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TDS HELD A video conference with Scottish counterparts about EU membership today with Labour deputy Eric Byrne telling them that “European friends came to the help” of Ireland during the financial crisis.
The discussion was held between the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs and the Scottish Parliament’s European and External Relations Committee which is looking into proposals for an independent Scotland and its potential membership of the EU.
Byrne told the listening Scottish parliamentarians that “it wasn’t Europe who sabotaged” the Irish economy and that it was the EU who helped Ireland as part of the bailout programme.
Overall, the four Irish TDs who took part in the discussion – Seán Crowe, Dara Murphy, Eric Byrne and Timmy Dooley – extolled the advantages of EU membership with social progress being among the most repeated benefit.
“Membership has contributed to many of our labour laws. Legislation about equal pay for men and women, much has come from EU directives,” said Fianna Fáil’s Dooley.
Byrne agreed, saying that in 1973, “Europe’s social agenda was very much advanced” and that membership “liberated many Irish women who were trapped”.
In Murphy’s opening statement, the TD said that the EU has “given Ireland a place at the top table in Europe” and has “enhanced rather than diminished sovereignty”.
Adding that, “where the commission is sidelined smaller states tended to suffer”.
Sinn Fein’s Seán Crowe echoed comments about the positive social impact of membership but cautioned that “we have ceded some of our sovereignty”.
“There are a succession of treaties in which we ceded sovereignty from Irish Governments to Europe,” he said.
But Byrne later countered Crowe’s comments by saying that “every treaty change has to go by the way of a referendum”.
“They (the Irish people) have voluntarily ceded any form of sovereignty that the Sinn Féin member is worried about,” he said.
The Euro
One of the primary issues in the referendum debate has bee been about what currency an independent Scotland would use.
Conservative deputy Jamie McGrigor asked the Irish TDs if the inflexibility of the Euro ‘was a major part of Irish crisis?’
Murphy definitively answered “No”, before adding that it “would be overly simplistic to say that the Euro was part of the problem”.
Crowe also said that it would be “fantasy stuff” to say that the crisis would have been completely averted if Ireland was not a member of the Euro.
Dara Murphy was reluctant to answer if Ireland would hope to continue the free movement of goods and people with an independent Scotland.
“It’s a matter for you in the ongoing negotiations you would have, it’s not for us to comment, that’s part of your own internal debate, he said.
TDs were also asked about the potential pullout of the UK from the EU, something the TDs felt would be detrimental to Ireland’s interests.
“Ireland and UK share common views on many issue in Europe”, said Murphy. Adding that “the UK is good for EU and the EU is good for UK”.
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Why should bingo players be forced to pay 25%to charity,I don’t see the same rules applied to the GAA,Rugby,Horse racing, Dogs etc. This is their sport, hands off Minister, FFG must have a deathwish.
@Honeybee: well said. Although I doubt this will be the death of FFG unfortunately. If people dying on the streets, dying waiting for hospital apt, dying even after getting a hospital apt and tests (cervical smear scandal) , bribery, massive overspend and unaccountability isn’t enough to get the Irish moving and ousting our government then I fear nothing will
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: I dunno, i wouldnt get in d way of an old lady and her coppers
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: Older citizens this is there only time out to meet there bingo friends and have some company and a bit of craic The same government asking us to look out for older people if there is one person missing from a usual night night of bingo somebody will notice and go and check the welfare of the person Leave Bingo Alone please
@Honeybee: Because charities these days aren’t charities as they are businesses, the amount paid to the CEO’s is crazy and some have lobbyists as well as donate to political parties as well. Unless they want people to support the Canadian teachers more in the National lottery, funny how our national lottery are supporting the pension fund for Canadian teachers, explain that??? Kettle and pot comes to mind?
@Vote4Pedro haha very true! @Marian O Donnell: oh 100%, they’ve fought for our country, worked and raised the next generation, they should be rewarded rather than constantly neglected. The Gov like to tax the enjoyment out of everything.
This is a recreational activity in the mainly poorer areas, the majority of attendees are elderly, for many it’s their only social engagement. Fine Geal have completely lost all credibility
Danny Healy-Rae will be in the Dail next week saying people should be allowed to have 2 games of bingo tax free and drive home.
@Bernard Sweeney: and his brother will be on saying the balls are controlled by the Almighty, and not the laws of physics.
@Fozz: and then the Healy-Rae sons will come in to bate the snot out of anyone just because they’re Healy-Raes.
@Chris Linehan: And look for Compensation
@Fozz: I bet you don’t believe in Santa either?
Why dont they give 25%,of their wages they winning all the time. Wake up people
So, they’re OK increasing the maximum stake on slot machines – I.e. they are encouraging people to gamble more in an uncontrollable environment, but they are going after bingo. Makes sense – I’m just not sure to who though
Big mistake, messing with the bingo mafia
@David Geoghegan: They have knitting needles in their bags you know lol.
so ffg decides to toughen up gambling law by going after BINGO ! while at the same time allowing gaming machines and on line betting sites to increase jackpots ,funny how there is NO MENTION of BOOKIES having to give 25% of their takings over to charities though ! and this from the same shower who sold off the NATIONAL lottery to a ‘canadian teacher pension fund ‘ !! and allowed then to hike up their prices and increase the number of balls in the draw thereby DECREASING the chances of winning ! how many of these jokers are getting a ‘christmas bonus’ from paddy power and his ilk ?
Is this Waterford Whispers? We must be the laughing stock of Europe
Is it April again .I can’t believe this .I heard on the radio about a homeless man in court for robbing two bars of chocolate worth 3 euro or something and then comparing it to a eu minister stepping of a plane and signing for his 55 thousand euro expenses I think it was father Mc ferry that mentioned it .I think this country has lost the plot
If only prince Andrew had the same slogan
@John O Reilly: I own this town and this chippy???
The Gov making another Balls of things.
Bunch of clowns what will they come up with next?
Leave Bingo alone, it’s good clean fun.
Its geting harder every day to try to understand what the hell these fools are doing..they have so much more to be thinking about..leave the bingo alone..people look forward to it..its not cheap.and a bit of a meet up..what charity do they think they should give to.its so not fair..i agree dont go if it goes through .keep your money..if you have a charity bingo thats different or fundrasing night.but not the ordinary bingo night..
We really have become a nanny state: they leave all the betting shops alone even though they can bring so much misery to many families and individuals and they go after bingo halls where older people get comfort and company in their old age. Just unbelievable . Who was so stupid to think of this ? This nanny state is trying to take the joy out of living for many especially those living in the country who now due to our just awful Minister for Transport, cannot even enjoy a drink out for the evening . And we just lie down and keep taking it. Unbelievable.
Are the Healy Rae’s not toxic now after the recent court case???
Alway voted FFG but between the Minister of Transport and his drink driving policy and now this move, I will not vote for them again.
Zzzzzzzz
25% to Bingo operators
60% to prizemoney
15% to Old folks
FFG on the same level handbag snatchers
have your say