Eire Nua – the federal proposal

By Des Dalton

Since the ‘Stormont Agreement’ the establishments on both sides of the Irish sea and the Atlantic, have attempted to portray the ‘Agreement’ as the “only show in town”. Debate has been reduced to the level of being pro or anti ‘Agreement’. The only alternative considered is direct rule. Whilst the media gives limited publicity to criticism from ‘Dissident Republicans’, none is given to any alternative beyond current partitionist arrangements, Thus Republican Sinn Fein welcomes this opportunity to put forward the only credible alternative which would provide space for all the Irish people to determine their future by creating an Ireland based on the principles of all-Ireland democracy.

Since April 1998 the ‘Agreement’ has been in an habitual state of crisis. The various institutions established under its terms have been suspended four times. RSF warned at the time that it would lead to greater polarisation, to increased sectarian attacks by loyalists, and heightened fears amongst Unionists. It has institutionalised sectarianism and reinforced divisions. One community believed it would lead to Irish unity. the other that it would strengthen the Union. Most importantly it denies the unity of the Irish nation and in so doing fails to address the root cause of conflict in our country.

The EIRE NUA programme was formulated as a means of allowing the Irish people to move away from failed partitionist structures imposed on Ireland under the Treaty. The philosophy which underpins EIRE NUA are set out in its introduction ‘A New Beginning’. EIRE NUA provides for strong provincial and local government in a federation of the four provinces. It is designed to ensure that all citizens can participate in democratic self-government. It guarantees that no group can dominate or exploit another. Under this programme all traditions in Ireland can make a valuable contribution to the nation. The programme makes it possible to bring together all the positive forces in the country. EIRE NUA provides the basis for progressive social, economic and cultural policies. The governmental structures outlined provide for a National Parliament or Dail Eireann, four Provincial Parliaments, 14 Regional Boards and a series of District Councils. Community Councils are also proposed which would represent close-knit communities, based on centres such as a District Council electoral area.

Its central thrust is maximum devolution of power from national to provincial, regional to local or community level. Provincial Parliaments will be elected by the people of each province according to a system of Proportional Representation. Their primary functions will be to co-ordinate development in the various regions within the province. It will also be responsible for social, economic and cultural development within the region, as well as the development and expansion of third level education within the province. Unionists and Nationalists would have real and meaningful input and control over the political, social, economic and cultural life of their province, regions and communities. Governmental structures would be accountable to those who elected them. Regional Boards would be responsible for the social, economic and cultural life within clearly defined economic regions.

They would consist of representatives of district councils within the region, elected by PR and expert representatives appointed by the provincial parliament. Regional Boards would also have responsibility for health care within the region. District Councils would be elected by the people of a clearly defined area covering a population of 10,000 to 40,000 people. They would be responsible for the welfare and security of the community, job creation and regulations governing employment standards of work, trading practices, etc., and primary and secondary education within their respective areas, as well as a wide range of areas affecting community life such as social welfare services, housing, planning and environmental development. The voluntary Community Councils could be established so as to ensure that the concerns and priorities of their communities are heard.

EIRE NUA proposes a new All-Ireland constitution which would be put to the people of Ireland for adoption and which would include a Charter of Rights which enshrines fundamental rights such as freedom of conscience, religion, ethical or political beliefs, freedom of expression, right to education, housing, food and medical care. It proposes that the European Convention on Human Rights be made part of the internal domestic law of the New Ireland.

Under the Constitution the National Parliament would elect 50% under PR and 50% in equal numbers from each of the provincial parliaments. The parliament would elect a President who would act as head of state as well as Prime Minister. It would elect a government consisting of a limited number of ministers nominated by the President. Parliament would be responsible for formulating foreign policy and maintaining Irish neutrality as well as representing the Irish people in any international forum such as the UN. The National Parliament will initiate national legislation, through its own deputies, central government, a provincial parliament, or an initiative.

EIRE NUA provides a mechanism for true participatory democracy whereby decisions which effect peoples everyday lives are taken at a level where those making them are accountable to the people in the respective regions or communities. Decentralisation is not about simply moving civil servants around the country. It is about establishing governmental structures and services in each province and region. RSF President Ruairi O Bradaigh stated in his appeal to the Unionist people: “We believe that neither London or Dublin can guarantee the future welfare of the people of Ulster. Only the people of Ulster themselves can do that and they can best achieve it by taking their rightful place, as equals, in the historic Irish nation, where their rights would be guaranteed by a new constitution and they would have access to real power”.

We ask everybody to consider the EIRE NUA programme for a federal Ireland. Unionists could still have a working majority in a nine county Ulster, subject to the checks and balances of the new structures. EIRE NUA provides a tangible mechanism by which Wolfe Tone’s dream of substituting the common name of Irish man or woman for Protestant, Catholic or Dissenter, can be realised.

The views expressed by our contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect that of the editorial committee.

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