The cowards have failed to act as our mad debt soars by €60m a day

Each passing week we add €400m to the national debt to keep the show on the road. We’ll be lucky if the fiscal outcome for 2009 is limited to an appalling gaping deficit of €20bn. Political decisions alone are responsible for this madness. We can’t blame Lehman Bros, subprime lending or the credit crunch

THE parliamentary party “retreats” this week kick-started the annual political cycle. The most recent opinion poll reflects a growing disenchantment with all party political leaders. Their satisfaction rating peaks with Eamon Gilmore at 47% and plummets with Brian Cowen’s approval rating at 15%. The minimum reduction is two points while John Gormley is minus eight. The disconnect between the electorate and their political leaders has never been greater.

The body politic is taking a kicking. Excessive lavish expenses have copperfastened disaffection between the governing and governed. Paradoxically, leadership has never been more required to chart a clear course for the country’s survival. An autopilot approach cannot suffice for a nation facing economic peril. Decisions taken in 2009 will leave an indelible mark on future generations.