The Irish Economy

Well! The Irish Budget which promised draconian cuts in expenditure certainly lived up to expectations with most of the burden falling on public servants and welfare recipients. Naturally both Trade Unions and members are extremely angry as a result. However the important question that really arises relates to the existence - if any - of more palatable alternatives. From one perspective I actually applaud Brian Lenihan for at least having the guts and leadership qualities to follow through on what he considered necessary and yet which was bound to be highly unpopular among large sections of the population. And indeed there is a valid case for the measures he took. Overall expenditure is way out of line with revenue receipts. Also surveys show that public sector pay in general is much higher than the private sector in an economy that is seriously lacking in competitiveness. Quite simply the price of most products and services is excessive at present in Ireland. Likewise due to an actual

"Prime Time" last night on RTE dealt with the issue of social welfare fraud. The total Social Welfare bill in Ireland is currently running at over €20 bl. per annum with at least 10% of this relating to fraudulent claims. Thus at a time when stringent cuts in expenditure are required we have a massive case of over-spending that simply is not being properly addressed. Unfortunately to a certain extent we have long had a mentality - no doubt relating to our colonial past - that leads to a lot of petty fraud. Many people while paying lip service to the system do not really respect it. So if telling a little white lie, or indeed a big major lie (and perhaps many such lies) helps people beat the system in some way they feel justified in doing so taking comfort from the assertion "Well! isn't everyone doing it? In a recent survey for example it was found that up to 70% of people taking out car insurance in one county had lied in providing information. Many who are self emp