Last chance for redemption as time runs out for Taoiseach

THE collapse of talks this week with the Social Partners on national economic recovery is bound to instil more caution throughout the financial world when other countries view Ireland"s weak standing on both secure government and sound credit potential from international markets. Many countries must be wondering why the Government, now making moves to make its own decision on how to secure savings of €2 billion from exchequer spending this year, is not reaching for a higher figure by abolishing nearly all of the 1,000 quangos bleeding millions from Irish taxpayers. Other financial/political observers worldwide must also be wondering why Finance Minister Brian Lenihan seems to be reneging on his plan to abolish these unelected, unaccountable bodies. Why are we struggling to find €2 billion from public sector cuts when a figure of €6.5 billion could be achieved by abolishing the quangos? Minister Lenihan said last October during the mini-Budget that he would rationalise 40 State agencies but he has only managed to abolish four, some of which still exist in an amalgamated state with other governmental departments. And let"s remind ourselves of who are the recipients of this annual rip-off of €6.5 billion: friends and associates of the Government. Only recently, former taoiseach Bertie Ahern brazenly said that he had appointed his friends to State boards. If such statements sound parish-pump cute hoorism to the average Irish man or woman, then we can be sure our former international banking friends are thinking more along the lines of high-risk Banana Republic. To rekindle this friendship to gain much-needed credit, the Government must show the world that Ireland has turned her back on cosy, elite governance. This editorial doesn"t have the space to outline the enormous scope of other saving methods that the Government could have reaped billions from, the waste of which is truly staggering. In a country now struggling to survive and make ends meet, it is morally corrupt to squander such billions on perks for the boys, massive handouts for bailing out the banks, underserving causes, and turning a blind eye to super-rich tax exiles. But this has been the culture of Fianna Fail and it seems no-one within the party is calling for a halt. This country is now a different place, as is the world, despite our unions going about business as usual with unrealistic demands. And Taoiseach Brian Cowen must prove to the unions, the electorate and the world that he is a man of principle and not a career politician deeply entrenched in Fianna Fail tribalism. This really is the last chance for Fianna Fail and the Greens, both of whom have brought the electorate to almost the limits of their endurance. Mr Cowen left Government Buildings yesterday (Tuesday) saying he regrets that it was not possible for the unions to agree the proposals for the reduction in the public service payroll presented at the talks. He also said how grateful he was for the quality and the sincerity of the engagement that took place. Mr Cowen is aware of the urgency of the situation and the need for an adjustment in the order of €2 billion. And although Mr Cowen can thank his lucky stars that Opposition leader Enda Kenny can make him appear the tougher of two lightweight politicians, he would do well to remember Shadow Finance Minister Richard Bruton is a powerful force to be reckoned with if Mr Kenny ever decides - or is persuaded - to step aside. If it wasn"t for years of reckless spending by the Government under the watchful eye of Bertie Ahern, perhaps some sympathy might be given to a Taoiseach who inherited a tonne of past blunders on top of a worldwide recession. In the meantime, your Government is not beyond redemption, but your time is running out, Taoiseach.