Éire Nua

Éire Nua
http://www.iol.ie/~saoirse/video/eirenua.htm 1. the national parliament will control all powers and functions essential to the good of the nation; 2. the national parliament will elect a President, who will serve as both Prime Minister and head of state; 3. the national parliament will elect a Government, consisting of a limited number of ministers nominated by the President; 4. the national parliament will secure the independence of the Supreme Court and of the judicial system as guardian of the Constitution; 5. the national parliament will initiate national legislation, through any of the following agencies: its own deputies, the central Government, a provincial parliament, or an initiative; 6. The national parliament will adopt national legislation, either directly, through its own deputies, or by initiative in specified cases; 7. the national parliament will oversee collection of the federal revenue. Firstly I am kind of lost I taught Parliament and goverment were one and the same . With regards to parts 2 & 3 It seems to me that even though Parliament elected the president meaning that the majority of said parliament believe that the president elect will make the right decisions for the right reasons and nominate members of parliament for election to goverment purely because he belives that his nominee's would be capable of carrying out their positions and act in the best interests of their Country at all times and not secum to greed or personal interests . I have bounced this off CE already tonight and Saer they said I should post something about what is bothering me and see what you lot think . CE cleared up some of my cunfusion , it seems that what is refered to as Goverment in part 3 above would maybe be the equivilent to what they call the Cabinet in Canada . I kept asking myself isnt Parliament and Goverment the same thing !! . I think this system give to much power to the President , whats to stop him from loading the goverment (cabinet) with people from his own party . In part 3 it says the parliament has to elect a goverment from Deputies NOMINATED by the president . It doesent mention anything in the Eire Nua document about weather the parliament would have the power to object to the presidents nominee's , could they ask for a recall , should this not be mentioned in the Eire Nua document . My reasoning behind all this is based on my experience growing up in Galway it seemed that Fine gael and Fianna fail swaped the mayorship back and forth between them selves for many years . Unless all these deputies and the president are totally rightous and above reproach whats to stop this practice from happening at a national level ?? What are the chances that about 100 depuites and a president would all be that loyal and dedicated to the best interests of the nation as a whole ?? Should there be some sort of a fail safe to gaurd against the worst case senerio ? I hope I have made some sence here my fingers cant keep up with my brain . (Edit: I just added the fada to the Title and to make it a sticky. - Saer.)

I'm impressed Brian! Good eyes!!! Parliament would presumably be very careful about who they chose. Should the President be from the party that had, proportionally, the most voter support? What if he doesn't do an adequate job? How is he recalled? He will be called on to make lots of tough decisions that may not be popular, what protects him from abuse of the recall system? Making recall too easy can bring down the government and cause political instability. The 'government', as I understand it, would be the inner circle of policy makers. (Minister of Education etc.) The Pres is going to want people from his own party on it. However, what about the proportionality of the government? Should his 'government' reflect that? I agree with Brian, these things should be spelled out.

I'm sending this topside, I think Eire Nua is something that people should be commenting on and should be familiar with. (esp. if they're members of NFE or RSF)

Hmmmmm , nobody else gonna put their twopence worth in ?? District councils A district council will consist of a single chamber elected by the people of a clearly defined area covering a population of 10,000 to 40,000 people. District councils will have the following areas of responsibility: the welfare and security of the community and the application of the law in a humane and just manner; primary and secondary education; job creation, regulations governing employment and standards of work, trading practices, etc; local planning and environmental development; agriculture, fishing, and small industry; health centres, youth and recreational development; housing and control of rented accommodation; social welfare and social services. Each district council will have a secretariat, where all services would be provided under the same roof. In the above section my attention was drawn to one of the first things mentioned in areas of responsibility for district councils. It says that the district council has the responsibility of :-the welfare and security of the community and the application of the law in a humane and just manner; Does this mean that each district council would be incharge of the police service and the courts within said district ?? Would each district be autonomous in so far as local law in forcement is concerned ?? Seeing as I am on the subject of law and law inforcement , I presume that the same type of federal system that they use here in the USA is what is refered to when Eire Nua mentions restructuring the country under a Federal type goverment. Does that mean that their would be one Federal law for all four provinces ?? That each province would also have its own seperate provincial laws ?? That each region will have its own regional laws ?? That each district will have its own district laws ?? And that even small communities could have their own laws ?? I hope I have made some sense here looking forward to getting some feed back on this

Can someone shed some light on this for me ?? In Eire Nua when the Provinces are devided into regions , Connacht is devided into 2 regions Ulster is devided into 4 regions Munster is devided into 4 regions Leinster is devided into 4 regions How did they come up with this system of devision ?? Going by population in the statistics they show in Eire Nua , if the Provinces with the larger population were devided into 4 regions then Munster should have only 2 regions and Connacht should be one region . My point is how did they figure out how to devide the provinces , if not by population ?? The statistics in Eire Nua say this is how the population is spread amongst the provinces :- Connacht = 433,231 Ulster = 1,923,251 Munster = 1,033,903 Leinster = 1,924,702

Just a thought BB, but what about the area covered by each Province, could it be based on that??

You may or may not find some of the answers to your questions in the next series of posts I'm about make here BB. These texts are essays on Éire Nua courtesy of Cumann na Saoirse Náisiúnta.

A New Beginning For eight hundred years, Ireland has been home to invasions, plunder, rebellion, famine, civil war, social unrest and political upheaval. It is an underdeveloped country marked by unemployment, emigration and borderline poverty for 30% of its people. A realistic assessment of Ireland in 1991 shows that it has serious problems including two failed political entities, a huge national debt and an archaic economic model more suited to the turn of the century. These problems, serious enough in themselves, are exacerbated by the ongoing warfare in the six northeastern counties and perpetuated by a nineteenth century colonial mentality. For the past seventy years successive governments have failed miserably to lead Ireland to its rightful place in the family of free nations. In reality this was never possible. The resources in both human and monetary terms needed to achieve freedom were expended to an exorbitant degree on maintaining the partition of Ireland as promulgated by the British in 1921. Until such time as the people of Ireland are free to pool their resources and work together as one entity nothing will change. The Sunningdale and Hillsborough agreements and the Brooke type initiatives are meaningless as long as Ireland remains divided. Therefore a new beginning is needed. To this end we have adopted and will promote the Eire Nua program formulated by Republican Sinn Fein. We believe that this program is based on sound and honorable principles incorporating fair and realistic plans to achieve national unity within the framework of an independent Irish Republic. From the lessons of history it must be obvious to all, even those with vested interest in the status quo, that sooner or later Ireland will be reunited. For too long the welfare and interests of the Irish people on both sides of the border have been subjugated for the careers and enrichment of well-connected families and individual politicians. The time has come for a change. Together with our friends in Ireland and around the world we can help make it "Eire Nua" program as ft mind to publicize and proin most logical choice. In order to understand the proposals set forth in "Eire Nua" one must first understand the forces that have brought Ireland to such a sorry state. The most obvious reason being that Ireland is a country divided. As we approach the 21st century nearly one third of the total population of Ireland is still under British rule. This rule is maintained by heavily armed forces, which intrude on the lives of the Irish people. Although the vast majority of Irish people reject any type of union with Britain the six counties remain under the niie of this occupying force. This forced arrangement has severely damaged Ireland's economic potential on both skies of the border. For years now the people of the twenty-six counties have been paying more taxes per capita to maintain the border dividing Ireland than the people of Britain. Yet the British presence in the North and influence in the South have only brought tragedy to Ireland and caused a scandalous waste of resources and humanity. The conditions that presently exist in Ireland would be considered unacceptable for other European countries of comparable size but not for Ireland. To this end "Eire Nua' proposes an entirely new system of government for the island and people of Ireland. To achieve this the existing system of undemocratic partition rule would be abolished in favor of system based on the unity of Irish people. The proposed system would embody two main features: a new national, thirty-two county constitution and a new national government structure. Under the new constitution a Charter of rights would be drafted establishing political and popular sovereignty for the protection of human rights and social justice. Within the new government structure a federation of the four historic provinces of Ireland would be established. The federation would be coordinated by a national parliament with powers devolved through regional administrative councils to local bodes, thereby guaranteeing the effective voice and involvement of Irish citizens in all levels of government.

LET THEM GO Ireland, more than most countries, cannot escape its past. Continuing emigration coupled with grim social and economic conditions bears testimony to this fact. The Anglo-Norman invasion of eight hundred years ago changed the face and character of Ireland forever. To this day its language, literature and songs bear the marks of centuries of domination and oppression. Ironically, the Anglo-Norman invasion itself came about as the result of a personal conflict between two of Ireland's warrior kings, Dermot MacMurrough of Leinster and Tiernan O'Rourke of Breifne. After years of conflict and numerous battles, MacMurrough was defeated by O'Rourke and forced into exile. In exile, MacMurrough sought and received help from King Henry 11 of England to regain his throne. Finally in 1169, after several earlier incursions, the English returned, this time to stay. By involving outsiders in Ireland's domestic affairs, MacMurrough in effect committed an act of treason. That act not just heralded the invasion of Ireland and its subsequent domination by the English, but also set a precedent for future would-be traitors to emulate. The use of outside force to settle domestic affairs was firmly established Ireland as a way of life. At crucial moments in its history, from to@@, time of the Anglo-Norman invasion up to and including the present time, many of Ireland's political leaders as a matter of course betrayed Ireland's interests for those of their English masters. As was the case with MacMurrough, those betrayals have been and continue to be for personal gain or profit. In repayment, those traitors played the role of liegeman to their English masters. The annals of Irish history are replete with such treasonous acts. As a consequence, the people of Ireland suffered through many pogroms at the hands of the English, including famine, cultural deprivation, religious persecution, dispossession and forced emigration. During these pogroms the people resisted as they continue to do, never once submitting to the tyranny and violence visited upon them. Finally in this century, after almost eight hundred years of occupation, the English were forced by widespread-armed resistance to sit down and negotiate their withdrawal from Ireland. With defeat staring them in the face, the English with the help of their cohorts in Ireland once again prevailed. The ensuing Treaty that partitioned Ireland into two antagonistic sectarian states was in fact the most hideous of all, the betrayals perpetrated on the Irish people. It gave the English continuing control over the political and economic life of the Irish people, resulting in the ongoing War of Independence. Today, as the world changes before our eyes, we see mighty empires crumble, captive nations break free and apartheid give way to equality and reason, while Ireland, one of the longest captive nations on earth, remains chained. This situation could not prevail without the help of its own politicians. It is time for this situation to change -- for Ireland to be set free, to establish its nationhood. Contrary, to those politicians in Ireland who preach otherwise, this can be done. It is neither a dream nor an unrealistic expectation, as Ireland today possesses the people with the will and ingenuity to make it happen. The Eire Nua program, which is based on a federation of the four historical provinces of Ireland, offers a plan to achieve this national right. At this time in history, when old wrongs are being righted elsewhere in the world, it is time for the British government to let go of Ireland and time for the Dublin government to let them go.

THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS A PEACEFUL IRELAND The Treaty of 1921 that partitioned Ireland into two sectarian states was, at worst, a betrayal of Irish aspirations and at best, a temporary solution to avoid an all-out war, as claimed by its signatories and supporters. After seventy years of political and economic chaos, it is obvious that the Treaty was flawed, and is in fact the root cause of the ongoing war. Therefore, it is now time to repeal the Treaty and replace it with a new agreement wherein the British would concede Irish sovereignty, thus clearing the way for the Irish people of both traditions to unite in one free and independent nation. To this end, we are proposing the establishment of a Constituent Assembly as a first step in this process. The proposed Assembly would draft a new 32-county all-Ireland Constitution that would, 1) establish political and popular sovereignty for the protection of human rights and social justice, 2) establish a new government structure based on a federation of the four historic provinces of Ireland, and 3) establish an independent judiciary. The second step in this process would be a British declaration of intent to withdraw from Ireland based on the above agreement. The final step would be the release of all political prisoners. Both of these steps will be discussed in future issues of this newsletter. The convening of a Constituent Assembly is a logical first step in a process designed to bring peace, unity and prosperity to Ireland. It offers the prospect of a permanent solution, as opposed to the failed Sunningdale, Hillsborough and Brooke-type initiatives put forward by the British and Dublin governments. This proposal is not new, nor radical, and is similar in many respects to the 1787 Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia to draft a new federal constitution for the emerging United States of America. Since that time, many other emerging nations came into existence through a similar process. A prime present-day example is South Africa, a country where the vast majority of its people have been enslaved by a descendant colonist minority. Many felt this situation would never change, but South Africa today is a country in transition. The road towards a peaceful Ireland is fraught with obstacles, inherent and protected in the political and economic status quo. In this climate, any proposal guaranteeing equal rights and opportunity to all the people of Ireland is not welcome. The initiatives put forward by the British and Dublin governments are minor revisions to the Treaty of 1921, primarily intended to perpetuate the status quo, and therefore destined to end in failure. The proposed Constituent Assembly would be representative of the whole people of Ireland and would be elected by the suffrage of the adult population. The Assembly's sole function would be to draft a new Constitution. The draft Constitution would then be submitted to the people in referendum for acceptance or rejection. This open democratic process would be more meaningful to the Irish people today, than the closed-door meetings held between the same politicians who have failed the people so often in the past. All elements of Irish society would be free to contest the election for the Assembly. This approach would ensure that the internal relations of the Irish people with each other and with the world at large would be determined through free and open debate. In order for this process to succeed, all politicians and political parties expressing an interest in or concern for Ireland's future must put aside their differences and participate for the common good. In addition, all those individuals and political parties now excluded must be included in the process and allowed access to the media. If for no other reason, the Irish people deserve the opportunity to participate in such a process.

THE SECOND STEP TOWARDS A PEACEFUL IRELAND The conquest of Ireland was gradual, taking over 130 years to accomplish. In fact, the Norman invasion of eight hundred years ago was not a conquest in the true sense of the word, for it conquered only land. It failed miserably to pacify and conquer the people. After centuries of occupation and institutionalized pogroms including dispossession, famine, religious persecution, forced emigration and internment, England is still trying to pacify the Irish people and hold sway over their lives. It appears that the liberation of Ireland is destined to be a slow process, as was its conquest. What started almost eighty years ago with the 1916 Easter Rising is an ongoing process that will in time rid Ireland of the last vestiges of colonialism. Until this process runs its course, Ireland will remain a troubled land, divided, and possessed of a terrible beauty. The rise of an empire, whether it be Roman, Ottoman or British, brings to its human victims humiliation, pain and death and to its captive nations plunder, division and shame. It thrives on ignorance and fear and survives on the spoils of war. The decline of an empire, however welcome, brings with it a renewed ferocity. Its armies are set loose on the general populace in a desperate effort to survive by intimidation. Such is the situation in Ireland today. The British army is on the rampage, but its days in Ireland are numbered. That same army serves as the enforcer of British rule in Ireland and is therefore a symbol of domination. This symbol must be removed before the divided people of Ireland can get back together to decide what is best for them. On Nov. 9th Peter Brooke, the British government minister in occupied Ireland stated that Britain has no selfish, strategic, or economic interest in staying in Ireland. If this be so, then let them publicly declare their intent to withdraw politically and militarily from Ireland. In order to effect such a withdrawal, the British government must be willing to negotiate an agreement that incorporates the following provisions: 1) a commitment to withdraw from Ireland after the Irish people have adopted a new Constitution, 2) a cessation of hostilities coupled with a return to barracks of all military personnel, 3) a commitment to remove all its military hardware from Ireland, and 4) a commitment to refrain from arming pro-British paramilitary organizations during the withdrawal process. These conditions of withdrawal are general in nature and represent only the views of the editors of this newsletter. They do not presume to, nor do they represent the views or negotiating strategy of any party or individual who may be involved in future negotiations involving a British withdrawal. There are many other factors that will come into play, and must be dealt with, once a British declaration of intent to withdraw is secured. For instance, a territorial army will be assembled to replace the security forces of the two existing states. A new criminal justice system will be established to replace the existing politicized system whose stock in trade includes special police units, interrogation centers, military tribunals, non-jury courts, internment camps and political prisons. In order to create a new criminal justice system, the police forces of the existing two states will be restructured into regional police forces controlled by and accountable to region- al authorities. Similarly, the existing judicial system that now includes military tribunals and non-jury courts will be replaced with an in- dependent judicial system that will operate within the framework and constraints of the new all-Ireland Constitution. Political prisons, interrogation centers and internment camps will be closed down for there will be no political dissenters tortured or imprisoned in the new Ireland.

THE THIRD STEP TOWARDS A PEACEFUL IRELAND For eight centuries the people of Ireland have struggled for the right to be masters in their own country. England the oppressor has been ruthless in exerting and maintaining its control over Ireland and its people. It is difficult to appreciate why she still maintains such a policy, especially now that colonialism has outlived its usefulness, however dubious that may have been in the first place. It is even more difficult to understand England's willingness to use draconian laws, torture, prison camps and military force to enforce this policy. Generally a government of intelligent, clear thinking individuals would abandon such a policy, especially one that has not worked in eight hundred years. But insofar as Ireland is concerned, England is paralyzed in a political paradigm that filters out reality, thus, leaving itself and Ireland, victims of history. Pope Paul 11 in addressing the Polish people said: "People have a right and even a duty to protect their existence against an unjust aggressor. Christians may have no hesitation that in the name of elementary justice, proportionate means may be used against an unjust aggressor. There can be no peace in a society that does not respect the rights of the individual". Speaking at Auschwitz the Pope said: "But the memory of even one should be a warning sign on the part of humanity today, in order that every kind of concentration camp anywhere on earth may once and for all be done away with. And everything that recalls that horrible experience should' also disappear forever, from the lives of nations and states, everything that is a continuation of these experiences under different forms, namely the various kinds of torture and oppression either physical or moral, carried out under any system in any land. This phenomenon is all the more distressing if it occurs under the pretext of internal security or the need to preserve an apparent peace". Any reasonable person can take the words of the Pope and apply them to the Irish situation. In both parts of Ireland, in England, Scotland and Wales, there are hundreds of men and women imprisoned and routinely tortured as a direct consequence of England's continued presence in Ireland. Proof of torture has been well documented by the European Court of Human Rights and by Amnesty International on numerous occasions. Further proof of inhuman treatment can be found by examining the cases of the Birmingham Six, the Guilford Four and the Maguire family. All were falsely accused and tortured until they confessed to crimes that they did not commit. They were then convicted on the weight of the forced confessions and fabricated forensic evidence. Combined, they served over two hundred years in prison. All of these convictions have since been found to be flawed and overturned on appeal. As one of the conditions to any settlement leading towards a peaceful Ireland, the status of all prisoners must be reviewed and resolved. Those imprisoned in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales for purely political reasons must be freed unconditionally. For those imprisoned in other countries, a representation would be made for their release as a gesture of goodwill and friendship. The other categories of prisoners are those who engaged in sectarian killings, or who deliberately chose innocent civilians as their primary target. Because of the nature of such acts, these cases would be subjected to independent judicial review to determine their status. All prisoners irrespective of their political affiliation would be granted the same treatment under this process. The conditions set forth in this article for the treatment of political prisoners represents only the views of the editors of this newsletter. They do not presume to, nor do they represent the views or negotiating strategy of any party or individual who may be involved in future negotiations involving the release of political prisoners.

IRELAND'S POLITICAL DILEMMA The Government of Ireland Act, enacted by the British Parliament in 1920 and ratified by the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, divided Ireland into two dominion states of the British Empire, the 26-county Irish Free State and the Northern Ireland State. This Act, not only divide Ireland, it also divided its people. As was mentioned in an earlier issue of this newsletter the Anglo-Irish Treaty was the most insidious of all the tragedies perpetrated on the Irish people. In effect it denied the people of the Catholic and Protestant traditions the opportunity to work together to build a nation in which they both could prosper and live in peace. What it did instead was perpetuate British control and create a climate for self-serving politicians in both states to enrich themselves at the people's expense. The Northern Ireland State includes the six northeastern counties of Ireland, Antrim, Down, Armagh, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Derry. It covers an area of 5,400 sq. miles, approximately 17% of the whole island area. It has a population of 1,528,000 amounting to 35% of the total island population. The inclusion of six counties in the make-up of the new state instead of the nine historic counties of Ulster was the option favored by the Unionists because it gave them the greatest possible majority 78% to 22% in a six county state versus 52% to 48% in a nine county state. Prior to 1972 when the British reestablished direct control, self-professed bigots who openly discriminated against the nationalist population governed the Northern Ireland State. The Irish Free State includes the remaining 26 counties. It covers an area of 27,136 sq. miles and has a population of 3,670,000. In 1948 the Dublin parliament enacted the Republic of Ireland Act wherein the 26-county Free State ceased to be a British dominion. Since its creation in 1922 political families whose primary goad was, and still is, to hold on to power at any cost in order to protect their privileged lifestyles have governed the 26-county state. Although power passed back and forth between political families and parties in the interim, the primary goal did not change, the status quo prevailed, the governing elite grew richer and emigration, the system's built-in safety valve, continued to export Ireland's greatest resource, its youth. Ireland, with its youth, would indeed have threatened the status quo. The consequences of the ill-conceived Government of Ireland Act and the attendant Anglo-Irish Treaty can be measured in terms of their effect on Irish society. The most immediate effect is the ongoing war and the loss of over 3,000 lives since 1969. Secondly, the stagnant Irish economy, which depends on bailouts and handouts from the EEC, has spawned one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe. This in turn has fueled emigration to the point where it has become a way of life for the youth of Ireland. Finally, in a blatant affront to civil rights, authorities in both states use special government powers to silence their critics. The methods used include surveillance by special police and military units, arrest without warrant, and imprisonment for extended periods without trial. In those cases where an individual is brought to trial it is generally before a military or a non-jury court where the desired verdict is rendered 99% of the time. The only solution to the problems that Ireland faces today is to start over again. This would entail the abrogation of the aforementioned Anglo-Irish Treaty and the Government of Ireland Act. This action would provide a legal mechanism and a starting point for the British to negotiate an orderly withdrawal from Ireland. The Eire Nua program, as explained in earlier issues of this newsletter, is the logical vehicle on which to proceed from there. It provides a detailed blueprint which in- corporate the four historic provinces of Ireland into a new all-Ireland Federal Republic. It also provides for a new constitution incorporating provisions for a Bill of Rights, separation of Church and State, a new Government structure and an independent Judiciary. Finally, it details the steps to follow in pursuit of these goals, which in turn will lead to a peaceful and prosperous Ireland.

THE PROTESTANT TRADITION IN IRELAND The Reformation of 1517, a religious revolution begun within the Catholic Church by a German monk named Martin Luther to protest the sale of titles, indulgences and other practices of the Church, gave birth to Protestantism. Its influence has had a profound effect on the social, political and economic life of Europe and on Ireland in particular. Within 40 years it had divided Europe between the Protestant countries of the north and the Catholic countries of the south. By 1534 it had spread to England. As the result of a rift between Pope Clement VU and King Henry VIII over the question of supremacy, Anglicanism, a form of Protestantism headed by the monarch, replaced Catholicism as the official state religion of England. During this period other forms of Protestantism were being established, differing mainly in their system of control. In Scotland, John Knox established the Presbyterian Church, a form of Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin. In 1560 it became the state religion of Scotland. In 1541 Henry VUI declared himself king of Ireland and started what came to be known as the Tudor con- quest of Ireland. He also introduced Protestantism to Ire- land. During his reign and that of his successors, the Tudor conquest of Ireland continued. Eventually, most of the Irish landlords submitted to his will, converted to Protestantism and swore allegiance to him. 'Bey did so, in order to hold on to their lands. The only exceptions were the Ulster landlords who instead of submitting intensified their resistance to English rule. In 1593 they engaged in the first of a series of revolts, which collectively came to be known as the Nine Year War. These revolts ended in 1603 at the battle of Kinsale. Irish forces led by Hugh O'Neill were defeated. Four years later, unwilling and unable to accept defeat, O'Neill with ninety other leading Ulstermen went into exile in Europe. This "flight of the Earls" left the people of Ulster leaderless, and presented King James I with the perfect opportunity to solve once and for all the problem of Ireland's chief trouble spot, Ulster. He expelled most of the Catholics from there, seized their land and gave it to English and Scottish settlers. The subjugation of Ulster and the Tudor conquest of Ireland were complete. On the role of Irish Protestants in a new Ireland the following excerpts taken from the 1992 Easter Commemoration Address given by Judge John Collins of the New York Supreme Court at Gaelic Park in New York sums it up best: "It is unfortunate that the Protestant majority in the north looks to England for their protection, and I am convinced that that is why they look to England. Other than that, they have no particular love for England. They are Irish people with a distinct tradition. Irish people of the Catholic tradition, whether north or south of the border, are not seeking to obliterate the traditions of the Irish Protestant. It will be a fortunate day for Ireland when the two traditions are combined in one nation, for the Protestants of the north will bring to one nation a proud, noble and hardworking people, who will contribute in a beneficial way to Ireland's economy. They will bring to a government a distinctly new and different flavor, all to the good. As we approach the end of this millennium and embark on a new one, it is incumbent on the Irish people, irrespective of their ancestry or religious affiliation, to re- assert their control over the political process and charter a new course for Ireland. They must embrace new political models such as Eire Nua to ensure a better life for themselves and a secure future for their children. 'Me politicians who are now in control are busy pursuing policies conducive to another plantation of sorts, this time by outsiders occupying the vacant homes and farms of Irish families forced to emigrate. Provisions of the Common Market Treaty, which came into effect Ns year, allow for the free movement of people across borders. In Germany these people will be migrant workers, in Ireland they will be the new landlords. People of both traditions in Ireland must work together to preserve what is theirs by tradition and birthright, a common homeland.

THE CATHOLIC TRADITION IN IRELAND As the old pagan Roman Empire decayed, there grew up in its midst a new spiritual empire, the Roman Catholic Church. In the course of time it replaced the Roman Empire in Western Europe and carried on the Roman tradition of unity in administration, law, language and culture. When the Roman Empire finally collapsed and disappeared, the Roman Catholic Church was ready to take its place. The popes took over the universal authority of the emperors, and the Episcopal hierarchy filled the void left by the withdrawal of the imperial administration. The unity of the Roman Catholic Church was the bond that held the people of Western Europe together throughout the chaotic centuries of the middle ages. These events of so long ago were to have a major impact on the course of Irish history. Contrary to popular belief there were Christians in Ireland before St. Patrick arrived. Trading with Roman Britain and Gaul saw to that. Some scholars from Gaul may even have sought refuge in Ireland during the Ger- manic invasion of the Roman Empire. In any case, Christians were sufficiently numerous by the year 431 to justify the appointment of Palladius by Pope Celestine as the first bishop of the Irish who believed in Christ. As a result of popular legend and Patrick's own writings, his reputation as the Apostle of Ireland obscured those of his contemporaries. Even so, his impact was indeed considerable. His main achievement, however, was his ability to inspire a great many fervent followers who, together with their successors, completed the conversion of Ireland and extended their influence throughout Britain and Europe. For the next 400 years the Catholic Church flourished in Ireland. Over 800 monasteries and fifty large churches were founded. Many of the monasteries had an international reputation for piety and learning. The great master- pieces of illuminated manuscripts, 'including the Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow, were produced during this period. Irish monastic expansion reached as far afield as England, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and Austria. This indeed was Ireland's golden age when peace and tranquility reigned and Ireland was free. By the time of the first Viking raids in 795 the early fervor of the monastic movement was in decline. Fewer monasteries were founded and the Vikings destroyed many of the existing ones. By the time of the Norman invasion in 1169 there were few monasteries left. During the fourteenth century there were a few brief revival movements inspired by the introduction of Augustinian and Cistercian monks to Ireland. The monastic life resumed its decline during the fifteenth century, succumbing to poverty and spiritual decline. In 1534 when Henry VIII became Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of Ireland the real political and religious repression of the Irish people began. The penal laws and land confiscation that followed deprived the Catholic population of their religious freedom and livelihood. By the year 1870, the population of Ireland was decimated by famine and emigration and only 3% of the land was owned by Catholics. Since then conditions have improved for the majority of Ireland's Catholics. Both states in Ireland discriminate against their minorities. The 26-county State prevents non-Catholics from following their consciences in such matters as divorce and contraception. The 6-county State openly and blatantly discriminates against Catholics in politics, employment, education and housing. In the new Ireland, with its constitutional guarantees of equal rights and opportunity for all its citizens, religion will no longer play a part in the affairs of state. The separation of Church and State will guarantee the various religious denominations the freedom to attend to the spiritual needs of their adherents. By the same token, the government will not be in the business of legislating morality. Instead, it will cater to the temporal needs of all its citizens including Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and non-believers alike who makeup the entire population.

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