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ONE COULD BE forgiven for being concerned that the focus of the multiple cuts that we have heard over these past two days are largely about meeting the requirements of the troika’s external agenda.
Budget 2012 was the first quintessential test of this coalition Government’s ability to bring all of us onto a significantly stronger foothold to generate individual and collective recovery, social and economic sustainability. Within the parameters of EU-IMF-ECB agreement there is scope to make certain choices. The Government decided that Budget 2012 must save €3.8 billion in cuts. While there was pressure to go higher, remaining at the original €3.6bn figure would have demonstrated our government’s determination to re-structure bank debt in the long-term, so that we halt eventually the socialising of losses at the expense of privatising gains.
While we do need policies of austerity up to a point, these are being distorted by inordinate efforts to ‘save’ the banks at great personal cost to Irish citizens, and necessarily lead to lower output and lower tax revenues. In my view, it is economic nonsense to believe that someday we will be able to ‘pay it all back’ even if the Germans and French insist that we do.
In the context of this extraordinary budget adjustment for 2012 we must ask ourselves what are some of the prime ingredients needed at the macro level, to make the right choices?
In my view, there are at least three. We must take the right amount out of our national budget in order to adjust our way towards fiscal responsibility, strategic investment for recovery and a solid social fabric. The Government chose to cut spending on public services by 58 per cent and increase taxes by 42 per cent. As there are extensive arguments, and evidence referenced, for both the ‘cut more’ formula and the ‘spend more’ formula, I think that it is rational to conclude that this was an ideological choice by Government and one could question whether this choice will lead to a more inclusive as well as recovered nation. Why didn’t the government opt for a 50/50 split? In the absence of irrefutable evidence surely this would have been the fairest, most sensible way to proceed.
Who is holding a cohesive vision of what kind of Ireland we are creating by cutting large chunks of investment in the social fibre of this land?
The ESRI has provided solid evidence that the current VAT system is highly regressive. At 21 per cent we have evidence lower-income households pay a higher proportion of their income in VAT relative to the higher income households. An increase to 23 per cent will hit the poorest households the worst. To make the right choices about this budget I think that Government ought to ensure – through its taxation, social protection and investment decisions – that those with wealth or economic security share more of their resources with those experiencing poverty or economic insecurity. This is the true meaning of equality and fairness.
It is also a solid formula for economic prosperity as countries such as Finland and Norway demonstrate. If income tax is to remain untouched there are other options open to the Government in this respect, for example, the Government could have reduced income tax relief on pension contributions to the standard income tax rate. This could have saved €500m, equivalent to the amount Government may save on the VAT increase.
The focus on monetary and fiscal rectitude has to be balanced with a very clear articulation by our government of the vision for Ireland that we have at this time.
Who is holding a cohesive vision of what kind of Ireland we are creating by cutting large chunks of investment in the social fibre of this land? The articulation of this vision for a new Ireland could include a call, a voluntary call, on those who have enough or indeed who have plenty at this time, to share with those who have least.
I would ask Government to start speaking of an ethical vision that stresses values and that demonstrates that behind all these facts and figures and cuts, that someone is holding a cohesive vision as to what a new Ireland will look like. Furthermore, within the current debate about closer European fiscal union, Ireland ought to bring the following message to the European table – that we will seek closer union only if it means an increase in social solidarity as well as fiscal rectitude.
The Tanaiste has indicated that restructuring of Ireland’s debt will also be raised at tomorrow’s meeting of European leaders. This is an opportunity for Ireland to regain our sovereignty sooner, in time for Budget 2013. We must be able to make the right choices for our future and our society. As the Statement of Common Purpose from the Government’s programme for National Recovery concluded, ‘There isn’t a moment to be lost.’
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Another great Dubliner gone..
The Chinese have a saying about this kind of person. When someone like this dies a library has been burnt down. RIP.
Life really isn’t fair.. This man contributed so much to Irish society and I’m sure he left tourists and Irish people with a smile on their faces anytime they met. Then we have the other side of Dublin people, the scrouts that kicked that poor man in the face.. They’ll probably live to 80 and contribute nothing to society. Just live off the rest of us hard working people..
I’m so very sorry to hear this. He had the skills of his dad Eamonn, a man I listened to avidly on both radio and TV, hoping, because he was so brilliant, that he’d never pass away. His son did him proud, but didn’t spend long enough with us. R. I. P
R.I.P Shane
Shane was an outstanding expert on everything that had to do with Glasnevin. He was a passionate historian and was able to explain and weave stories to make every little bit of history interesting and exciting. I would dare to say that he left a lasting impression on anybody he met and his sudden death is a big loss. Very very sad!
Rip a passionate historian the world is a poorer place. sympathies to his family and friends
A loss to everyone interested in Irish history. RIP.
A loss to Ireland and to mankind – not enough people on Earth like Shane i’m afraid …RIP great inspirational man
That is sad news. A gentleman of the highest order.
Jaysis stunned. Only a young man. Remember bringing a group and getting the tour from Shane. Great day out. Rip shane
What a lovely man, he will be greatly missed. RIP.
A lovely man just like his late Dad RIP
Great loss for Dublin, it’s rare these days to find a man with such energy and passion in his work
Suan síoraí, a chomrádaí!
RIP Comrade. x
Passionate – in everything he said and did .
Immensely proud , in all the right ways and reasons .
Poblachtanach – like all before him.
Great respect for all victims of wars .
Immense loss to history , but most of all , I’m sure to his immediate Clann.
Immensely proud and honoured to have enjoyed our relatively short friendship .
Having enjoyed the friendship and kinship of his Athair and his Godfather , in another earlier and similar glorious if darker era, in Irish History.
He will be sorely missed by everyone he touched and beyond !
Deeply saddened by the news, a man I knew many years, a decent guy, a great historian, and an Irish Republican. Slán go fóill Shane.
RIP Shane MacThomais
RIP Shane.
Rest In Peace Shane
An immense loss! He will be sadly missed! RIP SHANE!
This is sad news.
Shocked to hear the sad news of Shane’s untimely death. RIP. He was a superb guide, innovator and motivator. A great friend and force for change at Glasnevin. He will be greatly missed by all.
It was such a shock to hear about Shane this morning, a wonderful and vibrant man full of knowledge and stories. I had the good luck to be on a guided tour with him and a group of others last August, a very funny, personable and interesting man,.
RIP Shane and my condolences to his colleagues in Glasnevin Museum and to his family.
Ah what a pity. Farewell Shane MacThomais.
A huge void really like him so much like his dad.
I met him once at the Museum. One meeting ill always remember.
I was very sad to hear the news, and there’s little more tribute I can offer than the many condolences already voiced.
Separately however, I find it odd how a few of red thumbs down have been put on practically every comment, even ones as innocuous as simply ‘RIP Shane’; isn’t it odd how some people behave at the demise of another? I feel truly sorry for them. Shane may be prematurely dead, but – unlike some others – at least he had a great life, with a true passion for a topic which he generously shared with anyone and everyone. May he rest in peace.
Dublin has lost its heart today. So long Shane..
Ignore them Nigel
Very sad news. Heard him on the radio a few times – made history vibrant. People like Shane make you realise why history should stay as a core subject on the Junior cert curriculum. My loss that I never took his tour.
RIP – heard Shane on Newstalk with George Hook not long ago touring Glasnevin – sound like a nice guy with a wealth of Knowledge and someone who enjoyed going to work each day.
RIP. He was a great and passionate historian.
RIP.
Listen to him many times on the Radio, his passion & energy were infectious, a genuinely entertaining & proud Irishman. If I can be permitted to make a seemingly unrelated but salient point, this is exactly the sort of person who the state should support in life & honour in death. When you remember that Charlie Haughey got a state funeral with all the trappings & his dumb & dumber acolytes Bertie Ahern & Brian Cowan will get the same taxpayer funded pomp & ceremony when they die, it makes you wonder where & why did this great country of ours go so horribly wrong ! My deepest sympathies to all of Shane’s family & friends.
Well said Edmond. Couldn’t agree with you more.
RIP Shane, you were a big inspiration to me and to others that knew you.
I heard the news as I was going to work this morning and instantly felt a cloud over me. I knew of Shane’s dad from a number of different things and really enjoyed his approach to things. I met Shane in Glasnevin years ago when I was in my first year of a history degree at university. Even though he was the man everyone was listening to he kept taking time out to ask about what aspects of history I was interested in and what parts I was studying at Uni. When the tour was over he wouldn’t accept any money from me and wished me good luck with the rest of my studies. We had each other’s contact details and when I finished my degree I began doing various articles on Irish history for different history sites and mags. He was really complimentary and encouraging to me and what I was doing. This meant a hell of a lot to me because of who he was and the historical pedigree of his family. I’ll never forget the generosity of spirit he showed to me.
Very saddened to hear of Shanes passing. R.I.P.
We were friends in our 20′s. I am shocked and saddened by the news.
Absolutely shocked to learn of Shane’s death. He was the perfect Dubliner and a gentle man. Slan go Foll a chara.
Was he related to Eamon macthomas?
He was Éamonn’s son.
Nicola, thanks and I thought so.
Eamonn was a great storyteller as well.
Eamonn was his “Da” as he told a group of us from Cork he showed around Glasnevin. A great Republican.
his dad.
Very sad, he really brought the whole history of Glasnevin and its residents to live ( pardon the pun ) He will be missed.
I met Shane 10 years ago. I found him to be extremely nice and pleasant person who always had time for a chat. I’m sorry I never did his walking tour of Dublin. Slan go foil a chara.
I am really sad to hear about the passing of Shane. I thoroughly enjoyed his tour of Glasnevin and he hat the wit and charm of his Father. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L7O7oU47n4 RIP Shane will miss your wicked sense of humour and all your contributions about our Fair City. Sleep tight up there with your beloved Dad
Such sad news. RIP xx
I had the pleasure of knowing and working in the same establishment with Shane, A great man, Everyone who knew him instantly loved him, it Will be weird Not Seeing him stroll around the cemetery, or to have him come in for an Americano in the cafe, RIP Shane, your legacy within glasnevin will never fade, gone but Certainty never will you be forgotten,
Sad sad News, RIP Shane.
I am so, so sorry to hear this news. He had an incredible bank of knowledge and a unique way of communicating it, and I imagine he made a big impression on anyone who ever met him – I know he did on me. A huge loss to Dublin city and my sympathies go to his family, friends and colleagues at Glasnevin Cemetery.
His knowledge of, & passion for, Irish history & heritage was unsurpassed.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
Fantastic ambassador and his tour was always delivered with such knowledge, engagement and illumination. A great loss. RIP
So so sad to hear this tragic news! As a former History student in TCD, I had the pleasure of meeting Shane during a tour of the cemetery and witnessed first-hand his clear passion & knowledge of Glasnevin Cemetery. I subsequently did my dissertation on the formation Glasnevin Cemetery and Shane kindly offered his wise words & knowledge to me on the subject… Will be forever grateful to him. May he rest in peace.
Ah that’s sad to hear, did his tour and always meant to do it again, very enjoyable day out, seems like a fitting tribute that he passed away in the cemetery which he knew so much about, he’ll be sadly missed, condolences to his mother and sisters
Such a shame. The good often die too young; a good life cut short. Those horrible guys that kicked the Brazilian in the head on St. Patrick’s Day will probably be around draining our resources to old age. Life is so unfair sometimes.
R I P Shane
I was shocked to hear of the sudden passing of Shane. A true son of Ireland and a most charismatic character. I was lucky to have been given a personal guided tour of the cemetery along with 2 friends. Shane had a great passion for Ireland and it’s wonderful history. He will be missed by many and I am all the richer in my knowledge of Irish history for meeting him. God bless Shane
That’s dreadful, was on the Glasnevin tour only yesterday, had hoped he would be the guide. Didn’t realise he had just passed away before I arrived. RIP, I also did some work with his dad.
Farewell Shane…a sad loss to us all
There is a Facebook page, Shane Mac Thomais remembered, if anyone likes to join.
Will be sadly missed like his late dad may he rest in peace
I’ll miss the banter but mostly the man. I’m devastated to hear of his death.
RIP Shane. A gentle man with knowledge wit and sunny disposition. Took walks with his Dad and did the tour with Shane in Glasnevin. Am sorry I won’t get the chance to do another tour with him. It was fitting that he passed away in a place he worked so hard to educate people about and in which he was fascinated with. It’s a wonderful tribute to him that Glasnevin cemetery is such a popular place to visit. He made it live again. Gone but never forgotten and am quite sure he will be still be quietly walking around checking up on things.
Rip…. He will be missed
I met him once, sleep easy Shane
He was a true legend RIP
What a sad loss great historian like his Father before him ,His column in The Northside People was an informative read R I P Shane
so sorry for the family
A tour of Glasnevin will surely not be the same without his eloquent true tales of those who lie in that cemetery. He hailed from a strong Republican tradition, but was not in any way subjective, as he told the stories of the dead in Glasnevin. Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam.
Sorry to hear of the death of a great person RIP
RIP Shane you were indeed a star gone but not forgotton
Some people can show the best of themselves so easily
naturally lighting up and sharing that light
finding themselves in their right place
seemed a wonderfull space to be
and now occupying a place in our history and our hearts
Colette
some people can show you who they are so easily
naturally lighting up and sharing that light
finding themselves in their right place
seemed like a wonderful space to be
and now occupying a place in our history and our hearts
Colette Bradley
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