Consensus warning

THE ESRI report detailing the enormous damage to our economy and society of monetarist austerity from now to 2014 highlights the dangers of an unthinking cosy consensus.

It was a similar attitude that led to light regulation, low income tax, no wealth tax, Anglo, the building bubble, “go and commit suicide”, “turning the corner”.

and Lisbon II (where the consensus had to be ‘encouraged’).

Anyone brave enough to challenge this crazy consensus was arrogantly dismissed as an economic illiterate who should be ignored. Now, amazingly, Sinn Féin is agreeing with mainstream economists like those in the ESRI. I hope that doesn’t become another cosy consensus.

Dr Seán Marlow

Willow Park Road

Dublin 11