Strategic recovery plan plea

Sir — Ireland finds itself in an unprecedented crisis. Just three months ago, we were an open economy at the centre of the world — now getting a pint of milk is a major expedition.

The economic fallout of Covid-19 will be catastrophic if our road to recovery is not clearly mapped out and planned for.

One thing this crisis has taught us is that there are many workers who can comfortably work from home. And this we realised overnight — so imagine what could be achieved if planned supports were put in place for these workers? There is an advantage to businesses who would need less office space with massive spin-offs for the housing crisis, with future construction efforts being directed towards building domestic dwellings.

Though the talk in the US is about lifting restrictions (even though they are still in the claws of Covid-19), Ireland’s success in coordinating containment measures at home and within the broader EU context will also determine the timing and impact of any recovery plan here.

We need to strategically plan the recovery. The economy will only slowly pick up pace — all on a step-by-step basis — before it gets back on a growth path.

With good planning, this could help us make the twin transition towards a greener and more digital society — which in turn would create a stronger and more sustainable future for us all.

Something positive can emerge from these dark days, but only if we work towards it. It will not fall into our lap.

Now all we need is a credible and sincere Government to implement our social and economic recovery.

Killian Brennan,

Malahide Road, Dublin 17