If Europe hadn’t offered us a ready-made alternative, would be still be tied to Sterling? Even though Sterling had long lost its global status and was very volatile in the 1970s, it seems we only seriously considered breaking the link when France/Germany offered to revitalise the “snake”. Even then, we were hoping UK would join in which case we would presumably have retained parity.

“While financial issues were to the fore in the discussions, the final decision to join was based on a strategic vision that Ireland’s economic and political future lay with Europe rather than with the former colonial power.” (Honohan & Murphy)

The ’strategic vision’ was enlightened and sound. Credit where credit is due. Builds on the Whittaker/Lemass decision to open up economy/society - and Lemass certainly saw potential of Europe. I leave comments on implementation of the vision to TKW ……… and simply note that we could with a bit of Lemass’ honesty, principled ruthlessness, integrity, and leadership these days.

The main difference in assessment I would have is that the changes until the early 1990s were more gradualist in nature than Honohan describes, with much the ’snake’ experience charcterised by more than one eye on Sterling and its gyrations, with frequent alarms for the punt itself. The rupture, and qualitiative change only took place in the ealry 1990s.

The question of whose interests these policies served, why? rather than what? is still underexamined.

“While financial issues were to the fore in the discussions, the final decision to join was based on a strategic vision that Ireland’s economic and political future lay with Europe rather than with the former colonial power.” (Honohan & Murphy)

The ’strategic vision’ was enlightened and sound. Credit where credit is due. Builds on the Whittaker/Lemass decision to open up economy/society - and Lemass certainly saw potential of Europe. I leave comments on implementation of the vision to TKW ……… and simply note that we could with a bit of Lemass’s honesty, principled ruthlessness, integrity, and leadership these days.