I have always been fascinated by the power dynamics and communication control that ensued after the Titanic hit the iceberg. A reading of the list of the dead is eerily resonant of the power dynamics that accompanied the sinking of our economy.

On the Titanic, passengers were divided into three classes. The higher the class, the higher the chance of survival. Only a few first-class passengers died, but the majority of third-class passengers perished. So, what does this tell us about what went on in those fateful hours?

Well, it is possible that the 'first-class' people were just lucky; perhaps they were standing near the lifeboats when they were launched? The other possibility is that the first class were told: "make your way calmly to the boats and say nothing to the peasants", while third-class passengers were instructed to "hang on there, there is nothing to worry about – a rescue vessel is on the way".

When our ship of state crashed into the mountain of corruption and hubris generated by the Fianna Fáil party during its overstay in power, the 'Titanic school of thinking' was applied. First-class passengers, the building friends of Fianna Fáil, had a lifeboat called Nama launched to save them.

We are still being told, as the Nama boat heads off over the horizon, that it's cold on that boat and they're really suffering. I for one can't tell anymore – they are so far out of sight.

The second lifeboat was filled with bondholders, who were helped to save their fur coats and jewellery by the ship's crew, Fianna Fáil.

The third-class passengers, you guessed it, that'd be us, are left to our fate. There are no more lifeboats. The people that matter are gone, over the horizon line.

The remaining crew tell us we are all in it together. No we're not. I'd throw the stupid captain, Brian Cowen, overboard, only I need to conserve my energy for the icy water sloshing about my feet.

Declan Doyle

Lisdowney

Kilkenny