Sir, - There is widespread support for admitting countries in Eastern Europe to the European Union. Why mislead the electorate by pretending that the referendum result is a verdict on this issue?
Public debate should move on to the real problems which arise from the evolution of the Union. The critical factor at this stage is the balance of power - between the Union and its members - growing centralisation of authority and the gradual marginalisation of member-states.
Discussions at Nice concentrated on voting procedures (to the detriment of small nations) and a review of existing institutions and then concluded with a vague promise to examine Union/state relationships in due course. Yet those relationships are a vital element in creating a viable Community and winning the support of citizens.
People value their independence and resent the creeping intrusion from Brussels. Why not establish a genuine federal system which recognises the rights of individual States - large and small - and clearly limits the functions and powers of the Union? - Yours, etc.,
T. O'Connor, Churchtown, Dublin 14.