éirígí – It has a beak, feathers, and it quacks.

Creationist homophobes wouldn’t be likely to join Sinn Fein but they are welcome partners in government with them. The party’s move to the right has passed by some in Britain who still feel that an organisation which is in coalition with the Democratic Unionist Party, runs a pro-imperial conflict resolution consultancy in Iraq and loves…

Liam

January 2, 2009

2–3 minutes

Creationist homophobes wouldn’t be likely to join Sinn Fein but they are welcome partners in government with them. The party’s move to the right has passed by some in Britain who still feel that an organisation which is in coalition with the Democratic Unionist Party, runs a pro-imperial conflict resolution consultancy in Iraq and loves nothing better than handing over PFI cheques to priests still deserves to get invited onto platforms. Not unnaturally this has provoked a reaction in Ireland and a fully formed organisation called éirígí suddenly appeared. A correspondent in the north of Ireland offers these thoughts.

Some time ago I attended my first éirígí demonstration, in Belfast. Halfway through the demonstration the scales fell from my eyes. I suddenly realized that eirigi was a mirage, a fiction. I was at a bog standard Sinn Fein demonstration. éirígí was Sinn Fein in radical drag.

It is hard to say what this epiphany was based on. In part it was the fact that I recognized some of the organisers as leading republican militants previously known for their unswerving loyalty to the Provo leadership. In part it was a very special arrogance, peculiar to the Provos, which sees in demonstrations an opportunity to drill their supporters in rank and issue orders to them. In part it was the level of organisation and wealth. Republican groups that are newly formed are usually chaotically organised and lacking in resources. Here there was a uniformed steward for every five demonstrators, a glossy poster on professionally constructed placards for everyone in the audience and a modern sound system. Most striking of all was total absence of any critique of Sinn Fein or explanation of the collapse of republicanism and the victory of Imperialism.

Finally it should be noted that éirígí stand four-square against any form of unity with Sinn Fein’s republican critics and banned the other republican groups from their demonstration.

I could be wrong. Normally republican groups face beatings, kidnap and sometimes murder. It may be simply coincidence that they are Sinn Fein’s favourite opposition, often found on shared platforms.

Still – that beak, those feathers, that unmistakable quack. There really is little doubt about what I saw waddle past Divis Flats.

Yours

Donald

Technorati Tags: Sinn Fein,Ireland,eirigi

15 responses to “éirígí – It has a beak, feathers, and it quacks.”

charliemarks

January 3, 2009 at 1:26 am

So what you’re saying is – tht eirigi is a SF-controlled front?

I’m just an onlooker, as it were, but it doesn’t appear as though eirigi was fully formed suddenly. I’ve been aware of their existence for a few years.

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Liam

January 3, 2009 at 6:46 pm

Charliemarx – that is one interpretation of Donald’s piece.

It’s customary when setting up a new organisation to offer a critique of others in the same tradition ans a rationale for the new one. Eirigi seems to be offering pretty standard warmed over meat and potatoes Republicanism when recent history requires an explanation of its collapse and political defeat.

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charliemarks

January 4, 2009 at 3:12 am

“It’s customary when setting up a new organisation to offer a critique of others in the same tradition ans a rationale for the new one”

We can take it that eirigi is not a Trotskyist group, then 😉

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Jim Monaghan

January 6, 2009 at 2:05 pm

I think Eirigi are genuine dissidents and a real opposition. I don’t share their full analysis. I would have major disagreements with the other oppositions especially over armed struggle. The armed struggle is over and can only lead to further Omaghs. There is no substantial support for a renewal of it.
This leaves Republican and Republican socialist (defined as those who see the National Struggle as uncompleted) with the necessity of building a movement(s) from the ground up. There are no short cuts.

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John Meehan

January 6, 2009 at 2:39 pm

I agree with Jim Monaghan’s comments – Eirigi played a very constructive role during the 2008 Lisbon Referendum Campaign – it was part of the Campaign Against the European Union Constitution (CAEUC).

A broad-based leftwing, anti-neoliberal (and anti coalition with the right) platform should fight the local and European Elections next June.

I understand that Eirigi representatives have indicated they favour such an initiative – of course there is a big difference between SAYING and DOING – between the idea and the reality there falls a shadow….

But a clear practical answer will soon emerge.

I won’t debate this issue, or any other, with anonymistas – even if I agree with them

On another related point :

“It’s customary when setting up a new organisation to offer a critique of others in the same tradition ans a rationale for the new one”

That is not necessarily a good custom.

After I was bureaucratically expelled from a Trotskyist committee – now styling itself Socialist Democracy – i just moved on.

looks to me if Eirigi are doing something similar.

I remain a supporter of the Fourth international

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Brian

January 12, 2009 at 10:12 pm

First of all Donald is wrong when he says others were barred from the march. No-one was. Indeed there were people there from the 32s and RNU as well as some irps. I was at the march myself and reading Donalds account though made me wonder whether he was there at all considering what he has written.

Secondly, if anyone took the time to read the eirigi website they will see a clear analysis of what they stand for and how that differs completely from SF

Donald says that ” In part it was the level of organisation and wealth. Here there was a uniformed steward for every five demonstrators, a glossy poster on professionally constructed placards for everyone in the audience and a modern sound system”

What the heck is that all about? Would he prefer a badly organised protest with shoddy posters and a bad PA?

Also he mentions “wealth”. What “wealth” is he referring to?

To be honest form reading what Donald says he comes across as someone with a grudge rather than someone giving an honest assessment of eirigi.

As I said I took part in the march though not a member. I was impressed by the organisation of the rally (which is a good thing and makes a change).

I dont fully subscribe to their direction but think in terms of republicanism in Ireland they are a breath of fresh air and a welcome addition on the landscape. Their recent actions on palestine are evidence of that also

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Irish Mark P

January 12, 2009 at 11:23 pm

John Meehan:

Are you saying that you think that this “broad leftwing, anti-neoliberal platform” should stand against Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party in the Dublin European Elections?

You do after all say that this platform should fight the European Elections and Dublin is the only constituency where any forces who might be interested in such a platform are likely to have the resources to stand.

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John Meehan

January 13, 2009 at 12:34 pm

I cautiously reply to the anonymista “Irish Mark P” since I have reliable information on the identity of this comrade – I trust I am not debating with an internet charade player (or players), maybe consisting of many people, using a common pseudonym.

International Viewpoint published my article on the No side’s victory in the June 12 2008 Lisbon Treaty Referendum, in which i wrote :

“The victory, in the light of the far from ideal, but real, left unity during the referendum campaign, has returned regroupment to the agenda of the left.

Key players here are the Socialist Party (its best-known representative Joe Higgins did tremendous work, co-operating very well with the CAEUC as well as promoting his own party); the People Before Profit coalition, whose main component is the Socialist Workers’ Party; the Community and Workers’ Action Group, whose main spokesperson is the Independent Socialist City Councillor Joan Collins; the trade union UNITE; and various other activists.

Local Government Elections take place at the same time, (as the European Parliament Election) and all sectors of the “real left” need to run a united campaign in both contests – you can’t have one without the other.

Organisations trade unions and activists which, at a minimum :

* Oppose the neo-liberal assault on public services

* Are in favour of equality measures such as ending the notorious 1983 constitutional ban on abortion

* Which unconditionally refuse any governmental coalition deals with bourgeois parties such as Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael

have another opportunity to get their act together, with the emphasis on ‘together’.”

My position has not changed.

The full article is here :

http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article1489&var_recherche=John%20Meehan

All tne anti-neoliberal left should combine forces in these contests, backing Joe Higgins in Dublin, possibly Eamonn McCann in the Six Counties, possibly other candiates too if resources permit.

The same applies for the local government election contest.

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Irish Mark P

January 13, 2009 at 3:45 pm

Hi John,

My identity is not a secret. I consistently use the same pseudonym and I identify what organisation I belong to. The pseudonym is simply to avoid Google.

I’ve actually read your IV article. My question was asked in the light of more recent developments, namely the decision of the People Before Profit Alliance to refuse the Socialist Party’s offer of a joint slate in the local elections. My understanding is that it is therefore unlikely that there will be a joint electoral slate in Dublin in the locals.

It would of course be welcome if despite that unfortunate development, other sections of the left backed Joe Higgins in the European elections. Joe will be standing as a Socialist Party candidate, but the SP is open to having other forces participate in the campaign. However, I also understand that PBPA have made certain noises about standing against Joe Higgins in the European elections and that they have made no public statement either way.

It was in that context that I read your statement about having a broad platform contest the European Elections. It seems very unlikely that there will be a joint slate involving the SP and the PBPA in any of the forthcomings elections, so are you suggesting that the PBPA should stand against Joe or are you saying that they should back him?

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John Meehan

January 13, 2009 at 4:11 pm

I am reliably informed that your information below, namely :

“namely the decision of the People Before Profit Alliance to refuse the Socialist Party’s offer of a joint slate in the local elections. My understanding is that it is therefore unlikely that there will be a joint electoral slate in Dublin in the locals”

is incorrect.

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Irish Mark P

January 13, 2009 at 5:03 pm

Why so cryptic, John? Which part of it is incorrect?

The decision of the PBPA to reject the Socialist Party’s proposals was communicated to us in a meeting some weeks ago. I’m not aware of them changing their minds, nor did they make any counterproposals at that stage.

Are you saying that there are now new proposals on the table and if so, what do they involve?

Or are you saying that there is going to be a joint electoral slate involving different forces?

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Donald

January 13, 2009 at 11:10 pm

The duck question

The discussion seems to have drifted from the duck question to a unity discussion of the duck-billed platypus variety.

To clarify the duck question for Brian and Jim.

The eirigi duck lives in a habitat of other republican groups formed since Good Friday. None of these birds has adapted very well to the new environment. Like many new groups they are often small, disputatious and poorly organised. Questions of republican unity or republican socialist unity are often issues, although they often fail to reach any agreement or fall out with each other.

There is one thing that is undisputed. These all belong to the genus Phoenix. They are the real thing, warts (especially warts) and all.

On the other hand éirígí seems to have arrived full formed from the North Dublin hatchery. Its bright plumage, professional set-up, the absence of any apparent internal debate, lack of interest in any other opponents to the Adams regime, show it to be very different. From appearances it has a remarkable resemblance to the Sinn Fein Mallard.

The resemblance is heightened by the presence of members of the leadership who were fairly recently completely devoted to Adams and played a role in suppressing dissent in the organisation. Eirígí appears on platforms alongside Sinn Fein and rarely on platforms involving other republicans. Where other groups parted company with the Provos with death threats and kidnap, éirígí is Sinn Fein’s favourite opposition.

Brian points to éirígi’s anti-imperialist analysis on their website. I have read it. I agree with much of it. I have been unable to find their proposals in relation to the major problem facing the struggle for a united Ireland, even though this is the question dominating other republican groups. How do we bring down the Sinn Fein presence in the colonial administration?

When I see this analysis I will accept that my taxonomy was mistaken

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Jim Monaghan

January 14, 2009 at 9:29 am

“I agree with much of it. I have been unable to find their proposals in relation to the major problem facing the struggle for a united Ireland, even though this is the question dominating other republican groups. ”

The above from Donald. Right no one has a fully worked out strategy. Perhaps Eirigi are weak here. Again I am not a member and only like a large part but not all of what they say.But some of the dissident groups do not believe that there is a question and persist with a suicidal strategy. Port Laoise is filled with the forgotten warriors of this failed strategy.How can we have a discussion with those for whom there is no qwuestion and who beleive and believed that a final push would achieve victory and that the role of the masses was and is as cheerleaders.Perhaps the Eirigi are a favourite opposition with all that implies. I don’t know but am not convinced. But they are not tied to the failed strategy and they do not have that particular millstone around their necks.
I caution against paranoia and suspicion. Stalinism made a habit of always alleging that those who disagreed were not genuine. This should be avoided no matter what direction it comes from. Look at the Eirigi platform and make a criticism. Whether they are patsies for Adams is only a by the way.Frankly if hey were they would be on RTE/BBC etc every possible oppertunity. . As you can see from the Lisbon debate the meidia decide who the opposition is (eg Libertas gets exposure and Caeuc/PANA are sidelined).
To annoy a bit further. The National struggle is in abeyance ffor the time being. It will arise again so I think the Left have to develope a position if they are not to find them irrelevant when it happens again. But it is not as immeidiate as it was.IMO

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Ciarán

February 28, 2009 at 4:15 pm

Liam: Eirigi seems to be offering pretty standard warmed over meat and potatoes Republicanism when recent history requires an explanation of its collapse and political defeat.

And éirígí have been offering an explanation. This piece is one that jumps to my mind immediately.

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Brian

March 2, 2009 at 4:22 pm

Donald

You have avoided the points I made in response to your post.

You were wrong when you said others were barred from the anti-RIR march. No-one was. Indeed there were people there from the 32s and RNU as well as some irps. I was at the march myself and reading your account though made me wonder whether you were there at all. Were you at it?

You said that ” In part it was the level of organisation and wealth. Here there was a uniformed steward for every five demonstrators, a glossy poster on professionally constructed placards for everyone in the audience and a modern sound system”

Would you have preferred a badly organised protest with shoddy posters and a bad PA?

And you mention “wealth”. What “wealth” are you referring to?

Donald, you say that “Eirígí appears on platforms alongside Sinn Fein and rarely on platforms involving other republicans”

That is untrue. They have regularly sat on platforms with the likes of Bernadette McAliskey and Tommy McKearney to name just two.

How often have they sat on platforms with SF and who else was on those platforms Donald?

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