At the height of the Spanish boom, the construction sector was 10.9% of GDP. Two years on, there are now few of Spain’s ‘most common bird’ – the builders’ crane – on the horizon; there is around 18% unemployment; and the country’s economy is in deep doo-doo. And yet construction still represents 10.3% of GDP. In other words – as Mark Stucklin points out – Spain is still hooked on construction. More particularly, on public sector works such as the (pointless?) rebuilding of the wall around the Alameda in Pontevedra. As Mark stresses, this is all well and good – reducing unemployment in the building sector, for example – but it is not sustainable. Perhaps the millions being poured into helping the besieged tourist industry will have more lasting benefit.

Meanwhile, though, the government, the unions and business representatives have aborted their ‘Social Dialogue’ negotiations around changing the rules for hiring and firing staff. As you’d expect, this failure has been accompanied by recriminations and accusations from all sides. But, despite this, I suspect they’ll soon be back for another go. It will be extraordinarily significant if not.

Relatedly . . . A mere 5% of the 80,000 unemployed immigrants offered cash in lieu of dole money if they went back home have accepted it. A result which is said to have been ‘disappointing’. ‘Utterly predictable’ are the words which occur to me. And I think did, at the time the scheme was launched.

Finally . . .Today has been the feast day of St James, the patron saint of Galicia. The Brotherhood responsible for getting his statue ready for the celebrations in our capital, Santiago de Compostela, this year decided he could do without his sword, as well as the Moors beneath his feet he’s normally seen as slaying. They say there’s no evidence he actually killed any. Yes, well. There’s not much evidence his dead body found its way to Galicia from the Holy Land in an unmanned boat; or that his bones lie in the casket in the city’s Beyond-Baroque cathedral either. But this doesn’t seem to bother anyone very much. Perhaps these beliefs, though equally unfounded, are less politically unacceptable. Or profitable.

Which reminds me . . . You can get extra indulgences if you do the Camino in 2010. A once-in-every-four-years opportunity, I believe. Un Año Santo.

And there’s a special deal for Catholics on my house in the hills, just a short drive from Santiago. Honest. I may have lapsed but you can trust me.

Peace be with you.