From Bad To Worse

One of the worst things that could happen in Ireland, in the midst of talks to set up a bail-out package, would be the collapse of the current coalition government.

It comes as no surprise to learn that the Opposition is calling for an immediate election and the Green Party is on the verge of pulling out of the coalition and Fianna Fail backbenchers are seeking the Taoiseach's resignation.

That would be the icing on the shite cake, to have the government collapse before the austerity budget is put in place. The EU and the IMF are in a bit of a hurry to finish up things, what with Portugal and Spain about ready to crumble. An election would only cause delay at a time when the markets don't want delay.

Politicians being politicians, they see things in the light of opportunity for their careers. With the public in an uproar, what better time for Fine Gael to take the reins of government, to realize their dream of being large and in charge.

But do they really want to be the party associated with cuts to the minimum wage and the curtailing of unemployment benefits under IMF recommendations?

Perhaps Enda Kenny harbors a notion that he can talk tough to the IMF and not be forced to give it all away for the sake of 85 billion euros of charity. He wants to be the Taoiseach who writes up the new budget that is relatively painless for the people.


Unfortunately, elections take time and the IMF wants things settled by the end of the month.

Politicians are being asked to do the impossible. The EU and the IMF are telling them to think of the Irish people and what's best for them, instead of dreaming of career advancement and greater power.

The old days are over, when TDs bestowed all kinds of expensive goodies on the people and reaped the rewards of re-election. The party's over, and it's time to pay up.