Madam, - It was interesting to read the views of two leading Eurosceptics - Anthony Coughlan and Vincent Browne - in your edition of May 10th. They put forward entirely opposite arguments.
Anthony Coughlan sets out, yet again, his essentially nationalist argument against the very existence of the EU. He continues to distort the nature of the EU decision-making structures. His simplistic, arithmetic analysis of the Union system bears no resemblance to the reality, which balances the interests of member-states large and small.
As has been the case since his apocalyptic predictions of the outcome of EEC accession in the 1970s, he fails to put forward a single instance of Ireland being subjected to defeat on an issue of genuine national interest by malign foreigners. He continues, to his discredit, to imply essentially corrupt motives to all supporters of the EU project.
Vincent Browne raises issues of real concern - inequality, poverty and the social policy of the Union. His case for EU-level responses to social problems is widely supported but would require a major change in attitude by member-states which insist that social policy, and related fiscal policies, are matters for national rather than EU decision.
He appears to be seeking a form of fiscal federalism which would require a significant increase in the overall EU budget to permit redistribution and would alter the political shape of the Union. This option was addressed in a major Commission study in the 1970s (the McDougal Report) which was effectively shelved because of its far-reaching implications.
Mr Browne, yet again, dismisses the history and achievement of the EU in terms of peace and prosperity. Recent Eurobarometer findings show that the EU citizens of 2006 recognise fully what he cannot accept. The reconciliation of France and Germany, inspired by the initiatives of Monnet and Schuman, provided the basis for the rebuilding of Europe's economy which the Marshall Plan so generously facilitated and for the creation of the security structures which resisted the Soviet threat.
It was no surprise that the immediate reaction of the former Soviet satellites to their restored democracy in the 1990s was to apply for membership of both the European Union and Nato. - Yours, etc,
TONY BROWN, Bettyglen, Dublin 5.