Messages in the Media - University of Toronto

the urgency of the European situation and of taking on the
role of a spectator in the sovereign debt crisis that is ravaging
his country. 18 The leader of Ireland’s third largest party,
the Fianna Fáil, Michael Martin feels that the “Governments
policy of sitting on the sidelines is achieving nothing...Europe’s
leaders are making the crisis worse everyday.”
19 There are those within Ireland that feel the country
will become a pauper state if its people do not stick together
and fight the protectionism emanating from the European
banks. 20 The Irish leadership is under pressure domestically
for their casual approach to dealing with other
European leaders.
There has been a call in the media for Ireland to
reaffirm its ties with Europe and to repair its tainted image.
In March 2011, an article was published that urged Ireland
to adopt a foreign policy approach that would restore Ireland
to her former position as a strong unit within Europe. 21
Being a small nation, greater sensitivity to their neighbours
is argued as a key driver in the hopes of restoring past ties
with the other Eurozone members. 22 To most EU members,
the economic implosion of Ireland came as a great surprise.
23 While Ireland was once an exemplar for other nations,
the reverse is now true. 24 Repairing the Irish image
seemed to be the top priority on the agenda, however,
when the article was written on March 22, 2011, the world
was transfixed by the popular uprising in Libya and the
natural disasters in Japan. In light of these events, the reparation
of Ireland’s image was delayed. 25
In conclusion, there is a great amount of evidence
proving that Ireland’s relationship with the EU throughout
2011 was troubled. The destabilized economy required a
massive European-led bailout package to prevent the continents
economy from collapsing. Europe will likely view
Ireland warily until its economic situation is fixed. Simultaneously,
the majority of Irish feel that greater EU inclusivity
is necessary for the nation’s well being and a more assertive
role by the country’s leadership is essential to fostering
this relationship.
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