Et tu, Paddy? For European Union officials it was a bitter blow that Ireland—of all countries—should reject the Nice treaty. Ireland, which has received billions of dollars' worth in cash handouts from the EU; Ireland, whose wealth has soared over the past generation; Ireland, where 86% of the population say that their country has benefited from eu membership, against an EU-wide average of 47%. In Brussels there is much bitter grumbling about ingratitude. How could the Irish, latecomers to the eu club themselves, now reject a treaty designed to ease the entrance of a dozen newcomers?
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