de Valera was okay until he went into Leinster House, or that the opportunism of the Clann na Poblachta leadership red atter their entry into the free State parliament. If we still believe that, then we don't know our own history and we have little concept of the class nature of this struggle.
Even if our history only started yesterday, the right to Republic exists today in the right of the Irish nation to sovereignty, independence and national determination. It is up to us to make that Republic a reality.
We must develop a 32-Countywide political struggle. This is the most important task facing us at While consolidating our base in the 6 Counties, develop a popular struggle here in the 26 Counties to compliment the struggle in the 6-County area. Of necessity this means, advance at the level of people's the removal abstentionism in regard to Leinster mouse do tomorrow but one thing is certain: as Sinn Fein continues to develop its understanding of the needs of this struggle, you are going to do your leadership is going to be back Here ve denver convinced you of this necessity.
The fundamental tenets republicanism remain valid and of course, absolutely central tional difficulties. But no generarepublicans should ever merely teachings of previous generations. Those who were successiul in the past in advancing the republican cause, even by one inch, and modernised the teaching and experiences of their predecessors. THIUS Lalor did, Pearse did, what Connolly did — ana lt 1s wnal we nave lo ao also.
We have to develop a coherent social which provides a rationale for.consistent political as well as armed such a process is one oi continual reinterpretation remmement m response stantly changing social political reality.
The failure to do this in the last only occur- we have a majority in no use. comrades and the of self- policies, thev understand among which the people in order to ficult of up to by us. this Succeed succeed.
untie bas will not provide a solution to all our problems. of struggle heavier upon all of us become the ple, alternative updated republicanism offers.
positions. This what philosophy here, that those abstentionism strategy of taking seats only when Leinster This is advanced by some is, among other things, an admission by them that only mathematics and not princiin time. ple is involved. But it is also as impractical as the dual power theory.
The only feasible way to break political gains, to win support for aevelop organisation and our struggle is by approaching people at the level This is the sad and unfortunate reality of the existing. dilemma facing us. It cannot be dodged by highly moral rhetoric. Vote It is an issue which we must face up This means sinn rein getting people in the basic ways accept. means new approaches and difperhaps risky political positions have to be faced It will mean the difference between another glorious defeat or the development of strategies which can times, The removal of abstentionism 'magic wand Indeed. in this state it merelv clears the decks and it makes the burden of We have to cease being spec. way, tators of a struggle in the 6 Counties pioneers of republicanism in the 26 Counties, putting our policies before the peoconfident of the logic of the I say this means risky political should not The removal of abstentionism allied to implementation of the other necessities I have touched on detailed in other addresses, will initiate an increase in our party membership and could this state. change the political complexion of For unis party, Iis importal beiciole wish to change recommit themselves to this struggle and that those who are opposed to change We need to keep our republican gut. While developing the struggle in the zo Counties we must never lose sight of our national objectives. We must change our strategies but must never let this change our objecaims: we republican party committed to the Dublin overthrow of British rule in Ireland and to the end of partition and combringing about the political and economic changes nec- this essary for the well-being and securi- unabated.
Revolutionary work is work which advances the national independence struggle, and it is the art of politics and political judgement which should determine what work should have priority at any moment No one form of revolutionary work is inherently superior to any other. The judgement of what form of work is required must be made on the basis of what form is most conducive and necessary for the national independence struggle in the particular circumstances currently Republican TDs (members of the 26 County parliament) will act, in one diction the as 0r direction Chomhairle. They will vote in the interests of their constituents, our struggle and this party. I am totally opposed to this party becoming involved in any coalition, at any time, with any of the establishment par ties in Leinster House If we, a agree on specific or if we vote along similar lines, that is fair enough and is acceptable.
Some of you may think that I have dwelt at too much length or this issue of abstentionism. My intention is to place on the historical record now, in a clear and detailed the issues facing this party when we come to consider this contentious issue. We cannot enter into such a historical debate - the long outcome of which could change the face of politics on this island and will certainly change republican politics — without leaving a clear and unambiguous record of why we considered such a step.
Change It a sentence, what I am saying is that it's time for change, not just for republicans but for all the people of the pygmies of Leinster House have had things too easy. For too long they have been allowed a monopoly upon what passes for politics in this part of Ireland and for too long a very sizeable section of Irish citizens have been denied the opportunity to shape and build a relevant, radical and principled alternative to partitionist rule.
The failure to build a republican base in this state has meant that the anti-people policies of successive governments ]Iti plemented with almost no opposi tion and that the lowering of nanonal sour and tne pretence Wal state is a nation goes on Partition is virtually a ract of hite here tor may people who feel powerless to remove it. John Joe McGirl