Now let’s consider who might be really guilty of economic treason

BACK in 2001 our then Tánaiste Mary Harney had this to say: “The liberal, pro-competition, open market political outlook is present in the European Union.

It is important that we continue to develop and press the liberal democratic point of view, the one that I believe serves Ireland, Europe and its citizens best. In Ireland, we must press the case for an open, liberal Europe that has a low burden of tax and regulation on enterprise because that is the best way to secure employment and prosperity. That is what we are implementing in Ireland. It is also my priority in Europe.”

Harney was the leader of a party then, a party whose influence extended beyond its small size. The main reason it — and she — were influential was because they shared the views and the philosophy of another leading politician, Charlie McCreevy.