Looking towards 2011

IF your expectations aren’t too high then you won’t be too disappointed if things don’t turn out according to plan. After the year we’ve come through, this might be a good if somewhat cynical point to set out from as we enter 2011.

After all, the past 12 months has seen our world – the Irish way of life that shone like a beacon of light for all to admire – shattered in so many ways. Our Government has run out of places to hide as the Greens finally reached breaking point over the “who knew what and when” about the IMF/EU bailout; our banking system is in shambles, while our developers with their empires collapsed have left a legacy of half-finished concrete jungles and massive debts. There’s no need to worry unduly about the welfare of the developer classes however, as many of them quite legally transferred property and assets to their spouses before NAMA wielded the axe and they and their families won’t have to survive on cereal and milk.
Is it any wonder the majority of Irish people are actually happy to see outside intervention without clinging to sentimental notions about our sovereignty?  We’ve lost our dignity as a nation due to a litany of woes, so why worry about that?
So what have we to look forward to?  We’re guaranteed a change of government after the upcoming general election and like it or not, Enda Kenny is the man destined to be taoiseach. Boring, lacking the charisma of other party leaders, un-electable as taoiseach; this is the mantra being trotted out for a number of years. However, he has steered Fine Gael to significant gains in European and local elections and showed that he does indeed have guile and a ruthless streak in the way he snuffed out Richard Bruton’s attack on his position.
Enda Kenny has not messed up in any way that has damaged the Irish people and steady and reliable should trump bold and brash in the current climate. So many people underrate him but he could surprise everybody
There is no doubt that Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, one of the stars on the Opposition benches, will be playing hardball for the number one post but, in reality, he will have to settle for tanáiste if he remains true to his word not to dance with Fianna Fáil.
What of Taoiseach Brian Cowen? Christmas is over, the season of goodwill ended and with it no doubt the patience of those in Fianna Fáil who want his leadership ended.
Despite Mr Cowen’s insistence that he will lead his party into the election, the odds are stacked against him. If political observers maintain that Enda Kenny is un-electable as taoiseach, then Brian Cowen, barring nothing short of a miracle, has zero chance. He is destined for the Opposition benches and he knows it. He did after all sacrifice his political career with tough decisions and difficult choices for the better of the Irish people – or did he? As Minister for Finance and trusty lieutenant to former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, he helped put in place the conditions that have led to our current difficulties. Certainly the dice didn’t roll kindly for Brian Cowen in that everything has gone downhill since Bertie’s exit.
Fianna Fáil people know they’re on a hiding to nothing so some pre-election blood-letting is hardly going to make any great difference. A number of serious players have already opted to cash in their chips and take their pensions; a few, granted, have health conditions and age as mitigating circumstances.
Brian Cowen owes it to Fianna Fáil to bow out now to allow his successor some time to rally support to fight the good fight in the election. Staying on will sour more people against the Government and cost Fianna Fáil even more seats.
We will look to 2011 as a year in which we, as a country, can try to play to our strengths. Tourism has taken a serious downturn over the past couple of years but there was some encouraging news this week when it was revealed by travel guide Frommers that Ireland has replaced Paris as the top destination to visit in Europe in 2011. Specific activities in Cork and Donegal are mentioned but there is no reason why Clare can’t get a slice of the action in some way.
There’s plenty to see and do in the county and the wider region, so it’s a question of upping the ante on advertising and marketing.
Shannon Airport is well-placed not only in terms of facilities but also in its geographical location to be the access point for visitors in search of that something special along the western seaboard.
Recent reports have also confirmed that despite the recession, Irish export rates are in a continued growth mode and foreign companies are still being drawn here. The decision to hold corporation tax at 12.5% is a significant boost for those engaged in the hard slog to lure overseas investors.
It is also vital not to skimp on measures to nurture entrepreneurship in the indigenous sector.  Strong, small to medium home-grown businesses won’t be on the lookout to transfer operations to low cost economies.
Any new government, no matter what the composition, is likely to kick to touch on holding yet another abortion referendum in its early days. Enda Kenny favours referring the issue to an all-party Oireachtas committee in the hope of achieving consensus. No matter how it’s dealt with, any proposal for new legislation on abortion will give rise to heated and divisive debate.
We can look forward to a presidential election in October to choose a successor for President Mary McAleese, who will retire after serving two terms of office. When the general election is safely out of the way, we should get a clearer picture of who are the serious contenders for the presidency.
If nothing else, 2011 will give us an opportunity to engage in the democratic process on two occasions.  Make it a new year’s resolution to vote but think long and hard about who you vote for and the possible consequences of your decision.