Merkel listens to smaller voices on EU stage

GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Dublin last Monday brought predictable criticism that she is somehow “interfering” in our affairs.

The reality is that the leader of the EU’s most influential member state did not come here and give us a lecture — she sat down and had an open debate with people representing different sides.

This includes groups who have no representation in our national parliament or are so small they are best described as vanity projects rather than organisations. The anti-EU elements like nothing better than attacking Germany for wanting to end the influence of smaller member states. Last Monday provided a powerful rebuttal of this nonsense. The Lisbon treaty represents the commonsense evolution of a union which has worked well for Ireland and for Europe. Chancellor Merkel’s was a very welcome and respectful contribution to our debate.