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Government Parties Challenged on Austerity Treaty in Ballyfermot

28/05/12

On Saturday [May 26], éirígí activists and supporters from Ballyfermot held a No To Austerity picket and information stall on Le Fanu Road.

The picket and stall took place at 11am, outside local Labour TD Michael Conaghan’s constituency clinic, in Tim Young’s Pub. éirígí activists received a great response from passersby and distributed hundreds of copies of the party’s Austerity Treaty newsletter.

Later in the afternoon, Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell, accompanied by a couple of his party’s finest, descended into Ballyfermot, for a less then convincing canvass in support of the Austerity Treaty.

As the Blueshirts attempted to distribute their propaganda outside the local Tesco’s, the reaction from general public would be best described as frosty. The Fine Gael team were left in no doubt that they weren't going to have it all their own way.

Following a phone call to éirígí from a local supporter, a squad of éirigí Ballyfermot activists arrived on the scene and held an impromptu No To Austerity picket, urging people to vote NO on May 31st.

With debate never being one of Mitchell’s strong points, it wasn’t long before the Blueshirt decided to abandon the canvass and retreat from Ballyfermot, leaving his bewildered comrades behind him.

Speaking from Ballyfermot, Councillor Louise Minihan said, “Today’s pickets are part of éirígí Ballyfermot’s ongoing campaign against the Austerity Treaty. Over the last number of weeks our activists have engaged with thousands of people, highlighting the issues in the Austerity Treaty and urging people to vote NO on May 31st. The campaign has received a great response in the local area, where people have had enough of cutbacks in our community.

“This weekend the Labour party are attempting to claim the legacy of James Connolly, the great Irish socialist republican, at a plaque unveiling in Clonmel. Yet in government they have presided over vicious attacks on workers, their families and communities. Rising unemployment and emigration, cutbacks to health, education, social welfare and public services, combined with attempts to introduce unjust austerity taxes such as household and water taxes, have been the order of the day – a far cry from the vision of Connolly!”

Minihan also addressed Labour’s coalition partners, “For as long as Fine Gael remain wedded to their anti-worker policies or continue with their attempt to surrender our country’s sovereignty to European imperialism, they should be met with protests and opposition wherever they go.

“For years the people of Ballyfermot and surrounding areas have been ignored by the political establishment, and our community has come under a sustained assault from successive governments. Cherry Orchard hospital, local bus services, drugs and community projects along with local schools have all come under savage attack.

“By voting No on May 31st you are standing up for the people of Ireland, and Europe. A NO vote is a vote in favour of Irish freedom and sovereignty. A NO Vote is a vote in defence of workers’ rights and public services. By Voting NO, you are voting in defence of the unemployed, our youth and our elderly.

“A NO vote will strengthen the growing movement which aims to bring about the only viable alternative to the failed capitalist system – an Irish Socialist Republic!”