Ireland a nation of two halves

The recent report from the Irish League of Credit Unions should be a call to stir the nation’s conscience.

Almost two million Irish people have €100 left over after monthly bills. The other half owes an average of €1,000 on credit cards, often just to pay for necessities. This year’s unseasonal summer weather has given very little respite from home heating bills.

Our country has polarised into two halves. Half of the country is smugly comfortable. The other half struggles with debt. We know which half includes most politicians. We had a golden chance to make a brave new start for universal social justice when the financial world collapsed. We never learn.