Anti-Austerity Alliance seeks left-wing unity ahead of election

The Anti-Austerity Alliance (AAA) has held a conference in Dublin to discuss moves for unity on the left in advance of the general election.

About 200 people attended the conference at the Red Cow Hotel in Dublin, including the party’s three TDs – Ruth Coppinger, Paul Murphy and Joe Higgins – along with 13 councillors.

The various campaigns in which the movement is engaged were discussed and there were also anti-austerity speakers from Greece and the UK. Mr Murphy said Ireland must end austerity, and tax corporations and high-earners to provide a “real recovery”.

He added that the country needed a political revolution and the building of a mass left movement.

Dublin South Central Labour TD Eric Byrne said the AAA conference was an exercise in recovery-denial, rather than an honest analysis of the country’s improved situation.

“In fact, looking at the issues that are being debated suggests that Paul Murphy et al are more obsessed with misery than recovery. They are relentless in focusing on negativity and despair, while simultaneously whipping up crowds and provoking conflict,” Mr Byrne said.