Madam, - For decades now, leaders of the main political parties have been warning us that negative votes on any one of the many European treaties placed before the electorate would have dire consequences for Ireland.
However, look at the facts: France and the Netherlands rejected the European Constitution (Lisbon Mark 1) and the sky didn't fall - instead we have now a modified version: Lisbon Mark 2. Surely a rejection of Lisbon Mark 2 will also not bring chaos - just Lisbon Mark 3!
Apart from all the hoopla about neutrality, abortion, the WTO etc, there is, in my view, one very good reason for rejecting Lisbon Mark 2: if the treaty is passed it appears very unlikely that any EU state will ever again be able to hold a referendum on such a treaty. If that happens, then the ultimate democratic check on the power ambitions of our largely unelected European mandarins will be gone and they will be able to do what they've always wanted - formulate and implement policies without the tiresome intervention of the citizens of Europe.
So I would say: vote No to Lisbon Mark 2, and then argue for the inclusion in Lisbon Mark 3 of a provision for referendums in each EU state on all future treaties. Since most of our European leaders - our own included - are usually so vocal in their approval of democracy, they could hardly openly reject its implementation in Europe, much though they might wish it would go to Iraq and other faraway places. - Yours, etc,
HARRY McCAULEY,
Maynooth,
Co Kildare.
Madam, - If, when Brian Cowen was elected Taoiseach, he had decided to get rid of one third of the junior ministers who had been appointed by the former taoiseach, he would have been applauded. Many people would have congratulated him for reversing a decision that effectively guaranteed "jobs for the boys". Yet when Brussels does exactly that, there is an outcry from the No side.
Many people tend to forget that in 2004 there were only 15 commissioners. When the 12 new member-states joined, we got 12 new Commissioners. There was no extra work to do and no extra powers given to the Commission, but we managed to increase the number of commissioners to 27 by splitting portfolios and creating separate areas for the extra commissioners with all their staffs, advisers and entourages.
I cannot understand how those who advocate a No vote would want more commissioners. The EU is reducing its bureaucracy by getting rid of 12 commissioners and streamlining its operations. Who can object? We need appropriate and effective legislation and in some cases that means less legislation.
In the final analysis the decision about fewer commissioners is a red herring — the decision was taken in principle in the Nice Treaty to reduce the number of commissioners and all Lisbon does is put a figure on it and ensure there is a fair rotation of commissioners from different countries. Voting No to Lisbon won't change the decision already taken in the Nice Treaty.
I would earnestly ask any voters who are concerned by the loss of an Irish commissioner for five out of 15 years to ask themselves the following: Do we need to continue with the failed policy of "jobs for the boys", or do we need to have an effective, slimmed-down European Commission that will concentrate on its primary function, which is drafting effective and appropriate legislation for the EU? In my opinion, we need to get rid of unnecessary bureaucracy and one way of doing this is by voting Yes. - Yours, etc,
MARIAN HARKIN MEP,
European Parliament,
Brussels,
Belgium.
Madam, - Given the utter confusion, if not downright deception, in relation to the Lisbon Treaty, can any of our national gurus explain some simple mathematics?
Why, in recent weeks, was it so essential to appoint 35 Ministers for this small State while it is equally so essential to cut back 27 commissioners for all of the EU? - Yours, etc,
LIAM Ó LONARGÁIN,
Páirc Dhún an Óir,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Bhaile Átha Cliath.
Madam, - While browsing the internet last night looking for some information on the Lisbon Treaty, I clicked on the website of Cóir - one of the groups campaigning for a No vote. Cóir argues that the treaty will lead to the legalisation of abortion and euthanasia.
Unfortunately, when I went to the "Who We Are" section of the site, I was left scratching my head as to who were the people behind such extreme claims. There was no mention of any persons or organisations.
I would have thought that those espousing such bold claims would at least have had the courage to put their names on their website. - Yours, etc,
PADRAIC VALLELY,
Whitworth Road,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9.
Madam, - According to your front-page report of May 29th, Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister of State Dick Roche insist there is no "Plan B" if Ireland votes No to the Lisbon Treaty.
Methinks Taoiseach Brian Cowen will jump the queue with Plan F. - Yours, etc,
OLIVER McGRANE,
Marley Avenue,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
Madam, - Imagine my surprise when I opened The Irish Times on Tuesday morning in Belfast to find one of your journalists accusing me, party leader Eamon Gilmore and the Labour Party in general of not pulling our weight in the campaign for a Yes vote to the Lisbon Reform Treaty.
Having got up a 5am to meet up Eamon Gilmore and Mark Durkan, leader of the SDLP, for a joint party press conference on the treaty, I wondered how your journalist had missed this particular campaign engagement, particularly as it had been highlighted in his own newspaper the day before.
Thank God for the coverage The Irish Times is giving to the referendum campaign. But spare me the armchair pronouncements of the odd Irish Times journalist. - Yours, etc,
JOE COSTELLO TD,
Labour Party Spokesperson
on Europe,
Dáil Éireann,
Dublin 2.
Madam, - Reading the many letters on this topic over recent weeks, it has become obvious that the difficult wording of the treaty document has created differences that are difficult to reconcile.
We also see the inability of the Government and the main opposition parties to counter the baseless scaremongering of Libertas and Sinn Féin. The almost apologetic tone of many party officials is quite incredible. Inter-party squabbling and point-scoring have added to the confusion.
Most people (including myself) will probably trust their own instincts on voting day. But common sense and past experience should also inform our decision. We joined the club of European countries many years ago in the hope of improving our woeful living standards. It took years of negotiation and bargaining to get to where we are today. But we did, finally, make the breakthrough.
Imperfect as the EU was, and still is, we were able to fully use its resources.This jump-started our ailing economy - to the extent that Ireland eventually became the envy of Europe. And despite the global downturn, we still have the most robust economy in the EU. It is highly unlikely we could have achieved this on our own.
The shameful delusion of neutrality must also be faced down. We can unilaterally proclaim insular neutrality, but most of us know this is just a cop-out. Of course, we can put obstacles in the way of the US military in order to appease our consciences, but that won't stop rendition flights.
We will always need the protection of a sound European security and defence system, and even from a purely selfish viewpoint, we should play a full part in supporting that system. Sinn Féin's isolationist approach to globalisation and interdependence is symptomatic of its approach to politics in general. We need Europe, and Europe needs global clout.
There is, indeed, much that is wrong with the workings of the EU, not least some of the gobbledygook that emanates from the Commission, but it must also be accepted that the EU is still a work in progress - which is what this treaty is all about.
There are bound to be hiccups along the way, when trying to accommodate the aspirations of 450 million people, of various cultural backgrounds. But who can deny the benefits that have accrued to this State since Ireland became a constructive member of the EU? Our vote in this referendum should reflect that reality. - Yours, etc,
NIALL GINTY,
The Demesne,
Killester,
Dublin 5.
Madam, - I read today that the Bloomsday Festival will run from June 9th, and include outdoor readings of selected passages from Ulysses. I look forward to hearing Molly Bloom's final words from that great work being read as we vote on the Lisbon Treaty on June 12th: ". . . and yes I said yes I will Yes". - Yours, etc,
TOM BYRNE,
Gleann na Smol,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Madam, - Brian Cowen is refusing to be humble and apologise to a furious Fine Gael and Labour for telling them to intensify their campaign for a Yes vote. Our treasured EU commissioner Charlie McCreevy is refusing to read the Lisbon Treaty and warns the rest of us that we will go mad if we do so. The head-bangers have decorated the lampposts with confusing posters. I have a tense, nervous headache. Is this the neverendum? - Yours, etc,
PATRICK O'BYRNE,
Shandon Crescent,
Phibsborough,
Dublin 7.