Where the hell is Ireland and its EU protest? Is Cowen afraid to stand up?

Biggins · 28-10-2010 10:45PM #1

Just read the following report (below) about how eleven EU states have formally protested against the EU increase in their budget when at the same time they are demanding that member states cut the hell back and take drastic measures.

As I was reading the list of those willing to stand up and be counted (states by the way from the better off still than us maybe in some ways, to others that are possibly even worse than us) the thought struck me.
Where the hell is Ireland in this protest and why the fcuk isn't Cowen speaking up in unison?

He is over there right now with the rest of them!
Is he afraid to stand up for us? Does he have any courageous spine at all?
(Personally I think not!) :mad:

Nations Unite Against EU Budget Boost (except Ireland!)

Eleven members of the European Council - including Britain - have agreed they will not accept any increase in the 2011 EU budget beyond 2.91%.

The members, attending a summit in Brussels, detailed their stance in a letter set to be sent to the President of the Council.
It was to be signed by the leaders of the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Czech Republic, Denmark, Austria, Finland, Slovenia and Estonia.

The development followed Britain, Germany and France agreeing a proposed 6% increase was unacceptable.

News continues here: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20101028/twl-nations-unite-against-eu-budget-boos-3fd0ae9.html

galwayrush · 28-10-2010 10:49PM

We obviously respect our new overlords, The Bondholders.:rolleyes:
Now, do as the nice Taoiseach and Finance Minister says, we have to impress them at all costs.:rolleyes:

Sanjuro · 28-10-2010 10:51PM

Did we not learn about his spinelessness when he capitulated so easily to Europe over Lisbon? We're part of the EU all right. But to think we actually hold any sway over what happens within the EU is a fantasy. Sure, we have a smaller population than other member states, but there's no such thing as democracy within the EU anyway.

Biggins · 28-10-2010 10:54PM

These are the same people that is demanding we make drastic cuts over 4 years - yet they are demanding more money for themselves!

For gods sake Irish Government, grow a set of balls for once and stand up for us!
And if not for us, for our children. They will paying the continuing price for previous mistakes after all!

OPENROAD · 28-10-2010 10:55PM

galwayrush wrote: »

We obviously respect our new overlords, The Bondholders.:rolleyes:
Now, do as the nice Taoiseach and Finance Minister says, we have to impress them at all costs.:rolleyes:

Without them we are completely bust, are we not? Just pointing out, as horrible as it sounds

gurramok · 28-10-2010 10:57PM

They can't, we are owned by the EU via the ECB who are buying Irish bonds and the financial markets. Say thanks for voting yes to Lisbon then

PeterIanStaker · 28-10-2010 10:59PM

He's over there cap in hand like the hungover gaseous worthless blimp he is.

I wouldn't be suprised if the countrys' actually bankrupt and it hasnt leaked yet.

Bring in the IMF.

Biggins · 28-10-2010 11:00PM

OPENROAD wrote: »

Without them we are completely bust, are we not? Just pointing out, as horrible as it sounds

There is some truth in that but at the same time as they tell us to be cutting back, we should be at least be telling them to remain at status quo too (at the very least)!

galwayrush · 28-10-2010 11:02PM

OPENROAD wrote: »

Without them we are completely bust, are we not? Just pointing out, as horrible as it sounds

When we have to impress them so we can insrease our borrowing, we are as good as bust.

Dempsey · 28-10-2010 11:02PM

Why dont you email/ring his office and ask for the reasons?

PanchoVilla · 28-10-2010 11:04PM

This country needs a good old-fashioned rebellion. That'll sort the place out. Default on our debts, tell the EU to fúck themselves, and rebuild this country from the bottom up. I'd rather live in a tent that was mine than a house that belonged to someone who wouldn't hesitate to kick me out if the rent was late.

Biggins · 28-10-2010 11:06PM

Dempsey wrote: »

Why dont you email/ring his office and ask for the reasons?

I will!
By fcuk I will and I will inform ye if there is any reply!

28-10-2010 11:08PM

He's afraid his shins might collapse if he stands up.

My name is URL · 28-10-2010 11:19PM

OPENROAD wrote: »

Without them we are completely bust, are we not? Just pointing out, as horrible as it sounds

Without them.. what a depressing notion that is. So basically we're fcuked either way? The world is.. not just us. Yeah, without what exactly? Without the consolidated threat of any other country going bust? That's all it is really, keep everyone in check so as nobody else has to cover for them. Long may it continue to fail

galwayrush · 28-10-2010 11:27PM

Biggins wrote: »

I will!
By fcuk I will and I will inform ye if there is any reply!

I couldn't hold my breath that long....:rolleyes:

ItsAWindUp · 28-10-2010 11:28PM

Somebody stop this country, please. I want off.

Celly Smunt · 28-10-2010 11:30PM

easily persuaded yes voters

thetonynator · 28-10-2010 11:33PM

OPENROAD wrote: »

Without them we are completely bust, are we not? Just pointing out, as horrible as it sounds

I dont see how its fair that they get to decide whether or not we get bust and how much tax we have to pay to pay the interest . . .the EU should regulate it, its gone to 7%

But national solidarity bonds and loan the government your money!!!

OPENROAD · 28-10-2010 11:35PM

Biggins wrote: »

There is some truth in that but at the same time as they tell us to be cutting back, we should be at least be telling them to remain at status quo too (at the very least)!

Well we can't even come close to affording to run the country on a day to day basis

:(

I do agree Biggins, but then again, certain groups have been saying it for years and we would have accused them of being Colonial, anti Europe.

OPENROAD · 28-10-2010 11:39PM

galwayrush wrote: »

When we have to impress them so we can insrease our borrowing, we are as good as bust.

In that case the only other option is to give up and let an outside body come in, if that happens, do you think they will sit down with representative bodies and negotiate what cuts to make?

OPENROAD · 28-10-2010 11:40PM

thetonynator wrote: »

I dont see how its fair that they get to decide whether or not we get bust and how much tax we have to pay to pay the interest . . .the EU should regulate it, its gone to 7%

But national solidarity bonds and loan the government your money!!!

ArmaniJeanss · 28-10-2010 11:41PM

The Irish governments position here seems correct - as a net receiver of funds from the EU budget its good for us if the net contributors can be convinced to put oodles more money in.
So why exactly should we allign ourselves with the net contributors?

In fact I humbly suggest that if Ireland had signed this then someone would have started a thread pointing out how stupid it was of the Irish government to do so.

Of the 11 signatures, all the net contributors are included except Italy.
That is, Austria, Germany, France, Holland, Finland, Denmark, Sweden and the UK.
Italy is the only net contributor not to sign.

17 of the other EU 18 countries inc Ireland are net receivers (Cyprus is ~0 either way).
Of those 17 only 3 have signed (Czechs, Estonia, Slovenia).
Irelands position amongst the 14 non-signers seems eminently sensible.

galwayrush · 28-10-2010 11:41PM

Good grief, Declan Ganley's scaremongering does not look too far off the mark atm.

OPENROAD · 28-10-2010 11:43PM

galwayrush wrote: »

Good grief, Declan Ganley's scaremongering does not look too far off the mark atm.

And he was slated at the time.

galwayrush · 28-10-2010 11:49PM

OPENROAD wrote: »

And he was slated at the time.

Probably still is in certain quarters, looks like he was more honest than Cowen and co.:rolleyes:

Biggins · 28-10-2010 11:49PM

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

...Irelands position amongst the 14 non-signers seems eminently sensible.

So we shut up, do what we are told, cut back at home as per their orders but give in too, pay out to the EU more as they demand also!

In other words "You are to cut back but pay me more money meanwhile!"

thetonynator · 28-10-2010 11:50PM

OPENROAD wrote: »

National solidarity bonds are where you invest money with a fixed rate of interest over 3, 5.5 and 10 years. They pay and apr of either approx 3.2%, 3.7% or 4.75%, so the government borrows less off the bond market, and you get a better rate of interest than you will anywhere else really.

OPENROAD · 28-10-2010 11:53PM

thetonynator wrote: »

National solidarity bonds are where you invest money with a fixed rate of interest over 3, 5.5 and 10 years. They pay and apr of either approx 3.2%, 3.7% or 4.75%, so the government borrows less off the bond market, and you get a better rate of interest than you will anywhere else really.

I know that, sorry misread your thread, sadly, these would not even come close to meeting our day to day needs, not that they are a bad idea, we currently have one coming on stream, but the general public only have so much money, which is not very much

R0ot · 28-10-2010 11:58PM

PeterIanStaker wrote: »

Bring in the IMF.

You wouldn't be saying that if they were here.

OPENROAD · 28-10-2010 11:59PM

R0ot wrote: »

You wouldn't be saying that if they were here.

+1

ArmaniJeanss · 29-10-2010 12:00AM

Biggins wrote: »

So we shut up, do what we are told, cut back at home as per their orders but give in too, pay out to the EU more as they demand also!

In other words "You are to cut back but pay me more money meanwhile!"

I don't think you are getting this bit 'We are net receivers of funds from the EU budget'
If the budget increased by say a ludicrous 100%, and the funds continued to be allocated on their current pro-rata basis, then this would double the sum we ultimately receive from the EU. Yes, we would give more, but we would receive more back.
Why should we logically oppose this situation

Where the hell is Ireland and its EU protest? Is Cowen afraid to stand up?

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