Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Constitution of Sinn Féin (Author: Irish Commandants (whose signatures are appended))
p.915
As adopted by the Árd-Fheis which
met in Dublin on October 25th, 1917.
1
The name of this organisation shall be Sinn Féin.
2
Sinn Féin aims at securing the
International recognition of Ireland as an independent Irish
Republic.
Having achieved that status the Irish people may by referendum
freely choose their own form of Government.
3
This object shall be attained through the Sinn Féin Organisation.
4
WHEREAS no law made without the authority and consent of
the Irish people is or ever can be binding on their conscience
Therefore in accordance with the Resolution of Sinn
Féin adopted in Convention, 1905, a Constituent Assembly shall
be convoked, comprising persons chosen by the Irish Constituencies as
the supreme national authority to speak and act in the name of the
Irish people and to devise and formulate measures for the welfare of
the whole people of Ireland.
Such as:
- The introduction of a Protective System for Irish
industries and Commerce by combined action of the Irish County
Councils, Urban Councils, Rural Councils, Poor Law Boards, Harbour
Boards, and other bodies directly responsible to the Irish
people.
- The establishment and maintenance under the direction of
a National Assembly or other authority approved by the people of
Ireland of an Irish Consular Service for the advancement of Irish
Commerce and Irish interests generally.
- The re-establishment of an Irish Mercantile Marine to
facilitate direct trading between Ireland and the countries of
Continental Europe, America, Africa, and the Far East.
- The industrial survey of Ireland and the development of
its mineral resources under the auspices of a National Assembly or
other national authority approved by the people of Ireland.
- The establishment of a National Stock Exchange.
- The creation of a National Civil Service, embracing all
the employee of the County Councils, Rural Councils, Poor law Boards,
Harbour Boards, and other bodies responsible to the Irish people, by
the institution of a common national qualifying examination and a
p.916
local competitive examination (the latter at the discretion of the
local bodies).
- The establishment of Sinn Féin
Courts of Arbitration for the speedy and satisfactory adjustment of
disputes.
- The development of transit by rail road and water, of
waste lands for the national benefit by a national authority approved
by the people of Ireland.
- The development of the Irish Sea Fisheries by National
Assembly or other National authority approved by the people of
Ireland.
- The reform of education, to render its basis national
and industrial by the compulsory teaching of the Irish language,
Irish history and Irish agricultural and manufacturing potentialities
in the primary system, and, in addition, to elevate to a position of
dominance in the University system Irish agriculture and
economics.
- The abolition of the Poor Law System and substitution in
its stead of adequate outdoor relief to the aged and infirm, and the
employment of the able-bodied in the reclamation of waste lands,
afforestation and other national and reproductive
works.
A special meeting of the Executive may be summoned on three days'
notice by the President on requisition presented to him signed by six
members of the Executive specifying the object for which the meeting
is called.
In case of an urgent emergency the President shall call all members
of the Executive to an urgency meeting, and may take action in the
name of the Executive in case he secures the approval of an absolute
minority of the entire Executive. The action taken is to be reported
for confirmation at next ordinary meeting of the Executive.
That where Irish resources are being developed, or
where industries exist, Sinn Féiners should make
it their business to secure that workers are paid a living wage.
That the equality of men and women in this Organisation be
emphasised in all speeches and leaflets.