A chara, - The Government's reaction to the No verdict is disappointing - as is that of the main political parties. Mr Brian Cowen's hectoring and almost intimidatory approach is unseemly and counter-productive.
That approach and those reactions say quite clearly that the Government and its EU partners have got it right and the Irish electorate got it wrong. The people were misled or they didn't understand the implications of the treaty and have, indeed, let down our European partners. Now that is sheer arrogance! Like a lot of people, I voted No mainly because of the democracy deficit outlined in the new structures. If the treaty is ratified, more and more of the decision-making will be done by unelected bureaucrats and civil servants. Their accountability to the Irish people will be close to negligible in many vital areas.
And where will it stop? The German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroder, has published plans for the development of a European superstate. There is talk of the long-term integration and militarisation of Europe. Michael D. Higgins, a thinking politician, speaks of the dangers posed by ever-increasing market forces. He said in an interview: "I find the Nice Treaty flawed and the negotiations leading up to it were botched." Though voting for it with his party, he obviously has serious reservations.
What can one think of the inexcusable and disgraceful castigation of MEP Dana Rosemary Scallon by MEP Joe McCartin as "racist and zenophobic"? Or his undemocratic condemnation of the Bishop of Raphoe? Or John Cushnahan's tirade of condemnation on Clare FM? It must make people wonder about the future of democracy in the European Union.
It is, however, most refreshing and a cause for some optimism that Eamon O Cuiv TD showed the all too rare courage to vote No according to his convictions and say so. That is the kind of political leadership Ireland needs. Sile de Valera also did well to express her strong reservations. It all emphasises the need for a people's debate all over Europe on what the public want and the best modus operandi. Each country should debate this question and have a referendum on considerably modified terms. I would favour very much a largely economic union, certainly not a political superstate where our voice and would be negligible. The bottom line is that if we are not satisfied with our elected rulers in Dail Eireann, we can vote to change them. The European Union authorities are a largely unelected bureaucracy we cannot vote to oust. We will lose the power of veto, we will lose the right to have a commissioner and a majority insensitive to our needs will prevail.
The Irish people are supportive of the concept of a European union. This has been fully indicated by the support for past referendums. But the Treaty of Nice seems a bridge too far. We are fully supportive of the weaker economies applying to join. However, the democratic structures must be changed, the huge democratic deficit remedied. Festina lente - hasten slowly! The year 2002 is not cast in stone. Let it be 2004, 2007 even 2010 AD. But let there be no ultimatums! The people will not be conned.
That great scholar Daniel Corkery, in his The fortunes of the Irish Language, writes of misguided policies pursued by leaders but rejected by the mass of the ordinary people. "The people here, as often, led the leaders."
Our political masters should take note. - Yours, etc.,
Brendan Vaughan, Beechlawn House, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare.