The celtic Tiger may have boosted our economy but at a very high price. Its downside is it has taught us to measure success in terms of economic growth and thereby created social unrest. There are many who have not been as lucky or successful and as a result feel excluded from society.
How can a Government pat itself on the back and give itself an extra £200 per week and justify a mere £8 per week increase for the unemployed? Jim O'Leary of Davy Stockbrokers, during the second lecture in this series, pointed out that, to some extent, Ireland is rapidly becoming a less attractive country because of escalating housing crises, wage inflation, appalling traffic congestion and inadequate childcare facilities.
In last week's lecture, Fr Peter McVerry blamed the Celtic Tiger for the increased number of homeless due to increasing rents in the private rented sector, and spiralling house prices. He argued that the Government ought to have intervened by now to regulate the rented sector and property prices.
Father McVerry says the more competitive we become the less compassionate we become. None are more excluded than the homeless. Worse still, Father McVerry points to the increasing number of homeless children on our streets as a result of abuse, violence, alcoholism or relationship breakdown.
(This lecture series, on the theme "Celtic Tiger: Where do we go from here?", takes place at Plunkett College (opposite Regency Hotel, Swords Rd), Whitehall, Dublin. The next lecture will take place on April 24th with Professor Kathleen Lynch of UCD examines the "Challenges for Change: Creating a more Egalitarian Ireland". Lectures are free and all are welcome.)
Rosemary Dawson is a PR consultant.