Jackeens get a raw deal as our national scapegoats

THE most revealing statistic released this week from Census 2016 was that one-quarter of the population now lives in Dublin city and its suburbs. Dublin, with a population of almost 1.2 million, is now six times more populous than the next biggest city – Cork. So why does capital get such a bad rap? One of the more inane comments made – and indeed used to justify the wildcat transport strike last week – came from Fianna Fáil, who opined in the Dáil that if the buses in Dublin were off the road, the issue would be quickly resolved.

Unfortunately this was the logic behind the shameful action of strikers aiming to cripple the capital, leaving tens of thousands of travellers stranded – without a word of warning. The justification of the wildcat strikers seemed to be that their cause is greater than any other, so every action is justified – especially if it hits Dubliners!

It was also an effort to bring the strike beyond the Red Cow roundabout.

If anything it was another demonstration of anti-Dublin bias that courses through our political, public and social discourse. Let Dubliners take the hit – who cares? But in truth the capital is in crisis – and without a champion.

The leaders of our main political parties come from Mayo, Cork, Belfast and Wexford. Not a jackeen in sight! Dublin is coming to a standstill – it is overcrowded, badly planned and gridlocked.

Given that the vast majority of the income tax take comes from PAYE workers – the majority of whom are working in the capital and its environs – it is fair to say that workers in the capital are the backbone of the Irish economy.

So why do Dubliners get such a raw deal? Their commute to and from work is crippling, depressing and getting worse.

The M50 is close to being a permanent car park – with motorists having to pay each time they crawl over the West-Link bridge.

Downriver, look at the daily lunacy at the East-Link bridge. Bizarrely, this bridge, built in 1984 at a cost of €8m, generates €4m in profits each year. It was due to be toll-free two years ago, but Dublin City Council argued – I kid you not – that if the tolls were removed, 22 people would lose their jobs and it would cost nearly €1m to demolish the toll booths!

Of course, the council was really using this as a smokescreen so it could get another €4m from the hard-pressed motorists in the capital. Remember motorists pay nearly €5bn to the Exchequer each year – one-tenth of the total tax take through petrol, diesel, tolls and motor tax.

They are treated like a cash cow – and their taxes are now being siphoned off to pay for the debacle that is the water charges.

We all know about the housing crisis in the capital – daily we hear stories of young people being humiliated as they battle for overpriced hovels in Dublin. Meanwhile, the four local authorities who are charged with building – and refurbishing – homes seem to be totally inactive.

The reality of the new Ireland is that 63% of the population now live in cities and towns, with the capital accounting for 40% of all urban dwellers in the country. It’s about time this figure was recognised and Dubliners are given the treatment they deserve.