The past, we are told, is a foreign country.

Fifty years ago so much was different. The Everly Brothers were top of the charts, Spurs were league champions and a new broadcasting service called Teilifis Eireann was just turning on.

On the other hand, Tipperary held the Liam McCarthy cup and another Irish American was in the Oval Office……!

Tragically however, years of poor public policy left 1960s Ireland isolated, impoverished and ill-prepared for the challenges of a rapidly changing international marketplace.

Maybe the past isn’t such a foreign country after all. Read the full story

New Politics

New politics can put the interest of the citizen back at the centre of government.

• Abolish severance payments for Ministers
• Abolish the entitlement of Ministers to state cars
• Cap app political pensions, only payable at 65
• Cut the pay of Taoiseach and Ministers
• Require all expenses to be fully vouched and legitimately incurred
• Cut the number of state boards and end the appointment of political cronies by requiring all appointees to be independently certified as having the required skills
• Ban corporate donations to political parties
• Ask the people to vote within 12 months to abolish the Seanad and reduce the number of Dáil TDs
• Hold the powerful to account- no hiding place, no golden handshake

The era of cosy circles, costly tribunals and countless consultants must come to an end. We can rebuild authentic success in this country founded on genuine enterprise, social solidarity and strong communities.

For more information please visit: http://connect.finegael2011.com/forum/topics/politics-taking-the-lead

Fair Care – Making our Health Services Work

 Even with resources scarce, we can still focus on fairness. The acid test is how we help families cope with crises in their lives.

 FairCare is our fundamental reorganisation of the Irish health system based on three fundamental principles: 

• Treat all patients equally: ending the distinction between public and private patients
• Reward well-run hospitals by paying hospitals for the number of patients they treat and the quality of care they provide
• Allow patients choose their own health insurer who will compete to deliver a uniform package of benefits 

This approach gives control back to people. Money follows the patients’ needs, not the priority of bureaucrats.

For more information please visit: http://connect.finegael2011.com/forum/topics/a-completely-new-health-system