%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% IRISH CONGRESS of TRADE UNIONS recommends pay claim of 4.7% to 6% in private sector for 2026 THE guidance was issued with the unanimous agreement of the Congress Private Sector Committee. The recommendation comes as Irish workers face continued pressure from inflation. Over the past four years, the Consumer Price Index has climbed 18.9%, significantly eroding household … Continue reading Organised Labour
Politics
The Boundary Commission 1924-25
JANUARY 26 LABOUR COMMENT The Boundary Commission 1924-25 JANUARY 26 LABOUR COMMENT The Boundary Commission 1924-25 COMMISSION established in 1924, in accordance with Article 12 of the Anglo-Irish 'Treaty'. Its brief was— "to determine in accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants, so far as may be compatible with economic and geographic conditions, the boundaries between Northern … Continue reading The Boundary Commission 1924-25
Keeping The Barbarians At Bay!
European civilisation is threatened with destruction yet again! And yet again Britain is to the fore in defending it by getting others to fight for it. But this time Ireland stands four square with it against the barbarians. Russia is to the fore, threatening civilisation this time. Last time it was the force that saved … Continue reading Keeping The Barbarians At Bay!
Germany Rewrites its History
Pat Walsh Germany is changing and rewriting its history. Two recent visits to Berlin, Munich and Nuremberg has convinced me of this. The change is very evident over the last decade. The first way it has been changing is in attempting to ease Russia in as the great demon of history, beside Nazi Germany, and … Continue reading Germany Rewrites its History
Donal Mahon Kennedy, 28/12/1941- 9/10/2025
OBITUARY Donal Mahon Kennedy, 28/12/1941- 9/10/2025 Friends of Donal and readers of this magazine will be well aware of Donal’s erudition on politics and history particularly in relation to Ireland and also on world affairs. This together with his passion, wit and humour made him a most attractive personality. I first became aware of these … Continue reading Donal Mahon Kennedy, 28/12/1941- 9/10/2025
EU Empire Building!
Eamon Dyas The question is, how have we reached the point where the European Commission has assumed that it has the authority to formulate Europe’s foreign policy? This situation has evolved from the way in which Russia’s military operation in Ukraine has been framed as a threat to Europe. It is on the back of … Continue reading EU Empire Building!
The CDU: A Ruling Party In Transition!
German Perspectives The big furore in parliamentary politics has been a dispute between Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul—both Christian Democrats (CDU). They have been on a collision course. Wadephul, back from an official visit to Syria, declared that the level of destruction there was worse than Germany faced in … Continue reading The CDU: A Ruling Party In Transition!
ORGANISED LABOUR DECEMBER IPR
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SIPTU Biennial Delegate Conference SIPTU General Secretary Elect, John King, called for: “a renewal of trade union activism and reclaim lost ground, to rebuild, to renew, to recapture the hearts and minds of working people” when addressing delegates in Galway for their Biennial Delegate Conference (November 11/13, 2025). The Conference brought together more than … Continue reading ORGANISED LABOUR DECEMBER IPR
The Republic Upheld!
Labour Comment, Cork Vol 43, no 12 Eamon de Valera On Beginning Of 'Civil War' Poblacht na hEireannn War News. No. 2, Thursday, 29 June, 1922. AT the last meeting of Dail Eireann an Agreement was ratified which, if faithfully observed, would have given us an opportunity of working for internal peace and of … Continue reading The Republic Upheld!
Budget 2026—Editorial
The Irish economy continues to be buoyant, notwithstanding the uncertain global economic environment. GDP growth rates are expected to be 10%, 1% and 4% for 2025, 2026 and 2027 respectively. (The large growth rate in 2025 and low rate in 2026 reflects multi-nationals bringing forward production and sales in 2025 to avoid Trump’s tariffs.) There … Continue reading Budget 2026—Editorial