When Irish Politicians Lose Composure

This week in Irish politics has been turbulent to say the least. On Wednesday, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan delivered the most severe Budget in living memory, in a bid to slash €4 Billion from public spending. Specifically targeting low income public sector workers (including nurses and care workers, such as my wife) and people on unemployment benefit. You know, exactly the kind of people who should be targeted to repay massive debts built up by the government and banks. Public sector workers were issued with their third deduction this year, following an earlier pay cut and an increased pension levy. Public sector workers earning under €30,000 per annum have to take a cut of 5%, this can total up to a €1,500 loss. Taking into account that Ireland is still in the top 3 most expensive countries in Europe, this is no small sum.
High earners were spared any further taxation due to the fact that, and I paraphrase the esteemed Finance Minister here: ‘They’re already paying loads of tax, so shut your mouth and get back to your lowly paid job, serf.’ Elsewhere in his frighteningly Victorian speech, he basically stated that it was the duty of the common man to pay for the mistakes of those who they elected to lead them. Wow.

With mounting tension growing over the retraction of almost any opposition to the Budget by previously vocal Independent TD’s (The equivalent of MP’s in the UK), it was the turn of Green Party TD Paul Gogarty to face the backbenchers over his ethical u turn. This was his response.
Why isn’t Question Time always like this?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.