"We have learned that the Hackney branch of the CPGB hosted a public meeting with representatives of Saoirse on July 4. We welcome this as the latest in a consistent line of struggle an support for Irish POWs by the CPGB.

"Through the CPGB work on the struggle in Ireland, you would also be aware that this department represents a sizeable number of socialist/republican POWs, four of whom -- Liam Heffernan, Martin McMonagle, Eamonn O'Donnell and Sean Cruikshank -- are serving length sentences in prisons throughout England (since transferred to Maghaberry Gaol in the six occupied counties of Ireland).

"In keeping with the stand taken by the CPGB in defence of IRSP/INLA POWs, we would appreciate it if comrades would raise the following points with Saoirse:

• "Saoirse campaign on behalf of republican prisoners, yet their literature fails to mention the existence of IRSP/INLA POWs.
  
• "Part of the Saoirse campaign includes the erection of boards in each area listing the names of POWs from that area held in prison and seeking local support for their release. On none of these boards does a name of a local IRSP/INLA POW appear. Why?
  
• "Does Saoirse intend their campaign, whilst calling for the freedom of all political prisoners, to reflect only the viewpoint of the IRA prisoners? If so, why not have the honesty to state this, instead of promoting a non-existent broadly based prisoners' support group? Leave the respective POW departments to get on with it.
  
• "Are Saoirse willing to meet with representatives of the IRSP/INLA POW Department to discuss these matters?

"As representatives of a movement who had, and have, prisoners involved in every level of prison protest, including three -- Patsy O'Hara, Kevin Lynch and Micky Devine -- who gave their lives in the 1981 hunger strike, we feel entitled to request that these matters are raised in an open forum by comrades committed to the cause of the Irish working class."

The IRSP POW Department spokesperson concluded by welcoming this opportunity to renew contacts with the CPGB (previously known as The Leninists) and that the IRSP hoped for a "future of health debate an co-operation."