Sir, – The discussions on the European treaty seem to focus on a supposed relationship between the outcome of the vote, and Ireland’s possible receipt of financial aid. This appears to me to be based on the false premise that the aid given is provided generously to help Ireland. It is not.
The aid is given in the, probably vain, hope that the euro can be saved. This is the European agenda, and Ireland’s vote will make not one whit of difference to anything the troika and other European bodies will do or not do. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Liam O’Mahony (May 2nd) is doubtful about Enda Kenny’s claim that the treaty says that “countries that ratify the treaty will have access to the European Stability Mechanism”. He asks whether it says that those who don’t won’t.
The answer is yes, it does say that. The Preamble of the Treaty (third-last paragraph) points out that “the granting of financial assistance in the framework of new programmes under the European Stability Mechanism will be conditional, as of March 2013, on the ratification of this treaty by the contracting party concerned’.
In fact, the treaty goes farther than this by stipulating that not only does access to such funds hinge on ratification, it is also dependent on “compliance with the requirements” of Article 3 (2) which refers to the future implementation of the new fiscal rules.
The treaty is crystal clear on this point in Article 3 (2) and makes it perfectly clear that these rules that we will abide by will have to enter into force through “provisions of binding force and permanent character”. – Yours, etc,