Greek tragedy could end European project: Ganley

“No realm ever survived the demise of its coin,” said Declan Ganley as he predicted that the unfolding Greek tragedy could end the European project.

The Libertas founder was speaking at the Certified Public Accountants conference in Cork. He opened his speech by thanking the body, which is advocating a yes vote on the fiscal treaty, for not canceling his invitation to the event since he began advocating a no vote.

When he was challenged by the president of the CPA, Niall Byrne, about the need to pass the treaty so that Ireland can remain a good European, Mr Ganley disagreed.

“Stability, being at the heart of Europe, being good Europeans, attracting foreign direct investment, being seen as acting as responsible Europeans and acting as part of the European family, access to capital, access to funding, confidence, These are great buzzwords, but they are bullshit,” he said.

By passing the treaty, he said Ireland would send a message to the rest of Europe that everything was working well in Ireland and there was no need for a writedown on Irish bank debt or any further intervention from the EU.

Mr Ganley was calling for bankruptcy to be allowed to happen in the EU and for democratic reforms to make the European institutions more accountable to the people.

“If we have a deal on the bank debt and if we have a serious roadmap to democratic accountability in European institutions, then I would support a second referendum,” he said.