The Best is Yet to Come

Forget the Celtic Tiger. Ireland's stunning economic growth is part of a much bigger trend that could see its population double by the middle of the century. "The Best is Yet to Come" tells the story of Ireland's incredible journey back to the future.For the first time since 1861 the Republic's population last year hit 4.2 million. Part I of the book tells the story of that recent history, and compares Ireland to Israel - another country with a large diaspora that to being encouraged to return home.Even without the diaspora tens of millions of migrants around the world are beginning to seek a better life. Part II of the book explains why Ireland has become a migrant magnet, and why powerful global forces will keep them knocking on our door. What about congestion and high prices? Bad planning and not population growth are the problem. Using Switzerland as an example of a modestly densely populated country, Part III argues that there is no reason why Ireland cannot be a green and spacious land of 12 million people by the end of the century, provided our infrastructure and land use policies are improved. But where will the migrants come from? Will we rely on the diaspora or on migrants from other backgrounds? Does the coming age of mass migration threaten to wipe out our culture and national identity? And what role will the emergence of a united economy on the island of Ireland play in all this? In answering these questions, Part IV concludes by assessing the kind of country we become if we take up the challenge of our future.