Mattie McGrath condemned the EU weekend deal as a 'rotten deal', arguing Ireland will pay 3,201 euro per capita and calling it a disgraceful burden on future generations. He criticised the earlier bailout as a 'clean-out' and accused some EU leaders of treating Ireland as 'lapdogs' while frugal states secured write-offs.
Main criticism
Mattie McGrath told the Dáil the agreement at the weekend was unacceptable and a betrayal of solidarity in Europe. He described the package as 'rotten', said it was another bad deal after what he called a 'clean-out', and demanded the country should not accept being punished.
Per-capita comparison
McGrath highlighted per-capita figures in the debate, saying only four countries would contribute more than Ireland and citing Germany at 1,662 euro per capita versus Ireland at 3,201 euro per capita. He said that disparity showed the deal unfairly burdens Ireland.
Concerns for future generations
McGrath warned the deal would saddle children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with debt and called the outcome a 'shocking indictment' of European solidarity. He urged a tougher stance in Europe and said representatives should 'take off the gloves'.
Government response and wider debate
In reply, the Taoiseach defended the deal as good for Ireland, noting the common agricultural policy share rose to 31% from 28% in the previous programme. The Taoiseach said Ireland is no longer a net contributor, recalled decades of net receipts, and argued membership of the EU and single market underpins jobs and exports such as beef, milk and software.
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Teachta, you described the deal that we got at the weekend as a good deal for Europe. Only four countries, Germany, France, Holland and Sweden, have to contribute more than us. And when we look at Germany, they in actual fact pay 1,662 euro per capita. We in Ireland are going to pay 3,201 euro per capita. This is a rotten deal. After the admissible so-called bailout, I called it at the time a clean-out, this is another bad deal. The frugal fours were very strong at a frugal five. They were right because they got write-offs. We had the goodbyes in Europe, the lapdogs, and we say, oh yeah, everything is grand. Give us the punishment, we'll take it. And we end up being screwed. Pardon the expletive. It's a disgraceful deal. And we cannot accept this. And our people shouldn't be burdened with this. Our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. And it's a shocking indictment on a so-called solidarity in Europe. And I think it's a disgrace. And it's time that we took off the gloves and went on the goodbyes in Europe. And to be up there now as the second-highest populated population over only Denmark. Thank you. Taoiseach. I don't know what planet you're on, Deputy. I genuinely don't. I mean this sincerely. I mean, our membership of the European Union isn't about being goodbyes or badbyes. It's about being part of a single market and an economic union that has brought great benefits to the country in terms of jobs and in terms of the modernisation of our economy. This deal is a good deal for Ireland. I mean, the common agricultural policy element of this. Actually, the proportion of the multiannual financial framework for the common agricultural policy has gone up to 31% as opposed to 28% in the last program. Now, when you take the United Kingdom's exit from Europe and the huge contribution it was making, that is a very, very significant outcome for Ireland. We are no net contributors, Deputy. But for almost 50 years of our membership, we were net recipients. I'd say it's up to 40 or 50 billion. I don't have the exact figure. I'll get it for you. I mean, we are part of it. But it's not about that, actually. No, as far as I'm concerned, it's about we being able... Hold on. We would not survive on our own as an island in isolation. We survive and create wealth in Ireland through making products, providing services that provide solutions to the global economy and the global societies and enable us to sell the beef, the milk, the software and a variety of hundreds of other services and goods that make Ireland the economically, you know, developed country that has been of the system to the European Union. Thank you very much.
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