On the Adjournment With the Oireachtas, and Drapier, on holidays this column is being handed over to some of the newer and lesser-known faces on the backbenches. This week the Dail's youngest TD, Damien English, on the need for common sense and reform.
Politics should be about identifying agendas for change, about tackling issues and quite simply getting things done. I am often asked what I stand for in politics and what ethos do I work from.
Common sense is the cornerstone of my thinking. I have no time for out-dated arguments about models of the left and right in politics. Extremes are always ugly. I favour practical workable solutions based on value for money, human dignity, freedom and the empowering of both individuals and communities, through whatever political model they are delivered
It seems that, in Ireland, a politics of avoidance has taken hold. A culture has developed in Government of fudging important and difficult decisions. The overuse of consultants and the commissioning of report after report is a trait of this administration. Research and analysis are important, but it should not stymie the political process from delivering. Very rarely now do we see a Minister making urgent changes based on a gut feeling of what is right.
A lot of effort seems to go into having four or five spin-doctors to produce answers to difficult questions that please everyone but yet say nothing. Why not produce the solution to the problem and implement it, even if it upsets powerful interests or lobbies? For instance, it is quite clear that we are infrastructurally ill-equipped to reap the whirlwind of the next phase of global economic growth unless we borrow for capital investment. Meanwhile, we await dozens of feasibility studies into rail transport when the serpent-like traffic queues in Dublin and its commuter belt tell us the obvious answer is more trains and new lines, like our European partners. Another area of inaction is housing. For many years we have had a housing crisis which has left many of my generation struggling to get on the property ladder.
Yet only in recent weeks the Government talked of releasing badly needed State land for affordable housing. While I welcome this initiative, it is again too late. Excuse my cynicism, but I question the timing, since by my reckoning these houses will come on stream in time for the next general election. Is it any wonder people are losing faith in politics.
People's faith in politicians will only be restored by decisive actions leading to concrete results. Being upfront about necessary reforms can hurt, but failure to take responsibility for decisions early on can have much more detrimental effects. This administration and many before have failed to take hard decisions on reform of the health service. Problems were allowed to fester and we now have a crisis on our hands.
Another area in need of deep reform is the engine of Government itself; the Civil and public service. Notwithstanding the fact that our public service has served the State well, nothing stays the same. It must be re-invented and made consumer-driven and not provider-led.
Having spent a year working in one of our health boards, I believe the public service must adopt some of the new forms of work organisation and approaches to productivity that benefits the private sector. There is much talk lately about benchmarking, but can anyone say that politicians' productivity justifies their increases.
In the private sector, bonuses and incentives are awarded to top-up basic pay where employees have proven their worth. This model could be usefully extended to Ministers and the public service generally. There is a belief by many in the public service that they have a job for life, regardless of their performance. This is not a luxury enjoyed by many in the private sector. In my view it is unfair that non-performing staff are carried by others.
Government Departments need to connect more with each other and share thinking and resources. Needless duplication of strategies occurs, which is a waste of time and money. New thinking and forward planning could provide savings, deliver better services and improve quality of life.
There needs to be recognition of cause and effect and forward planning in Government. Simple examples are as follows: if you build new motorways, you must spend money educating drivers to deal with these new realities. If money is spent on education resulting in higher third-level participation, it stands to reason that we must supply, either publicly or privately, adequate affordable accommodation for these new students.
Much inflation is Government created or inspired via State and semi-State charges and hikes. This must change, since these costs when passed on are contributing to a lack of competitiveness. No Government Department or local authority appears to be reflecting these guiding principles.
Nearly a year ago, I had a letter published in The Irish Times entitled "the lies that got them elected". In it I expressed fears that "unreal renewal notices for public liability and other forms of insurance are being issued to small- and medium-sized business forcing early retirements, closures and creating a disincentive to entrepreneurs".
That thinking is probably more valid now than it was then, current insurance premiums are a barrier to growth and security, and a restraint on our freedom to work. Nothing has changed in the last year, there has been no action taken. That is why we live in such troubling times on the jobs front. This sadly was demonstrated very dramatically in my hometown of Navan in recent months by the closure of Crannac Furniture; Case, New Holland; Plaut Syntacom and Navan Carpets. Other towns have similar tales. This can not continue.
Political will and the power of our parliament should have made a difference here, but didn't. This inaction has to change, as a country we simply cannot afford it any longer. As a young person starting off in politics, I can confidently say that the politics of avoidance and the do-nothing option will never be an option for me.
Damien English is Fine Gael TD for Meath
Next week: Dr Jerry Cowley (Ind, Mayo)