Cuman na Gaedheal and Fianna Fail in Power Economic Policies - Comparison
Cumann na nGaedheal
Economic crisis - Aftermath of War of Independence and Civil War
Partition – southern Irish economy poor – high unemployment
Dependence on UK for finance and trade
Rural focus – low industrialisation
Central Policy focus on Agriculture sector – free trade – low taxes – link Irish pound with sterling
Introduced standards of production, advisers, ACC set up to offer cheap loans, land commission, land Act
Less focus on Industrial Policy – Free Trade V Protectionism debate – Fiscal Enquiry Committee
Tariffs on small amount of products 1924/35 – concentrate on free trade
Shannon Scheme – major achievement 1929 – cheap power for Industry and public – ESB set up to distribute through one of the first National Grids in Europe
Low Taxes and cuts in spending
Cuts in Old Age pension and no of people getting social Welfare
‘Ultimate Financial Agreement’ with Britain – commitment to pay €5milion of Land Annuities
Some success – agricultural exports increase, small increase in industrial employment, budget balanced
- 30’s World Depression
Fianna Fail
Economic War + 30’s depression – devastating effect for farmers
Self – Sufficiency
Subsidies for farmers – encourage to switch from cattle (arable farming) to crops (tillage) – fixed prices for sugar beet
Industry focus – Sean Lemass
Protectionism – encourage Irish industry set up ICC to give cheap loans to Industry
Semi State Companies set up – Irish Sugar Company, Aer Lingus, Board na Mona, Irish Life
Increase in taxes and some spending
1933 – Unemployment Assistance Act, National Insurance Act – improve benefits.
Improved Old Age and blind pensions 1935 – pensions for widows and orphans introduced.
1932 – Housing Act – improved housing provisions
End to Land Annuities – final Lump Sum Agreed
Some success – more in Industry than Agriculture - some increase in Jobs in Industry but still high unemployment and wages low – increase in Taxes and cost of living
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