And that’s why only a multi-speed Europe – in which certain countries decide to move to closer integration, with others opting out – can save Ireland now. The truth is Ireland has long been an outlier in the EU. Because on almost every defining issue for the EU, Ireland is now on the wrong side of the wider political moment. The E6 have already called for the centralised EU supervision of financial markets despite Ireland and Luxembourg’s well-established resistance. That’s why Ireland should embrace a multi-speed approach to European integration.

Source: The Irish Times March 15, 2026 08:36 UTC