Ireland's Options

Freddie59 · 02-11-2011 1:35pm #1

Just watching the St V de P statement on RTE1 news. They claim that Welfare Fraud is not as widespread as thought - instead classing it as 'anomalies' and 'barriers' within the system.:rolleyes: They also don't want any services reduced - or SW/OAP payments touched.

So here we are: borrowing 400m Euro per week to run the Country (some 20Bn Euro a year). Which is the reason that 700m is being handed over to Anglo bondholders tomorrow (they'll be going cap in hand top the same people next week).

Enda says we can't be leaving Civil Servants go like in Greece (why not? Many private sector businesses have made tens of thousands redundant without a word).

It just smacks of the circle that is politicians, civil servants, the public sector (and their unions) looking after themselves.

We live in a country where Gas and Electricity were hyped to ridiculous prices so that 'competition' could be allowed.

What about a reset? Rest all prices back by, say, ten years (or more). It would take a huge effort across the board, but it would also allow the reduction of wages, thus eating into that deficit.

Fantasy? Certainly. But worth a thought. How long can a country this size continue to borrow 400m Euro a week? And as long as there's a Labour Party in power the hard decisions won't be taken.

Interesting times ahead.

woodoo · 02-11-2011 1:37pm

Freddie59 wrote: »

Just watching the St V de P statement on RTE1 news. They claim that Welfare Fraud is not as widespread as thought - instead classing it as 'anomalies' and 'barriers' within the system.:rolleyes: They also don't want any services reduced - or SW/OAP payments touched..

How would they know?

Dudess · 02-11-2011 1:38pm

Freddie59 wrote: »

Just watching the St V de P statement on RTE1 news. They claim that Welfare Fraud is not as widespread as thought - instead classing it as 'anomalies' and 'barriers' within the system.:rolleyes:

Why do you think that's a lie? Because you want it to be?

sensibleken · 02-11-2011 1:48pm

We only have one option. And that is education. Educating people about the existance of the Irish Economy forum maybe

Dravokivich · 02-11-2011 1:51pm

Freddie59 wrote: »

And as long as there's a Labour Party in power the hard decisions won't be taken.

Huh?

I thought they were just propping up Fine Geal.

Freddie59 · 02-11-2011 1:55pm

Dudess wrote: »

Why do you think that's a lie? Because you want it to be?

How do you think it is a lie? Because of the emoticon?

I'm merely indicating that the V de P are slightly out of touch, that is all.

Freddie59 · 02-11-2011 1:55pm

Dravokivich wrote: »

Huh?

I thought they were just propping up Fine Geal.

Yeah, there's that too.:)

Cee-Jay-Cee · 02-11-2011 1:56pm

woodoo wrote: »

How would they know?

SvdP asked all their clients/customers/whatever if they were fraudulently claiming welfare etc and most of them said 'No'...tis a scientific method of statistical fact finding.

Wibbs · 02-11-2011 1:59pm

Dudess wrote: »

Why do you think that's a lie? Because you want it to be?

I dunno about a lie, but it does seem naive. I know and have known a fair few on SW, some were straight as a die, no dodgy cash in hand stuff and were very honest. Equally I knew a near equal amount that were champions of the nod nod wink wink extra black market money on top of their SW payments. From the odd nixer(which TBH I'd not be too pushed about) through claiming to be living alone while having partners with them, to claiming dubious disability all the way to really blatant under the radar careers alongside SW fraud*. Now of course this is a demographic attached to me, but I really doubt it's unique to me.

I'd say it would vary depending on social background and opportunities to fiddle the system. Certainly in my small scale sample it was the more "middle class" types who were at it. The folks from more disadvantaged backgrounds had less opportunities and contacts to fiddle. Though of course they're the ones who usually stand more accused of it.

*there are two examples that I could mention, but I won't for two reasons; 1) they'd be pretty recognisable and Boards could get into the shít about it and 2) you probably wouldn't believe the levels of hard neck portrayed.

pragmatic1 · 02-11-2011 2:00pm

I think we should become a narco-state. Theres loads of money in the auld cocaine trade.

Dravokivich · 02-11-2011 2:01pm

pragmatic1 wrote: »

I think we should become a narco-state. Theres loads of money in the auld cocaine trade.

That's half a billion lads.

pragmatic1 · 02-11-2011 2:04pm

Its not unique at all Wibbs. Its been going on for years up in Donegal. Not only was it seen as acceptable, people who didnt partake in welfare scams were looked at as suckers.

sensibleken · 02-11-2011 2:04pm

pragmatic1 wrote: »

I think we should become a narco-state. Theres loads of money in the auld cocaine trade.

we cant grow it though, we'd have to import it. now slaves, thats where the smart money is

sensibleken · 02-11-2011 2:05pm

Maybe we could get some of the debt written off if we all slept with Angela Merkel?

Archeron · 02-11-2011 2:10pm

sensibleken wrote: »

Maybe we could get some of the debt written off if we all slept with Angela Merkel?

Is that whats in the mystery box? Now I know why nobody ever chooses the mystery box.

sensibleken · 02-11-2011 2:13pm

Archeron wrote: »

Is that whats in the mystery box? Now I know why nobody ever chooses the mystery box.

Its more sandy than mystery

OneArt · 02-11-2011 2:25pm

sensibleken wrote: »

Its more sandy than mystery

Centipede in my vagina? It's more comfortable than you think.

Iang87 · 02-11-2011 2:27pm

OneArt wrote: »

Centipede in my vagina? It's more comfortable than you think.

hahaha what?

OneArt · 02-11-2011 2:29pm

Iang87 wrote: »

hahaha what?

All this talk of boxes and sand reminds me of that quote I found on Encyclopedia Dramatica.

Anyway back to topic, um... Oh I don't know, sell Kerry?

Ireland's Options

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