Madam, – I am becoming extremely frustrated with the lack of understanding shown by this Government, along with the lack of honesty.
It has partaken in a long campaign to deflect the blame for higher prices in Ireland away from the real culprit, which is this Government itself. It controls the higher costs of doing business in Ireland and yet it does nothing to help reduce these costs. In fact it allows county councils to create new licence fees to drain more funds from businesses in Ireland.
This Government shouts about patriotism, but the elected representatives do not understand the meaning of the word. If this Government is being honest about reducing unemployment it will have to start helping the employer by reducing, or eliminating some of these costs.
Only then will the employer have the opportunity to create more employment and reduce unemployment levels.
Recent reports claim the consumer is becoming more aware of the need to buy guaranteed Irish goods. This can only be good for the economy. The next step is to force businesses in Ireland to support Irish producers and suppliers. This will increase employment further and reduce the increasing influx of goods sourced directly from UK and German suppliers.
Ireland has always been the most price competitive country in the EU, but also had and has the highest running costs for business. This forced the prices higher than they should have been.
If this Government can do the right thing and start helping Irish businesses then we will see a strong Irish economy emerge at the other end of this recession.
It is also up to every consumer in Ireland to force this to happen by pressurising their local TD and Minister.
I don’t want patriotism from this Government. I want honesty and fair play for all Irish businesses and consumers. Only then will we see Ireland flourish. – Yours, etc,