Ray Bassett, the former Irish ambassador to Canada and senior diplomat for more than 30 years, has written an extremely important article in today’s Sunday Business Post (see here). He is worried about the stance that our government, particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs, is taking regarding Brexit. You should be worried too.
It appears that the Irish government has decided that there is no special relationship with Britain, and that our attitude to Britain and Brexit will be subservient to the EU’s attitude.
The idea that there is no special relationship is not only patently false (I’m writing this from Belfast, for God’s sake!), such a cavalier attitude to our nearest neighbour is extremely dangerous economically, verging on the financially treacherous.
To equate Ireland’s position with respect to Brexit to that of France or Germany or, worse still, to the likes of Hungary is insane. There are 500,000 Irish citizens living in England. We have a land border with Britain and a bilateral international treaty, the Good Friday Agreement, with London.
We are umbilically attached to Britain in our two most labour-intensive industries, agriculture and tourism, where the British are by far our biggest clients. One-third of our imports come from Britain. The Dublin/London air corridor is the busiest route in Europe and one of the busiest in the world. In fact, the Irish airline Ryanair is the biggest airline in Britain, carrying far more British people every year than British Airways.
It is plain to see that Irish relations with Britain cannot be outsourced to someone like Michel Barnier, the EU’s negotiator on Brexit. There is simply too much at stake for us to allow that. And it behoves the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Taoiseach to stand up for Irish interests which are profoundly and asymmetrically affected by Brexit.
Why would a noted French federalist such as Barnier make an exception for Ireland in the EU negotiations with the EU? If the EU decides to punish Britain for its decision to leave the EU by imposing what is termed a hard Brexit, what part of Ireland’s national interest is served by going along with that? I can’t see how we would be remotely enriched by a federalist solution.
If the EU decides to teach the British a lesson, do we cheerlead from the side like pliant idiots – to be patted on the head by Brussels – or do we argue that this goes against our national interest?
Once your own government begins to act against the interest of your own economy, you have to ask questions. It’s not enough to say we have pooled our sovereignty and there’s nothing we can do. This means that we sleepwalk into a potential trade war with Britain where Ireland can only be damaged immeasurably.
What if being a good European means being bad Irishmen and women?
The omens are not good. The government’s stance that there can be no negotiations with Britain before Article 50 is triggered does not make sense for Ireland. It may make sense for a federalist French politician, but for Irish people, it makes no sense – unless our critical faculties are now subservient to the shibboleth of being ‘Good Europeans’.
What if being a good European means being bad Irishmen and women? If so, what is the point of the entire exercise?
Before you think this is a Eurosceptic article, let’s just stop and clarify a few things. I think the EU has been good for us and can continue to be so. We have also been good for them. It’s a symbiotic relationship.
For example, when the EU agreed to let the accession countries of Eastern Europe and French federalist politicians spoke loftily about a New Europe that the EU was forging, did you know that France threw up travel barriers and visa requirements for workers from those countries intending to travel and work in France?
Rhetoric is clearly cheap. Only three countries actually did the European thing and allowed east Europeans to come, work and live immediately, no questions asked. Those countries were Ireland, Britain and Sweden.
Allowing people to travel is real integration, not sloganeering.
I worry about the man who is negotiating for us: Monsieur Barnier. He has form. For example, in 2006, when he was an EU Commissioner, he wrote a report for the EU parliament that advocated scrapping countries’ consulates in other countries.
Under his federalist vision, the Irish consulate in Spain would be scrapped – so that if an Irish lad got a battering from the Guardia Civil, for example, there would be no Irish consulate to listen to his case and help him out. He also advocated in this report to close down all (Irish and other) consulates in non-EU countries and replace these with one EU consulate.
This is deep federalism, so much so that I noticed reading these reports that the word “country” is never mentioned. Countries are never referred to as countries, but as “member states”. It appears that even the mention of the word country by the EU Commission undermines the long-term federalist project.
This column has argued for some time now that we stay in the EU, but draw the line at the present EU. We shouldn’t embrace any further integrationist stuff nor sign up to any further federalist projects. This means doing precisely the opposite of the Brits. Rather than following the British out of the EU, we should vow never to leave it. The EU can’t kick us out. There is no mechanism. We should simply opt out of Mr Barnier’s plans. This means we have full access to the EU, but we don’t need nor want to go any further – not because of some cultural aversion, but because it’s not in our interest.
The way the EU reacts to Article 50 will be a sign of things to come. Next up will be the consolidated corporation tax threat. Ireland’s economic emissaries should assess what is in our interest and act accordingly.
Right now, the British need friends. It’s their hour of need. They are isolated. We should be their friend in the EU, not because we are weak but because we are strong. The strong, self-confident country behaves generously.
There is simply too much at stake for Ireland to allow our relations with Britain to be negotiated by a French federalist whose instincts will be to teach the rest a lesson by making it as difficult as possible for Britain.
It is in our interest to have as soft a Brexit as possible with as little dislocation as possible. This might be impossible to achieve, but we have to try.
We can’t wash our hands of Britain
Like Edmund Burke in the past, David McWilliams is one those rare voices in Ireland whose common-sense approach, brilliant insight and sheer intelligence allow him to see things others cannot see. However, when it comes to Ireland’s trade with Britain, it seems that he failed to notice that (according to the CSO) while Ireland is running a significant trade surplus with countries like Belgium, Hungary, Poland or Spain, Ireland imports more British goods than it exports to it – in other words the Irish trade with Britain benefits British producers more than the Irish (and, by the way, Ireland exports… Read more »
What ? Are you saying that the DoFA (or should be be Doh Fah – in the Homer Simpson sense) have a stance on Brexit ? To me it appears that the stance adopted is “no” stance. Alright, enough of the sarcasm about the (useless) MoFA. Actually, my sarcasm, comes from the fact that EK has allocated cabinet positions on the basis that nobody shall be so effective in their ministerial roles, as to outshine EK. Fitzgerald as MoJ is the preferred successor, because she is ambitious but obedient. Coveney is ambitious but patient. (but EK cannot be sure of… Read more »
David – excellent article. Best time to provide it is the first writing of the year. Our “leadership” is allonwing time to slip away. 6 months have been wasted on issuing PR statements. I am also reminded of the article you produced a while back concerning our declining competitiveness compared to Britain. The state has never had more power, and it has never been over-managed. It is remarkable how Britain, a massive governmental compex is far more nimble than something running something of similar in scale of Greater Manchester. How does Greater Manchester operate without 1000 quangos each staffed by… Read more »
Oh yes, another thing that our “leadership” has no plan for is Trump and efforts to insource the value added productions back to American cities who have been destroyed by policies driven by Ponzi-economic greed.
So, I think the first thing the people of this country need to do is to take out the back seat driver of this government, Michael Martin.
He is Ahernian mismanagement all over again, and restricts the independents and FG from even looking at things in a direct manner.
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IRE EXIT NOW!! Before the whole rotten edifice collapses in and takes us with it.But for that we need men &women of vision,not paid EU Quisslings in the Dail.
“We have a land border with Britain” wrote David from his in-law’s home in East Belfast. This is classic unionist “King Billy” stuff. Thank goodness for our forward-looking Irish Department of Foreign Affairs which has moved on since Bassett’s Trinity-trained colonial days.
Fantastic Article
I think it is important to say that in an earlier appointment of Michel BARNIER in Regional Affairs in the EU …he was part tof that original Peace Process Agreement in NI .
I believe he is well suited to finding the middle grounds that will carry this process to a further level. The Peace Process is an Éxperience’ not a destination in itself .
Greetings From Ukraine
I believe in the Union of Irexit & Brexit both joined at the hip. As I have said before Trump is a Kerryman and will resurrect the Kingdom of Kerry once more to rule the isles with the honey bee in Windsor.and the workers in Dublin
I am reminded of the kid in the playground of the elementary school. Which gang is to be joined in order to get protection from bullying? It is soon realized that protection from one results in subservience to another. To live a life the kids realizes that the answer is to be self reliant and not be bullied at all. The result is independence of action and thought. There are not many true friends but respect is earned at the expense of the bloodied nose and sore knuckles, some victories and some defeats. The result is life is lived with… Read more »
David, and a happy 2017 to you. With the opinions voiced in this piece 2107 may not be happy for you. I am horrified that you of all people, who has experienced life in other countries including many in the EU, should suggest we tug the forelock to the UK, or the parts of it that believe in brexit, and look for a deal. We may be umbilically connected but is that a good thing in the international environment we inhabit? The fact that food and agriculture are important in our economy are not reasons we should continue to export… Read more »
Why does it boil down to which gang of thugs we need to join. The results are the demise of democracy. We destroy any sovereign state that is not in thrall to a Rothschild central bank.
Why not have this as a central theme?
http://www.globalresearch.ca/i-am-a-syrian-living-in-syria-it-was-never-a-revolution-nor-a-civil-war-the-terrorists-are-sent-by-your-government/5544450
David – We can but we SHOULD not.
You obviously didn’t go to the Christian Brothers.
Mind you a CB I knew well also suggested that burning everything British except their coal was the way to do things. You’d be amazed at how many people in this emerald of ours would be sympathetic to that sentiment.
I reckon your suggested approach is the smart one btw.
Good start to the year David
I agree with you and just like to add that Britain does not want to wash its hands of us either.
Also agree we should go no further into Europe. We have already given away too much of our sovereignty to a European Union that is deeply flawed in its political and economic structure.
I am all for European and global integration; in ways which respect national sovereignty and democracy. I am opposed to the current neoliberal model which respects neither.
A] “Open-Borders” UK With Officials advising ; “Go to Irish State. U get better welfare. Irish are all tripping over themselves trying to be politically correct because they have inferiority complex. And, their government lie to their people that they do not give certain immigrants money for to buy cars as taxis, etc.” ; And, this UK “undeclared” policy to refugee / asylum claimants despite UN law stating that 1st country of arrival must receive their application. B] “Open-Borders” of continental EU With Officials advising ; “Go to Irish State. U get better welfare. The Irish are all tripping over… Read more »
I realise I’m nitpicking, but may as well get it right: we don’t share a land border with Britain. Great Britain is an island. We share a land border with the UK.
HEADLINE
A well-kept open secret:
Washington is behind India’s brutal experiment of abolishing most cash
AUTHOR
Norberthaering
01 January 2017
EXCERPT
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In early November, without warning, the Indian government declared the 2 largest denomination bills invalid, abolishing over 80 % of circulating cash by value.
Amidst all the commotion and outrage this caused, nobody seems to have taken note of the decisive role that Washington played in this.
That is surprising, as Washington’s role has been disguised only very superficially.
.
.
http://norberthaering.de/en/home/27-german/news/745-washington-s-role-in-india#weiterlesen
Grzegorz Kolodziej: do you think that the Kaliningrad Oblast could become a factor in EU/Brexit negotiations? Do you think that Russia would use any border concessions by the EU to the UK’s NI territory as a bargaining tool for demanding similar border concessions by the EU to the Russian Kaliningrad Oblast though either Poland or Lithuania? In other words might ROI/NI border concessions if granted spark off a Russian/EU/NATO dispute?
BRIRE = Brexit + Irexit
Happy New year David.
I am 100% in agreement. I wouldn’t however underestimate the desire not only to be “good Europeans” but also the vestigial desire to “stick it to the Brits” that lingers in the popular conscious and in the living museum that is Leinster House.
@ Grzegorz,
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Geo-politically speaking, versus other realistic projects proposed, would the pKra Canal be the most significant additional infrastructure change ?
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Google.com search terms ;
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One Belt Silk Road AND Kra Canal
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https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=cr&ei=fG5rWLG3O8T3vgTh5r3YCw&fg=1#q=One+Belt+Silk+Road+AND+Kra+Canal
“If the EU decides to teach the British a lesson, do we cheerlead from the side like pliant idiots – to be patted on the head by Brussels” This is exactly what our politicians will do because the need to keep the gravy train of money transfers coming from Europe. “Once your own government begins to act against the interest of your own economy, you have to ask questions” No David not questions. What you described is Tyranny and the US constitution gives the right to each citizen to own a gun to make sure that never happens. Pity not… Read more »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AReNfqqGsb8
Thanks goodness the US is not a true democracy. Otherwise the dictates of4 counties of California’s leftist , progressive, drug infested, debauched part of the state would be presiding over the policies of the nation. http://www.gopusa.com/?p=18755?omhide=true ” In real numbers, slightly more than 4.48 million Californians voted for Trump, while a whopping 8.75 million-plus people voted there for Clinton. In the other 49 states, Trump actually won the popular vote by a significant 1.4 million margin. Indeed, California has become a country unto itself, way off the mainstream and out in the left political field. Why would left-wing Californians have… Read more »
I know http://www.gopusa.com/ is one of your favorite sites but this is not one of its best posts. For example: “In the other 49 states, Trump actually won the popular vote by a significant 1.4 million margin. In fact, some bemusedly say that California is practically a country unto itself…” The good doctor who wrote this knew that many readers would interpret it as meaning that each and every one of the “other 49 states” had a majority vote for Trump. That is deliberately misleading by implication. It is about as helpful as telling us that a person with one… Read more »
David, I agree with some of what you have written But it’s obvious that you still believe in the European project, well you were groomed for it I suppose, so that’s not your fault As for a soft brexit, it’s a liberal fantasy It will be a clean brexit – or a hard brexit if you prefer to call it that. Out of Single Market, Customs Union, European courts. Laws will be made in Westminster, not Brussels You don’t negotiate with the EU, simple as that. Theresa May and her government will probably have to learn that they hard way!… Read more »
Where is an Irish Talleyrand when you need him (or her)? More subtle thinking is needed. I very much enjoy the Polish perspective from Mr Kolodziej and his wide ranging landscape of thought. So, more what ifs. What if Ireland gives the UK the knife, the Germans consolidate the nouveau Reich. Surely the next step is to make the tax rates the same throughout the customs union. So Ireland must have the same tax rates as everyone else. Then it might decide perhaps it’s better to leave and it might be necessary to beef up it’s trade with …. a… Read more »
Dept of US propaganda now funded as a budget item. It is just to make sure you get the real false news in case you are swayed by the false, false news.
https://www.facebook.com/BenSwannRealityCheck/videos/1317947598270187/
Control access to & from the English Channel ==> u control the most important transport route of Germany. Nay, u get to control even more ; vis., the most important transport route of Northern, & Central, & Eastern, Europe. . Oh how the lessor powers — than the 1 & only super-power I..al — would love to have their naval fleet based in Cork Harbour ; The #2 biggest natural harbour in the world ; Sidney harbour being # 1. But, for sure, Cork Harbour being a very safe place for ships ; “Statio bene fide carinas”. . “All snobs… Read more »
Claim that Cork Harbour is the #2 biggest — AND safest — natural harbour in the world ? . That is the mantra one hears from Corkonians. . I double-checked here ; . https://passiveimpressions.com/2014/12/15/cork-harbour-the-second-largest-in-the-world/ . . Apparently, another boast from the Republic of Cork* that gave us : Michael Collins Terrence Mc Sweeney Henry Ford & aul blarney inter alia . . Still, Cork Harbour’s position & size & safeness & development & tradition ==> it is strategically so as I informed ewe’s all above. . . And, apropos of “County” Cork ; “County” is only a British construct for… Read more »
[…] The Irish cannot wash their hands of Britain. And dynamic AD-AS analysis of the British […]
Prince rupert is set for expansion as a natural deep water port with rail connections to the heart of North America. The use of this port cut a day to two days off delivery times from Asia.
http://www.rupertport.com/news/releases/fairview-expansion-75-percent-complete
” Anyone who was in power since bears responsibility for excess debt and as Obana proved when you inherit a large pile of debt it’s very easy to add too it. So FF/FG/Lab/PDs/Greens are responsible. Oh and the electorate who voted or didn’t vote them in. ” – McCawber Irish voters voted in the politicians to act on behalf of the greater public good. Politicians have a mandate to represent the greater public good. People called the economic management council of the 31st Dail decided how the financial resources of the state would be spent. Not the voters. McCawber you… Read more »
Who needs to be aligned to Europe, NATO, UN or anyone else these days as all are used for propaganda to deceive the Western populations.
Russiaphobic Obama moves thousands of battle ready troops into Baltic states and Poland.
http://thefreethoughtproject.com/fake-news-obama-deploys-troops-russian-border/?utm_medium=pushnotify&utm_source=browser&utm_campaign=pushfeeds&utm_content=push
I just did a quickie research on TASC mentioned cynically — & justifiably — by Deco above. . BOARD . Ref. http://www.tasc.ie/about/board.html . Chairperson is Mr. Proinsias De Rossa . . “Elected” — 8-) — Chair of TASC’s Board in 2012. Formerly : Member of European Parliamnet [ MEP ] for Dublin (1989-1992, 1999-2012) Member of the Dáil [ i.e. he was T.D. ] (1982-2002) Minister for Social Welfare (1994-1997) Presently : . Recipient of very lucrative pensions from Irish taxpayers as : retired TD retired senior minister of government retired Member of European Parliament ? . Recipient of very… Read more »
Something wicked this way comes——— higher interest rates. Maybe the market will look after the high cost of housing!!
http://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-moneymarkets-idUSKBN14O25Z
I would like to congratulate Grzegorz Kolodziej on his comments. Geopolitics is what is required to decide which side to be on in the UK versus the EU war, which is simply all about geopolitics, as the EU is a geopolitical tactic for strength and survival between the US and Russia, in addition to avoiding industrial scale war in which Europe specialises. The Leave campaign was ostensibly about the economic side of geopolitics, but it seems the vote was heavily influenced by ethnic unhappiness, which is itself a facet of geopolitics. That is why the usual lenses don’t matter when… Read more »
X Pat: excellent post. I agree with everything you said.
Will ECB cease QE this year.
Will ECB raise interest rates this year.
I have to say something I thought I’ll never ever say: a very good letter by the well known Holocaust liar Dr Kevin McCarthy from Kinsale (not to confuse with Dr Kevin McCarthy from UCC Cork): http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/dont-fool-yourself-jordan-does-not-care-about-palestinians-35342935.html As you can see, I am an extremely fair person, and would probably make a good albeit very strict Judge (though I’d much rather be the Education Minister). I totally agree, and would like to add this: all small countries in Middle East suffered upheavals, Islam springs, and coups, except one: Jordan. I wonder why? Surely not because Jordan has signed an agreement… Read more »
@ Grzegorz,
.
How do u feel about the likes of the videos that offer up on youtube.com for the following search terms ?
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Polish AND Harry Enfield AND comedy
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ksjT43pt0
.
Is there any truth in the depiction of Polish women within those “words & actions in jest” ?
The choice of the EU or UK is a superficial one. What of the disintegrating relations between the peripheral and core EU countries. What was supposed on the surface to be a trading arrangement has morphed , predictably, into a pressed political union. No EU state has sovereignty. The central banking monopolistic policies of the ECB have harmed more than benefitted people. Debt and associated poverty is spreading quickly. The poverty affects those on the periphery of the economy. This involves whole states and those people in the bottom 80% economically even in the so called affluent states. Consequently we… Read more »
Fake News.
Russians hacked US elections.
CIA may be under control of elites and banksters and not the US government.
http://www.thedailybell.com/news-analysis/supposed-russian-hack-further-illustrates-the-divide-between-cia-and-trump/
@ Grzegorz,
Great book to have always at ready access by ur desk ;
.
When Cultures collide
by
Richard D. Lewis
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I believe that it is best to get softback version as against any other version [ incl. Kindle ]
Unless, the Kindle version is used on A4 sized e-book reader.
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https://www.amazon.com/When-Cultures-Collide-3rd-Leading/dp/1904838022/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483683879&sr=8-1&keywords=when+cultures+collide
RHETORICAL QUESTION . Is not that phrase “Neo-Con” a cop-out ? . And, I say this even though I have used it myself a number of times just to be agreeable with u while I try to get u to read on so as to consider my argument. . Still, I consider my own created terms “Neo-Fascist” & “Neo-Zio-Fascists” as accurate & useful atimes. . OK, back to the term “Neo-Con”. “Fox” TV Channels — owned by enemy of Ireland & friend of Mr. Bertie Ahern “Mr. Rupert Murdoch” [ Media Kingpin of UK inter alia ] are said to… Read more »
MORE REVELATIONS ABOUT ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION HEADING Are the Aging Elite “Feasting On Young Blood” ? Rockefeller Research Advanced Eternal Quest EXCERPT Though it seems like science fiction, it is, in fact, based in reality. Some of the wealthiest foundations on the planet have sponsored on-going research that dates back to the 1950s where-in scientists attempted to transfuse the vital, healthy blood of young individuals into older, and more fatigued recipients. And apparently, it has demonstrated considerable positive effects – at least in lab studies with mice. Nonetheless, the treatments are already taking place in selects labs in some of the… Read more »
Seriously, could u ever imagine Mr. Me-hole Martin ever able to host such a media program as does the great Mr. Ron Paul does here ?
Iran :
The Inside Story
Ron Paul Liberty Report
BLURB
Published on Sep 7, 2016
What is it like to be a Jewish citizen of Iran ?
Today’s Liberty Report speaks with an Iranian-American of Jewish background who just spent three months in Iran.
His take on Iran is far different from what the neocons want us to believe.
His experiences might surprise you.
.
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V77vxbV1jXs
Tony Brogan & Truthist: You both conflate national sovereignty with money. I would argue that there is no such thing as “sovereign money” and that states have NOT handed over national sovereignty to bankers. As best I can understand the source of your particular sovereignty concept, it seems to come from this (dubious) explanation in Wikipedia: “Sovereignty is understood in jurisprudence as the full right and power of a governing body to govern itself without any interference from outside sources or bodies.” It is that last phrase “without any interference from outside sources or bodies” that I would dispute. With… Read more »
There is sovereignty for you. The FED has not had an audit for over 50 years. That is Zero accountability to government. “On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul reintroduced his Federal Reserve Transparency Act, widely known as the “Audit the Fed” bill, to prevent the Federal Reserve from concealing vital information on its operations from Congress. Eight cosponsors joined Senator Paul on the legislation. Representative Thomas Massie (KY-4) has introduced companion legislation, H.R. 24, in the U.S. House. “No institution holds more power over the future of the American economy and the value of our savings than the Federal Reserve,”… Read more »
Sound bites say, sure were All responsible. Of course there should be quarterly national debt reports. What and to whom was the FG/LAB 100bn 2011 to 2016 extra national debt paid? Pillar Bankers pensions ? What is their business model ? RTE salaries and pensions ? What is their business model ? INM through pillar bankers pensions and salaries ? What is their business model ? What are the costings for immigration ? A Liberal country would ask core questions. Plastic Liberals will duck and label core questions. In the 70’s we grew up with little house on the prarie… Read more »