Modern Ireland: Structured Essays

Modern Ireland: Structured Essays PART 3: GOVERNMENT, ECONOMY AND SOCIETY IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, 1949–89 Structured Essay 3 What contribution did Seán Lemass make to Irish affairs? Introduction Born in Dublin in 1899, Lemass fought in the 1916 Rising and in the War of Independence. He was on the anti-Treaty side during the Civil War and was a founder member of Fianna Fáil in 1926. He was also the Minister for Industry and Commerce in successive Fianna Fáil governments from the 1930s. His greatest impact on Irish society was during his period as Taoiseach from 1959 to 1966, when he presided over a period of economic transformation and modernisation. Lemass as Minister for Industry and Commerce in the 1930s As Minister for Industry and Commerce during the 1930s, Lemass pursued a policy of economic self-sufficiency, characterised by: • tariff protection, • the encouragement of Irish-owned industries, • the establishment of semi-state bodies such as the Industrial Credit Corporation, the Irish Sugar Company, Bord na Móna and Aer Lingus. This resulted in a dramatic increase of 50% in employment in industry between 1932 and 1938, despite worldwide recession. The War Years and After Lemass headed a new department as Minister for Supplies during the Emergency with responsibility for the co- ordination and rationing of scarce resources, such as sugar, tea and fuel. He was particularly suited to this task owing to his energy, pragmatism and organisational ability. In 1941 he set up a new semi-state body, the Irish Shipping Company, to enable the importation of vital supplies, which was jeopardised by the lack of British ships. Serving again as Minister for Industry and Commerce during the 1950s, he became increasingly convinced of the limits of economic protection in the face of escalating emigration and unemployment. The First Programme for Economic Expansion Lemass succeeded de Valera as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil in 1959. Convinced of the need for a radical approach to the Irish economy, he fully supported the economic policy proposed by T. K. Whitaker, Secretary of the Department of Finance. This took the form of the First Programme for Economic Expansion, which set targets for growth, attracted foreign industry with generous grants and tax concessions, and promoted efficiency and competitiveness. 1 MODERN IRELAND 3RD EDITION The Impact of Lemass’s Economic Policy The First Programme, 1958–63, was a spectacular success and was a testament to the role of Lemass in transforming the Irish economy: output of industry increased by almost one-quarter, unemployment fell by one-third, and emigration declined sharply, ushering in a period of prosperity and rising expectations. Under the leadership of Lemass, Ireland’s emergence from economic isolation was illustrated by an application to join the EEC. A Second Programme for Economic Expansion, 1963–70, was not as successful as its predecessor. Social Change under Lemass Despite the success of Lemass’s economic policy, not all sections of Irish society benefited equally and his view that ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’ was not realised. However, social transformation under the leadership of Lemass was facilitated by the establishment of RTÉ, the introduction of free secondary education, and the emergence of a consumer society. Lemass and Northern Ireland The innovative and pragmatic approach of Lemass was also seen in his dealings with Northern Ireland. He took part in two historic meetings with the Northern Prime Minister, Terence O’Neill, in 1965. Widely supported in the Republic, the discussion of co-operation in areas of joint interest such as agriculture, tourism and trade indicated a departure from the anti-partitionist approach of previous Irish governments. Conclusion Lemass played a transformative role in Irish society; he was a pragmatic nationalist who showed a willingness to depart from a policy of economic self-sufficiency as a means of addressing the chronic problems of emigration and unemployment; he wished to bring Ireland out of economic isolation; he adopted a new approach to relations with Northern Ireland; and he presided over a period of rapid social change. He had led transformative change in levels of prosperity but had failed to prevent persistence of economic and social inequalities. 2.

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