Do you consider Ireland to be the poster boy for an EU welfare state?

Question

I do not mean to offend anybody but....Did Ireland sell its soul to the EU?

Answer 1

No i don't.  The Republic of Ireland was at best a second world country pre EU in 1973.  Along with joining the EU, successive well made Government decisions (ie something put in place by one government was carried out by the new government), high interest rates during the 1970s, 80s and early 90s, devaluation of the Irish punt during the 1980s which led to a mass of investment from the UK, USA, Western Europe and Japan led to the country coming out of the dark ages.

Come 2001-2002 the Republics economy was so well run that they were the only country truly eligible to join the Euro.  The republic now is the 5th highest GDP per head of population in the world and has one of the highest standards of living and working conditions in the world today.

Of course there is still problems such as a poor health service, roads still not up to western european standard and the crime problems in inner cities such as Dublin and Limerick but I have confidence that Irish governments over the next 25 years will tackle these problems in time.

Remember this is a country that was oppressed by England for 800 years, famine, war etc followed (half the population of the country; 5 million people either died or emigrated between 1842 and 1850).  Ireland is also the only country in Europe where the Industrial Revolution NEVER happened and yet look how it has fared in the 100 years or so since.

Answer 2

We give the EU 30 billion in fishing rights every year.

We opened the best fishing, waters to the rest of europe.

Answer 3

I think Ireland is the 'poster-boy' for the EU period. They are quite possibly the best governed country in the Union. Other nations can only learn by their example.

Answer 4

I think that Europe in general sold its soul to become the EU. It's the revived Roman empire and will eventually shadow America as the world's #1 superpower (already beginning to do so).

The EU is simply displaying an example of what the new world order system is going to look like. A single currency evolving towards a completely cashless society, eventually one religion (strongly promoting diversity and tolerance), etc. I have already heard people from England talking about how they are penalized for paying cash!

Individuality is promoted through talk of diversity, yet borders are being erased to become 'one'. I don't like where this is going and expect it to be the same in the US in a very short time.