Congratulations must go to Enda Kenny on his election as the 12th Taoiseach. He deserves a pat on the back, not because the economic crunch helped but that he wanted the job and went for it with all ferocity.
What lies ahead is a race and fight tougher than his battle for Ireland’s leadership. However, we can take solace in his 36-year record in the Dáil and his opposition to the last Government. He was always on his feet questioning the direction that Ireland was heading.
There’s no time to waste in the revival of the Celtic nation, as he pointed out in his inaugural speech at Leinster House. He’s started well by promising a new kind of leadership that puts responsibility over privilege. His swiftness in taking a pay cut together with members of the cabinet says a lot about the new sheriff and prudent administration in town.
It is also interesting that the cabinet made the trip from Leinster House to Áras an Uachtaráin by minibus to cut down on transportation cost. It is vital that this Government begins to eliminate some of those overheads that waste money without considering the state of the nation’s purse.
I ask the new Taoiseach to turn his attention towards emerging markets for Irish exports and expatriates. I have always preached in this column about my dissatisfaction with the laissez faire attitude towards foreign markets, with resignations about Ireland being a small country and unable to do much. But Ireland cannot rise without trade. Kenny will need to sort out the banking crisis once and for all, talk to the EU about the IMF deal and reversing corruption in internal finances. But he must also liaise with his Tánaiste – who fortunately is in charge of trade and foreign affairs ¬– to seek partnership in commerce.
It is important that Ireland focuses its lenses towards emerging markets in Africa, Asia and the Americas. There is nothing to fear because we would be going with a view to do business only. Besides, most of these countries have their children in Ireland, and it would be worthwhile if some are co-opted in the plan. I recommend a strong trade council that will aggressively seek for strong bilateral ties from which Ireland shall reap the rewards.
The fact remains that this great country can no longer be dormant and keeping its arms astride for direction from the big players in the EU. What’s more, Ireland has more goodwill than many countries I could care to mention. As a matter of fact, this country’s humanitarian ambassadors have an impressive trac record.
So why are Irish leaders relying heavily on their big brothers in Brussels to keep lending them money with high interest rates?
This is Enda Kenny’s time to do something spectacular for the republic to get up off its knees.
Ukachukwu Okorie is originally from Nigeria and writes weekly for Metro Éireann. Visit his website at www.olumouka.com
