Madam, - In defence of Dana Rosemary Scallon's article on the EU Constitution and in response to Pat Carey TD's letter (November 4th) accusing her of resorting to hysteria, it is he, not she, that is being disingenuous. With virtually all parties in favour of acceptance of the EU Constitution, the contents of which are already agreed and signed up to by our government, no truly robust debate on the issues she raises is now worthwhile. We will simply be invited to accept or reject this Constitution in its entirety.
There exists here now, and for some years past, a substantial constituency, perhaps even a majority of the electorate, who have been disenfranchised by the political parties in particular matters relating to the EU. I refer to the matters Dana articulated so well in her column. Dana is a lone and courageous voice in representing the concerns of this constituency. If examples were needed to verify these concerns the Buttiglione affair can stand as an example. For certain offices in the EU now Catholics need not apply.
Acceptance of the EU Constitution will be the most defining moment for Irish Society since the foundation of the State. If we vote in favour, as a nation, we will be accepting the authority of a secular constitution, intentionally designed to exclude reference to God, and whose final arbiter is man, over and above Bunreacht na hÉireann whose authority we recognise as placed under God. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN SKELLY,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.
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Madam, - I notice that the Minister for European Affairs, Noel Treacy TD, did not mention Article 1-10 of the proposed EU Constitution in his letter to the Irish Times on November 3rd. This article states "The Constitution and law adopted by the Union's institutions in exercising competencies conferred on it shall have primacy over the laws of member states".
Perhaps Minister Treacy might explain this to the Irish people and to please give a straight answer. The political snobbery that exists against anyone who questions the EU Constitution is serious for our democracy. Our people have a right to the facts. They are also entitled to fair and balanced coverage on this major issue. - Yours, etc.,
FINIAN McGRATH, TD,
(Indpendent, Dublin North Central),
Dáil Éireann,
Dublin 2.