Where was the EU in our time of need?

WASN’T it lucky — or maybe prescient — that we rejected the Lisbon treaty? What would have happened when you see how our so-called EU partners reacted to (or ignored) our adverse economic situation?

For instance, during the banking crisis Finance Minister Brian Lenihan did the correct thing by protecting our savings and increasing the banks’ guarantee. However, EU president Nicolas Sarkozy was very annoyed with the Irish Government and claimed the scheme would create problems in Europe.

In contrast, when Mr Lenihan did the wrong thing — by introducing a budget that penalised the old, young, low earners and even families with disadvantaged children — no one in the EU spoke out or complained.

Is this what being a citizen of the great EU really means? No member of the European Parliament protested against measures which affected the most vulnerable people in Ireland. Surely the EU should ensure its most defenceless members are protected from bad decisions by individual member states.

The EU council of ministers issues binding directives — where necessary — to protect the environment, wildlife, health and safety etc. Does anyone in that extravagant and bloated bureaucracy care about the elderly, children, young people or persons on the minimum wage? Where was Europe in our time of need? Endorsing the Lisbon Treaty would have made it even less responsive to our requirements.

Alan C Patrick

Beamount Drive

Ballintemple

Cork