Hasn’t the good weather been fantastic? A welcome dose of vitamin D. The warm feeling of the sun’s rays on our freckled skin. A light breeze reminding us that it’s still April. But generally it’s been a nice teaser of what could be in store if the weather gods are in our favour this summer.
So why are we still moaning? Are we ever happy or are we only content when we are playing the victim?
The Economic and Social Research Institute has forecast that the economy will stop contracting this year. In its quarterly economic forecast, the ESRI says a return to growth in the second half of 2010 could almost cancel out the fall in the first half of the year. Surely that’s something to be cheerful about.
The latest report from the Central Bank says the Irish economy is likely to start growing again in the second half of 2010, but only at a “modest” pace.
In its quarterly bulletin the bank warned that lower incomes and increased unemployment were likely to continue to hold back consumer spending. It said there are signs that the economy is stabilising, but it warned that it will be 2011 before growth is strong enough to start bringing unemployment down. Surely we can pluck the positives from that report. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
The problem is we’re addicted to bad news, other’s people misfortune. God forbid things are going well for you and you are able to purchase a new car, or you haven’t had your pay cut or were made redundant. If you own a designer bag or an expensive coat you’d nearly be afraid to bring it out in public for fear of mutterings, “No recession in that house”, being targeted at you. And if you’re in business, don’t dare let your customers know that you’re doing well. They will begrudge you every penny that enters the till.
Yes, things aren’t rosy in the garden yet. But let’s remain optimistic. Let’s stop the begrudging and moaning and celebrate that there are better days to come. We should congratulate our neighbours and business acquaintances who have been innovative through these difficult times in an effort to keep staffing levels as they were and minimise cutbacks.
The banking crisis is a disaster. NAMA has its work cut out and builders may now have to demolish unfinished estates. Quinn is to withdraw its opposition to the appointment of administrators. The Croke Park deal is balancing on a knife edge despite SIPTU boss Jack O’Connor recommending its members accept it. There is no alternative, and at least it contains some guarantees. Basically it is the best deal available, the only deal available, and if it is rejected by the public sector there will be a further eight per cent pay cut in next December’s budget.
A striking public sector wouldn’t receive widespread public backing. People are fed up with having services disrupted when they themselves are struggling.
Most of these catastrophes are out of the ordinary citizen’s control. So let’s focus on the blue skies and getting the barbecue dusted down and not getting pneumonia by lunging into the ice cold sea way before the waters have had time to heat up. Whit weekend is a while away yet, but the sand is warm and what better place for a leisurely stroll to forget about our woes than one of Mayo’s fine walkways or blue flag beaches. There are better days ahead.
Toni Bourke Editor [email protected]
