THE CURRENT FINE GAEL/LABOUR government like the previous Fianna Fail/Green administration has betrayed the democratic principles of the 1916 Proclamation, said councillor Declan Bree when he addressed those attending the United Left People First annual Easter 1916 Commemoration Ceremony in Sligo on Easter Sunday.
Led by flag-bearers carrying the Tri-colour and the Plough and the Stars, participants in the ceremony marched from Cairns Drive to the Republican Plot in Sligo cemetery to hear Cllr Bree deliver the oration.
“The current Fine Gael/Labour government has surrendered our economic sovereignty to the Troika, imposing a vicious austerity programme which forces ordinary people to pay the debts of rogue bankers, speculators and developers.” said Cllr Bree.
“Today thousands of our young people are again being driven to emigrate, forcibly scattered across the globe because this state cannot afford them the most basic of human rights, the right to work and the right to have a home.
“At the same time we have to endure the sickening sight of the EU elite speeding through the streets of Dublin in their BMW’s and being wined and dined by Labour and Fine Gael in Dublin Castle.
“We urgently need to build a united resistance against the policies of the Troika and the Fine Gael/Labour administration, drawing all the many local campaigns around the country behind a people’s rejection of austerity.” said Cllr Bree.
Following the oration as a lone piper played a lament, Mr Marcus Murray laid a wreath on behalf of the United Left People First, Ms Philomena Dunne laid a wreath on behalf of the Connolly Forum and Mr Thomas Banks laid a floral tribute on behalf of the People’s Movement. The ceremony concluded with the National Anthem.