For what died independent Ireland? Was it greed?
Maurice O'Brien • Published 25 Nov 2010 15:30
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WHATEVER pig's ear the Irish Government's made of the economy, the crushing events of the past week would have been no less painful had a division of enemy tanks rumbled ashore at Rosslare or Dún Laoghaire.
Like the old Soviet Union, there was no way the Brussels Kremlin's unelected elite would allow a satellite to wriggle from its stranglehold. Forcing Ireland to change its 'no' vote on the Nice Treaty and then again on Lisbon should have been a warning. Bullies never relent.
Self-interest has always been the key and, while in good times 27 diverse nations might stay sweet on the lower interest rates demanded by the strongest economies, when things turn sour the weakest are doomed.
Ireland's economy boomed and passed boiling point because it was part of the euro. But equally, eurozone membership prevented Ireland sensibly raising interest rates when the country was awash with
foreign cash.
The one thing for which Britain has to thank Gordon Brown is that, even if it was only to spite Tony Blair, he kept us out of the euro.
But when Ireland's only hope would have been to drop out, restore the punt and devalue, what on earth is Little George doing spending £7bn Britain hasn't got to make sure it didn't? And who'll replace the 600 US-owned firms, including Google and its 4,000 employees, if Ireland is forced to raise its 12.5% corporation tax?
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's vultures are circling.
Late, great Irish singer Luke Kelly's poetic lament written in 1970 for the sons of Róisín, a symbolic name for Mother Ireland, referred to "faceless men who for mark or dollar betray her to the highest bidder".
The third verse of Kelly's poem goes:
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For What Died the Sons of Róisín, was it greed?
Was it greed that drove Wolfe Tone to a pauper's death in a cell of cold wet stone?
Will German, French or Dutch inscribe the epitaph of Emmet?
When we have sold enough of Ireland to be but strangers in it.
For What Died the Sons of Róisín, was it greed?
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Balladeer, poet and
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