I see Paul Duffy urging at the US Chamber of Commerce lunch 
yesterday that we should use the opportunity of the recession to squeeze costs. At the same time he wants the critical 12.5% CT rate maintained. He wants us to move away from overreliance on transaction type taxes e.g. property tax. Tom Parlon is in arguing for 10% pay cut in the constuction industry - on the basis that 100,000 jobs have been lost and that costs are far too high. All of business has demanded cuts in public service payroll. Employees who are experriencing wage cuts and ex employees who are experiencing life on the dole are arguing for taxes on the rich – those who ‘made a killing’ in the Celtic tiger years and, in particular, those perceived to have brought it all tumbling down.
yesterday that we should use the opportunity of the recession to squeeze costs. At the same time he wants the critical 12.5% CT rate maintained. He wants us to move away from overreliance on transaction type taxes e.g. property tax. Tom Parlon is in arguing for 10% pay cut in the constuction industry - on the basis that 100,000 jobs have been lost and that costs are far too high. All of business has demanded cuts in public service payroll. Employees who are experriencing wage cuts and ex employees who are experiencing life on the dole are arguing for taxes on the rich – those who ‘made a killing’ in the Celtic tiger years and, in particular, those perceived to have brought it all tumbling down.It does not make for a particularly edifying spectacle. Difficult to see any National Agenda emerging. And the matter is completely undermined by two centre parties (FF and FG) taking lumps out of each other.
It seems that it is no longer credible or politically acceptable to promote the cause of entrepreneurship, business and growth – even capitalism: given the final result of years of Celtic Tiger activity and behaviour. And yet without people getting business up and running, creating employement, creating exports, Ireland Inc cannot refloat. I often think the US Democrat party must have felt very aggrieved at President Clinton in the end – because his behaviour probably cost them power. Likewise the Republic party must feel the same way towards Bush, Cheney & Rumsfeld. They may have supported much of their policies and actions – but for want of some appearance to care about those who did not support them (‘you’re with me or against me’) they got turfed out. Here, in our own economy in Ireleland, we need to demonstrate how and why a probusiness climate is right – and how in such a pro business climate the rights of all will be cared for and respected. Being pro business does not mean we have to shut down funding of Equality Agencies – nor does it mean that we have to accuse construction workers of not understanding the issues. It may not even be possible to maintain a 12.5% CT rate in the immediate future.
I would suggest it is time for FF and FG to bury the hatchet (after nearly 100 years) – and drive a national agenda. I would welcome a strong left of centre choice presented by Labour and any other left of centre parties. Then we would all have some meaningful choice.
It’s time for a bit of ‘We’ll fight them in streets’ – that never meant we’ll fight each other in the streets.
