The purpose of the Irish fiscal advisory council is, in essence, to prevent economic calamities like the 2008 economic crash. That is why it was established in the aftermath of that crash, with a remit to advise the Government on spending, taxes, and borrowing in the hope that politicians (who are not usually economists) might have good independent advice on how to run the country in a financially sustainable way.
We do, of course, live in a democracy. Part of living in a democracy is accepting that the voters have the right to either do stupid things by themselves, or to elect people who will do stupid things on their behalf. If the electorate so chooses, it can vote for a Government that promises to spend ten billion euros a year buying hamburgers from McDonalds to feed to stray dogs and cats. That’s democracy.
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