EU chief told Irish patience wearing thin

THE IRISH people’s reluctance to protest at the State’s economic situation could no longer be taken for granted, EU commissioner for economic and monetary affairs Olli Rehn has been warned.

Mr Rehn was cautioned at a recent private meeting with MEPs at which Labour MEP for Ireland East Nessa Childers, one of a cross-party group of Irish members of the European Parliament who met him last week, said the citizens’ “stoicism” might not last as job losses and wage cuts continued.

“I said people’s forbearance couldn’t be taken for granted [and] that the lack of protest couldn’t be taken for granted,” Ms Childers said.

The Labour MEP stressed she did not suggest Greek violence triggered by tough austerity measures demanded by the EU and IMF would be replicated in Ireland. But she said the debt and banking crises were affecting attitudes towards the EU. “I pointed out comments by some governments were also unhelpful,” she added.

Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South Seán Kelly said he told Mr Rehn about recent protests in Cork. “I pointed out to him protest marches were taking place and there was the possibility that they would grow because of the perception that bondholders were getting off scot-free,” he said.

Bailout a ‘flawed plan’ forced on Irish people: page 6