An Phoblacht to be relaunched

An Phoblacht general manager Albert Kane

This year's Ard Fheis credited the importance of An Phoblacht today in the Republican family.

The session was introduced by Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, who spoke of the importance of having our own paper.

Editor Martin Spain commended the efforts of Sinn Féin in giving life back into the paper, stating "that the new growth in sales is an indication of Sinn Féin's commitment to the paper".

"In 2004, we encountered difficulties in terms of sales that threatened the very existence of a republican newspaper," he said.

"I am happy to report that the crisis is behind us and the paper is now well on the road to recovery. We have tightened up our management structures and reorganised our finances, but the key to the renewed success of the paper has been the manner in which the Sinn Fein leadership and the party organisation have weighed in behind us.

"It is a source of great pride to me to be editor of An Phoblacht. But the paper would be nothing without the commitment and dedication of those who contribute articles, those who produce and deliver the paper, and, most importantly, those who sell the paper week in and week out.

We often take our activists for granted but all of you deserve great credit for that commitment."

Martin added that as part of the party's centenary year, the paper will be relaunched in June. He also announced plans to engage directly with supporters by organising readers' forums across the country, "where we can work together to make the paper as relevant to today's struggle as possible"

"The paper," he said, "is an invaluable educational resource for members, supporters and canvass teams. The answers to most of the questions you will be asked are in the pages of our paper every week.

"We are an expanding party and we are unique and fortunate in having our own newspaper. And if you are in any doubt about our relevance, remember this, our enemies read the paper avidly. They know that it offers a window onto a growing and vibrant party that is well on the road to achieving its objectives."

Martin was keen to encourage greater participation from republicans with the paper, encouraging new writers, letters and photographs and commending all the staff who work each day to help "educate our readers".

Martin also welcomed the arrival of Daily Ireland, describing it as "a long overdue breath of fresh air in terms of the national daily media".

General Manager Albert Kane thanked all those who have recommitted themselves to the paper over the past year.

"Our ambition for 2005 is to increase papers sales by 1,000 copies, and we can only do this with your help. It's your paper," he said.