Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney will travel to Iceland this weekend to meet with Nordic Green Left Parties and other significant parties on the European Left.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Kearney said,
“The conference this weekend will include leadership delegates of key Left Parties from across Europe, including the Nordic countries, Denmark, Germany, Greece and Cyprus, and elsewhere.
“Among the topics under discussion will be the political situation in each country, as well as issues such as the humanaritian crisis, the closure of borders, and the poverty and economic instability which is affecting European countries.
“I will have an opportunity to provide our colleagues with a political and economic analysis of developments in Ireland, North and South.
“I expect there to be intense interest in the unfolding election results over the weekend from the southern general election.
“I look forward to reporting on the news of increased seat gains for Sinn Féin in the next Dáil, and also discussing our very advanced preparations for the Assembly elections in May.
“The issue of a potential Brexit is seriously exercising political opinion across Europe and this will be addressed in detail at the conference.
“I will be setting out Sinn Féin’s position of opposition to Brexit and our commitment to promoting a Social Europe. I will also provide a detailed assessment of what a Brexit would mean in terms of lost investment, negative implications for border controls and common travel, and the protection of workers and other rights.
“This weekends conference is an important opportunity to expand international, progressive and anti austerity alliances, to develop broader European opposition to a potential Brexit, and also to build on the considerable support which exists within the European left for the Irish Peace Process”.
Hopefully they will have an opportunity to look at the remarkable way Iceland reimagined itself after the financial crash and turning absolute disaster into a tourist attraction and using innovation and their existing natural resources rebuilt their economy without having to suffer the harsh levels of austerity favoured by the EU. They have an amazing story and are attracting economic conferences over it.
Ireland should be doing the same over conflict resolution.
Iceland, like Ireland has a rich cultural heritage. It is accepted that Irish monks as far back as the eighth century played a major role in in establishing a stable sea route between Iceland and Ireland. I recommend trips to Oileáin Í and an Íoslainn to anyone with a current bucket list. Iceland did not escape the financial crash in 2008 and volcanic ash from the eruption under Eyjafjallajokull (glacier of Eyjafjol) in 2010 disrupted air travel in northern Europe for weeks. In spite of bankers and nature, the people of Iceland, like the people of Ireland continue to demonstrate an ability to endure against all the odds.
One can only hope that elected representatives will act in the best interests of all the people in the 32 counties of Ireland. Time was wasted in ad hominem arguments prior to the election. The people have spoken. Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee politics have been rejected. Elected representatives now reflect a diverse range of views and opinions. Now is the time to establish a government that reflects the stated views of the Irish people, not the Gnomes of Zurich. The Irish people need another election as much as they need a volcanic eruption.