A realignment of Irish politics

Date: 24th May '02

Name: article from RM Irish news round up

Analysis: A realignment of Irish politics

BY GERRY ADAMS

There is an understandable focus on which parties will form the
next government. The next week will see debate, speculation and
much tactical manoeuvring as the Taoiseach goes through his
options.

Whatever the composition of that government, one thing is
certain. It will be a government that is about continuing the
centre right strategy of the last administration on economic and
social matters. It is also certain that it will be a Fianna Fail
led government. And it is arguable, despite the PDs' verbal
gymnastics, that the people voted for the return of the outgoing
government.

But the wider implications of the elections are not so clear-cut.

We could be seeing the beginning of a realignment or at least a
redefining of Irish politics. So the big question is not just
about who will form the government. It is also about who will
form the opposition to that government and what will be the basis
of that opposition.

There is a huge challenge for those parties or individual TDs who
have an inclusive and progressive view of Irish society to answer
that question.

Sinn Fein TDs will play their role in trying to build an
alternative to the vested interests that have benefited most from
the prosperity of recent years. There is also a need to defend
the gains, which have been made by sections of ordinary people
who in fact were the creators of the wealth of the Celtic Tiger.

Sinn Fein's only interest in increasing our political strength is
to utilise that strength to bring about equality, to end poverty,
and factor equity and justice into the rights of citizens in
their entitlements to decent jobs, a public health service,
education and housing.

We campaigned on these issues as well as for the full
implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the objective of
Irish unity. But we have no monopoly on any of these positions.
They are shared by members of all the other parties, including
some who will form the government.

But if progress is to be made those of us who share this vision
on an ideological basis or as a matter of principle will have to
learn to coalesce, to map out broad programmes of work, and to
provide principled opposition. This is vital given the likelihood
that the incoming government may be about selling off public
services, imposing further privatisation on our health services,
and reinforcing and deepening the gap between rich and poor.

The Sinn Fein Officer Board will meet today with our newly
elected TDs to commence the task of delivering on our mandate. In
the period ahead we will be meeting with all the other parties in
the Dail. We will also be opening up consultations with all of
those groups and organisations that campaign on equality issues.

As the third richest state in the European Union, there is a big
responsibility to deliver equality to those sections of our
society most disadvantaged and deprived. Left to its own devices,
the new government will continue with its old agenda. That is not
an agenda for equality.

c. RM Distribution and others. Articles may be reprinted with credit

RM Distribution
Irish Republican News and Information http://irlnet.com/rmlist/
PO Box 160, Galway, Ireland Phone/Fax: (353)1-6335113 PO Box 8630, Austin TX 78713, USA mailto:rmlist-reply@irlnet.com

Back to discussion page                    RA home page