No equality of pain in society

As a Fine Gael supporter of many years, it is sad to witness the inability of the Government, with all its resources, to rationally explain the illusive if doubtful benefits of the Fiscal/Austerity Treaty in plain English or in Irish.

Unfortunately, this failure is perceived as a further reflection of its growing alienation, arrogance and incompetence.

It has failed to assuage real fears that the current policy of another four to six years of pinging austerity will result in permanent recession, entrenched emigration and ultimately the destruction of the fabric of Irish society.

Regrettably, resorting to increasingly crude jackboot and scaremongering tactics is no substitute for persuasive and truthful dialogue.

It is significant that the Government has failed to realise that the increasing opposition to the treaty, as well as to the household and water charges, is but a symptom of a much deeper national malaise. In reality, the protests represent a nationwide non-violent revolt against the failure to spread the austerity load in an equal and fair manner.

Peoples’ perception of inequality is gauged by the protection of a huge swathe of Irish society, the so-called elite, from being inflicted by even the slightest discomfort as a result of our present economic travails. These include current and retired politicians of all hues, senior civil and public servants, semi-State employees, advisors, bankers, developers and the insider professions.

One year ago, we foolishly expected that the new government of Fine Gael and Labour, with massive political and moral authority, would seriously curb the grotesque and unsustainable salaries, expense regimes, golden handshakes and pensions, all paid for with borrowed money by a bankrupt State.

In a bankrupted State, so called contractual difficulties with these payments should and could have been addressed, given the political will, in emergency legislation by postponement or permanent reduction.

It is equally sad to say as a supporter that the Government’s greatest mistake is that it failed to give leadership and to bring the people with them through the current crises. They are now perceived as clones of FF, indistinguishable in terms of policy, cronyism, arrogance and ineptitude, and worse, puppets of Europe, all of which may well lead to the rejection of the Treaty and ultimately the government’s demise.

The coalition has spectacularly funked the opportunity to ensure parity and equality of pain across all sections of society and will rightly rue the consequences.

John Leahy

71 Wilton Road

Cork