Winter Workshop "Back to Basics - A Plan for Survival"

by Sean Crudden Mon Jan 25, 2010 16:37

Well there was no vision of a new technology or anything which might rescue civilisation from the economic mire. The emphasis was on soft issues like community values, helping the less fortunate, fairness. Paradoxically it was suggested that the recession might do good, getting people talking and getting people back to reality. Basics means different things to different age groups. No-one wants to go back to sorting potatoes by hand at frozen potato pits in the middle of December. People are still generous as the national response to the earthquake disaster in Haiti shows.
The workshop heard a comprehensive description of the proposed reforms of local government in Northern Ireland. We were reminded that local government in all areas may have a crucial role to play in a time of recession. However we heard that there was no appetite in Northern Ireland to return housing or education into the control of local government. Clearly the “agency” approach to administration is presently being favoured on both sides of the border relegating, to some extent, local authorities to a state of powerlessness.

An interesting case study presented by Don Johnston was The Encumbered Estates Court set up in Ireland after the famine. It dealt with land issues in a way analogous to the way in which NAMA is expected to deal with developer debt and it took 25 years for the court to discharge its function completely.

Deficiencies in planning were highlighted where we have in the Republic an estimated 300 000 unoccupied houses. New planning regulations 2009 – 2015 will see a reduction in the size of homes in terms of the house/plot area ratio
.
Harry Lee told the workshop that local radio questions everything the councils do and the airwaves are open to anything anyone wants to discuss.

The recovery plan outlined by Conor Keelan was orthodox. The recovery must be export led. Continue to invest in infrastructure and retraining the workforce. Stay in the Euro. Possible growth in areas like food production.

Yinka outlined the possibility of a self-regulating community where people were related in a more intimate way – like the way we are connected to our uncles or aunts and where we are our neighbour’s friend. “No-one knows how long the recession will last,” Yinka reasoned. “Live in peace, wear a big smile, look good and, one day, things will improve,” she counselled.

Those present for the workshop which ran from 14.00 until 18.00 on Saturday 23 January 2010 were; Yinka Nixon, Don Johnston, Professor Dennis Pringle, Eric Hynes, Conor Keelan, Eamonn O’Boyle, Christina O'Boyle, Harry Lee, Michael Corrigan, Sean Crudden, Mary Corrigan, Micheál Murphy, Kevin McGeough, Karen Smyth, Kevin Hynes, Willie Jones, Dermot Mooney, Alan McGuire, Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes (facilitator).

Sean Crudden told the workshop that Cooley Environmental and Health Group, unless there was any serious objection, would have as officers for the coming year; chairperson, Dermot Mooney; vice-chairperson, Anne Muldowney; secretary, Archbishop Hynes; treasurer, Seán Crudden

Organisers, Archbishop Hynes & Dermot Mooney

Priofessor Dennis Pringle

Karen Smyth & Conor Keelan

Eric Hynes & Christina O'Boyle

Micheál Murphy & Eamonn O'Boyle

by Sean Crudden - Cooley Environmental and Health Group Tue Feb 02, 2010 15:58

Sorry for making the mistake but the comment above gives Yinka's surname wrong. It should by Yinka Dixon.

Yinka Dixon

by Ashfield - Utilitarians Thu Feb 04, 2010 16:53

10 years - well done to all at Cooley Environmental Group

Sean you have made a real effort via Indymedia over the years to keep us 'connected' if not integrated virtually.

Also well done to Archbishop Hynes and all the behind the scenes contributors.

The photos make it homely and show us the beauty of our Northern counties.

Back to Basics is sound advice in this deepening days of depression. The depression alas is two fold. It is our country, our society being embalmed by global greed and then the people, the individuals who fight 'the black dog' who comprise our society.

I am in Dawson Street and have just read a notice that I would like to share with you.

The name of the Italian eatery is Carluccis. It has a marvellous clientele and wides the Irish taste buds to what excels in Italy.
The notice on the door is clear. The landlord states that they have informed their staff that business cannot continue because the LANDLORD WILL NOT RE-NEGOTIATE THE RENT DOWNWARDS.

You mention Sean about the Encumbered Estates Act. Why can we the people of Ireland not learn something from the past. Landlords ought to be humane and consider taking say 25% off their rents for a period of time.

If they don't we will find ourselves with vacant premises and no tourism!