No more cronyism, no more hidden agendas – let’s just call it straight

AS THE full extent of the nation’s failings becomes visible, we should reflect on what aspects of Irish behaviour and attitudes differ to the rest of the developed western world. What are the cultural issues to address that contribute to us being on the brink of bankruptcy?

The decision-making elite includes the political class, business leaders, professions and opinion leaders. It’s time to look in the mirror. Some argue such analysis is unnecessary self-flagellation. It’s more likely deep denial prevents us from addressing our morass.

Irish culture is not merely about Gaelic art, music and sport. Cronyism is at the heart of the Irish personality. It has many forms. The old school tie provides a network that is self-supporting, based on exclusion and exclusivity. Parochialism breeds a clannish allegiance to colleagues from the same origins. Nepotism has flourished. Second and third generations have a remarkable habit of continuing in top jobs. None of these features amount to corruption, but facilitate poor decision-making, based on false friendship and misguided loyalty.

A core characteristic that can be observed among leaders in the private and public sector is concealment. This is an old style of operation that prevails on the basis of secrecy. It has pervaded the church, boardroom and government departments. Power is wielded with the use of partial, incomplete and limited information.

The Freedom of Information Act and a more vigilant media are active agents of change. The basis of disastrous public relations stems from a failed attempt to cover up the truth. Mandarins and captains of industry need to learn that eventually everything gets out.

We all could learn from the basic drama script of Coronation Street. Repeatedly, they create a storyline whereby a nefarious dark secret is hidden. For months they create a web of deceit – all resulting in an explosion of the truth, with the worst ramifications.

A new spirit of accountability must be a cornerstone of the new Ireland. PR merchants should stop playing the man and start playing the ball. Attacking motivation is no substitute to answering substantive questions. One of the deepest malaises infecting Irish society is the endless hidden agendas.

The best way to celebrate the centenary of our independence in 2016 would be a determination to create a society based on a meritocracy. In every walk of life the best and brightest should rise to the top based on their record of ability, hard work and honesty. The cute hoors in politics, public administration and business thrive by making us all gombeens. The best person should gain the top job. Promotion should be based on what, rather than who, you know. Perhaps it is because of our small population and intimate society we have failed to move away from nudge-and-wink decision-making.

The banking bust is an orphan that has many parents. The most topical scapegoat is Patrick Neary. His failings and that of his office should not be minimised. Equal culpability arises within the Central Bank and the board of the Financial Regulator, which supposedly supervised financial prudence. This board remains intact. The concept of resignation is taboo among the Irish elite.

In Britain, if you mess up, you resign. You get over it. There is life after career death. Subsequent career rebounds are possible for those who persevere. Just ask Peter Mandelson who has resigned twice from cabinet. Our incumbents spend far too long in the one job. A maximum seven-year term of office is optimal both for organisations and individuals.

Enforcement, or the lack of it, is one of our key failings. We legislate and regulate on a par with elsewhere. Thereafter – apathy and ambivalence. Recent examples of such failings include the continuance of head shops, indulgence of ‘boy racers’ on our streets and brazen multiple gangland murders. We debate these issues and determine decisions. The intimation is one of zero tolerance.

Yet, daily activity is almost unaffected. The head shops have reopened with new products. Road deaths of young males abound. There is weekly carnage of gangster shootings. We have a disconnect between verbalising our problems and resolutely resolving them. Implementation is appalling.

The most disastrous trait has been a culture of deference. Maybe because we are a post-colonial society, we innately accepted bullshit. Over the past four decades, allegations of clerical sex abuse against minors were discarded. The Ryan and Murphy Commissions reports reveal amazing attitudes. It was incomprehensible that pillars of the church would have lied systematically. Misguided moral duty protected the abuser instead of the abused.

Charlie Haughey led Fianna Fáil from 1979 to 1992 without anyone knowing the source or extent of donations he received. The public accepted his waves of dismissal when isolated questions were asked about his opulent lifestyle. We were eejits, based on a misconception of respect for high office. There are still remnants of this nonsense. It must be banished – whether it’s the Vatican, Medical Council, Law Library or a revered university. The vision we must aspire to should not throw out the baby with the bath water. Individual and corporate entrepreneurship requires risk-taking. Failure must be anticipated and accepted. Successful entrepreneurs should always be accountable and transparent. The dominant CEO can ultimately be the downfall of any enterprise. The vigilance of boardroom and auditor are the only protections against avarice. Michael Fingleton and Sean FitzPatrick may have had the Midas touch at one time. Within their corporate entity they became subsequently untouchable – with disastrous consequences.

HOW do we achieve a new society and make a fresh start? The last remnants of civil war politics need to be eradicated. The state has to be more secular, with churches at the periphery of decision-making and influence. Corporate governance, where the public’s money is involved, should operate to the strict standards that apply in Britain. Whistleblowers and those confronting the truth should no longer be treated as mavericks. Bullying needs to be replaced with respect. There are times when the end can justify the means in order to get things done. This must be open and transparent.

While we need to amend our procedures and way of doing business, we must not discard our unique personality. Our sense of humour is part of our DNA. Vibrant national conversation is at its best when it is mocking, self-deprecating and winding others up. Our sociability and wit are fundamental to the fun and quality of life here.

The visit of Queen Elizabeth next year represents a symbolic, historic maturity of our nation. We should be at ease with historical painful ironies because we are a state of equal rank.

The creative talents and energy of our thirtysomething Celtic cubs’ generation can deliver further Irish success. They must learn from the mistakes of the current sixtysomethings. They need to be streetwise, without being crooked. This new cohort of leaders can write their own chapter of history. The sooner we make a fresh start the better.