Are we at the heart of Europe , I wonder

[peadarmc]

the "heart" of anything non-tangible is entirely a subjective thing! People will argue we're not after Lisbon! Others may lay equal claim that of course we still are, why would Lisbon change it since all we did was exercise our democratic right!
In any case - do you refer to the institution of the European Union? or the European continent? If you refer to the EU, as im sure you do, then i would have to say that the Irish vote reflected the opinions of many of the PEOPLE within the EU zone so it is still possible to have a differing view to the politicians and still be at the heart of it!
Would you say after the abortion referendum defeat that the Irish people were no longer at the heart of Ireland? its taking the principle to a bit of an extreme i admit, but the principle remains the same - we're entilted to have our opinion and stay at the heart of things! And in any case, who decides who's at the heart of what?
I dont intend making this a debate about Lisbon - im merely using it to highlight that the EU is a union of co-operative nations and each one is entlitled to look after their own national interests and STILL remain at the heart of the EU!

its a completely subjective and personal view from each individual in any case!

[ibis]

Everyone's only in anything for what they can get out of it.

Sure - but sometimes what people get out of something is a good feeling or a broadened view of the world. Admittedly, that doesn't appeal to everyone.

[Twin Towers]

Sure - but sometimes what people get out of something is a good feeling or a broadened view of the world. Admittedly, that doesn't appeal to everyone.

Being subject to an exclusive clubs rules is more likely to restrict your view.

[A_man_about_a_dog]

Hey troll, EU decisions are taken by heads of EU governments together with the directly-elected European Parliament. Of the 800 plus people responsible for taking EU decisions, no more than four of them are from Brussels. If you have a problem with your ones (or their levels of pay, which are decided by Dail Eireann) - then show them in the next election: European elections for the MEPs and national for the government. Either way, stop polluting these fora with senseless comments.

And who is responsible for the creation of those policies which the EU leaders and MEP's decide upon?

As for people 'from Brussels' making decisions, I never mentioned anything about people 'from Brussels'... you did. I said people 'in Brussels'.

As for you referring to me as a troll.... it's laughable. And telling me to "stop polluting the fora"..... get a life. I have been involved in far more in-depth discussions on this site than you are ever likely to be. You're hardly posting on the board a wet week and you're calling people who've been posting for far longer "trolls" and telling them to "stop polluting the fora". You clearly need to cop on and lose the air of arrogant self-importance because nobody gives a sh!te whether you think that their posts are worthy of praise or not. It is a discussion board, people can write whatever the hell they like as long as it doesn't break the DGDS rule, they don't have to meet whatever pathetic standards you've set out in your own narrow little mind.

[Al.]

who is responsible for the creation of those policies which the EU leaders and MEPs decide upon?

According to the treaties, the President of the European Commission. (Great having a single person in control of the direction of legislation, isn't it? especially one with executive power.)

As for the title of this thread, I wonder how it will be physically possible to move Ireland to the Rhine Valley...

[The OD]

With less than 1% of the population of Europe, no road link and a constitution (but obviously not a political establishment) that allows us to effectively resist the imposition of the whims of unelected and unnaccountable beaurocrats means that we are actually very much on the periphery of Europe.

Take note, as a rule of thumb, when you hear some interminable gob********************e like Pr*ck Roche using terms like 'at the heart of Europe' you can be pretty sure that its nonsensical.

[jcdf]

Europe does not have a heart. Europe is a schizophrenic entity. Schizophrenics do not pay any attention to their hearts.