TWICE THE SIZE - DIT Update - Dublin Institute of Technology

high-technical medical and bio-pharma industries. The urban centres are integrated into a high
quality rural settlements and wilderness management areas. The high quality of life, choice
and diversity offered in the West continually attract skilled labour and the investment follows.
The Eastern Corridor contains almost 50% of island’s population and stretches from Belfast to
Dublin and Kilkenny. The corridor consists of two metropolitan regions (Dublin and Belfast) and
a number of larger cities, and more continuous large-scale infrastructure to support intensive
agriculture, agri-business and ‘traditional’ electronic and nano-tech industries. Although, the
East’s economy performs well, the cracks start to appear, as the best people increasingly are on
the move to the West.
One of the key projects outlined by NSS II was connecting Letterkenny and Derry with Cork by
rail. The line was completed in 2021, and now, two north-south corridors of transportation and
infrastructure exist. As a result, no part of Ireland is more than 50 minutes away from a major
urban centre. Furthermore, access to the four main airports (Dublin, Belfast, Derry and
Shannon) is very easy. Shannon Airport has also successfully developed its strategic advantage
of having a of capacity for long-haul flights and is the real “Atlantic Gateway”.
Although Ireland achieved a regional balance, a high price is to be paid in terms of increased
environmental foot-print, competition reducing efficiency and frequent political and policy
conflicts.
Politics
The concept of solidarity has become pre-eminent in the Ireland of 2030, largely due to a
growing recognition that the creed of individualism which prevailed until the mid-2010’s had
sapped the country’s civic soul. By 2012 mounting pressure had been placed upon politicians of
all persuasions to do something about the widening poverty gap, and social inclusion became a
central plank in the platform of most successful political parties. Every government since 2015,
moreover, has increased national spending on social services, public transport and affordable
housing. They have also sought to develop human capital by investing heavily in education and
research. Of special note, was the major drive in 2016 to improve significantly childcare
facilities allowing more women to enter the workforce, and the thoroughgoing reform of pension
funds in 2018 encouraging older people to continue working.
A strong and cohesive Europe, with greater political power and central authority, has led to a de
facto rather than a de jure unification of the island of Ireland. The principle of subsidiary has
meant that most legislation is enacted in a relatively uniform manner at national level, and
regional differences are accommodated within a broad European and National umbrella.
Immigration, however, is tightly controlled, and gives rise to political tension among European
partners.
In 2017, a new Irish constitution, strongly endorsed by referendum, introduced compulsory
voting, slimmed-down the Oireachts to 100 TD’s, established an All-Ireland Forum and greatly
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