Nanny State status a result of politicians who want to be seen 'doing something'

There has been a push in Ireland in recent years to get such a tax introduced

Eamon Delaney

News that Ireland comes a very high fourth place in a new survey of 'Nanny State' culture across the EU will not come as a surprise to those who criticise the increasing level of paternalism in our government policy, and the growing official appetite to intrude into more and more aspects of our consumer and social behaviour.