First the Pope, now the German Chancellor – Ireland’s Prime Minister Enda Kenny is back on the attack, this time with the most powerful woman in Europe.
Kenny left German chancellor Angela Merkel on the ropes after a lunchtime meeting in Berlin turned into a full scale row over the future of the Euro.
All seemed sweetness and light at first with Merkel praising Kenny for his his response to the crisis and even having an army guard of honor meet him.
But relations quickly cooled as the Irish leader left his seething German counterpart in no doubt that he would support her plans for greater Eurozone stability – but only on his terms.
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Merkel wants more centralized power for Germany and France with Ireland agreeing to give up more sovereignty on issues such as tax policy.
Kenny knows however, that will not fly with the Irish electorate
As Merkel battles to save the Euro, Kenny insisted he will preserve Ireland’s status as the nation best placed to survive of all the bail-out countries.
Kenny insisted that Ireland will only support her ideas while it keeps control of its tax policies – including the controversial corporate tax rate – and regains its economic sovereignty at the end of the bail-out programme.
He also warned Merkel that changing the European Union’s treaties, as she has proposed, will not stop the financial panic spreading across the globe on the back of the Euro’s problems.
The Fine Gael leader stressed at a post-meeting press conference that Merkel must utilize the European Central Bank’s strength to ‘stop the contagion’.
Merkel had told the press conference that she believes countries who break the bail-out rules must be taken to the European Court of Justice and be fined.
In response, Kenny highlighted that Ireland ‘knew all about sticks and carrots being in the middle of a bail-out programme that requires us to have the budget approved by the Troika’.
He argued that the necessary rules are already in place and reminded Merkel that ‘Ireland has put in place an independent fiscal council’ that will oversee budget decisions.
Kenny insisted: “Any moves to change the treaties will be very challenging. We recognise the need for stronger budgetary discipline; we recognise the need for fiscal responsibility.
“While there are strong rules needed here, any steps towards major treaty change would obviously be very challenging.
“I’ve had a frank discussion about that with the chancellor. And I believe that the immediate crisis has to be dealt with in the short term with the facilities and tools that are available to us.”
The Irish PM also stated that his government is preparing to legislate for a debt break that would make it illegal for the state to rack up debt and deficits.
He then advised Merkel to ‘wait and see’ what proposals for Treaty change EU President Herman Van Rompuy comes up with for their December summit before the Germans move to change EU treaties.
Kenny has also turned down a meeting to discuss the Eurozone crisis with French President Nicolas Sarkozy as it clashes with a gathering to be attended by leaders from Ireland, Britain, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.
Government officials are now trying to find an alternative date for the French meeting.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Towngate | Nov 19, 2011, 04:56 PM EST
Psssst! The ECB has enough money to buy ALL the countries in the EEC several times over! Psssst!, it would mean one Bank controlling the lot! Psssst! Cocky little delusional outcrop countries like Ireland are in for a very rude awakening, and memories of the 'dear old Ireland' we all know and loved,but betrayed by our stupidity,ignorance and greed,will have long faded into the celtic mists! Pssst! don't say who told you!
sirpeter | Nov 18, 2011, 02:17 PM EST
The Germans are looking for more control.But in the end the Germans will have to fork out the money or else it will lead to the end of the Euro.If that happens the new Deutschmark will hit the moon it will be so strong.But,an appreciated Deutschmark conversely increases the trade deficit while weakening the export sector,removing the competitiveness of German made goods.The industrial Ruhr will grind to a halt and unemployment will rise as no one in Europe can afford to buy their screwdrivers along with everything else.If it's one thing that will make Germans go off their heads it's mass unemployment.They need to work at least 12 hours a day to keep them calm.Otherwise the unemployed will be goosestepping up and down like demented Nazies and wanting to invade Poland just to pass the time.That's why the Germans don't have control of the nukes in Germany.Any upset to their orderly life's and all hell could break loose.
SeamusMor | Nov 18, 2011, 12:29 AM EST
The Irish Republic is a failed State, which was sold into slavery by greedy, myopic politicians. The Irish people must rise up in a democratic revolution to do away with inept, non-representative government,overthrow the Troika, cancel euro debts, and leave the EU to pursue peace and prosperity on their own terms. The means to do so are in hand. If laws were made by the majority of the people, voting through the internet, then the results would truly reflect the common good, rather than serving the greed of special interests. People must demand referenda at every level of government to place on the ballot propossals to replace as decision makers, a majority of the elected politicians, with the majority of interested parties, voting over the Internet. The time has come for democracy, in Ireland, and around the world!
GeorgeDillon | Nov 17, 2011, 04:07 PM EST
peterson: "The EU will surely destroy Ireland as we know it". No, peterson, the Irish politicians and ruling class have destroyed Ireland, principally by promoting the settlement of the country by foreigners.
GeorgeDillon | Nov 17, 2011, 04:06 PM EST
What a dumb headline and article. Enda Kenny couldn't even lay down the law to his dog. Have some sense. The Irish political class is composed of cowards and traitors. Ireland needs a nationalist workers party.
DanOLoingsigh | Nov 17, 2011, 02:06 PM EST
Not sure what 'Ireland as we know it' actually is these days...but I do think the headline is a little over-optimistic, Germany will call most of the shots..they have the population, the money, and the track record of economic competence...all the things Ireland, and many other peripheral countries do not..
peterson | Nov 17, 2011, 01:53 PM EST
The EU will surely destroy Ireland as we know it. With the balance of power run by Germany and France, this will surely happen. Germany could not take over Europe during WWI & II but they just might accomplish it this way !
greensod | Nov 17, 2011, 01:12 PM EST
A step in the right direction.
Collette2 | Nov 17, 2011, 12:33 PM EST
Chancellor Merkal has her feet welland planted ont the ground, an outstanding record todate on social jutice an economic issues and will find a way with full understanding of the fears of the PM. As he himself stated, "wait and see".
pndirishandprou | Nov 17, 2011, 11:24 AM EST
Ireland being one of the countries who caused the so-called euro crisis in the first place, a bit more humble pie would be in order. The mouse can roar but at the end of the day Eire will continue to depend on help from the continent, as it has since 1973.
stephendoyle | Nov 17, 2011, 11:14 AM EST
IRELAND for the IRISH! We are not vassals to the French or Germans...........
Searlit | Nov 17, 2011, 11:14 AM EST
I think the Taoiseach's Irish is showing.
IAPRINCESS | Nov 17, 2011, 11:07 AM EST
good job
mamaginnty | Nov 17, 2011, 10:54 AM EST
Enda is using bits and pieces that the opposition Parties have thrown at him since the start, Pearce Doherty argued with him two months ago on what should be done. Enda has parrotted some of Dohery's advice. Credit where credit is due.
christilcaugh | Nov 17, 2011, 10:42 AM EST
I am lovin' this show of strength that the Irish are showing! They don't want to be absorbed - and I think they are right on!
gobdawpaddy | Nov 17, 2011, 10:17 AM EST
For a guy that was all but written off just over a year ago, he appears to be a very competent individual and seems to have surrounded himself with similar at the cabinet table. Wish them the very best sorting out the mess created by fourteen years of incompetence, gombeenism and in some cases, corruption.
brennanirish | Nov 17, 2011, 10:16 AM EST
hear hear!
bunkerisland | Nov 17, 2011, 09:53 AM EST
Enda put the German in her place!