eirigi registers as political party in 26 counties

eirigi chairperson Brian Leeson has announced the registration of the organisation as a political party within the Twenty-Six Counties. The registration was formally confirmed by Leinster House officials this week.

At the May 2009 eirigi Ard Fheis, the membership voted in favour of officially registering the party with Leinster House. That process is now complete, Leeson said on Saturday.

Mr Leeson said registration with Leinster House was a logical step for the organisation, as it positions the it as “an increasingly credible and viable alternative” to the parties of the political establishment across Ireland.

In contrast, Republican Sinn Fein, which does not recognise the legitimacy of the 26 County government, has always refused to register as a party with the Dublin parliament. Its candidates traditionally stand for election to local councils as independents.

“eirigi knows that the elected institutions of the Twenty-Six County state are incapable of bringing about the radical change that Ireland is crying out for, but we also know that we cannot pretend that that these institutions do not exist,” said Leeson.

“Following a lengthy period of internal debate, the party membership took the decision last May to challenge these institutions both from within and without.

“Registration with Leinster House will provide eirigi with an additional platform from which to challenge the inequalities and exploitation that are perpetuated by the institutions of the Twenty-Six County state.”

He continued: “As revolutionaries, we in eirigi understand that, ultimately, Leinster House, Stormont and all of the other institutions of those two failed states will have to fall before they can be replaced with the genuinely democratic institutions of a new all-Ireland Socialist Republic. This revolutionary change will only come about through the building of a new mass social movement, consisting of working class communities, trades unions, cultural organisations, residents’ associations, political parties, individuals and more besides.

“That movement will need to challenge the ruling class at every opportunity, not only through elections and elected institutions but, more importantly, in working class communities, on the streets and in the workplace. Four years after its foundation, eirigi is more committed than ever to playing its part in the creation of an Ireland that truly values the worth of each and every citizen equally.”

Urgent Appeal