The CPI,IRSP and Eirigi all claim to to wish to found all Ireland socialist republic but i cant immediately spot the differences between these party's that would warrant them being separate entity's so maybe so of the more enlightened comrades here can explain to me their ideological differences if any ?
The IRSP is a split from Official Sinn Fein - Eirigi is a split from Provisional Sinn Fein - and the CPI are a bunch of geriatrics sitting in a bookshop with the last man standing getting the deeds to a valuable building (at least it was before the property crash)
so no real ideological differences then ?
JRG was correct, the IRSP split from OSF in 1974, and Eirigi split from PSF only a few years ago. Ideologically wise the difference is that the IRSP are Marxist-Leninists, while Eirigi claim to be Republican Socialists but haven't nailed their colors to the mast so to speak, as in they have not clarified exactly "how socialist" they are. Membership wise the IRSP is strongest in Derry (specifically in the Galliagh and Shantallow area of the city), Strabane and Belfast. Literally a none entity in the South but with some small membership scattered around the south. As for Eirigi they are strongest in Dublin and Belfast with membership scattered all around Ireland, primarily comprised of ex-provos and a new generation of younger members. As for the CPI they exist almost exclusively in Dublin. Their membership is quite old but from my encounters with them they are very knowledgeable and able. I have alot of time for the CPI, the are out and out Marxist-Leninists. Their membership is small and their influence in communities is non-existant. They have some key members working in Unions around Ireland but their influence is negligible. Once were a much stronger force, especially around the 1960's and 1970's. Ideologically wise I would see the IRSP alot more compatable with the CPI than with Eirigi at the minute but that is only my subjective opinion.
