Sir, - As comment and debate surrounding the forthcoming Amsterdam Treaty increases, exaggeration and misinterpretation of what is proposed are widespread. Some scaremongers are quick to forget that the European Parliament expressed disappointment when the final version of the treaty emerged, with many MEPs believing that the Council of Ministers had, in effect, ducked the controversial issues in favour of a minimalist approach.
Be that as it may, we are now just a matter of weeks from the vote and I would urge readers to get a copy of one of the many excellent documents explaining what the Amsterdam Treaty involves.
I will be supporting the treaty for many reasons. Previous treaties have been vital in expanding the remit of Europe into areas of great importance to all our citizens, such as education and environment, and Amsterdam is no different. After years of campaigning in the areas of disability and for the protection of children, the inclusion of anti-discrimination clauses in the Amsterdam Treaty finally provides a foundation on which we can build these important areas of human rights.
That's just one of the reasons why I will be voting Yes on May 22nd. - Yours, etc., Mary Banotti, MEP,
European Parliament, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.