A SEMBLANCE of political stability has been restored to Government following belated support from the Green Party in the Dáil for unpalatable cuts in education services. Steadying nerves within the Coalition parties is, however, the easy part. Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his Ministers must now convince the public they have a coherent view of how to cope with the recession, while preparing the foundations for future economic growth. On the basis of their vacillating performance to date, that will prove problematic.
It is not just the substance but the style of this Government that is causing it grief. During three months of the Dáil recess, it consistently refused to acknowledge a worsening fiscal situation in case it might be accused of talking down a property market that was deflating rapidly. Mr Cowen ducked the opportunity to make a national broadcast. Initial measures to rein in public spending were pathetically inadequate. It took the Economic and Social Research Institute to break the bad news that we were in recession. And the Budget was so poorly devised that three measures have already been reversed. Where was the leadership, intelligence and political flair we were led to expect from Mr Cowen and his Ministers in all of that?
Having failed to prepare the public for a fall in living standards, the Taoiseach would appear to be doing what he set out to avoid last summer - talking down the economy. At a function for business people during the week, he spoke of the worst economic crisis in 100 years. He appealed to trade unions and employers to publicly acknowledge the seriousness of the situation. This would suggest the Government has no clear idea of where it is going or of how it may cope with current difficulties.
Mr Cowen has acknowledged the need to develop a credible budgetary strategy. He has spoken - again and again - of modernising and reforming the public service. But it is long past the time for talking about such things. Action is what is required. If the Taoiseach wants to convince the electorate of the seriousness of the situation, he could start the reform process in Government by dispensing with the services of at least three Ministers of State.
Public denial of harsh new realities persists. In order to counteract it, the Government will have to explain the need for painful measures and advise on the likely duration and consequences of those remedial actions. Having presided over a system of low taxes and expanding public services that were affordable because of a decade of exceptional economic growth, it must now address different realities.
It is not just a matter of the Government telling the public that times are hard and belts must be tightened.Voters should be engaged in deciding what kind of society they wish to live in and the price they are prepared to pay for it - in taxes, services and other charges. But, for that to happen, political leadership and vision will be required. These attributes, unfortunately, have been in short supply up to now.