Madam, - John Mallon (April 7th) writes about scare-mongering on the part of some supporters of the Reform Treaty. He then suggests that the Irish people are being asked to ratify a treaty that will put an end to future referendums on EU matters. This is incorrect.
Article 1.56 of the treaty makes clear that any future move to confer additional powers on the EU, to alter the provisions of the treaty or even to amend EU internal policies (e.g., economic, energy, agriculture), in a way that does not increase the Union's competence, must be approved in accordance with the constitutional requirements of each member-state.
In Ireland, as is currently the case, this means that advice will be sought from the Attorney General on each occasion as to whether a referendum is required. The Government will be guided by the advice of the Attorney General in each instance. Therefore, any suggestion that the treaty rules out future referendums is wholly wrong and might even be construed as scare-mongering.
I respectfully disagree with the idea that the negotiators should be sent back to the drawing board to come up with another treaty. The existing proposal is a good one. Crucially, by recognising the principle of equality of treatment, it is fair to small member-states. It also ensures balance between the institutions, something which has been beneficial to Ireland.
Rejecting the treaty would serve no useful purpose, above all for Ireland. - Yours, etc,
DICK ROCHE TD Minister for European Affairs, Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2.
Madam, - I congratulate Susan George on her articulate critique of the Lisbon Treaty (Opinion & Analysis, April 11th).
The vast majority of commentary on the Lisbon Treaty from both sides over the past few weeks has been either juvenile mud-slinging or empty rhetoric. Practically no coherent arguments have been put as to why the Irish electorate should support this treaty other than the sentiment, "If you don't vote Yes, then Europe is doomed".
The voices of those who are staunchly in favour of the European project based on the social model of equity, equality and accessible public services have been drowned out.
The Europe of the future ought to be one constructed on values that transcend liberal market economics. The economy ought to be viewed as means to achieve a wider social value - the sustainability of living societies. A case must be made urgently for a new, vibrant European citizenship that can vindicate such values as solidarity, community, democracy, justice, freedom and equality.
Once again the Labour party has missed an ideal opportunity to put forward an alternative social and economic model to the Irish electorate. It is left to various other organisations to organise a campaign that puts forth these pro-Europe, pro-democracy arguments.
The greatest challenge of the new century is to build a democratic citizenship in a just economy with an ethical politics that facilitates a participatory civil society. The Lisbon Treaty, on the other hand, facilitates greater liberalisation of public services and a naïve belief in the hidden hand of the market. European citizens deserve better than this. - Yours, etc,
A chara, - Susan George tells us we should vote No to the Lisbon Treaty because it a Yes vote would be a victory for free competition and business interests. Declan Ganley tells us we should vote No because it a Yes vote would be a a defeat for free competition and business interests.
In the event that we do vote No, will we have voted for or against free competition and business interests? - Is mise,
DONNACHA MAGUIRE, Fr Mc Cullen Park, Kells, Co Meath.
Madam, - The Irish electorate has a veto on the passing of the Lisbon Treaty.
However, it is also being told by most of its elected representatives that exercising that veto will mean isolation from Europe and dire consequences for our standing at the European table.
Meanwhile, the French finance minister Christine Lagarde has stated her intention to push through a common European corporation tax formula ( The Irish Times, April 8th). In my view this would undermine Ireland's tax intake (with implications for public service spending) and its competitiveness (with implications for our employment rate).
In light of this, could the Taoiseach-in-waiting, as well as the other party leaders in favour of the Lisbon Treaty, reassure Irish voters that when it comes to exercising a veto over the French proposals they will not fear to do so - even if we are again threatened with isolation? - Yours, etc,
COLIN COOPER, Derrymeeleen, Ballineen, Co Cork.