TWICE THE SIZE - DIT Update - Dublin Institute of Technology

Preoccupied with security issues, politicians across Europe have postponed painful domestic and
EU policy decisions, in particular the reform of the welfare state. Having failed to reform
soaring community expenditure and excessive intervention by the Commission in all aspects of
life, the EU is viewed with growing disillusionment and mounting discontent. The lack of vitality
apparent on the social front is also affecting the European economy. Sluggish economic growth
is partly the result of a slow-down throughout the developed world; corporate resistance to
liberalisation in certain industries; and the rise of protectionist pressures by developed and
developing countries across the world. In the EU, the widespread use of the Euro has increased
economic transparency; but national governments have no qualms about helping selected
domestic companies protect their captive markets.
Many believe the EU is living on borrowed time. Economic integration is virtually abandoned.
Political fragmentation proceeds apace, with what is left of a collective framework collapsing
into a loose arrangement of separate treaties and bilateral agreements. And social cohesion
disappeared in the early 2020’s with a series of anti-immigration measures. Europe is again
dividing into power blocs, threatening peace and leaving the European Dream in tatters.
IRELAND
The Irish people value the freedom to do as they choose, but very much within the context of a
closed and independent Ireland. Business is focused primarily on domestic markets, the UK,
and to a lesser extent Western Europe, in the light of greater instability and trade barriers in
other parts of the world. But there is a boom in those industries which provide a measure of
escapism and distraction, including the movies, music and the arts.
Dublin has for long been one of the most expensive locations in the world, and displays wide
disparities in wealth between rich and poor. It remains, however, the economic engine of the
country, being the only part of the island to attract a diminishing flow of direct inward
investment.
People are proud to be Irish, and keen to preserve their culture and heritage. The accent,
though, is on personal responsibility, and over the years, the government has pulled
progressively back from the provision of healthcare, education and many other social services.
Nevertheless, local communities have been strengthened and more people are starting to take
part in politics again as fears for the future grow.
People
One of the main priorities for Irish society is the quality of life. People enjoy their relatively
short working hours and having more time for family, friends and their favourite leisure
activities. They engage less in the public life of the state, preferring to concentrate on their
local communities and family circles. Family, of course, has always been highly valued
throughout Irish history, borne by cultural and economic needs, but the loss of several hundred
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