Did you actually buy that well-worn piece of EU propaganda, or did you just willingly swallow it whole?
About 80-90% denial of reality.
Oh, you've got to just love this one, a classic. I thought it was my side that caricaturised the EU as the prison guards, but there we have it straight from the horse's mouth (albeit a horse not actually resident in the EU stable). Extra rations for those who obey orders, a good beating for those who defy them, all the better to encourager les autres.
I wonder what the consolation prize is if you're runner-up in the EU good behaviour stakes? Dejeuner à trois, wine thrown in, with Jean-Claude & Mario Draghi? Whoopee!
Now tell me, what resources will the EU, diminished by the self-inflicted and catastrophic forfeiture of it's second largest economy and net contributor combined with a very rapidly unfolding economic and political meltdown, bring to bear to 'reward' Ireland for its loyalty?