Country is in a state of decay after enduring years of mismanagement

So finally somebody important, in this case a group of insurance companies, has pointed out that our Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments do not invest near enough in the country.

Most taxpayers have been saying that for decades, while we pay more and more tax for no visible benefits. The situation on water (drinking, sewage, and flooding) is disgraceful. Basically, we have had no health service for at least 30 years now, which is the main reason our illness service is approaching breakdown.

Given all the ministers and highly-paid managers in the area of finance, we only just avoided a complete economic collapse and are certainly not in the clear yet, any more than Greece. Transport is getting worse all the time, especially in rural areas. Our shop prices are now two to three times that of other EU countries, which is the reason that smuggling and product forgery are on the increase. The list goes on. I wonder what promises will be made in the lead-up to the next election that won’t be kept?

The only ‘investment’ that has increased magnificently in the last decades is the financial benefit of being a TD or one of the ever-increasing numbers of unnecessary government employees. Far better salaries, sickness benefits, and holidays than generally available in the private sector and without any responsibility or accountability for complete failure.

I often recall the saying of Robert Lefevre — “Government is a serious illness masquerading as a cure for itself”.

Richard Barton

Tinahely,

Co. Wicklow