We know we live in the real world, but politicians need a dose of reality

THE constant refrain of those cheerleading the continued implementation of crippling austerity measures, when faced with a chorus of protests, is an exasperated, “we have to live in the real world”.

The latest government representative to bark this tired rebuke was Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan who, not once but twice, during an episode of the Vincent Browne show on Wednesday, sought to shout down opponents by sneeringly implying that they inhabit some sort of bizarre alternate universe. While the charge that one does not live in the real world is an apt one for philosophers engaged in a metaphysical debate, it holds rather less weight in a discussion about economic policy decisions.

In truth, it’s the debating equivalent of petulantly throwing dust in your opponent’s eye and only serves to highlight the alarming fact that the government has run out of straws at which to clutch.