Irish need to show more than idealism towards the EU

Richard Lindsay (‘Sorry to disappoint Nigel Farage, but the Irish want to stay in the EU’, February 9) puts on his deepest rose tinted glasses when describing Ireland taking its place as ‘equals in a united European family of nations’.

He is right when he says Ireland has done well from EU membership and specifically mentions its low corporate tax rate attracting inward investment.

Yet Brussels has wanted Ireland to harmonise its tax rate with the EU for years as it goes against the whole ethos of a level playing field across Europe.

The 2008 Lisbon Treaty, aimed at streamlining decision-making in the EU, was rejected by the Irish in referendum.

After negotiating opt outs in Irish tax sovereignty and military neutrality, the Treaty was accepted by Ireland.

Being an ‘equal in the EU family of nations’ is easy when you get to cherry pick it!

Other EU countries want to have their cake and eat it too. For the EU to survive this needs to change.

Economists say Brussels needs to have control over taxation and spending to safeguard the euro currency.

It can do this in one of two ways: by way of an unelected commission (dangerously undemocratic) or by way of a federal government of Europe elected by all EU voters.

The latter option is also uncertain as it requires 27 national electorates to share sovereignty under one president.

But political unions can be difficult, grievances and independence movements can arise, just look at Scotland in the UK or Catalonia in Spain or northern Italians resentment at supporting southern Italy.

If the EU is to survive then all members states, including Ireland, need to give more and, regrettably for Richard Lindsay, this means more than just woolly idealism.

Thomas Stewart, Belfast BT4