Who is/was responsible for Ireland's booming economy?

Question

Was it the EU, the Irish people, or something else?

Answer 1

Mostly taxpayers in the USA and EU countries, although various Irish governments over the last thirty years had a lot to do with it. It might be nice to be able to say that energetic Irish entrepreneurs played a part too, but IMO they didn't make the wave, they just ride it.

It wasn't really the Irish people, although we did work our socks off. The Irish economy wasn't doing great until the Irish government began to a.) beg the EU for development grants and b.) lower rates of corporation tax to frankly token levels.

The EU duly stumped up, since Ireland was a handy place to act as a bridge between Europe and the USA, and various corporations, especially American ones, began opening plants and offices and trading centres in Ireland. Taxes paid for the grants, although they weren't corporation taxes, for reasons that we've seen. Irish property developers were given generous tax breaks and began knocking stuff down and building new crappy stuff at an insane rate, all the while not having to pay through the nose to do it, except to politicians in the first place, so as to get permission.

Meanwhile, the Irish government had introduced free third-level education in the 1980s. An entire generation (mine) made use of this, and got educated to do all the middle-management and technical jobs that the new industry would require. Having gestated a convenient supply of amoral techno-wonks, the government promptly cancelled free third-level education.

In fact, although Ireland is now the fifth richest country in the world (going by EMF figures to do with GDP per capita), the country is mostly living on credit. A tiny minority is mega-rich, the rest of us are living on way, way more than we or our children will ever earn.

And you paid for it. Don'tcha just love us?

Answer 2

This is only a guess now but it seems to me that it would have to be the Irish?

God knows it is the Irish people who would be held responsible if they were suffering a recession (for not spending enough, not working enough etc) so lets give 'em praise when the economy is doing well and not shift the praise to a type of business or a politician or something.

Just my view of course.

Answer 3

The hard working Irish!

Answer 4

The UE : irish economy grew a lot when Ireland entered on the UE;
and Irish people : they are those who have new ideas to grow irish economy !

Answer 5

EU funding made everyone rich!

Answer 6

I don't honestly know but I do know why the Irish are so rich ... it's because their capital's always Dublin. :)

Answer 7

The I.R.A and semtex of course

Answer 8

conan o brien