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Poblactach agus Lucht Oibre
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" The conquest of Ireland has meant the social and political servitude of the Irish masses and therefore
the re-conquest of Ireland must mean the the social as well as political independence from servitude
of every man woman and child in Ireland"
- James Connolly
, 1915
" The party ( Sinn Fein ) seems certain to shake the consensus on the economy that
has developed in recent years "
- The Sunday Tribune
, May 2000
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Statue of James Connolly , workers hero , who was a signatory to the Proclamation of the Irish Republic
, and was executed for his part in the 1916 Rising .
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Sinn Fein is a Republican party which in its simplest terms means government by the people for the people.
We are working not only for the political independence of our country but also the social and economic
liberation of all the citizens within it.
The market led ideology, adopted by most of the establishment
parties, sees society being constituted of the businesses that make up the economy. It cedes power and
rights to the big businesses while, at the same time, disempowering people and their communities. A republican
and labour position is people centred. It puts people first.
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Empowering Local Communities
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Republicans want a society organised from the "bottom up" wherby local communities play a democratic
role in planning and developing their communities. We believe that local communities throughout Ireland
are best placed to formulated their own economic policies, and strategies.
Even in a country the
size of Ireland, there is too much centralism and bureacracy and lack of transparency in how decisions
are arrived at and implemented.
Instutions controlling economic policies in Ireland, - IDA, Enterprise
Ireland, the IDB etc. must be accountable to the public. There should be active particiipation by the
communities affected by there decisions through elected representatives and regional action plans.
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For some time now, Sinn Fein has been highlighting the fact that the ongoing economic upturn is happening
in an economy which is warped by structural enequalities. The improved conditions for many sections of
our society, and the conspicious luxury enjoyed by a minority, contrasts sharply with the plight of those
who are excluded from any share of the benefits of Irelands economic sucess.
In the 26 counties,
in the midst of plenty, there us still poverty, inequality and disavantage. The daily exposure of corruption,
where politicians and their friends abused the of their communities and their public positions to further
their self interest, highlights the need for change.
The 6 counties faces similar social and
economic disadvantages with the additional burden of sectarian and political discrimination and unionist
elitism.
If economic inequality in Irish society is to be ended then there needs to be a more
proactive governmental role in the economy. To establish a secure future for the children of the nation,
structural inequalities must be removed. This means that government policy must shift from merely modifying
the excesses of the market to becoming the main driving force leading a new society on our island.
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Sinn Feins republican and labour philosophy is an ideology based on recognising, challenging and removing
the injustices, inequalities and and failures to meet basic human needs. Wherever you go on this island
you will see Sinn Fein acting on this agenda in our local communities, in environmental lobby groups,
and in local development projects.
There is growing support for Sinn Feins all-ireland approach
and our policies on the housing crisis, political and financial corruption, creating tax equity, using
the current economic boom to eradicate social injustices and the need to implement a strategy on democratic
rural development. A truly independent Ireland is one where all the children of the nation have the freedom
and resources to determine their own futures - politically, culturally, socially, and sexually. That
is the republican labour vision.
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To learn more about James Connolly and his ideals and beliefs, click on the link below, or click on
the main picture of James Connolly above.
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