THE scale of Ireland’s economic woes was laid bare last night with the unveiling of a 5.3bn euro cost-cutting masterplan.
Proposals include slashed social welfare payments, healthcare and education cuts, as well as the shutting-down of an entire Government department.
The report by a team of experts, appointed by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, urges 17,300 public sector lay-offs and has already drawn threats of a painful strike by public workers.
Mr Lenihan appealed to the country to avoid knee-jerk and defensive reactions for what is one of the biggest planned cutbacks in the history of the State.
“I recognise, and the Government recognises, that the choices facing us are not simple or pain-free,” he said.
“Following them through requires a collective social effort and not one motivated by protecting one’s patch or pursuing one’s special interest to the exclusion of all else.”
Targets in the 300-page report run the gamut from country schools to foreign embassies and an overseas military peace-keeping mission.
