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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Michel Barnier during a press conference at Dundalk Institute of Technology. PA Wire/PA Images

A party is being launched today that's calling for Ireland to leave the EU

Former Irish ambassador Ray Bassett said that the benefits of Ireland’s EU membership are diminishing, especially after Brexit.

A NEW PARTY is holding a conference in Dublin today where it will host a discussion on the possible benefits there would be for Ireland if it left the EU. 

A meeting will be held this afternoon at the Bonnington Hotel; a ticket sourcing website said that over 50 tickets to the event were on offer.

Among the speakers at the event is Former Irish ambassador Ray Bassett. Ahead of the event, Bassett told TheJournal.ie that although he wasn’t involved in establishing the party, that Ireland “badly needed more debate” about its EU membership.

“The balance of advantages versus disadvantages of Ireland’s EU membership changes as time goes on… but the advantages are diminishing, especially if there is a no-deal Brexit.

Policies in Europe could mean that we’re restricted on the digital companies we have here, on our corporate tax rate, etc.
I think the best deal for Ireland would be that we remain in the single market, but leave the customs union.

He said that the Irish border is the main problem for Ireland and would cause huge problems if it were to come to fruition.

“That’s probably what brought me out on this issue,” he says. “There won’t be a border along the Irish Sea, even the Labour Party doesn’t agree with that.

But the UK isn’t the one that has a plan to establish a border on the island of Ireland – it’s the EU. 

He said that people aren’t taking the likelihood of a border reappearing on the island of Ireland seriously.

“The Polish Foreign Minister said that it could come down to a crunch between a no-deal Brexit and the Irish border, and I’m not so sure what will win out.

The State papers from 1924 showed that Cosgrave’s government thought a physical customs border would be too much of an inconvenience for the British government to maintain, and it would force them to put a border along the Irish Sea, but that obviously never happened. It’s the same thing again.

Irexit party spokesperson

The party plans to run in the European and national elections on a platform that calls for increased Irish sovereignty through Ireland exiting the EU.

Speaking on Today with Sean O’Rourke this week, the spokesperson of the Irexit Freedom Party, Hermann Kelly, said that Ireland had fought for years against the United Kingdom to become “a self-governing independent state”.

“In 2011, the Irish Budget was approved in the Bundestag instead of the Dáil. The country was run by the Troika, they decided the economic policy of Ireland.”

He said that there had been a valid argument for Ireland to join the EU in the 1970s because it was “like a cash cow”.

“But going forward now, Ireland is a net contributor to the EU, we give them €2.7 billion (gross) per year, the net figure is half a billion.”

He said that Ireland was paying figures like Jean Claude Juncker to write and implement many of our laws, which he said were not helpful.

In a Red C poll, conducted on behalf of the European Movement group, 76% of people said that they “agreed strongly” that Ireland should remain as part of the European Union.

When asked about whether there’s public appetite for Irexit, Bassett says that polls before the Brexit vote indicated that Remain would win by a landslide.

“But in all honesty, it’s probably very much a minority taste,” he adds.

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239 Comments
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    Mute ⚡ SCO Electrical ⚡
    Favourite ⚡ SCO Electrical ⚡
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    Jul 9th 2016, 7:46 PM

    Walk like an Egyptian…. They’ll think you’re bat shit crazy and to much of a liability to try take on

    447
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    Mute John Hayes
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:47 PM

    I needed that laugh

    99
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    Mute Permo Dermo
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    Jul 9th 2016, 7:58 PM

    Walk like a Pidgeon, chew gum, wear a tracksuit and hold a half can of Stella and nobody will mess with you

    297
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    Mute Al Ca
    Favourite Al Ca
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:16 PM

    Why do northsiders keep pidgeons?………………………………………………so they can teach their kids to walk.

    205
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    Mute John Hayes
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:48 PM

    Have to say lads I’m weak laughing

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    Mute Phil O' Meara
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    Jul 9th 2016, 10:05 PM

    On behalf of Northsiders I’d say that it’s more important to teach kids to spell. Pigeon, for example. Otherwise you’ll end up speaking pidgin English like the Southsiders………

    324
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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jul 9th 2016, 11:13 PM

    lol …Phil +1

    78
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    Mute ManUtdMan
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    Jul 9th 2016, 11:27 PM

    What did the south side guy, say to the north side guy, that was chatting up his girlfriend?

    Nothing. He shat himself & went to the “loo”

    79
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    Mute Mark O'Connor
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    Jul 10th 2016, 12:14 AM

    Why was the northside guy chatting to the southside guy’s girlfriend? Looking for change for a hostel, obviously.

    84
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    Mute Barbara O'Reilly
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    Jul 10th 2016, 9:35 AM

    Epic Phil, what a legend!!

    5
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    Mute p m
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    Jul 10th 2016, 4:34 PM

    A hostel were he would take his girlfreind mark !

    6
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    Mute Mark O'Connor
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    Jul 10th 2016, 6:51 PM

    Ha, if she’s a proper southside girl she wouldn’t be caught dead in a hostel!

    5
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    Mute Cillian McCormick
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    Jul 9th 2016, 7:39 PM

    And Irish Judges will let those violent criminals walk away with a six month suspended.

    238
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    Mute Alan Kelly's Ego
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    Jul 9th 2016, 7:54 PM

    If they’re really unlucky. Community service is real popular too

    105
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    Mute Harry Whitehead
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:23 PM

    Well you can tell by the way I use my walk I’m a woman’s man, no time to talk…

    160
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    Mute Martin Ryan
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:31 PM

    The business executive who violently attacked the cyclist was a real nice fella . not all thugs wear tracksuits .

    104
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    Mute Gerry Ryan deG
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:07 PM

    Psychopaths are the preferred choice for managerial positions in some companies. They get away with it at work but sometimes they forget outside the bubble and many people pray that they’re around when that happens just to even things up for the victim, that’s all, honestly.

    60
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    Mute Spiderman
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    Jul 9th 2016, 7:48 PM

    I walk on walls, never been mugged

    101
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    Mute Alan Kelly's Ego
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    Jul 9th 2016, 7:54 PM

    You’ve obviously never met spiderthug? Your day will come

    112
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    Mute Spiderman
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:01 PM

    Tiocfaidh ár lá Alan ;-)

    50
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    Mute John Strahan
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:09 PM

    People with certain psychopathic traits, not psychopaths. Psychopaths are the one running big business, governments, banks etc. You know the ones? F√¢k everybody types?

    99
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    Mute Alan Kelly's Ego
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:18 PM

    I’m a bit like that. Got me a little bit of power in the labour camp, haven’t looked back since

    75
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    Mute Peter Fechter
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:26 PM

    Like Charity CEO’S???

    83
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    Mute A hater
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    Jul 10th 2016, 1:22 PM

    Yeah they’re the feel no remorse types. The kind that can rape, beat, shoot, stab and gouge without feeling a thing.

    5
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    Mute John Strahan
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    Jul 10th 2016, 7:32 PM

    Psychopaths don’t necessarily rape, beat, shoot, stab or gouge anybody.

    3
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    Mute Winston Smith
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:20 PM

    I know one or two guys who look run of the mill but I ‘d be a very upset mugger if I tangled with them.

    89
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    Mute UndieGrundy
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:11 PM

    well of course you can tell. You can tell a lot by someone’s demeanour.

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:19 PM

    I always study a person’s shoes.

    36
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:34 PM

    That means nothing, there are plenty of cheapskates out there?

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:52 PM

    People with money sometimes sport the most horrific footwear.

    38
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    Mute Jeffrey McMahon
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    Jul 10th 2016, 2:01 PM

    And plenty of cheap skates

    7
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    Mute Sinéad Breen
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:23 PM

    You’re also more likely to be chosen as a victim if you look like you wouldn’t fight back. When someone suspicious walks past you always look them in the eye, they’ll pick someone else.

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    Mute Gerry Ryan deG
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:03 PM

    Over 60s should carry a walking stick whether they need it or not, just as effective as the look in the eye

    47
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    Mute Trisec Training
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    Jul 10th 2016, 1:06 AM

    A walking stick would get in my way. Hands free does the most damage when called upon …

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    Mute Eddie Nugent
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    Jul 11th 2016, 10:47 AM

    Sinead that is very poor advice, looking somebody in the eye who you think is suspicious can be seen as a challenge or interpreted in so many different ways you are inviting trouble, Do NOT interact with potential adversaries, increase your situational awareness stay in control and move away from trouble

    3
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    Mute Keith Wizzy
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    Jul 9th 2016, 7:41 PM

    Tiny sampling base. Leaves out facts such as females, young, elderly, sick, disabled etc usually being more vulnerable. In fact most crimes are opportunistic committed by young people on other young people. Very little intellectual data analysis is undertaken by the perpetrators on victims or possible outcomes for themselves.

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    Mute Peter Fechter
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:28 PM

    What are “young people”?anyone who is not old?

    21
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    Mute Immigrant
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:31 PM

    Keep your head up, always observe your surroundings and keep your arms loose with a 6 or 7 inch gap between the inside of your elbows and your hip. Unlike this article it’s best to walk the walk to avoid any form of violence altogether. Bit stupid of the author to say it’s better to get built than avoid any confrontation altogether. With the violent third worlders flooding into Europe tho it’s probably a good time to get built tho.

    55
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:59 PM

    Alex Ferguson said there were two things you couldn’t change; The team you support and the way you walk.

    18
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    Mute ChocSaltyBallz
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    Jul 10th 2016, 12:32 AM

    I used to support QPR then I supported Man U now I just support ROI or anyirish international and my walk changes with my levels of confidence so he should stick to managing United.

    11
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 10th 2016, 12:37 AM

    West Ham are my favourite London team, then spurs. Good fans. Especially the Hammers. Witnessed them live at Anfield. Gettin beat 5 nil but still going haywire.

    3
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    Mute Dessie Curley
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:20 PM

    I can judge potential criminals by their smell and their need for a rock of crack

    53
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    Mute ChocSaltyBallz
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:08 PM

    I look for the hunger in the eyes if they are hungry they let you know and the determination in the the walk is a dead give away, the energetic dead look (guant and hyper) is quite mischievous.

    19
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:37 PM

    I know of a person who 2 fellas thought it be fun to beat up as they saw the man as a simpleton in their view, they waited one night to pounch on him. Turns out they didn’t batter him, that he battered them as he was well up the karate ladder.
    If you look vunerable then certain people will see you as a target, as there are some right bad sods out there.

    48
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    Mute Joe Doyle
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    Jul 9th 2016, 8:12 PM

    And most aware citizens can spot the violent criminal by their working class features. Their appearance usually suggests low intelligence and if they chance to open their mouth… done deal. If you get really lucky and they produce a pack of Blue when they smoke. Get out of the area fast.

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    Mute Blind Faith
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    Jul 9th 2016, 10:30 PM

    So it’s sort of reverse profiling by criminals on potential victims . . The criminal mind is absolutely narcissistic.

    25
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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:31 PM

    Trust psychopaths to come up with stuff normal people would never think of?

    16
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    Mute Ken Pepper
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    Jul 10th 2016, 2:27 AM

    Moonwalk away shouting heeeee heeeeee!

    15
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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:25 PM

    What a load of shite

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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Jul 9th 2016, 9:32 PM

    Now that is a thought, reading a persons walk who has just pooed themselves?

    12
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    Mute Kane Abel
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    Jul 10th 2016, 12:50 AM

    Yes, inferred levels of defiance/compliance and likelihood of success may be naturally determined by the evil that walk among us even at range based on a prospective victims stance, gait, reactionary reciprocal glances or lack/avoidance of, orientation relative to the onlooker, demeanour, manner of making/breaking held eye contact, whether they see hands nervously clutching a handbag or else determinedly clenched in a precautionary fist. We humans wear our fear outwardly in a multitude of ways and any jackal that enjoys a kill will instinctively know his particular prey from amongst the masses. Ted Bundy used to bypass his fellow humans fight or flight and other defensive layers/mechanisms by pretending to be injured, arm in a sling, on crutches etc. A good killer will have you in a place beyond refuge ever before you know you’re soon to be dead.

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    Mute Dominick Lodola
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    Jul 9th 2016, 10:09 PM

    They wouldn’t have the intelligents.

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    Mute Fintin Stack
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    Jul 10th 2016, 1:10 AM

    No sh!t Sherlock!

    5
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