Blame our rulers and the banks

OFFICIALLY Ireland is in recession and the Celtic Tiger is laid to rest.

Glancing back at the Report of the Comptroller & Auditor General for last year, it’s hard to imagine how we survived for so long. While admitting no human institution was ever perfect, nevertheless the extent of the waste and inefficiency in the public service and the lack of effort in trying to eradicate it came as a shock.

The HSE overran its budget to the tune of €245m.

Another €729,000 was wasted by the Office for Public Works not leasing unoccupied buildings, as well as having advanced more than €9 million to local authorities for flood relief, not to be used until 2009.

The Government is owed €37.7m by bosses who made workers redundant, but it failed to pursue the debt. An unrequired €8m handout was made to the cash-rich Pensions Board. Millions more went to An Post for operating a children’s savings scheme.

The purchase of 200 garda vehicles, costing more than €3.8m and still in storage 15 months later, hardly merits comment. The list went on and on.

These are just some examples of the Government’s cock-ups and negligence at a time when its coffers were full. What a pity more prudence wasn’t exercised and some put aside for the rainy day now soaking all of us?

The top banks behaved likewise. Less than two years ago they were reputed to be making a million a day profit. They gambled over-the-limit loans and mortgages on the gullible and uninitiated in the vain hope of an eternal utopia of employment and high living. Now, a bit late, they too see the folly of their greed.

While a global economic crisis now exists, nevertheless Ireland had recently led the way as the richest country in the EU. Why then was it first to go into full recession? I have no hesitation in blaming the Government and the banks as the main culprits. Through their indifference, their greed and love of power, they refrained from positive action, deliberately ignoring the warning signs that had become so obvious to all and sundry.

James A Gleeson

Turtulla

Thurles

Co Tipperary