International Womens Day event
Hands Off the People of Iran - HOPI
Iranian Activist speaks in Finglas
Dari Jeyran, an Iranian is a women's and political rights activist recently arrived from Iran. She has been involved in the struggles against the government there. She has been involved in solidarity work with trade unionists and students and also campaigned for prisoner's rights. She has been at the forefront of providing information about what is happening in Iran out to activists abroad. She is also opposed to any war or sanctions on Iran HOPI, and Parents Alone Support Service are holding 3 public meetings on
Thursday 6th March at the following venues
10.30am in St Helena's House, St Helena's Road, Finglas South, Dublin 11
12.30pm in Project West CDP, Barry Shops, Finglas West, Dublin 11
2.00pm in Rosehill House, Finglas Village.
ALL WELCOME
Venezuela after the Referendum
The Left and the Balkan Wars
RED BANNER issue 30 out now : Ten years of Red Banner
The Russian revolution: Where did it go wrong? On the ninetieth anniversary of the 1917 revolution, Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh asks how and why it ultimately failed
SOCIALIST CLASSICS Robert Tressell, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists Henry Gibson celebrates the most influential novel the socialist movement has ever inspired
Breaking with neo-liberalism Ed Walsh looks at an attempt by the French left to formulate alternatives to the consensus of capitalist politics
Caithfidh cumannacht a bheith ar bun Altanna ó pheann an tsóisialaí dhearmadta Peadar Ó Maicín, foilsithe den chéad uair óna bhás in éirí amach 1916
Palestine: One state or two? Tara O’Sullivan questions some common assumptions around the fight for Palestinian freedom
The Hidden Connolly Never published since his death, the initial opening chapter of James Connolly’s celebrated pamphlet The Re-Conquest of Ireland
When was Labour? Noel McDermott reviews a new book on the Labour Party’s disappointing history
The socialist who never was A poem by Michelle Charlton
€2 / £1.50 from bookshops, sellers or PO Box 6587, Dublin 6
http://www.redbannermagazine.com/
The Rise and Fall of Communism in Europe
But before we close the book on the debate, it might be worth having a look at the origins of the Communist movement. Everyone agrees that Communism was the most important challenge to capitalism since that system spread from the factories of industrial Britain and conquered the world. During the twentieth century, tens of millions of people looking for an alternative to capitalism rallied to its banner.
Respect Split
Ed Walsh gives his personal views on the recent Respect split
Democracy vs. Capitalism
Putting "Islamo-fascism" to bed:
Iran Today
George Galloway:
Reilly Bookbinders, When Workers Take Control:
Red Banner - a magazine of socialist ideas issue 29 out now!
The latest issue of Red Banner is out now. It contains:
Israel, Palestine and the middle east: Reversing recolonisation: An interview with leading peace activist Michel Warschawski, director of the Alternative Information Center in Jerusalem
SOCIALIST CLASSICS Peter Kropotkin, The Conquest of Bread Maeve Connaughton examines a great anarchist contribution to socialist thought
Basque peace process collapse: What went wrong? After ETA ends its ceasefire, Tomás Mac Síomóin points the finger at the Spanish government’s denial of Basque democratic rights
An cogadh: Cé acu taobh do bhuaigh? Nócha bliain tar éis réabhlóid na Rúise, alt ina gcuireann File na Fírinne síos ar an léargas nua ar an saol a tháinig dá toradh
Rebel women in prison in 1916 Ann Matthews continues to uncover the experiences of the women of 1916, showing how lass affected their treatment in prison
Drawing lines, and throwing shapes Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh replies to his critics, accusing them of complacency towards sectarianism
The Hidden Connolly In an article never published since his death, James Connolly calls for workers’ unity in Belfast
Correspondence Rousheen Dawi describes the horrors inflicted on Afghanistan, while Kieran Braddock calls for socialists to stand proud, and John O’Neill discusses obstacles to left unity
€2 / £1.50 Available from RED BANNER, PO Box 6587, Dublin 6 and from good bookshops red_banner@yahoo.com www.redbannermagazine.com
Karl Marx, The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte
- Colm Breathnach shows the relevance of a work written a century and a half ago to contemporary struggles. A shorter version of this article first appeared in Red Banner 27 .This short work is as good a place as any for someone to approach Marx for the first time before they take on the, somewhat daunting but hugely rewarding Capital, or the eminently readable but over-polemical Communist Manifesto. It is widely acknowledged as one of Marx’s most brilliant works and a work that still attracts much interest, because it is seen by many as a practical application of his general methodology, the archetype of the Marxist approach to history, as well as being a piece of incisive and committed journalism. The pamphlet describes and analyses the events spanning the period from the overthrow of the Orleanist monarchy in February 1848 to the coup d’etat of Louis Bonaparte (Napoleon III), Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew, in December 1851. Written shortly after the events described, it was originally intended as a series of articles for Die Revolution, a journal aimed at left-wing German exiles in the USA, but eventually appeared in book form as the sole issue of the same journal. Read the review here.
Green fig leaf: the weakest link.
The Green Party’s decision to enter government with Fianna Fáil hardly came as a surprise given that party’s drift to the right but the scale of the sell-out leaves one breathless. Anyone expecting radical reforms will be sorely disappointed as swathes of Green policy vanish leaving only vague aspirations. Gone are all the key principles. Read On.
More of the devil we know: the winners and losers of General Election 2007
There’s no denying that this was a bad election for the left. Setbacks turn into major defeats in the absence of rational analysis of what went wrong. This is an attempt to start such an analysis.
Irish Socialism Gets Blocked by State Capitalist Bureaucrats!
Confirmation that the State Capitalist Bureaucrats are feeling the heat in Peking comes as the great firewall of China blocks the ISN website. We can only deduce that Chinese peasants and workers are flocking to theStarry Plough!
National Demonstration against 40 years of the Israeli Occupation
Saturday 9th of June, 2:00 PM - Assemble at Central Bank, Dame Street, Dublin. Organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Red Banner - a magazine of socialist ideas issue 28 out now!
The latest issue of Red Banner is out now. It contains:
Iranian politics and the US threat With the risk of war hanging over the country - Ed Walsh examines the political scene in Iran
Socialist Classics Che Guevara, ’Socialism and the New Man in Cuba’ Forty years after Guevara’s death - Joe Conroy examines the vision and the weaknesses of his great essay
Citizen Army women in the GPO in 1916 - Ann Matthews begins a series uncovering the hidden history of working-class women who fought for a workers’ republic
Sláinte na gcomhlachtaí, easláinte an phobail - Nochtann Marie Ní Chonchubhair, údar an leabhair nua Emergency, na bealaí a bhfuil an nualiobrálachas ag milleadh an chóras sláinte /a>
Capital gains - Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh reviews a new book on Marx’s masterpiece
The Hidden Connolly - A speech and an article never published since his execution illustrate James Connolly’s militant trade unionism
Goats and sheep, pinkeens and tadpoles: Drawing the line with sectarianism - Des Derwin enters the debate on sectarianism and the left
€2 / £1.50 Available from RED BANNER, PO Box 6587, Dublin 6 and from good bookshops red_banner@yahoo.com www.redbannermagazine.com
Hands off the People of Iran
The ISN support "Hands Off the People of Iran". You can visit the HOTPOI site here.
French Election Results:
Click on the extract below to read on....
A few words in memory of our comrade
Graveside oration delivered by John O'Neill - Mayday 2007
The sudden death of Tommy Holmes has shocked many, family, friends and comrades. Tommy was aged 66 and had spent his life as an active socialist and trade unionist. Our sympathy and solidarity go to all his family.
Tommy was a socialist in both word and deed who spent his whole life helping other people, and dedicated himself to the struggle for a society where everyone was free and to rid Ireland of all forms of poverty and inequality.
Tommy was also committed to his area. As a founder of the Blanchardstown Centre for the Unemployed he established a community resource that ensured that the unemployed and others were aware of their rights and entitlements and given representation when faced with state bureaucracy.
Perhaps most important to him were the advances of the working class. His activism in the Workers Party and the Irish Socialist Network are a tribute to his commitment to a democratic, socialist Ireland a struggle that we all will continue. I will finish with a short poem which encapsulates Tommy and my feelings on this sad day.
'The Last Post' - by Joe S. Wallace
'Farewell, comrade, you're leaving us today.
You didn't live to see the dawn, but helped it on its way
And though you seem to alien eyes unhonoured and unknown,
The coming years will be your heirs and reap where you have sown.
And so we must contain our tears
And must retain our sorrow,
Knowing that tho' you died today your dream will live tomorrow
The way forward for Venezuela's Bolivarian Revolution:
Click on the extract below to read on:
Support the Nurses:
Over the last week, the INO and PNA have been on a work to rule in their struggle for fair pay and conditions. In these days of social partnership, the stand taken by the INO/PNA workers deserves support and solidarity from all. Read on here.
Village Magazine Q & A with Dublin North West Irish Socialist Network candidate John O'Neill:
You can read a quick Q&A with John on this link at the Village Magazine Website.
Support Adnan Hassan Mohammadi:
An Iranian Kurd, Adnan Hassan Mohammadi. has been on hunger strike in a Dublin hostel for asylum seekers for over two weeks now. Thirty five year old Adnan took the drastic measure of sewing his mouth up to protest against the draconian way his case is being treated by the Justice Department. His condition is worsening: he has lost eleven kilos, he cannot stand, his eyesight is going and he is suffering horrendous headaches. Asylum seekers face miserable conditions in Ireland: herded for a period of years into crowded, often unfit hostels; isolated from the public; denied the right to work or to study, and condemned to a sham hearing at the first stage and almost certain refusal by the tribunal - it is no wonder that some resort to desperate measures.
Adnan fled Iran because of persecution, and has the physical and mental scars to prove this. He was a victim of torture in Iran. He wants his case to be treated fairly, and his wife and seven year old daughter, who are in hiding in another hostile country, to be safe. He is desperately unhappy about the life he is forced to lead in Ireland. He has been turned down by the Department of Justice, yet little explanation of how the asylum system works was given.
Adnan is a member of the Komala Party in Iran. The government has said, as they do in all cases, there are creditability flaws in his asylum application - in other words, they do not believe he is genuine. The Sunday Tribune made contact with a Komala party representative in Sweden, Jafar Ilkhani, and he confirmed Adnan's involvement as a political activist and socialist, and said he was involved in covert political work. If you a member of the Komala Party in Iran, you are persecuted ,and being a member is punishable by death.
Residents Against Racism are calling for torture victims to be treated differently and with special care, and to be given psychiatric assessment and help during the asylum process. In addition RAR advocate that the asylum process to be taken out of the hands of politicians and the Department of Justice and instead be handled by a human rights body whose first priority is the welfare of human beings.
Click on the link below to see what you can do:
What sort of Ireland do we want?
Last weekend, the ISN participated in a debate entitled "What sort of Ireland do we want?" at the Anarchist Bookfair.
View the text of the speech here.
Download the audio file of the ISN contribution here.
Read on and listen to other contributions here.
Red Banner, a magazine of Socialist ideas, out now!
The latest issue of Red Banner is out now. It contains:
Gama, racism and class struggle - Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh reviews the heroic story of the Gama strike, and discusses how racism fits into class struggle
Socialist Classics: Karl Marx, The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte - Colm Breathnach shows the relevance of a work written a century and a half ago to contemporary struggles Read the review here.
The Brazilian crisis and the land struggle - Rosa M Cañadell examines the fight of the landless in Brazil and the dashing of the hopes placed in Lula
An saol nua - Nócha bliain tar éis réabhlóid na Rúise, seo alt a scríobh Life cúpla mí ina diaidh ag cur fáilte is fiche roimpi
Full life, flawed biography - The latest in a long line of Connolly biographies is reviewed by John Cunningham
The Hidden Connolly - In an article never published since his execution, James Connolly advocates a militant health and safety policy for workers
History lessons - Noel McDermott discusses some questions that emerge from a new set of Essays on labour history
Legacies of Pinochet - A poem by Mike Jenkins
Correspondence - John McAnulty responds to a previous article’s take on sectarianism
€2 / £1.50 direct from Red Banner or from good bookshops
Crisis In The SSP
Click on the extract below to read more:
Vote Me - Change the World! The left & the General Election
Click on the extract below to read more:
Leon Trotsky
Click on the extract below to read more:
New Publications : 07/02/07
Click on the links below:
> The Finglas People, February 2007 (PDF)
> Reflections on the Anti War Movement in Ireland
> A review of "Socialism Made Easy", by James Connolly
Finglas Community Worker to stand for Dublin North West in the General Election:
John O Neill, a local community worker, is standing as a socialist candidate for the Dublin North West constituency in this year’s general election. With a solid performance in the Finglas Ward on his first electoral outing in the 2004 local election (where he finished on the fifth count with 1300 votes, ahead of the Green Party and Progressive Democrats), John is in position to make a breakthrough on a clear platform of independent working class politics.
John has worked in a lone parent community development project for the last number years. He had worked previously as a printer. An experienced political activist, he played a key role in the success of Proinsias De Rossa and the Workers Party in the Dublin North West constituency during the 1980s. Unlike some of his former colleagues, John has remained committed to a radical democratic vision of socialism. His campaign offers a real socialist alternative to those sick of the betrayal of their communities by the current government and the coalition politics of the Labour Party, Sinn Fein and the Greens, all of whom have indicated their willingness to abandon their politics in return for a few ministerial seats.
John is a member of the Irish Socialist Network, a democratic socialist organisation mainly active in the Finglas/Ballymun area. He has an unrivalled campaigning record, spending a fortnight in Mountjoy Jail for participating in a peaceful Anti-Bin Tax protest in Finglas South in 2003. He is also an active anti-war campaigner, was the main organiser in the Finglas area for the massive anti-war demo that was held in Dublin on February 15th 2003 and is currently involved in the campaign to halt the use of Shannon airport by the US military. He has also been involved in a number of local campaigns in Finglas, including the maintenance of a comprehensive local bus service, the protection of the historical heritage of the area and the development of anti-racist strategies in the community.
John is not a career politician and his reason for participating in the general election is to encourage people to organise themselves in their communities and workplaces so that they can fight to win in the struggle for houses for all, an equitable health service and a decent education for our kids. John is making one simple promise; that he will use his position to encourage and assist that empowerment process. He also hopes to cooperate with other socialist and community candidates throughout the country who share his perspective on the need for a radical alternative to the conservative parties and their subordinates in the coalition oriented centre-left. Preliminary discussions have already been held with a number of such candidates.
Telephone:
John O'Neill: 087-6367175
Paul Moloney: 087-6433538
Whatever Happened to Anti-Capitalism?
To read on, click on the extract below:
Anarchist Bookfair:
Following the success of last years event, we will be attending the Anarchist Bookfair on the 2nd & 3rd of March. Over the weekend, an ISNer will be involved in a public discussion with members of the WSM and Éirígí on "What kind of Ireland do we want?". Details of the Anarchist Bookfair 2007 are available here.
Ireland & South America:
Two new articles have been added to the "Publications and Articles" section of the site. They are available to download from that section, or by clicking on the extracts below. In addition, the July 2006 issue of leftline has been added to the same section of the site. Although it was up on our old site, it went missing during the redesign.
When the Boom goes Bust - Thoughts on the demise of the Celtic Tiger
Hugo Chávez & South America
Book Review: Brigadista - an Irishman's fight agaisnt fascism, by Bob Doyle
A book review of Brigadista is available to download from the publications and articles section:
The ISN and Elections.
A document outlining the basic principles of the ISN on the issue of elections is now available to download at the publications and articles section of the site.
Red Banner magazine: goes quarterly; enters tenth year; issue 26 published:
The latest edition of Red Banner is out now. It costs €3/£2, and is available to buy at Connolly Books and other outlets.
With this issue (No. 26, November 2006), which has been published recently, Red Banner enters its tenth year. The next issue will appear as normal in March, but from then on Red Banner will be a quarterly magazine, appearing every three (instead of four) months.
The new Red Banner will be smaller in size, forty pages in all, with the price reduced to €2 in the South and £1.50 in the North.
Issue 26 contains:
'Lebanon: Israel’s latest war' Roland Rance uncovers the background to the onslaught on Lebanon, showing up Israel’s weakness rather than its strength;
'Socialist classics: VI Lenin, What Is To Be Done?' Des Derwin takes a look at one of the most controversial of socialist polemics;
'Easter 1916: A left-wing rising?' Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh marks the anniversary of the Easter Rising by questioning some of the political assumptions made about it;
'Claonadh stairiúil an carntha chaipitligh' An chéad aistriúchán Gaeilge ar bhuaicphointe An Caipiteal, mórshaothar Karl Marx;
'We will fight on: Racism and the Afghan hunger strike' Rosanna Flynn tells the story of this year’s protest by asylum seekers against deportation;
'Freud and the liberation of personality' 150 years after Freud’s birth, Paul Gadsby asks what aspects of his work can be of use in the struggle for a better life;
'The Hidden Connolly' In an article unavailable since his execution, James Connolly calls for less philosophising and more fighting;
'Inspiring and saddening' Mary Muldowney reviews Ken Loach’s film of the fight for independence The Wind that Shakes the Barley;
'Poems of Hitler and his war' Fifty years after his death, we present the first English translation of some classic political poetry by Bertolt Brecht;
Correspondence: Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh continues the Frank Ryan debate agus pléann Art de Craig 1916, Ó Conghaile agus an Ghaeilge.
Red Banner can be purchased (Issue 26, €3/£2) at Books Upstairs and Connolly Books in Dublin, and Charlie Byrnes in Galway, or from Red Banner, PO Box 6587, Dublin 6, or red_banner@yahoo.com Subscriptions for four issues: €10/£7. Most back issues available.
Dutch Company dumps Finglas workers for slave labour:
Dutch company, Omega Teknika, which makes pregnancy test kits and other healthcare products in the north Dublin suburb of Finglas, intends to cut its workforce to a minimum by moving to China for production. Having been informed of the decision only recently staff have been left with an uncertain future following the move. “We don’t really know when this will be happening”, one shocked employee interviewed by the local newspaper, Northside People, revealed, adding: “It came as a complete blow to us as we thought the company was doing well!”. “We are in regular talks with the company and our perception is that jobs will be lost with the relocation” an official of AMICUS, the union that represents these workers, stated.
The company, which employs around 80 people in Finglas, is yet to finalise exact details but workers have been told that the product will be made in China and brought back to Ireland for packaging and labelling. Western companies move to China every year to take advantage of cheap labour. Despite claims that free market reforms improve living standards and working conditions of workers, reports in the international media have revealed the prevalence of unsafe working conditions, low pay and long hours, usually 14 hours a day, seven days a week, all enforced by threats and violence. Safety and working conditions are so bad that companies now employ agents on a permanent basis to recruit a steady stream of people from rural China to work in the factories located in the cities. Immigrant workers, often from poorer rural regions, have little choice but to accept whatever jobs are on offer. With no independent trade unions, and little or no protection from the state-controlled official union, Chinese workers are left defenceless in the face of unscrupulous employers and their corrupt allies, the Communist Party bureaucrats.
The irony is that Omega Teknika, like many other multi-nationals, has benefited from the Industrial Development Authority’s strategy of enticing foreign investment by offering generous government grants and subsidies, tax-free exports, and, until the year 2000, a maximum 10 percent corporation tax3. Long-term, fixed interest rate financing was offered through the IDA's loan agency. Ready-built factories and tax-free depreciation allowances were also available. In addition, the IDA provided training grants of up to 100 percent of costs for workers in new industries.
In reply to a query from John O Neill of the Finglas branch of the Irish Socialist Network, the Industrial Development Authority confirmed that since 1965 Omega Teknika has received over 1.5 million euros in grants from the Irish taxpayer4. In real terms this actually amounts to a lot more, since buying land or building in 1965 cost little or nothing compared to today’s prices. But the real question is - When will Irish taxpayers get their investment back? And the answer is NEVER! This company, like many others has milked the system here and is now about to dump the workforce and move on to make a bigger profit at the expense of their staff who will be unemployed and the unfortunate Chinese workers who will suffer unbearable conditions simply so that Omega Teknika can make a bigger profit than they already do.
Anti-War Ireland Protest: Saturday, 28 October - Shannon Airport:
Introduction
This week the anti-war movement is focused on the build-up to the protest to be held at Shannon next Saturday. It is imperative that we get good numbers to Shannon to make our voices heard against the facilitation of the US war machine at this Irish civilian airport. Please ensure that you make it on the day! Wear black and bring flowers in memory of the dead.
The following anti-war events will occur over the next ten days. Details below.
1. AWI Dublin Public Meeting on Thursday with three former Abu-Ghraib interrogators (Dublin)
2. Anti-War Demonstration at Shannon Airport next Saturday (Clare)
3. Dublin bus to Shannon demo (Dublin)
4. Cork bus to Shannon demo (Cork)
5. AWI Cork Meeting with former Abu-Ghraib interrogators and former CIA analysts (Cork)
6. AWI Belfast Public Meeting with former Abu-Ghraib interrogators (Antrim)
1Dublin anti-war meeting: Three former Abu-Ghraib interrogators to speak on Thursday
US Iraq War veterans to demand the demilitarisation of Shannon.
Three US Iraq War veterans will address an Anti-War Ireland public meeting in Dublin at 7.30pm on Thursday, 26 October. All three served together in the 202 Military Intelligence Battalion as interrogators in the infamous Abu-Ghraib prison. Having rejected the war in which they served, they are now active members of Iraq Veterans Against War.
The rejection of the war by three members of the same military unit sends out a powerful message about the growing opposition to this war within the US military.
The three veterans are Tony Lagouranis, Joshua Casteel and Stephen Lewis.
The meeting will also be addressed by Goretti Horgan (Derry Anti-War Coalition, and representing the Raytheon Nine) and Colm Breathnach of Anti-War Ireland.
When: 7.30pm, Thursday, 26 October.
Where: ATGWU Hall, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin.
Admission is free and all welcome!!
Leftline : October 2006:
The latest issue of Leftline is now available to download from the pamphlets and articles section, or by clicking here. It is formatted as an PDF, for which a free reader may be downloaded here.It contains articles on:
The privatisation of Aer Lingus.
Israel & Lebanon.
The Shannon warplane trial.
The legacy of Tony Blair.
Message of Solidarity with the SSP:
Comrades,
On behalf of the Irish Socialist Network, I wish to express our solidarity with the SSP at this challenging time. In recent years, the SSP has been a source of encouragement to radical socialists who are working to build new parties of the working class. Like many, we are dismayed by recent attacks, both personal and political, on SSP members. We are glad to see that the SSP has rebounded from recent setbacks, to continue challenging capitalism in Scotland by building a class struggle party fighting for an independent socialist Scotland.
While closely following the development of the SSP, we have never tried to slavishly follow a particular model, and we know the comrades in the SSP respect the right of socialists in different countries to chart their own road towards liberation. True internationalism is based on an equal cooperation and respect between parties, not dictation from distant ‘centres’ or instructions from all-powerful leaders. As a participatory, democratic and revolutionary socialist organisation, we share with the SSP an anti-war, anti-imperialist outlook firmly grounded in class politics and a commitment to working class unity.
We salute your firm stand in favour of internal democracy, equality, and accountability. Our mutual commitment to principle is not the same as dogmatism and that we know that we must learn new ways of organising, including a commitment to participatory educational processes and democratic structures. We look forward to working with comrades in the SSP, and throughout the world, in building societies controlled from top to bottom by working people.
Paul Moloney
National Secretary
Irish Socialist Network
Anti Bin Tax Campaign hots up in Finglas:
The Finglas Branch of the ISN is currently immersed in the Anti-Bin Tax Campaign. Over the last number of weeks Dublin City Council has begun to implement non-collection in parts of Finglas East. Local residents have responded vigorously! In one estate over 40 residents turned out early in the morning to dump their bags in the truck showing that resistance to the stealth tax was still robust in the area. The council official present was so overwhelmed by the action that he rang the Gardai who duly arrived but, as no laws were being broken, left without a word. Since then, the campaign has leafleted all the areas affected and, along with residents in these areas we are organising the dumping of rubbish into the bin trucks.
The Finglas campaign, which has broad support with members of the ISN, SF, SP and non-aligned people on its committee, circulated an information leaflet advising that residents are legally entitled to dump their rubbish in the bin truck under the Litter Pollution Act of 1997.
The campaign also held a public meeting for the Ballygall/Finglas Place/Glasanaon Road/Westpark areas, which was held on Sept 5th in Griffith Community Hall with over 60 residents in attendance. Cllr. Dessie Ellis (SF), John O’Neill (ISN) and John McCamley (SP) addressed the meeting. The speakers gave an overview of the campaigns progress to date, an update on the campaigns court proceedings against the Council in the Supreme Court and discussed practical ways of organising more effectively on the streets. There was a lively discussion about organising on-going resistance and a decision was made by the residents to establish a roster to streamline placing the rubbish in the bin trucks.
Solidarity with the Pitstop Ploughshares:
As the pitstop ploughshares begin their trial in the four courts, Anti-War Ireland, Irish Anti-War Movement and Cosantoiri Siochana release a joint call for solidarity:
As you are no doubt aware, the third trial of the Pitstop Ploughshares (Deirdre Clancy, Karen Fallon, Nuin Dunlop, Damien Moran and Ciaron O'Reilly) begins in Dublin tomorrow. All five face possible imprisonment for their action in early 2003 when they physically decommissioned a US warplane at Shannon airport.
We are asking people to express their solidarity in a tangible manner during the course of the trial. Specifically, we ask you to:
*Attend the pre-trial gatherings at the Spire, O'Connell Street, at 8.30am each day. Supporters will walk in procession from the Spire to the Four Courts.
*Attend the vigil outside the courthouse. A presence will be maintained outside the court during the course of the trial.
*Attend the public meetings organised in support of the Pitstop Ploughshares. *Write letters – especially to the Dublin and national press – highlighting the misuse of Shannon airport and the unjust prosecution of those who acted to save lives.
www.peaceontrial.com
New pamphlet: Italy’s Red Decade Social struggles & political power 1968-80:
The latest pamphlet from the ISN concerns the socialist movement in Italy between 1968 and 1980. It is available to download as an adobe PDF from our “Publications and Articles ” section.
From 1968 onwards, a vast upsurge of popular activism challenged the structures of corporate and state power in Italian society. The New Left in Italy had a bigger influence than anywhere else in the west, and inspired huge mobilisations in factories and communities. But the leadership of this movement was claimed by Italy’s Communist Party. Its failure to channel the forces that exploded after 1968 doomed the era of collective action to failure
The Emergence of Modern Irish Socialism 1885-87:
'The Emergence of Modern Irish Socialism, 1885–87'. An article written in 1997 by ISN member Fintan Lane for the WSM journal Red and Black Revolution (no. 3). Deals with the early history of the Irish socialist movement is available to download on the website of the WSM.
A permanent link to the article has been added to the “pamphlets and articles” section.
It could be argued that modern Irish socialism began with the establishment in 1872 of branches of the International Working Men's Association (or First International). However, these branches (in Dublin, Cork, Belfast and Cootehill) were short-lived because of the intense opposition that they encountered and their demise was followed by a complete absence of socialist organisation until 1885.
Among the Dublin Internationalists the leading figure was a cabinet-maker in his forties called Richard McKeon who the police described as "a troublesome character, and a regular fanatic in politics, having been a Chartist, a Young Irelander, a member of the National Brotherhood of St. Patrick, and a Fenian".(2) McKeon was an old friend of Joseph McDonnell, the ex-Fenian who represented Ireland on the General Council of the International in London.
Pamphlet: Revolution in Italy, 1943-48:
The latest pamphlet from the ISN concerns the socialist movement in Italy between 1943 and 1948. It is available to download as an adobe PDF from our “pamphlets and articles” section.
Between 1943 and 1948 Italy was rocked by a massive protest movement that shook the foundations of its social structure. Although not as well known, the abortive revolution of these years can be compared with the upheavals of the Russian revolution or the Spanish Civil War. The ultimate defeat of the Italian movement can still tell us a lot about the failure of the socialist movement in the twentieth century - and how we can avoid repeating that failure.
Leftline, May 2006
The latest issue of Leftline is now available to download from the pamphlets and articles section. It contains articles on:
-The successful battle against employment liberalisation in France.
-The privatisation of Aer Lingus.
-The failure of the Good Friday Agreement.
-The case for direct action.
-Slobodan Milosevic.
Belfast ISN condemns 500 job losses at Prudential Insurance call centre:
On the morning of the announcement of 500 proposed losses at Prudential Belfast, little notice or mention was given to the fact that shares had risen considerably. Shareholders had, as always, voted with their pockets to support management rationalisation plans to streamline the company saving a massive 40 million pounds annually. This has happened despite the fact the company had made massive profits last year.
While shareholders pockets become deeper, so has the human misery caused to many young couples by these losses and the damage to the local economy seems to have been forgotten in the shareholders quest for profit.
Prudential, one of the flag ships of the British Insurance industry, stated that the majority of the work currently carried by Belfast employees will moved to non-union sites in the UK and to Mumbai (in India) were costs are considerably cheaper. However, it does not budget for projected 15% yearly rise in costs for India.
Many questions remain unanswered. The trade union agreement on out-sourcing only lapsed in February 2006. Government grants on the Belfast site finish this year. Any concessions on regional rates have gone. Belfast has the largest percentage of unionised labour on any Prudential sites be it England, Scotland, Wales or Southern Ireland. Truth be told the only sites not to be affected by this rationalisation are non-union sites.
The Prudential Workers trade union Amicus have vowed to fight the proposed job losses and are now entering a period of discussions with management. One must await the outcome of these talks before a final campaign of action can be drawn up to fight these losses. Amicus fought job losses at other sites and won. Drawing on that experience and with the support of the people of Belfast the same outcome can prevail.
The Belfast ISN supports the Prudential Workers and Amicus in their just struggle and offers our help solidarity in their fight for jobs security.
Contradicting the Bolsheviks: Anton Pannekoek and European Marxism:
An essay-in-review by ISN member Fintan Lane for Saothar (the journal of Irish labour history) on Anton Pannekoek and European Marxism is now available to download in our “pamphlets and articles” section.
James Connolly, the Irish Neutrality League & the 1st World War:
The Peace & Neutrality Alliance invites you to attend a public meeting in Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, on Thursday 27th of April at 7.30pm. The topic is James Connolly, the Irish Neutrality League & the 1st World War.
Speakers:Andreas O'Cathasaigh & Manus O' Riordan
PANA was established in 1996 to oppose the process by which Ireland is being integrated into the EU/US military structures in order to ensure Ireland's full participation in the resource wars of the 21st century.For further information contact Roger Cole Chair Peace & Neutrality Alliance www.pana.ie
Pamphlet on Rosa Luxemburg:
A new pamphlet on Rosa Luxemburg is available to download as a PDF from our pamphlets and articles section.
ISN member wins the Daniel Singer Millennium Prize for 2006:
ISN member, Daniel Finn has been awarded the Daniel Singer Millennium Prize for 2006. An international panel of distinguished scholars and activists selected his winning essay, entitled “Sustaining Equality and Justice in the Struggle for Socialism”.
The essay is now available on the “Monthly Review” website.
Leftline, Out now:
The latest issue of Leftline is now available to download from the pamphlets and articles section.
RED BANNER : a magazine of socialist ideas : issue 24 out now:
Venezuela at a turning point: Daniel Finn reviews an account and analysis of the unfolding revolutionary developments in Venezuela.
Socialist Classics: Friedrich Engels, Socialism: Utopian and Scientific: A critical examination by Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh of one of Marxism’s best-known works.
Don’t do as I pay: Social partnership and double standards: As the rich tell us to moderate our pay demands, Des Derwin shows that they don’t practice what they preach.
Domhandú, dúshaothrú agus dídhaonnú: Fiosraíonn Colm de Faoite domhandú an chaipitleachais agus an scrios a imríonn sé ar chosmhuintir an domhain.
Too obvious for his own good: Kevin Higgins is profoundly unimpressed by the political memoirs of Ruairí Quinn.
Oscar Wilde: Realising utopias: Mary Muldowney reviews a new edition of The Soul of Man under Socialism.
A revolutionary misfit: Jack White: Kevin Doyle celebrates the life and writings of a mercurial revolutionary.
The Hidden Connolly: Published here for the first time since his execution, James Connolly attacks the politicians’ hypocrisy about ‘the spirituality of the Irish’.
Knifeman: Tomás Mac Síomóin welcomes a collection of poetry that tells it like it should be.
Striking back: A poem by Gary King.
Correspondence: Both Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh and Pádraig Ó Snodaigh criticise an article from our last issue.
The Battle of Venezuela: book review:
A review of Michael McCaughans new book on the Bolivarian revolution has now been posted in the Publications and Articles section.
For the most part, the European left only started paying attention to the Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela after the unsuccessful coup attempt by right-wing opponents of Hugo Chavez in 2002. Since then, it has become more and more obvious that we need to understand what’s going on in Latin America.
ISN stall at the Anarchist Bookfair:
The Irish Socialist Network will have a stall at the Anarchist bookfair this weekend (March 4-5). More information is available on the anarchistic blog that accompanies the event.
Boycott Coca-Cola meeting in Belfast:
A very successful boycott Coca Cola public meeting was held on Tuesday 28/2/06 in the Peter Froggatt Centre Q.U.B. Irish Socialist Network member Daniel Finn from the national boycott Coca Cola campaign was the guest speaker.
Dan spoke of his trip to Colombia and the fact that many trade unionists have been murdered by coca-cola backed paramilitaries since 2003. Stating that Colombia was the third largest receiver of military aid from the U.S.A. only behind Israel and Egypt. Trade Unionists, he said, have been murdered inside Coca Cola plants. Sinaltrainal by far the largest trade union has had members forced to leave their union and accept lower pay and conditions.
Outlining the activities in which the national campaign have been involved, he then outlined plans for a national day of action on Wednesday the 8/3/06. He called on those present to become involved in the campaign and support Colombian trade unions freedom to organise and the human right to life.
After a question and answer session it was agreed to distribute campaign leaflets and collect a petition in support of the Coca Cola boycott on Wednesday from 12-2pm in the students union as part of the national day of action.
City Council Protest over the Bin Tax: Dublin City Hall 6.15 Monday 6th February:
A protest will take place as the councillors debate an emergency motion to collect all bins and abide by the previous decision of the council.
As part of the building reaction to the City Council decision to commence leaving bins on the streets of Dublin, the Council will debate an emergency motion on the public health risks of rubbish in the streets of Dublin.
During the local meetings over the last few weeks the decision was made to protest at City Hall on the evening of the council meeting as the first City Wide response. This was strongly endorsed in the local meetings in Crumlin and Drimnagh among other locations and a large attendance is expected.
All areas are encouraged to attend and it should be a good opportunity to not only show the strength of the campaign but also to link in with the local actions which have been taking place around the city.
Prisoners’ rights should include labour rights:
A new article by ISN member Fintan Lane on labour rights for prisoners is now available to read in the publications & articles section.
Between November 2003 and January 2004, I spent 45 days in prison as a result of my refusal to pay a fine for my involvement in a mass trespass against the facilitation of the US war machine at Shannon airport. Following my release, my trade union – the Independent Workers’ Union – sent a bill to Limerick Prison insisting on the payment of back-wages amounting to €1,978.58. The bill, based on the minimum wage, took into account that I worked as a dishwasher from 9am to 4pm each day, making a total of 49 hours a week, for which I received a voucher worth €2.54 each week. We deducted the vouchers from the overall figure.
Campaign against water privatisation – Newsletter #1:
Belfast based members of the ISN are involved in the campaign against water privatisation (CAWP). The first newsletter of the CAWP is permanently available to read in the “campaigns” section:
When the Government announced it was to postpone the introduction of water charges some people hailed it as a sign that the government was on the back foot. However, this optimistic assessment was punctured by Secretary of State Peter Hain’s keynote speech setting out his vision for the future. Delivered to a meeting of the Institute of Directors in Belfast on 21 September it set out a comprehensive programme for the neo-liberal reform of the local economy.
The basic tenet of Hain’s speech was that the economy was over-dependent on the public sector. He cited the fact that public spending accounted for over 60 per cent of GDP, nearly a third higher than in the UK, and that a third of all employment was in the public sector, compared to the UK average of a fifth. Following on from this premise, Hain set out a number of strategies on how a massive reduction in public spending will be achieved. The first of these is privatisation, with parts of the public sector, and those who are employed in them, to be handed over to private companies. This is euphemistically described as giving the “private sector a greater role in the delivery of public services”. In reality, it is the destruction of public services, and is always associated with a deterioration in the terms and conditions of the workforce.
Shannon airport, the US war machine and the CIA:
An article by Fintan Lane on flights through Shannon Airport by CIA planes involved in illegally transporting political suspects for torture and other inhuman methods of interrogation is now available to read in our publications & articles section.
Rosa Luxemburg:
An article by Daniel Finn on Rosa Luxemburg is now available under our publications and articles section:
“The Polish-German revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg may prove to be one of [the 20th centuries] most valuable guides. A century ago, Luxemburg anticipated most of the problems that would arise when the socialist movement had the chance to put its programme into practice. Despite her fame as an activist, Luxemburg’s ideas were largely ignored by the left, whether communist or social democratic. Today’s generation of radicals would do well to correct this omission, and learn from one of the most brilliant thinkers the socialist tradition has ever produced”
Submission to the Lord Mayors commission on crime and policing:
A year ago, the Irish Socialist Network made a submission to the Lord Mayors commission on crime and policing. You can now view it in the publications and articles section.
More support for Irish Ferries workers:
Solidarity with Irish Ferries workers wasn’t confined to the streets of Dublin, or the national day of protest held last Friday. A successful picket was held by members of the ISN, Socialist Democracy, and others last Monday outside the headquarters of Ulster television in Belfast. To read more, click here.
Irish Ferries:
The ISN has prepared a leaflet for the upcoming Irish Ferries march. To download it (as a word document), click here.
The ISN & the Irish Anti War Movement - a talk by Paul Moloney:
The text of a talk given by Paul Moloney of the ISN to the Workers Solidarity Movement is now available from our Campaigns section. The talk details the relationship between the ISN and the Irish Anti War Movement (IAWM).
Dublin City Anti Bin Tax Campaign Document:
A submission by the Dublin City Anti Bin Tax Campaign to the SIPTU leadership is now available to read in the Publications and Articles area of the site.
Solidarity not Social Partnership - Why SIPTU should say no to another partnership deal:
A document prepared by independent Socialist Des Derwin for circulation at SIPTU national conference is now available under our Publications and Articles page.
Rossport 5 meeting in Dublin:
Dublin ShelltoSea are having a public meeting with Willie Corduff, Vincent McGrath and Michael O Seighin the Rossport 5. Members of the solidarity camp will also give a brief outline of their activities.
Mick O’Reilly of the AGTWU will chair the meeting on Monday the 24th of October at 7pm in the ATGWU hall on Middle Abbey Street.
The Rossport 5 are due in court on the following day - Tuesday
The emphasis of the meeting will be on the wider issues of the campaign rather than the issues with the courts and the 5 men.
A protest to support the men going back to court is scheduled outside the Four Courts Tuesday at 9.45am.
More information is available on the campaign website.
ISN Website Launched:
You are reading the first version of the website for the Irish Socialist Network. The website contains information about the nature of the ISN, an explanation of our basic principles, what we stand for, and the campaigns we are involved in. You can also read our various pamphlets online for the first time, and avail of links to other activist sites.
Any comments on any aspect of the site would be greatly appreciated.
South America Meeting in Belfield:
There will be a meeting on Latin America held in UCD Belfield by the ISN this Wednesday the 28th of September at 5pm in room A106. The meeting will include a screening of the film “the Revolution will not be televised”, and an account of Trade Union abuses in Columbia. Following this, the subject of various movements in South America will be discussed.
This is a public meeting, and all are welcome to attend.