TWICE THE SIZE - DIT Update - Dublin Institute of Technology

PROSPECTS
Irish identity becomes stronger; the process of European unification slows down; and an all-Ireland
government assumes more responsibility for social, economic and political affairs.
The Irish people are once again withdrawing from public life, having become increasingly suspicious of
politicians, civil servants and collection action.
There is a strong emphasis on self-reliance; single-issue non-governmental organisations emerge; law
and order politics prevail; materialism and consumerism rule; a widespread feeling of insecurity
predominates; and residual family solidarity strengthens.
The gap between rich and poor widens, yet there is a growing acceptance of social exclusion and the
demonisation of ‘idleness’.
Commercial returns to new Irish products and services swiftly become eroded through
‘commoditisation’ by which global resources are deployed to converge on international best practice.
Supply chains throughout Ireland and beyond become supply webs which can be reconfigured rapidly
in response to changing events.
Intellectual property becomes ever more valuable, and defending it becomes a central concern for
Irish industry, commerce and research institutions.
Trans – and multi-national corporations increasingly determine Irish economic policy, and Gateway
chambers of commerce exercise greater influence on the political agenda.
Irish society tends to resemble a disassembled machine, with each part working to fit a particular
purpose, but operating less and less as a whole.
There is greater transparency, with much more informed judgements of performance.
Regulation is concerned with special issues of governance such as accountability and access to data,
so as to provide the leadership and information that markets, policy-makers and analysts require in
order to avoid crude mistakes and economic disruption.
Innate Irish creativity and enterprise generate enough wealth for communities to cope with most
welfare problems.
Competitive positioning between Gateway towns, cities and their regions becomes ever more evident,
with local facilities and capabilities nurtured to meet these needs.
High standards of education are available in Ireland, at all levels, but at a price.
Commercial and community security is increasingly provided by private operators.
Concern about social and environmental issues is slow to emerge.
The ‘greying’ of the Irish population is just starting to happen, with consequent intergenerational
problems.
Wide scale in-migration leads to a polarisation of Irish society and the formation of ghettos in the
Gateway towns and cities.
A new political elite is just appearing, willing to take a longer-term perspective on social
responsibility and environmental issues.
The downsizing of the public sector and outsourcing of municipal services is almost complete with the
private sector having taken over many traditional civic functions.
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