Mary Robinson to Irish people - 'blame yourselves'

Christ! She sounds like my own mother - "yer doin' this to yerself"

As President of Ireland she never did much for Irish children in relation to the horrific sex-abuse cases coming to light even facing the Holy See's Permanent Observing at the UN if not, surely having the opportunity to at some time or other. There was a Papal audience somewhere in between to wasn't there, it must have been the charisma of JP11, everyone seemed to be smitted by him.

Mary Robinson - get off the stage!

Who votes in the "corrupt government" every election?

It just occurred to me that Mary Bourke Robinson is the modern day Marie Antoinette (let them eat cake) of Ireland. Her Maggie Thatcher "imperial like head" is fitting for someone whose uncle was knighted by the Queens for his service as a colonial judge.

In the work "Marx and Engels on the Irish question" a compendium of letters between Marx and Engels on the Irish question. They got it right. Even though fervent internationalist. They knew fullwell the results of British imperialism in Ireland. That is why their conclusion. Ireland is one of the few nations in Europe that must go completely nationalist in order to get its house together. Then it can go internationalist. It should go nationalist in terms of national unity. That means not accepting the Protestant British colony in the north of Ireland as just another tradition. They are an imperialist colony bent on destroying the Gaelic Ireland that they uprooted not just a different tradition as historical revisionists try to argue. Not get engaged in international organizations who take over poor countries thru international finance and then load it with foreign workers while their own people must immigrate and then go back to their own tongue and kill of the English language in Ireland. Break up the linguistic unity of the so-called British Isles a name which really means Isles of the Picts although the Picts never lived near London the world center of British imperialism

I lived within my means-its the Government and Bankers did not live within my means. This from a lady who took over $1.5million for a couple of short years....and more than that in expenses

Why do people like Mary Robinson and people who have money and good jobs always blame the irish people for what has happened instead of the the corrupt Government we have had for years.

Leave it to the government to blame the people

shaneleahy: You put it well. The Irish have been screwed, but they can't absolve themselves of responsibility. They don't seem too smart, do they?

Everybody has rights here only authorities have responsibilities.Its amazing and it goes on here all the time nobody has duties anymore only rights.I live with it here in dublin.Apathy'Rain & deafness loadz of it here.

The people of Ireland should not take the blame but they should take the responsibility. There is a difference. They were responsible for putting the people in charge who created the mess so yes they are responsible but not to blame for the mess !!!

I always thought Mary Robinson did a good job as President, but she seems somewhat out of touch with this article Many, many people had little benefit from the boom years, but they are expected to share the collective pain, A sad time lies ahead, I wish somebody could come up with a solution?

Another self promoting internationalist a self proclaimed expert on everything. I find her meanderings insulting and ignorant. She started her career as a sticky (official Sinn Fein) which changed it's name to the Workers Party and now she blames the Irish people, what a dud.

Putting the blame on the Irish people I don't agree with. I agree with the statement that it is the people in politics. Every politician that I know of pretend to care for the people and make promises they do not keep. Most people are trusting and honestly believe that this person they are voting for will be the one who will make a difference. What bothers me more is when they fall for the same thing twice. Everyone is hurting right now not just Ireland. Where I live, our government has dipped into our retirement fund taking over 6 billion dollars and haven't repaid any of it yet. We as state employees trusted and depended on them to save our money over the years that we have worked for them. Many went for state jobs because of the benefits of working for the state over their life time. Many are wondering...will the money be replaced? What does the future hold. Shame on all politicians who lie, steal and GOD only knows what else and shame on them for thinking they are above the law. Our governor previous to the one we have now stole thousands of retirees pensions. These people saved their entire life to have an income when they are too old to work. What happened to him...hmmmmm....he went to jail for 6 months and we are now paying him 100,000. a year. Nice huh? We see this all of the time. When will these people be held accountable. If you do not have money to buy a new purse you don't. Why is it that a politician can go into money that is there for another purpose and use it for a purpose it is not intended for? We are all being crushed and the Rich get Richer and that is the entended goal for them.