EVERY IRISH SUNDAY paper screams at Irish politicians for their unbridled expense accounts. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] The problem is bigger than mere reimburseable expenses--it's an entitled elite that Irish voters have nurtured for more than a decade, an elite bolstered by an Entitlement Culture that runs from top to bottom in Irish society. People expect to get something special because of their good name, their outstanding parents, or their poor standing in the eyes of their peers. As long as this Entitlement Culture exists, as long as it is honoured as a respected social good, Ireland will continue to rot at the top and be coddled at the bottom. As the great grandson of Irish immigrants, I know what it feels like to feel sacrifice, lose a lifestyle, work three jobs, and wear only second-hand clothes. I had to work to get where I can now look back on doing things the right way, giving back through voluntary efforts, and cutting my cloth to fit. Ireland's Entitlement Culture, spotlighted at the moment in stories about luxury travel by politicians unfit for any other job, isn't limited to government buildings. It's apparent all around my local community, often fueled by a Compensation Culture that keeps a whole shower of posers working inside the courts. I'm ranting here because I sincerely believe this shitstorm of public unrest will blow over and my grandchildren will have to pay more tax in to maintain a cocoon around Irish citizens from all walks of life. Nurturing a cycle of entitlement debases fairness in society.
Tough Going in Irish economy. As the page count of the Sunday broadsheets declines, it's easier to see things that purport to save money. The Irish government "has agreed to create formal new arrangements which could allow individuals who cannot pay off their personal debts to have a sizeable portion of them written off." [12] But don't expect taxes to roll back if you live in Ireland. [13] And don't expect Aer Lingus to operate trans-Atlantic services from Shannon or Dublin next year. [14]
Culture Stuff. Enrico David's Turner installation is worth seeing in the Tate Gallery. [15] If you're curious about the truth behind Bertie Ahern, you should wait for the Mahon Tribunal Report instead of reading his book. [16] And if you have video recording capability on your phone, you might be able to send video tweets. [17]
1. Opening keyframe from a photo by Abbas Kowsari in the Spectrum section of the Sunday Times Magazine, 11 Oct 09.
2. Sarah McInerney -- "How Eamon Gilmore Slew the Bull" in the Sunday Times, 11 Oct 09.
3. Liam Fay -- "Fianna Fail: Does my hypocrisy look big in this spin" in the Comment section of the Sunday Times, 11 Oct 09.
4. Matt Cooper -- "O'Donoghue's mate drew up old pals act" the Comment section of the Sunday Times, 11 Oct 09.
5. Justine McCarthy -- "How can we be objective if we take junkets too?" the Comment section of the Sunday Times, 11 Oct 09.
6. Pat Leahy -- "Public has zero tolerance for profligate politicians" in the News Focus section of the Sunday Business Post, 11 Oct 09.
7. Vincent Browne -- "Our pathetic political culture of perks is a disgrace in the Inside Politics section of the Sunday Business Post, 11 Oct 09.
8. Jennifer O'Connell -- "The culture of entitlement" in Agenda Magazine inside the Sunday Business Post, 11 Oct 09.
9. Ken Foxe -- "No expenses spared on government gravy train" on the front page of the Sunday Tribune, 11 Oct 09.
10. Sunday Tribune lead editorial -- "Expenses scandal discredits the entire Dail", 11 Oct 09.
11. Eamon McCrane -- "It's Official. Broadband in Ireland sucks" in the business pages of the Sunday Tribune, 11 Oct 09.
12. Richard Curran -- "Debt write-off scheme agreed" on the front page of the Sunday Business Post, 11 Oct 09.
13. Stephen O'Brien -- "Tax to soar in Green deal" on the front page of the Sunday Times, 11 Oct 09.
14. Brian Carey -- "Leaving on a Jet Plane" in the Focus section of the Sunday Times, 11 Oct 09.
15. Culture Magazine -- "A Turner full of surprises" in the Sunday Times, 11 Oct 09.
16. Michael Clifford and Shane Coleman -- "Bertie Ahern and the Drumcondra Mafia"
17. Dominic Rushe -- "Twitter to start using video tweets" in the News section of the Sunday Times, 11 Oct 09.
Direct Link to MP3: http://www.insideview.ie/files/irish_sunday_papers_11_oct_09.mp3
Direct Link to MP4: http://podcasting.ie/videos/QikSunday091011.mp4
One Year Ago: "Sunday News from Ireland
