In her article in yesterday's Irish Times, Mary Harney claims she wants a union of independent sovereign states. This is absurd. How can you have an independent sovereign state without its own currency?
Through the various treaties which the PDs so enthusiastically supported, we gave up our sovereignty (or pooled it, as it is sometimes euphemistically put). Did we debate in any depth the implications of the euro in this country?
Think back to the Maastricht Treaty. The so-called debate centred on whether we were getting £8 billion or £6 billion in subsidies. The far-reaching consequences of the euro for this State and the future development of the EU were conveniently forgotten for short-term gain.
In the Dail and elsewhere I warned about the dangers of giving up the essential tools of economic management. Now that we cannot control either interest rates or the exchange rate it is up to Mr McCreevy to use fiscal instruments to curb inflation and dampen down our overheating economy. Such measures would be politically unpalatable and with an approaching election the Government is unlikely to listen to the Economic and Social Research Institute or anyone else.
Yet, few political and economic commentators have linked our current difficulties with the euro. The exception is perhaps Moore McDowell whose phrase "It's the euro, stupid!" should be repeated every day to the Tanaiste and other ministers.
Of course, to question the EU in any way is to be immediately branded a Euro-sceptic. Euro-sceptic is a curious word and one designed to stifle the debate the Government claims it now wants. If I question the direction in which the Irish State is heading, am I a Hiberno-sceptic?
The Greens have consistently warned about the military implications of future EU integration. Our concerns were immediately dismissed as nonsense by the political parties which supported the Maastricht and Amsterdam treaties.
Regrettably, the emergence of the European "rapid reaction force" and the double-hatting of Javier Solana as European "high representative" on Common Foreign and Security Policy and as head of the Western European Union confirms that the Greens told people the truth. European treaties do not come a la carte, unless you manage to attach a protocol.
Now that this Government has enjoyed the so-called "gain" of subsidies, the "pain" of directives and enlargement must now be endured and Fianna Fail in particular does not like this. For Fianna Fail, the EU has always been a flag of convenience and nothing more.
In Boston, Ms de Valera warned that EU directives "can often seriously impinge on our identity, culture and traditions". Could the Minister be referring to the Habitats and Wildbirds directive, I wonder? Ms de Valera has an appalling track record when it comes to implementing EU environmental law and this has resulted in the EU issuing legal proceedings against Ireland.
The Green Party welcomes European Union involvement in areas best dealt with at European level, such as environmental protection and the safeguarding of human rights. However, we are wary of the EU usurping the role of the United Nations in the area of international peace and security, and the roles of local and national governments in the determination of economic policies.
I look forward to the proposed debate on the future of the EU, which would be greatly assisted if this Government were less evasive in its replies to Deputies in Dail Eireann on the proposed Nice Treaty. This treaty will offer a real opportunity to debate enlargement and integration.
John Gormley is TD for the Green Party in Dublin South East