An Conghaileach agus an Ghaeilge

12/07/10

(English version follows)

Thar thréimhse cúpla céad bliain is beag nár éirigh le coilínithe Shasana an Ghaeilge a dhíothú mar theanga dhúchais an phobail dhúchasaigh agus a dteanga féin, an Béarla, a fhorchur mar theanga labhartha nua na tíre. Ní taisme é gur tháinig an Béarla chun cinn i measc an bhunaidh. Ba thogra réamhbheartaithe de chuid ionraitheoirí Shasana é an Béarla a fhorchur mar chéad teanga na hÉireann agus iad ag iarraidh an phobal a raibh dúil acu daoirsiú, a riochtú. Thuig na coilínithe go raibh an teanga agus cultúr Gaelach ina mbagairt dá dtogra coilíneach. Chuimsigh féiniúlacht mhuintir na hÉireann é sin a rinne éagsúil iad: a dteanga agus a gcultúr.

Ba é díothú a bhféiniúlachta an iarracht ba thréine leis na Gaeil dhúchasacha a riochtú agus iad a bhrú faoi chois mar phobal. Is iad teanga agus cultúr uathúil na ndaoine na tréithe is suntasaí dá bhféiniúlacht. Thosaigh togra an riochtaithe leis an iarracht teanga agus cultúr na nGael a dhíothú, polasaí a cuireadh i bhfeidhm i dtíortha eile coilínithe ag Sasana.

Bhí meath na Gaeilge ina thoradh ar roinnt imeachtaí. Faoi 1649 laghdaíodh daonra na hÉireann faoina leath, trí pholasaithe dúnmharfacha Chromail agus díbirt d’éigean na ndeiche míle Éireannach. In 1695 cuireadh na Péindlithe i bhfeidhm a raibh toirmeasc na teanga agus an chultúir Ghaelaigh mar thoradh orthu; mheas na Sasanaigh go raibh na hÉireannaigh cúlánta agus dallintinneach agus brandáladh a dteanga agus a gcultúr sa tslí chéanna.

Bhí bunú na Scoileanna Náisiúnta in 1831 ina bhuille mór don teanga mar bhí an Ghaeilge faoi chosc agus náiríodh agus smachtaíodh na daoine a lean ag labhairt na teanga. Níl aon amhras ann, ag féachaint do na polasaithe agus an modh ina riochtaíodh na hÉireannaigh chun smaoineamh ar a dteanga, gur inmheánaigh na hÉireannaigh dhúchasacha dearcthaí na Sasanach, ag créidiúint go raibh a dteanga dhúchasach cúlánta agus bómánta. Seoladh an t-oideachas ar fad trí mheán an Bhéarla agus thug na polaiteoirí náisiúnacha Éireannacha ag an am a ndroim leis an teanga dhúchasach i bhfábhar an Bhéarla. Neartaigh an beart seo an íomhá gharbh agus bharbarach a bhí ag an nGaeilge. Bhí an Ghaeilge tréithrithe agus féachta ar mar theanga na mbocht. Bhí an Gorta Mór 1845-49 ina bhuille tubaisteach don Ghaeilge. Bhí meath ollmhór ar an daonra i rith na tréimhse seo, tríd ocras agus eisimirce éigeantach, agus mar thoradh air bhí an Béarla mar an teanga ba choitianta ag na daoine agus mar thoradh ar an nGaeilge a bheith ag bordáil ar dhíobhadh.

Le bunadh Chonradh na Gaeilge agus Chumann Lúthchleas Gael ag deireadh na naoú haoise déag rinneadh iarrachtaí athbheochan na Gaeilge agus spóirt na hÉireann a áirithiú agus chun mórtas cine a chur ina luí sna hÉireannaigh dá gcultúr. D’aithin ceannairí Éirí Amach 1916 chun deireadh a chur le himpiriúlachas go deo in Éirinn go mbeadh ar an gcultúr a bheith lárnach sa streachailt do shaoirse na hÉireann. Bheadh athshealbhú a bhféiniúlachta mar chéim thábhachtach sa togra frithimpiriúlachais agus bhí an-chuid de na daoine a ghlac páirt in Éirí Amach 1916 bainteach le hathbheochan na Gaeilge agus leis an CLG.

Ba thacadóir é Séamus Ó Conghaile de chuid ghluaiseacht na teanga agus d’aithin sé gurb é an caipitleachas an príomhchonstaic a bhí ann d’athbheochan na Gaeilge a bhí ag iarraidh féiniúlachtaí náisiúnta, cultúir, nó teangacha go léir a scriosadh:

“The chief enemy of a Celtic revival today is the crushing force of capitalism which irresistibly destroys all national or racial characteristics, and by sheer stress of its economic preponderance reduces a Galway or a Dublin, a Lithuania or a Warsaw to the level of a mere second-hand imitation of Manchester or Glasgow.”

Bhí Éire anois ina leagan eile de Shasana ina labhraíodh Béarla agus ina raibh cultúr na hÉireann caillte. Labhair Ó Conghaile faoin mbealach a ghlac na polaiteoirí agus an Eaglais a bpáirt féin i scriosadh na Gaeilge, ag géilleadh do bhealaí na Sasanach agus ag spreagadh na ndaoine chun a bhféiniúlacht féin a thréigeadh. Thuig sé gurb é toradh ar ghéilleadh do chleachtaí na Sasanach ná scriosadh teanga agus cultúir agus gur chruthaigh sé coimpléasc ísleachta: “It was the beginning of the reign of the toady and the crawler, the seoinín and the slave.”

Tríd a dteanga a thabhairt suas bhí an duine i ndaoirse anois mar sclábhaí an tíoránaigh. Chreid Ó Conghaile in athshealbhú féiniúlachta na hÉireann do mhuintir na hÉireann, ’sé seo an tslí chun geimhle na daoirse a chaitheamh uathu. Tríd ár dteanga agus ár gcultúr a athshealbhú bhíomar ag tabhairt droim le ról an sclábhaí agus ag tógaint ar ais “the distinct character of the Gael”:

“Besides, it is well to remember that nations which submit to conquest or races which abandon their language in favour of that of an oppressor do so, not because of the altruistic motives, or because of a love of brotherhood of man, but from a slavish and cringing spirit. From a spirit which cannot exist side by side with the revolutionary idea.”

Beidh díchóilíniú i ngach cruth ag teastáil do shaoirse mhuintir na hÉireann: aistarraingt na Breataine ó Éirinn, bunú poblachta sóisialaí agus athshealbhú an chultúir agus teanga ár dtíre. Toisc go bhfuil an Béarla mar theanga na heacnamaíochta agus na meán tá baol ollmhór ann do na teangacha dúchasacha go léir, ní amháin don Ghaeilge. Tá muid ábalta dul i ngleic leis an mbaol seo áfach tríd féachaint ar mhaoithneachais iad siúd a throid i 1916, atá chomh coibhneasta inniu is a bhí ansin. Caithfidh muid ár meonta féin a dhíchóiliniú agus ár n-oidhreacht féin de theanga agus cultúr a athshealbhú.

I mbriathra an Chonghailigh:

“The success of our cause is certain – sooner or later. But the welcome light of the sun of freedom may, at any moment, flash upon our eyes and with your help we would not fear the storm which may precede the dawn.”

Connolly and the Irish Language

Over a period of several hundred years the English coloniser managed to almost wipe out the Irish language as the native tongue of the indigenous people and to impose its own language, English, as the new spoken tongue of the country. It is no accident that the English language came to the fore amongst the Irish natives. Imposing English as the first language of Ireland was a pre-meditated project of the English invaders to attempt to condition the people they wished to oppress. The colonisers understood that the Irish language and culture posed a threat to their colonial project. The separate identity of the Irish people comprised that which made them different: their language and culture.

The most powerful attempt to condition the native Irish and to attempt a successful suppression of them as a people was to try and destroy their identity. The most notable aspects of a people’s identity are marked by their unique language and culture. The project of conditioning commenced with the attempt to destroy the Irish language and culture, which was a policy carried out in other countries colonised by England.

A series of events led to the decline of the Irish language. By 1649 the population of Ireland was halved, through the murderous policies of Cromwell and the forced deportation of tens of thousands of Irish. In 1695 the Penal Laws were enforced in which resulted in the proscription of Irish language and culture; the English regarded the Irish as backward and stupid and their language and culture were branded in the same vein.

The foundation of the National Schools in 1831 was a huge blow to the language as Irish was forbidden and those who continued to speak the language were humiliated and punished. Given these policies and the manner in which the Irish had been conditioned to think about their language, it is not surprising that the native Irish people internalised the views of the English, believing their native tongue to be backward and stupid. All education was conducted through English and Irish nationalist politicians at the time abandoned the native language for English. This reinforced the image of the Irish language as representing ignorance and barbarianism. Irish came to be stigmatised and viewed simply as the language of the poor. The Famine of 1845-49 dealt a fatal blow to the Irish language. The massive decline in population during this period, both through starvation and forced emigration resulted in the English language becoming the most common language of the people and as a result the Irish language was on the verge of extinction.

With the founding of Conradh na Gaeilge and the GAA in the late nineteenth century attempts were made to secure the revival of the Irish language and sports and to instil a sense of pride in the Irish for their culture. The leaders of the 1916 Rising recognised that to end imperialism once and for all in Ireland the Irish language and culture would have to be central in the struggle for Irish freedom. Reclaiming their Irish identity would be an important step in the anti-imperialism project and many of those who played a part in the Easter Rising were involved in the revival of the Irish language and in the GAA.

James Connolly was a supporter of the language movement and recognised that capitalism was the main obstacle to the revival of the language which sought to destroy all national identities, cultures or languages:

“The chief enemy of a Celtic revival today is the crushing force of capitalism which irresistibly destroys all national or racial characteristics, and by sheer stress of its economic preponderance reduces a Galway or a Dublin, a Lithuania or a Warsaw to the level of a mere second-hand imitation of Manchester or Glasgow.”

Ireland had now become another version of England where English was spoken and the Irish culture was lost. Connolly spoke of the how the politicians and the Church played their part in the destruction of the Irish language, acquiescing to the ways of the English and encouraging the people to abandon their own identity. He understood that surrendering to English customs resulted in the destruction of language and culture and created in the Irish an inferiority complex: “It was the beginning of the reign of the toady and the crawler, the seoinín and the slave.”

By giving up their language the oppressed had become the slave of the oppressor. Connolly believed in reclaiming the Irish identity for the Irish people, this being the way of throwing off the shackles of oppression. By reclaiming our language and culture we were abandoning the role of the slave and taking back “the distinct character of the Gael”:

“Besides, it is well to remember that nations which submit to conquest or races which abandon their language in favour of that of an oppressor do so, not because of the altruistic motives, or because of a love of brotherhood of man, but from a slavish and cringing spirit. From a spirit which cannot exist side by side with the revolutionary idea.”

The liberation of the Irish people will involve de-colonisation in all forms: a British withdrawal from Ireland, the establishment of a socialist republic and the reclaiming of the culture and language of our country. Because English is the language of economics and the media there is a huge threat posed to all indigenous languages, not only Irish. We can however tackle this threat by looking at the sentiments of those who fought in 1916, which are as relative today as they were then. We must de-colonise our own minds and reclaim our Gaelic heritage of both language and culture.

In the words of James Connolly:

“The success of our cause is certain – sooner or later. But the welcome light of the sun of freedom may, at any moment, flash upon our eyes and with your help we would not fear the storm which may precede the dawn.”

éirígí Warn of Rise in Equally Abhorrent Powers After Section 44 Suspension

10/07/10

éirígí general secretary, Breandán Mac Cionnaith has warned that the announcement that stop and search powers under Section 44 of the British government’s ‘Terrorism Act’ are to be suspended will not mean any decrease in the use of draconian legislation by the PSNI.

Mac Cionnaith said: “As so often has been the case in the Six Counties, the British government continues to maintain a varied range of repressive legislation on the statute books which it can use at will. That is also the case in respect of this so-called suspension – Section 44 will merely be replaced by Sections 21 and 24 of the Justice and Security Act 2007.

Mac Cionnaith continued: “In the first three months of this year, the PSNI made use of powers under Sections 21 and 24 of the Justice and Security Act 2007 to stop, question and search individuals on over 2,000 occasions.

“The Justice and Security Act applies solely and exclusively to the Six Counties. Indeed, the powers available to the PSNI under the Justice and Security Act are undeniably far more wide-ranging than those available under the discredited Section 44 which the European Court ruled in January to be “unlawful”.

“It should be noted that, in September last year, the then Acting Deputy Chief Constable of the PSNI stated that ‘Section 21 of the 2007 Act is extremely useful, in particular because no reasonable grounds are required for it to be exercised’. Those comments alone illustrate the completely arbitrary and rights abusive nature of the Justice and Security Act.

“That such an outrageous statement could be placed on the public record should be a matter of apprehension and great unease to any individual or organisation with an interest in defending and protecting human and civil rights.

“There can be doubt that the coming months will see a tremendous upsurge in the use of Sections 21 and 24 of the Justice and Security Act.”

Mac Cionnaith added: “We in éirígí will be urging domestic and international human rights organisations to closely examine the use and validity of this equally abhorrent legislation with a view to initiating test cases challenging the compatibility of these powers with established European human rights case-law.

“éirígi was one of the very few organisations prepared to consistently challenge the use of Section 44 powers in the Six Counties. We have also previously highlighted the draconian nature of the equally objectionable Justice and Security Act and, as a party, we will continue to mount strenuous opposition to its use.”

éirígí Call for Action on Largo Foods Pay-cut Decision

07/07/2010

éirígí have called for immediate action on behalf of the workers in the ongoing pay dispute at the Largo Foods factory in Gaoth Dobhair. Largo Foods are the producers of food brands such as Tayto and Hunky Dory crisps and the calls come in light of news that the workers in the local factory have been asked to take a 3.5% pay cut despite claims by Largo Foods CEO Raymond Coyle in recent weeks that “business is better than last year”.

Workers at the factory were stunned at the pay cut decision given the continuing success of the business and so last week voted against it. Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig, spokesperson for éirígí Tir Chonaill said, “This is an absolute disgrace that Ray Coyle should be calling on those who work for him to take a pay cut just so he can line his own pockets. He himself stated only weeks ago that his business was strong and successful and if anything was growing, so a decision to cut the wages of his workers only goes to show that the reasoning behind it is solely in his own interest.”

“The workers have already voted to reject the pay cuts, despite shameful threats from some management that the factory could be shut down if the pay proposal was rejected. And despite this democratic decision by the workers, SIPTU in an almost carbon copy plan of the re-vote of the Lisbon Treaty has asked them to reconsider their decision and vote again. SIPTU should be standing with the workers and supporting the vote they have taken”, he said.

Ray Coyle

Mr Mac Giolla Easbuig went on to say, “Údarás na Gaeltachta should also be intervening in this case, not only on behalf of the workers, but the tax-payers as well. Largo Foods received funding from Údarás of €600,000 in recent weeks, a figure which could rise to €950,000, and that money should be used to support the workers, not the capitalist interests of big businessmen. To date, Údarás have taken a stance of non-interference in this issue and that disgraceful stance should be roundly condemed”

He concluded by saying “Largo Foods is clearly not in any economic difficulty and it is completely unacceptable that this company should be allowed to treat its workers in such a manner, especially given the fact that it has benefited from state funding to such a degree. Everyone should be rallying behind the workers to support them in their decision to reject these pay cuts. I would also call on the workers now to organise and consider action if the intimidation continues and pay cut is carried out and for the local community to support them in any action they take and to show that the working people will no longer be walked on by big business and capitalist greed.”

Cuirfear in éadan Cuairt Ríoga

05/07/2010

(English version follows)

Mhaígh an páirtí poblachtach sóisialach éirígí go gcuirfidh siad in éadan aon chuairt stáit ag Elizabeth Windsor ar na Sé Chondae Fichead. Tagann an ráiteas i ndiaidh gur tugadh le fios le laethanta beaga anuas go raibh an Taoiseach Brian Cowen ar son cuireadh a thabhairt do Bhanríon Shasana tar éis dó bualadh le David Cameron i Sráid Downing, Londain.

I ndiaidh an chruinnithe i Sráid Downing, dúirt Brian Cowen nach raibh aon chonstaic ann anois a chuirfeadh bac ar chuairt stáit. Thug sé le tuiscint freisin go dtiocfadh leis an chuairt tarlú roimh dheireadh na bliana seo chugainn agus dúirt go raibh tús curtha anois leis an chuairt a shocrú idir rialtas Átha Cliath agus oifig Cameron.

Ag labhairt i ndiaih na fógartha, dúirt urlabhraí éirígí Thír Chonaill Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig, “Tá aineolas agus neamhghoilliúnacht Brian Cowen agus é ag moladh cuairt Bhanríon Shasana ar na Sé Chondae Fichead dochreidte, go háirithe chomh luath seo i ndiaidh fhoilsiú thorthaí Infhiosrú Saville. Tá an chuma air go bhfuil dearmad sásta déanta aige gur ise ardcheannasaí fhorsaí armtha na Breatine agus go bhfuil sise agus rialtas na Breataine maraon freagrach as ghnímh a hairm.

“Tá liosta gan chríoch de choireanna brúidiúla fágtha ar an arm sin sa tír seo, agus bheadh a leithéid de chuireadh agus cuairt dá bharr ina mhasla d’íobartaigh foréigean stáit na Breataine,” arsa é.

Chríochnaigh an t-uasal Mac Giolla Easbuig, “Déanann a ról mar ardcheannasaí go bhfuil sise agus a rialtas freagrach as forghabháil leanúnach na Sé Chondae, áit ina bhfuil na mílte de thrúpaí ar lonnú inniu. A fhad is a leanann an fhorghabháil seo níl fáilte roimpi in Éirinn. Cuirfimidne in éirígí in éadan aon chuairt stát de chuid Bhanríon Shasana go gníomhach agus má chinneann rialtas na Sé Chondae Fichead leanúint lena cuireadh glaoifimid orthu siúd uilig a bhfui in éadan na cuairte seo teacht ar na sráideanna in agóid agus tá súil againn go dtiocfaidh daoine eile linn sa ghlao sin. Níor chóir go mbeadh cuairt ríoga ann go dtí go bhfuil cúlú na Breataine ann, agus cuirfidh in éadan a leithéid de chuairt.”

Royal Visit Will Be Opposed

Irish socialist republican political party éirígí, has stated that it will oppose any state visit to the Twenty-Six Counties by Elizabeth Windsor. Their statement comes after it emerged in recent days that An Taoiseach Brian Cowen was in favour of extending an invitation to the monarch after he had met with David Cameron in Downing Street, London.

Following the meeting in Downing Street, Brian Cowen said no obstacle now existed to prevent the state visit. He also suggested the visit could come before the end of next year and stated that the process of arranging such a visit had now begun between the Dublin government and Mr Cameron's office.

Speaking following the announcement, éirígí Tir Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig said, “The ignorance and insensitivity of Brian Cowen to suggest a visit of the English Queen to the 26 counties is astounding, especially so soon after the publishing of the findings of the Saville Inquiry. He seems to have conveniently forgot that she is the commander in chief of the British Armed Forces and so along with the British Government bears responsibility for her army's actions.”

“That army has an endless list of brutal crimes attributed to it which have been carried out by it in this country and any such invitation and subsequent visit would be an insult to the victims of that British state violence,” he said.

Mr Mac Giolla Easbuig concluded by saying, “Her position as commander in chief also leaves her and her government responsible for the continuing occupation of the Six Counties, where thousands of her troops are still stationed today. While this occupation continues she is not welcome in Ireland. We in éirígí will actively oppose any state visit by the English Queen and if the 26 County Government decide to go ahead with their invitation we will call for all those opposed to her visit to take action and come on to the streets in protest and we hope others will join us in our call. If there is no British withdrawal then there should be no Royal visits and any such a plan should be vigorously resisted.”

éirígí Slam Largo Foods Intimidation of its Workers

02/07/10

éirígí Tír Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig has called on Ray Coyle, the CEO of Largo Foods, to publicly clarify his immediate plans for the company’s operations in Gaoth Dobhair. His concerns come amid suggestions from within the company that they are about to shut down completely in Donegal as workers defied threats of closure to reject pay cuts.

According to Mac Giolla Easbuig, the behaviour of Coyle and the company towards their employees and the taxpayer who has invested heavily in this company, has been despicable. He said:

“Management were trying to impose a pay cut of 3.5% on their employees. With employees being balloted on the proposal midweek, on Monday a senior manager threatened workers that if they rejected the pay cuts, that Largo Foods would shut the plant and pull completely out of Donegal.”

He added: “Despite such blatant and unacceptable bullying and intimidation, the workers democratically, and justifiably, rejected Coyle’s attempts to impose pay cuts on them.

“This is just another example of employers trying to use the recession to drive down workers’ wages and conditions despite there being no justification for doing so. Indeed, in an interview with the Irish Times only last week [June 25], Coyle is quoted as saying that ‘business is better than last year’ as he boasted about increased sales as a result of his recent controversial ad campaign.

“Such has been the increase in sales that they have created 36 new jobs at their Ashbourne plant in Meath and just over a week ago it was announced that Údarás na Gaeltachta (courtesy of the tax payer) were investing €600,000 [£497,000], and possibly up to €950,000 [£787,000], into Arán Pita Teo, a subsidiary of Largo Foods. Quite clearly this is a company that is not in economic difficulties and their attempts to impose pay cuts are solely about greed and increased profits at workers expense, using the recession as an excuse.”

He continued: “Following the workers’ rejection of the cuts, we have been approached by quite a number of employees and members of the public who are extremely concerned for the future of these jobs and who are appalled by the actions of Coyle and his management. His actions have been despicable, especially considering that it has been his workers labour that has made this company a success.”

Mac Giolla Easbuig concluded: “It is completely unacceptable that a company that has benefited to such an extent from state funding should now treat its workforce and the local community, who will also suffer if these jobs are lost, in such a shabby manner. We are calling now on Ray Coyle to publicly clarify the position of Largo Foods in Donegal. We would also urge the workers to organise themselves to resist any further intimidation by the company and for the local community to also rally behind the workforce in order to support the workers and their families.”

éirígí Claim Social Housing Leasing Scheme is another “bail-out for developers”

02/07/2010

éirígí Tír Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig has described the Social Housing Leasing Scheme currently being operated by Donegal County Council and other Councils around the state as another “bail-out for developers”.

Under the scheme introduced by the Fianna Fáil/Green party coalition last year, Councils are entering into lease arrangements with property owners for periods of between 10 – 20 years. Among the benefits the developer will secure is that properties will be tenanted, managed and maintained by the local authority. Rent will be guaranteed for the entire period of the lease and will be an ‘inclusive’ rent to include all rates, charges and taxes that may apply to the leased property. The houses will be provided unfurnished and on ‘repair and insure’ basis where the Local Authority will be responsible for the insurance, maintenance and general repair of the properties.

MacGiolla Easbuig: “There are now in the region of 100,000 families on local authority housing waiting lists throughout this state, well over double the figures from ten years ago. Here in Donegal, there are around 500 families currently in need of housing on Donegal County Council's waiting list.” He added: “While the administration in Leinster House claim that this scheme is to assist these families on waiting lists, it is nothing of the sort. It is yet another scheme by Fianna Fáil to bail-out developers using tax-payers money once again.”

“Having local councils basically paying the mortgages of property developers and maintaining their properties at tax payers expense for between ten or twenty years is a scandalous and unjustifiable move. The developers who built these houses, driven by greed and a belief that they could make themselves rich on the backs of working families by selling the properties at grossly over-inflated prices, have now been left unable to sell them as the economy collapsed.”

“Along with the policies of this government and the bankers, this unbridled greed by developers also contributed greatly to the current economic crisis. Now their Fianna Fáil cronies are rescuing them by means of this long term scheme which sees tax payers pay to protect these developers investments while the developer doesnt have to spend a cent or lift a finger.”

“Fianna Fáil are happy to see families lose their homes and hundreds of thousands of people lose their jobs. They are happy to impose savage cuts in income for low paid workers and welfare recipients. They are happy to see our young people emigrate once again and they are more than happy to shut hospitals and reduce and remove essential health services.”

He concluded: “However, when it comes to allowing developers take a loss or go out of business as a result of their greed, thats a step too far. Fianna Fáil insist that they must be protected, just like the banks. That's what this scheme is about. That's Fianna Fáil priorities for you.”