Sometimes I despair of the Lisbon debate. In a more idealised world I would imagine something along the debate between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson over the federalisation of the United States and no I don’t mean this is a federal Europe I mean a discussion based on principled merits with sound philosophical principles underneath. One of the few who comes close to this on the NO side is Fergus O’Rourke (see his site for a summary of some of his argument and see his website for more details). It about as far from the mind numbing nonsence of Coir as you can get.
So I’m voting yes.
I won’t attempt to convince you. I’ll set out my reasons. I’m voting yes for a mix of pragmatic and philosophical reasons.
Pragamtic (too often the negative reasons)
If we vote know our Debt costs will increase. I’m convinced of this. Ray Kinsella may argue otherwise. He’s wrong. And the cost will run into the hundreds on millions if not Billions. We cannot afford this. Not after the Government has brought the country to near ruin.
Job creation and FDI. We’ve have sucked at the teat of FDI so long I think we may have crippled the development of indigenous industry. Unfortunately we’re not in a position to
We will be marginalised in Europe. We’re a small country. Influence, the ability to negiotate, to hustle and make deals is the only way to thrive in Europe. We’ve done that successfully for the last 36 years, spectacularly so in some cases. And its not all about money. You screw over your friends then don’t be surprised when your influence wanes. “We can’t be kicked out of Europe”. That is true. We can be ostracised and that in effect may be just as bad.
Philosophical (the positive reasons)
Europe has been good for Ireland. Economically, socially, culturally, legally. Asking “what has Europe ever done for us?” is a bit like asking the question “what have the Romans ever done for us?” in Monty Python. Aside from the €72 Billion that we’ve received in EU funds, the roads and infrastructure that its built, there are better environmental regulations, better social legislation, equal rights, better consumer protection and so on. On many things I believe the EU has protected and looked after me better than my own Government over a number of decades.
Global warming and Energy Policy. There is a significantly bigger role for the EU in these areas and they are going to be critical in the coming decades.
So I’m voting Yes
And if if that doesn’t persuade you maybe this will
Of course you can always subscribe to the Dark Side
Hat tip to Damien Mulley for those last two.
