ESRI’s independence - Red herring outburst helps no one

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

THE most powerful trade unionist in the country made an accusation yesterday that, if it is true, means that we are living in a State where Big Brother has assumed total control.

It means that an institution we rely on for economic and social guidance, as well as inquiry, is no more than a branch of the Government press office. We may be in dire straits but none of us imagined things had gone that far. Indeed most of us will find the accusation very hard to accept. The accusation is irresponsible, divisive and inflammatory. It is just the kind of tosh someone with a bankrupt argument uses to muddy the waters.

SIPTU leader Jack O’Connor — who represents about 70,000 public sector workers and another 130,000 private sector workers — accused the Economic and Social Research Institute of trying to protect the rich from the burden of budget cuts. Fianna Fáil may have neutralised the Greens but it is inconceivable that they have abused the ESRI to a similar degree. Mr O’Connor’s outburst came in response to an ESRI suggestion that child benefit should be cut by a fifth.

In its quarterly bulletin the ESRI reiterated that the Government must make €4 billion in savings, with the focus on reducing public spending.

"The institute is ... continuing its dutiful role as a cheerleader for the Government policy of imposing the entire burden of fiscal adjustment on working people and the less well-off. The wealthy are insulated from any requirement to contribute at all," charged Mr O’Connor.

It is unimaginable that the ESRI would surrender its independence in silence. It is equally unimaginable that Mr O’Connor really believes that they have.

This country has been crying out for leadership for far too long now but the focus has always been on the perceived deficit in political leadership. However, people in positions as powerful as Mr O’Connor have huge responsibilities in this area too. These responsibilities are especially onerous in times of crisis such as these.

In his heart of hearts Mr O’Connor must know that every section of society can expect lower standards of living, many already have had to. In his heart of hearts Mr O’Connor must know that expenditure must be cut right across the board and that taxes will be increased. If he has not even recognised this privately we are all in for a far harder time than we might otherwise expect.

It’s time to stop throwing red herrings like the impartiality of the ESRI into the mix, we don’t have the time for that kind of silliness no more than we have time for arguments based on taxing "trophy houses", another standard jibe of Mr O’Connor’s.

The only way we will get through this mess is to face the reality that the country is on the edge of bankruptcy together and the sooner we do this the better.

It’s time to get real Mr O’Connor.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, October 14, 2009