Maybe I won’t be the first black Taoiseach – never mind! But if I were in that position, one of the first things I’d do is to tackle the Irish economy. We are really in a bad state right now. The country requires strong leadership from politicians who shouldn’t be looking to take the glory for themselves.
Low taxes for the multinationals setting up factories here has led to them, after four or five years, leaving Ireland and going to some other country so they can pay even lower taxes. This is the result of bad management by our leaders.
If I could, I’d do my very best to get jobs for at least half the people who are currently signing on the dole. There are a lot of opportunities, and we could really do something for them.
Ireland also needs to have a strong voice in its relationship with Europe. We should be leaders, not followers. Unfortunately, I think Ireland is seen as ‘the drunken man of Europe’. That’s how we’re looked upon by leaders on the continent – as long as we have a few pubs to drink in and a few jobs now and again, that’ll keep us happy.
What we need is real leadership that shows ambition. There’s no reason why Ireland, at some stage in the future, won’t be able to send astronauts to the moon or to Mars! We aren’t using our independence like other countries do.
But the economy is the priority for the time being. And as I write this, there is not enough being done. We need to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. That is my philosophy, and it has kept my business going over the last 10 years.
My dream was to have my own business and I have worked hard to get to where I am. Life is like a theatre, a stage on which everyone plays their own part.
If you compare me to a racehorse, I’ve been in many races, won a few, come second or third in others. But now it is time to retire, eat good grass and enjoy life.
DJ Ram, originally from Libya, is a DJ and proprietor of the Dublin-based reggae music store In Dub
