So how we are perceived by visiting politicians/ senior civil servants/ business people and a sense of respect for the highest executive office in our country is less important than penny pinching?
I have an idea here that would impress the visiting dignataries.. First why not have a world class airport in Dublin. Then a high speed rail link to the capital with seemless connections to all the other modes of transport in the city. Then high speed motorways to all other other major cities in the country. Now wouldn't that impress them (and us the taxpayer) far more than them having the ability to say "nice Georgian mansion Bertie"
What is it in our national mind-set that resents those in high office for the resources that have access to? I resent them for having access to resources because of the way they use or abuse them, plain and simple. I remember once in the dark old 80's signning on in Cumberland Street a few days late (due to sickness) after I have been made redundant but I could only claim from the date I signed on not like the deal given to an ex Minister on his pension this week. The more resources politicians in Ireland are given the more they abuse them for political purposes. The widespread corruption in the planning process in Dublin and in other areas is a case in point if further proof was needed. Other examples include the recent action in bumping up the numbers of Minister of State to 20 and giving nearly every TD a second invome from some non entity of a Committee job. Its time irish people woke up and smelt the coffee!!