A lack of leadership and ability has cost us dearly

The 2007-2008 cock-up cost the taxpayers billions. Way back when the late Brian Lenihan took over the Ministry of Finance, he was amazed to discover the lack of ability and qualifications of the team of civil servants that he inherited.

Yet those civil servants and politicians who oversaw our financial policies pre- 2007-2008 fiasco are enjoying a luxurious retirement on huge pensions — paid for by us.

It is absolutely vital that the quality of those who govern us is of the highest quality — both politians and civil servants should require experience to oversee with the portfolio that they have been given while the country’s top post should belong to a born leader.

A good example is an ex-pilot called Willie Walsh at the head of IAG.

Our system of not taking people’s capabilities or qualifications into account before we promote them is costing the country clearly. And we just can’t seem to do accountability amongst politicians.

We put such poor value in running our country that we put it in the hands of a primary school teacher with no natural leadership skills or experience.

The public sector has become an asylum for rejects from the private sector, their backsides parked in jobs for life with an appetite for huge salaries and low productivity.

We are on course to remain a third-world country ensnared in a national debt worse then Greece.

Richard Prendergast

Mondaniel

Rathcormac

Co Cork