There are times when it feels like there is nobody at the wheel of this little republic of ours. As a trading post in the Atlantic Ocean on the edge of Europe, we function perfectly well but as soon as fair winds begin to blow askew, this model is found badly wanting.
The energy crisis that is worsening by the week involves elements that are outside of the control of our country but the question has to be asked about the long-term wisdom of mass-privatisation that reaches into even the most basic of commodities.
Just how bad a stage are we at? While all business sectors and individuals are affected by these problems, the hospitality sector seems to be getting a particularly bad run of it from a Government determined to raise the VAT rate from the end of next February.
“I’ve never experienced this before in thirty years of
