Blueprint for recovery? Just more of the same

HAVING read your report on the Ireland First group “Blueprint for recovery” (March 16), I sought out a copy and read it in great anticipation.

Alas, it didn’t take long to realise that what had been cobbled together was no more than a wish list authored by free market ideologues. The core tone and focus is identical to policies pursued by the outgoing government and which led us all into disaster. While there are firm proposals to cut thousands of jobs, when it comes to creating them, we have aspiration and gestimates. And of course ‘welfare fraud’ will be rigorously tackled but not a word about curbing blue and white collar crime, indeed regulation is portrayed as a negative.

Not a mention of a proper tax system that would ensure all pay their fair share. And the giving away of our assets is up there too. Not content with a situation where a citizen cannot travel across his own country anymore without paying a toll to a foreign company, we are to surrender ownership of our airports and ports as well.

May I make a suggestion to the authors of the report and ask that they give serious consideration to it. Rather then trying to re-invent the ‘free for all’ environment that Fianna Fáil and the PDs did so successfully, to all out detriment, would they not look inward at themselves for a change to see what they could really do that might make a difference to a life or two. Would they not consider sharing out the multiple posts that some hold on various boards and quangos and the rest do likewise with their enormous wealth, to see how that could best be employed in the interests of their country. And those in receipt of huge state pensions might decide to leave a bit behind. Methinks that such actions would create more fairness and equity and might even create more jobs than the “blueprint” they offer.

It is also reported that Taoiseach Enda Kenny intends to meet with this group next week. A perfect opportunity for him to discuss with the authors what a fair and just society might look like. In conclusion, I presume it is not necessary to remind Mr Kenny that the electorate has just voted for change, real change. Not more of the same dressed up as “innovation”. It took a long time to get rid of the Galway tent, let’s leave it where it is now, Mr Kenny, for all our sakes.

Jim O’Sullivan

Rathedmond

Sligo