Sir, – Congratulations to The Irish Times for devoting the whole of Weekend Review to Ireland’s 50 years in the EU (December 31st). The article by Fintan O’Toole, “A seat at Europe’s table as an equal made complete sense of Irish Independence”, perhaps encapsulates best the essence of the core issues in this period. Some of the letters (January 3rd) add significantly to this debate.
It is a myth to think that any sovereign nation, no matter how large, can survive without cooperation and hence pooling of decision making, regulations and enforcement in key areas of policy. You take back control by entering into these agreements, not by abandoning them.
A second myth relates to the so-called democratic deficit in the EU, often in total ignorance of the extensive democratic checks in place, including the power of veto in some key policy areas. Another is the argument that because we are now a net contributor to the EU budget, we are “losing” economically speaking. This ignores the economic benefit to Ireland of being part of the single market, a benefit which dwarfs any narrow “accounting” loss.
As the EU member states confront major policy decisions in the years ahead, regarding for example the future of Ukraine, climate change and migration, that is where the focus now should be in Ireland. While the policy coverage and operation of the EU will be legitimate areas for future discussion, its existence, in terms of rationale and legitimacy, should by now be immutable. – Yours, etc,
‘I feel like I’m in a war zone’: Hosting the Olympics is not all fun and games for Paris
Music festival tents: can you save money while saving the planet?
Autocracy, Inc: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World by Anne Applebaum: Disturbing account of strongmen’s links
‘We are caring for your parents like they are our parents - but we can’t bring our families here’
JOHN O’HAGAN,
Department of Economics,
Trinity College Dublin,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – To Frank McNally’s list of things for which we should be thankful to the EU (“What has the EU ever done for us?”, Weekend Review, December 31st), we might add the “Protected Geographical Indication” awarded to some of our produce. The black and brown puddings of Sneem and Tomoleague, and perhaps most of all the Waterford Blaa became iconic on receipt of their Protected Designation of Origin status. Such international recognition for doing basic things well really boosts a locality. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN O’BRIEN,
Kinsale,
Co Cork.