First of all I would like to say that I'm sorry you found the tone of my posts offensive, it wasn't my intention at all.
I just wanted to say the truth, and the thruth from my point of view, of course, is that things don't happen all of a sudden, there's been a mismanagement in Ireland for years, and I think it has been even bigger than in other European countries which are also in danger because of that, that I find totally unacceptable that so little has been made there with the European money and that I don't find it realistic to blame the other countries for your problems, there are a few people in your country who are more than responsible of this, people who are getting richer even while we are discussing this and it seems as if they have nothing to do with this, turn to them.
I know you were living a dream, after a history full of tragedies Ireland had one of the highest incomes per capital in the continent, it is easy to want to remain in the bubble, but you knew what it was before this or you should have known. Now you have to start to work and put the basis of a solid economic system, you are a very creative people and next time you'll know that what comes easily goes easily. (Of course, this is true not only for Ireland, but it is Ireland what we are talking about in this thread)
As I've said before, I was never in favour of the European Community being anything more than a free trade arrangement. It was presented as such when we first joined but unfortunately our political classes were bribed into, and subsequently bribed the electorate into, signing up to all the treaties the Eurofederalists came up with. So I'm not getting into a ideological debate with you about taxes as I fundamentally ideologically disagree with Brussels having any remit over taxation affairs of member countries of the EU.
All I can say is that nothing was hidden regarding the corporation tax rate, the Irish negotiators said they wanted to hold onto it in various negotations for all the Treaties we have signed up to and this was agreed to by our European partners. If it was such a big issue, they should have just chucked us out of the EU (personally, I really wish they had). Too late to complain now.
One thing I would say, is that at least in Ireland, we had referenda to agree each step of the process. I understand that your governments just sign you up to any treaty they like and do not consult the people. Some continentals have an odd understanding of democracy, as we've seen from the history of the twentieth century.
This is why I admire the British system - they are a true parliamentary democracy. They have never sold out to the European federalists.
Please, read this part of my yesterday post:
"Finally about the taxes, I don't mind if you had them or not before getting into the European Union, the fact is that you attracted the multinationals because the taxes were very low or didn't exist and nobody talked about the countries and the employees they were leaving behind, you thought it was ok because it was good for your country, but then a new tax was created for the Irish corporations (and sometimes I think it was tailor-made for U2) and when U2 moved their business, you started to cry about it, well, you can't play a double game, if it is fair, legal and good when it is to your benefit, then it is fair, legal and good when it is not, the contrary is pure hypocrisy."
As you can see I'm not talking about taxes in relation with the EU, I'm talking about it in relation with all the recrimination towards U2 for moving their business, and frankly, I have to repeat that I find all the whining, all the protests and all the legal obstacles they've found for everything in Ireland since then quite hypocrital having the tax system you have.
This has nothing to do with the rest, but I find strange such an admiration for the British parliamentary system, until 2 years ago (maybe 3, I'm not sure) many of the members of the House of Lords were appointed directly by the Queen, and the assemblies in Scotland and Northern Ireland have a long history of suspensions. I admire the fact that you had referenda for every step your country took in relation with the European Union though.