Irish bail-out terms endanger EU's future

Recent discussion of the terms of the EU bail-out for Ireland has focused on the preferences of the Irish, French and German governments and the likely impact on international bond markets, but largely neglected the effect of this issue on the Irish public's attitude toward Europe. This blind-spot could have disastrous consequences whenever the EU next seeks to revise its treaties.

According to its constitution, Ireland may not ratify any significant amendment to the EU's treaties witho...