EU protects Ireland from UK domination

Governments and civil servants in 27 EU countries now have to waste time on the British problem, when there are many other vital issues to be addressed, writes John Bruton

IF one reviews European history over the period since the Reformation 500 years ago, the role England has sought to play in Europe has been that of holding the balance between contending powers.

It used its naval strength, and the overseas colonies its naval strength allowed it to hold, to exercise that balancing European role.