Let’s get real about two delusional projects

IRELAND is already oversupplied with racecourses and with taxpayer-owned hotels, golf courses and convention centres. Addiction in Ireland takes many forms, with dangerous drugs being the most obvious example.

While gambling and alcohol are not addictive to the majority of people, for a significant minority addictive behaviour can be catastrophic.

In Ireland, compulsive addictive behaviour is not confined to alcoholics and drug addicts. Gambling has become a national disease. The majority of Irish politicians, bankers and developers and a significant minority of the Irish population engaged in reckless gambling, often with other peoples’ money and security, leaving the Irish nation bankrupt.

The majority of the Irish people did not engage in such reckless behaviour, but do bear some responsibility for the governments they elected knowing that many of the politicians they were voting for were corrupt. Denial is a mechanism used by many addicts to avoid dealing with their addiction. There are indications we are going into denial about our national gambling addiction. One of the most glaring examples is the Michael Lowry-supported Las Vagas-style gambling casino in Tipperary that includes a luxury hotel and an indoor racecourse. Lowry is gambling that he can force the Government to change the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 and, given the provenance of our present Government, Lowry’s cards may turn up trumps.

Not to be outdone, an even more outlandish project is proposed for Athlone, apparently backed by Chinese investors and being dubbed ‘Shanghai-on-Shannon’.

The Athlone plans include a Chinese palace convention centre, two five-star hotels, railway station, fire station, golf course and much more.

These proposals are crazy and, like much of the property boom, may end up as taxpayer liabilities further damaging our recovery prospects. These snake oil-type projects must be stopped now before they get beyond the delusional stage.

Edward Horgan

Newtown

Castletroy

Co Limerick