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NIGEL FARAGE’S ADDRESS at ‘Irexit: Freedom To Prosper’ conference at the RDS in Dublin last weekend has attracted the level of media coverage its organisers would have desired.
The former UKIP leader and current MEP, is a media savvy master of soundbite, who knows how to effectively convey his Euroscepticism to the masses.
The core messages from Farage at this event was his belief that pro-Irexit candidates could win votes from pro-EU politicians in the next European elections and that more public debate should occur on the topic of “Irexit”.
It’s worth remembering that the Brexit result itself, surprised many at the time, including many of the Vote Leave contingent such as Farage. However, the negative maligning of the EU in British politics and society was not a new phenomenon pre-Brexit and had existed for decades to the merriment of a growing dissenter base, a faction that has long revered their talisman Farage and his UKIP manifesto.
There is little doubt then, that the presence of a British right-wing politician like Farage addressing an Irish crowd about independence was both ironic and audacious. Particularly given the fractured Brexit talks to date under an increasingly weakened Prime Minister Theresa May, who’s disjointed Conservative Party is still being controversially propped up by the DUP.
Sam Boal
Sam Boal
In spite of such criticisms, however, has Farage raised a valid question for the Irish electorate to consider? Is it time for Ireland to re-evaluate its own relationship with the EU and debate the merits of “Irexit” if any?
The benefits of EU membership?
The salient advantages for member states is that the EU operates a single market which allows free movement of goods, capital, services and people between those member states. Therefore, member states are free to trade with other members at no additional taxation, while their respective citizens are open to many more work and educational opportunities.
Another key advantage is the significant funding available from the EU for agriculture, community projects and all levels of business and industry within its member states.
From a legal viewpoint, many of the legal protections afforded and enjoyed by all citizens of each member state, has either emanated or has been greatly enhanced through EU membership and the ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
Furthermore the historical basis upon which the EU was founded is as pertinent today as when initially envisaged at the end to the Second World War. A time when a new movement of unity was envisaged by influential thinkers, such as Britain’s Winston Churchill and French Minister Robert Schuman, who aspired to “Make war not only unthinkable but materially impossible “.
Therefore with the continual and growing instability in the Middle East coupled with a volatile US Presidency under Donald Trump- a strong united Europe based on the promotion and protection of peace, is far too valuable a benefit to not embrace during such testing times.
Euroscepticism
Despite such benefits of EU membership, dissent and scepticism has always existed to some degree throughout the EU’s history and has significantly increased in recent years.
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The German election results last year sent shockwaves across the EU, when the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party stormed to an unprecedented 93 seats in the Bundestag election at the expense of Angela Merkel’s party.
Armin-Paul Hampel, member of parliament of the party Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Alexander Gauland (R), AfD faction leader DPA / PA Images
DPA / PA Images / PA Images
Such growing cynicism and poor voter sentiment towards the EU, has been the catalyst for the substantial support enjoyed by these new wave of invigorated far-right and far-left leaning parties throughout Europe. Such political factions, play heavily on the economic hardship borne by its members, while using hardwired anti-EU rhetoric that questions the necessity of EU membership and laments nostalgically on the subject of greater sovereign rule.
Ireland itself, has also endured a rather chequered history of EU dissent in the recent past.
The Nice Treaty was initially rejected in June 2001 by the Irish electorate, a decision which was later reversed in a second referendum in 2002. A similar scenario occurred during the Lisbon Treaty with a rejection in 2008 and reversal in 2009, following concessions.
Protesters burn a poster of Brian Cowen from his Lisbon Treaty Campaign Sasko Lazarov
Sasko Lazarov
Further scientism increased against the EU following our devastating economic crash in 2008 and subsequent bailout negotiations with the EU, via the European Monetary Fund (EMF).
The political and economic bruising the Irish government and citizens experienced at that time, helped to create a damning image of the EU and its institutions, which was amplified with the EMF’s subsequent dealings with Greece during their economic woes.
Accusations ranged from such deals being too draconian, unjust and too federally focused at the expense of citizen rights and well-being.
Anti Lisbon graffiti during the second lisbon treaty in Dublin. Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland
Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland
Fuelling debate
We will need to wait and see if Nigel Farage’s attendance last weekend, will have any effect on stirring up or capturing EU dissent amongst Irish voters and whether the topic of “Irexit” will gain any widespread debate or political traction.
Although one might assume, there appears to be no substantive appetite or demand for Ireland to follow in the footsteps of the UK, it is still important for the Irish government and our people to evaluate and debate what exactly EU membership means to us as a nation and as a civil society.
This requires clear and constructive communication of membership benefits, as well as drawbacks and challenges, to develop an informed electorate with the necessary measured understanding to invoke change; if required.
This will in turn will enhance our ability to embrace the salient benefits and exploit the many opportunities that are still available through our EU membership, factors which now seem more real and relevant following Brexit.
It may also helpfully deter such prominent sceptics as Farage from unduly interfering in our democratic process and fuelling a debate, one feels he has little right to fuel.
Jason O’ Sullivan, is a solicitor and public affairs consultant at J.O.S Solicitors.
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What farage says or does not say makes no difference.
We’ve handed our sovereignty over to Europe, the approve all our spending /budgetary needs must be cleared by Brussels.
A once proud nation now merely a stain on the European balance sheet.
@Trevor Hayden: The budget has to be approved because our budgets were not feasible and would have led Ireland to have a growing debt that we would never have been able to pay off.
@Trevor Hayden: all this nationalist sentiment across Britain and Ireland is laughable. It’s generally coming from the working class demographic. Can anyone tell me when our government have shown that they are more capable and less corrupt than Europe. Same goes for all the brittish nationalists.
@Andy K: Is it not time we had a government with a spine andy?
Tell Europe we know we have debt but we are fixing our hospitals, schools, housing problems before they get another penny.
Farage may be a bit loony but at least he has a spine.
@Royston Fitzpatrick: Yes I do Royston.
I fantasise about a fair society where one and all are treated equally, where children and adults alike can receive proper hospital care and have a roof over their heads.
Better book that trip to Disney land so Royston I may see more reality there.
@domas1507: You’re right, it is laughable. As if these people are to be trusted with huge economic gambles like this, I don’t think so. Ask the street sweeper for economic advice yourself, I’m not interested in what ignorance thinks. No offence, but there it is.
@Trevor Hayden: You think a firm right winger will deliver equality? The EU is far from perfect but this is literally the best choice that there is now Trevor. A move to the right will leave us like the US. Billionaires in charge, less wages, healthcare costing a fortune, more and more debt, poverty, cuts to welfare and HSE. That’s what they believe in. ‘Can’t afford? That’s your problem.’
@domas1507: Irish and proud , what if anything are you? There are many of us who do not follow the masters of the EU, and detest their interference in our country and future and nationality,
@Gary Casserly: I’m not condoning Farage take control Gary, I’m looking for a party in this country to stand up for the electorate.
Tell Europe we need to sort out our own concerns, eg, hospitals, housing, infrastructure.
We’ve followed the rules for the past decade now we need time to get our own house in order.
We are not refusing to pay our debt but we need a freeze period to regroup.
@Tom&Gerry: what if anything am I? Very strange question but I assume you are asking my nationality. I’m irish if that makes you feel any better. We are a small island with not much real clout , we have 2 choices of who we must take a certain amount of leadership from when we are trading internationally. Britain and it’s ultra conservative Tory leadership or Europe with its centre to liberal ideology. We have experience of both. The brittish attitude in the recent negotiations, “I wish Ireland would just know it’s place and do as we say” should show us enough that we are better with Europe than on our own with Britain. There is more to being patriotic than just shouting and waving a flag you know
@Trevor Hayden: Our sovereignty was handed over when we adopted the euro currency. Then anything left was picked over by greedy banks and developers and the bones of democracy were thrown to the troika wolves.
@Patricia Cooney: OUR government and OUR banks are to blame for that. Europe made us take the bail out but it wasn’t because of Europe that we needed it
@Andy K: The budgets were done by the German government for us for 7 years, that was because we share the Euro, we do not own it but only use it and that is why the budgets were done for us…
@Trevor Hayden: That has nothing to do with the EU. All Irish politicians are wet rags but that wont change if we are out of EU, the corruption and ineffectiveness will be worse. The Punt was a weak currency that had to be pegged to the Stirling to have any power, the level of unemployment in the 70s,80s,90s was crazy. Took we *6 months* of tireless looking to find my first crappy job in 1991. That all improved with investment by the EU. This country isn’t perfect but it is better than it was.
Our neighbour’s big house is burning down and we’ve just invited the arsonist into our house and left him with a box of matches in the parlour while we pop off to make the tea…
@Phil O’ Meara: the arsonist is nor Farage, Farage didn’t dream himself into existence and create a false agenda. The public was crying out for a representative to voice their concerns about the European project. A movement began (ukip) it represented the concerned voices. The arsonist is the great British public, or 52% of them. Farage is one of the finest politicians in Europe, the people gave him their proposal, Farrage delivered.
In 1918 the Irish people voted to leave the UK . They walk away from free trade with over seventy countries that would give us access today to almost 3 billion people . Six times larger then the EU . Today in 2018 we are handing over our sovereignty and national identity to be part of a German trade union that gives us access to 27 countries covering 500 million people . Farage has a lot in common with Pearse , Connolly and Collins . He believes that national identity and sovereignty is more important then any trade union . It seems our identity and sovereignty is up for sale to the Germans .
@Tommy Whelan: ‘Today in 2018 we are handing over our sovereignty’
Agree with the analysis – unpopular as it is now in these ‘enlightened’ times, albeit, I think that our sovereignty is long gone, and all we have of out once differentiated national identity (in in many guises) are shreds maintained for tourism reasons.
@Tommy Whelan: you are an idiot. Ireland wasn’t allowed to export any goods to the empire that competed with goods grown In Britain. Plus most of those 3 billion people lived in abject poverty in India and Africa, just like our ancestors in Ireland.
@Jimmy Roughneen:y in 1916 Ireland was in the top 10 riches countries in the world . My point was that Collins and co was willing to walk away from prosperity in exchange for independence, sovereignty and self rule .
@Jimmy Roughneen: Because Tommy has a different point of view to you , you have him written off as illiterate. Typical sheep can’t speak for yourself, just regurgitate what the rest of your cult say. Calling names, attempting to degrade and humiliate those with opposing views is bullying,childish, unintelligent and extremely boring. Tommy sounds like a nice intelligent person who speaks for himself, unlike your self there jimmy
@Tom&Gerry: yawn. I made a new year’s resolution to stop fighting online with you tards. Lasted a month. Just too much stupid on here. I didn’t say he was illiterate. He can obviously write. You should buy a dictionary and read it.
@Tommy Whelan: Are you sure about that, I thought that the 1918 general election in Ireland was an anti-conscription vote. Notably Sinn Fein stole the election and then abstained to take their seats at Westminster. Longford town carried the biggest Sinn Fein turnout, primarily because the army were based there and hundreds of men had been killed in WW1 fighting.
@Tommy Whelan: In 1916 Ireland was in the top 10 riches countries in the world – I call FAKE NEWS on that.
In 1916 Ireland had the same child mortality rate as Calcutta . Irish living standards have been brought closer to UK though out our history and now (in part due to EU membership) have surpassed the UK in some regards
@Tommy Whelan: The Commonwealth isn’t anything like the EU if it was we wouldn’t have been a third world country with first world aspirations. We had no infrastructure to speak of, most people living in slums and kids going hungry but you go ahead and live in the rose tinted past and go dance at the crossroads.
An attention seeker sidelined in his own back yard now seeking any form of limelight anywhere he can get it.
He helped create a mess in the UK then ran away at the first sight of any real work. His former party the laughing stock of British politics as they try to mask their disgusting right wing beliefs.
@Fran Lonergan: No but it is to have extreme right wing and to everybody but myself views that he and his followers. They are racist, xenophobic and destructive. This is a right wing country and he is still further out again.
@Steven Smyth: Nigel Farage is not sidelined in his own country, on the contrary he is very popular in the UK, in country’s all over Europe and the USA where he gives speeches and debates with packed audiences. Farage is a true patriot of the UK, he along with millions of British people rescued the UK from the cluthes of Brussels. Brexit is an amazing victory for Britain, they can now look after their own affairs and are answerable to no one except their own people.
@Steven Smyth: You are right, it has been repoted that UKIP were bankrolled during the referendum campaign by a wealthy white South African businessman. Both Carswell and the present leader Bolton grew up in colonial Africa.
Same article could have been written about enda Kenny and his band of merry men going over to england to canvass to stay in Europe.Enda had no business going over there either
@dick dastardly: Well said. But is it worth remembering that the Brexit vote happened in spite of Enda and his merry men wearing their silk knickers to the bone, and spending a fortune telling the British what to do? Perhaps the Irish taxpayers would prefer to forget and start getting uppity about Farage instead.
Obama was interfering as US President. Farage is an MEP, a member of the European Parliament. If believers in the EU project were really sincere, they would accept he has every right to be involved in the affairs of any part of the EU until UK formally leaves. As for this notion that Brexit is crumbling around the Brits.. fanciful nonsense
@Andy K: how about yourself and the other eufanatics actually providing some facts rather than throwing tired old cliches at those who hold opposing views?
@Valthebear: Your statement wasn’t factually “far right” enough for them to attack and label you with the same old tired list of -ists and -phobes outright.
They cry equality while shouting you down.
They cry Justice while beating you in the street.
They cry fascist when you don’t think the same as they do.
It is actually quite, quite pathetic that these “people” who see themselves on some kind ‘righteous crusade of equality’ is little more than exactly what the Nazi’s did. They just swapped “not liberal” with “Jew”.
@Judith Mc Dermott: bit dramatic and wedging the Nazi analogy in there just cheapens the point, a point I agreed with by the way, until you started to do the same thing yourself.
Why did you put the word people in inverted commas? Are they not people? Fish, maybe?
@Valthebear: Our shower of tools were quick enough to interfere in the brexit vote when it happened, appealing to the Irish community to vote against it….so he’s more than entitled to come here and appeal to us.Our government would be afraid to give us a referendum on leaving, while the majority would stay they might just get a shock at the size of a leave vote….we’ll find out anyway when the next “treaty” is put to us.Although with SF snouts in the EU nosebag, maybe I’m wrong.
@John’s Voyage: Because the far right would never use a cliche … In case you hadn’t noticed, I deliberately, and ironically, appropriated one of the brexiteers’ tropes, turned it round and threw it back at you. But, I do acknowledge that it is early. By the way, who’s bankrolling this? At a guess, I’d say the Mercer family. More bankers
@Anne Marie Devlin: yeah, Pearse would be dancing with delights at Guy Verhofstadt and his recent tweets about ‘thumbs up for a United States of Europe’
@John’s Voyage: Ireland doesn’t have a right wing political party by European standards – every single party here is left of centre and stuck in a civil war time warp. Farage isn’t my cup of tea but there must be an appetite for some newer politics if people are listening to him…
@Alan Walter Gallagher: Have you any idea bout politics at all. FF and FG and both right and right centre parties. SF veer from centre left to wherever it feels like. Labour is centre left. The independents and SD would be left wing. We are becoming more right wing in the working class as they have in the UK. which is a worry
@Alan Walter Gallagher: There definitly is and appetite for newer politics, we are stuck with what we have, there really is no choice, it is one or the other and both are the same.
@Gary Kearney: You’re demonstrating your own lack of political knowledge with those claims, especially backing it up with a comparison to the UK. Fine Gael would equate to the left of he British Labour Party! As for Ff, they’re left followed by Labour. As for Sinn Fein they’re far left – if you compare with the UK they’d fall in about the same place as the communist /workers party.
As for your claims that the UK working class is becoming right wing youd be surprised. Having spent twenty odd years of my life growing up in ine of the most “deprived estates in Europe” (government term, we all thought it was just fine!) youd be amazed how many Tories there were…lifelong sweet old grannies who grew up in slums too. That sort of nonsense argument doesn’t wash!
He has a right to talk and we have the right to ignore the little twerp. I’d imagine as Brexit crumbles around the Brits, a lot of the The wished they’d done the same.
Interesting the way the author uses “the masses” when referring to Farage’s intended audience, but “the electorate” for his own. Same thing, but shows a built-in disrespect for exit argument, and a default pro-EU bias that is not conducive to the rational, reasoned discourse he purportedly favours. Other “challenges” as he calls them, are: spending cap, no currency exchange rate control, privatisation agenda continual, EU army, loss of most of our fishing resources, and effectively open borders not just to capital but also to immigration from outside the EU.
It’s becoming difficult to know what is right and left wing these days.
IMO, the undeniable benefits of european unity shouldn’t be used as an exuse to ignore equally undeniable and valid criticisms of the current EU. Particularly, the blatant distain for and erosion of the democratic process with increasing marginalisation of we (wee) countries on, well…the margins. Criticism of the federal and undemocratic direction Europe is being taken doesnt necessarily mean one is anti-European or even ‘nationalist’. If it isn’t reformed and given back to the citizens perhaps going back to the EEC should be considered as it’s what European voters actually agreed to in the first place…and which provided all the lauded ‘benefits’ of membership anyway .
A lot of people fought and died for what the EU is increasingly being perceived to be taking away.
@Tom Goss: nailed it Tom.
The way terms like “left” and right-wing are now – like “populist” – merely used as terms of abuse shorn of any of their original meaning is also the mark of the conditioned amoeba.
Just like to get that out there…..
@Tom Goss: Probably the most thoughtful comment so far. Ireland joined a trading bloc called the EEC. However, as the EU, it is steadily morphing into someone’s dream of an overbearing military-capable Federation and Ireland is being dragged along in the slipstream. Farage is’nt everyone’s cup of tea but he was speaking in Dublin because people wanted to hear him, I think as much for a bit of inspiration as anything else and also highlighting the increasing discontent with the more-of-the-same Irish political landscape, right wingers pretending to be left wingers etc..
I don’t like Farage and I am firmly pro – EU membership, but the notion that he has no right to enter into political discourse in this country is nonsense. One suspects that the issue is not that Farage is a foreigner engaging in Irish politics, but rather that he is the wrong kind of Foreigner. We have welcomed Clinton and Obama’s intervention in our politics. Was this because they were not right wing.
I am all for limits (bans) on international funding of political campaigns but not for restricting discussion and debate. We should be strong enough in our reasoning to combat this kind of argument.
@Fred Croydon: Here you are again, looking out for the under educated and those lacking a wide range of experience. And all those free social houses that are being given to the dole scroungers, at your own personal expense. You are a wonder to all of us.
If Farage has no right to interfere in ireland, ,why does this little island be telling a big country like england that they should not be leaving the eu
@Mick Cullen: Yes indeed, don’t we all remember Enda and his ‘boys’, wearing their best silken knickers and going over to Manchester to tell the Irish emigrants not to vote for Brexit.
This is an independent, democratic country therefore we have to accept the right of people to express their opinions, in spite of how loathsome they might be.
The fact that some people think this country would survive in today’s world without European support is laughable… the lefties would have us back in the dark ages if they were let..
@Ciara Ni Mhurchu: that support is costing 10 million a day in interest; loss of fishing rights etc plus an ever growing membership fee for less control over what happens here ! Makes sense my a***
@thomas patrick: How did the lefties get the UK into this mess or us for that matter. Greed and right wing speculation got the entire country into meltdown , not no lefties
@thomas patrick: It’s the right wing who want us to leave. Just because you disagree with an idea doesn’t mean it’s the lefties, hahaha. You can agree with points on left or right Thomas, DURP!
Therefore, member states are free to trade with other members at no additional taxation, while their respective citizens are open to many more work and educational opportunities.
At no additional taxation….
Our Blueshirts should be informed of these rules…
Or can governments pick and choose..
The turn out of young people at the irexit talk was astonishing. I voted no for my children/grandchildren not to be enforced into war another thing the Irish government gave way to yesterday. So people have a right to have a point of view also a right to live our taxation is incredible put on us by Europe ( USC charge property tax)
Play the man not the ball. Farage is a MEP so he still technically represents us. Regardless it’s important to listen to all sides of a debate. If you agree with them or not. Freedom of speech is not well respected in this country.
@Mary Mc Carthy: Some of us were delighted he came here. Some of us admire and respect the man for his honesty and determination to see the UK once again a great sovereighn country ruled by the British alone, that is a remarkable achievement, he deserves our congratulations not our condemnation.
The EU federalists will have the last laugh, turning the Irish against the Brits, and getting us to do their dirty work for them. The Irish seem to have forgotten the UK were our ally in the EU providing a stopgap to the more ludicrous ideas of the Spinelli group,(look it up). With the Brits out of the way it`s full steam ahead for the superstate with it`s own army and tax rates. We will then become the south Dakota of Europe. In the words of German politican Martin Schultz, ` we are creating the United States of Europe, by 2025 those who are against it will simply have to leave` .
Why shouldn’t ideas be discussed in open forum….surely that is the cornerstone of any democracy. Open discourse and political resistance are the only things that will prompt change inside the EU parliament. The fact that Europe is better off as a whole goes without saying however the Union has become bloated and inefficient, very often hindering nations as opposed to helping. This however does not mean that the project is defunct and we should all withdraw; rather seek change.
I will assume he was invited and the people who attended were open to hearing him talk. I don’t agree with Farage’s politics but I do agree with his right to speak in the republic of Ireland. In my opinion, to say that he has “no right” is a more dangerous concept than anything he had to say especially when you go on to effectively refute him. The appearance of Farage has led to discussion/debate as regards Ireland’s relationship with the EU and the historical narrative. It’s a good thing and your article, although ironic, when you consider the title is proof of that. The idea that we can shut down the opinions of those who we disagree with, and that this serves our worldview is irrational regardless of what side of the fence you’re on.
Jason, would a LEFT wing politician be more acceptable to you? Like him or loathe him he’s one of the few MEPs, not on the cronyist gravy train, who speaks his mind.. And how is making a speech, by invitation, “interfering” in Ireland’s affairs. ? You might just as well say Irish TDs have no right to pontificate on Brexit!!
@Tony Tobin: same people who are now paying – the Irish middle income tax payer – fittingly the same sheeple who keep voting for anything Brussels tells them to!
I think Ireland is robust enough to survive Farages influence. I think we’re different to the UK in that most of us don’t just accept what politicians say without some critical thinking. While I’m no fan of our politicians I think they’re doing a way better job than those in the UKs government.
I heard Farage on the radio during the weekend. He was free to say what he wanted and the presenter was free to challenge him. If you were listening properly, when he was challenged, he’d deflect rather than answer the question. I hope most people in Ireland can recognise this kind talking as something with no substance.
I know that there are people who want an Irexit so will probably latch on to him but you can see by the quality of the speakers at his conference during the weekend that he wasnt attracting the brightest lights in Ireland.
If he proposes and campaigns powerfully for something as world changing as Brexit then surely he should be prepared to lead England. Instead, he just disappeared and hid under the carpet like the true mouthpiece and coward that he is. Whatever your beliefs about the EU are, if you believe this pathetic fraud the you are a fraud yourself.
How could he lead England? He is not even an MP, apart from the fact he doesn’t have a parliamentary majority to “lead England”.
If you think he is hiding under the carpet, perhaps you should tune into LBC, Monday to Thursday at 7 pm and Sunday 10 to 12 and also coverage of the European Parliament.
Oh, and the well publicised meeting with Barnier recently. At the moment he is trying to build a cross party alliance of leavers to ensure exit from the EU is not watered down. In fact the recent pressure coming on May recently for her tending towards a “soft Brexit” hasn’t happened out of nowhere.
@Fran Lonergan: He has failed on 7 occasions to be elected as an MP, so failed can be used. He scurries off to the US to appear on Fox and co singing the praises of his benefactors there.
@John’s Voyage: Why don’t you do a little research on Nigel Farage, his whole aim of going into politics was to get England out of the EU, it was no secret that he intended to leave as soon as the job was done. He is still in politics, i listen to him regularly at the European parliament telling it like it is, to a bunch of unellected bureaucrats, he is really amazing, i love people who speak the truth, a rare thing among elected leaders of the world.
@Sean Conway: When did trump ever say he did not want foreigners in his country? If you are not going to speak the truth you should say nothing at all. Trumps was talking specifically of banning people from certain African countries where Islam fundamentalism is ripe. He is 100% right, and any eejit who says otherwise is sick in the head. What imbecile of a president would gladly open its doors to allow radical Islam killers flow freely into their country. The world has had enough of that crap. Open borders is the reason for Trump, who i like very much and also for Farage who i also like very much, and it is the reason for Brexit.
@Sean Conway: Since when did he say he doesn’t want foreigners in his country? He just wants controlled immigration and that control to be held by the government of that country, especially when it comes to what social welfare those that arrive get. If Dublin had a population where 50% were born abroad like London then lots here wouldn’t be happy. How about somewhere like Kilkenny having a 99% Muslim population like Dewsbury? The last years of my late mothers life were made hell by migrants and she died a very distressed and unhappy women and hated the EU for it. I couldn’t blame her. I grew up with children of immigrants in England and we all had a great time. This is something else though as the package comes with raw aggression and demands of entitlement.
Irish politicians campaigned in Britain during the brexit referendum so of course he has the right to express his opinions, those who disagree have the right to do so we still have a semblance of a free country.
The really comical thing is how effective the left wing pro European brain washing is, have we forgotten how eager the Europeans were to seize our national assets such as water after they imposed the unjust 64 billion banking losses on us.
Ah well Hillary was robbed, third world immigration is great and Harry’s getting married…Yippee
You’re spot on Jason, this debate needs to be had and urgently in my opinion. However, I can’t agree with your last line – “It may also helpfully deter such prominent sceptics as Farage from unduly interfering in our democratic process and fuelling a debate, one feels he has little right to fuel.” – It’s not just our democratic process, democracy belongs to everyone no matter their opinions; its incumbent on those who disagree with those opinions to outline why they disagree with them. Clear, accurate, informed, and concise debate is how to answer claims of any nature. Good article.
The Irish love nothing better than to follow British academics and will defend them no matter what. I have seen the wishful thinking and overreaching agendas that are pushed through the education system because people don’t have the mental strength to deal with the bluffing and voodoo at a university level. Had Farage a Geordie accent he would not have gotten so far but like so many others who have a cultured accent, they project authority where there really isn’t any and people are suckers, Irish included.
@Fran Lonergan: People like Dawkins speak with the same reassuring accent that sounds authoritative but behind it is the reasoning of a terrace thug, the same with brexiteers who are great at hype and wishful thinking but leave their country in a poor position where nobody knows what they want.
@Fran Lonergan: It is masterful to promote the sky blue outlook for brexit that people voted for where there is no pain and their health service gets 350 million a week, it is something else to face people on the other side of a table where this wishful thinking doesn’t stand up to pragmatism of bloc economics. Their country is in a poor position (what I actually wrote) as nobody knows what they want and this includes the nightmare of a border back on the island of Ireland.
It is even worse with academics and large scale sciences that are beyond human control like geology, climate and anything on a solar system scale. They have turned space into a theoretical junkyard with no sense nor meaning but do it with the same pseudo-authority of a brexiteer. The vast majority of Irish are as much suckers as everyone else so the many followers of empirical dummies like Hawkings and Dawkins take their word as though speaking from a higher intelligence. Give me an effin break !.
I’ve observed the author of this one sided opinion piece is claimed to be a solicitor . As such I’d suggest he return to the law society library and school himself into clarity concerning the meaning of “rights.” I strongly resent and reject any attempt from outside our country or from quislings (yes quislings) on the inside to erode our rights. We have every right to listen to what Mr Farage has to say. It is abhorrent, reprehensible and disgusting to suggest civic minded adults of voting age and sound mind have no such rights while the author magically has superior rights to listen , interpet and force via censorship his opinion onto us because he is somehow better than us. There can be no inner circle of high priests dictating such things to us . Regardless of Ireland’s future status regarding its sovereignty , no status founded upon such fascistic thinking would ever be credible . Bear this in mind whether the future goes your way or somebody else’s . It must always go to its ultimate destination with principles.
It is too soon to tell whether he has created a new thread in Irish politics. I doubt if he has,apart from a few who listen to him.There seems to be no appetite for a leave campaign.I do not see his speech starting one.It followed the same style of speech he gave on many of the pre-brexit referendum events,full of vague statements and vague whatever.He is quite vague himself in my opinion.
Very good article. We do need to be awake and aware at all times. With Lisbon the Gov voted to give smaller countries less power! This was swept under the carpet at the time. Our enemies are far closer to home than Brussels.
What a load of Tosh this article is. Yet you seem to have no problem with unelected EU dictators telling us all what to do. And you have no problem with telling the UK what to do either. The hypocrisy is mind boggling. Definitely an obvious agenda to derail Brexit (even though it’s none of your business) and give us plenty of propaganda about how great the EU is. We got along before the EU came along and whenever it crashes and becomes a distant memory, we’ll just have to still get along. It’s not a matter of if either, but when. It’s an out of control, drunk on power, debt creator that is enslaving us all and consigning our grand children and great grand children to serfdom. Exponentially rising tax burdens to service the debt are unsustainable. History shows us that anything like this always crashes and self destructs. Pain will be felt by Britain because of Brexit (the EU will make sure of that), but looking at the bigger picture, they are not wrong. And that is my opinion.
We had British rule for 800 years where they used this country to feed themselves while we were kept starving in mud huts. In Europe we have excess to profitable markets. Exit with Britain and all we will have is more of the above
I think most of our FF, FG and labour TDs have no business in politics due to their gross incompetence, they can’t manage anything, but here they are, and they’re giving themselves generous pay rises almost on a yearly basis.
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