Other News

Union membership in decline

The recent figures from the Central Statistics Office on membership of a trade union make for grim reading. Just over a third of workers in the 26 Counties, 34.6% are now members of trade unions compared with 45.8% in 1994. The decline is greatest in Dublin which had the highest proportion of union members in 1994 but has plummeted over 15 points to 33.1% of the workforce. Only the west and mid-east have lower figures.

The World Today - Future unclear despite welcome Gaza pullout

The media in Ireland and internationally have heralded the welcome and overdue Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as "the end of the 38-year occupation". However, brutal military occupation continues throughout Palestine and many believe Israel will use its withdrawal to reinforce repressive policies more generally.

ESB strike threat over outsourcing

The employment of about 1,700 external contractors by the ESB has forced more than 1,000 staff technicians in ESB Networks to plan for strike action this Monday. The workers, all members of the ATGWU have highlighted the difficulties ESB apprentices are having getting jobs with the company because of the extent to which the company uses outside contractors.

Photo: Poolbeg ESB power station

900 Seafaring jobs under threat unless Government acts

Outsourcing is also the source of ongoing difficulties in the state's seafaring industry. A report prepared by the Irish Maritime Development Office at the request of the government and reported in the Irish Times warns that if the Government fails to intervene to stop the rate of outsourcing, 900 jobs could be lost in the next three to five years.

News from Strasbourg In Brief

EU news from Strasbourg in brief

Armagh protest over school bus services

Sinn Féin is supporting a protest over school bus services this Thursday at the Southern Education & Library Board (SELB) offices in Armagh by parents of schoolchildren in Mullaghbawn and other areas.

Photo: Michael Ferguson MLA

Make Poverty History too political!

A television advertisement for the Make Poverty History campaign has been pulled from the air as it was deemed too political by Ofcom, the body charged with vetting television and radio advertisements in Britain.

Protest rally over Dublin homeless deaths

The recent tragic deaths of three homeless people in Dublin has highlighted the 26-County Government's failure in relation to the issue of homelessness and housing provision.

Empowerment needed, not window-dressing

The media silly season this year has been followed by a political silly season as the establishment parties in the 26 Counties engage in various window-dressing exercises. In Cavan the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party threw a few shapes and made a few more promises. In Mullingar Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte nailed a flimsy plank to the rickety Fine Gael-Labour election platform. Then in Portlaoise and Dublin this week Fine Gael and the PDs gathered for the cameras.

Photo: Enda Kenny - leader of Fine Gael

Large turnout for Gulladuff dedication

A large crowd of republicans from South Derry and North Antrim gathered on Saturday 10 September at Lavey Churchyard, South Derry before parading to the new Republican Memorial Garden in Gulladuff. Two memorial stones were unveiled listing the names of republicans from the area who have died in the cause of Irish freedom over the centuries.

Photo: Gerry Adams unveils two memorial stones in Gulladuff

Doherty addresses Liam Lynch commemoration

Speaking at the annual Liam Lynch commemoration, on Sunday 4 September in Knockmealdown Mountains, County Tipperary, Sinn Féin Vice President and West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty said that Liam Lynch was first and foremost a republican revolutionary, a visionary, and was proud to play his part in the development of the struggle for Irish Freedom.

McVeigh addresses republicans in Fairview

A commemoration ceremony for former IRA Chief of Staff Seán Russell took place in Fairview Park, Dublin on Sunday 11 September. The commemoration, organised by the local O'Malley /Russell Sinn Féin Cumann was chaired by Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor Christy Burke and the main speaker was Belfast republican Jim McVeigh

Photo: O'Mally/Russell cumann of North Inner City remember Seán Russell

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