Ireland govt: let them eat cheese

[Andy Nguyen]

Suffering the worst financial crisis in its history, the Irish government had a novel message for the public: let them eat cheese.

Brendan Smith, the agriculture minister, announced a European Union-funded scheme today that will enable the country to tuck into the EU's cheese mountain. 53 tonnes of fresh cheddar will be distributed from 15 November with collection centres in towns and cities around the country.

Let them eat cheese: anger as Ireland plans handouts of cheddar to the poor | Business | The Guardian

 

[Andy D.]

I'm partial to a good Cheddar myself, but this seems pretty ludicrous.
Why is the government - which appears to be cash strapped buying it and distributing it? Surely the money could be spent on something a little more pressing, considering Ireland's economic situation?