What is Livable Ireland?

Livable Ireland is a new way of thinking about governance which is above politics and not about right or left but right or wrong. We believe in an open functional democracy governed by the majority whilst protecting the minority, by capable individuals who act in the interests of the country and not themselves with joined up thinking and common sense.

Who is Livable Ireland?

Livable Ireland is made up of members who believe that people change history by using every possible tool available to do so. Livable Ireland is committed to providing the tools necessary to bring about real change for the Irish people. Livable Ireland is providing the forum for a public debate about the future direction of our government. At worst Livable Ireland will be a catalyst for change in Ireland's political landscape. At best Livable Ireland will win the next general election and implement our vision.

Why is it time for Livable Ireland?

Scandal after scandal has shown that our current political system has become rotten, corroded and rusted. Its a system that was built in the 50's to serve a very different Ireland. We need politicians with courage, conviction, intelligence, imagination, dedication, and strength of character. We certainly don't need someone who has come up through the political ranks. Because of the "pay back" nature of the current political party promotion system, they owe far too much to the power brokers within their parties which have brought them through the ranks. Despite the doom and gloom merchants Livable Ireland truly believes that the glass is half full and not half empty. The passing of power from DeValera to Lemass was the last occasion Ireland found itself at such a political crossroads.

How will Livable Ireland do this?

The current 'access not ability' system of career politicians needs to become a thing of the past. Governance needs to evolve to the next level - whatever that maybe. Politics will always involve compromise but tough decisions need to be made. Recent events have shown that a two term leader rule needs to be brought in to ensure Government remains fresh. Debate should not be about what's left and right but what's right and wrong. To do this we need to evolve a strategy before putting a structure in place.

Livable Ireland will create a forum for the public good which will rise above politics to seek the national interest without regard to party, class or lobby. Our priorities will be to re-engage people with politics by focusing on causes not effects, being proactive not reactive by creating a forum for debate on core themes not issues, which are complimentary not competing in an integrated policy. Doing so will awaken people to the fact that Ireland has evolved into an open economy with a closed political system.

The experts say that all 'politics is local' and 'politics is all about the 3 M's - message, momentum and means'. At Livable Ireland each of us understand that no one individual is going to change Ireland for us. Each of us have to play our part in changing it ourselves. As a society we have become more aware of our rights while selectively acknowledging our responsibilities. At Livable Ireland we are committed to fully recognising both. We acknowledge that your time is your most valuable resource. If you have an expertise in a particular area we would love to hear your views and ideas. Unlike the current batch of politicians we do not pretend to have all the answers.

Where did Livable Ireland take its name from?

The Human Development Index (HDI), published annually by the UN (www.hdr.undp.org) ranks nations according to their citizens' quality of life rather than strictly by a nation's traditional economic figures. The criteria for calculating rankings include life expectancy, educational attainment, and adjusted real income. In 2004 Ireland ranked tenth. Livable Ireland has taken its name from our vision of creating an Ireland which is consistently ranked in the top three ranked nations with the highest quality of life worldwide.

Livable Ireland in the 21st Century

While it is not possible to turn back the clock, it is possible to put a stop to the mismanagement of Ireland by the elected representatives of all parties. A new approach is needed. Livable Ireland believes that governments role is to act as an enabler to provide the conditions within which society will prosper. Ireland needs new ideas to create this environment in readiness for the challenges of the 21st century. Its time to take politicians out of the management of public services, leaving professional managers free but accountable, so ending the culture of political control, personal politically driven agendas and spin. To begin restoring our competitiveness we need to regain control over government spending, revitalise Dublin with the creation of ‘a new city within the city’ driven by inwards and upwards development, create a political culture of transparency and accountability, push through decentralisation policies and increase productivity through better utilisation of technology to move up the value chain.

Make your voice heard

Within the current political structure if you don't vote you don't count. After seven years of 'everyone's friend and nobody's leader' we were arrogantly told by the powers to be that the people of Ireland have never had it so good, have become apathetic and have stopped listening. The recent local and European election results sent a very clear message to the government that they have in fact stopped listening to the people. This has served as a wake up call to the government that they need to reconnect with the people.

At fear of stating the self evident, there is, for all practical purposes, no difference in the stated objectives of FF / PD and FG / Lab. It's tweedle dee or tweedle dumb. Why waste your vote on one or the other when the effective end result will be the same? If you're pleased with the way things are and want 5 more years of the same then, by all means, vote for FF / PD. If in some way or another you think that FG / Lab. will improve the situation then be sure to vote for them. But if you believe that our country should embark on a different, more positive course then come join us and play a part in building a more Livable Ireland.

Health

Health is the number one concern of us all as without it we are nothing. Despite having spent e9bn last year on health the government has been incapable of providing a first world health service. The health service is in need of a complete overhaul. Stalling by producing yet another report after report needs to stop. Difficult decisions need to be made and made now. When introducing a smoking ban throughout the country becomes the national health priority it really speaks volumes about where the current governments priorities lie. Livable Ireland wants to hear your views and ideas on how we may turn Ireland from a third world health service provider into a first world health service provider.

Education

Ireland has traditionally been known as the land of ‘saints and scholars’. David Mc Williams called it right with the title of his new book ‘saints and spinners’. Why is Ireland not championing the field of elearning? Ireland is ideally positioned to become a leader in this space for the rest of the world to follow. Instead our educational system is crying out for a much needed tune up. Our educated young workforce has been a major factor in attracting foreign direct investment into Ireland over the last decade. To retain this reputation Ireland needs to radically rethink our educational offering. Livable Ireland wants to hear your views and ideas on how we may do so.

Housing

The cost of housing throughout the country is out of control. The recently reported fact that 45% of all new house prices goes to the exchequer was a major eye opener. A radical rethink about how our housing needs will be provided for in the future needs to take place. This debate needs to take place in parallel with major infrastructure proposals. Doing so will enable us to begin the process of joined up thinking. Something which has sadly been absent during the last decade.

This will enable Livable Ireland to put children at the centre of the education debate, patients at the centre of the health debate, commuters at the centre of the transport debate etc... and break the current vicious circle of appeasing special interest groups. Putting all of this in perspective for the Irish people will show the deficiencies within our current political system. Let Livable Ireland know your views and ideas on how we may best meet our housing needs of the future.

Law and order

Ireland finds itself having to cope with the negative social consequences that come with economic development. Instead of providing the resources necessary to address these needs the government continues to flip flop around the issues. Continuing to treat the effects without addressing the causes is doomed to failure. It is time for communities to have their say in what's needed on the ground. Introducing penalty points for speeding yet again raises serious questions about the governments ability to prioritise. Livable Ireland wants to hear your views and ideas on what needs to be done to restore Law and Order throughout Ireland.

Infrastructure

It is staggering to learn how our elected custodians have squandered away so much over the last decade. Where was the leadership, the vision, the clarity so desperately needed during the years of the Celtic Tiger? Who was held accountable for this mismanagement? What was the opposition doing to allow this to happen? Everything and everyone has evolved during the Celtic Tiger with the exception of our politicians and our political system. The National Development Plan and the National Spatial Strategy are well on their way to joining the other great Irish literary works of art given their complete disconnect with reality.

The Port Tunnel, Luas, the M50, the West Link, the second terminal at Dublin airport, the redevelopment of Landsdowne Road, the Bertie Bowl ..... the list goes on and on ..... 'everyone's friend and nobody's leader' has spawned the current culture of indecision within Ireland. Given the Irish peoples success in organizing and hosting the 2003 Special Olympics we now know that it is possible to complete a major project within Ireland to budget and in a timely manner. Let Livable Ireland know your views and ideas on what is wrong with the current process and how things maybe done better.

Environment

As an island nation on the edge of the Atlantic ocean Ireland has a number of opportunties at hand to provide a better environment for our future generations. Instead our government continues to stick its head in the sand and maintain our reliance on imported fossil fuels. Given oil will be no longer available in the next 25-30 years we need to start the process of putting alternative energy plans in place today. Every generation should strive to leave a better environment inplace for the next generation to enjoy. On current course we will be the first generation in Irish history not to do so. Public debates are urgently needed on everything from how we handle our waste to how we ensure compliance with the Kyoto Accord. Let Livable Ireland know your views and ideas on each area of this wide reaching debate.

Economy

To listen to the current batch of politicians we owe them a huge debt of gratitude for the economic miracle they alone created which is called the Celtic Tiger. The reality is that the seeds of this growth were laid during the 50's, 60's and 70's with the remittances sent home by our emigres. Over e5bn was sent home by those sons and daughters of Ireland who left in search of a better life in all corners of the earth. With membership of the EU in 1974 new opportunities opened up to Ireland. Up until the early nineties our people continued to be our greatest export. Over the last decade we have seen more people returning to Ireland. This has contributed to Ireland's ability to attract more foreign direct investment and its evolution into a more open economy. Maintaining our competitiveness is our greatest challenge going forward. Let Livable Ireland know your views and ideas on what needs to be done differently and how we may do things better.