Proud members of the EU

As Irish people we are proud being a member of the European Union. We have acquired millions from the Common Agriculture policy "CAP" and structural funds. We see our selves as good Europeans. We are a neutral country and never joined NATO. We send our troops on UN peace missions. Today I read that EU attack Helicopters fired on a Somalia pirates village and sunk 4 boats. When did we join a EU army and give permission for the EU to go on an offensive mission. It's proberely ok to attack these pirates but it would be nice to have been asked.