Winter of discontent could be looming

From Dublin Bus to train and Luas drivers, from ambulance staff to nursing — we are experiencing some of the worst industrial unrest in recent years.

We are told that the economic recovery is continuing and that unemployment is coming down. That is true, up to a point, but the reality is that wages and salaries have not caught up with the cost of living. Housing, education, health, and transport costs are rising all the time, while Ireland has the second-highest rate of low-paid workers in the world.

We are also experiencing an enormous ‘brain drain’ as thousands of graduates continue to emigrate every year.