éirígí – From Strength To Strength

12/05/08

éirígí’s second Ard-Fheis took place on Saturday (May 10) in the West County Hotel, Dublin amid enthusiasm for what is fast becoming a strong voice of socialist republicanism in Ireland.

The day included a range of events, including a structural and strategic review by vice-chairperson Ciarán Heaphey from Dublin, the adoption of a number of motions and a revised constitution as well as a keynote address by incoming general secretary Rab Jackson from Belfast.

The day culminated in the election of a new Ciorcal Náisiúnta to coordinate the party’s efforts over the coming year. All of this was underpinned by the significant increase in numbers attending the event when compared with last year – around 120 people were in attendance at the Ard-Fheis.

Since 2006, éirígí has steadily grown from a group of six people in Dublin with an idea, to hundreds of activists and supporters across the country, engaged in various strands of work.

Speaking after the event, Ciarán Heaphey said any progress to date was down to the energy and dedication of the party’s membership and support base.

“None of the organisational growth and development we have seen over the last two years would have been possible without the input of our highly skilled, highly politicised and highly capable activist base.

“We are a party whose life blood is the campaigns in which we’re involved and our activists carry those campaigns all over Ireland. The standard of on-the-ground work and levels of commitment are incredible and an absolute credit to all involved.

Following the structural and developmental overview, a revised constitution was proposed and ratified, providing for a one-member one-vote system of decision-making thus eliminating the delegate system. Also, two new elected positions of General Secretary and Public Relations Officer were proposed and accepted.

The election of An Ciorcal Náisiúnta – or National Circle – followed.

Baz Curran and Scott Masterson (Dublin) were elected as Cisteoirí [Treasurers], Rab Jackson (Belfast) as Rúnaí Ginearálta [General Secretary], Brian Leeson (Dublin) as Cathaoirleach [Chairperson], Ciarán Heaphey (Dublin) as LeasChathaoirleach [Vice-Chair], and Seán Mac Brádaigh (Belfast), as Oifigeach Caidreamh Phoiblí [Public Relations Officer].

A number of motions were adopted with reference to international solidarity and support and the opening of new fields of struggle for eirígí over the coming year, including internationalism, an Ghaeilge and organised labour.

Solidarity and support was pledged to the families of republican prisoners, as well as a call for their loved ones release.

Rab Jackson closed the day with an address as incoming rúnaí ginearálta, commending the work thus far and mapping out the path for the coming year. Click here for the full text and video.

Speaking after the event, re-elected chairperson Brian Leeson, summed the day up as a resounding success and looked to the future with hope.

“It is very heartening to see the high levels of enthusiasm and support that éirígí has enjoyed over the last couple of years.

“The criticism we received from some quarters when we established ourselves two years ago, which now seems a life time away, has been drowned out by the good will towards our organisation and the wide spread support for our initiatives.

“It has been said throughout that the bedrock of all of this is the commitment and ability of our activists from across the country and I reiterate that. We are nothing without the diligent work of our membership and supporters whom I am proud and honoured to work with.

“Every day that has passed since our establishment in 2006 has seen progress and we continue to grow and attract new people daily. Why? I believe it’s because there is an appetite for real change in Ireland. There is an appetite for something new.”

Brian continued:

“I believe that people are detached, distant and frankly fed up with the existing genre of politics in Ireland. We in éirígí are taking our place on the political scene and exerting our influence and if six people can start a snowball rolling that gathers such momentum in two years, imagine what the hundreds of people now committed to the éirígí project can do over the coming years.

“We know the size of the task in front of us. We know that rhetoric and posturing is worth nothing. We know that real change only comes about through real struggle and by confronting those who are in control the status quo.

“Those organisations that have harassed and attempted to intimidate the membership of this party, including the free state police at today’s James Connolly Commemoration, should take note. Our steady growth shows that all the harassment in the world will not intimidate us from doing what we know to be right.

“To republicans and socialists who are watching éirígí grow, who are perhaps uncertain of where to turn, I ask you to join with us, to build with us, to struggle with us and together we will create an unstoppable wave of change in Ireland and in the process build a better future for the Irish people.

“Ar aghaidh linn le chéile.”