We have benefitted enormously from the EU

In his letter of January 4, Joe Brennan complained about the ECB being ‘most shameful’ in its treatment of Ireland.

In his letter of January 9 he advocates an alliance with the UK instead of the EU. He, therefore, seems to be advocating going back to past situations when we were much more dependent on Britain.

Our membership of the EU not alone gives us access to a 500 million home market, it also gave us a net €43 billion gain from common policies since entry.

On top of that when this country was bankrupted by the decisions during the boom of a small number of its own most powerful citizens we got an €85 billion bailout. Much of that bailout was funded by the taxpayers of other sometimes poorer EU countries.

That was hardly shameful.

Going back to our post colonial dependence on the UK when we, together with nearly 30 other democracies, are members of one of the largest trading blocks in the world, hardly looks enticing.

A Leavy

Shielmartin Drive

Sutton

Dublin 13