Gerry Adams Addressing the Extraordinary Ard Fheis on Policing January 2007

 

 

Martin McGuinness, Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, NI Secretary Peter Hain and DUP leader Ian Paisley in the first minister's office on May 8th 07

 

Latest News - 7 December, 2008

• Loyalists attempt to murder Sinn Féin minister
• 60,000 protest against Budget cuts
• Brian Keenan in his own words
• Outrage at securocrat smear of Rosemary Nelson

Loyalists attempt to murder Sinn Féin minister

A unionist paramilitary gang attempted to murder Sinn Féin Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy MP last weekend.

The PSNI said that the Orange Volunteers -- who emerged during the 1998 Drumcree Orange Order marching dispute -- had claimed to have launched a murder bid on the Newry & Armagh MP.

Speaking on Tuesday, Conor Murphy said:

"I was informed last night by the PSNI that a unionist paramilitary gang calling itself the Orange Volunteers are claiming to have carried out a murder attempt on myself over the weekend in the Newry area.

"This information follows on from a number of pipe-bombs left in the Cookstown area claimed by the same gang: one adjacent to the home of my party colleague, Councillor John McNamee.

"Sinn Féin are obviously taking these events seriously. But we will not allow reactionary unionist elements to deflect us from our work in representing people and driving forward the United Ireland agenda.

"What we do need to hear now are strong words and actions from unionist political leaders in the face of what are clearly attempts to attack the political process from elements within their community."

Speaking to reporters, Murphy said that as a long-time member of Sinn Féin he is used to such threats but added that it is an issue of concern for his family.

"This is part and parcel of being involved with Sinn Féin," he said.

"Unfortunately, for too many of our members it has cost them their lives and I think we are always conscious of that."

The Orange Volunteers emerged during the late 1990s and have claimed responsibility for attacks on Catholic churches and businesses in the North, some of which were justified by the group's former leader and self-styled Protestant 'pastor' Clifford Peebles.

Peebles was jailed for ten years in 2001 after admitting possession of two hand grenades and a pipe-bomb.

The group is also believed to have murdered Ciaran Hefferon in Crumlin, County Antrim in 1998.

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60,000 protest against Budget cuts

Over 60,000 people took part in a protest against the government's education cutbacks in Dublin city centre yesterday.

The primary teachers' union has called on the Minister for Education to begin talks on reversing the education cutbacks.

INTO General Secretary John Carr said the presence of so many protesters was a powerful message to the Government that the cutbacks must be reversed.

Speaking at yesterday's INTO rally, Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald called on Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe to have the humility and common sense to reverse the cuts and put in place a programme of investment into Ireland's education system.

Ms McDonald said:

"There is one single demand that teachers, families and students here today must unite behind -- reverse all cuts in education.

"The economy is in recession. Successive Fianna Fáil led governments have refused to invest Ireland's wealth into our public services leaving us now with an education system that is poorly funded and over stretched.

"Education is an investment. It is an investment in our children. It is an investment in this country's future. It is a social and economic obligation of the state to deliver on, regardless of economic circumstances.

"We simply cannot afford to let the government have its way on this issue.

"Our children deserve better. Ireland's future deserves better. "

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Brian Keenan in his own words

Book Review
Brian Keenan, a Republican Legend
By An Phoblacht. Price £5/€7

Brian Keenan, one of the IRA's foremost strategists over three decades of conflict passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 21 May 2008 following a long illness.

Keenan's pivotal role in the Irish republican struggle was evidenced by the huge turnouts of republicans from every corner of Ireland in South Armagh and Belfast for his funeral.

A few months before his death, Brian spoke to Belfast republican Jim Gibney for the first time publicly about his life as a husband and father of six children, as an IRA activist, his years in jails in England and the influences that shaped his early life.

Brian's interview with Jim Gibney was serialised in An Phoblacht in March and April of this year. Now those interviews, as well as reports of Brian's funeral and the orations by his republican comrades have been reproduced in the form of a new booklet. Brian Keenan, a Republican Legend was launched by Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams in Belfast on Wednesday, 3 December.

It tells the story of how Brian joined the IRA in the late 1960s and in the intervening 40 years became one of the IRA's foremost strategists and a thorn in the side of British in Ireland. Shortly after joining the IRA, Brian went on the run and spent the next 25 years living apart from his wife, Chrissie, his children and his grandchildren. He spent many years as a political prisoner in various jails across England in Special Secure Units (SSUs).

Intensely proud of IRA Volunteers' heroism and ingenuity and the struggle waged by the 'People's Army' against the British Army -- it is clear in this 48-page booklet that Brian never let this blur his vision of the needs of the struggle and the challenges it faces.

England was a theatre of war that became central to IRA strategy to move the political situation to a resolution. It is an area that became associated by British media commentators with Brian Keenan perhaps more than any other contemporary IRA leader. This is a subject which Brian deals with directly in his interviews:

"The IRA leadership knew we could not defeat the British Army militarily but we could bring them to a point where they knew they could not defeat the IRA. We aimed to exhaust their patience through war in the Six Counties and subsequently the campaign in England. You have to be able to bring the struggle to their front door", he says.

Brian was one of a new breed of leaders who helped re-organise the IRA -- derided after unionist sectarian pogroms led by the RUC in 1969 by the wall slogan 'IRA = I Ran Away' -- into an effective fighting force that won begrudging admiration from its enemies. "The IRA changed urban warfare on a world basis. Other armed revolutionary organisations have borrowed the IRA's tactics", Brian says in the booklet.

Although he recognised the challenges political progress still faces in 2008, he argued that the IRA was morally obliged to look at alternative options to continuing the war, especially if there was a viable alternative. As a committed revolutionary, dedicated to social as well as political change, Brian Keenan outlined for Jim Gibney where he saw the situation shortly before his death: "I would prefer we were somewhere else but we are not and that is it as far as I am concerned. Revolutionaries have to be pragmatic -- wish lists are for Christmas. At a time of great change we need to constantly lay out the republican vision. We need to constantly remind people we are for 'equality, liberty, fraternity'. We are against exploitation and inequality. Historians in 50 years' time will tell us whether the right path was chosen or not. Of course mistakes have been made along the way, but we have to look to the opportunities that are there to move the struggle forward to reunification and independence."

In Brian Keenan, Republican Legend, this former senior IRA figure tells, in his own words, what has driven one of the most formidable foes the might of the British state has ever faced.

This is a must read for all republicans.

Brian Keenan, a Republican Legend is available from An Phoblacht, 58 Parnell Square Dublin or online at www.anphoblacht.com/store

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Outrage at securocrat smear of Rosemary Nelson

Anonymous claims by a Special Branch witness to the Rosemary Nelson Inquiry, that the murdered Lurgan solicitor passed information to the IRA, have been met with outrage from within the nationalist community.

The inquiry is investigating the March 1999 murder of the 40-year-old solicitor and it was established as a result of allegations of official collusion between unionist paramilitaries and official crown forces in her killing.

Describing the latest claims as, "outrageous", Sinn Féin Upper Bann Assembly member John O'Dowd, speaking to An Phoblacht, accused the former RUC Special Branch operative of making false allegations, "similar to the allegations the RUC bandied about in the run up to Rosemary's assassination in 1999".

Nelson was killed, by a car bomb outside her home in Lurgan, County Armagh, in 1999. A unionist killer gang calling itself the Red Hand Defenders, used variously as a cover name for the UDA and LVF claimed responsibility for the killing.

As a result of her defence work, representing clients in a number of high profile cases, including the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition in nearby Portadown in the long-running Drumcree conflict with the Orange Order, Nelson was the target of harassment and death threats from members of the RUC.

CLAIMS

The former Special Branch officer claimed in his evidence to the Nelson inquiry, on Monday 1 December, that Nelson, "was passing sensitive information to [others] engaged in violence".

Hiding behind the cloak of anonymity the former RUC man went further and claimed that the Lurgan-based human rights advocate was, "having an affair" with a client, Colin Duffy.

Nelson successfully represented Duffy when he faced false charges of killing two RUC members in Lurgan in 1997. The charges against Duffy were eventually thrown out of court.

The officer said he had received intelligence that Nelson and Duffy had met in at Demesne Avenue, which was described as a loyalist area.

Under the terms of the inquiry the Nelson family's legal representative cannot cross-examine the witnesses. However, Barra McGrory, the family's solicitor, in a statement issued to the media, said of the Special branch allegations:

"There is no evidential basis for this belief which is apparently held on the strength of unnamed and unidentified sources who for all we know could have been from the loyalist community who were deliberately spreading these malicious rumours about Rosemary Nelson."

RUC DEATH THREATS

Rosemary Nelson was a solicitor who saw her primary objective as that of upholding the law and representing her clients. The residents of Garvaghy Road, the family of Robert Hamill, beaten to death by a loyalist mob in Portadown in 1997 and the family of Sam Marshall, shot dead by the UVF, were among her clients.

She was targeted for special attention by members of of the RUC and the then Ulster Defence Regiment of the British Army who threatened her life on numerous occasions.

Many of Nelson's clients were told while they were being interrogated by the RUC that Rosemary would be killed. She continued her advocacy until, eventually in March 1999 she was assassinated.

Prior to her death the UN sent a Special Rapporteur, Param Cumaraswamy, to examine the allegations of crown forces harassment against Rosemary Nelson and her clients. Cumaraswamy viewed the evidence he gathered as to be so serious that he wrote in his report to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in April 1998 --11 months before Rosemary was killed -- "the RUC has engaged in activities which constitute intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference", with solicitors.

FACELESS SECUROCRATS

Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd this week voiced what most nationalists believe when he said of this latest attempt by the RUC to vilify a woman who stood up to them, "the British State directly and through its pseudo gangs planned and carried out the murder of Rosemary Nelson. Having been widely exposed by the evidence being given at the inquiry their defence now seems to be that, not satisfied with murdering Rosemary, they are now trying to assassinate her character.

"It is telling that the individual who made these allegations without producing a shred of evidence is cowardly for hiding behind the cloak of anonymity. That says more about his lack of character than anything else."

O'Dowd concluded saying, "while it is unusual to comment on ongoing legal proceedings the attempt by a faceless British securocrat to slander the memory of a much loved wife, mother, daughter and sister cannot pass without a robust challenge".

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Sinn Fein

The Week in Review

14-21 November 2008

Policing and justice arrangements agreed

On 18 November, following discussions, a number of arrangements `for the discharge of policing and justice functions by the Assembly’ was agreed and announced by First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness.

Martin McGuinness said that a the details of these `interim measures’ had been outlined in a joint letter to the Assembly Executive Review Committee. He said that both he and Peter Robinson had agreed `that Policing and Justice functions should be devolved’.

He added, `Every leading politician in our community is committed to this outcome. In the past the differences have been about the structures, who would exercise authority and when the powers would be transferred.’

He said they had agreed `a tranche of measures which, along with our agreement in July, will assist the AERC in completing its modalities report and, we contend, resolves all the publicly expressed concerns about the structures and who would be the Justice Minister’.

`Significant progress’ had been made `in resolving these matters’, he said, adding `We both want devolution to happen without undue delay.’

He said they had also agreed that the Executive would meet that Thursday 20th November `and each week until business is up to date’, after which they would then revert to their fortnightly meeting. 

He added that Ministers `will also discuss the first draft of a paper detailing measures to deal with the financial hardship being faced by many people and related matters, issues which we have been in discussions with the British government on resolving’.

He concluded that Sinn Féin had `been consistent in all of this, the Executive and other political institutions must operate on the basis of equality and partnership’. He said `We believe the outworking of the agreements we have reached will allow the uninterrupted functioning of the Executive.’

* Sinn Fein Assembly Member and former Mayor of Belfast, Alex Maskey MLA, will give Sinn Fein's perspective on current events at a meeting with British Labour MP Colin Burgon in Leeds on Thursday 27 November, 7.30pm, at Swathmore Education Centre, Woodhouse Square LS3. The meeting is entitled `Towards an Ireland of Equals: the peace process and beyond’ and is organised by Leeds Labour Forum, which promotes discussion, debate and political education within the labour and trade union movement in Leeds. Alex Maskey is also one of Sinn Fein’s current members of the policing board, and will outline the party’s perspective towards Irish unity and address the current issues in the peace process.

Time to Deliver

This week Sinn Fein Assembly Member Sue Ramsey has called for support for the 'Time to Deliver' rally on 19 November at Stormont.
Speaking ahead of the event Ms Ramsey said it was an opportunity `to highlight that the current situation with regards facilities at the Royal Hospital are wholly inadequate’.
She paid tribute to the 14 year `long and ongoing’ campaign to see a new regional hospital for women and children at the Royal Hospital, and added that the Jubilee Maternity Hospital and the Royal Maternity Hospital were amalgamated soon afterwards, and a new hospital was to follow. She said the new build had not happened, adding `excuses that there is no money available do not wash’, pointing out `commitments were given under British direct rule that a new build would commence and that £300 million would be allocated for this’.
She called on Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, to `prioritise this development without delay’, adding `for patients to wait any longer is unacceptable.’

Action on collusion urged

On 18 November, Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin expressed concern at the lack of progress by the British and Irish governments on the motion on collusion passed unanimously by the Dáil on 10 July. He also raised concern over the uncertainty of future funding for the Justice for the Forgotten group. He was commenting after hearing replies from the Taoiseach in the Dáil last Tuesday.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said that last July’s motion urged the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents held by the British Government `relating to the atrocities that occurred in this State and which were inquired into by Judge Barron, including the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of May 1974’. He said the resolution, together with the Barron reports, was sent to the Clerk of the House of Commons but the Taoiseach `was not able to report any progress on it’. It was left to the Ceann Comhairle to tell the Dáil that the Clerk of the Commons had simply acknowledged and stated that it was a matter for the British government.

He raised concern at the `lack of pro-activity by the Taoiseach and Government on this issue’, adding that `the weight of the Dáil motion on collusion needs to be impressed on the British Prime Minister’. The British government, he said `needs to acknowledge the systematic role of its forces in acts of collusion in which unionist paramilitaries were used as surrogates to carry out fatal attacks in the 26 Counties’.

Raising concern at the `lack of clarity on funding for Justice for the Forgotten in 2009’, he pointed out the `huge amount of work campaigning for truth and justice on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of May 1974, the Dublin bombings of 1972 and '73 and other fatal attacks involving collusion in this State’ that the group had done, including `practical assistance to survivors and to the bereaved’. Funding for 2009 `should have been approved and allocated to Justice for the Forgotten before now’, he added and said that he had urged the Taoiseach `to allocate funding for Justice for the Forgotten so that they can continue and complete their vital work.’

Disabled people’s rights demanded

On 17 November, Sinn Féin Mid Ulster MLA and Deputy Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, Michele O'Neill hosted `A Journey to Inclusion’ event to highlight the lack of provision for disabled people in everyday life.

The event, organised in conjunction with Willowbank, a group established to address the lack of provision for disabled people in the Dungannon area, was attended by a wide range of groups.

Ms O’Neill said at the event that the day had heard `an array of perspectives from people with disabilities and the hardship they face each and every day due to lack of provision for them and their families’. She added that it was `very evident that there must be more done to both highlight and address the barriers to inclusion facing people with disabilities’. She said Sinn Fein would `continue to work to increase levels of accessibility to all sections of everyday life whether in the housing sector, employment, education or any other arena.’

Sinn Fein to speak at Latin America 2008

Sinn Fein Minister and Assembly Member Caitriona Ruane will be among speakers at a major conference in London, Latin America 2008. Other speakers at the conference, which takes place on Saturday 6 December, at the TUC Congress House in Great Russell St, central London, will include former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, CWU general Secretary Billy Hayes, British MPs and a range of international speakers.

BNP’s `racism and bigotry’ must be defeated

On 17 November, Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún commented on reports that the British National Party was planning to send a leaflet to every household in the North of Ireland as part of a election campaign to get extreme-right members elected to the European Parliament next year. She said there was `a history of relationships between a number of the far-right groups in England and local Loyalist groupings based in the North’. She added that the `politics of racism and hatred peddled by the BNP and their fellow travellers try to stir up fear and mistrust by peddling lies and misinformation’.

The best way to tackle the `cancer of racism and bigotry’ was, she said, through `debate about how we are different and how we are the same and about the contribution that diversity brings.’

She added: `No-one should be fooled by the lies peddled by the BNP. Our social problems have nothing to do with people from different countries coming to live here and nothing to do with the colour of someone's skin or what language they speak. Racism will do nothing to solve any of our social problems.’

Survey shows cost of education cuts

On 21 November, speaking from Leinster House, Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald outlined initial results of an extensive survey of almost 500 primary schools across Dublin city and county to establish the impact of the government’s education cuts. Ms McDonald has described the results as ‘a stark reminder’ of the failures of Fianna Fáil and the Green’s `budget choices’.

School principals surveyed were asked specific questions about the possible loss of teachers and support staff, class sizes, withdrawal of services/programmes and school build and maintenance programmes. She said the results made clear `budget cuts are going to put huge pressure on the delivery of education in the vast majority of schools in Dublin.’

Initial results showed some 25 schools would lose language support teachers. Seventy Four schools will have a class with 30 pupils or more and 13 schools will have classes with more than 35 pupils.

She added that a `significant number’ of schools were `already experiencing problems in relation to capital projects with funding for general maintenance being refused and funding for new schools buildings being further postponed’. She added, `One school currently has five classrooms in prefabs with three of these 40 years old and another almost 50 years old. It is 32 years since Scoil Naisiunta Eoin Baisde in Clontarf held their first meeting for a new school building.’

She said it was `really shocking’ that the survey results revealed that the capital projects being postponed were not new projects: `throughout Ireland’s unprecedented good times successive Fianna Fail government’s failed to invest in the states primary and secondary system. There are now over 1,400 schools on the school building programme yet the Government has actually slashed funding for primary school building with the highest proportion of the funding provided for capital projects in education to be spent on third level institutions.

She added: `rather than illustrating a vision for Ireland’s primary and secondary education system or indeed capable fiscal management Minister O’Keeffe’s has chosen instead to attack teachers on a micro management issue of sick leave. The Minister has ignored the fact that the overall absenteeism rate among teachers due to sick leave is 3 per cent which is certainly not high by private sector standards’.

Rather than `short term penny pinching cuts’ the government could have `properly invested in vital school building and maintenance projects and also increased key supports resources with alternative public revenue such as the €334 million that could have been raised from removing the PRSI ceiling’ she said, concluding: `Minister O’Keeffe along with his cabinet colleagues chose not to and it is our children who will pay the heavy price for many years to come.’

Week in Review is circulated by Sinn Fein MPs. Telephone 07940 565123 or email fisherj@parliament.uk or visit www.sinnfein.ie

 

 

Latest News - 14 November, 2008

• Adams in US
• Gerry Adams launches Bobby Sands Trust website
• An outspoken voice for Munster
• Gerry Adams welcomes discovery of remains in Wicklow

Adams in US

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams is in the United States on a brief four-day visit.

Speaking in New York at the party's annual major fundraiser in the city, Gerry Adams spoke of the difficulties in the current situation in the North and called on Irish Americans to join with Sinn Féin in increasing efforts to advance Irish unity and independence.

In his opening remarks Adams congratulated US President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden on their recent election victories.

Commenting on the current situation in the North Gerry Adams said:

"Once unionism dominated life in the North. That has all changed, largely as a result of the efforts of Sinn Féin, but also with the help of you in this room and many others across the United States.

Today, if political unionism wants to exercise power it can only do so if it is prepared to work in partnership with republicans and within the all Ireland political architecture of the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements.

"Some elements of unionism continue to resist change. But for the leadership of unionism today the question is very simple. Is it ready to move forward with the rest of us? Everything hinges on the answer to this simple question.

Partnership, equality and working together is the only way forward for our people. And when I say our people, I mean all our people, and that includes the unionists. It is my strong view that decent, pragmatic unionists will come to terms with the new dispensation. And why wouldn't they?

There was a time when:

• Unionism controlled the parliament
• Unionism controlled the cabinet
• Unionism controlled the police force
• Unionism controlled the justice system
• Unionism dominated business and controlled local government
• Unionism dictated housing policy and allocation

But that time has passed. Everyone knows this. Some may wish it was not the case and certainly their tactics are about delaying and attempting to dilute necessary change. But this can only work in the short term. Irish Republicans are long termers!

By working closely with the unionists; by being patient and strategic; by recognising unionist concerns and fears on the one hand, and challenging bigotry and prejudice on the other; it is possible to make progress.

The key to this is confidence in our own ability, in our analysis and in our republican politics. There are many challenges. And many frustrations as well. Few human beings of my acquaintance are as petty and mean spirited and negative as those in the Afrikaner wing of unionism.

But if we are truly about nation building; and that is what is Sinn Féin is about, then we cannot allow ourselves to be distracted or diverted by negative and reactionary elements. We have to reach over their heads to working families; to the disadvantaged and to all those who want a better way for themselves and for their children."

Gerry Adams pointed to the changed political scene in the US following the recent elections and the arrival of a new administration in the White House. He said:

"There is also a new House of Representatives and Senate in Washington, as well as changes in legislatures across the country.

"There are many old friends, who have been very supportive over the years and who have been returned to office. There are also many new names and new faces who have been elected for the first time.

"Sinn Féin's task in the time ahead is to engage with all of your political leaders. Irish America, which has always played a pivotal role also has a big job of work ahead of it. Irish America now has the task of engaging with the new Federal and state and local administrations and making sure that the issue of peace and justice and freedom in Ireland are high on their agenda.

"Irish America and Sinn Féin now have to work together as never before to maximise this opportunity and to build on the solid progress of achievement that has been made. Many of those now in elected office are open to our efforts.

"So, we have a lot of work ahead of us. This includes bedding down the political institutons; making progress on outstanding issues; fulfilling the promise of the Good Friday Agreement.

It's about making politics work. It's about delivering for citizens on all the issues affecting them in their daily lives.

It's also about advancing the democratic goal of Irish unity. The vast majority of citizens in Ireland, republicans and nationalist, support this objective. Our task is to motivate people in Ireland and elsewhere, including the USA, to actively work to achieve a United Ireland.

We must also convince them that such an effort can and will succeed.

Toward this end I established a special committee earlier this year to produce a strategy to achieve this -- Larry Downes is a part of that effort.

In Ireland Sinn Féin has begun a dialogue with a range of opinion about how to bring about the reality of a united Ireland.

The first public expression of this will be in the Mansion House in Dublin in January, arranged to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the meeting of the First Dáil Éireann, the all-Ireland government elected by all of Ireland in 1918.

Sinn Féin intends to expand this dialogue throughout the world and certainly here in the USA. We know that this will need people from different parties and none, who want a United Ireland, finding ways in which we can work together.

"This will require the creation of broad based campaigning organisations by those prepared to work to achieve the goal of a United Ireland. The very successful McBride Principles campaign here in the USA provides one organisational model which should be looked at.

"A vital part of this endeavour must be building support internationally. And crucial to this is Irish America. Sinn Féin seeks to energise and to harness the political strength of the millions of people across the globe and of the 40 million here in the USA, who can proudly trace their lineage back to Ireland.

"In this nation there already exist cultural, sporting and civic society organisations, as well as business and trade union organisations, who support Irish freedom. So, in any strategy to achieve a United Ireland we need the Irish diaspora, and we want to inspire its political strength in support of our goals.

"None of this will happen by chance. Irish unity makes sense, politically and economically and historically but it won't happen of its own volition. We have to make it happen. We need organisation. We need hard work and strategies.

"The road map is clear. Sinn Féin -- Irish republicanism -- is looking forward. Irish republicans have a vision of a new future for Ireland, a better future for Ireland and we have the spirit and confidence to work with others to achieve this. We are living through a time of great hope, and great opportunity and with the help of our friends here in the USA the goals of Irish freedom and independence will be won."

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Gerry Adams launches Bobby Sands Trust website

Addressing the many republicans from across Belfast who gathered in the Felons' Club last Friday, 7 November, for the launch of the Bobby Sands Trust , www.bobbysandstrust.com, website, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams praised the work of the members of the trust for their work over the years.

Adams in particular mentioned republicans such as Tom Hartley, who diligently preserved artefacts from the time of the prison struggle through the 1970s and 1980s which provide much of the information for the Sands Trust archive.

Adams rightly identified that the work done by the Bobby Sands Trust which deals with the prison struggles in Armagh and in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh "is hugely important and significant".

He said:

"Due to the diligent work of some republican activists at that time, material was kept and archives were developed.

"With the modernisation of the website, which gets tens of thousands of hits, those who want information now have access to a well-researched primary source.

"I think this is really important. It means that those who want to learn about aspects of the situation at that time are now able to read, in the words of those who were involved then, their thoughts and ideas and fears and hopes, and then to be able to form their own judgements based upon all the information provided."

The Bobby Sands Trust was formed after the 1981 Hunger Strike when ten republican prisoners died to reassert the political status which had been withdrawn by the British Government and its repressive prison regime.

Twenty-seven-year-old Bobby Sands, after enduring years of solitary confinement and beatings, led that hunger strike, during which he was elected as MP for the constituency of Fermanagh/South Tyrone. He died on 5 May 1981, after 66 days on hunger strike.

During his imprisonment, Bobby wrote poetry, short stories, a poignant account of what the prisoners suffered (One Day in My Life), and kept a diary for the first 17 days of his hunger strike.

COMRADES

The trust is made up of comrades of Bobby and his republican contemporaries. The civil rights lawyer, Pat Finucane, an advisor to the trust, was assassinated in 1989 by loyalist paramilitaries who were under the control of British Intelligence through their agent Brian Nelson.

The legal firm Madden & Finucane continues to act for the trust, whose original members were Gerry Adams, Danny Morrison, Tom Hartley, the late Tom Cahill, Marie Moore and Danny Devenny. For a time, Bobby's two sisters, Marcella and Bernadette, were members of the trust. Current members are Gerry Adams MP, Danny Morrison, Tom Hartley, Jim Gibney, Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane, Sile Darragh, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, and Peter Madden.

The trust holds the copyright on all Bobby's poetry and prose and was established to publish, promote and keep in print the extraordinary writings of this young Irishman, who from prison isolation became an international figure in 1981 and who, to this day, continues to inspire Irish republicans in their pursuit of freedom from British rule.

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An outspoken voice for Munster

Toireasa Ferris, the Sinn Féin councillor and South candidate for next year's European elections, is from Ardfert, County Kerry, a small village five miles from Tralee. She talks to about growing up in a republican family, her commitment to securing basic rights for people and her desire to become a strong voice for Munster in Europe.

Born in 1980, the year of the first Hunger Strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh, Toireasa Ferris was born into a time of heightened political activity in Ireland. Her earliest political activity occurred when she was just nine years old.

Fr Paddy Ryan was an EU election candidate for Munster. Ryan attained prominence when he went on hunger strike in 1988 in protest against British attempts to extradite him from Belgium to England on conspiracy charges. When he was selected as a Munster candidate on an anti-extradition platform in the 1989 EU elections, Toireasa did her bit to help the campaign. She recalls herself and her sister putting endless election pamphlets in envelopes for distribution around the constituency. Her father, Martin, was in jail at the time and her mother, Marie, was secretary of the local Sinn Féin cumann.

Though it was a time of heightened political activity and the Ferris family was a very political one, Toireasa says that it was by no means inevitable that she would get involved in politics. She is the only one of six siblings involved in politics, though she believes that it could only have been republicanism that would have appealed to her.

From her earliest years, Toireasa Ferris had the tendency to stand up against injustice and there is anecdotal evidence to support that. With some amusement she recalls a story often repeated by older republicans describing how a three-year-old Toireasa went out in protest at the police detention of a baby.

"I get embarrassed and cringe when I hear some of the stories. Áine Ní Mhurchú, a republican from Waterford, loves to tell one particular story." Ní Mhurchú had been visiting the Ferris home with her young, breast-feeding baby when there was a Garda Special Branch raid on the house and Áine was arrested. The mother refused to leave without her baby and so, both were taken away by the police. An angry young Toireasa ran around to all the houses in the local authority housing estate where the family lived, knocking on the door to announce ("in fairly colourful language at the time", as Toireasa puts it): "They've arrested Baby Tadhg!"

In future years that same social consciousness presented itself when she went on to do a Masters in International Human Rights, credentials she took with her to Mexico when she was voluntarily fighting for the rights of workers in Central America.

Toireasa acknowledges that it wasn't easy for the Ferris children and their mother when her father, veteran republican Martin Ferris, was arrested and imprisoned at various stages during their years growing up.

"I was four when my dad was arrested. I'd started school just weeks before that. He had actually driven me to my first day at school."

She remembers gradually coming to understand that her father was involved in something different than most fathers.

"When I was very young I obviously didn't understand what was gong on. I came to understand all that gradually. I remember one occasion when certain people came into the house and they went into a room and the door being closed. The children were taken to my granny's house for the day and then I knew something was up."

Did she ever feel angry about her father's commitment to the struggle? "No, especially after my daddy was taken to jail -- my mam could talk a little more about what had been going on and about what he was involved in."

PRIDE

From their earliest years she and her brothers and sisters were taught to be proud of their dad, and her mother, Marie, was central in developing that understanding that he "wasn't putting the Republican Movement before us.

"Mam instilled a sense of pride in us about what our father was doing. We were taught that it was such an unselfish thing that he was doing because he wanted to make a better future for us and all the children on the island."

In the 1980s, when she was just a youngster, it was very common for republican homes to be raided by the Garda Special Branch and the Ferris home was a very frequent target for raids. When her dad was imprisoned and their home was regularly visited by the police, life was at times confusing for the Ferris children but republicans like Rita O'Hare helped Toireasa to get a handle on what was going on politically.

"Sometimes the other schoolchildren would repeat things to me that they'd heard their parents say at home. I remember that during that time I was a bit down at one stage and I'll never forget Rita O'Hare visiting us at home. My mother told her how I was feeling and Rita took me for a walk down Banna Beach -- Banna Strand where Casement was captured. She explained the story of Casement to me and put the story into the modern-day context and it helped me to understand things more. Rita is absolutely fabulous with children."

And that affection holds firm today. Toireasa smiles when she says:

"I got more afraid of Rita as I got older. She's not as scary when you're younger. I still love Rita but I wouldn't cross her either."

Noted as a highly intelligent and well-educated young woman, Toireasa Ferris had a lot of options when it came down to a career and life path.

Having completed her schooling at Ardfert National School, she furthered her education at the University of Limerick and Queen's University, Belfast. Having attained an Honours Degree at the University of Limerick, she went on to complete a degree in Law and European Studies and a Masters Degree in International Human Rights and Criminal Justice from Queen's University. But her studies had to be juggled with heavy political commitments.

"I remember when I was sitting my finals in 2003 at the University of Limerick when my father rang me the night before the last exam on Company Law and tactfully wished me the best of luck in the exam before going on to say, 'Oh, and by the way, we're thinking of co-opting you onto Kerry County Council.' It hit me like a sledgehammer! I didn't know how to respond. I thought he was joking first and then when I realised that he was serious I made sure the conversation got wrapped up fairly quickly and instead of spending the night studying I was asking myself how I was going to tell him I wasn't going to do it."

Although she eventually did take up the challenge, Toireasa was initially a reluctant councillor.

"I was totally opposed to the idea of being a councillor. I was enrolled for the entrance exam for King's Inn and had just done my final exams. But, of course," she laughed "they brought in the heavies, people that I have great grá for, other republicans, and basically they talked me into submission".

MAYOR OF KERRY

She was only 23 years of age when she was co-opted onto Kerry County Council in 2003 in place of her father, Martin after he became a TD in 2002. She was elected onto Kerry County Council in 2004 and at the age of 26 was mayor of the county from 2005 to 2006. Last month, the 28-year-old was co-opted onto Tralee Town Council in place of another councillor, Sinn Féin's Maisie Houlihan, who had to step down for health reasons.

So the King's Inn dream had to be forfeited for the Kingdom.

"King's Inn is in Dublin and it was going to be impossible to do my council work and commute to Dublin to study. So I started the Masters degree on a part-time basis with Queen's University and I completed that in December 2005. I was doing the Masters with a view to studying further and I started studying for a PhD in 2006. It was to be in Law and History in Limerick University but then with the general election coming up in 2007 I was made director of canvass in Kerry North and I agreed to put my studies off.

"I had hoped that I would be able to get a lot of preparation for the PhD done during my maternity leave last year but then I was very ill for the first few months with the pregnancy [Toireasa now has a six-month-old daughter, Liadain] that I was just about able to do the council work and I was working part-time as well to put the mortgage together. So then I said I'd put off the PhD until this year but the European election comes along. But I'll eventually do either the King's Inn degree or the PhD. One of the two is going to happen."

So why did Toireasa decide to suspend her studies and personal ambitions for republicanism?

"I did it because I'm a republican and also the work I would have done as an outcome of further study is largely what I'm doing today. Achieving basic rights is what it's all about."

THE LATE LATE SHOW

Constituency work can be hard, intensive, and requires huge commitment. Does she enjoy the work?

"Constituency work I absolutely love. I hate other aspects of being an elected representative. I hate going to the meetings. I don't particularly like doing the media stuff because you're always afraid you'll say the wrong thing."

She reflects back on a TV interview with Pat Kenny on the Late Late Show in 2006 after which the media focused on her clothing and the length of her skirt rather than the depth of her knowledge and the content of the discussion.

"I can't understand why women's groups remained so silent when they saw that so much focus was being put on the attire of a young female politician. There was disgusting commentary in the media about my dress. The commentary about Mary Lou a few months earlier about her weight was even worse. The woman was pregnant and they (overwhelmingly men, no doubt) were slagging off her weight!

"There was an excellent letter in the papers at the time about the issue basically saying that if they don't like your politics they will throw you to the wolves."

But though the media coverage at the time was highly offensive it actually reinforced Toireasa Ferris's determination to get further involved in politics.

"It was already an exhausting year with being mayor and you tend to be a bit tired and negative. But it was after that media coverage that it occurred to me that if they were attacking me like that there had to be a reason for it -- I must have been doing something right."

Is she excited about the European elections and how important does she think it is for Sinn Féin to have seats in Europe?

"It's hugely important for Sinn Féin to have representation at every level and to give a voice to people that the other politicians are ignoring and choosing not to listen to.

"Honestly, I won't say I'm excited about the EU elections. I'm very nervous. It's a huge burden to represent our people. It's not like any other political party. At every stage I want to do justice to our membership and to the people who brought our party to where it is today and you're always afraid that you're not going to perform to a level that those people deserve.

"I am very nervous about it and I so desperately want to do the work to the standard that our people deserve because I have so much respect for them."

And what does she hope to bring to the Ireland South constituency if she becomes an MEP?

"If I'm elected I hope to be a strong voice for the constituency at the European table because Europe impacts on ordinary people in many ways not least the fishing and farming sectors who have suffered due to poor negotiations at EU level.

"Look at how the fishermen of this country have been criminalised over recent years as they try to make a living. We've seen the protests where they have handed out free fish to highlight their plight. Inadequate quotas and the rising price of fuel are crippling the industry. Farmers here in Munster and across Ireland need protection from unregulated providers when the likes of Brazilian farmers can sell their beef here at a lower price because they don't have to meet the same strict criteria around animal testing. But I believe that too much power is being concentrated in Brussels: the free market gets priority over the rights of workers and the protection of public services.

"I love helping people at any level, people who are being denied basic entitlements and who have nobody to speak for them, and whether at a local or a European level I aim to continue that work and the European Parliament provides a more expansive forum for securing the rights of Irish citizens."

FAMILY

Where does Toireasa Ferris see herself 20 years from now?

"I think I'll always be involved in republicanism, whether as a political representative or an activist working day-to-day on the ground. I want a socialist republic though I think it will take a bit longer than we had anticipated up to about two or three years ago. I used to think we'd get it by 2016. I think it will take slightly longer to get a united Ireland and longer again to get the socialist republic."

Toireasa lives in Ardfert with her partner, Patrick, and daughter Liadain. She maintains a close relationship with her parents, of whom she speaks very highly and with tremendous love.

"My mother used to be the prime carer when my dad was in jail. She was always very loving and supportive. My father is always very calm, no matter what arises, and he is always there for us. People tell me that I'm 'Martin Ferris without the beard' but I can feel a lot of both my parents in me. I can see a lot of my ways in both my parents, both the good points and the flaws too. I've never been shy about saying how much I love both my parents."

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Gerry Adams welcomes discovery of remains in Wicklow

Missing bodies: Issue a priority for republicans

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has welcomed the news that human remains have been discovered at a site in County Wicklow where the IRA says it secretly buried the body of West Belfast man Danny McIlhone in 1981.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) confirmed on Monday 10 November that a search was underway at Ballynultagh, County Wicklow for the remains of Danny McIlhone.

Welcoming the news and the discovery of what appears to be Danny McIlhone's remains at the site Adams extended his condolences and sympathy to Mr. McIlhone's family.

The discovery of human remains last weekend has led to the hope that they belong to Danny McIlhone, a 19-year-old West Belfast man who was killed and secretly buried by the IRA in 1981.

Speaking after the find Gerry Adams said, "If news reports are accurate the apparent discovery of Danny McIlhone's remains will come as a great relief for his family. It is also evidence that republicans consider this issue a priority and continue to work diligently on this important issue.

"It will also be an encouragement to the other families who are still hoping that the remains of their loved ones will be found. I hope that the McIlhone family will now get the closure they deserve."

The uncovering of the human remains follows a long search for the bodies of nine people who the IRA acknowledged in April 1999 that it had killed and buried. Four of these have been recovered. Five, Seamus Wright, Kevin McKee, Columba McVeigh, Brendan McGraw and Danny McIlhone are still missing.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

In 2001, and having examined international experience, Gerry Adams made a series of suggestions to the Irish Government to assist the search process. These suggestions included the use of archaeological specialists, forensic experts, the use of specialist scanning equipment and body dogs. He also suggested that, "a recreation of the scene', approach be adopted.

Four years later the Irish Government secured the services of a forensic expert with experience in this specialised area of work. He submitted his report, including recommendations on how to proceed, to both British and Dublin governments in February 06. And in August the governments announced their decision to retain the services of the forensic expert and to implement his report.

Following this there were frequent meetings between republicans and the forensic expert.

Detailed discussions and specific information was provided on the five outstanding cases. Each site was visited by the forensic expert and by republicans, including individuals with primary knowledge.

Some suggestions were made by the IRA. Also the IRA agreed to others made by the forensic expert. These included:

• Use of aerial photographs, from military or commercial sources of the sites at the time of the executions;

• Ordnance survey maps of this period;

• Forestry records;

• X Ray equipment;

• Archeological experts;

• Records, maps, photos, reports of work already carried out on each site;

• The appointment of a project manager with the power to make things happen.

Meanwhile in a debate in the North's Assembly on this issue, last week, Adams expressed his, "support for all the families who have campaigned with dignity for many years to locate the remains of their loved ones. I also want to acknowledge once again the grave injustice inflicted upon these families and to express my deep regret about this."

He said: "For its part the IRA has apologised for the grief it has caused. It has acknowledged that its intention, in working closely with the special forensic investigating team, has been to rectify this injustice. And it has accepted full responsibility for its actions.

"I also believe that the IRA has provided full disclosure of all of the information available to it and that republicans continue to work diligently on this important issue. This was recognised some time ago by the forensic science investigative consultant Geoff Knupfer, who is working for the Independent Commission.

"Mr. Knupfer said, and I quote; 'in a spirit of co-operation and reconciliation they are trying to help in every way they can.'

"He went on to say: 'I am absolutely convinced that they are doing everything they can to assist. The support we have had from them has been absolutely 100 per cent from day one'.

"Now let me make it clear none of this minimises the IRA's responsibility for the suffering endured with great dignity by these families.

"Mr. Knupfer also acknowledged the incredible difficulties and challenges facing the search teams.

"He said: 'I think that probably in some cases... the people directly involved have died. If you're reviewing events that took place 30 years ago, then memories do fade and locations change and that's one of the things we have identified pretty rapidly -- that the sites have changed dramatically'".

The Sinn Féin leader added, "despite this, it is imperative that efforts continue to find the remains. This is equally true also in those instances where the IRA has said it was not involved. The disappearances of Seamus Ruddy, Charlie Armstrong and Gerard Evans are as much a source of trauma and grief for their families as is that endured by the others.

"Let there be no doubt that there is ongoing work by republicans to ensure that these families have a Christian burial as soon as possible.

"Let me also give an opinion, based upon the work that has been done, and it is that the locations identified by republicans contain the burial sites.

"Let me also assure the families that even as I speak republicans continue to work on this issue; visiting sites, meeting regularly with the experts and doing all that can be done to bring closure to the families involved. I would also call on anyone with information that could be useful in the recovery of the remaining missing bodies to pass that information on to the commission tasked with finding them".

• The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims remains (ICLVR) can be contacted on the following number 00800 - 55585500.

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Sinn Fein

Double Week in Review

2-15 November 2008

Partnership is the only way forward -- Adams

On 13 November, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams MP was in the United States on a brief four day visit. Speaking from New York at the party's annual fundraising dinner the Sinn Fein leader spoke about the current situation in the political process in Ireland.
He said if political unionism wanted to `exercise power’ it had to be `prepared to work in partnership with republicans and within the all Ireland political architecture of the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements’.
He said ` some elements of unionism continue to resist change’, asking whether the leadership of unionism was `ready to move forward with the rest of us’ and that `partnership, equality and working together is the only way forward for our people...

all our people, and that includes the unionists’. He added: `It is my strong view that decent, pragmatic unionists will come to terms with the new dispensation.’
He said that previously Unionism had controlled the parliament, cabinet, the police force and the justice system, had `dominated business and controlled local government’ and `dictated housing policy and allocation, but `that time has passed’.

He pointed out, `some may wish it was not the case and certainly their tactics are about delaying and attempting to dilute necessary change. But this can only work in the short term. Irish Republicans are long <<SF WiR Nov 15 08.doc>> .’

He said that by `working closely with the unionists; by being patient and strategic; by recognising unionist concerns and fears on the one hand, and challenging bigotry and prejudice on the other; it is possible to make progress.’

The key to this was, he said `confidence in our own ability, in our analysis and in our republican politics’.
He said there were `many challenges and frustrations as well’, adding `few human beings of my acquaintance are as petty and mean spirited and negative as those in the Afrikaner wing of unionism’, but added `if we are truly about nation building; and that is what Sinn Féin is about, then we cannot allow ourselves to be distracted or diverted by negative and reactionary elements.’

He called for the need to `reach over their heads to working families; to the disadvantaged and to all those who want a better way for themselves and for their children.’

Work ahead included: `bedding down the political institutions; making progress on outstanding issues; fulfilling the promise of the Good Friday Agreement. It's about making politics work.’ He concluded: `It's about delivering for citizens on all the issues affecting them in their daily lives.’

Rally outlines vision for Irish unity -- and the role of women in the struggle for freedom

On 9 November, Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún addressed thousands of republicans at  the annual Edentubber Commemoration, and said that Sinn Féin remain `focused on ending partition’ and also questioned whether DUP leader Peter Robinson was capable of leading unionism into a future built upon partnership.

The theme of the Commemoration was the role of women in the struggle for Irish freedom.
Ms de Brún the struggle had `undergone significant changes’ adding that republicans remain `driven by our absolute belief that the partition of our country is wrong and that the British government has no place in running the affairs of Irish people.’

Ms de Brún said that in 2008, `the end of partition and the unity of our country is a live political project, as is our commitment to the equality agenda’. Sinn Fein had `set out a clear political strategy to achieve our republican and democratic goals. In the new phase of struggle, those goals will be pursued through exclusively peaceful means’.

She said the `building of political strength and the use of that strength to bring about fundamental political, social and constitutional change is key. Women today are proud to carry forward that progressive republican and feminist tradition.’ She pointed out that 90 years ago in December 1918 `Irish women had the vote for the first time’ and `played a key role in the Sinn Féin victory which led to the establishment of the First Dáil Éireann’. She said `Women's rights were enshrined in the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic and the commitment to equality was continued in the Democratic Programme of the First Dáil. Constance Markievicz [the first woman to also be elected as a Westminster MP] was one of the first women Cabinet ministers in the world. And like Hanna Sheehy Skeffington and the vast majority of women republicans she was a strong opponent of the Treaty and the Partition of our country.’

Speaking about the DUP leader Peter Robinson Ms de Brún said people should not be `surprised or confused by the current situation in Stormont’, and remember that `the DUP were a party formed to oppose power sharing’ who `led the opposition to the Good Friday Agreement before embracing the all-Ireland institutions it established’.

She said they were `reluctant partners in government’. She said `the core of the current difficulties goes beyond policing and justice’ and was about `holding the DUP to their commitments… ensuring that the equality demands of the Good Friday Agreement are delivered… puncturing the notion held by some within the ranks of the DUP that they will operate these institutions on their terms and their terms alone’.

She said `if unionists are ever going to exercise power then they will do so acting in partnership with nationalists and republicans and within the framework set out in the Good Friday Agreement, with all of the checks and balances that includes’. One aspect of that was `the joint nature of the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister’.

She concluded: `Unionism needs to grasp this reality. It remains to be seen whether Peter Robinson is capable of leading unionism into a new future built upon equality and partnership or whether he will repeat the failures of past unionist leaders harking back to days of domination, discrimination and inequality.’

The full text of the speech can be found at http://www.sinnfein.ie/news/detail/36094

Unionist at `crossroads’

On 2 November, Speaking at the party’s final EU 2009 election convention where Cllr. Pádraig Mac Loclainn was selected as Sinn Féin’s North West candidate, Party President Gerry Adams MP reiterated his comments on the current situation and said that forty years on from the Civil Rights Movement and ten years on from the Good Friday Agreement `unionism in the north once again finds itself at a crossroads’.

He said the challenge for successive unionist leadership was whether they `want to move forward with the rest of us or… still harbour the notion of returning to the past’. He said he hoped that unionism would `make clear that it is up for the challenges of moving forward together as equals’.

That meant: `working the joint office of the First and Deputy First Minister in true partnership…. operating within the Executive and the Departments and the all-Ireland bodies in the same way’. He added, `Sharing power means sharing power. It does not mean operating institutions on your own terms.’

He said the Good Friday Agreement institutions could `not operate on this basis’ and required unionism to `commit to true partnership and equality for the first time’. He said the core of the current dispute was `about defending the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions’.

He said Sinn Fein was `on the right side of that argument. There is a way forward available; it is the road of equality and partnership - the question is whether or not unionist politicians are prepared to lead their people along that path.’

Sinn Fein President congratulates President elect Obama

On 5 November, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA expressed his congratulations to Senator Barack Obama on winning the US Presidential election.

Mr. Adams said: `I want to congratulate President elect Obama on his successful election. I extend best wishes to him in meeting the many difficult challenges facing the new administration.’

He added: `President elect Obama has committed to continue US support for the Irish peace process. He also outlined his support for a comprehensive truth recovery process that would tackle the issue of state collusion and in particular endorsed the call for an independent, public inquiry into the murder of Human Rights lawyer Pat Finucane.  I also welcome his comments on trade and investment, and his acknowledgement of the need for immigration reform. President elect Obama’s adoption of these policy positions is vital as we strive to overcome difficulties.’

Mr Adams concluded: `Barack Obama’s election shows in politics that change is possible, and people everywhere will be mindful of the long history of African Americans and of all those who struggled for justice and fairness.’

Sinn Fein to give Irish unity perspective at Leeds forum meeting

Sinn Fein Assembly Member and former Mayor of Belfast, Alex Maskey MLA, will join British Labour MP Colin Burgon in addressing a public meeting in Leeds on Thursday 27 November, 7.30pm, at Swathmore Education Centre, Woodhouse Square LS3. The meeting is entitled `Towards an Ireland of Equals: the peace process and beyond’ and is organised by Leeds Labour Forum, which promotes discussion, debate and political education within the labour and trade union movement in Leeds. Alex Maskey is also one of Sinn Fein’s current members of the policing board, and will outline the party’s perspective towards Irish unity and address the current issues in the peace process.

Minister welcomes end of 11-plus

On 7 November, Sinn Féin Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, said that the ending of 11 plus tests was to be welcomed because it removed unnecessary pressure on children.

The Minister repeated comments that academic selection was `both unnecessary and unjust’.
She added: `I want to bring about a reformed education system, where every child has the opportunity to achieve to their maximum ability. I want to ensure schools can deliver excellence in academic and many other areas and provide their pupils with the widest range of educational choices.’

She said she had `set out proposals for the way ahead which include a compromise position around a three year transition period’. These proposals had been developed `following hundreds of hours of discussions with key partners in education and I believe they offer a solution that is in the best interests of all children’. The final 11-plus papers will be taken on 7 and 21 November.

Earlier Ms Ruane said that the call from the trade unions for the ending of academic selection showed the true view of educationalists.

A call for the ending of academic selection came from the NI Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, where unions representing teachers in schools right across the North saw `every day how the current system fails children’. This, she said, was `in stark contrast to the small number of people refusing to recognise the need for change’ and added, `People who are more interested in preserving institutions than doing what is right for all children’. She concluded: `I reaffirm my commitment to continue my work to bring about much needed reform in education’.

* Caitriona Ruane will be among speakers at a major conference in London, Latin America 2008, which will mark the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution and the 10th anniversary of the election of Hugo Chavez as Venezuelan President. Other speakers at the conference, which takes place on Saturday 6 December, at the TUC Congress House in Great Russell St, central London, will include former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, CWU general Secretary Billy Hayes, British MPs and a range of international speakers.

Concern at Saville Inquiry delay

On 6 November, Sinn Féin MLA and member of the Bloody Sunday Trust Raymond McCartney has expressed his concern and disappointment on the news that the Saville Report has been delayed for at least another year.
Mr McCartney said he shared the frustration of the families `and the concerns of the greater Derry public on the news that the Saville Report has again been delayed for at least another year’. The inquiry concluded four years ago `and the families have waited with patience and dignity for its publication’, he said.
He said this latest delay was `a blow to the families’ confidence that the report will reach a just and truthful conclusion and there is a growing fear that political interference on behalf of the British Government is adding to the delays’.
He said he had spoken to the speaker of the Assembly and intended to raise the matter there and submit a motion for a full debate at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime he said he would be `giving my full support to the families’ and called on the people of Derry `to remain steadfast in their support of the pursuit of truth and justice for the Bloody Sunday families’.

Eleswhere Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said Sinn Fein could not support the Tribunal of Inquiry Bill 2005 as it was currently drafted. He said the Bill was very similar to the British Inquiries Act which was widely viewed to have been constructed to act as a barrier to a full public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane.

He went on to accuse Governments past and present, both in Ireland and in Britain `of colluding in deep cover ups which have masked the truth and compounded the suffering of victims and their relatives’.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh said `spiralling legal costs and the refusal of witnesses to co-operate with tribunals needs to be addressed’, but added `unfortunately as the Bill is currently drafted Sinn Féin must oppose it’.

Historic first as Sinn Fein take policing partnership chair

On 11 November, Sinn Fein Councillor and East Belfast District Policing Partnership (DPP) member Gerard O'Neill formally took up position as the chairperson of the sub-group, chairing his first East Belfast DPP meeting, an appointment which has been warmly welcomed by East Belfast Sinn Féin representative Niall Ó Donnghaile.
Speaking in advance of the meeting Cllr. O'Neill said, as a Sinn Féin elected representative, he believed that policing with the community `needs to be the core function of any civic policing service, and my aim as Chair of the East Belfast District Policing Partnership is to see that happen.’
He said, as chair he was `determined to use this opportunity to bring about an impartial and effective, civic policing service which meets the needs of the whole community in which it serves.’
He said there was still `much work to be done on demiltarising the PSNI’, which was evident in the Short Strand area `where excessive amounts of money are continuing to be wasted on maintaining Mountpottinger Barracks, and outdated reminder of all that Policing should not be.’
He pointed out there remained more police per head of population in the North of Ireland `than in any policing region within Britain or Ireland’.

Adams re-launches Bobby Sands Trust website

On 7 November, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP formally re-launched the Bobby Sands Trust web site. Speaking at the event Mr. Adams said the work done by the Trust, which deals with the prison struggles in Armagh and in the H blocks of Long Kesh, was `hugely important and significant’.

He added `due to the diligent work of some republican activists at that time material was kept and archives were developed’.

He said: `With the modernisation of the web site, which gets tens of thousands of hits, those who want information now have access to a well researched primary source.

I think this is really important. It means that those who want to learn about aspects of the situation at that time are now able to read, in the words of those who were involved then, their thoughts and ideas and fears and hopes, and then to be able to form their own judgements based upon all the information provided.’

The site can be found at: http://www.bobbysandstrust.com/
The highly acclaimed award-winning film, Hunger, directed by Steve McQueen, is also on general release.

Infrastructure investment – consultation and all-Ireland co-operation

On 13 November, Sinn Fein MP and Assembly Member, and region development Minister Conor Murphy, addressed a major conference all Ireland public consultation conference on infrastructure investment. Other speakers included former Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone and Ireland Finance Minister, Brian Lenihan TD.

Minister Murphy said that as Transport Minister for the North, his Department, placed a `high level importance’ on public consultation.
Some £6 billion would be invested by his department in the North's infrastructure. He said that in the context of the current economic downturn, `it is vital that our infrastructure improvements are not only focused on achieving value for money but are brought forward with the support of local communities.’

DRD Roads Service has an investment programme of some £3.1 billion to be delivered over the next 10 years – a record investment of which £2.5 billion is targeted at improving our Strategic Road Network, he said.

The North's largest ever road project - the dualling of the A5 which runs from Derry to the border at Augnacloy just north of Monaghan -- will provide the North West of Ireland with `a much improved route to Dublin’.

A key stakeholder in this project is the Irish Government, which is making a significant investment in the scheme, which he said, `shows all Ireland co-operations and to a degree requires all island consultation’.

Sinn Fein TD in Gaza and urges Israel to end the blockade

On 10 November, Sinn Féin Justice and Human Rights Spokesperson TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh was in the Gaza Strip on a fact-finding mission with twelve other European Parliamentarians. Speaking from Gaza Deputy Ó Snodaigh said blockade of the Strip by Israel must be lifted to let much needed supplies into the region.
Deputy Ó Snodaigh met the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Salam Fayyad who briefed him on the current political situation.
Deputy Ó Snodaigh said it was `quite clear just from looking around the place that Israel's blockade is taking a heavy toll on the people of Gaza’.
He said he had visited two hospitals including Al Nassir Children's Hospital, and both were `under huge pressure due to a lack of supplies and equipment to repair their machines. They are forced to send x-rays and scans for signs of cancer to Egypt or even Israel for assessment.’
He also travelled with the UN Relief and Works Agency `who are struggling to provide food and run schools for the population here’ and met fishermen `who informed me that they are constantly under attack from the Israelis as they attempt to go about their work and I visited the sanitation centre which is also struggling due to a shortage of spare parts’.
He also visited refugees camp to see the conditions there and a power station where `there will be no fuel left after tomorrow to power the region as the Israelis are blocking the fuel from coming in’. He pointed out that half of the city of Gaza is currently without electricity as Israel is refusing to allow fuel, paid for by the EU, into the city. He said this `further escalation of the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's blockade. Gaza is now suffering from food, medical and fuel shortages and urgently needs help. Thousands of homes are without power and the UN is struggling to feed the population while hospitals can't get hold of the medical supplies that they need.’

He said: `It is quite clear that Israel's blockade of Gaza is the cause of a major humanitarian crisis and must be lifted. The people here are facing a major food, fuel and medical shortage and are in dire need of help. The International community must intervene here and put pressure on Israel to lift the siege of Gaza immediately.’

Elsewhere, on 13 November Sinn Fein MEP Bairbre de Brún called for the EU to act swiftly and decisively on the Israeli refusal to allow 30 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Ms de Brún said Israel was `using the pretext of rocket attacks emanating from Gaza in order to shut down all transfers of good or resources into and out of the Gaza strip’. She said the past number of days had seen the power station running out of fuel, EU diplomats and journalists being denied entry `and now 30 trucks of aid have been refused entry’.
She said the aid, destined for relief agencies and people on the ground, meant Israel was `imposing collective punishment on the 1.5 million people of Gaza’.
She said UN relief agencies had warned that they will not have sufficient food within the distribution centres to cope with demand.

The EU `can exert influence over the actions of the Israeli government’ she said adding `there is currently in effect a trade agreement between the EU and Israel which is dependent on Israel's respect for human rights. Israel is once again in breach of this agreement yet the EU still retain the trade agreement.’
She concluded: `This situation cannot be allowed to continue. Israel must allow all forms of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the EU must use whatever influence it has to end this deplorable situation. This includes suspending the preferential trade agreement if the Israeli government refuses to respect basic human rights’.

EU Conflict resolution conference hears Basque peace process call

On 11 November Bairbre de Brún joined prominent international speakers in calling on the European Union to encourage a peace process in the Basque Country. Speaking at a Conference in the European Parliament in Brussels Ms de Brún said: `As the US, the EU and others helped the Irish peace process, so too there is an important role for the international community in encouraging a peace process in the Basque country.’

The call was made at a conference on Conflict Resolution in the EU which was addressed by Bairbre de Brún MEP, prominent South African human rights lawyer Brian Currin and former Secretary General of Interpol Raymond Kendall. Currin and Kendall are both members of the International Initiative for Peace and Dialogue in the Basque Country. The conference was attended by MEPs, staff and parliamentary assistants from all the main political groups in the European Parliament.

Speaking at the Conference Ms de Brún said: `The European Union should encourage inclusive political dialogue in the Basque Country, recognising that a security response to conflict is not sufficient to ensure lasting peace.’

She added, `The EU has contributed and continues to contribute to the success story of the Irish peace process. We in Ireland can now also give something back through a proposed Europe-wide network of regions and cities that are coming out of conflict or that are living with conflict and exclusion, and through the possibility of establishing in the North of Ireland an EU Centre for Conflict Resolution.’
The Conference on Conflict Resolution in the EU was organised by Basque Friendship: MEPs support group for a peace process in the Basque Country, of which Bairbre de Brún is a member.

Ms de Brún also urged the establishment of an EU Centre for Conflict Resolution in the North of Ireland stressing the importance of a 'Europe-wide network of regions and cities that are coming out of conflict or that are living with conflict and exclusion'.

Week in Review is produced and circulated by Sinn Fein MPs and London Office. Telephone 07940 565123 email fisherj@parliament.uk or visit www.sinnfein.ie

 

 

Latest News - 10 November, 2008

• Adams congratulates President elect Obama on election victory
• PDs are no more
• Anger as Bloody Sunday report delayed again
• Adams sends condolences to families of Sinn Féin members killed in Donegal RTA
• Parade of shame was old-fashioned unionist coat trailing

Adams congratulates President elect Obama on election victory

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA has expressed his congratulations to Senator Barack Obama on winning the US Presidential election. Adams said:

"I want to congratulate President elect Obama on his successful election. I extend best wishes to him in meeting the many difficult challenges facing the new administration.

"President elect Obama has committed to continue US support for the Irish peace process. He also outlined his support for a comprehensive truth recovery process that would tackle the issue of state collusion and in particular endorsed the call for an independent, public inquiry into the murder of Human Rights lawyer Pat Finucane. I also welcome his comments on trade and investment, and his acknowledgement of the need for immigration reform. President elect Obama's adoption of these policy positions is vital as we strive to overcome difficulties.

"Barack Obama's election shows in politics that change is possible, and people everywhere will be mindful of the long history of African Americans and of all those who struggled for justice and fairness."

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PDs are no more

The right wing, anti republican Irish political party and Irish government coalition partner, the Progressive Democrats (PDs) voted itself out of existence at the weekend. The party led by Health Minister Mary Harney, had a disastrous election last year when it was led by the extreme Justice Minister Michael McDowell who lost his seat in that election.

The demise of the Progressive Democrats was inevitable and while it is welcome that such a negative element in Irish politics has been removed, the reality is that PD policies are alive and well in Fianna Fáil.

With the PDs over the past decade Fianna Fáil presided over a taxation system that allowed the wealthiest to pay little or no tax. They were responsible for a totally market driven housing policy that failed to meet housing need, inflated property prices, allowed wreckless lending and massive mortgage debt. That FF/PD approach has led directly to the current economic recession.

The privatization ethos of the PDs has been allowed to infect the Irish public health service. The two-tier public/private hospital system has been reinforced under PD health minister Mary Harney with the full backing of Fianna Fáil. She has rewarded the private health business at the expense of the public health system which is now been hit by cutbacks. The private for profit hospital co-location scheme is going ahead with generous tax breaks for developers while public health programmes like the CPV Vaccination Scheme are being cancelled. The demise of the PDs is welcome but real change will require the ditching of failed right wing policies.

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Anger as Bloody Sunday report delayed again

Families and supporters of those murdered and injured by The British Army in Derry on Bloody Sunday have issued a public plea to Lord Saville asking why the long-awaited Saville Report will be delayed another year.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was among 14 people killed, said: "All of a sudden the timescale changed again and we need to know the reason why. We have waited so long already - and now our patience is starting to wear thin.

"Since the inquiry began, six of the injured have died, campaigning siblings have died and there's only one surviving parent left, Lawrence McElhinney father of Kevin McElhinney. So time really is of the essence," he said.

The latest delays were revealed in a letter from the chairman of the Bloody Sunday inquiry, Lord Saville, who stated that the final report will not be completed until autumn 2009. Previous correspondence indicating that the findings would be completed in December this year were described as "a substantial underestimate".

Apologising for the delay, Lord Saville went on: "We have always found it difficult, given the scale and complexity of the material with which we are dealing, to predict accurately how long it will take us to complete our task." He added that the inquiry team were determined to "deal fairly, accurately and thoroughly with the issues before us".

Sinn Féin MLA and member of the Bloody Sunday Trust Raymond McCartney has expressed his concern and disappointment.

Mr McCartney said,

"I share the frustration of the families and the concerns of the greater Derry public on the news that the Saville Report has again been delayed for at least another year. This inquiry concluded four years ago and the families have waited with patience and dignity for its publication.

"This latest delay is a blow to the families confidence that the report will reach a just and truthful conclusion and there is a growing fear that political interference on behalf of the British Government is adding to the delays.

"I have already spoken to the speaker of the Assembly and intend to raise the matter in the Assembly under matters of the day and submit a motion for a full debate at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime I will be giving my full support to the families and I am calling on the people of Derry to remain steadfast in their support of the pursuit of truth and justice for the Bloody Sunday families.

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Adams sends condolences to families of Sinn Féin members killed in Donegal RTA

Paying tribute to the two senior members of Donegal Sinn Féin, Mayor of Ballyshannon, Cllr PJ Branley and Dessie McNulty, who died following a road tragedy yesterday, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP has said that "the loss of Cllr PJ Branley and Dessie McNulty will be deeply felt by people across County Donegal as well as Republican Ireland."

Mr Adams said,

"This is a devastating blow for both families and I want to convey my deepest sympathy to PJ's wife Mary, his sons John, Patrick, Liam, and Ciaran, his daughters, Sharon and Rosaleen, his sisters Mary and Nora, and his 14 grandchildren. Our deepest sympathy also goes out to Dessies' mother Bridget, his brothers, Joe (London), Peter and Eamonn (Australia), James, Bernard and Michael, his sisters Anne and Mary". This is a massive loss to the republican family in Tír Chonaill.

"PJ's election as Mayor of Ballyshannon was example of his commitment and work on behalf of Sinn Féin and also the people of Donegal. PJ was a proud and committed Republican and was imprisoned twice in the 1970's and 80's, he will be deeply missed by his family and the wider community.

"Dessie was another one of our senior party members in South Donegal. He was a Painter and Decorator by trade, his work and commitment to the building and development of our party inspired all of those people around him.

"It is particularly symbolic of the men that they died while carrying out work on behalf of the party; for them even an early Sunday morning was time for activism and they were out delivering party literature.

"Ar son Sinn Féin ba mhaith liom mo smaointí a seoladh chuig teaghlaigh na bhfear seo, ar dhéis Dé go raibh a hanamacha uaisle."

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Parade of shame was old-fashioned unionist coat trailing

First came two British soldiers, decked out in desert battle dress, leading a pair of Irish Wolfhounds. Behind them strutted the first contingent of soldiers from the Irish Guards. Left right, left right, they marched with their chests puffed out pompously.

Next came the military band in their 'Royal Irish' green dress uniforms blasting out the hymn, Onward Christian Soldiers no doubt in an attempt to hide this display of naked militarism behind a religious fig leaf. Not that it mattered as the strains of the hymn were all but drowned out by the bellicose screaming of hundreds of loyalists who crammed into Fisherwick Place. Their jeering was directed at the families of nationalists gunned down by British state forces who stood not 30 metres away protesting at the British Army's march of shame.

This was Sunday 2 November 2008 in Belfast City Centre and if the actions of the PSNI, the British Army, loyalist mobs and the unionist politicians who were in Belfast city centre last weekend say anything it is to tell nationalists that the struggle for justice and equality has a long way to go.

When the British Army decided in September to hold a "homecoming" parade in Belfast to "welcome" home soldiers from so-called Irish regiments, particularly the RIR, who had fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, the idea was greeted with disbelief within the nationalist population.

The relatives of those killed by the British state over the past four decades of war in the Six Counties knew instinctively this march was to be an exercise in militaristic posturing that dove-tailed perfectly with the unionist campaign -- driven by the Belfast daily the Newsletter -- to 'Welcome Home the Heroes'.

This campaign provided unionist politicians, DUP members in particular, with a stage on which they could pose as latter day Winston Churchills; totally committed to the military prowess of the British armed forces (or their efficiency as a killing machine).

The photographs, published in the Newsletter, of the DUP's Peter Robinson, Nigel Dodds and Jeffrey Donaldson on their sorties to Afghanistan playing soldier as they posed with heavy machine guns and sat behind the controls of armoured vehicles revealed the militaristic soul of unionism. The 'might is right' mentality was outed.

So it didn't matter to unionism that the many thousands of nationalists who suffered at the hands of this very same army while serving the interests of the British crown would be offended by the proposed armed parade and fly past by the RAF.

But when Sinn Féin announced its intention to organise a demonstration to give voice to the disgust felt by those who suffered at the hands of the British Army, traditional unionism enjoying the support of "green unionists", in the chattering classes, the churches and the SDLP went on the offensive.

The unionist strategy was to accuse Sinn Féin of sectarianism, of fomenting trouble and jeopardising peace, the Executive and community relations. They conjured up images of Belfast City Centre in flames as a scare tactic.

Most vociferous of the unionists was Nelson McCausland, he of the Orange Order who insists on imposing unwanted marches on nationalist communities of Belfast year in, year out. McCausland, enraged that the Parades Commission had the temerity to allow the Sinn Féin demonstration to go ahead fulminated, "the Parades Commission has handed Donegall Place over to Sinn Féin".

What irked unionists most was the way in which Sinn Féin spokespersons, such as Paul Maskey, articulated the legitimacy of the nationalist case. The West Belfast Assembly member argued that the British Army gunned down over 400 nationalists during the conflict in the North: that the RIR/UDR, operated as a surrogate for unionist death squads; that members of the UDR were members of the UDA and UVF supplying weapons and intelligence which were used to kill hundreds of Catholics and Nationalists.

As the day of the march drew near unionists whipped up their supporters into a frenzy. The UDA and UVF played their part and mobilised within their strongholds, telling people to be in Belfast City Centre on Sunday. The tension was slowly but surely being ratcheted up.

However, unexpectedly on Friday 31 October the British Ministry of Defence cancelled its proposed RAF fly-past and said the marching troops would not be armed. Then at a 12 noon press conference Sinn Féin proposed an alternative route for the relatives' counter-demonstration.

The Sinn Féin decision, that would take the nationalist protest away from Royal Avenue to Fisherwick Place cl