THE CELTIC CONNECTION • MARCH 1993
Page 39
DREADING A TOUGH BUDGET
Ireland's Economic Saga Continues
By BARBARA MULLINS
DUBLIN — Nineteen-ninety-three has arrived, limped in I should say, with all the portents of a boring wake. It is not looking good. As I write, it is only January 22, so how did it get to be so bad so soon?
It all began last year. In November, a general election was called and at the same time we were asked to vote on three referenda. This followed a difficult summer with scandals surrounding many of the larger companies in the country such as Telecom Eireann, the Sugar Company and those involved in the meat trade.
The latter is still being investigated by Justice Liam Hamilton and has become known as the Beef Tribunal. The election was called because of accusations made at this Tribunal.
Simultaneously the country was wracked by the now infamous
figures of 300,000 and a continuing currency crisis seem to cripple any effort to get the economy moving.
Since Ireland signed the Maastricht Treaty last year and became a full member of the EC, the ERM (Exchange Rate Mechanism) has become part and parcel of our daily financial lives. The workings are complicated and do not mean much to most of us other than they dictate the prevailing interest rates.
The interest rate increased slowly over the summer followed by a huge three percent hike last September. We are told the economy is fine and all the indicators are positive. Our EC partners nod approvingly, but the fact remains that jobs are being lost and people are under severe pressure in trying to hang on to tneir homes.
When we devalued the Punt, I must admit there was great re-
Three questions were put to the public with the promise that if they were not carried, legislation would be put in place
"X" case. This legal case surrounds the alleged rape of a 14-year old girl who became pregnant as a result of that alleged rape. Her parents wanted her to have an abortion. She was eventually permitted to go to the UK following a decision by the Supreme Court.
The major issues remained to be resolved as a result and the referenda were called. Three questions were put to the public with the promise that if they were not carried, legislation would be put in place. The right to travel and freedom of information were carried and legislation will now follow on the central question of abortion.
The usual political parties took
fart in the election. Fianna Fail, ianne Gael, Labour, the Progressive Democrats and some newer ones such as the Democratic Left (which used to be the Workers Party). There was a dramatic swing away from Fianna Fail and Fianna Gael, and The Labour Party made dramatic gains. Sadly, I believe for us all, they chose to go into coalition with Fianna Fail and a disappointed public still has Albert Reynolds as Taoiseach. How they will get on together noone knows. We suspect it will be at the cost of diluting the very policies for which we voted Labour.
Our incapacity to effect real political change has led to a general air of despondency and uncertainty. High unemployment
lief. We were facing yet another three percent interest rate increase and that would have been ruinous. What happens now is uncertain; our reserves are almost totally depleted and the national debt has risen by IR£1 billion. We have been warned that we face a tough budget soon.
But, life goes on. In rugby, Ireland played Scotland in the first of the internationals. The Scots won soundly. Wales and Ireland are due to meet in Tolka Park for a friendly soccer match. I will let you know what happens.
The theatres are doing well and the cinemas are thriving. The movies are the same as those running in Canada and the U.S. The play Pilgrims is running in the Project Arts Centre andlias had rave reviews. So too has The Honeyspike by Bryan Mc-Mahon, which is at the Abbey and Billy Roches' Wexford Trilogy at the Peacock.
A report from home would not be complete without a mention of the weather and so far January has been gloomy.
We have had storm force winds and lots of grey skies, but the promise of spring is here already. Crocuses are coming out in the garden and a few brave daffodils have pushed their heads through. The days are getting just a little bit longer and before we know it, it will be Paddy's Day.
St. Patrick's Schools Worldwide
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — As a method of broadening the horizons of his pupils, Mr. Delmer Wagner of St. Patrick's School in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, decided to establish links with all the other schools in Canada named after St. Patrick. Having completed that task, he roped in similar schools in the U.S. and in Australia. Mr. Wagner has now written to The Irish Times inviting schools in Ireland to join the network.
302,200 Jobless in Ireland
DUBLIN — The January unemployment statistics were released recently and confirmed the worst forecasts of the damage wrought by the currency rates and, in particular, the fall in the value of sterling. Unemployment totals have passed the 300,000 mark for the first time ever. There are now 302,200 people out of work in Ireland. This is an increase of 8,500 over the December figure. The Government was clearly disappointed and blamed the recession and currency crisis, particularly the weakness of sterling, for the situation. — L.F.
When you go home, go our way.
AerLingusft.
Fly Ireland to Ireland
For reservations or information, please call your travel agent or Aer Lingus at 1-800-223-6537.
99999999991^