No Accountability - No Trust

Yesterday, the US public relations firm Edelman announced that Ireland was experiencing a crisis of trust. Out of 22 European countries surveyed, trust in governance and business in Ireland ranked lowest and overall, trust in Ireland across a variety of industries is below the global average. Such platitudes however are unsurprising to anyone currently living in Ireland. For there to be trust, there must be accountability and where is such accountability in governance and business in Ireland today?

To have an effective state operating with a mandate that is truly endorsed by the people, the state must have the capacity and desire to respond to the demands of an active citizenry. The Fianna Fáil dominated government of recent decades has led the country from a period of supposed boom to very real bust. Naturally, there was a global recession and Ireland was never going to be immune, but there was also mismanagement on the part of the government that dramatically worsened the effects of the recession in Ireland. The current Taoiseach, was the Minister for Finance during the crucial years preceding the recession and should therefore bear considerable responsibility. However, instead of being held to account or even answering his critics, Brian Cowen was promoted to a position where he could do even greater damage – but for more remuneration.

To be fair and in line with the Edelman survey, governance relates to the political system that exists within Ireland rather than specific parties, so the lack of trust applies to the opposition also, though probably not in equal measure. The unfortunate state of affairs though is that despite the borderline criminal record of Fianna Fáil in government, the opposition parties have not inspired the general population to oust them from their position of power in favour. Unfortunately, the Government may be the thief but the opposition are the unwitting accomplice.

With regard to business, banks have naturally become the least trusted industry with a 23% trust rating. Again, the banks contributed to the global recession but rather than being held to account, they were protected. A few scapegoats were put up for slaughter and a cap on some ludicrous salaries was imposed. But in general, the same people who were responsible for the banking crisis remain on the bank’s boards and promotions to fill the places of the odd scapegoat or two have been from within. Worse still, the nascent inquiry into the banking system is to be a private affair which means that the transparency required for there to be accountability, which in turn could instil trust in the people, is absent. Instead the tax payer is simply saddled with a bill for NAMA with no mechanism to question the receipt.

Workers need greater unity and civil society needs better organisation. It is quite clear that there is not enough pressure on those within the political system to act equitably and effectively and until there is, there will no reason for them to need our trust.