Month: March 2011
FG / Labour promise more cuts!
Enda is Taoiseach, Eamonn his second in command, Joan is upset! They have the biggest majority of any government. Many people voted them in because they thought it might make a difference. However, on day one of the new government, it was made clear by Fine Gael and Labour that Fianna Fail may be gone but their legacy of austerity, cuts and bank bailouts lives on!
Japan: Earthquake could leave “tens of thousands” dead and nuclear threat
The massive earthquake that struck north-eastern Japan on Friday 11 March and ensuing destruction caused by one of the most powerful tsunamis ever witnessed was the “worst crisis since 1945” according to Prime Minister, Naoto Kan. Capitalist governments always try to exploit for their own political reasons the spontaneous mood for unity in the face of disaster.
Japan: Disaster hits workers hardest
The initial response to the quake has been one of shock and disbelief at the images coming from the Tohoku area. Although Osaka is several hundred kilometres from the areas affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami, many people here have family or friends in those areas.
ULA: Historic breakthrough – Now build a socialist opposition
Enda Kenny was proposed as Taoiseach by the youngest Fine Gael TD in a gushing speech. Then Labour's youngest TD was very happy to second the proposal. Micheal Martin gave his own endorsement. As well he might, seen as the new government just copied and pasted the policies of the outgoing Fianna Fail / Green administration, who in turn had copied and pasted them from the IMF and EU bosses.
Davenport Hotel forced to restore pay
In February, five brave women mounted a picket on the Davenport Hotel on Lower Merrion Street, Dublin. They were doing so in response to the decision made by the O’Callaghan Hotel Group to cut their already low wages from €8.65 to €7.80 per hour. The company decided to implement this wage cut on the back of the outgoing government’s decision to allow a €1 per hour cut in the minimum wage.
Interview with Cian Prendiville
In advance of the election the Socialist talked to Cian Prendiville, the youngest candidate in the country and a member of the Socialist Party. After the election, we caught up with him again.
Corrib pipeline: Carey’s last despicable act!
Before leaving office, the Fianna Fail Minister for Energy, Pat Carey, signed the key consents for the much disputed last section of the Corrib gas pipe line. This action stands as a testament to a party that has spent the last 14 years in direct service to big business interests.
International Women’s Day 2011: Why we have to organise and fight back
In recent months, millions of women worldwide have risen up to resist the devastating effect that the economic crisis is having on their lives. Hundreds of thousands of super-exploited textile and other workers in Bangladesh, China, Cambodia and elsewhere have participated in a wave of strikes for higher wages which spread rapidly from one Asian country to another. Millions of women workers have taken part in general strikes in France, Spain, Greece and Portugal, and in the huge protests against public sector attacks which have swept across Europe.
North Africa/Middle East: Region-wide revolution of the Arab people
"Ten days that shook the world” (Guardian). From Tunisia, to Egypt, to Bahrain, to Libya, to Yemen, to Djibouti and Morocco, the revolution that was sparked by the self-immolation of the desperate and heroic street seller in Tunisia has erupted throughout the Middle East.
GE 2011 – Historic collapse of FF, big potential for the left
The general election in Ireland was historic but not for the reasons being stressed by the would-be new government partners of Fine Gael and Labour. It is that true both parties achieved unprecedented successes at the polls but these are pyrrhic and temporary victories.
