They are not part of the Euro for a start;they use their veto for the benefit of their citizens,they also only ratify treaties that are suitable for them.Finally they don’t feel the need to do the bidding of France or Germany to be treated like attention seeking children.

What perks are we talking about Mr Know?Britain bunged us 7 billion at a very favourable interest not so long ago. They’re the best friend Ireland has. Remember that before you make disparaging comments about them.

Their status. Not there.

Norway are not even members and they get most of the perks, with none of the drawbacks. I’m not advocating that we exit the EU merely expressing my derision of States that seem to be playing from a different rule book than us.

Britain pay over 9bn a year into EU. FTT is complicated , in essence designed to raise money on transactions and is seen as a way of generating some money from the financial sector (allegedly to make them pay their share for the financial crisis ) , as the UK are staying out ,there is some risk to jobs in the financial sector in Ireland , although the EU have now introduced it in a way that means the tax on the transaction applies regardless of where you locate the trader to reduce the fear or jobs migrating. Ireland is not against the principle but is holding out due to the UK position , there is money generated for participating countries- but in Ireland we already pay a tax on trades which would be replaced by FTT .Many fear that if it works it could be the beginning of a road to euro taxation harmony down the road- something we don’t want as our low corporate rates might then be scrapped obviously making us less appealing to FDI etc….

Yes indeed a basket case.