Sir, - The Government's recent proposal to split the country in to two separate regions is both short sighted and against the national interest. This proposal, along with other policies such as the 12.5 per cent corporate tax rate and lowering of personal tax rates is clearly bringing this state into a collision course with the European Commission and other Member States. We are showing no indication that we are willing to deal with our own problems.
In Ireland's national plan, the priority was to put the economy on a sound footing and a sustainable growth path. The success of this plan, partially funded by substantial transfers from our European colleagues, has allowed us to create an economy which is capable of sustaining growth and development well into the future. However, there is a need for continuous investment from Europe over a period of time to copper fasten this growth and to tackle the many social problems that still exist. The splitting of the country into two unintelligible regions in order to squeeze a few extra euros from the Union is having a negative reaction from the Commission who view this policy as subsidy shopping. The Government in their wisdom have defined a mechanism but have failed to take account of the negative impact this added to other policies is having.
The creation of regions with no debate, without consideration of their impact on the dynamics within the state or on their compatibility with national objectives, is surely short sighted. I have, like many others, been a passionate advocate of the creation of a strong regional structure which is both integrated and meaningful. This proposal is neither and is an anathema to good government.
European Commissioner Wolf Mathics recently said in Cork that we (the Union) should be "the defenders of the truly needy regions and weakest social groups" and that "reform of the structural funds should be on priorities for the future not on outdated demands of the past." I fear that with the proposals which are to be put before the cabinet shortly we may find ourselves stuck in the past.
In Ireland we now have the resources to eliminate long term unemployment and social disadvantage. It is in all our interests to tackle this scourge, permeating through all our country but which is found concentrated in the most deprived areas of our cities. The last round of structural funds helped establish a local development strategy, which has had great successes. The reduction of structural funds along with the creation of inappropriate regions will limit the focus that is necessary to tackle this achilles heel of Irish public policy. In lieu of the shortfall in European funding, it will be essential for the Irish exchequer to properly resource local development. It is also incumbent on the government, with its new found enthusiasm for devolution of power, to create designated disadvantaged areas, and ring fence funding for them.
Those who accept this analysis need to speak now or forever try to catch up. - Yours, etc., Odran Reid,
Chief executive, NorDubCo, Jamestown Business Park, Jamestown, Dublin 11.