Part 2
IRISH NEWS ROUND-UP
http://irlnet.com/rmlist/
Tuesday/Wednesday, 1/2 August, 2000
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>>>>>> New Ross shows way forward on 'social housing'
The Supreme Court is currently considering the constitutionality
of Part Five of the new Planning Bill, which carries the
Department of the Environment's proposed 'solution' to the housing
crisis that exists throughout the 26 Counties. Meanwhile,
however, some quite startling developments in how to deal with
the housing shortage have been taking place in New Ross, County
Wexford.
Despite considerable opposition from fellow councillors over the
last four months, Sinn Fein Councillor John Dwyer has finally
secured the agreement of New Ross UDC to sanction the purchase of
21 houses in a local development, at #85,000 each, for social
housing. The council will also purchase a further six houses, all
of which will be resold at reduced prices of between #60,000 and
#65,000, subsidised by the Department of the Environment.
Furthermore, the council has agreed to buy the remaining
five-acre site from the developer, at a price of #275,000, which
will be resold back to people in need of housing at #100 per
serviced site.
Local building costs for a three-bedroom house, on a serviced
site, average #40,000 to #45,000, for a house built to personal
specifications. This makes housing available and affordable to
the young people in the town. It is a significant breakthrough.
WHAT IS SOCIAL HOUSING?
John Dwyer puts the development in context:
"There are over 300 people on a declared housing list in New
Ross. Although I have often asked for the full application list,
the council has not made this available. But there is a severe
housing crisis in the town, which is fast becoming a satellite
for commuters to Waterford, Wexford and even Dublin.
"And it has to be remembered that what this term 'social housing'
refers to is not, as the Department might have you believe, the
homeless people, or the unemployed. It refers to the broad mass
of young people, often two-income families, who are unable to
afford, even on substantial double incomes, to buy a house.
'Social housing' is for everyone, except the very rich.
"The cost of building a three-bedroom bungalow here, or anywhere
else in Ireland, on a serviced site, is between #40,000 and
#45,000. What young people can't afford is the cut which goes
for the price of the site and the exorbitant profit margins,
maintained by developers and builders, who are holding the
country to ransom through a contrived shortage of building land
and houses.
"The Department of the Environment has powers to facilitate local
authorities to buy land and houses to relieve the housing
shortage."
When asked why other councils have not used the same strategy,
Dwyer replies: "Perhaps because the councillors are happy in
their cosy consensus with developers and builders, or maybe there
is just a lack of will to deal with the housing shortage? Perhaps
it is because there aren't Sinn Fein councillors there to push
things forward?
"What is really positive in this plan to provide social housing
is that housing is not ghetto-type housing which council estate
housing tended to be, with as many units crushed into as small a
space as possible. It is the ghetto aspect of so many estates
which has been a major contributory factor to the marginalisation
of people and all the social problems which this brings.
"The houses that our UDC is buying are nice, low density, well
built houses with garages and space for gardens. They were built,
after all, for private sale. This is housing for people for the
21st century. It represents a radical solution to the gross
inequality in housing which undoubtedly has led, especially in
the bigger cities, to the problems of disadvantaged communities.
It is no good trying to eliminate disadvantage, ploughing money
into dealing with drugs, delinquent youth, educational
disadvantage, and endemic unemployment, while you create
substandard, ghettoised, second rate housing for a section,
always the poorer section, of society."
DERELICT SITES ACT 1990
But John Dwyer, through the council, has gone further. "In every
town in the country there are derelict sites, often in highly
desirable spots, which are left derelict, often with the intent
of realising a higher sale price for their current owners on the
eventual sale of the property," he points out. "These sites are
not just eyesores. They hold back the development of the town."
Under the Derelict Sites Act of 1990, local authorities are
required to keep a register of these sites, and if they remain
derelict for a year, after notification that they are listed as
derelict, then the Local Authority has the power to tax the owner
of the site at the rate of 3% per annum on the current value of
the site.
New Ross UDC kept no such register until, at Councillor John
Dwyer's recommendation, they began to register them. Since last
October, some 60 site have been registered as derelict in the
town.
"A typical example is the old grain stores, right on the quays,"
says Dwyer. "It is a prime site in the town, reaching back from
the quays almost to the main street, which runs through the
centre of the town. It has been left derelict for years, with
grass growing out of windows. We can't develop the quays and the
huge tourist potential of the town while such an eyesore
remains."
The site, at a conservative estimate, is valued at #2.5 million.
Three percent of this value, #75,000, accruing to the UDC,
represents one fifth (20%) of the total government subvention to
New Ross, which is only #365,000 a year. "Taxing these derelict
sites could make a great difference to what our council is able
to do in the town," says John Dwyer.
"There is a great deal that can be done for social development on
the equality agenda through local government," Dwyer avows, "if
councillors have the will.
"And at the end of the day, whether other councillors like it or
not, they will have to go along with these policies, because
otherwise they know that the people will reject them at the next
election."
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>>>>>> Scottish nationalists consider new leader, new tactics
Last week, Alex Salmond announced his resignation as National
Convenor of the Scottish National Party. Salmond has been the
party's most successful leader. When he took over in 1990, the
party had three MPs and 14% of the vote. Now they have six MPs,
35 MSPs and over 30% of the vote. He has taken the SNP from the
political fringes to official opposition in the new Scottish
parliament. At 45, his decision to resign has surprised many.
Salmond himself says only that it is time for someone else to
take the SNP to "the next stage".
While they agree on the final destination, not everyone in the
SNP agrees on where that next stage is. Since last year's first
ever Scottish parliament elections. Salmond, who is political and
personally close to some of the most reactionary elements in the
SDLP, has been under pressure form a section of the party unhappy
at the direction in which the Salmond leadership was taking the
party. Salmond, an economist in his previous life, wanted to show
that Scotland could afford independence. He steered the SNP
towards joining the Yes campaign during the referendum for a
Scottish parliament. Having historically opposed devolution, it
was a move with which many in the party were uncomfortable.
Many were disappointed with the tactics and showing in the
election to the Scottish parliament and felt the decision to list
independence as only tenth of their ten pre-election pledges was
indicative of the priority the leadership was giving the party's
historic mission. The more Salmond restated his mantra that
independence was 'a process', the less convinced they became of
the leadership's commitment to 'the divorce', as Labour continues
to call independence. Salmond argued that the way to get
independence was to show that the nationalists could run the
parliament successfully and could do even better if it had more
powers, in fact all powers. In short, make devolution work.
This internal criticism should not be overestimated, as Salmond
still had the support of the vast majority of the party. In
truth, the SNP is, as Salmond claims, in a strong position.
Critics point out that with all the SNP MPs standing down to
concentrate on their Edinburgh seats, the SNP will struggle to
hold on to their Westminster quota. But why should that matter?
The party already believes it is more likely to gain independence
by getting a majority of seats in the Scottish parliament. While
this may be unlikely in 2003, the next Scottish parliament
elections, it is likely they will improve their vote and
representation, securing their place in the public's mind as a
potential government of Scotland - something that would have been
laughable ten years ago.
Whatever the reasoning behind his decision, Salmond is gone. The
scene is now set for the debate on strategy some have longed for.
John Swinney, currently Deputy Leader and favourite for the post,
is a support of the Salmond strategy, known as 'gradualist'.
Swinney, who represents a previously Tory seat at both
Westminster and Edinburgh, is so uncontroversial as to make
Salmond appear revolutionary.
He will face Alex Neil, currently SNP Social Security
spokesperson, who is a known 'fundamentalist'. Neil believes that
too much emphasis is being placed on devolution (which he
describes as "a unionist invention") and wants the party to
concentrate on the demand for independence. Formerly a member of
the Labour Party, he believes his arguments for a battle for the
hearts and minds of the Scottish working class appeal to the
grassroots of the party. Great care should be taken with these
labels, as they hint at a greater divide between the two factions
than actually exists. Most of the criticism of the leadership has
more to do with personal animosities and ambitions than political
differences.
The SNP conference which will decide the matter will not be held
until September. In the short term, the SNP will be weakened by
the episode. They will go into the next set of elections divided,
whatever the outcome, and led by a less respected figure than had
been anticipated. Scotland's unionists, primarily Labour, have
been given a surprising boost. The Scottish parliament on the
other hand, having already been snubbed by Labour's most
prominent Scots, has now lost its most prominent and articulate
nationalist. The next SNP leader will have to grow into the job
and quickly if they are going to make the breakthrough in
Labour's central belt heartlands that independence requires.
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>>>>>> Analysis: Release the Castlerea Five
Last Friday, republican prisoners and their relatives celebrated
outside Long Kesh as the vast bulk of POWs were released, also
signalling the imminent closure of that hated institution. At
Castlerea Prison in Roscommon, however, IRA POW Padraic Steenson
emerged alone. He left behind five men who clearly qualified for
release under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
The five prisoners in question, Gerry Sheehy, Pearse McCauley,
Mick O'Neill, Kevin Walsh, and John Quinn, were convicted in
relation to the killing of Garda Jerry McCabe. The Dublin
government has persisted in backing calls from the detective's
family and from Gardai to refuse to release these men, most
recently on Wednesday, 2 August, when Bertie Ahern reiterated
that stance.
But in doing so, Ahern and Co. are failing to honour a commitment
they made under the Good Friday Agreement, subsequently approved
by the vast majority of people in the 26-County state and
throughout this island. They cannot cherry pick which prisoners
should be released. The terms of the Agreement are clear and
explicit.
Bertie Ahern's government has a duty to the Good Friday
Agreement. At a time when the British government is failing to
honour its commitments on the vital issue of policing, the Dublin
government should be standing up for the Agreement.
In failing to honour its commitment, Dublin has also presented
unionist rejectionists with a stick to beat the entire Agreement,
by accusing Dublin of not caring about Northern victims, only
Southern victims. The accusation of hypocrisy is one that cannot
be avoided.
On 21 April 1998, Labour's Ruairi Quinn, commenting on this case
in the Dublin parliament, pointed out the inconsistency of not
releasing these prisoners. He said: "The reaction last week to
the call by a Sinn Fein negotiator for the release of those
charged with the killing of Garda Jerry McCabe is understandable.
There is a trap in this also because there is concern amongst
Unionists about how this issue is being handled in the Republic.
We cannot allow the message to go out that we tolerate the
release of prisoners whose atrocities have been committed in the
North while seeking to detain those who have offended against our
institutions. Again, a consistency of approach north and south of
the border is an absolute necessity if we are to avoid the
development of tensions which could undermine the Agreement."
Quinn and other 26 County politicians need to speak up again now
in defence of the Agreement and against the government's
inconsistent and dishonest stance.
PJ Stone of the Garda Representative Association, speaking on
RTE's Six One News on Wednesday, may have found the demand for
these prisoners' release "boring and repetitive", but that demand
will continue to be heard until these POWs too are freed, as is
their right under the Good Friday Agreement.
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>>>>>> Events in Ireland and Britain
REPUBLICAN BALLAD SESSION: Featuring Borderline. 9pm Thursday 3
August, The Curracloe Hotel, CURRACLOE, County Wexford. Raffle
and bar extension. Taille #3
SF FUNDRAISING TOUR: With Spirit of Freedom. 9pm Friday 4 August,
Redmond's H & F Club, CORK CITY. Taille #5; 9pm Saturday 5
August, Passage West Soccer Club, CORK. Taille #5. Info from Sf
office, 136 Barrack Street, tel 311 389
OGRA SHINN FEIN is currently setting up new structures in the
North Antrim area area. wishing to join OSF or has views on how
our youth movement can be best developed in the area is invited
to attend our first meeting which will take place on Friday 4
August at 7.30pm in the Thornlea Hotel, CUSHENDALL, County Antrim
1914 GUN-RUNNING COMMEMORATION: Assemble 5pm Sunday 6 August,
Main Street, KILCOOL, County Wicklow and march to the Monument,
Sea Road. Speaker: Gerry McGeogh. Social in the Mill Room, Doyles
afterwards
DANCING AND ROMANCING: Music by Alibi. 10pm till late Sunday 6
August, Lakeside hotel, MONAGHAN TOWN. Taille #5. Organised by
the O'Hanlon/McMahon/Lynagh Sinn Fein, Monaghan Town
COMMEMORATION: Volunteer Kevin lynch commemoration. Assemble 12pm
Sunday 6 August, chapel Car Park, DUNGIVEN, County Derry.
Speaker: Sean McKnight
REPUBLICAN GRAVES TOURS: Assemble 11am Sunday 6 August and
Wednesday 9 August (assemble 2pm), Felons' Club for tour of
Milltown Cemetery, BELFAST, County Antrim. Tour given by National
Graves Association
EIRE NUA RFB: Presents Shebeen and disco. 8 till late Monday 7
August, Sliabh Dubh, BELFAST, Cunty Antrim
REPUBLICAN COMMEMORATION: Jack Lawlor commemoration. Assemble
2.30pm Monday 7 August, Roger Casement Memorial to the Jack
Lawlor Memorial in the Old Graveyard, BALLYHEIGUE, County Kerry.
Speaker: Risteard O Fuarain (Kerry SF). Youghal RFB in attendance
ANNUAL RFB PARADE: Lurgan martyrs Republican Flute band will hold
it's annual band parade at 7.30pm Friday 11 August, Kilwilkie
and march to Taghnevan., LURGAN, County Armagh. Function
afterwards. All welcome
H-BLOCK MARTYRS MEMORIAL LECTURE: What Lessons can be drawn from
the Hunger Strike and how do they affect politics today? 5pm
Saturday 12 August, Parish Centre, DUNLOY, County Antrim.
Exhibition, arts and crafts display and book signing of Nor
Meekly Serve My Time. Main speaker: Laurence McKeown. rganised by
the North Anrtim Ex-Prisoners Committee
WELCOME-HOME FUNCTION: For recently-released POW Leo Cuningham.
Saturday 12 August, Community Hall, ATTICALL. Music by Justice.
Taille 35
TOM DELEGATION TO BELFAST: Thursday 10 - Monday 14 August.
Delegation Costs: #45 unwaged; #55 Waged; #80 High waged. The
price includes food & accommodation. It does NOT include travel
costs to Belfast. Troops Out Movement PO Box 1032 Birmingham B12
8BZ Tel: 0121 643 7542. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
WELCOME-HOME FUNCTION: For ex-POW Paddy Kelly. 10pm Friday 18
August, Old Village Inn, DRUMLISH, County Longford. Music by
Spirit of Freedom. Taille #5
VOLUNTEER COMMEMORATION: Annual Volunteer Sean Russell
commemoration. Assemble Saturday 19 August, (note date change)
Five Lamps, North Strand, DUBLIN. SF speaker and RFB in
attendance. Ballad session afterwards in White Sands Hotel
featuring Spailpin
REPUBLICAN COMEMORATIVE ACTIVITIES DAY: 3pm Saturday 19 August,
West End Car Park, BUNDORAN, County Donegal. Trad music, and
dancing, RFBs, Strabane RFB, Fintona Pipe Band. Speaker: Martin
Ferris. 9pm Sat/Sun 18/19 August music in the Bird's Nest by
Spirit of Freedom
REPUBLICAN FUNCTION: Featuring the Wolfe Tones. 8pm Friday 25
August, CIE Club, ARCADIA, Cork City. Taille #12. Tickets from SF
office, Barrack Street, tel 021-4311 389. Organised by the Cork
Republican Commemoration Committee
SF BALLAD SESSION: Featuring Just Green and Cuchulainn. Friday 1
September, The Abbey Room, Grand Hotel, WICKLOW. Taille #6,
raffle and guest speaker. Organised by Wicklow SF
REPUBLICAN FUNCTION: Featuring Sean Nos. 9pm Friday 8 SepteOmber,
Stewart's pub, BALLYCUMBER, County Offaly. Taille #3. All
welcome. Organised by the Liam Dignam Sinn Fein Cumann
SF FUNCTION: Featuring Justice. Saturday 23 September, Widow
Scallan's, Pearse Street, DUBLIN. Taille #5
SF is currently looking to expand its presence in third level
education institutions. If you are attending college or will be
attending one in the coming year and are interested in joining SF
contact Damian at the address or phone below: c/o 44 Parnell
Square, Dublin 1 or tel 087-6523026
SHANKILL SF: Diarmuid O'Neill Cumann, Dublin, is seeking new
members. Anyone interested please contact Steven Spain on 282
6102 or Paul O'Connor on 272 0572
WATERFORD SINN FEIN are currently looking for new members.
Anybody wishing to join or seeking info contact Micheal at
051-858456
OGRA SHINN FEIN is currently setting up new structures in the
North Antrim area. anyone wishing to join OSF or has views on how
our youth movement can be best developed in the North Antrim area
is invited to attend our first meeting which will take place on
Friday 4 August at 7.30pm in the Thornlea Hotel, CUSHENDALL,
County Antrim
c. RM Distribution and others. Articles may be reprinted with credit.
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