際際滷

際際滷Share a Scribd company logo

Irexit? No Thanks.

Purcell Press
Purcell Press

1) The document summarizes and critiques Ray Bassett's pamphlet arguing that Ireland should leave the EU (Irexit) in the event of Brexit. 2) It argues that Bassett portrays Ireland as overly dependent on Britain and incapable of surviving independently, which insults Ireland's history and modern success as an independent nation within the EU. 3) The document counters that Brexit presents opportunities for Ireland to strengthen trade within Europe and become a broker between the EU, UK, and US, leveraging its unique position and language.

1 of 5
Download to read offline
Alice Wickham July 2017 Irexit? No Thanks The intelligentsia's very own Katie Hopkins has spoken; Ireland must leave the EU. In her recent commentary, (aka mad outburst), Melanie Phillips states that it is in Ireland's bestinterests to do so. On her blog/website,me me me dot com, the great oracle redirects the reader to Ray Basset's pamphlet outlining the case for another political amputation. Ray Bassett, former Irish ambassador to Canada and an avid Irish Tory, views Ireland solely through the lens of historical dependence on Britain. In his 42 page 'pamphlet', Bassett uses Ireland's trading partnership with the UK to support his demand that Ireland throw her oar in with Britain and leave the EU. He cites 鍖gures such as 40% of agri-food going to the UK, and 45% of Irish beef, and mentions the importance of the British- Irish cheese trade, much of which is rather sad. Excellent Irish dairy cattle are bred to make 'cheese strings' for UK toddlers. With the quality of her dairy products, Ireland could focus on exporting high-value goods to other parts of the EU, or the USA. Bassett claims that the that the loss of an Irish market won't impact the UK as much as the the loss of the UK market will affect Ireland. 1
Really? Well then, what is the actual value of UK's exports to Ireland? The document provides no 鍖gures. He goes on in a more sinister way to claim that Britain provides 90 percent of Ireland's gas and that the country would be plunged into chaos without it. Curious then that Ireland began exporting surplusnatural gas to the UK last year. Next, Bassett argues that the 鍖ow of Irish emigrants to the UK over and above other EU countries means that she is somehow inextricably linked to the UK, forever. Migration to the UK has traditionally been an option for Irish people in times of economic di鍖culties. This has been a recurrent experience throughout Irelands modern history. If the EU and the UK Brexit negotiations result in an impasse, with consequent e鍖ects on the Common Travel Area, then this centuries-old safety value will be shut o鍖. Where will young Irish people migrate to in such circumstances? No Irish Government would wish to see this connection disrupted And yet the number of emigrants returning to Ireland has jumped by 74% as of last Spring. Later he goes on to say: At every level of society, there are huge interconnections between the two countries. The two countries share English as their main language, Ireland inherited its Westminster style Government and public service from the British, as well as its use of Common law, its University structure, etc. Having been joined together for so long in a single administrative unit, it would be extremely di鍖cult to even enumerate the multiple linkages. Any impediment to these links, which are at all levels of society, would be extremely disruptive and, given their scale, almost impossible to calculate. So, according to Bassett, Ireland is a vassal state created along UK lines. The idea that Ireland may have developed separate political structures, and, like America, a linguistic idiom that is played out so beautifully in drama and in prose, (albeit her native tongue is still struggling to survive) is an anathema to Bassett. That she may be independent in her ideas and culture, all of this is foreign news to him. Bassett's pamphlet, whilst purporting to make the economic case for Ireland's Exit from EU, is actually bent on creating an image of Ireland aslittle more than a nation within a nation, i.e., not an independent Republic, (forget 1916, there was no war of independence, no political separation). His insidious implication that Ireland cannot survive without being tied to England's apron strings is a depressing insult to a country that has sacri鍖ced so much, and for so long. In her struggle for independence, Ireland earned her place on the global stage as an independently functioning nation state within the EU. While it may be true that Ireland's trade relationship with Britain is signi鍖cant, so too Britain's economic ties to Europe are considerable. Yet Phillips and Bassett have no dif鍖culty in accepting Britain's right to rede鍖ne her relationship with Europe, but not, it seems, Ireland's right to rede鍖ne her relationship with Britain. Such double standards! 2
In another of his many patronising commentaries, Bassett asserts that Ireland must maintain her links with the UK, because her SMEs (small business enterprises) which export to the UK; lack the linguistic skills and international business experience to diversify into new markets on mainland Europe. A questionable assertion, and even if Irish business owners lack experience, why is this a problem? The necessary expertise would be developed through the necessity of setting up new trade links. The Irish government would do well to introduce European languages, (French, German, Spanish) in primary school curriculums. Studies in Chinese, Russian and Arabic, as well as International Trade, could also be introduced into the educational curriculum, at least in their foundation stages. It is inBritain's interests to do this too but under the current system of permanent austerity, most unlikely. Britain decided to risk a future independent of the EU. Bassett expects Ireland to risk the same and align herself with Britain, a country with an uncertain economic outlook. That is a gamble not worth taking because by this reckoning, if Britain fails, Ireland will sink too. Ireland could instead rede鍖ne her position from within Europe and demand a better deal. In fact her negotiating position, I would argue, is strong. Melanie Phillips and Ray Bassett might wish to consider Ophelia's words in Shakespeare's immortal play; Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be. God be at your table. Bassett's doom and gloom scenario is designed to encourage panic. Where will Ireland send her meat? Her racehorses? Her cheese strings? What about the 鍖ow of immigrants? He says Brexit will automatically increase the movement of Eastern European migrants to Ireland as the only other English speaking country in Europe, besides Malta. Why not Malta then? In any case, where is it proven that Eastern European immigrants focus solely on English when emigrating to other parts of Europe? But if Ireland receives more Eastern Europeans, wouldn't this strengthen her trade ties with those increasingly rich countries? In fact, Ireland could seek to increase her prominence on the world stage. America, for example, might consider it prudent to use Ireland's position in Europe as a possible base from which to do business. Despite the fervid attempts of May's government to forge stronger ties with the fragile Trump administration and exclude the rest of Europe, Ireland can wield her own in鍖uence from within the EU. It is unlikely that America will abandon diplomatic, military and security ties with Europe. Who better than Ireland, with her well-developed political, administrative and commercial infrastructure, (and no small amount of charm), to become the new conduit between Brussels and The Whitehouse. Ireland has her own 'special relationship' with the US, not based on mutual war-mongering, but on the social, cultural, and political immersion of the Irish in America. 3
Basset's apocalyptic vision for post-Brexit Ireland (unless she submits to departure from the EU) echoes UKIP's fear mongering during the Brexit campaign. His assertion that an EU-centric Ireland will miss out on the bene鍖ts of any future UK/US trade deal is obnoxious and somewhat illogical. Why should the UK, or the USA include an Irexit Ireland in any of its future dealings? Is Bassett talking about the infamous 'trickle down' effect? Is he saying then, in his damning way, that Ireland can eat the crumbs from the UK/US trade banquet table?! Such odious insinuations are rampant throughout the text. He makes the sweeping claim that; The UK will also rapidly negotiate free trade arrangements with other countries, such as New Zealand, Australia etc., in a relatively short time. Really?How long did it take Canada to negotiate its free trade deal (CETA) with Europe? Years in development; launched 2009, agreed in principle in 2013, negotiations concluded in 2014, 鍖nally approved by the European Parliament in 2017. Almost ten years. So, trade deals take time, and why should any such future international trade agreement be swift and unproblematic simply because Bassett wishes it so? Even if it were only four years, by that time the UK's economy may well have broken beyond repair. What advantage is there to Ireland to leave Europe then? It is hard not to view Bassett's pamphlet as a hateful piece of propaganda written on behalf of the conservatives in this country whose xenophobic attitude to Europe is that Britain should have her cake and eat it too. In all of his argumentation, there appears to be one aim, that of reinforcing the image of Ireland as a minor economic and social presence in Europe and reprimanding her for daring to imagine that she can be anything other than Britain's toadstool. He refuses to consider Ireland as capable of de鍖ning her political future, and inan extraordinary display of combined bullying (Ireland) and lackeying (Britain), he demands that Ireland 鍖ghts Britain's corner in the upcoming Brexit negotiations, and helps to secure a good deal for her erstwhile colonial boss; Any retaliatory action against the British is likely to disproportionally a鍖ect Ireland. It is clearly in its interest to vigorously 鍖ght that type of warped thinking. Unfortunately, all indications from Brussels are that this impulse of being grudging to the UK, post Brexit, is deeply 鍖xed in the mind-set of the EU Institutions. Ireland has not been prominent enough so far in championing a good deal for Britain, something that could put it at odds with Brussels. It is time for a change in Irelands own national interest. Ireland needs Brexit to be a success, not a damaging failure. The one worthwhile thing he does mention, albeit brie鍖y, is the potential for a bilateral agreement between Ireland and the UK. Yes, I agree, modern Ireland should maintain her special relationship with Britain, especially regarding trade and travel, and the peace agreement in the North. Ireland has moved on and enjoys good terms with her closest neighbour, and rightly so. There is much in common between the two islands, and a good deal of affection between Irish people and British people; this is no longer in doubt. Bassett, however, thinks that the partnership between Ireland and the UK will break down after Brexit. 4
No, I disagree. Any threat from Ireland to leave the EU, thereby further destabilising the European Union, would put Ireland in a stronger negotiating position in Europe. In fact, Ireland will be able to take advantage of that position in securing a unique arrangement post-Brexit. Despite the much mentioned Legal Order of the European Union, (Bassett's insistent bogey man) he knows well that when mutual interests are at risk, deals have always been struck, and will continue to be struck behind closed doors. If she plays her cards right, Ireland can secure her economic interests from within the EU and still maintain good economic ties with Britain and the US. Bassett's preferred view of his homeland aslittle Ireland, ought not to distract from the fact that Brexit is Ireland's opportunity to develop a key role as broker for Europe, stabilising relationships between the EU, Britain and America, and attracting foreign and corporate investment. The fact is that Ireland remains the only EU nation state with English as her language of trade and diplomacy;Brexit is an opportunity for Ireland, not a disaster. 5

More Related Content

Irexit? No Thanks.

  • 1. Alice Wickham July 2017 Irexit? No Thanks The intelligentsia's very own Katie Hopkins has spoken; Ireland must leave the EU. In her recent commentary, (aka mad outburst), Melanie Phillips states that it is in Ireland's bestinterests to do so. On her blog/website,me me me dot com, the great oracle redirects the reader to Ray Basset's pamphlet outlining the case for another political amputation. Ray Bassett, former Irish ambassador to Canada and an avid Irish Tory, views Ireland solely through the lens of historical dependence on Britain. In his 42 page 'pamphlet', Bassett uses Ireland's trading partnership with the UK to support his demand that Ireland throw her oar in with Britain and leave the EU. He cites 鍖gures such as 40% of agri-food going to the UK, and 45% of Irish beef, and mentions the importance of the British- Irish cheese trade, much of which is rather sad. Excellent Irish dairy cattle are bred to make 'cheese strings' for UK toddlers. With the quality of her dairy products, Ireland could focus on exporting high-value goods to other parts of the EU, or the USA. Bassett claims that the that the loss of an Irish market won't impact the UK as much as the the loss of the UK market will affect Ireland. 1
  • 2. Really? Well then, what is the actual value of UK's exports to Ireland? The document provides no 鍖gures. He goes on in a more sinister way to claim that Britain provides 90 percent of Ireland's gas and that the country would be plunged into chaos without it. Curious then that Ireland began exporting surplusnatural gas to the UK last year. Next, Bassett argues that the 鍖ow of Irish emigrants to the UK over and above other EU countries means that she is somehow inextricably linked to the UK, forever. Migration to the UK has traditionally been an option for Irish people in times of economic di鍖culties. This has been a recurrent experience throughout Irelands modern history. If the EU and the UK Brexit negotiations result in an impasse, with consequent e鍖ects on the Common Travel Area, then this centuries-old safety value will be shut o鍖. Where will young Irish people migrate to in such circumstances? No Irish Government would wish to see this connection disrupted And yet the number of emigrants returning to Ireland has jumped by 74% as of last Spring. Later he goes on to say: At every level of society, there are huge interconnections between the two countries. The two countries share English as their main language, Ireland inherited its Westminster style Government and public service from the British, as well as its use of Common law, its University structure, etc. Having been joined together for so long in a single administrative unit, it would be extremely di鍖cult to even enumerate the multiple linkages. Any impediment to these links, which are at all levels of society, would be extremely disruptive and, given their scale, almost impossible to calculate. So, according to Bassett, Ireland is a vassal state created along UK lines. The idea that Ireland may have developed separate political structures, and, like America, a linguistic idiom that is played out so beautifully in drama and in prose, (albeit her native tongue is still struggling to survive) is an anathema to Bassett. That she may be independent in her ideas and culture, all of this is foreign news to him. Bassett's pamphlet, whilst purporting to make the economic case for Ireland's Exit from EU, is actually bent on creating an image of Ireland aslittle more than a nation within a nation, i.e., not an independent Republic, (forget 1916, there was no war of independence, no political separation). His insidious implication that Ireland cannot survive without being tied to England's apron strings is a depressing insult to a country that has sacri鍖ced so much, and for so long. In her struggle for independence, Ireland earned her place on the global stage as an independently functioning nation state within the EU. While it may be true that Ireland's trade relationship with Britain is signi鍖cant, so too Britain's economic ties to Europe are considerable. Yet Phillips and Bassett have no dif鍖culty in accepting Britain's right to rede鍖ne her relationship with Europe, but not, it seems, Ireland's right to rede鍖ne her relationship with Britain. Such double standards! 2
  • 3. In another of his many patronising commentaries, Bassett asserts that Ireland must maintain her links with the UK, because her SMEs (small business enterprises) which export to the UK; lack the linguistic skills and international business experience to diversify into new markets on mainland Europe. A questionable assertion, and even if Irish business owners lack experience, why is this a problem? The necessary expertise would be developed through the necessity of setting up new trade links. The Irish government would do well to introduce European languages, (French, German, Spanish) in primary school curriculums. Studies in Chinese, Russian and Arabic, as well as International Trade, could also be introduced into the educational curriculum, at least in their foundation stages. It is inBritain's interests to do this too but under the current system of permanent austerity, most unlikely. Britain decided to risk a future independent of the EU. Bassett expects Ireland to risk the same and align herself with Britain, a country with an uncertain economic outlook. That is a gamble not worth taking because by this reckoning, if Britain fails, Ireland will sink too. Ireland could instead rede鍖ne her position from within Europe and demand a better deal. In fact her negotiating position, I would argue, is strong. Melanie Phillips and Ray Bassett might wish to consider Ophelia's words in Shakespeare's immortal play; Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be. God be at your table. Bassett's doom and gloom scenario is designed to encourage panic. Where will Ireland send her meat? Her racehorses? Her cheese strings? What about the 鍖ow of immigrants? He says Brexit will automatically increase the movement of Eastern European migrants to Ireland as the only other English speaking country in Europe, besides Malta. Why not Malta then? In any case, where is it proven that Eastern European immigrants focus solely on English when emigrating to other parts of Europe? But if Ireland receives more Eastern Europeans, wouldn't this strengthen her trade ties with those increasingly rich countries? In fact, Ireland could seek to increase her prominence on the world stage. America, for example, might consider it prudent to use Ireland's position in Europe as a possible base from which to do business. Despite the fervid attempts of May's government to forge stronger ties with the fragile Trump administration and exclude the rest of Europe, Ireland can wield her own in鍖uence from within the EU. It is unlikely that America will abandon diplomatic, military and security ties with Europe. Who better than Ireland, with her well-developed political, administrative and commercial infrastructure, (and no small amount of charm), to become the new conduit between Brussels and The Whitehouse. Ireland has her own 'special relationship' with the US, not based on mutual war-mongering, but on the social, cultural, and political immersion of the Irish in America. 3
  • 4. Basset's apocalyptic vision for post-Brexit Ireland (unless she submits to departure from the EU) echoes UKIP's fear mongering during the Brexit campaign. His assertion that an EU-centric Ireland will miss out on the bene鍖ts of any future UK/US trade deal is obnoxious and somewhat illogical. Why should the UK, or the USA include an Irexit Ireland in any of its future dealings? Is Bassett talking about the infamous 'trickle down' effect? Is he saying then, in his damning way, that Ireland can eat the crumbs from the UK/US trade banquet table?! Such odious insinuations are rampant throughout the text. He makes the sweeping claim that; The UK will also rapidly negotiate free trade arrangements with other countries, such as New Zealand, Australia etc., in a relatively short time. Really?How long did it take Canada to negotiate its free trade deal (CETA) with Europe? Years in development; launched 2009, agreed in principle in 2013, negotiations concluded in 2014, 鍖nally approved by the European Parliament in 2017. Almost ten years. So, trade deals take time, and why should any such future international trade agreement be swift and unproblematic simply because Bassett wishes it so? Even if it were only four years, by that time the UK's economy may well have broken beyond repair. What advantage is there to Ireland to leave Europe then? It is hard not to view Bassett's pamphlet as a hateful piece of propaganda written on behalf of the conservatives in this country whose xenophobic attitude to Europe is that Britain should have her cake and eat it too. In all of his argumentation, there appears to be one aim, that of reinforcing the image of Ireland as a minor economic and social presence in Europe and reprimanding her for daring to imagine that she can be anything other than Britain's toadstool. He refuses to consider Ireland as capable of de鍖ning her political future, and inan extraordinary display of combined bullying (Ireland) and lackeying (Britain), he demands that Ireland 鍖ghts Britain's corner in the upcoming Brexit negotiations, and helps to secure a good deal for her erstwhile colonial boss; Any retaliatory action against the British is likely to disproportionally a鍖ect Ireland. It is clearly in its interest to vigorously 鍖ght that type of warped thinking. Unfortunately, all indications from Brussels are that this impulse of being grudging to the UK, post Brexit, is deeply 鍖xed in the mind-set of the EU Institutions. Ireland has not been prominent enough so far in championing a good deal for Britain, something that could put it at odds with Brussels. It is time for a change in Irelands own national interest. Ireland needs Brexit to be a success, not a damaging failure. The one worthwhile thing he does mention, albeit brie鍖y, is the potential for a bilateral agreement between Ireland and the UK. Yes, I agree, modern Ireland should maintain her special relationship with Britain, especially regarding trade and travel, and the peace agreement in the North. Ireland has moved on and enjoys good terms with her closest neighbour, and rightly so. There is much in common between the two islands, and a good deal of affection between Irish people and British people; this is no longer in doubt. Bassett, however, thinks that the partnership between Ireland and the UK will break down after Brexit. 4
  • 5. No, I disagree. Any threat from Ireland to leave the EU, thereby further destabilising the European Union, would put Ireland in a stronger negotiating position in Europe. In fact, Ireland will be able to take advantage of that position in securing a unique arrangement post-Brexit. Despite the much mentioned Legal Order of the European Union, (Bassett's insistent bogey man) he knows well that when mutual interests are at risk, deals have always been struck, and will continue to be struck behind closed doors. If she plays her cards right, Ireland can secure her economic interests from within the EU and still maintain good economic ties with Britain and the US. Bassett's preferred view of his homeland aslittle Ireland, ought not to distract from the fact that Brexit is Ireland's opportunity to develop a key role as broker for Europe, stabilising relationships between the EU, Britain and America, and attracting foreign and corporate investment. The fact is that Ireland remains the only EU nation state with English as her language of trade and diplomacy;Brexit is an opportunity for Ireland, not a disaster. 5