Never mind Bertie - listen to real socialists

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern’s description of himself as a socialist is a comical attempt to re-cast Fianna Fail as a caring party.

However, it has raised real questions about what socialism really is. Marxism 2004 is an annual event that can only be described as a feast of socialist ideas.

With more than 40 meetings and speakers from a variety of left-wing backgrounds, it has built a reputation as a major centre for debate and discussion. This year the anti-capitalist conference takes place in the Arts Block, Trinity College Dublin, throughout this weekend, beginning today.