A chara, – Ray Kinsella argues that the UK's exit from the EU will leave Ireland "marginalised, peripheral and dependant" ("Why Ireland should seriously consider Irexit", Opinion & Analysis, August 29th). His solution is to follow the UK out so that we can be even more marginalised and peripheral and once again dependant on our nearest neighbour.
Without any evidence, he claims that in the “post-Brexit governance of Europe, little consideration will be given to Ireland’s needs and its capabilities”. Could he point to one example where supporters of Brexit gave any such consideration during the UK’s referendum campaign? The only consideration given to the Border and our economic ties was by those advocating for Remain. Indeed, it should be noted that the issue of the Border has been identified by the European Commission as one of the three key initial priorities to be resolved in current EU-UK discussions. Does he seriously believe that Boris Johnson and David Davis have a real interest in Ireland?
In an increasingly interconnected world, where Ireland as a small player must co-operate and seek to influence global decisions that will affect us, following the UK down a path where that country will have to accept European standards to trade without having any say in how they are developed represents the height of folly.
The former Belgian prime minister, Paul Henri Spaak, once said, “Europe consists only of small countries – some of which know it and some of which don’t yet.”
This small nation should not cede its influence and opportunities with Europe and the rest of the world to be re-embraced by Little England. – Is mise,
MALCOLM BYRNE,
Gorey,
Co Wexford.
A chara, – Dr. John Doherty states that we have made a net contribution to the EU of €143 billion, through our membership of the Common Fisheries Policy (August 31st). This figure is presented with the misleading implication that it represents money lost to Ireland.
Given the general underdevelopment of our fishing sector prior to entering Europe, this reasoning is simply not credible.
Without the resources to effectively harness our fisheries, it is very hard to see how we could ever have generated that sum of money in the first place. Our fisheries were of far more value to our European partners than to us, so we sensibly traded them for EU membership.
Unlike our supposed €143 billion contribution to Europe, Europe’s €41 billion contribution to Ireland was very real. It built, among other things, the modern infrastructure that powers our economy. Access to European markets made us a major destination for foreign investment, and opened up job opportunities for Irish citizens far beyond farming or fishing. And, to top it all off, we got a vote and veto over the world’s largest market.
On balance, a pretty good deal for Ireland. – Is mise,
Dr RUAIRÍ CROWLEY,
Brookline,
Massachusetts.
Sir, – I read with interest Ray Kinsella’s argument for considering an Irexit. While it is almost certainly true that some of the 52 per cent here in the UK voted to leave to reduce immigration, or based their choice on a hopeful vision of future glory reminiscent of the days of the British Empire, some voted to withdraw from the unsavoury organisation – quite different from the trading bloc the UK and Ireland joined in the 1970s – which the EU has become (something which has not been reflected in Irish media).
I believe that Mr Kinsella may be correct that there is considerable risk to Ireland in the post-Brexit EU, stemming from the EU’s indifference to us. While I am hardly advocating for an Irexit, at the very least we must be willing to have the discussion and debate as to if it is truly in our interest, as opposed to reverting to type and condemning or mocking the British (or more specifically the English, and their nationalism) for their act of Brexit. – Yours, etc,
EVAN BYRNE,
London.
Sir, – Irexit? Perhaps a more apt description should be “Feckit”. – Yours etc,
PETER McKENNA,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Europe is not able to maintain its borders. Germany has put the future security of the EU in jeopardy, is deciding our fate and shaping our future.
Without Britain, our national interests are under threat. With continued membership, are we ready for the consequences of having to accept further migration policies, being forced into a European army, or losing our tax system? – Yours, etc,
BARBARA O’HANRAHAN,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – If you feel you must publish pieces arguing that Ireland follow the UK out of the EU, can you please require the authors to explain how they propose to deal with the awkward fact that Ireland, unlike the UK, uses the Euro as its currency?
This is not a minor complication, as the euro zone has no exit mechanism. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN DONOGHUE,
Dublin 2.