CAROLINE NOLAN,
Sir, - Many opponents of the Nice Treaty, including Bernadette Walshe (June 25th), raise concerns about the allegedly undemocratic nature of the European Union if the treaty is ratified. Among the objections are: the possibility of being left without a Commissioner; and the trend in the Council decision-making towards majority rule.
Firstly, the European Commission is not a body representing member-states' interests, but the interests of the Union as a whole. Its aim is to promote integration. The Commissioners are independent experts responsible for certain policy areas. They are not guarantors of individual member-states' interests.
At present there are 20 portfolios within the Commission. If we are to keep the current system of appointments, the Commission would grow out of proportion and become too numerous to remain efficient. There would simply be more Commissioners than portfolios. The Nice Treaty provides a necessary amendment of the current system to maintain the Commission's functionality.
Secondly, the trend towards majority vote in the Council of Ministers as opposed to the unanimity rule is the only possible route for the whole of the Union to remain functioning. Currently in many areas one member-state may stall the decision-making process by using its right to veto, which will be the case if Ireland rejects the Nice Treaty again. How democratic is it if a tiny fraction of the population takes decisions which affect the whole population of the EU? After all, democracy is about majority rule.
Thirdly, from a population point of view, Ireland is actually favoured under the current arrangement because of the extra weighting given to the votes of small and medium states. Because of the over-representation of small states, the population of the EU covered by the qualified majority voting is in fact decreasing, with a possibility of reaching less than 50 per cent after enlargement. What the Nice Treaty does is in fact to move towards a more democratic Union.
I understand concerns about accountability, transparency and fairness and I believe that there are valid questions to be asked in this respect. I think, however, that the "democracy" argument should not be used without prior reflection as to the nature of democracy. - Yours, etc.,
MAGDALENA MAJKOWSKA, Dublin 1.
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Sir, - Did I understand our Taoiseach correctly when he said that we needed to sign up to Nice because it was the decent thing to do, especially in relation to opening the door for the countries waiting to join? And, with a subtle touch, he reminded us of all we have gained through membership, to the extent that we are morally bound to help our neighbours benefit from this thing called Europe.
But just as I am coming to terms with my guilt and shame of being part of an Irish nation that could potentially scupper a brave new world for 400 million people, I hear Michael McDowell's sober tones.
What is he saying? That our new Europe has some - well, how can I put it? - undesirable poor relations as neighbours, and that we really have to close the door on them and keep them off our European streets? But, in the spirit of charity, we'll give them some aid if they promise to stay in their own countries?
So, what am I voting for? To agree to let some neighbours in, because they want to get richer (and fair play to them). But to agree to keep others out, because they are too poor to get rich, even though all they want is to join the club.
After all, aren't we all told that being in Europe is the only show in, well, Europe? - Yours, etc.,
CAROLINE NOLAN, Belfast 12.
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Sir, - I voted No in the last Nice Treaty referendum and I intend to vote No in the next one. If the question is not changed, why should my answer?
It is not a declaration that the Nice Treaty will not affect Ireland's traditional military neutrality that is required to change my mind. This may well be the case, but is not really the point. A declaration, however, that the Nice Treaty will not affect the democratic accountability of the European Union, the European Commission and the European Council of Ministers to the Irish people might just influence my vote. However, I cannot imagine that such a declaration could be made as it is clearly not true.
If Irish ministers do not wish to be embarrassed in front of their European counterparts they, rather than "whinging" at us for voting No, should get the treaty right before presenting it to us. - Yours, etc.,
GORDON WHITE, Griffen Glen Road, Lucan, Co Dublin.
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Sir, - I am sure that the residents of Sarajevo, who had to endure months on end hiding in cellars whilst thugs destroyed their city and murdered men, women and children would applaud Ireland's stance on neutrality. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID HARDING, Dublin 14.