r/theIrishleft

If I was to have 1 dominant opinion in the current period, it would be that I disagree with all arguments made regarding the subjects of Defence, Diplomacy & Collaboration over International Security. And ALL is the important word, especially with the prospect of an endless number of debates held across multiples stations, media outlets & events set up as forums between the government & opposing activists. Especially in consideration of a routine pattern of arguments that have taken place this week, which would impact a party like the Social Democrats.

 

1)       Having an opinion on spending of defence forces, independent of how that would potentially damage the vocations provided as a worthwhile career.

2)       The value of protecting Irish Diplomacy, irrespective of its impact on the Global Landscape of Conflict at present.

3)       Eagerness to tie in the EU’s €90 Billion loan to fund Ukrainian Defence as crucial to any debate on Neutrality & the Triple Lock, from both sides.

 

For these reasons & more than anything, to the polling results of the public which reflect a more nuanced approach, I believe the left should be open to a different approach as to how we should argue in favour of Neutrality, especially in the climate of the position of the Triple. I’m eager to debate points mentioned.

 

The EU & Ukraine: We can support abstaining from participating in EU Projects which fund Ukraine’s Military budget, and also recognize the argument when Ukraine says the funding helps defend their country. It’s acceptable to admit that the proponents of the €90 Billion loan aren’t planning to spend it on anything other than assisting Ukraine. Dragging this argument out, when we don’t even participate financially, comes off as “over-stretching” into the Foreign Affairs of other EU states, & alienating their amenability to cooperate with regard to regions like Gaza.

 

Campism: It would have helped the Left if the case against non-Irish funding of Ukraine were led by people who were equally critical of Russian & Iranian funding against Ukraine. Irish Neutrality organisations, which are often routinely critical of the government, Fianna Fail & Fine Gael, whilst advertising working with activists who have collaborative ties to Iran & Russia, come across as apathetic to the Ukrainian war. There doesn’t seem to be any space to criticise those that make light of Russian & Iranian involvement. Calling out people who are ambivalent to Russian or Iranian atrocities, would have helped, especially in consideration to attacking the government in relation to Israel.

 

Comparing Two Genocides: Making space for left-wing people who treat Gaza & Ukraine as comparable scenarios, would help the left in collaborating across projects, whilst recognizing that different opinions exist within movements. The left should help bridge outlooks, especially when Iranian support for Palestinian causes is concerned.  The anti-Imperialist view, that avoids confronting the impact of non-Western military engagement against civilians, should make peace with activists who wish to apply justice equally, should be addressed in its absence.

 

NATO: Even as we don’t wish or choose to join it ourselves, we can recognize other EU member states reinforcing their membership of NATO as valuable. Amid further European funding to Ukraine, the prospect of Irish Diplomacy becoming alienated from other EU members states due to stances taken, especially when Gaza is concerned, is a valid topic of debate.

 

Pushing for Peace: There is an argument for the existence of hypocrisy when Gaza is included, particularly when you push for Ukraine to reach for a negotiated settlement with Russian & Vladimir Putin. In the same way we don’t push any Palestinian Authority to push for a negotiated settlement with Israel, the same freedom should be extended to Ukraine. As were not dependent on the trustworthiness of Benjamin Netanyahu, so should we not need to be with Vladimir Putin.

The sixth rally in support of the unfairly dismissed workers at Obsidian and Echo Piercing Studios takes place at 3pm Sunday 5th July at Obsidian Piercing Studio, 37 Church Lane, Belfast.
Sacked over 2 months ago on the 30th April by Pamela Wilson with the assistance of Peninsula HR, for unionising with Organise! IWA and winning their health and safety dispute. Union representation was denied at the last moment and appeals denied.
Despite ongoing hardship the sacked workers remain resolute and determined in their struggle. These young workers need and deserve support. Solidarity is strength.
Boycott Obsidian & Echo Body Piercing.

By their own polling, RedC were only off by 0.8% in the past General Election.

https://redcresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/8374-2025-Business-Post-RED-C-Opinion-Poll-Report-June-2026-1.pdf

To me, 10% sounded *quite high*, so I looked into how II did in the last Local Election.

The 2024 Local Elections saw Independent Ireland experience the largest increase of local councillors out of any Party (23 seats gains).

Seeing them at 10% in Munster made me want to re-fresh my memory.

>Rural Cork

Starting off with the largest Munster county of Cork, I went with the Cork County Local Elections, as we all know that II tends to do better in Rural areas than Urban areas.

They won 4 seats (an increase from zero seats), along with 6.8% FPVs.

These seats meant hitting the quota in Bandon–Kinsale, topping the poll in Bantry–West Cork,, winning the fifth seat in Cobh, and 4th in Skibereen.

Surely, this should result in a new seat? No, because they already have 1/3 seats in Cork-South West, which is where 3/4 of their Councillors represent.

>Cork City

There were only two candidates in this council. Ken O'Flynn, who topped the poll in 2024 and ended up becoming a TD (the other guy was Joe Harris).

>Limerick County

Two new Councillors who are II.

Adare–Rathkeale Cllr. John O'Donoghue, Cllr.Tommy Hartigan

Now, the main reason why I'm bringing up these three constituencies in particular is because they are ***the only three Munster constituencies where Independent Ireland even ran winning candidates***

Kerry, Clare, Waterford? They didn't even bother running a candidate in any LEA.

Tipp is a different story, they ran a single candidate in 4-seat Newport (where a Labour candidate hit the quota! Clearly an audience which is open to II).

The Province of Munster currently returns roughly 43 TDs to the Dáil, Independent Ireland currently returns 3 Munster TDs to the Dáil.

There is not a **single** seat which looks available to II in Munster. What that means is there are going to be a bunch of FFG seats that *look* safe, but cannot be held due to a mathematical impossibility.

Really, this re-inforces what Seamus Costello had to say about the importance of Local Elections. In reality, what this really suggests is that FFG is in danger of losing ground on the Left and the Right.

The prospective Left-Wing Coalition will not benefit from this.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41871837.html