Reality is we deluded ourselves into thinking the country was being run properly. We were borrowing far too many billions to run the State, concealing a set of national accounts that were off the scale in terms of over spending; even with no banking crisis or bailout.

The tide has gone out, and global economic recession has revealed the joke of an administration the previous government was.

It is that simple. Even if we had told the Troika to ‘get stuffed, we are defaulting’ the situation would be at least this bad if not far worse as e couldn’t then even borrow to continue to delude ourselves.

Unless you have a better idea on where we find the extra billions, cuts and taxes are the only way out. We can’t borrow more than we already are, it is unsustainable.

If you really want to help, go start a business, employ people, sell stuff or services to people outside the state and bring profits into the state. If you can’t do that, then try to find work in such an organisation. It is all about export, not leeching off ourselves passing one State borrowed euro from person to person and taxing it. It still adds up to one euro.

So what are we going to pay the geniuses in Government and the relevant departments to do? Do you suggest I invent some kind of manifesto where I promise the electorate that I will create 100,000 jobs by 2016? (Sound familiar?) I’d gladly attempt to tackle the problem if you promise me that everyone in Government, the Department of Finance and the Department of Justice are to be fired first. I’d like to start off on the right footing.

The Government at the end of the day set the agenda and create the circumstances for business in this country. They like you seem to think nationalistic speak is one way to talk ourselves out of this mess.

The Telegraph today run an excellent article about where Ireland is right now. I suggest you read it.

The Telegraph is quoting David Begg’s view. David Begg being on a EUR137,400 salary, defined benefit Union pension, company car, and various other board member salaries would seem far removed from the productive end of the economy, and moreso a tax on the working man with their Union dues funding his premium income levels.

Your refusal to contribute to economic growth until ‘everyone in Government, the Department of Finance and the Department of Justice are fired first’ is just bonkers.
I might refuse to pay my taxes until I think we have an efficient public sector, but I don’t have a choice.

IBEC who had the ear of Mary Harney and Charlie McCreevy, when they wanted at least 60,000 foreign workers per year coming to Ireland. So as to force down labour costs, they assumed that this would lead to even greater profits. Greed had taken over their minds to such an extent that it never occurred to them that by forcing Irish people to work for less, or go on the dole, they couldn’t afford to buy products that their members were producing.

Perhaps were IBEC members to pay their fair share of taxes instead off-shoring their profits in various avoidance scams it might take the burden off Irish workers to pay for schools, hospitals, roads etc

It think you’ve twisted that somewhat, it’s a proven fact that one canot cut ones way out of a recession.

The only way we’ll get out of the current predicament is to reduce the unemployment levels and the numbers claiming social welfare. With 400000 people out if work and 2.1 million on a medical card, thanks some serious drain.

Remember one person off the dole is a double saving, state Pays less on SW and gains on tax take.

Just don’t vote for FG or FF at the next election very simple.

Spot on – since when did IBEC care about ‘ordinary people’?
The wealth gap between rich and poor is greater now than ever before.

55% is plenty of tax for the well off for those who pay it.

I doubt the less well off would like to be taxed at 55%.

@Arbitrasure
Apparently not when the wealth gap is still growing

They seem to listen to their bosses in the EU all the time.

If we had 6 trillion in oil reserves that was economically viable to extract we’d have exploration firms with the required expertise and capital seeking licenses and pumping oil. Such firms that know the business have very little interest in bidding for Irish licenses, and there is rational reason for that.

I don’t know what infant came up with the number 6 trillion, the previously touted guess by the conspiracy theorists was 1 trillion based on ‘we don’t know that it’s not there, so it must be there’ logic.

Is multiplying the prior un-educated guess by 6 meant to make it truthier?

FF? Are you off your trolley? Jesus.

Why do you have to take to personal insults Ronan? Why not just disagree?

joe , FF are the same are FG ,so if your happy to vote either in ,youare consenting to them further bleeding the systemdry and looking after the rich at the expense of the restof us
(your opinion ,is the exact problem with this nation )
wanna make a change to the country ,then we need to start following DDI

What do you mean? Why wouldn’t public servants care about 700 million in new taxes? It’s that kind of divided society talk that contributes to the misery. Put down your sindo and kip on.

PS workers pay taxes too, so I don’t understand your comment?

Two sides of the one coin. Maintaining an elavated public sector pay bill nesscessitates an increased tax take to pay for it as it is a zero sum game, so how bout you put down your Sunday World and have a nap yourself. Looks like “solidarity” only works one way.

Maintaining a high publc sector pay bill nesscessitates an increased tax take to pay for it. It is two sides of the one coin. Given that we have a finite pot of resources it is a zero sum game. Anyone that argues otherwise is a either a deceitful populist or has no grasp on reality. So how about you put down your copy of the Sun and have a nice nap yourself.

He’s a troll, an idiot!
Don’t comment if you don’t know what your talking about.
It’s all your fault Reg!
Said it! that should save about 157 comments

Public sector pay taxes too ya know

No sooner said than done…. …This clown has the temerity to say, nay insist that ” ordinary workers and households have reached the limit of what they can be asked to pay” Even you must see this as disingenuous twaddle from an organization for Fat cats…since when did IBEC give a dam about the ordinary worker. Christ they are beginning to sound like a Union……now, that ok for you Johann…BROTHER.

Oh for a Government with the courage to take on the highly paid in the public service. They could easy take another billion a year off those on 60,000 +. This is where real savings could be made ! Unfortunately a big portion of high earners are pals and relations of the political classes, so the likelihood of that ever happening is extremely remote.

IBEC are the greatest ever hurlers on the ditch passing judgement on the proposed deal urging cuts to public sector pay. If they had some imputed in the talks it would be one thing but its patently obvious what their game is they just want to justify a decrease in wages for their members organisations. Along with ISME they are baying for public sector cuts. While I can see the wage aspect of their agenda do they realise that any cuts will take money from those they represent and one imagines more ISME businesses will come under more pressure if cuts are implemented. On the other hand the wealthy are the only remaining mark for taxation but they can rest easy knowing that Enda and co have already balked on hitting the rich last budget when refusing extra USC for over 100k earners. If all the esteemed economists are correct which I would think they are then austerity is not the way and it is the likes of ISME who should be championing an alternative strategy instead on just trying to keep those at the bottom as low as possible while they eat cake.