Recently, a Sunday paper, the Sunday Business Post, carried a feature in their magazine, ‘Envisaging Ireland 20 Years from Today’. They invited eleven people from the world of business, disability, media, politics, and education to respond.
The replies were interesting and some were imaginative. For some Automation was going to bring great changes. Work will be different and the possible discontent that might arise from so much growing unemployment when robots replace humans will be avoided by the government introducing UBI (Universal Basic Income). I presume that will be taken from the Public purse. In the new scenario, when people have more leisure time, the Arts will prosper and the island of Ireland will be a place of even more creativity just as it was in the time of the early Christian monks. Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ireland’s ambassador toFrance, stressed the importance of ‘belonging to the international system to protect our democracy, respects human rights and promote sustainable development.’ In 2037 we should be embedded in the international system, valued as a credible constructive player.”…Ireland 2037 will step up arguing for inclusivity, for collective solutions, for an international order that respects values, not just interests.” She did not say if she was referring to the new and reunified Ireland or just to the southern part of the partitioned Ireland.
Some respondents refer to the contribution being made to Ireland by the new immigrants from many parts of the world. “The new communities which Ireland welcomed to these shores have rejuvenated our towns and rural villages.” I think this applies to the whole island.
Only two of the 11 responders referred to the possibility of Irish reunification by 2037. It was not a big issue for the other nine. Tom Healy, Director of the Nevin Economic Research Institute focussed on what we can and should do now to make a different Ireland possible in 2037. If politics is the art of the possible then this is a political project- and almost as an after thought Tom stated: “Oh, and if it should come to pass that southern Ireland were to become such a beacon of prosperity, fairness, tolerance and vindication of human rights that an overwhelming majority of the citizens in both parts of the island wanted to move towards some form of political unity with close and ‘Scandinavian’ ties to our sister island then, to quote Charles Stuart Parnell in an 1885 speech: “ While we leave those things to time, circumstances and the future, we must each one of us resolve in our own hearts that we shall at all times do everything which within us lies, to obtain Ireland the fullest measure of her rights.” That is one approach. There is also the requirement in the Good Friday Agreement to hold a Border Poll to determine the future constitutional position. Whatever way it happens a substantial section of unionist community must be persuaded that it is in their best economic and political interests to be a part of a reunified country. The outworking of Brexit will, I believe, be a big factor in persuading many to look at the advantages of being in an all-Ireland system-while also remianing in the EU.
Gary Gannon a Social Democrat councillor in Dublin stated: “Indeed, it has been the economic and social success of the past decade which has made Irish unity rather than a British exit the most important topic of conversation around discussion tables at home and throughout the EU.”
Anne O’Leary Chief Executive of Vodafone, Ireland had much to say about the changes technology will bring in the next 20 years. She wants to see Gigabit developed throughout Ireland – Universal 1-Gigabit speed everywhere. It will be an opportunity to re-imagine Ireland as a society and an economy. The smart cities and towns of the future will be planned. Smart cities will use the Internet of Things, cloud computing and technologies not yet imagined to transform the way the people live their lives. The potential is endless…The resilience, resourcefulness and capacity for innovation of Irish people can mean a very changedIreland in 2037”.
One responder, Stuart Switzer of CoCo Television, referred to the five million Irish people who live on the island. I think it would be nearer to 7 million when you include the 6 northeast counties. Sean O’Sullivan, a venture capitalist. believes that Ireland will attract more people from around the world: ‘Ireland has always been a place where greatness has originated. Let us by 2037, become a place where greatness comes, stays and calls ‘home’”
The correspondents mostly ignored the possibility (or probability) of Irish reunification by 2037 and what needs to be done to allay unionist fears in the meantime.
None of them referred to the role of the Churches in Ireland in 2037. Will there be any priests in 2037?Will the Catholic church survive? How will the Church be reorganised? Who will reorganise? Will many still feel the need for religious celebration? These are imponderable questions as we look forward.
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