Ireland's Future

The stark realism of this article is massively impressive and horrific. 

If Parliament allows Britain to throw a penny more (which we don't have and will have less as Mr Cameron lets the deficit mount) into supporting the euro, it has abdicated.
 
We might as well send for an EU governor and open the place as a heritage centre.



Edward Spalton 12/5/2011

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Ireland

It seems long ago now but it's only a few months since Labour continually mocked the Scottish government for including Ireland in an 'arc of prosperity' along with Norway and Iceland. Every time Scottish Labour had a chance they mentioned the dreadful state of the Irish economy and said that was what would have occurred to Scotland if it had been independent.

Not a lot has been said about the recent announcement that Ireland economy bounced back from recession in the first quarter, with a 2.7% expansion compared with the final three months of last year. Exports led the charge, boosting hopes that cuts in public spending may not damage the economy as badly as feared.

The Irish economy has been in decline since the start of 2008 and at 14.3% of GDP, Ireland's budget deficit was the largest in the EU last year.

It's not been easy for the Irish as many have suffered by losing their jobs, but this news is excellent for the economy and if exports are taking the lead that is better still because manufacturing creates jobs. Well done the Irish while we're dragging far behind owing to bad decisions by Gordon Brown. No Scottish Labour politician will be able to ridicule a country which took hard but effective decisions.

source

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Eire - Reasons to Vote NO

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Dan Hannan's Message to the People of Ireland

Thanks to Lord Elvis

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For My Irish Friends

My thanks to ScunnertNation

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Ireland and the Lisbon Treaty

Courtesy of ScunnertNation

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Dirty Tricks in Ireland

Ireland votes again on the Lisbon Treaty in a few weeks time because they didn't vote the 'right' way the first time round.

The way the referendum rules have been manipulated is a scandal. Campaign groups have to stick to strict limits on donations while companies or individual can spend as much as they like promoting their opinion.

As Richard states 'Vested interests from Ireland an abroad can therefore spend millions attempting to influence how Irish people vote on 2 October'.

After yesterday announcement from Michael O'Leary that he intends to support the YES campaign by donating €500,000 for advertising and cheap airline seats, today the US multinational Intel took out a full page ad in the Irish Times to also promote the YES vote. According to Richard, Intel's move is designed to impress the EU commission as it is presently facing a fine of over €1 billion under EU anti-trust legislation.

Of course these 'tactics' are also used to intimidate the smaller NO campaign supporters. I would like to remind them that, at the last Scottish elections and for years before then, the MSM said the SNP would never achieve power in Scotland. The other 3 parties were all more substantially funded by their London-based parties and the SNP were the 'small' party. I agree Soutar's donation made a massive difference to their coffers, but it was the party faithful who continued to think positive and run a positive campaign. You know the result.

I would like to see a NO vote if only for the reason that David Cameron would then be forced to hold a referendum in the UK. Many people feel strongly about the EU and were promised a say in the Lisbon Treaty, only for our present PM to nip over and sign it late at night in the hope nobody would notice.

Another reason I support a NO vote is because I detest bullies.

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Nice Work If You Can Get It

Eighteen "phantom" MEPs will be elected on full pay and perks next month despite not being able to start work for up to two years due to Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty.

The extra candidates will be chosen in the EU elections on 4 June despite the agreement, which increases the number of MEPs from 736 to 754, remaining unsigned.  Amid confusion over when and how they will take up their seats, the European Parliament has decided to give the MEPs only 'observer' status from next year.

The deal will mean they can draw full salaries and allowances at an annual cost of over £6m without any legislative duties to carry out.  The 18 MEPs, from 12 EU countries, including Britain's West Midlands region, will be paid more than £76.000 a year, with staff and office allowances worth £210,000.  They will also be entitled to tax-free allowances of £255 for every day of the limbo existence in Brussels and can claim back business class travel.

Ireland votes again on the Lisbon Treaty this autumn with the intention tat it can enter into force from Jan 2010 but an additional legal 'protocol' allowing the MEPs to assume full duties could take another two years.  Richard Corbett, the Labour MEP who guided the Lisbon Treaty through the European Parliament, defended the arrangement to make them 'observers'.  "This is straightforward and there is no need to make a fuss," he said. "They can do all the work of an MEP except taking part in votes.  This is a way of making a smooth transition and has been done before." 

What a blatant disregard of legislation or is this case non-legislation. No further MEPs should be elected until the Lisbon Treaty has been signed.  Why is it, in a democracy, we allow this type of arrangement? Is there nobody to police the decisions of the EU or are they all lacking in common sense ?  No guesses which party Britain's ghost MEP will represent.

Source:  The Telegraph

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