Comments on: Ireland faces EU exit? http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/ Richard Murphy on tax and corporate accountability Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:27:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: de centralize http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-471102 de centralize Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:59:38 +0000 http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-471102 All politics is local...or should be...the one size fits all crowd is illegitimate All politics is local…or should be…the one size fits all crowd is illegitimate

]]> By: alastair http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454738 alastair Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:29:23 +0000 http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454738 I think you might reflect on the fact that at the last election all major parties offered a refurendum on the proposed EU constitution, and that two of those parties have since backtracked. Does not sound very democratic to me. I think you might reflect on the fact that at the last election all major parties offered a refurendum on the proposed EU constitution, and that two of those parties have since backtracked. Does not sound very democratic to me.

]]> By: Tax Research LLP http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454729 Tax Research LLP Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:18:15 +0000 http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454729 I think you ignore the fact that we are a parliamentary democracy. I think you ignore the fact that we are a parliamentary democracy.

]]> By: alastair http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454637 alastair Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:25:56 +0000 http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454637 its democratic if all members put it to the vote - only ireland had that for the revised constitution - but if you recall not all members did vote to accept the constitution. Put it another way - we are agreeing over the principles, but you seem to be missing the important facts. its democratic if all members put it to the vote - only ireland had that for the revised constitution - but if you recall not all members did vote to accept the constitution. Put it another way - we are agreeing over the principles, but you seem to be missing the important facts.

]]> By: Tax Research LLP http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454630 Tax Research LLP Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:01:34 +0000 http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454630 Alastair I am respecting democracy. If 26 out of 27 members of a club vote for a constitution then I think it is democratic for them to get their way and for those who do not want to play by the same rules to go and set up their own club elsewhere Richard Alastair

I am respecting democracy. If 26 out of 27 members of a club vote for a constitution then I think it is democratic for them to get their way and for those who do not want to play by the same rules to go and set up their own club elsewhere

Richard

]]> By: alastair http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454623 alastair Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:56:41 +0000 http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454623 Richard - what planet are you on! Ireland voted in a refurendum to reject the EU constitution (aka lisbon treaty). Nothing in that about wanting to leave the EU. Don't you think democracy deserves a bit more respect? Richard - what planet are you on! Ireland voted in a refurendum to reject the EU constitution (aka lisbon treaty). Nothing in that about wanting to leave the EU. Don’t you think democracy deserves a bit more respect?

]]> By: Colman Stephenson http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454196 Colman Stephenson Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:30:15 +0000 http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454196 Richard To be fair the people of Ireland did not 'vote to leave the club'. So they should not be asked to leave. The sentiment expressed by Mr Munchau's correspondents is a minority one in Ireland. Most people recognise the extent to which the EU paid for the infrastructure upgrades and that Irish membership of the EU is a key reason that US multi-nationals choose to locate in Ireland alongside the young, educated workforce and its reprehensible tax policy. Although I believe my compatriots made the wrong choice for a variety of different reasons the fact is that the EU has a democratic credibility problem right across the continent. If the Irish are pushed out now, it will be manna to those regard the EU as a self-serving bureaucracy. Its not true to argue, as many in Brussels do, that 1m Irish no-voters are holding 500m others to hostage. The fact is that other populations would have voted 'no' had they had the opportunity so to do. I'm a great supporter of the EU project. Its been a force for economic growth and an inspiration to democracy and transparency among aspiring members on its borders (compare this to Central America). But we've got to admit that Brussels need increased legitimacy and connections with the people. Expelling Ireland will just look like revenge. Colman Stephenson Richard

To be fair the people of Ireland did not ‘vote to leave the club’. So they should not be asked to leave.

The sentiment expressed by Mr Munchau’s correspondents is a minority one in Ireland. Most people recognise the extent to which the EU paid for the infrastructure upgrades and that Irish membership of the EU is a key reason that US multi-nationals choose to locate in Ireland alongside the young, educated workforce and its reprehensible tax policy.

Although I believe my compatriots made the wrong choice for a variety of different reasons the fact is that the EU has a democratic credibility problem right across the continent. If the Irish are pushed out now, it will be manna to those regard the EU as a self-serving bureaucracy.

Its not true to argue, as many in Brussels do, that 1m Irish no-voters are holding 500m others to hostage. The fact is that other populations would have voted ‘no’ had they had the opportunity so to do.

I’m a great supporter of the EU project. Its been a force for economic growth and an inspiration to democracy and transparency among aspiring members on its borders (compare this to Central America). But we’ve got to admit that Brussels need increased legitimacy and connections with the people. Expelling Ireland will just look like revenge.

Colman Stephenson

]]> By: Tax Research LLP http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454188 Tax Research LLP Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:40:29 +0000 http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454188 Rob I suspect we'll never know who bankrolled Libertas. I think we should. Tax Justice Network is open about who finances it. And Alastair, if someone votes to leave the club is it unreasonable if they are asked to go? Richard Rob

I suspect we’ll never know who bankrolled Libertas. I think we should. Tax Justice Network is open about who finances it.

And Alastair, if someone votes to leave the club is it unreasonable if they are asked to go?

Richard

]]> By: alastair http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454187 alastair Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:33:22 +0000 http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454187 you would imagine that some of the other members might choose to protect them from the bully boys of Europe - otherwise what does it say for democracy. you would imagine that some of the other members might choose to protect them from the bully boys of Europe - otherwise what does it say for democracy.

]]> By: Rob Lewis http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454169 Rob Lewis Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:36:39 +0000 http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2008/06/23/ireland-faces-eu-exit/#comment-454169 Any opinions on what really motivated Declan Ganley and Ulick McEvaddy, of Libertas fame, Richard? If you haven't heard of them, the pair make interesting reading. Any opinions on what really motivated Declan Ganley and Ulick McEvaddy, of Libertas fame, Richard?

If you haven’t heard of them, the pair make interesting reading.

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