Don’t lose the cool. Spineless zombies?? This wont make friends. We can’t know what will happen in the long term. Too many changes coming down the line, e.g. Price of oil, developments in China, India, etc. Now it comes down to how we want the external world to see us. Let’s get away from the image of truculent rebel. Ireland will have to rely on the friendship of others for a long time. Sad, I agree. A new Irish world is needed but is a no vote a good start? We need a reputation that dealing with Ireland is an easy positive experience. Voting no will set this ambition back. It will show that we are tough guys that can’t be taken for granted. But then what? How do we get to the table for negotiations?

Terry, point taken/frustration. Iceland’s image is actually quite good and proving to be smarter than our path.
Voting No is the preferred choice across Europe “if” they had a vote, that is accepted.
They can reaffirm commitment publicly to rules that are already there to give stability, also maybe jail a few culprits all be it 4 years later without tying us up to what I really don’t think they fully understand yet.

The government told us that they were complying with the terms of the bailout agreement. Ireland would be back raising funds in the markets by 2013. They lied.
The government told us don’t worry as long as Ireland meets the terms of the bailout the EFSF will continue to provide funding until Ireland returns to the Market. They lied.
This week Lucinda Creighton told the truth. Ireland will not be able to raise funds on the markets.
A nation with sovereign debt exceeding 120% of GDP(approaching 150% when the Nama fallacy unwinds) and total debt approaching 500% of GDP was never going to be able to raise funds on the markets.
If Ireland got a write down on it’s bank debts, it would bring sovereign borrowings below GDP and back to a level where fiscal measures would allow us to tackle out debt and realistically return to the bond Market.
This treaty presents a historic crossroads to Irelands. Do we want to abandon our sovereignty and become a protectorate of Brussels. Or will we kick back and say no.
Despite all the bull and bluster Europe cannot allow a member state to walk away. To do so would have incalculable costs to core European nations. All it takes from Irish voters is a small bit of courage. A fraction of the courage shown by Irelands patriots. Who initially bought our sovereignty with their own blood.
Don’t sell it cheaply.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/creighton-strong-possibility-that-ireland-will-not-return-to-markets-next-year-552449.html

The bank bailout was wrong. It forced private German bank debt on to the Irish tax payer

Germany of course want the countries the banks are in to make the bank debts sovereign like we did, meaning the debt will be guaranteed keeping their banks safe from their gambling debts.. Germany would be the biggest loser if we let the banks fail so they are forcing member states to swap out risky bank debt for safe sovereign debt, through Austerity.

its like this you won’t go for personal loan off the bank if ;you cant afford to pay it back. so thats when you vote no.the government are like the construction bosses sure we take the loan a nd make money and pay it back as you can see the construction one didn’t work so there’s not much hope for the governments one to work either

Well said Caroline.

Jennifer does not need to fix anything. Sinn Féín explicitly voted to support the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008. http://www.tca.ie/images/uploaded/documents/Credit_Institutions_(Financial_Support)_Act_2008.pdf

Yes this gave the Government powers to draw up a subsequent scheme on foot of this; to flesh out the details but the principle of a full scale guarantee was already agreed upon by the Oireachtas; with the exception of Labour. The proposals that you say weren’t included do not mention any notion of “burning bondholders” therefore even if they were included, SInn Féin would still have supported paying back ALL bondholders.

So Sinn Féin agreed with the principle that ALL depositors and bondholders should be guaranteed, that is why they voted to support the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008 and that is the issue here.

Incorrect. As soon as fianna fail widened the scope of the guarantee beyond covering Irish citizens personal savings up to a pretty generous value (under the circumstances) to include bondholders gambling debts, they withdrew their support.

Have you proof to back up that statement- e.g. A Dail debate record? Without the guarantee, deposits of up to 100k were guaranteed- so the guarantee was only to extend to deposits over 100k and bondholders. By voting the Act through SF knew this and so knew they would ne guaranteeing bondholders and no amount of red thumbs can detract from this statement.

Google Germany’s 6 point plan. Its perfect for employers to exploit workers. Seriously we are going to end up being Germany’s ginger stepchild. Mark my words. Vote No

You should Google the Referendum & find out what exactly you are voting on.

John, When people make good decisions they look into the ramifications of it much like a chess player to see where it is going..
If you can’t see where this is heading you are very short sighted and making a mistake we will all end up paying for.
But its your choice and that’s democracy. Don’t say you weren’t warned is all, I’m just sharing info.

Well I’m a Yes voter hoping that people vote on the issue of the referendum. One of them being that by saying that yes no other government can squander our money..

If u didn’t want a govt to squander money you’d insist they scrap the Croke park agreement

If u want to stop govt squandering money, you’d ask they scrap the Croke park agreement

Stupid app didn’t show original reply. Least it’s consistent :-)

Erm John, you realize that the Government argument for voting yes is to continue their access to the gravy train?

http://t.co/hrg4w1NB

Turkeys voting for Christmas

Can’t wait to vote No

Can’t wait to say I told you so! This will finish off what’s left of economy