The universal social charge was introduced on January 1, 2011.  It was the height of the financial crisis, an era defined by the Troika, ghost estates and youth emigration. The USC was a temporary emergency measure, designed to help stabilise the country and repay institutional bond investors. It became emblematic of an intense period of economic pain for Irish taxpayers, consumers and business owners. But while we had protests, they were largely benign compared to the equivalents in Greece and Spain. There is a popular myth about the Irish. Brave Celtic warriors who always stand their ground. In truth we…

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