29.05.1997

Republican advantage

IRSP response to nationalist electoral gains

Following this week’s Árd Comhairle meeting in Dublin, delegates welcomed the demise of unionist control in a number of key councils in the Six Counties.

“Nationalists are now in control of their own destinies,” said the Irish Republican Socialist Party’s West Tyrone delegate, Willie Gallagher.

“The opportunity now exists to redress the 70 years of unionist misrule in local government. A recent European report conclusion that leisure facilities in North Belfast had been allocated on the basis of discrimination against the nationalist community can now be redressed.

“In other councils now with nationalist majorities, huge unemployment, high levels of multi-deprivation due to sectarian decisions by unionist bigots must be immediately tackled and overturned. The allocation of funds and provisions should and must be given solely on the basis of need rather than the perceived religious or political shade of the people living in that area.

“We also note with concern the current debate about which flag if any should fly at city hall. If this signals a return to the old sterile politics of Belfast under unionism then nothing has changed.

“The republican community did not return councillors to ape the worst excesses of unionism.

“The first decision the new Belfast city council should take is the building of a leisure centre to cater for the people of Ardoyne, Bone, Cliftonville, New Lodge and Ligoneil.

“In conclusion the IRSP Árd Comhairle believe that when these serious imbalances are redressed it is only then that the republican people will believe that change is possible in local government”.

Statement from IRSP Árd Comhairle member Ciaran McLaughlin:

“In the wake or the recent Irish National Liberation Army killing of a member of the RUC in Belfast the IRSP view the current situation as extremely dangerous.

“Our party’s analysis is that we draw no distinction between governments, political parties or paramilitaries - all are part of the problem so must be part of the solution.

“The IRSP promotes the policy of total inclusion and an end to marginalisation in all aspects or the current political situation.

“To this end we are seeking an urgent meeting with the INLA to discuss their analysis of the current political situation. In line with this meeting we will also be contacting the respective governments and political parties with a view to initiating dialogue leading to an exchange of analysis and proposals for political progress”.