THERE HAS been no great leap forward under this Government. But slow and steady progress has been made in stabilising the financial situation and in breathing signs of life into the domestic economy.
The most important achievements during the last Dáil term involved passage of the fiscal treaty referendum and the opening of negotiations at EU level on how the burden of bank debts might be lightened. That may be small comfort to the huge number of unemployed people; to those mired in negative equity and those who find it increasingly difficult to pay their bills, but overall economic prospects have improved.
The Dáil has divided along “glass half-full, glass half-empty” lines with the Government concentrating on a small growth in net employment and a recovering international reputation while the Opposition parties focus on the cost being imposed on the public through cuts in services and a broadening of the tax base. Closing the gap between public expenditure and tax receipts will move back to centre stage when the Dáil returns in the autumn. Negotiations on the composition of the budget are likely to be difficult, with Fine Gael and Labour Ministers pursuing clashing priorities. Suggestions from the International Monetary Fund that welfare entitlements, such as child benefit and medical cards for the over-70s, should be means tested will add to those tensions. The unpalatable reality, that Ireland remains dependent on EU-IMF loans and – as a consequence – is being required to cut public expenditure still further, will make life more difficult for everyone.
Action on septic tank fees, along with water and property charges, which was suspended during the course of the fiscal referendum campaign, will resume. On this occasion, his colleagues will hope Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan can make a better fist of assuaging public resistance. Political opposition is likely to intensify, particularly when details of a comprehensive, value-related property tax are announced. The autumn session will, however, be dominated by a referendum on children’s rights and there are signs the debate may be used to broaden the agenda to include contentious family issues, abortion legislation and same-sex marriages.
Reform of the health services is behind schedule and legislation on a number of important matters delayed. In the same way, while personal insolvency legislation has been published, it will not take effect until the autumn and its effectiveness remains untested. Terms of reference for a constitutional convention have disappointed and larger issues of Oireachtas reform and executive powers should be considered.
In a system dominated by the politics of drift, radical reform was always going to be problematic. Promises to legislate for ministerial and official accountability have receded as Ministers struggle with day-to-day issues and prepare for Ireland’s six-month presidency of the European Union, which begins in January. Slow advances are being made on ethics legislation and freedom of information. It is a case of works in progress.