A collapsing economy

Every news bulletin every day is ladened with horrible economic news. Where is it all going to end? It now seems so dreadful that what was said yesterday becomes irrelevant today.
It is a sobering and worrying experience to observe the faces on those standing outside the ever-lengthening dole queues.

It certainly seems that matters are worse in Ireland than in many other EU countries, especially those in the western part of the Union.

The economists and captains of industry and the politicians who took their advice all seem to be at sea.

If communism had not collapsed would this have happened?

Does it make sense that in Ireland we no longer make sugar, paper or glass? The three facilities lie idle in Mallow, Clonskeagh and Ringsend.

Does it make sense that an island nation has such an ill-equipped fishing fleet?


The taoiseach missed an opportunity at the Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis on Saturday to make an apology for the mistakes his party has made in their years in government. It is not too long ago since Mr Cowen reprimanded people for 'talking down' the economy. Maybe it was during the election campaign that he made his comment.

In his Ard Fheis speech Mr Cowen referred to Ireland 'as a brand'. Is it not that use of PR language that has helped us lose the run of ourselves?

Where would we be if we did not have the euro?

What next?