TWICE THE SIZE - DIT Update - Dublin Institute of Technology

had to submit an annual recycling programme to their local authorities, which, with other
similar compliance requirements, has led to complaints of over regulation and excessive
bureaucracy.
With regard to spatial planning, the twin concepts of the compact city and smart development
have led to the containment of sprawl and the reduction of traffic movements.
Learning
The education system is heralded as the flagship of a new socially democratic Ireland. Access to
primary and secondary education is guaranteed, and the standards are high. Emphasis is placed
not on necessarily nurturing the best, but on trying to ensure that each and every student, at all
levels, achieve their optimum. Third level education is free, and due to the respect of learning
in society, drop-out rates are low. The government has invested heavily in universities over the
past fifteen years, following a long period of comparative neglect. There are also a group of
specially selected research centres, not attached to universities, which have produced worldclass
results in such fields as human cloning, sustainable development, functional food and
nano-technology. Throughout the sector, however, teaching curriculum and research
programmes reinforce social and environment values.
Valediction
The Ireland of 2030 in the “Wild Cats of Equality” scenario is one which has achieved an
exemplary balance of social, economic and environmental imperatives, but stands at a point
where growing bureaucracy, rising costs, international competition and domestic complacency
threatens the continued prosperity and stability of the country.
PROSPECTS
There has been considerable reform of EU institutions; further enlargement to an additional
dozen countries; strengthening of new common policies towards foreign and security policy,
justice and home affairs; devolution in implementation; an increase in the EU budget; and the
Council reformed on a ‘collegial’ principle.
EU enlargement is accompanied by a forceful neighbourhood policy based on ‘partnerships’ with
adjoining countries; the development of a pan-European security umbrella addressing softsecurity
concerns; and a reinforced bilateral relationship with Russia – all fostered with the full
involvement of Irish diplomacy.
Reform of the public sector in Ireland has occurred according to the principles of
decentralisation, transparency, responsibility and subsidiarity.
Central government in Ireland becomes a many-layered concept with the primary task of using
knowledge management to seek harmonisation among expert agencies, in process design, spotting
issues in the longer-term and posing the major questions around which national debate takes
place.
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