Sir, – Media coverage of Brexit has been both exhausting and exhaustive, as befits a subject of such overwhelming importance. Much has been informative, some less so. Phrases have found their way into general usage but without definition. Among them are "Brussels diktat", "Brussels elite", "democratic deficit", "punished by Brussels", and "unelected and faceless bureaucrats". It's all very confusing! What do these phrases mean and what intent do they hide?
As confusing has been the lack of clear understanding of the role, responsibilities and actions of the various EU institutions, including the European Council, the European Parliament, the European Commission, the European Court of Justice and the European Central Bank.
The EU is commended or condemned for having a foreign or military policy and condemned or commended for not having one! The European Parliament is irrelevant and a key legislator, the European Commission is all-powerful and a stooge of Germany and France.
Could The Irish Times follow its excellent supplement on "Understanding Brexit" (July 2nd) with another setting out in detail the role of each EU institution, as well as a glossary of frequently used phrases that would allow readers to better understand the points and claims being made in articles, opinion pieces and letters?
We desperately need to better inform ourselves to overcome any repeat of the ignorance that was so evident in the Brexit debate. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL HAMELL,
Courtlands,
Dublin 9.
Sir, – Your editorial (July 1st) notes that nominations to contest the Tory leadership closed “with only five names in the hat”. Bearing in mind that the successful candidate will go down in history as the person who pressed the Brexit button, by invoking Article 50, I am amazed that five volunteers were found. David Cameron and Boris Johnson have already neatly sidestepped that honour. – Yours, etc,
AOIFE LORD,
Tankardstown,
Co Meath.
Sir, – The Brexit referendum has thrown up a serious anomaly. Ukip sought independence for the UK. But if the wishes of the voters in Scotland and Northern Ireland are to be observed, the UK cannot continue in its present form. No party sought or received a mandate to break up the UK.
As a political entity, the UK long predates the EU and cannot be abandoned without due consideration. It seems that a further referendum is inevitable. Maybe Ukip will morph into Ewip (England & Wales Independence Party).
The electorate will be asked to endorse both leaving the EU and the break-up of the UK. Hopefully the campaign will inform voters on the implications, benefits and risks involved. Only if this is passed should the British government invoke Article 50 to leave the EU. – Yours etc,
TIM McCORMICK,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Why on earth were the original six member states allowed to meet at foreign minister level within 48 hours of the UK referendum result? Not only did it compound all the worst perceptions of the European Union, showing who is still really in control 43 years after the first enlargement, but it signalled a proverbial two fingers to the other member states in the face of a profound existential crisis.
And what was the reaction of our politicians and senior officials? Apparently, we are content to say and do nothing to voice concern and displeasure at this ridiculous gesture politics. We are far too timid, too docile, too subservient in our dealings with Brussels, and it does us no credit. – Yours, etc,
DONAL DENHAM,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – In 1972, when the matter of Ireland entering the European Economic Community arose, the then taoiseach, Jack Lynch, told us that since Britain was joining, we had “no alternative” but to do the same – thereby intimating that the long struggle for national independence had been ultimately in vain. Convinced by Lynch’s argument, we voted to enter the EEC. The EEC became the EU and our membership of it continued automatically. Now that Britain will no longer be a member, Lynch’s argument is no longer valid. It would be useful if Enda Kenny told us why we are a member of the EU. But does he know? Does anyone know? – Yours, etc,
Dr DESMOND FENNELL,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.
Sir, – Is it the position that the referendum has no legal basis in Britain? Is it the case that any request by Britain has to be, under British law, a request, in the first instance sanctioned by parliament? Is it the case that the European Union can accept something so simple as, say, a letter from the prime minister of Britain, irrespective of how that letter has come about?
With regard to a vote in parliament in London to secede (if indeed, this is necessary), is it possible that this might still might not be valid under British law as it might, effectively, disenfranchise elected members of the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland? What are the arrangements here?
The UK joined as one entity. Considering devolution, is it not possible that any parliamentary vote to leave should be passed by all four parliaments and assemblies? – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN MADDERS,
Portlaw,
Co Waterford.
Sir, – The most patriotic act that Boris Johnson could perform at this point would be to convene a press conference and announce that he was wrong in the stance that he took on Brexit.
He should call for another referendum to permit the truth to surface and the electorate would be permitted to reconsider and vote accordingly. – Yours, etc,
MICK O’BRIEN,
Springmount,
Kilkenny.
Sir, – I have yet to meet anyone who does not agree that the EU – and the euro – have flaws, but give me peace, co-operation and all the benefits of a flawed EU over nationalism and hostility any day.
That said, the problems are many. Austerity has been a disaster. I wonder if austerity would have been prescribed if Germany had been a debtor country? While Greece was at least partially responsible for getting itself into a financial mess, and even the IMF has said that debt relief is necessary. Have we learned nothing from the way Germany was treated after the second World War? What about the 1953 London debt conference that wrote down most of postwar Germany’s debts? A debt write-off seems the only way to go.
The ECB-endorsed socialising of private debt in this country was also morally repulsive.
The single currency was a flawed enterprise from the beginning. Having a single currency and interest rate for multiple countries in the absence of proper fiscal and banking unions was always going to be risky. No monetary union that was not also a political union has ever survived. The ECB is based in Germany, the most powerful EU member state. It can only set one interest rate. No prizes for guessing which economy influences it the most. The German economy is managed by the German government, but the German government is only answerable to the German people. It’s not hard to see the democratic deficit.
The EU and the way it conducts its business has to change. I hope Brexit provides the jolt needed to effect change.
There have been calls for greater transparency, integration, democracy and accountability. Greater transparency is the lowest of the hanging fruit, but will people sign up to greater integration, democracy and accountability if it means ceding more political and fiscal powers to EU institutions? Are we comfortable with “ever closer union”? Do we want a federalist Europe? Climate change and globalisation demand co-ordinated international action, but how will an EU-mandated carbon tax or fines for exceeding carbon emissions go down? What about the additional laws on budget deficits to pre-empt financial mismanagement and prevent contagion?
There have to be some “house rules”, but these might affect the likes of funding for social housing. What about fines if the Government scraps water charges? What about the new measures to combat tax avoidance? How will these go down with “Ireland Inc”? What about tax harmonisation? Will we be willing to give up our abnormally low corporate tax rate in the name of greater fiscal integration?
These are thorny issues, but we need to think about where we are headed, look in the mirror and admit that we cannot have it every way. – Yours, etc,
ROB SADLIER,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
A chara, – It’s over. Get over it. –Is mise,
JACK FEEHAN,
Birr,
Co Offaly.