A debate on how best to oppose the forces of neoliberalism and global capitalism – and indeed what to replace it with - is set to be the highlight of this year's Irish Social Forum, which will take place in Dublin next weekend, October 8th to 10th. Another central theme will be racism in Ireland and its role in neoliberalism. Author and academic Peadar Kirby will argue for less market and more state... "What we call the Celtic Tiger is simply an Irish version of the tilt towards the market that is evident in countries throughout the world, as the state restructures itself so as to put the needs of global capital above the needs of its citizens."

However, Aileen O'Carroll of the anarchist Workers Solidarity Movement is calling for a "social revolution" to bring about "a world based on the principles of economic equality and direct democracy rather than the principle of profit. For me, the only solution is to replace this political system with one which is completely different," O'Carroll said. "I don't believe parliament will bring us the change we want. It cannot challenge the fundamental inequalities of neoliberalism. Parliament's role is to manage inequality not to remove it." The plenary, which will also be addressed by Mick O'Reilly of the ATGWU and Labour Councillor Mary Murphy, will feature conflicting views on social partnership and whether to participate in it.

Meanwhile, the role of racism in the neoliberal globalisation project will be highlighted at the other main plenary, titled Racism in Ireland. Author and Trinity College academic Dr Ronit Lentin will focus on the consequences, for Ireland, of the global migration regime. In the wake of the 2004 Citizenship referendum, Lentin will argue that "while, like all modern nation-states, Ireland is a 'racial state', at the present time of unparalleled prosperity (which, however, is accompanied by growing poverty and rich-poor gaps), Ireland is also a racist state. Ireland is creating armies of invisible migrant labourers. Looking at the stories of migrants is one alternative way to think about globalisation in today's Ireland." Also due to speak at the plenary on racism are Aisling Reidy of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Rosanna Flynn of Residents Against Racism and Jason Brannigan of Belfast-based Fascists Out Campaign.

The ISF will feature workshops hosted by more than 40 different groups from around Ireland on such topics as racism, trade unions, inner-city regeneration, trade justice, the global arms trade, Public Private Partnerships, the US military's use of Shannon Airport, female genital mutilation, left unity, incinerators, the EU constitution and the Criminal Justice Bill.

From the newswire (by Indy Council Correspondent):

The issue of waste charges came up in City Council last night but while opposition was as strong as ever, the lack of a coherent strategy to do away with the Charges is glaringly evident.

It is only the start of October and already the issue of Bin Charges and the approach to the Estimates in Dublin City Council has started to become an issue.

At last night’s Council meeting the councillors discussed a draft submission on behalf of the Council to the review of local government funding. The 20 page document contained a wealth of information on the current funding and expenditure of the Council and suggested a number of ways to raise funds in future.

These included a hotel bed tax of two Euros a night and the end to the exemption for state occupied buildings from rates. Both would require Leinster House approval but the latter could mean as much as 24 million Euros a year for the Council, substantially more than the waste charges raise. One of the other options however attracted the anger of Sinn Fein and Independent councillors, namely the proposal to make domestic householders pay the full cost of the waste collection service, which would lead to a massive increase in charges.

From The Newswire: I don't really think yesterday's march should be described as a commemoration march. Sure, it was held to coincide with the 36th anniversary of the Oct. 5th march that is seen as starting the whole civil rights movement. But the idea for the march came first and then got hooked into the Oct. 5th thing. Basically, the SEA (Socialist Environmental Alliance) was looking for some way of responding to the high level of homophobic attacks in the city and also wanting to do something about racist attacks (there have been verbal attacks in Derry, but no physical ones). We thought we should link these two hate crimes and then thought the obvious thing to do was to call a "civil rights for all" march and link it to the history of civil rights activism in Derry.

We contacted the Rainbow Project and the people there thought it a really great idea. Since three of the organisers of the original 5th Oct march are associated with the SEA - Eamonn McCann, Dermie McClenaghan and Johnny White - they spearheaded the calls for the march. Having decided to make it a civil rights march, it was clear that the demands had to include Seamus Doherty, a republican 'dissident' who is being framed by the PSNI. In fact, his framing is so obvious that even the police ombudsman is suggesting the officer in charge of his case should be prosecuted for 'perverting the course of justice'. The march managed to smoke out Sinn Fein and even the SDLP to support the campaign against this miscarriage of justice. It was great to see something between 700 and 1,000 people march down Shipquay Street in support of gay rights and civil liberties and against racism - in spite of it being a wet and blustery day.

Photoessay

Photo Essay: Guantanámo/Shannon Protest @ Dáil Éireann Discussion: Guantanámo Bay Express uses Shannon Airport

Photo Essay: Residents Against Racism Protest @ Dáil Éireann Part One / Part Two Discussion: Protest Against the Deportation of Irish Children

A Letter to Ireland, ''...A living Constitution requires a ‘living’ President, who is responsive and proactive in nurturing our legal evolution. This duty is pivotal in the Constitution, where on one hand the President must scrutinise every Bill before it is signed into law, and refer it to the Supreme Court if it appears doubtful. On the other hand, the President is also vested with the duty to ‘promulgate’ your laws, or put the law into effect by formal declaration. Reference to the Supreme Court has only happened three times in the history of the State, and never during the current Presidency. Yet, many laws have reached the courts after being passed, and were found to be unconstitutional, at great cost to the victims of these unjust laws....'' Letter in Full

From the Newswire: Oh what a lovely Democracy - Labour, Greens (not definite yet) Sinn Fein, FG and RTE (by the just about plausibly deniable sin of omission) all lining up behind Bertie's Mary as the first real chance of a national debate and election where tweedle-dum tweedle-dee civil war political lines are consigned to the past is flushed down the toilet by a cowardly set of self regarding opposition parties putting dreams of power tomorrow ahead of the battle of political ideas today and ahead of the constitutional right of citizens to vote for their President. Is rendering those wishing to participate in a supposed democratic system invisible what a national broadcaster is for? Wasn't that how it worked in Russia and how it works in North Korea?

The Labour press office line is that the Labour Party opinion was and is that once Eamonn Ryan pulled out - the process was closed bar the shouting. No whip in operation but an expectation of closed ranks on this from the Press Officer I spoke to. Lovely - It seems that the Labour Party are only too happy to close the process on behalf of the Country. They know the arithmetic and they should and deserve to take the lions share of the blame for a cynical suspension of democratic processes.
Full Story: A Riddle: Is An Opposition Really An Opposition If It Conspires With Government To Cancel an Election?

INDYMEDIA IRELAND INTERVIEW WITH VINCENT SALAFIA

Indymedia.ie: It has been said by Joe Higgins TD amongst others that the Irish Presidency should be abolished - would you agree or does it serve or can it serve a purpose?

Vincent Salafia: Absolutely not. However, I would say that the presidency as currently exercised needs to be radically changed. It is a core constitutional office, rather than window dressing for the State. The scrutiny and promulgation of legislation, and consideration of whether to refer to the Supreme Court, is a vitally important check and balance.

Indymedia.ie: Why did you take the sudden decision to run for President?

Salafia: It wasn’t a sudden decision in the sense that I had been considering it for some weeks before I went public. In fact, I was in touch with the Green Party before Eamon made his move and decided not to oppose him. When he dramatically pulled out I decided to take the plunge.

Indymedia.ie: What do you say to accusations that this is purely a publicity stunt?

Salafia: Campaigning for any office involves publicity. In fact, it lies at the core of any election campaign. I see this race as a logical continuation of the path already chosen. Furthermore, I would not have entered the race if I did not feel it is one I can credibly participate in and potentially win.

Indymedia Interview with Vincent Salafia Continues At The Feature Continued Link below