Spin doctors fail to heal cutbacks

THE Coalition’s electoral manifesto was founded on the mantra “a lot done — more to do” but its performance since then could aptly be described as “a lot spun — more to hew” as the Government continues to engage in machete economics.

After a year in office, yesterday's bid by the Coalition to defend its record was an unashamed example of a public relations whitewash more likely to convince the party faithful than a jaundiced electorate which increasingly feels it has been hoodwinked.

The hand of the spin doctor can be detected in the pages of the "success" report issued by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tánaiste Mary Harney in a bid to offset the public perception that people were conned into voting for the Coalition on the basis of promises long since diluted or broken.

Psychologically, the PR campaign is evidence the Coalition realises its image is being eroded, as if by a thousand cuts, amid a deluge of reports on cutbacks in every aspect of life "adjustments" was how the spin doctors described the cuts.

It is the third such report in recent times as the Government seeks to put a positive spin on the implementation of its programme for government in the face of mounting criticism from opposition parties making political capital of the raft of stealth taxeshitting every householder in the country.

Defending the Government's performance, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste emphasise that despite the global economic downturn, Ireland's economy is still growing and the countryhas one of the lowest unemployment rates in the EU.

But more evidence of the administration's reliance on political spin was seen yesterday as the Fianna Fáil and PD leaders sought to evade questions from the media. Initially, correspondents were informed that no questions would be taken after the joint statement.

However, following heated argument between the political handlers and the media, a deal was offered whereby one question would be answered. In the heel of the hunt, four queries were fielded.

This is a far cry from the transparency and accountability promised by a regime that has since put restrictions on the Freedom of Information Act.

It reflects the growing arrogance of a coalition which clearly believes it can get away without answering questions.

It is almost as if Mr Ahern sees himself in a presidential role, a Taoiseach who feels he has a right to be fire-proofed against the cut and thrust of day-to-day politics.

Since the general election, he has ducked, dived and shimmied on every contentious issue.

From the war on Iraq to the row over third-level fees, he has woven a web of obfuscation around matters that should be brought into the open.

The Coalition defends its performance on health, education, crime and the economy, reiterating the five-year nature of its programme. And the Government can rightly claim success on the Northern Ireland question.

South of the Border, the reality is that hospital wards are being closed, long waiting lists persist and violent crime increases.

Not one of the promised 2,000 extra gardaí has been recruited. Schools across the country remain rat infested and leaking. Services for disabled and disadvantaged people are being cut.

The election was bought on a spending spree, plus a guarantee by Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy that "no cutbacks secret or otherwise" were planned. Blaming the economy is a classic get-out clause.