Labour Youth may appeal to Obama over Shannon use

THE LABOUR Youth annual conference this weekend is to debate a motion calling on Barack Obama to end the use of Shannon airport by US troops.

The conference, which will run until Sunday evening, will discuss sending a letter of congratulations to the president-elect and requesting that he end the Iraq war, close down Guantánamo and stop extraordinary rendition.

Some 70 delegates are expected to attend the conference in Limerick, representing 1,000 Labour Youth members around the country, including members from four new branches at NUI Maynooth, Dublin City University, DIT Tallaght and the University of Limerick.

Party leader Eamon Gilmore will give the keynote address at the conference, which will also be addressed by local Labour deputy Jan O’Sullivan and party president Michael D Higgins.

Outgoing chairman of Labour Youth Enda Duffy said there had been an increase in interest in the party on campuses around the country this year.

“Students are much more politically aware now because of their dissatisfaction with the Government.

“They are unhappy about the increase in registration fees and the proposal to reintroduce college fees. They are willing to go out there and campaign.”

He said the motion on Mr Obama would mandate the executive to write to him about their concerns.

Other issues to be discussed include the 21st Century Commission, set up to examine the Labour Party and how it operates.

Delegates will also discuss a possible rerun of the Lisbon Treaty, the nationalisation of the banks, as well as electing new executive members and forming policies for the coming year.