When a quarter of Iceland's electorate opposed the payment of €3.8 billion to the UK and Dutch governments arising from its banking crisis, its President refused to sign the relevant bill into law and the matter goes to the people in a referendum.
Meantime, our Government rams Nama down the electorate's throat and bails out banks and developers at a cost of at least €20 billion notwithstanding widespread opposition.
Whereas the Icelandic government resigns, our government clings to power in spite of having presided over the entire crisis.
While Iceland hires a high-powered, international investigator to help investigate possible criminal actions by bankers, our government dithers about even holding an enquiry.
Clearly, the Celtic Tiger has turned the Irish electorate into pussycats.
Letter published in the Irish Times on 15th January 2010.
