MARTIN MANSERGH,
Sir, - The former Dutch Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Tjerk Westerterp (September 9th), has called on the Irish people to vote No in the forthcoming second referendum on the Treaty of Nice (September 9th) on the basis that it will not adequately prepare EU institutions for enlargement on the scale now envisaged and does not remedy what he sees as "insufficient European parliamentary control and legislative powers".
Mr Westerterp is, of course, entitled to his view. The point remains, however, that the Treaty of Nice has been signed and ratified by the democratically elected governments and parliaments of 14 member-states. Its ratification is also supported by the candidate countries. The treaty is a necessary part of the enlargement process, not just to make it possible for 10 countries to join, but to make enlargement a success as well. Surely the consensus among those currently involved in the democratic governance of their countries, who want enlargement to proceed, must carry the greatest weight.
It is striking that the views outlined in Mr Westerterp's letter are diametrically opposed to those of Irish No campaigners. Whereas they allege that Nice would lead to a loss of sovereignty by individual member states, Mr Westerterp argues that Nice doesn't go far enough in that direction. He would wish to transfer more power and authority to the European Parliament, and by inference away from national parliaments. Neither of these No perspectives is in Ireland's interest.
The Treaty of Nice is about making the necessary changes to the institutions of the European Union to allow them to continue to function effectively after enlargement. None of the proposed changes damage any interest of fundamental importance to Ireland.
The Nice Treaty strikes a fair and reasonable balance between the different perspectives of the countries who negotiated it. There is no reason to believe a better deal could have been achieved at Nice, or more importantly, that a better deal might be available in the future, if we vote No. Indeed, the opposite is likely to be the case, as our influence is likely to be severely diminished. Our partners would be asking if we still expected to be part of the European enterprise; and investment confidence in Ireland, which at the moment comes from being at the heart of Europe, would be shaken.
As for the "democratic deficit" to which Mr Westerterp refers, issues that are over and above the immediate requirements of enlargement are currently the subject of debate at the Convention on the Future of Europe, with the full involvement of the candidate countries. Furthermore, the Government has already taken steps at a national level to ensure greater national scrutiny of European Union business, with the introduction in July of revised arrangements for Oireachtas scrutiny of EU legislation. These new procedures, which are to be placed on a legislative basis, will ensure the Oireachtas is informed at the earliest possible stage of proposed legislative developments in Europe.
This will afford an opportunity for detailed examination of the impact that these proposed developments might have for Ireland. The procedures will also allow for greater debate at parliamentary level on European developments. - Yours, etc.,
MARTIN MANSERGH, Seanad Éireann, Baile Átha Cliath 2.
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Sir, - Having read Breda O'Brien's columns of September 7th and 14th I can only conclude that she has yet to research the provisions of the Nice Treaty. There are two significant factual errors in her assertions. Firstly that Nice will lead to the increased militarisation of the EU and secondly that we would lose our commissioner.
The Nice Treaty specifically precludes the development of any type of common defence policy within the EU. One should not confuse the Rapid Reaction Force with a European Army. This force was set up under the provisions of the Maastrict Treaty and can be deployed only at the behest of the UN. The 850 Irish soldiers who serve in it are continuing the proud tradition of Irish soldiers through the years who have sought to bring peace to the world's trouble spots.
As regards to our right to nominate a commissioner, under Nice only the larger countries are losing commissioners. Each EU country will have a commissioner up to the accession of the 27th member. Then and only then will a new agreement have to be made on the distribution of commissioners. This new agreement will require the unanimous support of the EU members.
At worst, some time in the future, Ireland will agree to forgo a commissioner for five years out of every century. - Yours, etc.,
PAUL BOWLER, Grosvenor Park, Dublin 6.
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Sir, - The Taoiseach has announced he is "treating the Nice referendum very much like a General Election". I would call that bad salesmanship and I wouldn't mention the last general election if I were he. Does this mean Fianna Fáil is going to tell even more lies to the voters? - Yours, etc.,
FRANK NEENAN, Tullow Road, Carlow.