During a discussion on Albert Reynolds’ legacy columnist Brenda Power told an interesting story (RTE, last item).
In the late 1980s, when the country was in deep recession, then Finance Minister Reynolds was was preparing to introduce his first budget.
His wife, Kathleen, suggested that he introduce a means test for Children’s Allowance as a result of an encounter she had with the enormously wealthy Norma Smurfit while buying shoes in Brown Thomas.
Are you treating yourself Norma?
No, the taxpayer is treating me. I save my children’s allowance every year and buy one decent pair of shoes.
The shoes cost £300, the same price as the average industrial wage of the time.
Reynolds did consider introducing the means test but in the end decided not to.
After all, Norma was a member of the ruling elite, she had her ‘entitlements’ just like the rest of the Golden Circle.
The response to the story by RTEs Sean O’Rourke was also predictable.
In fairness to Norma Smurfit I suspect she gave a multiple of that amount to various good causes that she has been supportive of down through the years.
There are two possible reasons for O’Rourke’s comment:
One: He/RTE are so afraid of litigation or of being seen to be biased they have to balance out every story no matter how trivial.
Two: He/RTE operate so closely with the ruling elite mindset that they instinctively defend against every negative attack, no matter how trivial.
I suspect the latter is the truth.