Privatisation is Not the Solution

The Republic’s Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, recently announced the establishment of a Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities fronted by economist Colm McCarthy. It is claimed the Group will advise on “the proper stewardship of state assets and on opportunities for the better use of those assets.” However, Jim Stewart believes it to [...]

Ending Business As Usual

Conservatism feeds off public cynicism towards politics. Fingal Labour party councillor Patrick Nulty led opposition to yet another junket trip by his fellow public representatives. Here he outlines why. 
At a recent meeting of Fingal County Council I raised a formal objection to councillors attending a housing conference in Brazil scheduled for November 2010. The convention [...]

The Left Needs to Move Beyond Name Calling and Towards Unity

Tom Crilly, a Workers’ Party activist in the Ringsend area of Dublin, calls for greater unity to build the left alternative inside and outside the Dáil  
Everyone on the left sees the need for unity, or at least the benefits of left co-operation, a strategy that broadens campaigns on the political, social and eco­nomic issues of the [...]

Does Unionism Have a Left Foot?

PUP local government candidate Stewart Finn (Victoria Ward, East Belfast) outlines the democratic social­ist concepts which underpin the policies of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP)
Not all Unionists are conserva­tive – why are the parties? The Progressive Unionist Party emerged from decades of under- and mis-representation of the Unionist Working Class by those traditional Unionist Parties. These [...]

The End of the Partnership

Aidan Regan examines the challenges facing the trade union movement and argues for a greater focus on increasing union membership

Betrayal of Trade Union Members

Teachers Union of Ireland and Dublin Council of Trade Unions member Finbar Geaney gives his response to the proposals for a public service agreement 2010-2014 published following the recent Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and government talks.
Tuesday March 30th will be remembered as the bleakest day in the history of the Irish trade union [...]

David vs Goliath at Dublin Port

Dublin Port Workers Support Group organiser Joe Mooney gives his view of the lessons learnt in the Docks Strike, which over its seven month duration saw communities mobilised behind the workers but had a disappointing conclusion.
The scene: A small fishing boat containing strikers and supporters, one standing with placard held aloft, is thrown perilously [...]

The left agenda – Cian O’Callaghan

Labour Councillor, Cian O’Callaghan writes on the need for clarity, co-operation and analysis on the left