Northern Ireland

Conference notes the disconnection between economic decision-making and the people affected by decisions made by individuals and institutions with little or no democratic accountability. We note the on-going role of the Troika in the detail of economic policy in the Republic of Ireland, while also noting that the policy options facing the NI Executive are constrained by a Westminster coalition which nobody in Northern Ireland voted for, and a Treasury which seems impervious to any alteration in its policy of expansionary fiscal contraction. In turn, the bond markets are cited as the court of final opinion of the fiscal health of States. The Treasury, the Troika and the technocrats are beyond the reach of the democratic accountability, and this is leading to a crisis of legitimation in the relationship between politicians and the people. Put simply, we do not elect political leaders to act as managers for somebody else agenda, and when the political classes act as if there is little they can do to challenge the ideology of austerity, there is an increased risk to social cohesion, and the possibility of the sinister elements filling the political vacuum. In America the void gets filled by corporate-sponsored (fake grassroots) groups such as the Tea Party. In Britain, by xenophobes such as the UK Independence Party. In contrast the trade union movement represents the real grassroots interests of the vast majority of working people and these interests must not be side-lined. In Northern Ireland in particular so called dissident republican and loyalist protests groups have nothing to offer the people of Northern Ireland. The recent protests ostensibly around the issue of flags, have ratcheted up sectarian tensions. Increased dissident violence is becoming all too familiar, and as a consequence of which many young people participating in these events will be condemned to a life of poverty and exclusion that follows criminal convictions. The two Governments can partly address these issues of social and political exclusion by treating all of the people as citizens with a stake in our collective future. The trade union movement reiterates its demand that the completion of the promise made 15 years ago for a comprehensive Bill of Rights for the citizens of each jurisdiction must be immediately addressed. The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement made binding commitments to protecting the human rights of all (including and especially the right to protest) and for a realistic strategy to address sectarianism and build a Shared Future. Congress demands action on these pledges and implementation of policies which deliver social cohesion and political accountability.Executive Council.