Help Ireland or it will exit euro, economist warns

[Jesus Jones]

Good to see Ireland still has balls.

"This is war: countries have to defend themselves," said David McWilliams, a former official at the Irish central bank.

"It is essential that we go to Europe and say we have a serious problem. We say, either we default or we pull out of Europe," he told RTE radio.

"If Ireland continues hurtling down this road, which is close to default, the whole of Europe will be badly affected. The credibility of the euro will be badly affected. Then Spain might default, Italy and Greece," he said.

Mr McWilliams, a former UBS director and now prominent broadcaster, has broken the ultimate taboo by evoking threats to precipitate an EMU crisis, which would risk a chain reaction across the eurozone's southern belt, where yield spreads on state bonds are already flashing warning signals. The comments reflect growing bitterness in Dublin over the way the country has been treated after voting against the EU's Lisbon Treaty.

"If we have a single currency there are obligations and responsibilities on both sides. The idea that Germany and France can just hang us out to dry, as has been the talk in the last couple of days should not be taken lying down," he said.

Help Ireland or it will exit euro, economist warns - Telegraph

[Marmite the Dog]

Or alternatively, they can stop whinging, get their shit together and stop relying upon handouts from the rest of Europe and do something for themselves for once.

Or would that be too much like hard work?

[panama hat]

^ My thoughts exactly. One of the negative aspects about the EU is that it breeds ideas of entitlement which then goes on to blackmail . . .

Ireland, take your arrogance with you and join Iceland in a two-way jerk-fest.

[Khun Sabai]

No offence, but stick with what you know, not what your idea of Ireland and its people represent.

We were never known for laziness, quite the opposite, the EU renaged on its promise to Ireland. We were given a vito, we used it and now they want to forget our vito??

I could talk all day but I wont, come over and have a look, then make a comment. Google Irish fish quotas allowed for starters, catch 3 toone Fcuk overboard 2 tonne of them yet the same waters off Ireland Spanish trawlers are dessimating the fish stock with "FATORY SHIPS".....

How can you comment on something you know nothing about jeeeeeeeez.

[Marmite the Dog]

I'll not comment further until I have my Guinness tankards.

[Gabriel]

People need to remember that the UK would probably be in the very same situation if their government had actually given its populace the opportunity (as per democratic values) of voting on the Lisbon Treaty.

The EU is now bullying the Irish due to their stance against a Pan-European Federal state.

[spiff]

"If we have a single currency there are obligations and responsibilities on both sides. The idea that Germany and France can just hang us out to dry, as has been the talk in the last couple of days should not be taken lying down," he said.

Ireland has profited a great deal from EU development funds before.

[Norton]

"If Ireland continues hurtling down this road, which is close to default, the whole of Europe will be badly affected. The credibility of the euro will be badly affected. Then Spain might default, Italy and Greece," he said.

This points out the dilemma and the fragility of the EU. Many member "nations" each with unique economic circumstances. If the EU desires to keep itself intact they must either help member states financially or face consequences of member state bankruptcy.

[plorf]

So glad we're not in the EU.

[panama hat]

No offence, but stick with what you know, not what your idea of Ireland and its people represent.

And what makes you think no-one here has any knowledge about the subject? The comments are about the government, not the people - at least not my post

the EU renaged on its promise to Ireland

Name some - not one -examples of how this cvame about and why

We were given a vito, we used it and now they want to forget our vito??

There is a difference between using a veto and blackmailing

How can you comment on something you know nothing about jeeeeeeeez.

Again, does one need to live in a country to know what is going on? D you comment only on Irish affairs?

Ireland has profited a great deal from EU development funds before.

Indeed they have.

[billy the kid]

So is there an outsider out there who knows exactly what's going on here. What is the veto all about. First time i've heard this and to hear people say that Ireland should get off it's butt and do what needs to be done is pathetic indeed. So there.

[panama hat]

I think what the posters hare are saying is that it is not all a free ride and not every policy will benefit one country.

To spit the dummy and enter into blackmail is not on

The fact is that Ireland ia a net recipient of fnds from the EU

[lom]

Why does Ireland need money from EU?
It is only a couple of month ago that they were so rich that they could guarantee
bank savings up to the last penny.

The comments reflect growing bitterness in Dublin over the way the country has been treated after voting against the EU's Lisbon Treaty.

Ah yes, we thought you were our brothers.
EU has over a long period channelled funds to Ireland in order to boost investment.
Companies in other EU countries received money when moving to Ireland and at one point the Irish economy grew more than it did in the contributing countries.
We did not complain, you were our brother and what is good for a brother was also good for us.

The Lisabon treaty was when you showed us how much of a brother you are.
26 EU countries approved of it with an overwhelming majority in each country (85-100%).
Ireland is the 27th country and has blocked the whole process by voting no.
It is a peoples vote where 56% said no.
It's nice to see that you are grateful for the help you got from us in the past.

Sorry Paddy, we don't need EU members who are putting their own country before the interests of EU.
You've forgotten the brotherhood Paddy, so now fokk off.

[spiff]

The comments are about the government, not the people - at least not my post

I think he reacted to Marshite's inflammatory rant.

[DrB0b]

I think what the posters hare are saying is that it is not all a free ride and not every policy will benefit one country.

To spit the dummy and enter into blackmail is not on

The fact is that Ireland ia a net recipient of fnds from the EU

As are a number of other countries, none of whom put the money to the sensible uses to which it was put in Ireland and, as a consequence, none of whom saw the economic benefits Ireland did. Benefits which also benefited the EU as a whole. While I agree that blackmail is not on it would be nice if discussion of this issue was on a better-informed, or at least a wider, basis.

[plorf]

Let's not forget those threats come from a former official at the Irish central bank.. Nothing to take too seriously.

[helge]

Why does Ireland need money from EU?
It is only a couple of month ago that they were so rich that they could guarantee
bank savings up to the last penny.

The comments reflect growing bitterness in Dublin over the way the country has been treated after voting against the EU's Lisbon Treaty.

The Lisabon treaty was when you showed us how much of a brother you are.
26 EU countries approved of it with an overwhelming majority in each country (85-100%).
Ireland is the 27th country and has blocked the whole process by voting no.
It is a peoples vote where 56% said no.
It's nice to see that you are grateful for the help you got from us in the past.

Sorry Paddy, we don't need EU members who are putting their own country before the interests of EU.
You've forgotten the brotherhood Paddy, so now fokk off.

Ah, come on
The Lissabon-treaty was just the old EU-costitution in new feathers.
And that one was voted out by France and the Netherlands.

In Denmark we never got to vote, because our french and dutch ..... brothers ....did the dirty work.

This time we weren't allowed to vote.

Thank you, Ireland

[Texpat]

Ireland sees the EU for what it is.

Desperate.

I admire the Irish for having the balls to call a turd a turd.

Well done.

[lom]

It's a huge communistic experiment Tex, sharing wealth by taking from the rich and giving to the poorer.
There is of course no room for US in this, they'll lose quite a bit of the influence they have had.

[Texpat]

Combine 25 Euro crap countries and you're still third or fourth most influential.

Sux, huh? Why don't you ask if China would like to join?

[EmperorTud]

We were given a vito, we used it and now they want to forget our vito??

Corleone?

[panama hat]

We were given a vito, we used it and now they want to forget our vito??

Corleone?

The Irish version of the Mob . . . Vito O'Shaugnessy and his brother Rocco

[lom]

Why don't you ask if China would like to join?

Patience Tex, patience, we are working our way eastwards.
I doubt though that we will ever be able to grab China from US.

[Marmite the Dog]

I doubt though that we will ever be able to grab China from US.

I thought China owned the US, not the other way round?

[britmaveric]

Nope - great con by the yanks, but reason China shouldnt worry anyone is the vast number of people they have. This will be their true downfall.