1916 Centenary

Conference respects the contrary perceptions of the 1916 Insurrection as between the different traditions on the island of Ireland. However, Conference deplores the abject failure to realise the egalitarian aspirations of the Proclamation in either of the jurisdictions which emerged after the decade of rebellion. We hold that this is primarily attributable to the dominance of a value system which reflects the interests of capital and the wealthy in all aspects of public policy formation since 1922. Prioritisation of private affluence over the interests of the common good has resulted in the perverse incentivsation of speculation to the detriment of innovation and the consequent failure to develop sustainable indigenous economies. This is most manifestly evident in the fact that uniquely in all of Europe the population is lower now than it was in 1840. Therefore Conference resolves that as a custodian of the values of social solidarity, the trade union movement must focus energetically on asserting the primacy of the common good, as the platform for all public policy development, towards the objective of the attainment of an egalitarian society in which all the public services necessary for the pursuit of a full, free and happy life are available equally to all, free  at the point of use, underpinned by a dynamically sustainable economy and fair taxation. Moreover, to this end, Conference directs the incoming Executive Council to  vigorously promote all the structural changes in the organisation of the movement, which are necessary to optimise the interests of all working people, in the architecture of the future including: Strengthening NERI. Establishing a fully resourced Workers College of political economy. Developing an effective centralized Media Platform. Launching fully staffed Trade Union Centres in every major city and town. Optimising organising capacity. Effectively co-ordinating Collective Bargaining and industrial strategy. And pursuing properly resourced intelligent political policies.