Systemic threats to Ireland’s economic model

Sir, – Stark warnings of systemic threats to Ireland’s economic model with its dependence on foreign direct investment are mounting. The provost of TCD, Prof Linda Doyle, warns that Irish universities are at the risk of “quiet and gradual decline” and a “slow retreat from competitiveness and attractiveness” (“Irish universities risk ‘quiet and gradual decline’ due to funding shortages, Trinity provost warns”, News, September 13th). She queries if they will be able to provide a world-class education and perform world-class research given the pressures on funding. Such an education is essential for today’s knowledge economy.

Her warning comes the same week that Apple vice-president of European Operations, Cathy Kearney, is reported to have told Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke that “slow progress on infrastructure”, such as the roads network feeding its Irish base in Cork, was “hindering Apple growth plans” (“Apple warned Government of ‘real threat to Ireland’ from countries trying to lure multinationals away”, News, September 12th).

You report also that the fallout from the European Court of Justice ruling that Apple received illegal state aid from Ireland has “restoked fears about the effect on foreign direct investment (FDI)” and raised fresh questions in relation to other foreign multinationals operating in Ireland (“Apple and Ireland: A tale of two tax sweethearts”, Agenda, September 13th).

Prof Doyle warns of gradual decline, but we should keep in mind Ernest Hemingway’s fine piece of dialogue. “How did you go bankrupt?”, asks his first character. “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” – Yours, etc,