According to Eurostat, Ireland’s Gross Domestic Product (which includes the value of all economic activity within the State) is the highest of all EU States plus Switzerland, bar Luxembourg.
However, the figure for Ireland’s Actual Individual Consumption (AIC) which calculates the actual spending power of individuals within the State is calculated as being at 95% of the European average. This puts Ireland on a par with the likes of Spain and Italy.
This might go some way toward explaining why most people in Ireland tend to be incredulous when told that they are the wealthiest people in Europe. It simply doesn’t tally with their own sensory perception, especially given that most people have by now had the opportunity to travel abroad.
Moral of the story is to ignore the lies told by politicians and their attendant ‘experts’ and to trust your own judgement. Observe with your own eyes and ears and draw your own conclusions. More often than not you will be closer to the truth.
Apply this same logic to everything that is happening currently. Trust your instincts.