Populism will be undoing of eurozone

In many ways the relationship between Ireland and the eurozone encapsulates the possibly insurmountable challenges facing the embattled monetary union.

Irish people have been enthusiastic EU members for most of the 41 years of membership.

From 1993 for the next 15 years, Ireland was one of the fastest growing countries among EU member states. During the credit boom of the noughties, Irish politicians grew increasingly arrogant in their attitude to EU relations. But this arrogance was misplaced and cause a lot of resentment in the corridors of power in Brussels.