Happy International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples

Ógra Aontú want to wish everyone a very happy International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

Speaking today, spokesperson for the group, Gráinne Nic Philib, said: "This is a very important day in the UN's calendar. We think today especially of displaced people around the globe, and those who throughout history have been targeted by aggressors, those who have been run off their land, and those whose cultures have been under threat".

Gráinne continued: "We think in particular of our Aborigine and Native American friends and closer to home; members of our Travelling community in Ireland. As a teacher with a deep love for the Irish language, I would like to take this opportunity to call on the government to do more to preserve, protect and grow our native language which so many have sought to, but failed to, erase from our island over centuries".

Gráinne continued: "We should be working to ensure the preservation of Gaeltacht areas and native Irish populations - one key way of promoting our language is to increase the number of Gaelscoileanna in the country, and this is something we in Ógra Aontú will continue to push for. We wish everyone an enjoyable day. We will continue to speak out strongly against ethnic cleansing and all forms of attacks on indigenous populations across the globe"

CRÍOCH

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.