Irish Financial Contribution to EU Five Times Larger Than In 2018

Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has raised concern over the significant increase in Ireland’s net contribution to the new EU budget and has questioned the Taoiseach as to the basis of this new contribution being made.

Tóibín: “It is startling that in two years, our annual net contribution to the EU budget has increased fivefold to €1.5 billion per annum. This contribution comes at a very bad time for Ireland. Our Economy is in major difficulty. Out Budget Deficit this year will be €30 billion. We are paying billions of euro on interest on one of the largest debts for any country per capita in the world in large part due to the decisions of the EU during the last crash”.

“The key question is how is our contribution calculated? Is it a function of this countries hocus pocus GDP? Is it a function of GNI? Does it take our colossal National Debt or this year’s €30 billion Budget Deficit into account? What influence does the spike in our unemployment figures have on the figure? Or is our net contribution simply a function of this government’s poor negotiation skills”?

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.