Lucinda's Dáil Diary: Retired Finnish Prime Minister, Withdrawal of Services by DCC, Launch of Ireland for Europe

Sunday, June 21st 2009

During the week I was invited to attend a round table meeting with Geir Haarde, the Finnish Prime Minister from 2006 – 2009. The meeting took place in European Union House and was attended by some academics, business people, financial experts, as well as myself and Ruairi Quinn. A lot of knowing glances were shared across the table as the former PM described the circumstances which led to the economic calamity in Iceland last autumn. The parallels with Ireland really are remarkable.

The economic collapse in Iceland, like Ireland, was sharp and painful. Iceland’s GDP is down 10% this year and unemployment has rocketed from 1% last September to 9% today. With Ireland heading for an unemployment figure of 500,000 by the end of the year, we can certainly relate to the situation. While Mr. Haarde was the Icelandic Premier at the time of the collapse, he does not seem to suffer from the denial syndrome which afflicts Taoiseach Cowen et al. He openly admitted that light-touch regulation was a problem and that he and his Cabinet made mistakes. How nice it would be to see similar acceptance of responsibility here in Ireland.

On the issue of Iceland potentially applying to join the EU, the situation is less than clear. Mr. Haarde explained that the Government parties are split on the issue, but public opinion in favour of membership seems to be growing. Mr. Haarde’s own party, The Independence Party (now the main Opposition Party), which was once implacably opposed to EU membership is now more open to the idea and has suggested a commission to investigate the options.

I spent Saturday afternoon in the Bride Street area, where residents had received letters from Dublin City Council, informing them that many of the housing maintenance services which have been standard for many years will no longer apply. I realise that funding is severely restricted, but this is going to become a serious problem. How are elderly people, living on low incomes, be expected to clean gullies and unblock drains in flat complexes, or pay to have it done professionally? This is an issue that concerns me greatly, and I will be pursuing it with the city manager.

The launch of Ireland for Europe took place in the Button Factory, Temple Bar this morning. It is to be headed up by Pat Cox and Brigid Laffan, amongst others. Seamus Heany, Robbie Keane, The Edge and other luminaries are throwing their weight behind the project. I think that this organisation could play an important role in the Lisbon campaign, mobilising civic society to support a YES vote. There was a great atmosphere there today, which bodes well for the campaign. I wish them the very best of luck. This is a hugely important project for Ireland and every effort will be essential to secure a YES vote in October.