Irish economy is a drop in the EU ocean

FORMER German chancellor Gerhard Schröder has just published his memoirs, Decisions: My Life in Politics. As leader of one of the most influential EU countries from 1998-2005, he ranks as a key observer of the political scene during that period.

We Irish think we exercise a disproportionate weight within the EU, with Bertie Ahern credited with superhuman powers of negotiation and conciliation. The last Irish presidency achieved agreement on two contentious issues: the draft EU constitution and the presidency of the European Commission. The Irish media reported the standing ovations from fellow premiers after each of Bertie’s triumphs.

How strange, then, that Bertie doesn’t rate a mention in the memoirs, much of which are devoted to European politics.

It’s a timely reminder that the “Celtic tiger” economy represents only 1% of the overall EU economy. Our politicians and media should stop deluding us that everyone in Europe is looking to us for leadership on how to build a successful economy.

Peter Molloy

9 Haddington Park

Glenageary

Co Dublin