PAUL BOWLER,
Sir, - The historical influence of Ireland and the Irish people across Europe and the rest of the world is well documented. At the beginning of the 21st century the people of Ireland stand on the threshold of a momentous decision. By rejecting the Nice Treaty they will ensure that democracy is given another lease of life across the European Union.
No other European member-state gave their citizens the chance to voice their opinions on ratification of the treaty. I hope the people of Ireland will not give up their constitutional right, which would effectively be the case with regard to further European decisions, should the Nice Treaty be ratified.
Commission President Romano Prodi has said: "Legally, ratification of the Nice Treaty is not necessary for enlargement." If Ireland reaffirms last year's No vote, enlargement can go ahead on the basis of the individual applicants' accession treaties, which is how the EU enlarged before. This will also ensure that the applicant countries join as equal partners.
It seems that we are heading for a European superstate, where our democratic voice will be wiped out along with our individual national identities. There are millions of people all over Europe looking towards Ireland in the hope that the Irish will once again issue a resounding No to Nice. - Yours, etc.,
A.G. McHALE,
Fort William,
Scotland.
A chara, - John Gormley explained in your paper (August 27th) that he was against the Nice Treaty as he wished for a democratic EU. He further explained that a ratified Nice Treaty would see power gravitate towards the larger members of the EU.
I'm confused. At the moment Ireland, with a population of about four million, has equal say in EU decisions with Germany, with some 80 million citizens. This is not democracy, as I understand it.
Mr Gormley seems to be unable to see beyond the nation-state as the basis of a democracy. This is particularly regrettable from a member of the Green Party. The movement of which he is a member is pan-European, global and radical.
The Green Movement is one of the few political entities to show any imagination over the past 20 years. Its most important innovation, however, is to point into the distant future and demand that today we take responsibility for that future.
I urge Mr Gormley and his ideological adherents to use their imaginations. Try to see beyond the now antiquated and discredited concept of the nation-state. The EU, continually expanding and with its multitude of imperfections, represents the best hope that lines on a map may cease to be a source of division. - Yours, etc.,
PAUL BOWLER,
Grosvenor Park,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.