The 2014 MacGill Summer School
Without Fundamental Reform of our Politics and Institutions can we meet the challenges ahead?
and
Seamus Heaney – The Loss and the Legacy
MacGill will continue to examine the reforms of our political and administrative institutions that are necessary if the republic is to meet the challenges from within and without that lie ahead. The economy is beginning to grow again but we live in an unstable world where nothing can be taken for granted and recent internal crises have flared up with possible dangerous consequences including political instability.
Efforts have been made to reform some of our political and administrative structures but, to give only one example, we have been reminded brutally that the administration of justice, fundamental to the security and well being of the republic’s citizens, has been flawed to a considerable and worrying degree.
Our institutions in general do not appear to be adapted to a young, modern and multicultural society and in the realm of politics there is a dangerous lack of trust and confidence in our politicians and political institutions. There is, on the other hand, an equally dangerous lack of knowledge of and interest in politics which, in turn, is leading to an inactive, ill informed and disillusioned citizenry. The political process and culture have to be changed.
As part of the MacGill week, we will also remember our beloved and distinguished poet Seamus Heaney as the anniversary of his passing approaches.
THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE 2014 MACGILL SUMMER SCHOOL
H.E. Mr Dominick Chilcott, British Ambassador to Ireland
THE FOURTEENTH ANNUAL JOHN HUME LECTURE
delivered by Dr Maurice Hayes
IRISH POLITICS IS HARD-WIRED TO THE PREVAILING POPULAR WILL
Gerard Howlin, columnist, founding member of the PD party, former advisor to Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern
THE PROCESS OF REBUILDING TRUST MUST BE AN INCLUSIVE ONE
Joan Burton TD, An Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection
POLITICS IS STILL QUITE A CLOSED PROPOSITION
Frank Flannery, Political Consultant, former Director of Organisation & Strategy, Fine Gael
POLICING CANNOT BE ADDRESSED WITH AD HOC PIECEMEAL MEASURES
Prof Dermot Walsh, Kent Law School, University of Kent
CHANGING THE CULTURE WILL TAKE POLITICAL WILL AND VISIONARY LEADERSHIP
Catherine Murphy TD, Independent deputy for Kildare North
WHERE IS THE DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION AND ITS ECONOMIC COUNTERPART?
Lucinda Creighton TD, The Reform Alliance
FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IS POSSIBLE WHERE THERE IS POLITICAL WILL
Pearse Doherty TD, Sinn Féin spokeperson on Finance
CLIENTELISM REMAINS THE DOMINANT FEATURE OF IRISH POLITICAL CULTURE
Pat Leahy, Political Editor, Sunday Business Post
IRISH POLITICS HAS FAILED TO MODERNISE
Stephen Donnelly TD, Independent member of the Dáil for Wicklow and East Carlow
BECOMING A WORLD CLASS POLICE FORCE
Noirín O’Sullivan, Acting Commissioner, An Garda Síochána
A FAILED POLITICAL SYSTEM AND CULTURE
Mary Lou McDonald TD, Deputy-Leader, Sinn Féin
A REPUBLIC OF CONSCIENCE
Dr Leo Varadkar TD, Minister for Health
EXAGGERATING THE CHALLENGE OF THE EUROPHOBIC PARTIES IS NOT THE ANSWER
Sir Julian Priestley, Secretary-General of the European Parliament 1997-2007
TOWARDS AN EFFECTIVE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY
Dr Eddie Molloy, Director, Advance Organisation
IMPROVING PERFORMANCE ACROSS THE BOARD IN THE CIVIL SERVICE
Robert Watt, Secretary-General, Department of Public Expenditure & Reform
ECONOMIC RECOVERY – THE END OF THE BEGINNING
Fiona Muldoon, formerly of the Central Bank
MINIMISING THREATS TO RECOVERY: THE VALUE OF THE NEW FISCAL FRAMEWORK
Prof John McHale, National University of Ireland, Galway, Irish Fiscal Advisory Council