Sir, – Enda McNamara (February 4th) is right to remind the Government in their negotiations in Europe that both France and Germany consistently breached the Stability and Growth Pact, the precursor to the fiscal compact.
All of us should, however, be aware that this country is bankrupt. Complaining about the misdemeanours of other countries when we have made such a mess of our own situation will only get us so far.
Whatever about the actions of the Germans and the French in relation to the Stability and Growth Pact, there should have been many more complaints about the decisions made in this country during the Celtic Tiger period.
If there had been, we might not be bankrupt now. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I have an open mind as to whether a referendum should be held or not – but I cannot see why anyone would vote against the fiscal agreement.
The biggest complaint appears to be that it would “tie the hands” of our politicians in future. Surely this is exactly what has been lacking over recent decades.
We are unable to tie the politicians down, even to their own pre-election promises. With no significant decisions to be made, we could then happily reduce the size and cost of our Dáil and make some real savings.
By laying down these borrowing limits, Berlin is doing exactly what we should have done years ago. Incidentally, had we been constrained by these rules in the past, we would have had to let the Anglo bondholders take their medicine – a nice thought. – Your, etc,
Sir, – Jim Cusack (February 4th)writes, “It’s time for Fianna Fáil to stop its juvenile bickering and put the old politics aside in the national interest, particularly in these dark times.”
Don’t worry, Mr Cusack; if they ever get back into the driving seat, just like the current incumbents, they will desist from their critical setting and revert to implementing the dictated policy. I believe its called shamrocracy, after our patron saint of numerological exposition. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Stephen Collins, (Opinion Analysis, February 4th) states, “It would be the height of folly for the Government to hold an unnecessary and divisive referendum on the EU fiscal compact”. Surely Mr Collins meant to write, “It would be a constitutional imperative, in this still sovereign Republic, to hold a referendum on any new proposed EU treaty, if Bunreacht na hÉireann demanded it”? – Yours, etc,