The Government is seeking sponsorship of goods and services associated with Ireland's forthcoming EU presidency from January to June next year.
According to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, the presidency is an "ideal opportunity" to highlight Ireland's economic success and promote trade and tourism. He says sponsorship of goods and services (not cash) will encourage a wider ownership and sense of participation in the presidency by lifting Ireland's business profile and reducing the cost to the Exchequer.
At the Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs, where the announcement was made, several TDs and senators expressed reservations about the proposals - and rightly so. According to its chairman, Mr Gay Mitchell, they would be a departure from the principle that State business is separated from private interests, which could give rise to undesirable practices. It is a valid criticism.
While it is always open to those holding the presidency to highlight their country's attractions and achievements, this is normally done politically and by public agencies. Bringing private companies into the field could invite the suspicion of partners or visitors that private interests are being served in a public role often involved with regulating them. It is better to maintain the public-private distinction than risk such ambiguity and suspicion.
Public-private partnerships have been put on a new footing by this Coalition and the previous one - with mixed results, some valuable, some less so. But they have not come as close as this proposal seems to imply to the central tasks of public administration and policy-making. It is very doubtful whether the savings involved will be worth the potential damage that could be done to this State's reputation. Rather it could look tawdry for no good reason during a time of maximised international attention.
In the same way "wider ownership and participation" are broadly accepted goals of public policy, especially so far as the EU is concerned. Normally the phrase is used to address the democratic deficit between transnational politics or bureaucracy and the national bases of democratic accountability. To extend it in this way is an intriguing departure from current usage; but more needs to be heard about precisely what is involved before making a final judgment.
The EU presidency is an extremely onerous task for the Government and public service. It will highlight EU enlargement and a new constitutional treaty. Private sponsorship is a dubious part of its agenda.
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