Madam, - I find much to agree with in Tom Farrell's letter of November 5th commenting on my opinion piece of October 30th. However, I do not agree that it would be "unrealistic" to consider adopting the Nordic model of social justice, gender and income equality, and a comprehensive welfare programme (including health and education) in Ireland.
In Mr Farrell's view, Irish people would be unwilling to accept the accompanying higher level of taxation. There is no serious evidence for this contention. If we require decent services, we must pay for them - and few would claim that all those on high incomes currently pay their fair share of taxation. We would also, of course, need a high degree of trust in our politicians, a substantial change in our social and economic values and a genuinely redistributive set of economic and social policies.
Government policy choices are extremely important and at a time of unprecedented economic turmoil we must be creative. Investment in education, research and development will be essential elements in the recovery of our economy.
There are a number of different broad policy pathways and it is time for a debate on values and their implications for the future of our society.
Communitarian and egalitarian values are certainly not foreign to Irish people, though in recent times they have been obscured by neo-liberal ones. We need the dialogue. - Yours, etc,
Madam, - Judging from his letter of November 5th, Tom Farrell understands the advanced nature of the Nordic model. Given that he lives and works in Finland, I am sure also he experiences at first hand the real benefits.
Five points need to be made:
1. Nobody is calling for a "copy and paste" of the Nordic model. However, we can learn the core principles and policies and adapt them to the Irish context. We do have our own unique qualities and talents, which must be blended into the mix.
2. Irish people are actually willing to pay for good quality services (as shown in a recent Tasc survey), if they believe they will receive them efficiently from the State.
3. It was André Sapir's seminal 2005 paper which clearly defined the choice for EU states such as Ireland. Do we continue following the inequality of the Anglo-Saxon model or steer toward the superior Nordic model?
4. Ictu's David Begg is the most senior figure in Ireland brave enough to call openly for an Irish-version of the Nordic Model. Let us now have a positive response from the Government and other social partners.
5. Such a transition from the deceased Celtic Tiger to a new Celtic Model will take a fundamental shift in Irish political and economic discourse, but this is where real political leadership is required.
Can Ireland steer toward a superior Celtic Model? As the US president-elect would say: Yes, we can! - Yours, etc,