Does Ireland Have A Position Of Strength In Negotiations?

[inherit the deficit]

Ireland as a country has seriously underplayed its hand in talks with the EU and ECB. Much has been said about 'default' and how we cannot do so on our own because of our reputation would suffer internationally. I contend that our reputation is bad enough as it is and cannot get any worse. If we cannot default by ourselves, how about one organised together with Greece,Spain, Italy and Portugal? Leaving the Euro and letting us return to the Punt or the Punt Nua.(Not without its risks.)
Which in my opinion would allow France and Germany to unite in political and fiscal union, looking inwardly seems to be what its leaders favour.

In regards to the fiscal union treaty will we or not get to vote in a referendum, all about saving the euro. Time is the all important factor we are constantly told. If we do not get to vote our recently elected president still has to sign it into law but what if he has doubts he can stall by referring to a council of state does he not? Effectively a stalling process robbing them of their precious time to gain the salvation of the eurozone, taking some of the initiative as well.

And if our social betters allow us a vote and if there is a threat of a re-run like Nice and Lisbon. What then could Ireland do? Refuse say to ratify EU regulations. Irish MEPs threatening to walk out of the European parliament. Finally I would like to say I am a democrat at heart and I do not like making this suggestion which is the most dangerous of all - a boycott or a low turnout what if that happens across the EU? Cannot enforce the treaty can they if hardly anyone turns out can they? Would have to re-run it or not?

Why must Ireland be always the underdog in negotiations? I would like to hear your opinions on this.

[luvmycountry]

Sure we have a position
It is the favorite position of our politicians...
They like to bend over and take it up the…..

[Panopticon]

"Do we have a position of strength?" has a similar answer to "Will we get a receipt?"

[Miss Fortune]

We can always be relied upon to say YES at the table. We don't ruffle the European feathers. We're the good boy in the class. We were bold once, but we're repenting. Call that a position of strength?

[YouKnowWhatIMeanLike]

Ireland as a country has seriously underplayed its hand in talks with the EU and ECB. Much has been said about 'default' and how we cannot do so on our own because of our reputation would suffer internationally. I contend that our reputation is bad enough as it is and cannot get any worse.

I disagree, Ireland's reputation has increased significantly in the world over the last year. You think default is the easy way out? I agree it's the way Ireland can take with least effort but it will quickly bring the country back to the same challenges to tackle but this time without Eurozone support.

The question should be: does Ireland want to stay in the Eurozone. I would welcome a referendum in Ireland with a simple yes or no question.

[inherit the deficit]

"Do we have a position of strength?" has a similar answer to "Will we get a receipt?"

Followed by "keep the change."

Ireland's reputation is bad as it probably get, so thats fine should live up to that bad reputation. Hence in negotiations if not favourable should be telling them to stuff their treaties to hell with the consequences effectively the only time we should say "keep the change."

[Radix]

The beloved €uro will continue to allow us to suckle at her ample mammaries, as long as we don't bite.

[inherit the deficit]

I disagree, Ireland's reputation has increased significantly in the world over the last year. You think default is the easy way out? I agree it's the way Ireland can take with least effort but it will quickly bring the country back to the same challenges to tackle but this time without Eurozone support.

The question should be: does Ireland want to stay in the Eurozone. I would welcome a referendum in Ireland with a simple yes or no question.

Ireland is still on the naughty step along with the several other eurozone countries I mentioned to be dealt with by France and Germany one at the time. Instead of this there should be collective bargaining us along those others basically a union within a union. In regards to default
I merely challenge the idea that default is not an option not express favour in it, my opinion is that is the government's way austerity as the only way out of this crisis is wrong and totally erroneous. There looks like no Plan B. My suggestion is that default or really the threat of it is a bargaining chip.

[Libero]

Ireland had a position of strength, even in profound weakness, because of the fragility of the eurozone and financial institutions globally.

Ireland did not push this position.

The vast majority of bank bonds have now been repaid.
As for sovereign debt, it is the public position of the Irish government that the country is on a path to closing the deficit, returning to the markets and standing on its own feet - which is about as far away as you can get, in the circumstances, from assertively seeking a restructuring of the national debt burden.

[niall78]

Followed by "keep the change."

Ireland's reputation is bad as it probably get, so thats fine should live up to that bad reputation. Hence in negotiations if not favourable should be telling them to stuff their treaties to hell with the consequences effectively the only time we should say "keep the change."