Analysis

Aidan Regan: If Ireland is so rich, why does it feel so darned poor?

We have jobs aplenty, decent salaries and a highly competitive international sector – but we also have shockingly poor public infrastructure and understaffed public services

Ireland is privately rich, but publicly poor. We have expensive houses, and a highly competitive international sector, but shockingly poor public infrastructure

Ireland is best in the class among the advanced economies of the world. Or so we like to tell ourselves.

It has a booming population, full employment and strong economic growth. The government is awash with cash and forecast to run a massive budget surplus that only oil-rich countries can dream of.

But if Ireland is so prosperous, why then does it still feel so damn poor?

The jobs are great, the salaries are decent ...