The Lisbon Treaty has come under much scrutiny over the last few months; despite the lack of media attention it should have recieved in the months running up to the upcoming referendum in June. The lack of attention, one could suggest, is due to the Referendum Commission we have here in Ireland; which states that advertising of a referendum can only be undertaken by the State 4 weeks prior to an referendum - this of course is ridiculous - if the issue were something more threatening to the so-called secular state we live in e.g. homosexual marriage, abortion, divorce...there would surely be ample television and radio commentary as well as government 'information seminars' occuring for up to a year before the referendum.
Despite this setback, many people feel that sovereighty and the 'Irish Identity' are at risk and that if we were to vote Yes to the treaty that we would further diminish our nation which we fought so hard for. For the nay-sayers, sorry, but this is not the case. You need to remember that Ireland joined the EU (EC/EEC) in 1973, along with Greece etc. When we did this, we automatically gave away the most sovereignty and independence we were ever going to give. The ridiculous thing is, is that many of the people standing on their soap boxes 'telling' you, not asking you, to say NO, don't actualy know the full implications of the Lisbon Treaty. They argue that Ireland's role in EU desicion making will be further diminished because of our small population size, this is incorrect. The Lisbon Treaty stipulates many things, the least being an increase in the already significant democratic deficit. Ireland's role, like the role of all EU member states will change slightly. The European Commission will decrease from 27 members to 18 members, but on a rotation basis. That is, each country will have representation but in a cycle. ALL members of the EU will forsake a role in the commission for a term. It will allow for every country, even those newer states like Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, to have an equal say in the decions made by the EU. Nay-sayers also say that the voting process in the EU will change for the worse and that the role of the Irish people will shrink...simply untrue; the Lisbon Treaty clearly indicates that the role of National governments will increase, in fact, they will be consulted about policy before it even reached the consideration of the European Commission and theCouncil of Ministers. This is a good thing! Why? Because it means that if a country's people do not like the proposed law, it will be rethought and resubmitted to the National governments for reconsideration. Our role as people and members of the EU will be increased. As well as this, the double-majority or QMV will be used in more areas of the EU decision making process, this means that no longer will big powerhouses such as Germany, the UK, France, be able to implement their agendas. Decisions will be absed on a large majority. Therefore, in order for a decision to be made,at least 65% of votes must be in favour of change. The Veto is slowly being disposed of, which is better because although it will mean that there will be some decisions that Ireland won't like, it also means that in order for drastic change to be made, it will only occur if represented by the combined interests of all member states.
Perhaps the biggest argument regarding the Lisbon Treaty is the establishment of an EU External Relations Force...In otherwords, an EU military. People object to this in Ireland because they believe that it will jeopardize Ireland's neutrality. If you believe this, you are quite simply an idiot! If you believe this, you really don't understand Ireland's neutrality stance or the implications of the Lisbon Treaty. We can only enter into battle/war under 2 (TWO) conditions. The first being if Ireland came under attack. The second reason goes a little like this...Here in Ireland we have what is called a Triple-Lock system regarding our neutrality. In otherwords, Ireland CANNOT enter the theatre of war without the joint-agreement of the Irish Government, the Oireachtais and the United Nations. Therefore, if the EUEAF were to send troops into Turkey for example, they could not recruit Irish soldiers without an agreement from all three of the aforementioned bodies. Also, the Lisbon Treaty states VERY clearly, that NO country will be obliged to participate in EU External Relations Force activity. There is NO way Ireland can be forced to lift it's neutral perspective whatsoever. Simply NONE. So, if you hear someone say "The Lisbon Treaty is BAD because it means that there will be an EU army and Ireland will have to participate", do yourself and them a favour and slap them on the back of the head and say "READ THE FUCKING PROPOSAL YOU MORON!" because they are wrong. There are lots of other proposals in the Lisbon Treaty (12 all together) but these are the ones that people say jeopardize Ireland's sovereignty and neutrality. Whatever the outcome of the Referendum, and whatever your vote may be, don't be a fool. If you Vote "NO" because you think the apparently bad Lisbon Treaty threatens Ireland, you are stupid. If you have other reasons, please share them with me. If you Vote "YES", nice one!
Anyway, that's all for now.
Voting "YES",
