Don’t put electoral gains ahead of national interest

DO we ever learn? That theory will be put to the test over the coming years as the country gets to grips with the return of economic good fortunes. The first time around the boom turned to bust, despite ample warnings of a decline being on the way. The suggestions from the government of the day of a “soft landing” being on the way now seem laughable.

After a lost decade, the country is returning to the boom-like statistics of the mid-2000s when you observe indicators such as employment levels, property prices and taxation receipts.

These healthy coffers allow for extra spending wriggle room, presenting a new challenge to the Government.

In our distorted political climate, the priorities shift on a daily basis, depending on what level of outrage is being briefly expressed by the chattering classes.

So Budget 2019 may seem a long way off as it won’t happen for almost six months in mid-October.

The instability of the euphemistically titled “New Politics” means no guarantee who will be in government at the time. Regardless of the make-up of the administration, they would do well to take note of what happened last time.

Assuming it is still the current Fine Gael-led administration, its new-found mantle as the party of fiscal responsibility is on the line. Just as Fianna Fáil has discovered, the public will be unforgiving of any party deciding to put electoral gains ahead of national interest.