It’s not been a great week, if you’re the kind of person who likes to think the country is being reasonably well run, has it?
Wednesday saw a massive public sector strike - ostensibly in response to the Government breaching a promise to raise pay for workers. In this episode, we look behind that claim: Is it better to pay teachers, or better to do what the Government has done, and give everyone free books and free meals? Is it better to pay nurses, or give every woman free contraception and hormones during menopause? Does all this spending make us better off, or does it make things worse?
While the Government were losing control over their own workers, things were worse in Waterford, where an innocent family was burnt to death, apparently over drug debts that none of the deceased had ever incurred. Will that tragedy “spark action”, as people like to imagine?
No, says John: In fact it will make families even more terrified of the terrorist drug gangs who are running amok. And over whom the state has no control.
While all this was happening, a Government Minister was hospitalised in circumstances that at least suggest the pressure of his role has played a part. None of this inspires confidence….. but wait.
The Dáil was in fact busy this week. It was debating a very important piece of legislation from Ruth Coppinger. We talk about that, as well.
As ever, we hope you enjoy. This was one of those weeks where we could have done two episodes, so we’d better get around to that fast.
Thanks for listening.
J&S
