Archive for May, 2006

What is this place going to look like in 20 years time? What countries will be Ireland’s allies? Will we remain corporate America’s favourite European country? Or will we be eclipsed by our newer EU neighbours, particularly those to the East, who will copy our tax breaks and undercut us?

What goes up must come down, and go up again, and come back down

This morning, the news was grave. It focused on problems in social partnership. The reporter adopted momentous tones and outlined solemnly the impending disaster that was about to befall us if these giants of modern Irish economics could not hammer out a deal. You could swear a financial hurricane of Katrina proportions was about to rip through Ireland, devastating everything in its wake.

“But no man has the right to fix the boundary to the march of a nation.”

“No man has a right to say to his country: Thus far shalt thou go, and no further.”

Strolling down Parnell Street last week, in the shadow of the Parnell monument, it�s hard not to reflect on the great man’s epithet. Such sentiments have rarely rung so true as now -130 years after this famous speech in Cork was made. Ireland is certainly marching, but to where and led by whom? Who is trying to fix a boundary?

Many moons ago, fifty two years back to be precise, my Dad and a few other local lads founded Dalkey United. In its first year, the team won the Wicklow Cup and League. The fact that Dalkey wasn�t considered Dublin at all, rather it was sufficiently far away to be part of Wicklow, evidences how small pre-suburban Dublin must have been. Over the years, the club – which was put on the map by Paul Mc Grath – has been at the centre of the town�s life. My own 1980s schoolboy team weren’t up to much, but even so, when we were growing up, there was never any doubt that we would pull on the white and black strip of Dalkey Utd and march out proudly to be hammered by the likes of Rory O� Conner Park Celtic, Patrician Villas, Ballybrack Boys or the mighty Joeys of the ‘Noggin.

Forensic science is hip at the moment. CSI Miami, with its distinctive brand of laboratory chic, is still top of the TV ratings. It has long since elbowed out traditional whodunnit-style detectives. People want other explanations, new scientific and technological possibilities. Old-school programmes built on plots, detective work, motives and grassing gangsters are out; forensics are in.

So what’s the big idea? What would make you sit up and listen? What’s the pitch to the average person?

Listening to the Fine Gael Ard Fheis over the past few days, it is difficult to see what it might do differently. It is also easy to conclude that Fine Gael hasn’t yet twigged that it is in opposition. It sometimes does not seem hungry enough.

To use the phrase of the great JK Galbraith � who passed away this week – the two-handed economist is now “conventional wisdom” Much has been made, particularly by JFK, about how hard it is to get a straight answer from an economist. It is alleged that we are constantly referring to “the one hand and the other hand” rather than getting to the point without prevarication. This might be a bit harsh but it is now “conventional wisdom”.

Why are the Irish so obsessed with owning property? Why do we continue to ignore the warning signs? Are the predictors of doom just determined to wreck our great boom buzz or are they wiser than most? Will it all end in tears? How on earth can first-time buyers get their foot on the property ladder this side of Gort?

Credit Unions were one of the greatest innovations in Irish life. Of all the political initiatives that John Hume spearheaded, his championing of credit unions may turn out to be his most radical.

Credit liberates people and John Hume realised that access to credit was a civil rights issue. Without credit, people will never achieve their potential. The credit union was the life-line for thousands of people the established banks would not talk to.