It’s time for politicians to stop navel gazing and make some tough choices

THIS weekend marks the official holiday exodus of our public policy makers.

The Galway race festival and bank holiday weekend herald the start of politicians putting their brain in neutral and chilling out. While relaxing over the month of August they need only focus on one fundamental event — the December budget. Politics always follows economics. Last year there were multiple hurdles of Nama legislation, Lisbon II referendum and renewal of the Programme for Government. Now, there’s only one show in town.

The national agenda will inexorably move on from banks, bust and blame. Securing recovery is the priority. Ministerial guff about “turning the corner” and “the worst is over” will be displaced by autumn reality.