Wall Street Journal speculates Ireland ready to print Irish punts

The European Union (EU) as a mcaro-imperial experiment, is beginning to go belly-up. I believe that there are just too many different culture in the EU to work, what might be called a Tower of Babel effect. At least in the other federal experiment, the US, they're all largely Anglophonic.

Peter, I truly didn't believe the grey matter was present. Your post displays an understanding of the implications of a Euro exit that many Irish based mutants posting here lack.

Aways thought the Euro was a bad idea- tying all the economies together. I remember my cousin in London grinching about the UK not going in on it. I told him he was crazy. As bad as things are in the UK, I'll bet, as a business owner he is glad now. At least the UK can figure out how to get out of this mess without having to worry about being tied to another country. Go for it Ireland- retain the punt.

Dither dee, dither doo, we're the EU, that's what we do.

i hope to god we do,our government should stand up for our people,leave the euro an go back to the punt,the eu is broken,it has brought nothing but trouble,its not needed

Oh Yeah!! It would be a great idea to leave the Euro..NOT!!!!!Mortgage holders to be hit hard.If they want to keep their cheap ECB rate,they would have to repay their mortgage in Euros when they are only earning in devalued Irish punts.If they switch to Irish punts,they would be paying a much higher repayment in Irish punts as the tracker is pegged to the new Irish central bank rate (likely to go above 7-8%).What about savings?? Savings would be converted to the new currency, probably 1:1.The problem is, the new currency would devalue rapidly making peoples savings worth a lot less than they were.The price of oil and imports would skyrocket.If the Euro fails it will be disastrous for Ireland and indeed the whole world.Been proud and patriotic is all very well.But tell that to the old age pensioners and middle income families whose modest life savings will be worth half it's value.Contrary to the belief of some people here.Irish identity is very much intact because it's a state of mind.These times are deadly serious for the Irish Nation.Governments are two faced and economies are faceless and not patriotic.

fargobarbi:As a born and raised Irishman I am in total agreement with you.The Irish are very capaible of standing on their own feet.It would not be an easy task but, with an agreemnt with the UK and a little help from the US and Canada, they would be back in high cotton in two years. Sein Fein has being trying to get them to do this for the past year,but they seem to want to keep going down the road to disasted until the have another fammin on their hands.

The Euro zone is a copy of the American Federal system, making it all one country, The US federal system does not work and has been broken for a long time. A Confederate system, whereby each state (or country as in Europe) should look after their own affairs, maybe pull together in times of crisis. Get out if you can. Ireland has friends the world over and if you can remain Irish you have little to worry about. Always was the little guy with a lot of talent, bullied by John Bull,but always survived "The trouble with the Irish is, they keep being Irish" Winston aahol Churchill. Musicians,poets,writers and the Irish scathing wit and humour is what keeps us alive, not the Euro or the polititions. Good luck.

As an Irish American I pray that Ireland does the right thing cnd gets out of the mess of the EU. The country would do much better in it's recovery efforts to embrace the punt & stand on her own two feet. This will not be an easy process, but the strength of the Irish people will prevail. Blessings to Ireland & it's people.

Better to be ready and have ,than need and not have.Survival of Euro seems to be speculative and those who prepare will be better off.I wish you clear economic sailing Ireland!

Good one Seamus

The article did not say that Ireland has been printing punts, only that it was looking at acquiring more printing capacity just in case. Other reports a number of EU countries doing the same thing. But no one using the Euro is currently printing currencies alternative to the Euro.

Way to go, Ireland!

It's fourth down and 80 billion euro to go. Punt!