Bailing out Ireland

**ducati** · 23-Nov-10, 01:58

A few observations; well, questions really.

What would happen in the same circumstances to an independent Scotland, with similar populations and demographics?

The UK (as a whole) can borrow on the international markets at a rate that we can lend to Ireland at a profit and still be cheaper than Ireland can borrow for themselves.

Should we help, independently, (we have to as part of the IMF) or as George tells us, can we afford not to?

**Gronnuck** · 23-Nov-10, 08:49

I don't think the question will ever arise - Scotland will never be independent, it cannot afford to be.

**Walter Ego** · 23-Nov-10, 09:23

Originally Posted by ducati

A few observations; well, questions really.

What would happen in the same circumstances to an independent Scotland, with similar populations and demographics?

We'd be screwed. As the SNP well know - that's why they've stopped yelping on about full independence, they have seen what happened to some of their 'role models'.

The UK (as a whole) can borrow on the international markets at a rate that we can lend to Ireland at a profit and still be cheaper than Ireland can borrow for themselves.

Should we help, independently, (we have to as part of the IMF) or as George tells us, can we afford not to?

No. Stuff them. We've enough on bailing out our own bad management without putting capital at risk with an inept country.

**Gronnuck** · 23-Nov-10, 09:40

The current grubbiement view is that we need to help Ireland so that the Irish can continue to buy goods and services from the UK. It is said that Ireland is one of our biggest export markets.
So I guess in the present economic climate the best way to bring a country to its knees is for the populace to stop buying. I wonder what would happen if everyone in Ireland didn't spend any money, other than for food and necessities, until after Christmas

.

**Beat Bug** · 23-Nov-10, 13:15

No. Stuff them. We've enough on bailing out our own bad management without putting capital at risk with an inept country.[/quote]

Would you say the same if the boot was on the other foot?

**orkneycadian** · 23-Nov-10, 13:35

If, due to excessive hardship, Andrea Corr ever finds herself without a bed or a roof over her head, then I am willing to help out!

**theone** · 23-Nov-10, 13:40

I don't think the government is offering the loan out of the goodness of its heart. Britain has a lot to lose if Irelands economy goes down the pan.

I have found it interesting how the economies of Ireland and Iceland, once the "role models" for an independent Scotland have suffered so badly. Banking provides wealth in good times, but when things go sour the fact that they don't actually produce anything causes problems.

In times like these unity helps. Being a little fish in a big pond is a dangerous way to be.

**tonkatojo** · 23-Nov-10, 13:40

Originally Posted by Beat Bug

No. Stuff them. We've enough on bailing out our own bad management without putting capital at risk with an inept country.

Would you say the same if the boot was on the other foot?[/QUOTE]

The boot was on the other foot and they decided to stay "neutral".

**orkneycadian** · 23-Nov-10, 13:45

Originally Posted by theone

Britain has a lot to lose if Irelands economy goes down the pan.

Britain has a lot to lose if (when) Britains economy goes down the pan....

But still we insist in sending foreign aid to every country under the sun, irrespective of how neighbourly we are, or how likely the other country is going to repay the gesture by sending us suicide bombers.

Given that we have no money of our own these days, borrowing money to then lend to someone else is madness.

**Bazeye** · 23-Nov-10, 13:45

Apparently the best two economies in Europe are Norway and Switzerland.
Wonder why that is?

**tonkatojo** · 23-Nov-10, 13:49

Originally Posted by Bazeye

Apparently the best two economies in Europe are Norway and Switzerland.
Wonder why that is?

I find that an enigma too.

**theone** · 23-Nov-10, 15:07

Originally Posted by orkneycadian

Britain has a lot to lose if (when) Britains economy goes down the pan....

But still we insist in sending foreign aid to every country under the sun, irrespective of how neighbourly we are, or how likely the other country is going to repay the gesture by sending us suicide bombers.

Given that we have no money of our own these days, borrowing money to then lend to someone else is madness.

I do agree with you regarding foreign aid.

As for borrowing to lend, as long as the interest rates are right, it will actually make us money.

**orkneycadian** · 23-Nov-10, 15:19

Originally Posted by theone

As for borrowing to lend, as long as the interest rates are right, it will actually make us money.

Are you an investment banker?

**theone** · 23-Nov-10, 15:24

Originally Posted by orkneycadian

Are you an investment banker?

No, but I have been called something that rhymes with that.

**Walter Ego** · 23-Nov-10, 16:55

Originally Posted by Beat Bug

No. Stuff them. We've enough on bailing out our own bad management without putting capital at risk with an inept country.

Would you say the same if the boot was on the other foot?[/quote]

But the boot isn't on the other foot. If I get my house repossessed, would my neighbours offer to pay my arrears to pull me out of the problem? I think not.

And Tonkatojo has a VERY valid point.....Eire was happy to ride on the skirts of the UK during WW2 without actually doing anything positive as a nation. So no sympathy there from me.

**ducati** · 23-Nov-10, 19:25

Originally Posted by Walter Ego

Would you say the same if the boot was on the other foot?

But the boot isn't on the other foot. If I get my house repossessed, would my neighbours offer to pay my arrears to pull me out of the problem? I think not.

And Tonkatojo has a VERY valid point.....Eire was happy to ride on the skirts of the UK during WW2 without actually doing anything positive as a nation. So no sympathy there from me.[/quote]

Way to hold a grudge for 65 years

Whoe! what happened to the quote dubry?

**sandyr1** · 23-Nov-10, 23:51

Methinks this is only the beginning. Am hearing that many Countries are living beyod their means.....Standby.....

**sam09** · 24-Nov-10, 00:06

Originally Posted by tonkatojo

Would you say the same if the boot was on the other foot?

The boot was on the other foot and they decided to stay "neutral".

[/quote]
Their ( Irelands) government may have stayed neutral during ww2 but it did not deter their people joining the british army to fight in the war. They joined in their thousands and fought and died alongside our brave lads,indeed many Irish Nationals still serve in the British Army.

**theone** · 24-Nov-10, 00:12

Originally Posted by sam09

The boot was on the other foot and they decided to stay "neutral".

Their ( Irelands) government may have stayed neutral during ww2 but it did not deter their people joining the british army to fight in the war. They joined in their thousands and fought and died alongside our brave lads,indeed many Irish Nationals still serve in the British Army.[/QUOTE]

Yes you're right, and my thanks go to them.

But any aid or loan goes to their government, not to these individuals.