Sir, - For a long time now the ordinary workers of this country have been hearing all about the importance of wage restraint if we are to protect our Celtic Tiger economy. It seems that the preservation of this rare beast has become our sole aim. We are all expected to make sacrifices in order to ensure the comfort of our national pet. This is perverse.
It has been forgotten that the benefits of a booming economy should accrue to the people. Instead, the people are called upon to make even more sacrifices to add to those of the past when, in leaner times, we were told that we would reap the benefits when the economic climate changed. Well, it has, supposedly, but instead of reaping the benefits we are increasingly lectured on the importance of maintaining our restraint so as the good times may continue.
The fact is that the good times have yet to start for the majority of Irish people today. What exactly is the purpose of the Celtic Tiger? It would certainly seem that it is not to improve the situation of ordinary Irish people. Instead, it has become the preserve of those who are already rich, a means for the banks and financial institutions to earn even more money, and to help those who have nothing better to do than sit around all day thinking of new and better ways to avoid paying their fair share of tax on their millions. And the Government is aiding them in their task by ensuring the unwitting compliance of the foolish masses.
It is time for those masses to ignore the calls for wage restraint being made by politicians who have failed to serve us. It is time for us to demand our fair share of the wealth which our hard work and sacrifices over the years created. Charlie McCreevy et al must find other ways of keeping inflation down and protecting economic growth. We created the Celtic Tiger, so now we should reap its rewards. - Yours, etc., Shane O'Driscoll,
Lime Trees Road East, Maryborough, Douglas, Cork.