A centre of ‘optimism’ is needed

It is difficult not to have become engulfed by negativity about our country’s finances and our social well-being in the last few years.

This negativity can be burdensome and damaging to the creativity and ambition of individuals.

Innovative ideas have been consigned to the dustbin as a result of the daily dose of downbeat news pumped into people’s minds.

Many of our great minds remain untapped or are now benefiting the economies of other great nations.

To give people hope, and an opportunity to use and express their education, why not set up a Centre of Innovation and Ideas?

The CII would be staffed by professionals with various backgrounds in industry, culture and finance. Any individual or group could go to the CII with a business plan.

The template could be supplied by the CII, if required.

The idea would be analysed and an individual response (positive or negative), outlining the commercial viability of the idea, would be sent to the applicant.

All ideas would be given the same attention. If the idea was accepted, and regarded as innovative or commercially viable, the required funding and professional assistance would be given to the new company for the development of the product or service.

When the company becomes profitable, it would begin an agreed repayment to the CII, until all money was repaid, interest-free.

The same template could be used in terms of cultural/tourism ideas, as many of these ideas could result in new tourist attractions or Tourism Ireland projects. Individuals who propose new ideas could be given key roles within the projects.

The CII would have to be free from political interference.

Therefore, the key staff would be taken from abroad and given fiscal independence outside the Department of Finance.

I believe that the CII, if made 100% accessible to every adult in this State, would be helpful in re-igniting our national spirit and breaking the over-reliance on FDI in recent years.

Cormac Chambers

Rathfarnham

Dublin 14