THE SMART economy will form the major policy commitment of a new programme for government between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen and the Green Party leader John Gormley will meet later this week to agree a format and timetable for the talks which are expected to last for two weeks.
According to sources close to both parties, the major focus of the talks will be on economic recovery and creating meaningful employment.
To that end, said the sources, the Greens in particular will press for the Government’s smart economy to form the centrepiece of economic policy.
The smart economy strategy was launched by the Government last December. The aim is to ensure that Ireland will become a world leader in cutting-edge jobs in green and clean technology, as well as industry that is low energy and sustainable.
In addition to the pharmaceutical and financial services industry, the strategy has already identified six new areas for growth, including data storage; making an international services centre for buying and selling digital content; wind, wave and tidal energy; smart meters for electricity; and advanced technology to aid research and work practices. According to the sources, the talks will centre on ensuring that Enterprise Ireland and the IDA focus on the smart economy.
Following their poor performance in the local elections, the Greens are also expected to press for commitments on early implementation of carbon tax, a timely enactment of the Climate Change Bill, reversal of some education cuts, new social welfare measures, changes to the electoral system and a ban on corporate donations.
“We need to reinvent ourselves in Government and reinvent government,” said the source.
The two former PD TDs, Mary Harney and Noel Grealish, will be involved in the process but will hold separate discussions with Mr Cowen.
Government parties expect the process to be completed within a short period, perhaps within a fortnight. The Greens will put the new programme for government to a vote of its party membership in mid-October at the same time as it decides on the Nama legislation.
A two-thirds majority will be required to approve the revised programme.