Dialogue: Real Ireland invisible to blinkered Kiwi traveller

Dublin may have its problems but in no way can it be portrayed as lagging 20 years behind New Zealand, writes DIARMUID McMAHON.

The term Celtic Tiger is now despised by many Irish people. That is because large-scale changes in an economy have definite social and quality-of-life repercussions.

But Jasmine De Boni, in her recent Dialogue article, failed to identify the real problems in Dublin and Ireland for Irish people and potential New Zealand visitors. Instead, she chose to have a moan and to portray Ireland as backward.

Ireland is not the same as New Zealand. If New Zealand is what she wants, why travel?

Her article talked of stodgy food - "ham sandwiches, crusty custard squares and plain date scones" - being staple fare in Dublin. I don't know where De Boni shops but I am sure there are places in every country that cater for such a diet.

I try to avoid such food outlets. I know that there are shops and restaurants in Dublin to cater for all tastes.

She complained that bangers and mash and other old favourites are constantly wheeled out on menus. Again, Ireland is not New Zealand or any of our European neighbours. Therefore, we eat differently. As the adage goes, you get what you pay for.

The article also suggested that the Irish banking system was antiquated, with the likes of Eftpos and internet banking not being available for everyday use.

Cash payment in a retail outlet does not go by the same name in Ireland. This may have caused De Boni's problem.

Ireland, being a different country, has different names for things. In fact, we have an entire language all of our own. Eftpos in Ireland is marketed as Laser and is available in nearly all retail outlets.

The irony is that much of the world's electronic funds transfer for point-of-sale security software and hardware was developed by an Irish company.

De Boni described her terrible working environment. Such an environment is appalling and I am sure the company will suffer as a result. Most people who find their jobs unsuitable do not have a problem finding something else.

It is true that the jobs available in Ireland are mostly in the IT sector. But the growth in this sector has led to job shortages in all sectors.

Many large, multinational companies have chosen Ireland as their European hub for a number of reasons. Ireland has a young, well-educated workforce and low corporation tax, is English-speaking and in the Euro zone.

The article also referred to out-of-date office technology. I would suggest that a large, multinational consultancy company will not operate for much longer with such poor systems.

I also worked for a large, multinational consultancy company. During the course of that job, I worked in many Irish companies. I have never encountered the conditions she mentioned. But I am sure that they exist in many companies in New Zealand also.

The article also complained about an inability to get running water, except in toilets. I have never had a problem with running water or plumbing anywhere in Ireland.

I am sorry that De Boni had to deal with paper work when opening a bank account. However, I find it difficult to believe that New Zealand banks know who you are when you walk in the door.

As for her "identification issues" when opening that account, to the best of my knowledge she is not an Irish citizen, she is not a European Union citizen, Ireland is not a member of the Commonwealth, she is in a foreign country. Therefore, unsurprisingly, ID is necessary.

I have had internet banking for some time. In fact, it has been invaluable while I travel because I can access my accounts from anywhere in the world.

I know that the main Irish banks - Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Bank, Ulster Bank and Irish Life and Permanent - have internet banking. I am not sure about the National Irish Bank (a subsidiary of National Australia Bank) and many of the smaller building societies.

There is a distance between the claims and the reality in the Irish Celtic Tiger. But De Boni's article does not touch on these. Instead, much of what she says is incorrect and the whole tone is patronising.

* Diarmuid McMahon, a native of Dublin, is visiting New Zealand.

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