Jean-Claude Juncker's federalist vision for the EU is far from reality
JUNCKER:
So straight and simple .. I am trying to gauge what folk here think of a Federal Europe and Irelands place in same?
Is Federalism a step too far and should we be out of it? OR should we embrace it fully?
In fact .. via treaties are we already signed up to this and in it for the long haul whether we like it or not? And if this is the case do many Irish folk realise this?
Is EU federalism just a dream in reality that will be pushed back against by many other EU countries?
JUNCKER:
Im focusing this thread specifically on FEDERAL EUROPE rather than the wider state of union speech by Juncker today.The wind is back in Europes sails, he declared. And it appears the EU is sailing in a more federalist direction.
So straight and simple .. I am trying to gauge what folk here think of a Federal Europe and Irelands place in same?
Is Federalism a step too far and should we be out of it? OR should we embrace it fully?
In fact .. via treaties are we already signed up to this and in it for the long haul whether we like it or not? And if this is the case do many Irish folk realise this?
Is EU federalism just a dream in reality that will be pushed back against by many other EU countries?
Fine Gael MEP says Ireland needs to re-examine its neutrality ahead of BrexitThe future of the eurozone will also be decided by France and Germany. Their positions remain at odds, with Frances Emmanuel Macron looking for more ambitious ways to share debt. Meanwhile, Ireland is likely to resist any attempt to deny it powers to veto EU tax policy.
Sovereignty-minded countries are not going to keep quiet just because the UK has gone.
IRELAND NEEDS TO re-examine its neutral status as Britain moves closer to leaving the European Union (EU), Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes has said.
"The threats now arent threats of armies or tanks rolling into one country. The threats now are cybersecurity, jihadist terrorism."
"Theyre the new threats and I think the discussion on the future of Europe at home and here allows us an opportunity to look again at our defence commitments, to look again at our security and to look at how we can be a more effective and a more integrated tool of policy within the European Union."
We helped build this thing called Europe. Were one of the oldest, most grown up, wealthiest members of this club. Weve got to defend it too in my view and I think we need to look at this policy, especially now that Britain are leaving the European Union, Hayes stated.
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