That's incredibly unlikely, really. Firstly, and most notably, the EU is overwhelmingly popular in Ireland. (in the most recent eurobarometer I've seen, 2nd h

That's incredibly unlikely, really. Firstly, and most notably, the EU is overwhelmingly popular in Ireland. (in the most recent eurobarometer I've seen, 2nd highest for "positive image of the EU" - http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb83/eb83_first_en.pdf http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb83/eb83_fir... ) Second, Ireland is a net recipient within the EU - we receive more than we give. And that doesn't even take the bailout into account. We honestly can't afford to turn that away. Third, the whole USP of Ireland's corporate-friendly approach is to give multinationals a "cheap, friendly foothold" in the EU. Instead taxing them heavily, we rely on attracting enough of them to balance it out (quantity vs quality). So the people don't want to leave the EU, and wouldn't benefit from it. The state don't want to, and wouldn't benefit from it. And the MNCs such a move would pretend to defend, don't want to and wouldn't benefit from it.