Coveney foolish to depend on EU Solidarity

Coveney foolish to depend on EU Solidarity – Tóibín

Yesterday the Fine Gael Foreign Minister, Simon Coveney, welcomed “strong EU solidarity” on the backstop.

However, according to Aontú leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín, “it would be naïve in the extreme for anyone in Ireland to apportion solidarity as the motivation of the EU. In the realpolitik of EU politics, the individual needs and the objectives of the large EU economies will determine the positions these countries take."

An Teachta Tóibín stated:

"The EU’s position is aligned to Ireland’s not out of solidarity but because of its own self interest. The EU have 3 goals: to protect the single market, to seek to prevent Brexit & to send a message to other countries that the process of leaving the EU is virtually impossible.

"Anyone daydreaming about EU solidarity need only look at the €64 billion that the EU forced upon the Irish citizens in order to protect the banking system in Europe.

"In July, Merkel reiterated the EU's long-held stance that it will not renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement. A month later Macron and Merkel stated that they will listen to proposals to change the Withdrawal Agreement. It is true that they have stated that any change must equate to the backstop.

"However, the language has changed and they have opened up space for renegotiation. It is critical that Coveney removes his rose-tinted EU glasses and makes sure Ireland’s self-interest remains paramount."

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The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.