What a contrast

FORMER Taoiseach Bertie Ahern celebrated his 60th birthday in Croke Park last night apparently blind to the tragic irony that one of the arrangements reached to undo some of his largesse is named after his party venue.

The consequences of another of his arrangements — social partnership — were seen for what they really are in another context this week. Despite the impression supporters of social partnership might create the process was more or less irrelevant to anyone other than state or semi-state employees.

If any doubts remain about that just compare the redundancy terms offered to Bord Gáis workers and Talk Talk workers. One group is in a position to enjoy early retirement or begin another career. Another must worry about the mortgage.

Yesterday’s positive assessment by the European Commission about rebuilding our economy is cheering but if we want to rebuild a society we must confront the social inequities facilitated by Ahern and his cohorts.