Sir, - Attributing to one's opponents views that they don't hold is one of the oldest tricks of the debating trade, and one that is not beneath Niall Andrews, MEP (April 28th). Opponents of the Nice Treaty do not, by and large, believe that "allowing new members from Eastern and Central Europe to join the EU" is "endangering democracy". However, we wish to ensure that the EU these countries eventually join is democratically accountable to its citizens, independent of the military/industrial complex, and free from domination by any single state or coalition of states.
Mr Andrews rightly points out that "Ireland is the only country in Europe which is putting this treaty to the people" - an observation that reflects badly on the erosion of democracy in our EU partners. The many opponents of a privatised and militarised Europe in those countries are hoping that the Irish electorate will do the right thing and send the Nice Treaty back to the drawing-board. - Yours etc.,
Raymond Deane, Haigh Terrace, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.