Government listens — but it must learn

THE GOVERNMENT'S plan to reverse its cuts in the 5,000 Community Employment Schemes has been depicted as another embarrassing climbdown, but it is also a testament to the efficacy our democracy and the health of our republic.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has admitted that the Government got it wrong. The cuts were made at the expense of some of the more marginalised elements of society. People without the means or the ability to help themselves were most affected.

Junior Enterprise Minister Frank Fahy has been given the task of consulting with community and voluntary bodies. Listening to the people and taking heed of what they are saying is the essence of democracy in a republic.

The change in policy is evidence of a softening of the hard, and insensitive style of government typified by Charlie McCreevy’s brave but arrogant determination to press ahead with certain policies regardless of what people thought of him or of those policies.

The Taoiseach insisted that the cuts are being reversed, because the economy is in better shape than was assumed. “We’re good listeners,” he insisted.

Only time will tell if they are good learners, which is even more important.