Ireland and Irish society have changed dramatically over the past two years. As the economy rapidly declined the phenomena of unemployment and emigration returned. Today, we are faced with substantial challenges and choices as we respond to the current crisis, acknowledge the national policy failures of recent years and plan for the years to come. The future that emerges will result from the decisions taken now. These decisions involve making difficult choices all of which need to combine to build a logical and coherent agenda for a New Ireland.