Madam, - The doom and gloom regarding our economy that pervades the land at the moment is almost intellectually offensive. The fundamentals of any country are to feed, water, house, clothe and warm its people and while this statement may seem simplistic this is the basis for all trading processes.
Ireland is very well positioned to benefit hugely from its own resources if not now, then in the very near future.
It is presented with the opportunity to develop an economy that is based on its own natural resources as distinct from building booms or the whims of overseas manufacturers. Moreover, we have the opportunity to develop an economy that is renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Our biggest assets are our people, lands and seas buttressed by sustainable winds and precious rains.
We have four times more arable land per capita than the UK and twice that of Germany (0.003 sq Km per capita compared to the UK and Germany 0.0009 and 0.0014 respectively). In fact, China with its huge population has more arable land per capita than the UK and yet it considers it needs to expand into Africa so as to feed its population.
Ireland has also one of the longest coastlines per capita in the world 352 Km/1 million people compared to UK 205 Km/1 million people; Germany has 29Km/per 1 million people while China has 11Km/per 1 million people. Interestingly, Spain, which has Europe's largest fishing fleet, has only one third of Ireland's coastline per capita.
Ireland has the potential to develop fish and shellfish farms on a greater scale than at present. We should continue to stock and restock our rivers as well as protecting them from pollution. While we are the fifth biggest producer of cattle per capita in the world, we can and should continue to develop and redevelop our agriculture to buttress up our food exporting capacity: the world needs food.
While our lack of fossil fuels for energy is obvious further gas and oil exploration around our shores may surprise us.
Moreover, while not developed yet the potential to harness energy from our seas is immense. The technology to develop sea power is growing and will continue to grow exponentially: we should contribute to it and take from it. Wind power we have already taken on board. With the continuing development of bigger and more efficient turbines we are well placed to provide more and more of our energy from this resource.
So taking all on board Ireland would seem like the veritable Garden of Eden compared to many other countries.
Our economic future does not lie in the pharmaceutical or computer software industries (too much competition). It is back on the land and seas of our isle. We may have trying weather and forgetful summers but it is these conditions that foretell our potential. - Yours, etc.,
ALEX WHELAN,
Monaloe Drive,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.