Renewed Programme for Government October 2009

1. Introduction

When this Government took office in June 2007, few foresaw that record levels of economic growth were coming to an end. The international financial crisis plunged Ireland into the worst recession we have experienced in 80 years.

The Irish Government acted quickly to prevent collapse. Difficult decisions had to be taken. They were painful for many, but necessary for all.

After a decade of unprecedented growth, Ireland now has to deal with a period of unprecedented challenge.

We can rise to that challenge. We are the same people we were a year ago: enterprising, confident and compassionate. Neither our talent nor our determination has been dimmed by our current difficulties.

The time for crisis management is over. Now we must set about re-creating the Republic. This Renewed Programme sets out the Government's vision of national renewal and economic recovery.

This is an unparalleled programme of reform in all areas of Government activity - in politics, economics and across our society.

We will return this economy to a position of sustainable recovery. Never again will we find ourselves overly reliant on one sector or stream of revenue.

We need vital credit for our cash strapped businesses to work. Our banks must reconfigure and reform. We will also ensure that a new regime of corporate
responsibility is put in place. Any wrongdoing will be uncovered by the institutions of the State and brought to its logical conclusion. We cannot accept a return to the old ways and we will simply not allow this to happen.

The credit crisis hit more than our banking system. It is hurting homeowners and those in arrears. Government will support families having difficulties with their
mortgage payments.

From the multinational company to the small shop-owner, we will take all possible measures to support existing jobs. We will build a high-productivity, low-carbon, Smart Economy to create new and quality jobs. We must think smarter, work smarter and be smarter - getting more for less across all sectors of the Irish economy, public and private.

There will be great rewards for the country that understands and responds quickly to the environmental challenges of this new century. Moving to a low-carbon economy, we will take advantage of our own natural resources in energy, forestry and food.

Ireland has the chance to be at the vanguard of the fight against climate change. Our carbon emissions targets will be legally binding.

We will invest in public transport, new broadband infrastructure and more energy efficient buildings because it makes economic as well as environmental sense.

The best investment with the greatest return any Government can make is in education. It empowers the individual, strengthens society and is truly
transformational. In the savings that must be made, we will protect our children's education insofar as we can.

As political leaders we have a responsibility to lead by example. We are mindful of our role, first and foremost, as servants of the people. We need to start a process of radical reform of our democratic structures so that the highest standards apply and they are truly representative.#

We will reform the public service to enable it to meet the demands of the tasks ahead. As elected representatives we will work to earn and repay the trust that is placed in us.

We will do what is appropriate and necessary for Ireland's recovery. To succeed, we will work with all sectors of Irish society. We must all pull together.

We are determined to succeed and, together, we will succeed.

Teastaíonn spiorad an Mheitheal anois níos mó ná riamh. Spiorad an chomharsanacht, spiorad an chomhoibriú. Ní neart go cur le chéile agus seo í an t-am chun brú ar aghaidh i dteannta a chéile agus le tacaíocht dá chéile.

Linked Files:
To view and print PDF files, a viewer program called Acrobat Reader Version is required. A free copy of this Adobe Reader can be downloaded from the Adobe Website