Eddie Hobbs: It's time the State and super-rich paid for a fairer Ireland

One-upmanship has defined wealth creation and its distribution in this country. It’s time the State, the super-rich, and public sector elites paid for a fairer Ireland, writes Eddie Hobbs

To get a Yank out of the scratcher simply yell that if he gets down to the kitchen he’ll make a thousand bucks, but for Paddy, what still works best is to whisper in his ear that if he doesn’t, his next door neighbour will make the money.

This truism sits behind the politicisation of the Irish budgetary process, which is swamped in the politics of the loudest screaming baby and is barely fit for purpose in normal times. Passing razor blades will be easier than passing a budget in the current scramble and whatever government emerges, it will be expected to perform that task while tap-dancing on a trapdoor.