Industrial policy is outdated

Our industrial policy is based on the thinking of Sean Lemass. It is outdated. Multinational companies over-represent industry in Ireland.

Irish industry, and the Irish economy, please foreigners. The needs of Ireland take second place.

What dominates Ireland’s economy? Banks and property developers, instead of native businesses. Speculators dominate us. The results of this lopsided policy are our property booms and busts. If we want to avoid the mistakes of the past, we need to support domestic industry. We need a proper bankruptcy law, like they have in Britain. Employers need the protection of the welfare state, from the possibility of unemployment and sickness. I fear these reforms aren’t high on the Government’s agenda. Banks and property developers are too powerful, still. They need to be put in their place.