Facing our reality - Cutting cars is symbolic but welcome

THOUGH it is largely symbolic the decision to axe the great majority of the garda-driven state cars for cabinet members and former taoisigh is welcome.

It targets low-hanging fruit but it is a decision that reflects the reality of our times.

The move became almost unavoidable after the parade of ministerial limousines to a pre-Christmas meeting at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park rubbed salt into the wounds of a dispirited and angry public. That December day it seemed that those so central to our difficulties were still in clover, purring along as if nothing had changed. That particular danse macabre had more than a touch of let-them-eat-cake about it and did considerable damage to the reputation of our last government and the profession of politics.