Above: Michael Noonan Irish Minister for Finance... Wouldn't know an original thought if it bit him. (Image sourced from dailyedge.ie)
Irish people aren't the most innovative.* They hate technology with a kind of passion and won't implement a novel solution until they are confident that they are the last ones on earth to do so. After some time of using said technology their protestations are forgotten about and they carry on as if the solution was there since time began.
The Irish similarly have a kind of love for corruption. (Corruption is the ultimate result of laziness to innovate.) In fact the Irish are fierce defenders of those who would screw them over like the drunk couple you see brawling in the street: The poor "defenceless" woman will attack you for attacking her abusive partner. The Irish are like the female partner being beaten up by the EU, the Government and the Banks. The Irish love all three and won't hear a word said against them.
*There are exceptions to this but they're kept well away from positions of power.
