Madam, – We repeatedly hear of the need for a “smart economy”. Often it would seem that those who are loudest in their call for such are unaware of the training and skills needed to achieve the very desirable objective. That objective would be more readily attainable should we have in government persons with the skills needed to understand what is required. Unfortunately we do not have in Dáil Éireann any elected person who has the training or accomplishments that I would consider essential for the promotion of the concept.
I had hoped that the shortcomings would be rectified through the elected personnel from the universities panel. However, when I checked the qualifications and achievements of those on the NUI ballot paper, I was dismayed to find that there was not among the candidature scientists and engineers of the calibre needed to make an impact.
The Seanad can have a very important role in Irish life. But before it will have such, some drastic changes are needed.
I suggest that the universities panel be discontinued and replaced by people with outstanding track records in a variety of disciplines.
That panel might consist of at least 12 people, three quarters of whom might be scientists and engineers. The appropriate calibre of person would come from membership of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA).
Members of the academy have attained excellence in their work at the frontiers of their fields, and in the process will have gained international recognition for their work. Those who vote for the candidates should be members of the RIA. In that way we could be confident that the electorate would provide people who could be relied upon to have the needs of the nation in their perspective.
There are many excellent RIA members who are nearing retirement age from their current employment, or who have already retired. The intellectual vigour, and the perceptions of these people has not diminished, and those who accept nomination could be expected to contribute with vision and energy to the needs of the Seanad and the nation. Furthermore, these people would be unlikely to seek financial reward, though they could expect prudent travel and overnight accommodation expenses where needed.
I was dismayed to learn that those who sought election to the industry panel are linked to political parties. In my view the candidature should come from those with outstanding records in production, trade, and industry. Their contribution should not be influenced by a need to promote party policy, but instead it is hoped that they would have the vision to debate freely about what is best for the needs of the country.
Again, as in the cases of my proposals with regard to the candidature of members of the RIA, these individuals might well have retired, or be about to retire from their commercial roles, and have a desire to serve their country. Hence financial emoluments might not be necessary.
The same might apply to members of the medical academies.
In these ways we would have a governmental organisation that would command international credibility.
And it would be a major step towards achieving the “smart economy” that we badly need. – Yours, etc,