Michael Fitzmaurice Calls EU Loan to Ukraine a 'Charade'
Michael Fitzmaurice criticised an EU decision to provide a loan to Ukraine, arguing the repayment capacity is absent and calling the measure a 'charade'. He said Russia's actions are wrong, praised the Irish people for opening their doors to Ukrainians, and warned against signing up to the loan.
Main criticism of the EU loan
He said Europe has come together to give a loan to Ukraine but questioned what it was a loan to and how it would be paid back, calling the arrangement a charade.
Repayment concerns and loan criteria
He argued that a loan requires credentials, backup and a clear plan for repayment, and stated frankly that the capacity to pay back "isn't there." He said the label 'loan' is misleading in this case.
Acknowledgement of Russia and Irish assistance
He began by stating that what Russia has done is "completely wrong" and made clear that no one should condone it. He also acknowledged that the Irish people have opened their doors to help people from Ukraine and said that assistance is rightly provided.
Criticism of European leadership and decision-making
He accused Europe of dictating policy, specifically naming Ursula van der Leyen, and used the phrase "the nodders at the back" to describe those who go along with the decision. He concluded by saying Ireland should not sign up to the loan.
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First of all, what Russia has done is completely wrong. I don't think anyone would condone it. But at the end of the day, Europe has come together and they have decided to give a loan. A loan to what? How will this be paid back? In the name of God, I don't know why or how we have people that sign up to things that they call it a loan. If you're going for a loan, you have to show credentials, you have to have backup, you have to show how you pay for something. And this, you know, this is a charade, in my opinion, when it's called a loan. Because the capacity to pay back isn't there, to be very frank about it. I think if we look at our own country, the number of people we have on the, unfortunately tonight, the number of people that are homeless. And I am all for, we have really, in fairness to the Irish people, have opened their doors and helped people from Ukraine, and rightly so. No one has a problem with that. We are signing, basically, Europe dictating again what they're going to do, Ursula van der Leyen. And we have to, the nodders at the back, that's all I have to say, you cannot sign up to a loan, to put it very simple.
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