A New Ireland
By SEAN LEMASS, TD* I WELCOME the opportunity of contributing to this special Irish number of the Spectator. At this time when the immediate future seems to promise momentous developments for both countries and indeed for the whole of Western Europe, it is particularly fitting that this in- fluential journal should endeavour to promote fuller understanding of Ireland's recent pro- gress and the aspirations of her people.
In Ireland we are now looking forward to the opportunity of making a positive contri- bution towards the development of a new and vital European society. The concept of the unified Europe on whose threshold we stand is inspiring in its magnitude and gratifying in the faith in peaceful co-operation between nations which it postulates. It is a concept which is fully in harmony with Irish senti- ments and ideals; it presents a challenge which our history and our traditions impel us to accept and meet.
A new Europe cannot be built without effort. We in Ireland know that we will be expected to make our due contribution to this effort. This we are ready and eager to do; and our people's achievements in the economic field in recent years strengthen our confidence in our 'capacity to make our contribution a worthy one.
The goals we set ourselves in 1958 in the Programme for Economic Expansion, which has been called the blueprint for our progress, have been surpassed. The programme aimed at an annual increase of 2 per cent. in national output. In fact, the volume increase • Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland. in gross national product, which averaged only 1 per cent. in the years of the preceding decade, was 44- per cent. in 1959, 5 per cent. in 1960 and 41 per cent. in 1961. These results reflect increasing success in our export drive and in our endeavours to attract capital and enterprise from other countries to help in our industrial development.
A major factor in that success—and one which we can hope will prove increasingly important in the future—is the growth in trading activity between Britain and Ireland and in the role played by British investment in Irish industry. The possibilities in the eco- nomic relationship between the two countries are likely to become increasingly apparent in the years of change and progress that lie im- mediately ahead. Common membership of a new European community should augment, rather than diminish, opportunities for trade between the two countries.
We believe, too, that, in the new and greater Europe, with the lowering of all kinds of barriers between its peoples, the artificiality of the political division of Ireland will be- come increasingly obvious to all men of com- mon sense. It is hardly excessive to hope that a degree of the imagination and good will necessary for the creation of a united Europe will be sufficient to unite this ancient Euro- pean nation.
Our two countries have, I think, much to look forward to in their dealings with each other. For our part in Ireland we shall strive to make our relations increasingly cordial and mutually rewarding.
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