The mandarins of misery cannot be allowed escape day of reckoning

THE poster boys for our financial crisis have been well established: Seánie Fitz, ‘Fingers’ Fingleton, Eugene Sheehy, Patrick Neary, Bertie Ahern, Charlie McCreevy, Brian Cowen.

Obvious institutional fiascos include Anglo, Nationwide, AIB, Financial Regulator’s Office, Central Bank, social partnership. But one profoundly culpable organisation has escaped beneath the radar. Its flaws are fundamental to our failure.

Who can this be? This outfit says about itself on the tin: “has a central role in implementing government policy and in advising and supporting the Government on the economic and financial management of the state and the overall management and development of the public sector. Its mission is to promote a growing economy which will deliver a high level of sustainable employment, social progress and living standards.