We have learnt nothing from the economic collapse

Michael Clifford is right when he says that ‘the recession that this country endured was wasted’ to the extent that there has been ‘little change’ in the ‘negative features that landed the country in the mire’ (Irish Examiner, August 26).

Look at attempts to ensure that water supply and sewage is paid for. It is described daily as a ‘debacle’, ‘disaster’, ‘fiasco’ etc. This overlooks that the real debacle was the decisions made during the boom by those in charge.

But as was in 2002, media coverage scoffs at austerity and denounces the idea that vital public services must be paid for.