Let’s imagine the scene: a small island nation with its own rich history and traditions but isolated and remote from the mainland of Europe has a choice. It can join the EU or continue to go its own way. What should it do?
Well it’s already happened and I’m not talking about Ireland, but rather our distant island neighbour, Iceland.
A few weeks ago, this independent minded nation rejected the opportunity to join the EU by referendum. But in advance of this referendum, much of the mainstream media in this country reported the upcoming referendum as a done deal. The deal was being sold that of course Iceland, like the fabled Cinderella, was going to join her EU prince in marriage.
However plucky little Iceland had its own ideas. While much of the political establishment and power elites in Iceland favoured EU membership for their own vested interests, many ordinary citizens were not swayed by the bright lights of Brussels and Strasbourg and voted No.
This rejection of the EU has been largely greeted by an awkward silence in the corridors of the EU commission and in the EU-friendly media. There has, of course, been some excuse making that the poor Icelanders were duped by some sinister forces which prevented the people from seeing what a great opportunity they have missed!
However, not everyone has remained silent. Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly called it out for what it was: a rejection of what the EU membership would mean for Iceland. Kelly said it was a wake-up call for the EU.
In many ways, for ordinary people EU membership doesn’t seem to have many benefits. Of course, our political elites will say that most of our high-tech jobs in multinational corporations are only here because of our EU membership – and then there’s the traditional arguments about a market for our agricultural produce.
However, against that, EU rulings on corporate tax to date and into the future could make Ireland a less attractive location for big business in the future – and the Mercosur deal highlighted how vulnerable farming may be to future EU decisions. EU handling of migration, cost of living issues and the Ukrainian war have hardly been beneficial in any regard for ordinary Irish citizens.
While the EU and its cheerleaders in the Irish political class and NGOs have relentlessly lectured people on multi culturalism and diversity, however the average family is more concerned about paying their electricity bill. A total of 323,559 households are currently in arrears.
Facing the prospect of astronomical rents, and perhaps never getting on the property ladder, our young people have voted with their feet and headed off to Australia and Dubai. The Irish-born population in Australia has surpassed 103,000 with 13,500 leaving Ireland in the 12 months up to April 2025 alone.
Most recent figures highlight a 27% increase compared to previous years. There is another 24,000 in the Dubai and the Gulf region. The vast majority of these young Irish people are highly trained and skilled in their trades and professions such as teachers, nurses and doctors. There are 7,000 Irish medical professionals in Australia alone.
Our political class has largely ignored this exodus or dismissed it as some type of extended holiday in the sun, but the reality is that they have created this emigration crisis. These young people have chosen life outside of the EU, yet we are constantly told how lucky we are to be in the EU club.
The AFD victory in Saxony highlights that even within Germany the EU may be losing its appeal. Volkswagen, the EU’s largest car manufacturer, is planning 100,000 job cuts. The future looks uncertain and while the EU gravy train will undoubtedly carry on for the political classes and the NGO power elites the ordinary citizens of Iceland may have been the first to point out that the EU like the Emperor in the old fable may indeed be bereft of clothes.
Carl O’Brien writes from Dublin