Republican Activist
StrabaneAs we move towards the centenary of the 1916 Rising and as we continue to strive to deliver the objectives of national independence and equality enshrined in the Easter Proclamation our task in Sinn Fein is to communicate the republican vision of the type of Ireland we want to see in a way that is not only relevant to peoples’ lives but also through presenting distinct and radical policies which will find deep resonance among every section of the Irish people.
There is no doubt that the greatest challenge facing modern Ireland, and the issue of most concern to people in every parish, town and city in the country, is how tackle spiralling social problems including: increasing levels of crime and particularly violent crime; anti-social behaviour and vandalism; the scourge of drugs; alcohol abuse and underage drinking; increasing incidences of suicide and self-harm particularly among young people and a wide range of other associated social ills.
Up until now, the debate and political response about how to tackle these spiralling social problems has been mostly a reactionary one. Legislators, faced with public pressure for immediate action, have introduced policies and measures to deal with the symptoms of these social problems instead of dealing with the structural issues that are allowing these social problems to flourish.
The reality is that short-term measures like more police on the streets, imposition of ASBOS, drink and drug awareness campaigns etc have not and will not in themselves make any meaningful difference in reducing the growing social problems that are affecting modern Irish society.
I believe that by drawing on the radical republican tradition of Tone, Pearse, Connolly and Sands, Sinn Fein has a compelling analysis to give that it is the increasingly individualistic nature of Irish society and the corresponding weakening of peoples’ involvement in, identity with and sense of belonging to wider entities such as: community, church, trade unions, voluntary, sporting, cultural organisations etc that is a major causation factor in the loss of cohesiveness and vibrancy of many communities the length and breath of the island.
One may argue about the extent of the contribution to Irish society of some of the above. However, it is clear that growing individualism and the weakening of collective values has provided fertile ground for social problems to fester and grow...
Increased prosperity has undoubtedly brought many benefits, in material terms, to the vast majority of the Irish people north and south. However, the sense of wellbeing of any society cannot be measured solely in terms of material possessions but through a fuller examination of all quality of life issues. Unfortunately the experience for an ever growing number of people on this island is that their quality of life has actually diminished despite the ‘unparalleled prosperity’ that we are told we now have.
Consumerism and materialism may be the ‘new religions’ in Ireland but more and more people feel empty, unfulfilled and isolated.
As Irish republicans who espouse ‘cherishing all children of the nation equally’ over promoting the interests of the privileged few it is up to us initiate a national debate about the type of Ireland we want to see by bringing forward policies outlining measures we believe will re-engender the primacy of collective and community values in Irish society and which we believe would serve to address the underlying causes of many of our modern social problems in a more fundamental way.
I believe that if Sinn Fein brings forward detailed policy proposals aimed at strengthening the ‘social glue’ which is essential for binding the building blocks of a ‘healthy society’ in Ireland our message will find deep resonance and support among every section of the Irish people.
By also initiating a National Debate on our belief that unhealthy individualism must be counteracted by the active promotion of collective and community values in Irish society we would show that the republican message is as relevant today as it was in 1916 but that also Sinn Fein has a unique and positive vision of the type of Ireland we are striving to achieve as we near the 100th anniversary of Easter Week.
The increasing individualism manifesting itself in Ireland and its detrimental social impact has been a by-product of the right wing policies pursued by consecutive governments in both jurisdictions of this island down through the years. This is a debate these parties will not want to be having.
Some of the ideas I think we should be considering as part of a broad based policy offensive on this issue include:
Active citizenship:
- That the promotion of Active Citizenship becomes a core ethos and function of our primary and secondary education systems across the island. That modules outlining the benefits of Active Citizenship, both in terms of personal self-development and to the wider community/society, be formulated and introduced into the education curriculum as appropriate in each year group.
- Instead of the compulsory national service that is expected of young people in many countries that we advocate that all 16 year olds be given the opportunity to take a month out of their formal education in placement with a community, voluntary, sporting, cultural group etc.
- That government introduces legislation to ensure that public and private sector bodies give greater recognition, in the recruitment process, to those who show that they are actively involved in a voluntary capacity in the strengthening of the social capital of their community.
- The introduction of a ‘National Active Citizenship Week’ the aim of which would be to strengthen community spirit and sense of belonging through encouraging everyone in a local community to take part in a unique project in their area that would make a quantifiable difference to the quality of life of people in the area. County, Provincial, All-Ireland competitions for best projects with different grades depending on size of area.
Genuine Community Empowerment:
- The promotion of Community Charters outlining the rights and responsibilities of people living in local communities. Local authorities to undertake responsibility for formulating and reviewing localized charters in consultation with local communities.
- Adoption of Community Charter by 75% plus of the local community would provide a mandate for sanctions to be imposed against residents who persistently and wilfully act against the interests of that local community e.g.
- If it is clearly established that a resident is selling drugs then all relevant statutory authorities are obligated to work in partnership with local communities to take action including the sanction of eviction. Private landlords must also be regulated and made to sign up to Community Charters where they have been adopted.
- That planning regulations for residential developments be tightened and standardized to ensure that an appropriate threshold of recreational, community and civic infrastructure is mandatory in all public and private sector developments e.g. play areas, shops, green spaces etc.
- That government legislates for recycling incentive schemes to be made available to local communities whereby targets are set depending on the size of area and areas reaching set targets are rewarded with funding towards environmental improvements.
- Investigate the potential for local co-operatives to be established to provide local energy needs through wind turbines, water power etc.
