Fiscal Stability Treaty Referendum

[Mide]

You know the 'Independant Guide to the Fiscal Stability treaty Referendum' that came in the letterbox?!
Well on page 06 it states, "In the referendum on the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, Ireland agreed to abide by the rule that the general government deficit must not be more than 3% of GDP in one year.....Ireland must meet the 3% target by the end of 2015"
My question is this- why bother having rules if you get 23 years to implement them?!?!?! 23 years FFS!

Then on page 09 it states, "Under the current rules, all countries must keep their general government debt below 60% of GDP. Ireland agreed to this rule in the 1992 Maastricht referendum...."
Our general government debt in 2011 was 107% of GDP
What is the point in having rules?! What's the point in a new treaty when we cant abide by the one agreed to 20 years ago?!?

 

[JKW]

You know the 'Independant Guide to the Fiscal Stability treaty Referendum' that came in the letterbox?!
Well on page 06 it states, "In the referendum on the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, Ireland agreed to abide by the rule that the general government deficit must not be more than 3% of GDP in one year.....Ireland must meet the 3% target by the end of 2015"
My question is this- why bother having rules if you get 23 years to implement them?!?!?! 23 years FFS!

Then on page 09 it states, "Under the current rules, all countries must keep their general government debt below 60% of GDP. Ireland agreed to this rule in the 1992 Maastricht referendum...."
Our general government debt in 2011 was 107% of GDP
What is the point in having rules?! What's the point in a new treaty when we cant abide by the one agreed to 20 years ago?!?

The point of having EU fiscal rules is threefold:-

1. So the French can ignore them completely and not worry about it.

2. The Germans can ignore them completely and blame everyone else.

3. Everyone else can fail to live up to them and get shouted at by the French and Germans for being so feckless.

Oh - there is a 4th....

4. Where applicable the British Goverment can slavishly implement them and royally fuck-up their own country's economy in the process!

 

[Ogmios]

Many years ago somebody in the Dail discovered this word;
derogation

Definition
Non-application of a rule or reduction in its stringency, usually for a specific period and in specific cases.

taken from here: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/derogation.html#ixzz1uYE5fUUT

For years all it meant to me was that Norwich Union had the monopoly to insure Irish Bikers, so could charge whatever they liked.
Now it's used to put anything and everything on the long finger.
They're not ignoring stuff / ah no - just putting it of.
yeah... right.