Ireland’s future starts here: bold ideas from O’Toole, Steen, O’Connor and more to reshape government action

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by The Irish Times, click this post to read the original article.

Child poverty: ‘It makes you wonder what people in power entered public life for in the first place’

If you’re interested in how Ireland can improve society, several voices across different sectors suggest practical solutions. Joseph O’Connor proposes giving every teenager a €300 culture voucher to boost interest in the arts, which he sees as essential for personal and economic development. Justine McCarthy advocates for a “super referendum day” to enshrine economic, social, and cultural rights in the Constitution, modernise language, and remove outdated religious references. Meanwhile, film producer David Puttnam calls for reform of compulsory purchase laws to tackle widespread dereliction and address the housing crisis.

You’ll hear other powerful calls for change too. Sports writer Malachy Clerkin pushes for major investment in local sports facilities to promote health and community well-being. Fintan O’Toole criticises the government’s inaction on child poverty, suggesting a targeted child benefit could lift tens of thousands of children out of poverty. Maria Steen urges tax reforms to enable single-income families more choice, which she ties to better quality of life and reversing demographic issues. Disability advocate Laura Leeson wants stricter regulations around disabled parking permits, ensuring they are reserved for those truly in need.

You’ll also find urgent recommendations for elderly care and sustainability. Desmond O’Neill highlights the neglect of nursing home residents during Covid, calling for stronger public oversight and services. Aisling Rogerson focuses on farming, urging greater support for vegetable producers to reduce reliance on imports. Immigrant student Abdallah Aljazzar shares his shock at healthcare delays and housing costs in Ireland, comparing them unfavourably to his expectations.

A wide range of experts point to systemic issues and solutions. Niall Muldoon calls for embedding children’s rights into law. Donal O’Shea wants tighter regulation of social media to protect youth mental health. Former bank governor Patrick Honohan urges Ireland to take a more proactive role in Europe, especially in areas like decarbonisation and defence. Others flag practical changes such as improving urban congestion through road charges (Barra Roantree), boosting public digital health infrastructure (Ronan Glynn), and addressing energy insecurity by investing in gas generation (Muireann Lynch).

Finally, you hear calls to prioritise the creative sector and inclusive policymaking. Maureen Kennelly wants more financial support for artists, while Louise Lawless proposes linking government sports funding to player representation to amplify athlete voices. Gerard Howlin argues that civil servants should work in-office more often for effective governance. Across all sectors, these contributors believe that well-targeted government action could bring real improvements to public life in Ireland.