn Féin to join Eirígi just five weeks after the local elections. She intends to take her seat with her.

I know Louise very well. I was at the first Sinn Féin meeting she ever attended and probably hundreds after that when we were in Ógra Shinn Féin in Dublin together about ten or twelve years ago.

I can’t remember ever arguing much with Louise over politics. As I recall we agreed on almost everything. In fact the only time I remember disagreeing with her was in the run-up to the special Ard Fheis on policing. I was opposed to the Ard Comhairle motions. Louise was in favour. Indeed she spoke eloquently in support of our party joining the 6 county policing board to 2,000 plus delegates at the Ard Fheis in the RDS. (Incidentally I was queuing behind her to get up to speak against, when some fella from Cork proposed that the debate cease and a vote be taken; he got the largest applause I have ever heard from an Ard Fheis delegate. Anyway, I never got to give my tuppence worth and of course it wouldn’t have mattered – I’m not that persuasive).

I was gutted by that Ard Fheis decision; it was the only time that I’ve really considered leaving Sinn Féin.

Obviously I didn’t. But if I did I’d like to think that I would never even contemplate holding onto my council seats. They’re not mine. Of course, I’d like to think that some people vote for me because of my own track record and my own community activism but if I wanted to be judged on these alone I’d stand as an Independent. On the three occasions I’ve gone for election I’ve stood on the Sinn Féin ticket and been honoured to do so and have been more honoured to have been elected on every occasion. I have been glad of the huge support I have received from my fellow Sinn Féin members and candidates and I have never asked for assistance from the local organisation which wasn’t provided. It’s their seat as much as mine. And it belongs to the Sinn Féin members in Cork, Armagh, Dublin, wherever as much as it does to the Cumainn in my local area. Because we’re in this together!

About nine weeks ago, I, along with the other Sinn Féin candidates in Monaghan came together to sign our pre-election pledge to the party. Candidates in Dublin did likewise (as in Wexford for that matter, just like the candidates in Strabane did prior to their elections). The pledge basically states that, if elected, we will act honourably and uphold the principles and policies of Sinn Féin. It also states that if we leave Sinn Féin for whatever reason we will give our seats back to the party. Some people don’t give it much credence. Obviously councillors who have left Sinn Féin since the election and held onto their seat didn’t. But to me if I put my name to a document, it means a lot, whether it is legally binding or not. It is my word.

And, as Republicans, if we haven’t our word we have nothing. I will not fall out with anyone who leaves Sinn Féin for political, strategic or personal reasons. But I cannot have the same respect for someone who dishonours a solemn pledge they made to their fellow party members.

Louise was obviously disappointed with the some of the strategic and policy decisions that the Sinn Féin leadership made in recent years. Join the club! I firmly believe that those of us who have issues can and must try everything in our power to resolve them within the party. But I respect those who feel that they’d made the arguments, perhaps lost them all, and then want to move on.

I was at a wedding with Louise a few weeks ago. I had heard certain rumours and asked her straight out “you’re not thinking of going anywhere, are you?” - “Jaysus, no” was the response.

It is clear now that she lied to me. Who cares, no big deal. But the fact is that she more than likely had her mind made up well before the June 5th elections and that means that she also lied to party members and her constituents and I think that that is a very big deal. It also means that she signed a solemn pledge in the full knowledge that she had no intention of upholding it. Perhaps she saw it as an ‘empty formula’ – De Valera would be proud.

(Louise with SF members including Aengus O'Snodaigh just 5 weeks ago)

The people I feel angry for are the local Sinn Féin members in Ballyfermot and the wider Dublin South Central constituency. Their task of holding onto the Dáil seat has just made considerably more difficult. Don’t anyone try to tell me that contributing to the loss of a Sinn Féin Leinster House seat will do anything positive for the cause of a United Socialist Republic.

Louise text me this morning; she said: ‘Sorry I didn’t get 2 speak 2u b4 hand, always valued u as a comrade’.

Comrades don’t do this!

Louise should do the honourable thing – she should give the seat back to the party that the people of Ballyfermot, Drimnagh, Bluebell, Chapelizod & Inchicore gave it to.

Ferris Hits Nail on the head

Toireasa Ferris has submitted an artictle in this weeks An Phoblacht which should be compulsory reading for all Sinn Féin activists particularly those who aspire to be leaders.

http://www.anphoblacht.com/news/detail/38507

First Blog

About four months ago I couldn't be bothered with social networking sites. Years of pestering from friends and family to setup a bebo page were resisted without a second thought.

Then for some reason I agreed. I was on bebo and I was hooked in a matter of days. Since then I joined facebook (without doubt the best in social networking sites), myspace (still haven't a clue how it works) and twitter (no good for someone like me who cannot say in one sentence what can easily be stretched to twenty).

So here, I presume, is the next step - I'm writing a blog. But don't worry; I can't see myself posting too often but I'm going to give it a go. I'm still not sure how this thing works. Does anybody even read other people's blogs unless they have a unique insight into a particular subject or can offer rare pieces of gossip from time to time? Because I can offer neither.

What I do hope to provide is:

1. An outlet for people, especially Monaghan people living away from home, to hear some of the things that are happening around here.

2. Let people know of upcoming events etc. that may be of interest.

3. A little bit of debate etc. on some of the important issues of the day i.e. will Monaghan beat Derry this Saturday; will Sinn Féin regroup and become the potent force we know Ireland needs it to be; will Ireland be a better place now that questions and answers will no longer be on telly? (yes, by the way, is the answer to these particular questions)

So, let me know what you think and especially tell me when I'm being a prick (once a month limit per person though - my ego can only take so much).

Here goes... The conversion is complete - I'm on blogger!