Sir, – The recent hints from Brendan Howlin, the Minister responsible for the control of public sector pay, that some public sector pay cuts may be reversed in the near future shows how little attitudes have changed in our political system.
The country has a deficit of 136 per cent when measured in gross national product (GNP) terms. A real danger sign is that current expenditure has to be financed by borrowing, which indicates that Ireland is a long, long way away from financial independence. It’s not rocket science, but borrowing for current expenditure has to be stopped – any overdrawn consumer finds that out the hard way. But the coalition Government which came in on promises of a new way of politics, assuring us that Fianna Fáil auction politics were finished etc is now reverting to the good old bad old ways.
Since the drubbing they got in the local elections both the coalition parties have been making soothing noises about easing up on the agreed plan with the Troika. Income taxes are to be reduced, expenditure is to be increased. They claim that the anticipated increase in growth will cover all these expenditures. The most optimistic view possible is being taken. To listen to some politicians you might think that we are back in the black and the crisis is over.
All the relevant agencies – ECB, EU, IMF – are recommending that we stick to reducing expenditure by €2 billion, the agreed amount under the agreement with the Troika. Our brave Government is backtracking on this commitment, the same Government that came to power promising no let-up until Ireland was saved from financial damnation and the bad influence of those dastardly Fianna Fáilers who got Ireland into this situation in the first place.
What have we now? We have the coalition indulging in good old-fashioned Fianna Fáil-type auction politics. And they don’t even have the good grace to blush. Could we bring back St Patrick? Maybe this time he’ll get rid of the snakes he missed the first time. – Yours, etc,
LIAM COOKE,
Greencastle Avenue,
Coolock,
Dublin 17