The Republic of Ireland, which declared itself in 1949, allowed the Catholic Church to dominate its civil society and education system.Investment by American and European companies, and a welcoming tax regime, created the 'Celtic Tiger' of the 1990s.That brief burst of good fortune was destroyed by a corrupt political class which encouraged a wild property boom, leaving the country almost bankrupt. What Ireland needs now is a programme of real change.It needs to become a fully modern republic in fact as well as name.Politicians have been let get away with murder, and there is a fatalistic sense that nothing can change.The country needs to encourage participation in, and oversight and knowledge of politics, to make people feel that they have a right to challenge the old party machines and to make a difference.It is their country, after all.