On 3 May 2016, the Irish Times announced that Ireland was  “to be the EU’s fastest growing economy in 2016” with a growth forecast of 4.9%.
On 3 June 2016, Dave Gibney, an official with the Mandate trade union, assessed the Irish situation from a different angle. He wrote:
• Ireland has the second highest prevalence of low pay in the entire OECD – only lagging behind the USA.
• 2,121 children are homeless across the State with more than 70 families losing their homes every single month.
• Irish class sizes are the second highest in the EU with 25 pupils per teacher compared to an average in the EU of 20.
• 10 percent of people living in Ireland experience food poverty.
• 4,300 people have been waiting on a potentially lifesaving colonoscopy for more than three months, while those with private health insurance will have tests done within 12 days.
• 5,400 people per year die preventable deaths on the island of Ireland due to economic inequality.
The experience of many people, even in relatively successful economies of the developed world, is an increase in unemployment or low paid, precarious employment, often leading to poverty, homelessness, and physical and psychological health problems.
This in turn may give rise to cynicism towards the institutions of the state, and even to reactions of defence such as xenophobia and racism.
At the same time, violent natural events, such as extensive flooding, are becoming more frequent. They cause widespread destruction and, where they have become recurrent, a paralyzing fear of the future. Climate change may be a threat to the very survival of humanity, yet our responses to it are inadequate, limited by considerations of national interests and short-term profit. In COP 21, it was an express recommendation of the European Commission that no mention should be made of trade related issues.
The much heralded promise of economic growth bringing benefits to all is seen as empty in a world of ever increasing inequality.