The aim of this proposal is to show that changing a single fundamental concept of social welfare would cause a ripple effect, resulting in the following benefits to the Irish nation: • Eliminate the need for a minimum wage – Making Ireland a very competitive place for companies to locate to. • Eliminates the “I could earn more by not working” trap – Thus encouraging (and not penalizing) people for joining the workforce. • Eliminate the need for a minimum age to receive state pension – In fact this proposal would make the concept of state pension redundant.

My proposal is for a major, innovative overhaul of the health care system in Ireland by drawing upon the best advantages of both a socialistic system such as the HSE or NHS of the UK, and a strongly capitalistic system such as the USA system, while minimizing the disadvantages of both systems. Just as Ireland essentially “trademarked” the low corporate tax rate, giving birth to the Celtic Tiger, Ireland could bring the same radical change of philosophy to health care. In just a few years, Ireland, like the rest of the world, will have a significant increase in citizens over the age of 65 as a percentage of total population. Unfortunately as a fact of nature, as we age, we require more frequent and more costly medical services. Therefore, in the near future, our health care system will become greatly strained. Without question, the time is now to reform our health care system to become more efficient, more cost-effective, and overall more functional. The only question is how? More...

Your building contractor asks you for a 50% deposit of €20,000.00 up front for the window manufacturer on your new house project. What do you do? What if the builder goes out of business after you give him the money? What if the window manufacturer goes out of business? The window manufacturer doesn’t trust you or the builder and won’t even order materials until he has a 50% deposit as security. The builder doesn’t trust anyone, he’s suspicious of the Employer’s reticence in parting with his money and doesn’t want to pay his sub-contractors until he secures his own payments. Welcome to the post “Celtic Tiger” world of Irish Construction.

A project which will create local and national jobs, namely the creation of an online network, in cloud computing style, which will act as a public utility for individuals and companies alike, allowing them access to software and shared resources. It would create it's own employment and cut down on major overheads for both start-up and established companies. The project is funded through a local venture fund, funded and administered by local people, to be set up wherever possible all around the country. People who invest in the fund will be paid interest at a rate similar to that of Government bonds.

THIS PROJECT IS ABOUT IRELAND IN THE WORLD, AND THE SEVENTY MILLION PEOPLE WORLD WIDE WHO ARE IRISH IN ANCESTERY OR HOLD IRISH PASSPORTS. MUINTIR CHANGES THE WAY WE BRAND IRELAND AND IRISH GOODS AND SERVICES, IT PROMOTES A CULTURAL SHIFT IN UNDERSTANDING THAT BEING IRISH BY BIRTH OR ANCESTRY, WE ARE A MIXTURE OF VARIED SETLTERS, VIKING, FRENCH, , WELSH ENGLISH, SCOTTISH, JEWISH, FLEMISH, IN THE PAST, AND IN RECENT TIMES, A NEW POPULATION HAS BEEN ADDED TO THAT MIX. OUR INDUSTRIAL AND CRAFT PRODUCTS ARE EQUALLY DIVERSE, AND MUINTIR TWINES THIS DIVERSITY INTO A NEW GLOBAL MARKET AND IRELAND SHOWCASE. IT’S A TWO WAY MARKETPLACE –COMPANIES OWNED OR STAFFED BY THE IRISH ABROAD WOULD HAVE AN EQUAL PLACE WITH INDIGENOUS COMPANIES, LEADING TO NEW LINKS, LEARNING AND PROFITIBILITY. ONE OF THE MAIN THEMES TO EMERGE FROM THE ATTENDEES AT THE GLOBAL IRISH ECONOMIC FORUM WAS THE IMPORTANCE OF IRISH CULTURE TO THE IMAGE OF THIS COUNTRY ABROAD.…. AS WE STRIVE TO PROMOTE IRISH CULTURE AND More...

With the numbers of people on the unemployed register dramatically increasing and job opportunities hugely limited we have to find a way to get people back to work, to maintain their moral, and keep their CVs active. It is well known that the longer you are unemployed the harder it is to get back into paid employment. However, currently, if you claim JobSeeker’s Benefit (JSB) or JobSeeker’s Allowance (JSA) you cannot work without your payment being significantly reduced, often making it financially unsound. This system has been in place for a long time but it is by its nature a negative use of the workforce. Let’s change the rules. I propose that JSB/JSA recipients give a minimum of 8 hours work a week in exchange for their payment. In return they will receive an additional minimum payment from the employer. All businesses can join the scheme, but those with businesses turning a profit will be compelled to join. This will have huge benefits for everyone involved. JobSeek More...

This may seem wacky, but I propose a slightly new way of reducing the number of people who speed and in turn, hopefully save lives. I propose, ordinary Irish motorists be given the power to carry out speed checks on other cars. Basically, x number of these responsible drivers,(with proper training) could be employed on a casual basis per county, maybe the garda reserve could be used, etc. They would be given basic training, and would be required to do so many hours of speed controlling per month. Why might this work????? First and foremost, I think motorists are well aware of the speed checking areas, and are going to slow down when they see a big bright Garda car. However, if someone is undercover, dressed normally, in a normal car, I think this would worry drivers out there, and scare them into slowing down, as they could literally be stopped at any time. Thsee motorists could be like road ambassadors/ prefects. In Ireland, I doubt theres nearly a family who has not lost a rel More...

As the interest of Ireland’s youth in the sciences fades, so too does the possibility of establishing a long-lasting knowledge economy in this country. Many third level science undergraduates are not pursuing their first CAO option, and a complacent lack of interest is becoming increasingly evident. To combat this downtrend we aim to bring modern, relevant and exciting science into second-level classrooms, specifically focusing on biology, chemistry, computer science, maths, geology and physics. To achieve this, a network of postgraduate science students from across Ireland will be established with the primary goal of developing modern, interactice learning and teaching approaches that will inspire second-level students to strive for further education in the sciences. Short science courses that will include lectures, team-based discussion groups, hands-on practical work and field trips will be designed and presented by postgraduate students to secondary students around the country. More...

I propose an investment fund that would invest in small and medium enterprises by way of loans and/or part ownership. Despite the downturn on our economy there are still many people who have cash to invest and are looking for a return on this. There is also a great level of pride among the people of Ireland who want to do their part in restoring the economy and helping their fellow citizens. With this initiative, ordinary people can invest their money in the fund. The fund will then lend to qualifying enterprises which show a sustainable business plan and create jobs. Each applicant would be reviewed by a credit approval board. The review process would be very tightly controlled to ensure that only high potential SMEs qualify: for example those who were already successful and want to expand but are curtailed by lack of lending from banks, or new enterprises with innovative ideas who can’t get investment through usual channels due to the downturn. The government can play their p More...

The Idea: In recognition and celebration of this great initiative, "Your Country Your Call", I propose a similar approach be applied to the general population of Ireland, county by county; "Your County Your Call". The value of this approach is that it harnesses the expertise, knowledge and resourcefulness of each person in relation to the communities they know best; those in which they live. It has the crucial benefit of empowering the Irish people to take their present and future into their own hands. The outcomes emerge from the people themselves and as such are more likely to be contextually appropriate, sustainable in the long-term and be supported by community and country alike. Implementation: I envision a series of face-to-face "Community Conversations" held in each county. The participants would ideally self-select and facilitators would ensure a representative cross section of each community was included. Each county will be facilitated to highlight their vision for thei More...