THIS WEEK:WHETHER IT is apathy, something to do with our post-colonial complex, or simply a belief that street protests don't change much, Ireland is one of the few austerity- afflicted countries that has not – so far – joined the latest wave of strikes spreading through Europe.
Yes, we’ve had a few anti-septic tank charge agitators get a bit bolshie of late, but nothing on the scale of the outrage evident in countries like Greece.
Last week, Greek ferry crews halted services, while lawyers and some state hospital staff also went out on strike. Even in orderly Germany, about 20,000 public sector workers took part in a work stoppage last Monday. This week the industrial action spreads to Spain.
On Thursday, the two main labour unions will hold a general strike just before the Spanish government unveils its budget for 2012, which is expected to contain harsh spending cuts. Meanwhile in London, teachers are due to take to the streets on Wednesday to protest over possible pension changes.
Who knows? Perhaps Ireland’s anti- household charge brigade will be inspired by all this rabble-rousing and step up their protests in advance of the promissory note payment deadline of the end of the month.
