Ireland tops table of worst-run EU states

By Ann Cahill Europe Correspondent

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

IRELAND is the worst- run country in the EU, according to a poll that shows people’s faith in the Government has plummeted over the past five years.

Greece and Latvia, with similar economic woes, have also scored very poorly with their citizens, in the EU’s Eurobarometer survey.

But the Irish Government has gone down in people’s estimation more than any other.

The Irish do not expect the way the State is run to improve much over the coming year, and are one of the most pessimistic nations in this respect.

Independent MEP Marian Harkin said the survey showed that Irish people have lost faith in the State: "Irish citizens are among the most pessimistic in the EU about how their public administration is run."

Healthcare and pensions are the big bugbears for Irish people when asked about social protection, although they are marginally satisfied with unemployment benefits – although the survey was conducted before the budget cuts.

Most people are unhappy with the way inequality and poverty is being addressed, and are marginally content with relations with people from different cultural or religious backgrounds – though expect this to change a little over the next few years.

While Irish people have been among the happiest in the EU with their personal situation, they are among the most pessimistic when it comes to how they view the economic situation of the country. Many expect it to worsen in the next year.

After Latvia they are the most concerned about jobs, but more so about the general employment situation than their own.

"The outlook of Irish citizens mirrored that of many central and eastern European countries rather than those of our neighbours in western Europe", Ms Harkin said.

Despite falling prices and little inflation, most are dissatisfied with the cost of living, saying it has become more expensive than five years ago and many expect it to worsen in the year ahead.

Most are deeply unhappy that house prices have not fallen sufficiently.

A separate EU Social Situation report said average housing costs, at 4% of disposable income, was among the lowest in the EU. It also showed accommodation costs have increased more for the poorest 20% of the population than in most other states.

These figures took into account that close to 45% of householders do not have a mortgage.

The study also pointed out that the majority of people living in rented accommodation were being subsidised.

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, February 03, 2010