Sir, - This cynical "kite-flying" exercise engaged in by Ms Sile de Valera deserves nothing but contempt. For some time it has been hinted that the Government intended to take a more "Euro-sceptic" line on further European integration. At this point, it should be remembered that were it not for the injection of European Structural Funds into Ireland, the economic boom of these past few years would not have come about. Indeed, it is our very membership of the European Union that has attracted outside investment into our economy in the first place.
We owe more to Europe than we do to the United States. Many important legislative reforms - in particular our equality legislation - owe their genesis to Brussels. Let us also not forget that it was our fellow Europeans at the EIB who listened to the Irish electorate and turned down the Government's nomination of Mr Hugh O'Flaherty.
I utterly reject the notion that we are spiritually closer to Boston than Berlin. Had Ms de Valera been one of the many emigrants who went to America in the 1980s and who have since returned to Europe, she would be aware that the European social model is far superior to the backward policies on offer in the United States.
It would now appear that after riding the European gravy train for so long, our Government has the arrogance to bite the hand that feeds, and wants to oppose the process of further integration that will enable poorer countries in Eastern Europe to avail of the subsistence funding they badly need.
Shame on our Government. - Yours, etc.,
N.A. Neligan, Law Library, The Four Courts, Dublin 7.