Republican News · Thursday 29 May 1997

[An Phoblacht]

A dynamic for change

This week Sinn Féin launched its election manifesto. Neil Forde summarises the main points which shows that the party is committed to real social economic and political change.

Empowering Communities - the fight against drugs

Sinn Féin has a track record of campaigning against drug abuse. In October 1996 Sinn Féin launched a comprehensive set of recommendations to tackle the drugs problem. They include:

  • Immediate treatment for addicts. Locally based treatment facilities established in consultation with the community are essential.
  • Community drug teams, involving local GPs, social workers, voluntary and community agencies should be established.
  • A co-ordinated approach by all the relevant state agencies is needed to target the major drug dealers and seize their assets.
  • Local communities have a central role to play in tackling the drugs problem
  • Local authorities should evict drug dealers and local people must be given a greater say in how their estates are managed
  • end to Garda harassment of anti-drug activists. The Gardaí must be made accountable to the community.
  • The establishment of a national forum with statutory funding to draw up a comprehensive response to the drugs crisis

The Economy

Putting People First

Sinn Féin's overall objectives for economic policy in Ireland are to provide sustainable and dignified livelihoods for all its citizens; to develop economic resources, human and material, to their fullest; and to create an economic base which reflects the social and cultural values of all the Irish people and which fulfils their material needs and aspirations.

Sinn Féin's policies:

  • A minimum wage should be introduced.
  • The current levels of social welfare need to be increased.
  • Reform of the tax system to ensure that the present inequitable burden carried by PAYE workers particularly the low paid is removed.
  • To assist local development the 10% cut in Forbairt's funding should be reversed and more economic resources directed to local and community led enterprise.
  • The creation of an all-Ireland economy.
  • The elimination of the economic distortions created by partition particularly in the border counties.
  • Full parity of esteem and equality of treatment for all sections of the community.

Water Charges

Since the inception of this form of double taxation Sinn Féin has consistently opposed these charges at Council and community level.

Sinn Féin calls for:

  • amnesty for nonpayers and tax exemptions given to those who have already paid this form of double tax.
  • Enhancing the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in relation to water quality.

Rural Regeneration

Sinn Féin believes that the objective for rural areas should be a healthy and diverse economic and social environment where quality of life is enhanced by equality of opportunity.

Sinn Féin proposes:

  • integrated strategy for rural development in terms of partnerships between government, development agencies, private business and, in particular, local communities so that full participation and accountability takes place.
  • A rural investment bank, offering low-interest loans and technical advice to small farmers and local areas starting community enterprises, should be developed.

Agriculture

  • Agricultural policy must be directed towards keeping the maximum number of active farmers in rural Ireland.
  • Low interest loans to be made available to assist small farmers.
  • Aggressive overseas marketing to overcome the BSE scare.
  • All farmers convicted of Angel Dust use in beef production or of using BSE infected animals to maximise herd depopulation compensation to be banned from livestock production.
  • Cases of farm families in financial difficulties to be resolved by negotiation not by eviction.

Fisheries

The history of Irish fisheries is not a story of success. Ireland possesses 16% of EU fishing waters yet has just .3% of the EU tonnage and 2.5% of the EU fleet

Sinn Féin proposes:

  • end to overfishing or illegal fishing by other EU countries
  • Rejection of attempts to create a non commercial three mile fishing zone
  • increased funding for the modernisation of the Irish fishing fleet
  • A coherent policy to protect the ``Continental Shelf'', Ireland's main fish spawning ground
  • early and fundamental reform of the Common Fisheries Policy ahead of the planned review in 2002

Forestry

Properly controlled forestry development can be achieved by:

  • Supporting public ownership and control of forestry.
  • Maximising the involvement and employment of local communities in the developing forestry industry.
  • Adopting a balanced approach to forestry with incentives to plant native broad-leaved trees wherever appropriate.
  • Encouraging small industries which produce recycled paper products.

Environment

Sinn Féin will campaign for a better environment by:

  • Opposing the building of a national incinerator.
  • Continuing to support local communities in the campaign against nuclear dumping in the Irish sea and for the closure of Sellafield.
  • Supporting incentives to minimise the production of waste and encourage recycling.
  • Supporting the use of an eco tax to deter companies from over packaging their products.
  • Reducing the use of non bio-degradable plastic.
  • Encouraging the development of organic farming and ban genetically engineered food.
  • Making the control of water pollution in coastal waters and in rivers a priority.

Women

    To achieve real equality for women Sinn Féin is advocating:

  • Measures to achieve equality of representation both in political life and in appointments to all public bodies. Women must be involved in making the laws that affect their lives.
  • The setting of time scales to achieve equality of outcome in employment structures, education and training.
  • The provision of child care facilities and subsidies for childcare must be a priority.

Youth

  • Real jobs and quality education and training should be provided for young people. They should not be forced into dead end schemes.
  • Sinn Féin will oppose any diminishing of a young persons social welfare entitlements.
  • Funding for youth services and recreation facilities should be increased.

Education

Sinn Féin proposes:

  • Priority funding of pre-schools in disadvantaged areas
  • The full funding of all primary and secondary schools.
  • Funding for Irish language schools.
  • A change in funding priorities so that a larger percentage of the education budget goes to primary schools.
  • Decreases in class sizes.
  • Introduction of a realistic maintenance subsidy for third level students.
  • Increased grants for young people from disadvantaged areas to go on to third level.

Irish Language

Teilifís na Gaeilge despite its detractors, has proved that Irish is a living and vibrant language.To build on this Sinn Féin proposes:

  • Immediate recognition and funding for Irish language schools an all-Irish university.
  • A bill of rights ensuring equality of treatment for Gaeilgeoirí.
  • All TV and radio stations to transmit not less than 12.5% of programmes through Irish
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