A delegation from Wexford Sinn Féin travelled to Belfast on Saturday last (January 11th) to participate in an internal party conference, on Ireland's future role within the EU.
This conference was the latest in a series of policy review conferences, being held prior to the party Ard Fheis, which takes place in March of this year. Wexford Sinn Féin will shortly be hosting a regional conference on the theme of Rural Regeneration.
Speaking afterwards, David Forde of Wexford Sinn Féin, spoke of the wide ranging discussions held in Belfast and of the comprehensive policy document launched.
"European affairs are of increasing consequence in all our lives" said David Forde. At present seventy per cent of all legislation enacted in this State emanates from the EU. On a monthly basis, some 300 directives are forwarded from Brussels and Strasbourg. There are few aspects of Irish political, social and economic life remaining, that the EU does not have a dominant influence over.
"What distinguishes Sinn Féin policy on the EU from that of the establishment parties, is that Sinn Féin actively encourage a policy of critical engagement with the EU, rather than buying directly into the current EU agenda and ethos, without challenge, as most others quite happily do."
"However, it is important that Sinn Féin should not be seen as an 'anti-Europe' party" said David Forde. Rather we encourage a Europe of Equals, in the same manner as we seek to build an Ireland of Equals.
"We want to see a Europe that acts decisively to protect and enhance our lives and our environment. We want to be part of a Europe that is run democratically from the bottom to the top, not the reverse, that is the case today.
"As part of a workshop that dealt with the issue of Irish democratic sovereignty, the Wexford delegation again raised the points made by Cllr John Dwyer, earlier in the week, regarding Irish Neutrality and this governments policy of aligning themselves with the US war on Iraq, despite having assured the people that Irish Neutrality was being affirmed in the Nice referendum.
"These points were taken on board by the conference and there was agreement that Sinn Féin will continue to raise this issue with the government and will actively encourage support for the anti-war day of action planned for February 15th.
