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Ireland: A Lost Decade
The illness, the remedy, the recovery
By Jimmy Doyle, IACT
30
th
May 2015, Porec, Croatia
I begin the story by quoting from the Minister for Finance Mr Michael
Noonan in his presentation of the Spring Economic Statement to Dail Eireann
(the Irish Parliament) on 28
th
April 2015. While not quite signalling the end of
our economic woes, it certainly shows our progress.
“Since taking office in 2011, the Government has been determined to fulfil the
mandate given to us by the Irish people. To repair the economy and public
finances, to create jobs and to give hope and confidence of a better future to
our citizens. The scale of the economic crisis that we have gone through has
been unprecedented in Ireland’s history. We have essentially lost a decade in
terms of economic growth and job creation. Difficult decisions have been
taken and huge sacrifices have been made by the Irish people. But this has not
been in vain.
This Spring Economic Statement published today confirms that the path that
has been taken was the right one. As we now plan for the remainder of this
decade, our Citizens have every reason to be confident and hopeful about their
future. A future of steady, stable economic growth and a future with more
people working in secure and sustainable jobs than ever before in the history
of the State. A future of stable public finances that will deliver money in
people’s pockets, higher quality public services and strategic investment in
essential infrastructure throughout the Country.
But I want to stress, such a bright future is not guaranteed and is contingent on
a continuation of the policies and reforms introduced and being followed by
this Government. There are external risks, no doubt, but the choices taken
within this Parliament matter”.
IGTA eJournal | Summer 2015 | 30