An important point though is that our interests converged with the UK on issues where otherwise we did not have many other in our camp, or no one with the heft of the UK.
On farm subsidies, euro, there was France and others.
An important point though is that our interests converged with the UK on issues where otherwise we did not have many other in our camp, or no one with the heft of the UK.This is a bit of a myth.
- For almost the whole time Ireland was a net beneficiary and the UK a net contributor to the EU budget
- On tax Ireland's position has always been closest to places like the Netherlands and the UK
- The UK disliked farm subsidies, Ireland loved them
- On EU defence Ireland was always a laggard
- Ireland was an enthusiastic euro member from the start, the UK never was and was never going to be
For sure having similar product markets as well as legal and education systems meant that the UK and Ireland were making the same points, but the convergence of interests were overstated.
Like what?An important point though is that our interests converged with the UK on issues where otherwise we did not have many other in our camp
Taxation.Like what?
TaxationLike what?
I can imagine there must be alot of raised eyebrows around Europe regarding ireland with its massive corporation tax surpluses from us multinationals and spending virtually nothing on defence and wide open to russian interference. Also the fact that ukraine is fighting for its survival against an Imperialistic aggressive power just like we were a century ago and we haven't saw fit to donate some of that to ukraine.
- Since 24 February 2022 the issue that dwarfs all others in Brussels is defence and security and Ireland contributes absolutely zero in this regard, in fact is actively irrelevant
- The joint run with Spain on recognition of a Palestinian state causes either indifference or dislike in many large member states
Things have changed wrt neutrality though. Before Sweden and Finland were serious neutral countries.We are EU citizens: not The Borg.
We have different cultures, economies and priorities.
Whatever you think about it, Ireland's military neutrality must be respected rather than reviled by the EU and it generally is respected.
Ireland and the UK had similar views regarding the principle of subsidiarity in the shaping of EU policy, since we are both peripheral countries.
The EU is not a paragon – remember the “butter mountains and wine lakes”.
It muddles through by negotiation. Some EU groups, such as the EPP, being more powerful than others.
Every EU country gets criticized for one thing or another at different times.
Whether, according to some, Ireland’s “stock” in the EU has fallen makes little difference as we never had much “stock” to begin with.
The cooperation extended to much more than the headline issues to which you refer.This is a bit of a myth.
- For almost the whole time Ireland was a net beneficiary and the UK a net contributor to the EU budget
- On tax Ireland's position has always been closest to places like the Netherlands and the UK
- The UK disliked farm subsidies, Ireland loved them
- On EU defence Ireland was always a laggard
- Ireland was an enthusiastic euro member from the start, the UK never was and was never going to be
For sure having similar product markets as well as legal and education systems meant that the UK and Ireland were making the same points, but the convergence of interests were overstated.
Such as?The cooperation extended to much more than the headline issues to which you refer.
Exactly and I'd say the next government will have huge decisions to make regarding our defence posture. Now that the EU has a defence minister this is going to become a huge factor with regard to EU membership. With the threat to the east of the EU from Russia and the entry of ukraine to the EU in the future the Eastern countries will be pushing for much more cooperation regarding defence . They have much more power and influence in Europe now since they were proven correct with the Russian invasion and the exit of the UKThings have changed wrt neutrality though. Before Sweden and Finland were serious neutral countries.
And let's be honest, our neutrality is not serious like theirs was, given we realistically depend on the UK for air incidents.
So now, Sweden and Finland are no longer voices for serious neutrality within the EU - the UK not being in the EU either puts us as more of an outlier.
Well I hoping to spare everyone but if you insist….Such as?
I’m not saying that UK and Irish interests never aligned, nor that it wasn’t easier to make alliances with a culturally familiar neighbour. But people disagreeing with me are struggling to give tangible examples.
People tend to forget that the UK was often at odds with France and Germany on the very big issues like State aid/competition, single currency, free movement of people, and agriculture.
I'm reminded of the Hitchens quote “That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.”Where Ireland had a policy position that may have conflicted with the bigger EU members, the UK was often a strong and welcome supporter.
Such as?I'll put it another way, the UK leaving the EU has made it more likely that Ireland will find itself isolated on major policy decisions without a big EU player in our corner, or any significant support.
It's more likely that Ireland will become isolated on EU policy decisions because we have increasingly become quasi-eurosceptic, i.e. take the benefits but are less than enthusiastic in compliance with EU obligations, particularly those we don't like (e.g. particularly the common foreign and security policy).I'll put it another way, the UK leaving the EU has made it more likely that Ireland will find itself isolated on major policy decisions without a big EU player in our corner, or any significant support. We didn't agree with the UK on everything, but on the things we disagreed with them I'm guessing we were normally more in line with EU majority view.
Think you would need to see a list of what other countries have had infringement actions against them ?It's more likely that Ireland will become isolated on EU policy decisions because we have increasingly become quasi-eurosceptic, i.e. take the benefits but are less than enthusiastic in compliance with EU obligations, particularly those we don't like (e.g. particularly the common foreign and security policy).
For example, the EC has initiated 5 new infringement actions against Ireland for possible breach of EU rules, including public procurement. European Commission opens 5 infringement procedures against Ireland . There are also failures of Ireland to transpose correctly or not transpose EU directives into Irish law, including anti-money laundering European Commission calls on Ireland to correctly transpose the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive ; consumer protection European Commission continues two infringement procedures against Ireland in the field of consumer protection - European Commission ; Trans-European transport; emissions, etc. Ireland warned on EU money-laundering rules transposition.
This indicates the rather cavalier attitude adopted by Ireland towards its obligations under the EU treaties and a failure of central government to actively implement EU directives and regulations. Ireland is all for the benefits of EU membership but regard compliance with EU law as a bit of a burden; seek derogations where it suits us; and does not contribute significantly to the common foreign and security policy .Maria Walsh: Some EU member states believe Ireland is a defence 'freeloader'.
Probably both.Does it show a cavalier attitude or a quasi-eurosceptic attitude? OR does it show that the obligations are becoming more onerous and this state is somewhat dysfunctional at delivery.
I think the latter.
I’m reminded of the Vietnam vet quote “you don’t know man, you weren’t there!”.I'm reminded of the Hitchens quote “That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.”
As someone who has had responsibility in the past for the transposition into law of a couple of EU Directives, may I just say that any failure to transpose within an EU-imposed deadline is not due to any lack of will at official level. Within government departments, there is a requirement for monthly updates with explanations required for any anticipated delay.Does it show a cavalier attitude or a quasi-eurosceptic attitude? OR does it show that the obligations are becoming more onerous and this state is somewhat dysfunctional at delivery.
I think the latter.
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