Government failed to stand up to troika’s demands

The argument that the Government were focused while the troika were here and became rudderless when they ‘departed’ misses the point completely.

The tragedy is that, despite our massive debt, our Government did not have the courage to stand up to the troika’s expectations with regard to water charges, Coillte (to come!), Bord Gáis, and our energy and natural resources sell-off; a Government who continue to ‘rubber stamp’ the appalling licensing agreements with the oil exploration companies at a huge cost to the nation.

A national energy creation plan with self-sufficiency and energy exports in mind is the only way forward. Selling off vital components necessary to achieve this demonstrates a serious weakness in government thinking.

The real failure of the Tovernment is that it does not have the vision to recognise that these very resources can provide the means by which we can repay those legitimate debts for which the previous Trish government and banks are culpable.

At this rate of going both the eu and the Irish Government are in danger of creating an Ireland of eurosceptics who, in time, might begin ‘to think the unthinkable’.

Joe Brennan

Ballinspittle

Co Cork