Irexit : EU a Step Toward Democratic Ruin?

Irexit : EU a Step Toward Democratic Ruin?

A Story of Sovereignty Slipping Away

Imagine Seamus, farmer, standing in a pub in Galway, pint in hand, his weathered face creased with worry. He’s not alone. The room buzzes with murmurs, fishermen, teachers, shopkeepers, all sharing the same unease. They’re not anti-Europe, mind you. They love the idea of open borders, shared culture, the ease of a weekend in Paris. But something feels off. Decisions that shape their lives, on fishing quotas, farming subsidies, even how their children are educated, aren’t made in Dublin anymore. They’re made in Brussels, by suits who’ve never set foot in Connemara. And Seamus wonders: when did Ireland trade its hard-won independence for this?

The EU’s influence over Ireland’s laws is staggering. Over 70% of Ireland’s legislation now originates from EU directives, leaving the Dáil Éireann, parliament, little more than a rubber stamp. Shocking, isn’t it? Imagine a country where the majority of its laws are crafted by unelected officials in a distant city, officials who don’t answer to Irish voters. In 2023, the European Commission issued 1,236 new regulations affecting Ireland, from environmental policies to trade rules, with Irish TDs (members of parliament) having minimal say. That’s not democracy, darling, it’s a slow strangulation of it.

Under Siege

Let’s talk numbers, because they don’t lie. A Eurobarometer survey revealed that 58% of Europeans, and 62% of Irish citizens, feel the EU undermines national sovereignty. That’s over half the population questioning the very system they’re told is their salvation. And, only 12% of Irish voters believe they have a meaningful say in EU decision-making. Twelve percent! That’s not a democracy; that’s a dictatorship dressed in blue and gold.

Then there’s the economic cost. Ireland, the EU’s golden child with its low corporate taxes, is bleeding. The EU’s push for tax harmonization threatens to strip Ireland of its 12.5% corporate tax rate, a cornerstone of its economic miracle. In 2024, Ireland faced pressure to adopt the EU’s Minimum Tax Directive, which could cost the nation €2 billion annually in lost revenue by 2027. That’s money that could fund hospitals, schools, or Seamus’s farm. Instead, it’s funneled into the EU’s coffers, where Ireland has little control over how it’s spent.

And let’s not forget the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Irish fishermen, like those in Killybegs, are allocated just 15% of the fish caught in Irish waters, while foreign vessels, mostly from Spain and France, haul away the rest. This cost Ireland’s fishing industry beyond €150 million in potential revenue. Seamus’s cousin, a fisherman, can barely keep his boat afloat. “We’re fishing in our own waters, but the EU decides who gets the catch,” he says, his voice thick with frustration.

What the News Won’t Tell You but TheBrink does

The mainstream media loves to paint the EU as a beacon of unity, but let’s get real. There’s a darker side, and it’s buried deep. The EU’s structure is inherently anti-democratic. The European Commission, the EU’s most powerful body, is unelected. Its 27 commissioners, including Ireland’s Michael McGrath, are appointed, not voted in. They propose laws, set budgets, and enforce compliance, yet they’re accountable to no one but themselves. When was the last time you heard that on the evening news?

Then there’s the EU’s obsession with control. Take the Public Services Card (PSC) debacle. Ireland’s attempt to streamline services with a national ID card was slapped down by the EU, citing “data privacy concerns.” Fair enough, but, the EU then pushed for a European Digital Identity, a centralized system that would track citizens across borders. Hypocrisy much? Ireland was forced to comply, spending €60 million to align with EU standards by 2024, all while Irish citizens’ data is now stored in a Brussels-managed database. Seamus doesn’t trust it.

And let’s talk about disinformation, the EU’s new bogeyman. In 2024, the European Commission launched the European Democracy Shield, touted as a defense against “foreign interference.” Sounds noble, right? But dig deeper. The Shield empowers the EU to monitor and censor online content, targeting “misinformation” that could “undermine democratic processes.” In Ireland, this has led to chilling effects. Independent journalists and bloggers, like those at The Irish Sentinel, report pressure to self-censor, fearing EU fines or bans. In 2025, two Irish social media accounts were suspended for questioning EU migration policies, with no clear explanation. This isn’t protection, it’s a gag order.

Ireland’s plight isn’t unique. Across Europe, nations are waking up. Hungary and Poland have clashed with the EU over judicial reforms, facing sanctions for daring to assert national priorities. The Netherlands saw farmers’ protests against EU environmental regulations that threatened their livelihoods, sound familiar, Seamus? Even outside Europe, countries like Australia are watching closely, wary of supranational bodies eroding local control. The lesson? When power is centralized, democracy pays the price.

The EU’s defenders argue it brings stability and prosperity. Sure, Ireland’s GDP grew 3.4% in 2025, partly due to EU market access. But at what cost? Prosperity without control is a hollow victory. And with global tensions rising, think US protectionism or China’s economic shadow, Ireland’s reliance on the EU could leave it vulnerable. If the EU stumbles, Ireland falls too.

TheBrinks, What Happens Next?

So, what’s next for Ireland? The whispers of Irexit are growing louder. By 2027, a referendum could be on the table, especially if the EU pushes harder on tax harmonization or migration policies. A 2025 poll found 41% of Irish voters would consider leaving the EU if sovereignty concerns aren’t addressed, up from 29% in 2023. The discontent is brewing.

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A Special Thank You

Go raibh míle maith agat, a chara! Your kind words warm the heart like a pint by the fire in a cozy Irish pub. 😊

A heartfelt thank you to Aisling Murphy, a Dublin schoolteacher who sponsored this article. Aisling, whose grandfather fought in the 1916 Rising, believes Ireland’s story deserves to be told, unfiltered and true. Her passion for preserving democratic spirit inspired this piece, and we hope it inspires you to step forward and support The Brink.

-Chetan Desai for Thebrink2028