Dear Santa,
Let me begin by expressing my
apologies for the lack of contact over the past number of years, but in my
defence letter writing is a dying art, it’s all about email these days! Anyhow, it’s been yet another trying year for
our little nation but despite that I’m pretty sure I’ve been good enough and so
undoubtedly deserve the following:
A triple A credit rating
reinstated to Ireland and each Eurozone member state the same.
A reversal in the hike in VAT,
applying 23% to most non food items is unreasonable. 21% is just fine.
A complete overhaul of the public
sector by an outsider, who has no previous government involvement – strip it
back to what it needs to be, ensuring the right people with the right skill set
are deployed to the right areas without excess baggage and overtime bills! The
outsider should preferably hail from the private sector; possess the capability
of tearing a dysfunctional public sector down, banishing the inefficiencies and
creating a public sector fit for purpose!
A reversal of the increase in
education fees outlined in Budget 2012 – quite frankly, the empty promises of
the Labour party have been laid bare! Their promise not to raise third level
registration fees was a mere election ploy, unfortunately it was not laden with
veracity. Punishing the youth with a desire to educate themselves for other generation’s
failures and faux pas’ – I for one can’t see the justice in that decision. The
future of our country should be able to flourish in an egalitarian environment
as opposed to exhausting all avenues to see if it is indeed possible to afford
the registration fees for university tuition.
On the topic of an egalitarian
environment – how about a few thousand jobs for the young graduates who are
unfortunate to graduate at a time like this, and now must carry the burden of
the economic crisis on their backs and spend their days, post honours degrees
and Masters degrees, in a local shop, cafe or bar, in an attempt to make a
basic standard of living whilst their true potential lies untapped and
wasted.... Maybe you could have a word with Enda, and request he give a few
cabinet seats to those young graduates worthy of them!
Instead of pausing the disability
allowance measure as detailed in Budget 2012 undo all amendments proposed. Targeting
the vulnerable youth who are faced with a struggle on a daily basis by cutting
the allowance from €188 to €88 per week is quite simply callous.
Supply our poverty stricken nation with a proper summer please (i.e. 30 degrees of sunshine on a daily basis!) or leave the price of home heating oil unchanged - otherwise send me a hot water bottle! Regarding the imminent increase in petrol diesel and motor tax, can you instead of forcing me to trade in my banger, send me a bicycle - as I don't think crippling petrol prices and motor tax will suit me.
Supply our poverty stricken nation with a proper summer please (i.e. 30 degrees of sunshine on a daily basis!) or leave the price of home heating oil unchanged - otherwise send me a hot water bottle! Regarding the imminent increase in petrol diesel and motor tax, can you instead of forcing me to trade in my banger, send me a bicycle - as I don't think crippling petrol prices and motor tax will suit me.
DIRT to rise from 27% to 30% will not serve as an incentive to spend –
I mean where are young educated graduates expected to get the income to do so -
for that reason, could you do me a favour and see that it is unchanged, as I’m
almost certain most are saving for a boarding pass to leave this debt ridden
country behind.
And finally, one last item, a
competent government capable of piecing our broken economy back together!
Alas, if the above aren’t possible,
I’ll settle for a surprise from you, but please be a dear and mention them to
Enda and his merry elves!
Until next year,
The Forgotten Irish Graduate, December 2011
P.S. Please keep Brian Cowen,
Bertie Ahern, Sean Fitzpatrick, Michael Fingleton, and all corrupt bankers and
politicians alike on the naughty list this year and for the foreseeable future–
god knows they do rightly deserve it!!
