Rossport 5 receive Award from Labour Leader

by Labour Youth Mon Sep 04, 2006 17:30

A few more photos

Brendan Ogle of the ATGWU

Roisin Eager of Labour Equality talks about the supersizemypay campaign

Ciaran Moore talks about internet camaigning and indymedia

Paul Hardy (SIPTU) talks about organising the aircoach workers

Graham O Maonaigh talks about the CPE demos in France

by Labour Youth Mon Sep 04, 2006 17:34

These were taken at the session titled "Rioting and the Ballot Box".

John O Doherty Chair of SDLP Youth speaking on sectarianism in the North

Chekov Feeney of the Workers Solidarity Movement and Journalist

by Labour Youth Mon Sep 04, 2006 17:37

Labour Youth had their annual Tom Johnson summer school in Kilkenny city last weekend. It gave an opportunity for Labour Party members and youth activists alike to socialise debate and discuss various topics that were the focus of the weekend. Subjects such as, South America’s swing to the left, the Dublin riots, and the future of the trade union movement in Ireland were at the forefront of discussion over the weekend.

Cuba’s Ambassador to Ireland, HE Noel Carrillo addressed the summer school in its opening session. He spoke about Cuba’s current political climate and the adverse affects that the United States blockade has had on his country. Another honoured guest at the summer school was Vincent McGrath of the ‘Rossport Five’. He was presented with the annual Jim Kemmy award for the Rossport Five’s and the Shell to Sea campaign. Shell. Vincent paid tribute to the people of Rossport for fighting against Shell.

Labour Leader Pat Rabbitte presented the award after speaking to the delegates in which he reminded them of the legacy of Michael Davitt and that his legacy is under threat due to the fact that most of Ireland’s land is owned by property developers rather than Ireland’s people. He also reaffirmed his commitment that when in government the Labour Party will restore the Freedom of Information Bill to its rightful state in order to give citizens easier access to information and to make politicians of all sides more accountable to the people of Ireland.

The most talked about session of the weekend was the Dublin Riots session. Labour members were shown an Indy Media DVD on the riots. Village magazine journalist Chekhov Feeney also spoke to members about his experience of that day and highlighted the underlying reasons behind the events of February 25th. His views were not only reaffirmed by Labour Youth members present but also by the Sunday newspapers the next morning. Other speakers in this session were Young SDLP Chair John O Doherty and Labour Youth Chairperson Graham O’Moanaigh who spoke of his experiences during the French student protests last February.

by Niall Harnett. Tue Sep 05, 2006 12:55

If Vincent Mc Grath and Pat Rabbitte had a chance to talk privately, I'm sure Vincent would have been able to give Pat a true and valuable insight into the legitimate struggle of a remote and politically betrayed rural community. And the enlightened Pat Rabbitte should know now, as he always has, that the Shell to Sea campaigners are doing right by their community and their country.

The questions now are these:

Is Pat Rabbitte going to do right by them?

If Labour is part of the next government, is Pat Rabbitte going to do anything about reclaiming our own natural resources back from the oil companies for our benefit instead of theirs?

Or is he going to facilitate them in the ongoing treason that is the 'Corrib Gas Giveaway'?

Furthermore, is he going to support Shell, stand back and watch state forces act as a private army for Shell in a doomed attempt to push past the ongoing blockade at Bellanaboy?

Or is he going to follow the recommendations of all legitimate analysis, including the report of Kevin Moore, Senior Inspector with An Bord Pleanála, which says that this high pressure pipeline must not be allowed onto the land and this refinery must be built at sea?

Who benefits?

If Labour form a new government, can we take this banner down or will it have to stay up?

Public Representation, you're familiar with that concept?

Click to enlarge and see the sign on the right of picture.

by cool j Tue Sep 05, 2006 13:20

Indeed Niall!! - Will Rabitte knock some sense into FG concerning the issue given that up to now they have been intistinguishable from the FF/PD axis of evil on the matter - mind you the same could be said of them on so many other issues!!

by Jonah Tue Sep 05, 2006 13:36

Labour Youth and Labour are slightly different on this. The former has supported the campaign from the beginning, took part in the pickets on the Shell and Statoil stations and generally, considering its small size and that they're social democrats, played a good game.

The senior party mouthed empty platitudes and allocated a large amount of rhetoric, while refusing to support the processing of gas at sea.

So, fair play to Labour Youth for making this aware to the Rossport Five, even if getting North Korea's representative in Ireland to present it is a little odd considering his hypocritical stance.

by cool j Tue Sep 05, 2006 13:44

Indeed Jonah! - Labour youth supported the campaign form its inception and deserve all the plaudits for never wavering from such a principled stand on the issue.

by Johnny Appleseed Tue Sep 05, 2006 20:27

I agree, Labour Youth seem like some of the best intentioned people in the world. They are going to reclaim our resources, get the US military ouf of Shannon, ban Coca-Cola, legalise cannabis and everything else the four of them think is a lovely idea. I'm sure in time two of them will become as corrupt as their party leadership and the other two will split.

by Johnny Lemonseed Tue Sep 05, 2006 21:52

Funny, I find it hard to imagine that you've actually done anything constructive in your life, Johnny. Correct me if you're wrong, but you sound like a professional critic who spends all his time moaning.

by Johnny Appleseed Wed Sep 06, 2006 01:33

... and as for a critic, I was serious when I said there were some good people in Labour Youth. There are some however who seem careerist and oppurtunistic. I feel that the latter group are more representative of the party, its leadership and its goals. And it is important that while they may be the most radical element of the party Labour Youth do only represent a small proportion of its membership. The reality of the situation is there are more pictures of Pat Rabbitte with Enda Kenny than there are with him and members of the Rossport Five. We know where the party is heading where will the youth section head?

by Michael Martin Wed Sep 06, 2006 13:20

Labour going green and pro-environmental? No surprise at all. After all it's only another 9 months to the next general election!