Working Class Action
Working Class Action
May 2002
Over the past few years we have been constantly told that Ireland is basking in the success of the ‘Celtic Tiger’.
For ordinary people, the reality has been vastly different.
The working class communities of Cabra, East Wall, the North Inner City and the Docklands continue to face massive social and economic neglect due to the lack of any productive investment by successive governments.
We are forced to rely on our community sprit to maintain ourselves. And yet, over the next few weeks, those directly responsible for abandoning our communities will be calling around asking for your votes.
Political corruption by politicians from all the major parties - including financial irregularities, tax amnesties for their wealthy friends, double taxation on ordinary households, land speculation, lies, jobs for the boys, etc.- are all we can expect if these people are returned to power. And those willing to join them in a coalition government are no better.
Idle promises to "improve facilities, increase spending, get you a house" and other such nonsense is no way for a genuine peoples’ representative to act. No doubt, in the run up to the election, all of the parties will announce imaginative solutions to our problems,
solutions which have eluded them for the last five years. Realistically, long-term, far-sighted and comprehensive solutions need to be implemented. Significant investment is required, but throwing money at the problems is not the answer - as we have seen in relation to the ever worsening drugs crisis.
Real Action on the issues facing the people of Cabra, East Wall, the North Inner City and the Docklands is what is needed.
We believe the following issues are relevant to our communities during the election.
Health
What is required is a comprehensive shake up of the health service to redress all the years of financial neglect by successive governments. This will include…
Local health centres expanding and delivering adequate primary care. Doctors’ surgeries to become all inclusive medical centres, therefore easing the pressure on hospitals. Currently, the cost of visiting a GP encourages people to use hospital facilities instead.
All the major hospitals to set up Minor Injuries Units to take pressure off the Accident and Emergency departments and cut waiting times.
Preventative healthcare programmes to reduce our increasing poor health, taking peoples’ social circumstances into account.
Use of ‘generic’ (non-branded) medicines to be vastly increased. This will provide the same quality product and save millions of tax payers euros.
A programme of comprehensive and speedy healthcare for our senior citizens.
All of the above will require serious government investment and,
just as importantly, a long term health strategy.
Crime and Drugs
Government claims of a reduction in crime cannot be believed as many people don’t
bother to report crime because of the lack of police response. A visible and accountable police service working for the communities is required. Revelations about police corruption must be independently investigated and serious action taken.
Strict adherence to the existing, but unused, 10 year sentence policy for drug dealers.
Provision of proper facilities for young people to encourage them away from crime. Parents and guardians to be responsible for their children’s actions. Aftercare facilities for young offenders to prevent repeat offending.
Communities warned about paedophiles and drug dealers preying on the community.
Strict adherence to the existing, but under used, council eviction policy for serious
anti-social behaviour. Communities should not have to suffer because a few undesirables, and their middle class defenders, believe they have a right to stay.
White collar crime must be tackled. The recent tribunals have been little more than
expensive side shows and talking shops. Serious criminal investigation into political
corruption and business fraud must be undertaken, starting with the top people.
Bin Charges
An obvious attack by politicians on working class householders has been the attempted introduction of the Bin Charges. Ordinary workers already pay their fair share of tax to
provide for essential services. This is double taxation. Corruption, incompetence and lack of political will have led to environmental damage and a waste management crisis.
As we have said, long-term far-sighted and comprehensive solutions need to be
implemented. Ordinary people are the least to blame and should not have to bear the
burden of others. Industrial and agricultural waste accounts for 92% of our environmental problems as opposed to 1.5% for households. The politicians’ friends in big business should pay. The recent cases of illegal dumping were facilitated by corrupt officials, we shouldn’t have to pay for this. Successive governments have been unwilling to seek
environmental alternatives, but continue to introduce the failed old policy of incinerators. Waste policy to date has been geared towards privatisation, with the Bin Charges been a prime example.
Housing
The housing situation for working class people is at an all time low. Young people and
first time buyers cannot afford adequate housing. This contributes to the breakdown of
communities.
Social housing policy has been welcomed but is not sufficient. It has been used as a smokescreen to obscure the long term failure of housing policy. State investment in ‘not for profit’ hosing is essential if we are to attempt to relieve the housing crisis. CIE and other state landowners must use their remaining landbanks for housing only, not in
consortiums with rich developers such as in "Spencer Dock".
The re-introduction of interest relief for investors, and the reduction in stamp duty in the last budget, benefits only the construction industry and property interest groups - financial institutions, etc. It does nothing for low-income families struggling to find a home.
The major builders are hoarding land to vastly increase profits through demand. Currently, there is enough serviced land to build over 91,000 houses in the Dublin area alone. Homelessness in Dublin has quadrupled in the 5 years of this government.
Strict regulation of landlords must be enforced, including rent controls, fire regulations, minimum size rooms, security of tenure, etc..
Political corruption is at the core of the housing shortage. All the major parties have received brown envelopes to allow crooked builders and speculators to profit on the back of the housing crisis in Ireland. Effective measures must be introduced to penalise these speculators.
Young People, Jobs and Education
In recent years, the world economic climate has led to a reduction in unemployment here. After years of chronic unemployment this was welcomed - but has had its own consequences. In
particular the levels of low pay stand out, especially for young people. Many young people left the education system to enter employment, mostly low paid and insecure. What was "good money" for
a younger person is not sufficient as they grow older. In a harsher jobs environment, these people will be particularly vulnerable. Many have no recognised training or trades to fall back on. In
addition, the upturn in the construction industry has seen a marked increase in workplace accidents and deaths - 69 in the past year - and yet nobody is held accountable.
As the economic climate changes, an increase in unemployment will again become a reality - we have already seen regular job losses throughout the country. Ordinary working people are the ones who suffer - while the bosses, directors, etc. are insulated from the effects of recession. I.B.E.C., the employers’ federation, is already preparing for this by accusing workers of having "unrealistic wage expectations". At the same time, the chairman of the Smurfit Group took home Euro 4.7 million.
The latest report on access to education proves the inequality of the education system. It reveals that, while there has been an overall rise nationally in people attending third level education,
attendance from working class areas such as Finglas/Ballymun and Clondalkin/Neilstown has
actually dropped. Over 75% of school leavers in Foxrock have got into college, while only 7% in Ballyfermot have made it.
A pro-active approach to early school leaving must include intensive individual support and equally as important, a raising of the level of cultural expectation among working class youth. This must be complimented by funding to encourage participation in third level education. The introduction of
formal training, using nationally recognised courses within the working environment, will eliminate unrecognised in-house training. Management must be responsible for all aspects of health and
safety and be held accountable for any breaches in a manner that will bring results.
We recommend that you challenge any politician that canvasses your area about their dismal record on these issues. Remind them of previous failed promises.
We also recommend that you vote for independent and progressive community
who are representative and answerable to the community.
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