Gerry Adams book launch in London

The President of Sinn Féin discusses the last two years of momentous political developments in Ireland, Spain and the Middle East as we launch his new book An Irish Eye.
6pm, Thursday 20th September
The Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC1

ALSO
1-2pm, Friday 21st September
Gerry Adams will sign copies of An Irish Eye at Waterstones, Gower Street, London WC1 Free entry

Bodenstown 2007

Spanish authoritarianism risks return to violence

Spanish Socialist Prime Minister Jose Zapatero's strategy for dealing with Basque nationalist demands for self-determination have been found wanting as ETA have announced its ceasefire will end today.

Gerry Adams has said that the Spanish government and ETA should return to the negotiating table, stating 'The lessons of the Irish peace process and indeed every conflict resolution process throughout the world tells us that it is now important to redouble efforts to put the process there back on track."
"All sides should show restraint and do everything in their power to ensure that a process is put in place which can allow this conflict to be resolved peacefully through genuine dialogue and engagement.'

ETA is reported as having said 'minimum conditions for continuing a process of negotiations do not exist'. The Socialist government's willingness to open discussions with those seeking Basque self-determination is broadly welcome but Zapatero has failed in his commitment to openness, having sought to conduct the negotiations whilst also suppressing the movement's democratic electoral efforts.

Batasuna, the leading political party demanding Basque self-determination and liberation, was declared illegal by the Spanish Parliament in 2003 claiming they were the political wing of ETA and prevented from reorganising under any other name. Since then, lists of electoral candidates under various different names - whether in local or regional elections - have repeatedly been declared illegal as 'fronts for Batasuna'. This May the courts banned two separate lists in local elections and more recently, the Basque nationalist youth organisation Segi has seen leading members jailed. The authoritarian decision to suppress legitimate electoral activity by Basque nationalists, effectively declaring their political aims illegal as a result, is the key failing of the Spanish government and has meant any negotiations were bound to end in failure.

Sinn Féin manifesto launched

Sinn Féin has launched its manifesto for the Dáil, supporting an acceleration of 'all-Ireland economic integration, pending re-unification'. It proposes a single currency for the island of Ireland, a single labour market and a harmonised tax regime.

Adams said, 'There is only one real alternative in this general election: Sinn Féin. We are ready for government, north and south. We have a vision and a plan for a prosperous country in which wealth is shared and where the promise of equal rights and equal opportunities is fulfilled for each and every person who lives on our island.'

Sinn Féin's economic commitments include rejecting the privatisation of public services and calls for:

• transition to a public health system where care will be provided free and on the basis of need
• ending tax breaks for private hospitals
• investing all health funding in the public system
• increasing investment in an all-Ireland public transport network abolish road tolls and the use of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to finance road construction
• reversing the break-up of Aer Rianta
• and returning Aer Lingus and Irish Ferries to public ownership or establish new companies in public ownership
  

Sinn Fein ready to govern on both sides of the border

As the Northern Ireland Assembly is re-established with Sinn Féin set to share power the DUP later today, Gerry Adams announced his party's preparedness to enter government south of the border as well as north.

Speaking in Dublin during Sinn Féin's Dail election campaign, Adams said, 'Tomorrow Sinn Féin and the DUP will head up the power-sharing government in the north. In the coming weeks Sinn Féin and DUP ministers will be sitting down with Ministers in the new government in the south taking government decisions on the All-Ireland Ministerial Council. This is a hugely important development which will fundamentally change politics on this island.

Sinn Féin is ready for government, north and south. If we receive the mandate from the people, we are prepared to go into government in the south if we can agree a programme that will prioritise and deliver on the equality agenda, strong public services and Irish re-unification.'

Adams predicts Sinn Fein advance in general election

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has predicted success for the party in the recently announced Irish general election. The election will take place on May 24th. Although the party leadership is remaining tighlipped about the number of seats they expect to win, many commentators are suggesting they will double their TDs from 5 to 10 and may hold the balance of power.

Adams today said "Sinn Fein is going into this election campaign in a stronger position than ever before ... our objective is to be in government north and south." He also highlighted Sinn Fein's progressive programme, stating "We believe in the right to universal access to decent healthcare, education and childcare, we believe in the constitutional right to a home, we believe in building the economy and using the wealth created for the public good."

El Blogador has posted the results of a recent poll, showing the Fine Gael/Labour coalition closing with Fianna Fail and the PD's. FG/Lab stand on 41% (up 2%) whilst FF/PD is on 37% (down 1%). However, how this will translate into seats is not clear. The Greens are on 6% but Sinn Fein are now up to 10%, potentially holding the key to the next government. Sinn Fein would consider supporting a Fianna Fail government that agreed on action points on cross-border initiatives and, in particular, Sinn Fein reviving its demand for Westminster MPs in the north being given speakers rights in the Dail.

If Sinn Fein were to enter government in the south and north, it would be a serious step towards Irish unity and throw into sharp relief the failure of other southern parties who declare themselves to be republicans, to stand in elections on an all-Ireland basis.