
But now that the country is in receivership (at the behest of the ECB: Ireland's primary debenture holder), we can no longer get what we want - only what we can afford. And there's a large gap between the two, as the chart from True Economics makes clear. Tragically it has taken the advent of national receivership to bring about changes - including the dismantling of anti-competitive practices in the sheltered sectors of the economy (by Q3 2011 according to the memorandum signed by our negotiators) - that we should have been capable of delivering ourselves. Nevertheless, these changes will be welcomed, even if it is galling to have to report like parolees to the authorities every quarter on our progress towards rehabilitation.
Irish hearts will harden in the months and years ahead, especially as our wallets and purses feel emptier. But we will retain our innate compassion and capacity to support one another in our families, communities and voluntary organisations. Even if we are less empathetic towards our shrinking State.
The party that champions a credible combination of policies that appeal to Irish hearts and wallets will be the biggest winner at the next General Election. And the one after that.
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