Statement by Seán MacBride to the Committee on European Economic Co-operation

Shortages of essential goods and uneven distribution are the principal features of the crisis with which we are all faced. These factors in turn lead to hunger, poverty and economic insecurity. Our aim apart from the procedural aspect must therefore be to plan for:

1. Increased production on a rational basis,
2. Equitable distribution of materials essential to secure increased production and of the goods produced.

In brief, our task is to rebuild the economy of Western Europe on a completely new basis. The aim should be, not merely to return to the economic standards that prevailed before 1939, but to envisage a new concept based upon real co-operation. Following upon the destruction of Europe we are perhaps all inclined to yearn for a return to the conditions that existed before the war. That is not sufficient. The organisation of human society, and indeed human needs themselves, are never static. We must not allow our nostalgia for a return to economic stability to blind us to the defects that existed before 1939. We must accordingly evolve a new approach that will take cognisance of past defects on the one hand and that will ensure for the people whom we represent the best standard of life that modern science and development can assure. The motive of economic domination or rivalry must never again be permitted. The aim must be to secure a standard of life for the 240,000,000 people we represent here that will assure to them, and to each of them that economic security and well being so essential to a democratic mode of life based upon the liberty and dignity of the individual.

With foresight and with a true sense of its democratic responsibility, the great American nation with whom we in Ireland have so many ties of blood and friendship is offering us many of the materials which are essential to rebuild our shattered economies. We on our part at this conference must plan to avail with speed and efficiency of the resources so generously made available to us.

In order to succeed we must be prepared to approach European economic recovery with the same energy and the same resourcefulness as if it were a military operation upon which the fate of our nations depended.

The enemies are hunger, poverty and economic insecurity. Let us then be prepared to mobilise our resources on the same scale as if this were a war - but with the knowledge that in this war we are not planning for destruction but for the economic well being and liberty of the people of Europe.

In order to increase our productivity we in Ireland require machinery, fertilisers and feeding stuffs. During the war years our land became impoverished. Given the necessary requirements we can undertake to increase our food production and thus do our share in the war against want at home and in Europe. One of the most essential and urgent steps in order to give effect to economic planning as far as my country is concerned, is to be in a position to plan for and to integrate the economy of the country as a whole. In order to obtain the best results the economic unity of Ireland will have to be achieved. Thus we will be enabled to face the task not merely competently but with enthusiasm.

In performing our work here let us remember that upon our shoulders rests the responsibility of preventing another world cataclysm. In our country we believe that in addition to the material aspect of economic recovery, it is essential to build on Christian social and economic principles. We believe that this should be done not in any sectarian spirit but by adherence to an ideal which recognises that the function of society is to secure for man economic independence and security so that his personal liberty, individuality and dignity may be assured.

In the spirit of these remarks and guided by these principles we will co-operate and assist to the extent of our ability in the work that lies ahead.