Like the last lecturer, Father Peter McVerry SJ, Professor Kathleen Lynch believes that the Celtic Tiger has created a polarised economy in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Lynch believes that we are witnessing a new rise of the politics based on Thatcherite monetarism - a rise of the "New Right" in Irish political culture, which benefits the most wealthy and most powerful.
Lynch feels that empty rhetoric has been a substitute for action for too long. Lynch, like McVerry, feels that the failure to regulate the private rental market has furthered inequality. In education, she says universities are still largely populated by the middle classes and argues that unless grants are substantially increased, access to third-level education is not available to many.
While Lynch applauds the recent Equality Act, she feels we still have a very long way to go. She says we need to look at equality not just in terms of female/male, but also North/South, rich/poor, race, creed, economy, and care. Lynch notes that the lack of progress in these areas is largely because those making decisions on our behalf are mostly upper middle-class men.
She agrees with Jim O'Leary of Davy Stockbrokers that there are more women in the workforce, but stresses that the majority of women are low paid and casual workers with low expectations.
She also points out that if the economy declines those most affected will be working-class, casual workers and women.
Lynch talks tonight at Plunket College, Swords Rd (opposite the Regency Hotel) at 8 p.m. Next week, Governor John Lonergan of Mountjoy Prison looks at whether the Celtic Tiger is a myth or reality. Rosemary Dawson is a PR Consultant.
