Let’s not forget who led us to this low point

IS it any wonder that the country is in the state that it is when the teflon taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, believes that the cause of the problem is really down to the media for not keeping a closer eye on what was happening in the economy rather than focusing on his shenanigans?

We must not forget that he was the chief executive of Ireland Inc. If the current Government even half subscribes to his view then the road ahead is rocky indeed.

Unfortunately, the portends are not good as it gives every indication that it is no better than the government it replaced. So much for its promises prior to election; so much for open communication, accountability and openness.

Yet while the EU and governments across Europe, particularly our own, seem incapable of doing something constructive, taxpayers are being asked to suffer an ongoing series of austerity budgets.

Clearly those who would be our “leaders” think that it is our own fault for letting them get us into this state.

And yet a recent EU survey suggests that over 90% of us are happy with life, with more than 50% of us very satisfied.

However, the Government should not take any comfort from this. It’s not that we are meek sheep being led to the slaughter — we have no confidence in its ability to get us out of the mess anytime soon.

We just feel the need to get on with it and make the best of an appalling situation.

We’ve already seen the Celtic Tiger drive greed, avarice and individualism. If the economy continues as it is it will soon become every man for himself.

Already, those who can are deserting the sinking ship and wisely looking to their own futures in foreign lands. We cannot blame anybody for looking for opportunities which are denied in Ireland by the greed and avarice of the few.

However, we should be asking for those who played a part in our economy’s demise to accept both res-ponsibility and to be accountable.

Despite what Ahern or others might say now in a bid to rewrite history, our demise was grossly exaggerated by Bertie and his ilk together with his myriad of Sir Humphreys, senior bankers and developers aided by light regulation and encouraging tax-led development even when the economy was over-heating.

Since 2008 they have lost very little of the rewards they feel they are entitled to. In recent months we have learnt of general secretaries of departments retiring with huge lump sums and pensions many multiples of the average industrial wage.

Worse still, they are employing new people to replace the retirees on the same terms and conditions. They are doing this even while hundreds of thousands are unemployed.

We know the Government is stymied in its ability to reduce budgets as so much of its budgets go on pay and benefits, and they have been ringfenced from any further cuts.

So, like any bully without imagination, it goes after those who cannot fight back. The latest issue to be considered for taxation is child benefit. The issuance of medical cards is being delayed. Cuts by the HSE include the number of nappies that disabled incontinent are being given. The pathetic list goes on.

If the Government really wants to get to grips with the situation and wants our help to do so it must start taking substantial cuts in the remuneration and perks of the higher ranks of those on the public payroll. It should compare remuneration levels to similar economies, not to those operating in dictator-run banana republics.

It must look to a form of surtax on those earning over €150,000 per annum at least until the economy can afford otherwise.

It must immediately eliminate anybody, anything and everything that doesn’t add real value.