Taoiseach on NAMA - Take your own advice

THE Cabinet will meet today, their first meeting since the Government went on holiday. Though they face huge difficulties it might be even more difficult to find someone who envies them their task.

The three primary issues are the deeply divisive NAMA legislation, the second Lisbon vote and the December budget, each a significant challenge.

Earlier this year Taoiseach Brian Cowen defended his insistence in involving the social partners in reaching a consensus by saying that you cannot rule a modern democracy by fiat.

He should take his own advice and consider the growing opposition to the NAMA proposals. If he insists on pushing them through as they are he will cause further division and squander the little support he has left. This must have occurred to him so his trenchant position is very difficult to understand.