Sir, – I want to congratulate Megan Greene for reminding all of us that this State “remains in a precarious fiscal position” and “has unsustainable public finances” (Opinion, April 27th).
This highlights the fact that recent anti-austerity declarations by prominent people in the media are hypocritical in the extreme.
Many of the people, who are now repeating the mantra that “austerity” is a vice, were either round the table when the decisions were being made which bankrupted the country or were supporting and deferring to the powerful people who were making those decisions during the Celtic tiger era.
Self-styled lords of the universe, who supported the recklessness which bankrupt the country, are now indulging in similar reckless propaganda against the consequences.
Austerity was caused by recklessness of the elite during the Celtic tiger era. Too many of them are still all over the media complaining about its consequences.
It is hypocritical and irresponsible for these people to ignore the fact that, as Megan Greene says, austerity is still necessary as this State “remains in a precarious fiscal position” and “has unsustainable public finances”. – Yours, etc,
ANTHONY LEAVY,
Shielmartin Drive,
Sutton, Dublin 13.