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A Freedom of Information request by an Irish councillor revealed the nation’s contribution will rise by almost 25 per cent by 2021. Councillor James Charity of Galway County Council believes the shocking figures, provided by the Department of Finance (DoF) and exclusively seen by Express.co.uk, show the country must urgently assess whether it would be better off following the UK’s lead and quitting the bloc. The figures show Ireland’s EU budget contribution has grown rapidly from €1.529bn in 2006 to €1.952bn last year, and is set to further grow. Estimates put forward by Irish ministers show the contribution will continue to expand, from €2.075bn this year to an eye-watering €2.425bn in 2021.

GETTY Cllr James Charity has called for a discussion about Ireland's future in the EU

These figures may actually increase further, as they were put forward before the UK voted Leave this summer. Unlike many EU countries, Ireland is now a net contributor to the 28-nation club, meaning more money is giving than received after many years of the reverse being true.

GETTY Ireland's EU bill is set to balloon over the next few years

Cllr Charity, who is an independent councillor as well as a practicing barrister, said the figures were deeply worrying and increased the need for a serious discussion about Ireland’s place in the union. He said: “The perception out there is that Ireland is receiving significant funding from the EU in terms of capital investments and grant funding but the reality is quite the opposite. “Vast sums of money are being paid to the EU while problems with health, homelessness and public services persist and get worse by the year.” He said Britain’s departure will significantly damage Ireland’s role in Europe, as they will lose an “ally” at the negotiating table - especially when it comes to the battle to oppose tax unification across the bloc.

FACEBOOK / JAMES CHARITY Cllr James Charity described the EU as a "ponzi scheme"

Cllr Charity warned: “As Brexit will become a reality in 2017 with the triggering of Article 50 by the British Government, Ireland will lose a significant ally at the EU negotiation table when it comes to protecting the interests of peripheral member states and avoiding the desire by central Member States to move towards a common taxation regime and a European federal state. “The direction the EU is continuing to take will, in my view, significantly damage an island nation such as ours.”

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He slated the EU as a “ponzi scheme” and said it was time to question whether Ireland was better off out. Cllr Charity concluded: “As huge demands are now placed on Irish taxpayers to fund the EU’s plans for expansion, it’s clear that the European Union is perhaps the largest ponzi scheme that has ever existed.

GETTY British Prime Minister Theresa May meeting Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny