In the ten years from 1987 to 1997 (the first decade of 'social partnership') the share of 26 county earnings going to wages, pensions and social welfare declined by 10%; from 69% to 59%. The share going to profits, rents and dividends rose by 10%; from 31% to 41%.2
Among those hoping to make a tidy little profit from the privatisation of Telecom were some Labour politicians who were staunchly opposed to privatisation until very recently. The share register included TDs Roisin Shorthall, Seamus Pattison and Michael Ferris; and former TDs Toddy O'Sullivan & Mervyn Taylor. Also on the register were high ranking churchmen (no vows of poverty for them!) like Wexford bishop Brendan Comiskey, Raphoe bishop Philip Boyce, Achonry bishop Thomas Flynn and auxiliary bishop of Dublin James Moriarty.3
In 1997 South Africa passed a law allowing the country to produce AIDS treatment drugs generically, and to obtain the medicines in any country where they are sold. These measures can reduce the price of the medicines by avoiding the monopoly distribution of pharmaceutical companies. US Vice-President Al Gore has now joined 40 pharmaceutical giants in pushing for US legislation to overcome the South African policy and force impoverished countries to buy high-priced US-made drugs, or face retaliation.4
2 Central Statistics Office, National Income and Expenditure Survey.
3 Sunday Times, 25/07/99.
4 anarchy_africa@onelist.com, 02/08/99.