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I HOPE our politicians will excuse me as a humble self-employed person for breaking down their horrifying figures into something more understandable? For the past 29 years I had to do weekly balance sheets to ensure I was not living beyond my means.

Perhaps some of our accountant or teacher TDs would point out if I am not seeing the full picture in being terrified by the breakdown of the figures:

Ireland Inc tax-take, €30bn: household income, €30,000. Ireland Inc outgoings, €50bn: household outgoings, €50,000. National debt, €250bn: mortgage, €250,000. Annual interest on debt @ 6%, €15bn: annual interest on mortgage @ 6%, €15,000