![Ireland warns of damage from British EU opt-out Ireland warns of damage from British EU opt-out](https://www.cer.eu/sites/default/files/styles/spotlight/public/images/spotlight/in_the_press/2011/ireland_european_sl-1323945568.jpg?itok=e9Z04qkW)
Ireland warns of damage from British EU opt-out
"Diplomatically speaking, we're in a much poorer position because Britain is not in the room," said Hugo Brady, of the CER. "They were quite willing and quite happy to be the difficult partner so you could hide behind them in diplomatic negotiations ... By basically doubling or tripling our chances of getting isolated, Britain has done us no favours."