Are we banjanxed or wha?

We're all back in the thick of it now .

I was following a discussion from Irish Executives working abroad which was on the theme of Ireland "Banana Republic" do you agree? A lot of what was said was true.

"I left Ireland in 1986 and have been back 4 to 5 times per year since to visit family and friends. I have looked in disbelief at the corrupt politicians and officials that have systemically ripped off Ireland for the last 30 years and with particular efficiency in the last 15 years."

"After spending 3 weeks back home in Ireland for Christmas it’s so frustrating to see the current state of the Irish economy."

"I've come back after spending Christmas and the new year in Ireland (I won't be going in the winter again in a hurry and it wasn't the first major cock-up I've experienced) and the Irish at home are NOT PREPARED TO LEARN from their mistakes. They are still ripping each other off! They still sweep the dust under the carpet."

Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. We only came out of the potato fields in the 60s. So modern Ireland is about 40 years old.

We were a country dominated by respect and adoration of authority figures and institutions.

The most respected, looked up to, doffed your cap to, were the local priest, teacher, doctor, bank manager and your local elected official.

Primarily this was because these were educated people in positions of power and authority with a regular income.

I believe that our current mess will be the making of us. In one fell swoop we have knocked the fact that institutions are all powerful and all knowing. We the people actually do make a difference.

Just look at every other country in the last 40 years and the mess and lies they have been told, Watergate, Enron, Italy - every year for the last 40 years, Weapons of mass destruction? We are all being lied to all the time.

I know the level of frustration out there and particularly for those of you who had to leave Ireland.

However don't give up on us. While Fintan O'Toole is good, if you listened to him every day you'd slit your throat.

The re building process has already started. It's not going to be easy. There will be some pain. Irish entrepreneurs and business people are focused on winning new customers and with customers comes the opportunity to serve them and by doing that we create jobs.

That’s how we can really help our country.

The rest of you don't lose heart. We are still a young nation prone to mistakes. I'm sure we'll make more but it’s not going to obliterate us.

PHRASE: Ni neart go cur le cheile.

PRONOUNCED: nee hyart guh curr leh kay-lah

MEANING: there is no strength without unity