This week, representatives from the Seamen's Union of Ireland will meet with Sinn Féin TDs in an effort to solve the problems following ongoing benchmarking at Irish Ferries. SIPTU and the Seamen's Union of Ireland have said that they are appalled by the decision of the Irish Continental Group to axe the jobs of 150 Irish seafarers. Free article

The British Government is coming under enormous pressure not to deport a Sri Lankan family from Belfast. According to the local Belfast-based North Belfast News, public opinion in support of the Somasundram family from Sri Lanka may force British Home Secretary Jack Straw to postpone their deportation. Free article

Thousands of protesters are expected to join a massive anti-racism march and rally at Belfast's City Hall on Saturday 30 October. Organisers of the No Excuses rally say dozens of organisations, including the Chinese Welfare Association, the Belfast Jewish community, the Indian Community Centre and the Belfast Islamic Society are all lending support to the rally. Free article

A memorial was unveiled earlier this month to IRA Volunteer Michael Hughes, from Derrybeg, Newry, who was shot dead by the British Army 30 years ago. The very popular young man was just 16 years old when he died in extremely brutal and controversial conditions. Free article

Sinn Féin has hit out at the British Government over its use of the mothballed Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast to detain asylum seekers and is calling on British Prime Minister Tony Blair to review his government's policies on immigration and the detention of asylum seekers. Free article

Sinn Féin has raised concerns about the continued dilution of the proportional representation system in 26-County elections and highlighted the apparent bias against working class constituencies in terms of Dáil representation. Free article

Due to the phenomenal growth of Sinn Féin in the last elections, a new Comhairle Ceantair structure has been created for County Galway. The party will now operate along the constituency lines of Galway East and Galway West. AGMs were held in Galway City on Wednesday the 20 October for the West of the county and in Loughrea on 21 October for the East constituency. Free article

Ógra Shinn Féin held its National Demilitarisation Conference on 22-24 October in Omagh. Young Republicans from all over Ireland were in attendance, with Counties such as Leitrim, Meath, Louth, Galway, Monaghan, Dublin, Waterford, Donegal, Derry and Antrim represented. There were also a large number of Ógra's international comrades in attendance, namely the Galician and Catalonian youth movements, along with comrades from the USA and England. Free article

On Wednesday 3 November, the first All-Ireland Student Forum will take place, organised by Ógra Shinn Féin in Trinity College Dublin. The aim is to unlock the potential within the student body across the island to further the republican ideal on an all Ireland basis. Free article

In Dublin for the final International Rules match between Ireland and Australia, members of St Teresa's GAC, Belfast were hosted by St Finbar's GAC from Cabra, Dublin, who challenged the Belfast club to under 10 and under 12 football matches. Free article