New Political Possibilities in Ireland for all Left-Wing Parties in Partnership with Civil Society – Conference December 23, 2010
Posted by WorldbyStorm in Economy, Irish Politics, The Left.trackback
I’ve been asked by Donagh at the ever excellent Irish Left Review to post the details of this conference up. Looks like an interesting idea, and one that
Here are some of the issues to be discussed:
A Conference entitled ‘New Political Possibilities in Ireland for all Left-Wing Parties in Partnership with Civil Society‘ will be held on Monday January 31st in the Davenport Hotel, Dublin. The conference will give TDs and public representatives from Labour, Sinn Fein and the Left Alliance an opportunity to showcase their economic and social policies in advance of the general election. Arguments will also be presented on the possibilities for a grand coalition of the left as a new potential Irish government.
The conference will also explore how real democracy might be put in to place in Ireland through establishing real networks and working arrangements between civil society and these political parties alongside the trade union sector and progressive academics. This will be augmented by an outline of progressive, fairer and more sustainable economic and social policies by representatives from civil society, unions and leading progressive academics.
Policy issues covered: alternative solutions to the banking crisis; new policies to reduce unemployment; a fairer taxation system; a new budgetary framework; negotiating with the EU and IMF; housing waiting lists and mortgage arrears; social welfare cutbacks; re-vitalising communities; public services; political leadership; More efficient and fairer health and social care policies.
And here’s the draft line up…
The line up is as follows but more may be added later:
Tommy Broughan TD- The Labour Party
Ciaran Lynch TD- The Labour Party
Michael D. Higgins – The Labour Party
Joe Higgins MEP- Left Alliance
Cllr.Richard Boyd-Barrett-Left Alliance
TDs from Sinn Fein (names to be confirmed)
Michael Taft- Unite and TASC Economists’ Network
Anne Costello- Community Platform
Dr.Mary Murphy- NUI Maynooth, academic, activist and former Policy Officer with Vincent de Paul
Prof. Kathleen Lynch- UCD, academic and activist
Tom O’Connor-Economist CIT
Michael Burke- TASC Economists’ Network and formerly senior international economist with Citibank in London
Awaiting confirmation:
Jack O’Connor, President SIPTU
Other speakers to be confirmed.
The Conference will run from 9am to 6pm. Admission is 10 euros. Booking in advance is essential. Booking info: tom.oconnorATcit.ie and deirdreobATeircom.net
Policy issues covered: alternative solutions to the banking crisis; new policies to reduce unemployment; a fairer taxation system; a new budgetary framework; negotiating with the EU and IMF; housing waiting lists and mortgage arrears; social welfare cutbacks; re-vitalising communities; public services; political leadership; More efficient and fairer health and social care policies.
I don’t see anywhere a reference to unravelling the current apparatus for denying employees a fair return for their work (the sub-contractor scam, ‘temporary’ workers etc.).
And I’m guessing that there is at least scope to consider the pensions inequity under “social welfare cutbacks”.
I don’t think that’s meant to be an exhaustive list though I entirely agree re those issues.
I’m pretty sure the Davenport is a non-union hotel. I stand to be corrected on that. However some years back, a family I knew were having a do for their da’s 80th birthday party there. Two of the sons were union officials (and CPI men). One of them refused to join the party and stayed outside till very late in the night when he was cajoled in for the occasion that was in it. Hopefully it has been organised since then.
Interesting to find out more on that Joe.
You’re right. The Dublin hotels are
The full list is on the ICTU website here.
Glad to see two of those are pretty much the only hotels I go into. They’re places I’d get the odd cup of tea or pint. That list is a bit short, is it exhaustive?
Have a look at http://www.fairhotels.ie. It’s a SIPTU campaign. Basically encouraging people to favour unionised hotels with their custom. They’ll send you some leaflets and posters if you ask for them.
[...] New Political Possibilities in Ireland for all Left-Wing Parties in Partnership with Civil Society &… [...]
Just seen an email saying this conference has been moved to Sat 5 Feb, and that the WP will also be participating in the line-up.
Same location?
New hotel. same agenda.
From the announcement:
“It is time for radical change in Ireland. After over thirty years of neoliberal government, the left in Ireland is now on the ascendancy. Neoliberalism has destroyed Ireland’s public services and driven up unemployment to 440,000. It has created rampant poverty, one hundred thousand people in mortgage arrears and hundreds on hospital trollies daily. The IMF/EU deal is set to make matters dramatically worse.”
http://www.irishleftreview.org/2011/01/21/new-political-possibilities-ireland-leftwing-parties-partnership-civil-society-conference/