Independence of Credit Unions must be protected

Statement by the Vice President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton

The news that 26-County Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has ordered the Financial Regulator to carry out a review of the Credit Union sector should be a cause for concern. At a time when a clear and democratic alternative to the discredited and failed banking system is required more than ever the independence of the League of Credit Unions needs to be protected.

Credit Unions provide a valuable resource for working people and their communities, providing credit and lending facilities not provided by the conventional banks. The financial establishment and their friends have long resented the independence of the Credit Unions and now appear to be making a move on that independence under the guise of the present economic collapse.

The political establishment are intent on bailing out the corrupt and failed banks at the expense of this and future generations. They must not be allowed to also rob the people of an alternative and democratic banking system. Hands of our Credit Unions.

RSF Criticise Proposed Welfare Cuts in 26-Counties

Suggestions that unemployment benefit in the 26-Counties could be halved for those aged twenty-four years and under has been criticised by Republican Sinn Féin.

A spokesman said that despite claims that those taking up training programmes will be able to retain their full benefit, it is inconceivable that sufficient places would be available.

“Mary Hanafin has said that some of those who take up education and training programmes may be able to retain the full rate of benefit. However, it is clear that insufficient courses will be made available, and that those completing them will have little prospect of gaining employment as a result due to the current economic climate.

“Ms. Hanafin has also ruled out the reinstatement of the Christmas Bonus which was taken from those reliant on benefits in the latest budget. Moreover there are to be cuts in Child Benefit.

“Out of €4 million in cutbacks, €1.3 million are to target the most vulnerable in society who rely on social welfare benefits.

“Whilst the State bails out wealthy bankers who caused the recession many will question why it is only the poor who are targeted by cutbacks.”

RSF mourn the passing of a hero of the Cypriot independence struggle

Statement by the Vice President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton

In a statement the Vice President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton expressed the regret of Republicans in Ireland to the news of the recent death of Vias Livadas - a leading veteran of the Cypriot freedom struggle of the 1950s.

“The passing of Vias Livadas is mourned by Irish Republicans as the passing of a true friend and comrade in struggle. Over 50 years ago bonds of comradeship, solidarity and friendship were forged in British prisons between the revolutionaries of Cyprus and Ireland which have endured to the present day. Vias Livadas and his generation of Cypriots wrote a heroic chapter in their nation’s history resisting the British occupation of their country, a struggle which the Irish people could readily identify with.

In the foreword to his book Cypriot and Irish Political Prisoners telling the story of this amazing episode in revolutionary history, Vias Livadas summed up the importance of the bond forged within those British prison walls: ‘I aim to show that EOKA and the IRA were not merely internal affairs for their countries, but a wider revolutionary effort that is recorded among international liberation movements.” He goes on: ‘I want to clarify that these are not just ordinary relationships, but long lasting and true friendship, built upon the solid ground of common goals, ideological convictions and deep concern for human values everywhere.’ Vias Livadas was a true champion of the international struggle against imperialism.

RSF reject Orwellian Card Plans for Welfare

A PROPOSAL to collect biometric data of persons claiming social welfare benefits in the 26-Counties in an effort to create a State identity card has been criticised by Republican Sinn Féin. This was included as one of the recommendations in the first report from the Leinster House “Joint Committee on Social & Family Affairs”.

The Committee further discuss whether a biometric card for social welfare recipients could develop into a State identity card. It will contain biometric data including the holder's fingerprints. They have called for the development of such a card to be “fast-tracked as a priority measure”.

It is clear that the proposed card is not really about preventing welfare “fraud” but is actually an attempt to bring an identity card in through the back door in an increasingly Orwellian society. Such a card would inevitably be used to monitor every activity – public and private – of all individuals within the 26-County State and beyond.

RSF Vice President addresses SIPTU conference

THE Vice President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton addressed the Centenary Biennial National Conference of Ireland’s largest trade union SIPTU on October 9 in Tralee Co Kerry. The subject of his address was the murder of trade union activists by the US-backed regime in Columbia.

“Columbia’s history has been marked by two overriding factors: 1. Social and economic relations based on inequality, exploitation and exclusion. 2. State violence employed by those with economic power over working men and women and the poor to acquire and control resources.

“Columbia’s military policy is based on the so-called ‘National Security Doctrine’ which is geared not towards defence from an external enemy but against the people of Columbia.

“Today 60 percent of trade unionists murdered internationally are Columbian.

“The murder of trade unionists in Columbia is part of the worldwide war to impose the neo-liberal economic model. Whilst the extreme repression experience by the people of Columbia do not prevail here we should not fool ourselves we are not locked in the same war to protect and advance the rights of working men and women against the same forces.” Des Dalton said.

Earlier at the conference he met exiled Columbian trade union lawyer Miguel Puerto of the International Centre of Trade Union Rights.

Lisbon result: 'More power to Brussels, less in Ireland' -- Ó Brádaigh

Statement from Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, President, Republican Sinn Féin

The result of the Lisbon referendum in the 26 Counties makes for further integration into the EU, that is more power to Brussels and less power in Ireland.

The current economic recession was harnessed by the Yes advocates to stir up the fears of the people. Massive resources were deployed at home and abroad and false promises made of "jobs" and "recovery" by simply voting Yes.

The reason for such a massive swing in sixteen months towards the Yes side was the fear about the economy and the doubling of unemployment since the last Lisbon referendum.

A major contributory factor to the boom and the corruption which accompanied it was the ceding of control of interest rate policies to the WU.

The entire print media were unashamedly pro-Treaty in a vote which was not about EU membership. Will those who promoted Yes not deliver on their promises of jobs and recovery and will the compliant media hold them to their commitments?

I wish to express gratitude to all Republican Sinn Féin members and supporters who worked hard to oppose this tightening of the EU grip on Ireland.

EU state comes closer to fruition

REPUBLICAN Sinn Féin congratulates the 33% of the electorate in the 26-Counties who refused to be bought by the outright lies of the “Yes” side in the repeat Lisbon referendum.

Once again the 26-County state has shown that by ignoring the will of its people they can achieve their desired outcome. Furthermore, on this occasion, campaigners for a “No” vote were denied equal coverage in the media. This was coupled with advertisements from the Referendum Commission which were clearly favourable to the “Yes” side. Despite widespread criticism of the Iranian Presidential election, a compliant media is prepared to ignore coercion of voters by the EU and its subordinates.

EU Commission President Barroso previously described the EU as an “Empire”, and it is clear that without intervention all Nations within the EU are set to become stateless.

Great responsibility lies with Czech President Vaclav Klaus to ensure that this does not happen. He must defend the voiceless throughout the EU and refuse to sign this death-warrant for nation-states.

It should also be noted that Brian Lenihan has admitted that talk of job-creation and economic recovery in the event of a “Yes” vote was a lie. And despite claims that it was in the interests of democracy to allow voters to change their mind, there is no suggestion that they will again be allowed to adjudicate on the EU Constitution under the guise of the Lisbon Treaty.

Leadership Reshuffle at Forthcoming Ard-Fheis

Statement from Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, President, Republican Sinn Féin

"I will not be standing for the position of President of Republican Sinn Féin at the forthcoming Ard-Fheis for reasons of age and health.

"I will, however, be going forward for membership of An Ard-Chomhairle and for the Office of Patron of the organisation.

"I wish to record my appreciation and thanks to all who worked with me over the past sixty years."

Media reports:
Irish News: O Bradaigh quits as RSF president after 23 years. . .
BBC: Republican leader to stand down . . .
Belfast Telegraph: O’Bradaigh quits as Republican Sinn Fein chief . . .