Working Class Action
The Celtic Tiger in Dublin
First published in Fourthwrite Magazine, Issue 5
by Cieran Perry
What does the forthcoming General Election hold for the occupants of the working class areas in Dublin? Can we look forward to the distribution of the much-talked about wealth created by the "Celtic Tiger"? Will the under resourced and neglected areas be the focus of monetary attention by the newly elected Government? Will those in authority finally recognise the talent and ability of the residents of these areas and provide the support structure for local people to tackle local problems? Or will it be more of the same, unchallenged drug dealing and the crime it attracts, joyriding, lack of facilities, lack of services etc, etc,etc……..If you were a betting man, on which of the above would you place your money?
In some circles there is the belief that there is an alternative to the ‘old way’. Sinn Fein is being viewed as this alternative. The argument given for this view is that because they derive the majority of their support from working class areas they will naturally be receptive to the needs of the residents of these areas. It is an interesting argument and when we hear the leadership speaking about redistribution of the country’s wealth, welcoming refugees, exposing corruption etc..it would be quite easy to believe this point of view. Unfortunately, if we delve a little deeper into the activities of Sinn Fein on the ground we discover things are not quite what they seem. An example of this is the issue of ‘Bin Charges’. Sinn Fein has constantly highlighted their opposition to the Bin Charges. These charges are a double taxation on PAYE workers who, in the interests of the environment now have to pay for their refuge bins and thereby, also subsidising the waste disposal of commercial industry.
The vote on Dublin Corporation was so tight that acceptance of the charges depended on three Labour Party councillors breaking ranks and voting for the charges. Much was made of the fact that this was against Labour Party policy but less was said about the fact that two of the four Sinn Fein councillors were absent for the vote. Much speculation has been made about what ‘deal’ was agreed between Fianna Fail and the Labour councillors. The same suspicions have also been raised about the non-attendance of the Sinn Fein councillors. With Sinn Fein refusing to rule out coalition between themselves and Fianna Fail after the next election are we already seeing the beginning of such a coalition? The very fact that a party portraying themselves as progressive would even consider entering coalition with a right wing party such as Fianna Fail speaks volumes about the ‘principles’ of that party.
Sinn Fein has invested large sums of money in opening advice centres in the constituencies they have targeted. However, providing a citizens advice service [which should be a state service], while useful to individuals, is merely the same as the Fianna Fail clientalist clinic system. If Sinn Fein is genuinely radical and wishes to involve working class people permanently in fighting for their rights the 'we are different' rhetoric to the electorate combined with official or unofficial coalitions at council level won't fool people for long. The abandonment of core republican principles such as British withdrawal, decommissioning of weapons and the administration of the partitionist Stormont Assembly in the Six Counties and their acceptance of large financial donations from corporate America in the South calls into question the view that Sinn Fein can be considered ‘radical’. In any event, what could be considered ‘radical’ in having a few Ministers in Stormont and a few TD’s in the Dail ? The Workers Party have already trod that path during the 80’s, to no discernible effect whatsoever. Surely, even as a minimum, principled opposition in both assemblies would have been a more radical option.
Overall, the most compelling argument against Sinn Fein making any difference to the residents of working class areas after the coming election is the fact that even though they now have six elected councillors in Dublin they have made no difference whatsoever. In fact, some of the areas they represent have actually got worse in terms of anti-social behaviour such as car theft, house breaking, drug dealing etc…since the local elections. No doubt in the run up to the General Election we will see an increase in the targeting of anti-social elements in the represented areas. Whether by throwing a few shots into the house of the target or punishment beatings, the aim will be to appear to be tackling the areas problems. As someone who fully supports action being taken against those who terrorise our communities, my objection to these tactics is that while they provide great publicity for those carrying them out they are totally ineffective. Anti social behaviour needs long-term community based solutions not knee-jerk reactions for political expediency.
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