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TASC, an independent Irish think-tank, has produced a report that puts the reality of the detrimental impact of poverty, lack of education and class division on human health, in an Irish context. Eliminating Health Inequalities – A Matter of Life and Death, TASC 2011 points out, for example, that according to Census 2006, men living in the most affluent areas live 4.5 years longer than men living in the poorest areas.

Following approaches from friends and family of Mr Brendan Lillis, a prisoner in Maghaberry prison, who is close to death, Socialist Party MEP for Dublin, Paul Murphy, is appealing to Northern Ireland Justice Minister, Mr David Ford, to intervene with a view to allowing Mr Lillis to spend his last weeks at home on humanitarian grounds.

The Household Tax announced by the government today is a burden too many for the majority of ordinary people in this State.

As the sovereign debt crisis in Greece deepens, Andros Payiatsos, general secretary of Xekinima (the Socialist Party's sister section in Greece), spoke to the socialistparty.net (13 July) about its effects and what the way out is for workers and the majority in society.

Ten years ago, on 21 July, 2001, as many as 300,000 workers and young people marched angrily through the streets of Genoa. It was the culmination of a week of protest against the G8 summit held in the city and presided over by George Bush. Their numbers had been swelled by outrage against the killing on the previous day of a young protester – Carlo Giuliano – in Alimonda Square by the forces of the Italian state. This demonstration was also attacked and broken up by police using tear-gas and wielding batons indiscriminately.

Here we post a strong statement from Joe Higgins TD condemning Joan Burton's attack on the unemployed, which in reality is a cover for Government's failure to create jobs.

A group of protestors staged a symbolic protest in Limerick this morning, occupying King John's Castle and dropping ag giant banner saying "Limerick Says No to IMF Dictatorship" in response to the ongoing IMF visit to Ireland and last nights downgrading of Irish bonds to Junk status. They are calling on people to come out on Saturday and join  a larger public rally outside Penney's at 2pm which has been organsied by various groups and individuals. Today's protest was organised by Socialist Youth to  "send a clear message to our new Kings in the IMF and international banks: the people of Limerick will not stand for this new rule. People can't take the cuts in SNAs, health, education and welfare that they are demanding."

We must refuse to pay debts to bondholders and invest to redevelop economy

For broken promises to people of Roscommon