Unemployment - EU cracks the whip

THAT Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte, speaking on RTÉ on Saturday, felt unable to rule out any threat to long-term unemployment benefits following the revelation that this was being considered under the EU/IMF bailout is one of the starkest indications of where power now really resides.

Though there are undoubtedly abuses of unemployment benefits, the vast majority of those who depend on them would far prefer to be in a job.

It would be fair to say too that this society’s instincts would be to help those in need and that that help should be available as long as there is a genuine need.

Nevertheless, our EU paymasters will insist the issue be thoroughly examined and compared to arrangements in other European countries.

This review can only be accepted if it is mirrored at the other end of the spectrum and all payments made by the state are examined in a similar context.