Could the Ireland of today ever have been foreseen
by those who gave their lives for this country in 1916?
Corruption and greed on a scale that is quite obscene
with the Irish people as oppressed as they have ever been.
The recession in Ireland was caused by the greedy few
Though our government must shoulder a lot of blame too
With the banks and developers they had a major role to play
But the ordinary people of Ireland were the only ones to pay!
It was a story, unfortunately, of pure unbridled greed
Which government collusion helped nurture and feed
But the most striking thing was the level of arrogance
As they lead the people of Ireland on a not so merry dance.
Thousands lost their jobs, became long term unemployed
Many of our children emigrated, the whole country cried
People lost their homes which they worked so hard to get
others took their lives, hounded mercilessly for a debt.
Not one ounce of help was given, many just could not cope
And the government’s strategy killed off any sense of hope
for the ordinary people who were already on their backs
Got pay cuts, price increases, and every form of new tax.
Help was made available for the developers and banks
Bondholders took huge profits without a word of thanks
But the people were subjected to extreme austerity
While those who caused the crisis walked away scot free.
After years of hardship the recession has come to an end
The global economy, it seems, very much on the mend
But in Ireland, alas, the recovery is slow
because there has been no major change in the status quo.
It is absolutely shameful after what people were put through
They made all the sacrifices, did all they had to do
Only to discover that things are very much the same
Those in power should hang their heads in absolute shame.
Recent revelations show how much of our money is being wasted
Developers profiting from NAMA now being investigated
So many Top ups being paid on already massive salaries
the banks being allowed to continue doing just as they please.
We all thought things would improve with the change of Government
But it is staggering to discover how much money they have spent
Setting up Irish Water where they have yet to spend much more
The cost of water charges for us, the people, continue to soar.
Experts agree this could have been done for millions less
But like Poolbeg, Irish Water is just another expensive mess.
Huge profits are being made in this by all the major players
Though the cost will be borne by you and me; the taxpayers.
No doubt there is much more that has yet to come to light
It does not take a genius to see that things are far from right.
The few continue to prosper while many struggle to live
They take most from those who have nothing more to give
While those responsible clearly seem to have no shame
Are we the people, by our inaction, somehow to blame?
Perhaps we should be thinking about a radical solution
Acquiescence has not worked but would a Revolution?
Parts 1,2 & 3 were written in 2013, towards the end of the recession. This was written in late 2014 when Ireland was no longer officially in recession.