Eanna Dowling

1) General forum

Open ideas

1. 9 votes

   3

   Our future: physical, not virtual; Localised, not globalised; citizen not consumer

Recent Comments

1. This issue deserves discussion and consideration. As the global population continues to grow exponentially, it is likely that over the medium term the all island population will increase. Will it stabilise at 8 million by 2020? Or 10 million by 2050? At the moment, no one knows.

   As the EU creaks under the pressures of natural increase and immigration, Ireland will take a share of the increase, one way or another.

   We need to consider plans for how this will affect people, north and south of the border.

   0 Be Radical - Put Population on the Green Agenda - 4 days ago

2. separate national and local politics through a smaller Dail and council reform

   We need a citizens assembly of some sort to define current policy and practice on the issues of the day. And we need the politics of the local Fix-It reps, who in the best examples attract positive developments to their areas, support their constituents in their engagements with the State and hav... more

   We need a citizens assembly of some sort to define current policy and practice on the issues of the day. And we need the politics of the local Fix-It reps, who in the best examples attract positive developments to their areas, support their constituents in their engagements with the State and have an ear for all with the courage to speak.

   Unfortunately we have a system where our citizens' assembly representatives, TDs, do both jobs – the legislator and the local man. Our politics will not thrive until we separate the functions.

   So let there be a Dail of some 60 or 70 legislators elected. Let them spend their time deciding policy and practice in relation to the key areas of State Governance. Let them use power point or other tools to make their cases, or have the authority to invite experts to support their views.

   Let them have authority in 5 key areas:

   1. International relations – assess and assimilate the impact of WTO treaties and international agreements on our laws, culture and economy

   2. European matters – establish our position in relation to various EU Directive proposals and explore their potential consequences

   3. Management of State Services – Education, Welfare, Health, Defense, Justice and all other State sponsored and regulated activities

   4. Finances – endowed with the power of taxation, responsible for keeping the State’s balance sheet in order

   5. Planning for a long term sustainable futures – new regulations, policies and practices to transition to the future where we emit 80% less carbon by 2050.

   As of now our political system over-focuses on the management of State Services and the finances of the nation. But the truth is that we have accepted our role in the globalised world, and international developments have a huge impact on our isolated, island life. We need a more efficient national politics that focusses on issues, policies, practices and planning rather than the PR driven soap opera of mock dispute.

   0 Reduce the wages of TD's - 4 days ago

3. Separate national and local politics through a smaller Dail and council reform

   We need a citizens assembly of some sort to define current policy and practice on the issues of the day. And we need the politics of the local Fix-It reps, who in the best examples attract positive developments to their areas, support their constituents in their engagements with the State and hav... more

   We need a citizens assembly of some sort to define current policy and practice on the issues of the day. And we need the politics of the local Fix-It reps, who in the best examples attract positive developments to their areas, support their constituents in their engagements with the State and have an ear for all with the courage to speak.

   Unfortunately we have a system where our citizens' assembly representatives, TDs, do both jobs – the legislator and the local man. Our politics will not thrive until we separate the functions.

   So let there be a Dail of some 60 or 70 legislators elected. Let them spend their time deciding policy and practice in relation to the key areas of State Governance. Let them use power point or other tools to make their cases, or have the authority to invite experts to support their views.

   Let them have authority in 5 key areas:

   1. International relations – assess and assimilate the impact of WTO treaties and international agreements on our laws, culture and economy

   2. European matters – establish our position in relation to various EU Directive proposals and explore their potential consequences

   3. Management of State Services – Education, Welfare, Health, Defense, Justice and all other State sponsored and regulated activities

   4. Finances – endowed with the power of taxation, responsible for keeping the State’s balance sheet in order

   5. Planning for a long term sustainable futures – new regulations, policies and practices to transition to the future where we emit 80% less carbon by 2050.

   As of now our political system over-focuses on the management of State Services and the finances of the nation. But the truth is that we have accepted our role in the globalised world, and international developments have a huge impact on our isolated, island life. We need a more efficient national politics that focusses on issues, policies, practices and planning rather than the PR driven soap opera of mock dispute.

   0 Direct Democracy - 4 days ago

4. A regulated medicinal cannabis market

   It is likely that in the not too distant future, Ireland may make cannabis legally available on prescription for certain ailments. These could include depression, MS, glaucoma, arthritis or to stimulate appetite. A GP would assess the patient and presribe the medicinal cannabis where appropriate. The patient could purchase the medicine at a participating pharmacy or dispensary. This system already happens in 14 States of the USA.

   In some places, patients may legally grow their own, say 6 plants per patient. A proposal to introduce a medicinal cannabis system has already been received by Mary Harney in her capacity as Minister for Health.

   http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0910/1224278568389.html

   In anticipation of this development, we need to give thought to a regulated system for supplying the medicine to the pharmacies/dispensaries. I advocate only Irish grown cannabis for supply. I further advocate that the plants be grown, harvested and cured under license and that the trade between grower and pharmacy/dispensary be supervised by a market regulator.

   A regulatory body would regulate the quantity grown; assess and grade the quality of the herb; fix a fair price for the grower, patient and pharmacy/dispensary.

   Any profits accruing from the initiative would be re-distributed by a tax on growers' profits/salaries and the usual taxes and levies on medicinal products.

   General comments

   As the years go on, the debate on cannabis will continue with periods of legalisation and periods of prohibition. But there is a mature market for cannabis in Ireland, about 1 in every 30 adults are regular users. They choose to consume cannabis for medicinal, cultural, recreational, sexual and social purposes, and they have an inalienable right to do so, despite the current legal situation.

   An economic opportunity exists to legalise cannabis and to regulate the Irish cannabis market. Legalisation could assist with the customer getting a consistent quality product. It could create legitimate tax paying jobs for growers and distributors. The potential for import substitution is huge, and with it the economic benefits of turning a black market importation business into a bona fide home industry.

   0 Ending of cannabis prohibition to take money and control away from gangs and to regulate sales. - 4 days ago

6) Democratic reform forum

Open ideas

1. 1 votes

   1

   separate national and local politics through a smaller Dail and council reform