This article by W. Owl first appeared in Unity, the weekly publication of the Irish Communist Party.
THE national chairman of Sinn Féin, Declan Kearney, wrote an article for the Irish News – Sept 3rd – on the question of Irish unity. In it, he showed an optimism that would not necessarily be the thoughts of some who have the same desire for a united Ireland.
He started his piece by writing that, “we are. closer to Irish unity in 2025 than at any time since the partition of our country, and there are many reasons to be optimistic about what national reunification can deliver in terms of economic growth, shared prosperity and a better quality of life for workers and families in all of Ireland.”
That might be a case of “Fine words butter no parsnips.” A proverb that originated in the 17th century that is still relevant today. He went on to write that “an unprecedented political consensus now exists among the majority of political parties north and south about the need to plan and prepare for constitutional transition adding that the Irish government must take a lead in doing so.”
His comments may be treated by some with scepticism on the one hand and an accusation by those opposed to unity of being delusional. He went on to refer to a speech by former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at St Mary’s College last June.
He apparently captured the mood well when he stated, “Building a new and united Ireland is the next step in our national journey, and the future of this island and all our peoples and communities will be central to that discussion.” Of course, he knew where he was, and he knew who he was talking to, as it may have been a case of playing to an audience.
It may be wrong to doubt his sincerity, since he was once the leader of the most right-wing party in Ireland. His reference to a “new and united Ireland.” may also raise some questions as to what that entails.
At the recent Michael Collins commemoration at Beal na Bleath, the Irish health minister, Jennifer Carrol MacNeill, not only called for the abandoning of the triple lock but claimed that Collins himself would have favoured, such a move. How she could speak on behalf of a man who has been dead for over a hundred years, only she knows.
Kearney did not touch on that issue but mainly wrote on economics. He wrote under the title “Constitutional change must also advance workers’ rights.” However, Sinn Féin and others think the European Union will give a helping hand in the quest for unity.
So, it is interesting to quote what has previously been said by Mary Lou McDonald on the EU. She has questioned the Lisbon Treaty, claiming that it “provides for the commission and the court with an even stronger mandate to undermine workers’ wages and conditions.”
Adding that “it clearly demonstrates the right-wing, pro-market, pro-liberalism agenda which lies at the core of the present EU project.” However, when it comes to discussion about a new Ireland, those who want unity outside the EU could be side-lined. Patrick Murphy wrote in the Irish News that any criticism of the EU is regarded as sacrilege by the major parties in the Dail. He quoted the Sunday Independent, which has described those who suggest Ireland should leave the EU as “cranks”
Kearney then comes to the most controversial point when he suggests the use of “social dialogue” as a means to advance social justice, foster inclusive economic growth and improve wages and working conditions. He tells us that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the ICTU advocate the use of “social dialogue.”
The ILO is a United Nations outfit and as regards the ICTU, social dialogue is just a rehash of a past social partnership of government, employers, and trade unions allegedly working together on the belief it is in workers’ best interests. Wikipedia describes it as being focused on wage moderation in exchange for economic concessions.
It operated in Ireland from 1987 to 2009, and those on the left pointed out that it simply marginalised real trade unionism.
Declan Kearney may believe he is advocating a “new Ireland”, one that is where “social dialogue”- class collaboration is at its core, and there is nothing new about that!