Sir, - Bertie Ahern is wrong when he says that the Republic of Ireland has "come of age" in terms of national economic self-confidence and identity. Nothing could be further from the truth.
As sovereign modern republics go, Ireland is a strange beast. Though our politicians profess the value of our Europeanness at every twist and turn, we are in fact the least European of states in the European Union. In terms of competence in European languages, welfare rights, communications infrastructure and trade diversity, we are in truth the most backward.
How can Mr Ahern claim that this country has "come of age" when 70 per cent of our indigenous exports go to one market, the UK? There is no parallel example from any other member of the EU. The Danes, Swedes, Austrians, Italians, Dutch and Spaniards can all operate open market economies, trading with a broad range of countries. The Republic of Ireland meanwhile, firmly wedged in a post-colonial time warp, places its eggs in one, diminishingly important basket.
Granted, the UK is a big marketplace, but it represents less than eight per cent of the full EU market of almost 460 million consumers. Let's face it: 75 years after independence we are still tied inexorably to Britain's coat-strings.
Should Mr Ahern doubt that this is so, he should take a walk to his local supermarket to see for himself just how European we are after 25 years in the EEC and EU. The Taoiseach will discover that 90 per cent of the products on the shelves are Irish- or, increasingly, English-made. This speaks volumes about our real relationship with Europe, and our inability to trade in a balanced manner with non-UK markets.
It is ironic that at a time when Irish minds should be focused on globalisation and maximising our economic advantage within an enlarged EU, the Taoiseach should want to re-open debate on re-joining the Commonwealth, a colourful but ultimately impotent constellation of colonial and former colonial states. Exactly what can Ireland achieve through this tea-and-muffins club that we could not accomplish more constructively through much more effective organisations such as the United Nations and European Union?
Instead of singling out the UK for "special attention", Mr Ahern should focus his personal energy and that of his government on improving Ireland's relations with all the EU member states, at all levels, cultural and economic. Our national media give extensive coverage to events in the UK, but we hear precious little about the world at large, and in particular our fellow Europeans. This flaw in our character should be corrected without delay. - Yours, etc.,
Laurence Glynn, Cressna, Co Clare.